Peace & Prosperity to you all,
Over on Face Book, I have a Cause up known as Summer Arts Simple & Easy (S.A.S.E). to help facilitate parents and kids finding affordable if not free summer school alternatives in the Los Angeles area. Included in that is also the offer to provide a series of my own and help other artists I know in setting up their own. Hit me up if you are down.
Below is the recent news item I posted in the Cause. There are two other projects that I know of working to fill this summer gap and they can use your PARTICIPATION. I am also urging members of S.A.S.E. to donate $25. If you've got $25 and want to help out, we are right now fundraising for the Boys & Girls Club of Venice. They are maxxed out. More details below. If you are on Face Book, please join the Cause and donate the cash!
1) PAPEL (People's Assembly for Popular Education & Liberation), an alternative summer school set-up by LAUSD teachers and parents launched last week offering classes @ 100 N Toluca St, Los Angeles, CA 90026. Click on their name and you will be taken to their blog. if you live out that way and want to support with a course of your own, please contact them directly.
2) USC has chimed in with an on-line resource for classes. SOS Classroom . They have a site with kids showing up, making use of the computers there. Please check out their site to see how you can help. The curriculum is free and open to everyone and is "crowdsourced." Very exciting.
3) We have a beneficiary! After reading an article in the Argonaut, I decided to call the Boys and Girls Club of Venice to see how we could be of help. In case you have not heard, this one facility alone is currently seeing 400+ kids per DAY due to the cancellation of summer school. Aileen Martinez explained to me the dire situation they are in: 10 student positions were cut due to budget issues prior to the closing, so they are short-handed, while servicing their community at record breaking levels. It is time to raise some funds and if you are out this way, sign up to volunteer. It is simple to give to them. Just click that you want to donate on our Causes page and walk through the steps! It would be great if you could each give $25, but every bit helps.
Now, right after I decided that we should raise funds for an existing organization and offer volunteer support, I got word that 826LA is also struggling under the weight of closed summer school. While Boys & Girls Clubs charge a very modest fee per week for their summer program ($25 - $35 per week), 826LA is free. They need us, too. So here's the deal:
826LA is having their Paddle Boat Regatta next weekend in Echo Park. Fundraising has already begun, but they are over $1000 short of their target. You can help them out by going directly to their website page for the regatta and donating to any team the tickles your fancy. You can also help them at their two sites in LA, here in Venice and in Echo Park by volunteering to help a child with their writing and reading. I will contact them directly to see if they would be up for a movement theatre-based writing project at either site.
There is so much undone here; it boggles the mind. This weekend I finally made it out to the boardwalk only to see a bunch of kids being arrested by a bunch of police. In fact, the police presence has been significantly increased here in Venice, no doubt, in response to the closure of summer school. This is the only response we can expect from the police. They are doing the job they know how to do. Therefore, it is up to all of us who know how to engage kids with excitement, art, and yes, love, to make ourselves available and PARTICIPATE in saving the kids. This is not metaphorical. The five kids I saw getting carted off can vouch for that.
Let's get the membership up on the Cause! Invite your friends and don't be 'shame to ask them for $25 for the Boys & Girls Club of Venice. If you have a B&GC in your neighborhood, ask them if they need help and let us all know. If you are participating in a project that needs volunteers, please post it to the board. It is my hope that we can rotate beneficiaries every two weeks. More than that, it is my hope that you will give a class of your own. Read the recommendations on how to go about that on the Causes page.
be the love and light,
-Anna
Monday, July 20, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
NEWSLETTER: shake it shake it shake it shake it baby, twist it
ALOHA!
Wow, so the University of California just took a massive financial hit. I am confused as to how slashing workers pay 4 - 10% for one year through a weirdly structured furlough plan is going to save anything since the State of California continues to also not pay any of the rest of its obligation to the University, but hey, maybe that's just me. Right now, this morning, the Repair California folks are meeting and Antonio is giving the welcome. I had hoped to actually be involved and be there, but their phone call for action came yesterday at 11 am and when I returned the call, it went straight to voice mail. I do not feel so bad about my procrastination now. But in all of this, there is a rather sparkly silver lining. For the last several decades the UC and the State of California have been able to determine what was knowledge worthy of knowing and more importantly how & when that knowledge would be distributed. Not so anymore. Any arts education entrepreneurs out there? This is YOUR moment. There is absolutely no way that the educational system K - 12 and into Community College and University can sustain these cuts. Programs and departments will be disappearing in a few weeks and the time to degree will significantly increase, the K-12 experience has been gutted: it is time to create a new path to knowledge, new definitions for "education." And from my point of view, not just the "ed. specialists" should have a hand in this. The parents, even of the college folks (cause, boy are they too coddled to handle college these days) should be part of the teaching team. No more backseat teaching! No more automobile metaphors! We're going for low-carbon emission theoretical and practically implemented models! While the education thing crumbles down around our feet, let's take note of the pieces that can be recycled and/or repurposed responsibly. Swim in the elegance that is life and you'll find that you have more than enough to share, create with, and give.
Afrolicious. Afrologia. Afrodelic. Afropoesia. Afrologica. How big is your 'fro? Fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in service to lifting us all up! That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, read up, be up, act up--you can move mountains, now make it beautiful.
BLOWING BACK DA FRO right this very minute, aside from the big meeting at USC for the planning of the Constitutional Convention is the Big Parade! Yes, some pretty crafty art that is a mapping project, endurance test, and meet your neighbors cause you might need their help kinda thing. They pushed off about three hours ago in China Town. You can follow their updates via twitter. Go to their blog page to get the links for the parade route, how to meet up with them, to follow the Twitter Feed. If you use Twitter, you can follow them directly @bigparadela. I am likely going to join them tomorrow, though I would love to walk through Echo Park today, gotta see what I can learn from the gathering downtown.
TONIGHT
UNKNOWN THEATRE
1110 Seward Street Los Angeles, CA 90038; (323) 466-7781, map
Born Dance Company
July 16 - July 26: Thursdays - Saturdays 8 PM, Sundays 6 PM; $18 tix on line, $25 at the door
Quite the collection of dancer-choreographers on this show! Won Sun Choi, an intriguing mover between traditional and contemporary Korean dance, artistic director of this new venture, has layered an evening with a slew of visiting performers from Seoul and new dancers from Southern California. Sue Roginski, a collaborating choreographer will be on hand with "Sandoval's Story," which she showed in progress at Anatomy Riot #31. It was really intriguing since it involves the audience learning the gestures live while doing them. You will not be disappointed. And what a great place to see them altogether! Go check it out!!! (Unknown's website appears to be having trouble right now)
1830 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
Sunday, July 19th; Doors 8:30 PM, Screening 9 PM $5
1830 Collective presents a mini-Freewaves type of event on their roof in Echo Park! Freewaves is this awesome video festival that places work in the most unlikely places including security monitors, diner TVs and laundromats. Director/curator Anne Bray will be on hand to talk about the work showcased in this event, Civic Statues Unfrozen for One Hour: Clothed Women and Unarmed Men. Run time is 55 minutes and this is a two-channel installation piece of recent international short films. I LOVE the 1830 folks. They have a very quirky vision and they are committed to making it happen. Go check this.
other events from 1830:
Dinner: A raw vegan gourmet Thai dinner under stars and moonlight
Chefs Stephen Hauptfuhr (MOOI) and Bryan Au (Raw in Ten)
Saturday, 25 July 2009, Doors 8pm, Dinner 8:30pm $25
RSVP required info@eighteen-thirty.com
Saturday, July 25, NOON; donations being accepted NOW
All things Echo Park today?! I guess so, cause this event is gonna be a lot of fun for a great cause. Even though the city has cut the boat House at the Echo Park Lake (yup that's right, no paddle boats) this event was allowed to happen this weekend. I am not sure but I think the Big Parade was scheduled to get in there and boat across but were denied access since I guess there is only so much OT the City Parks & Recs can carry right now (LAKERS!). Anyway, donate some cash even if you can't go. 826LA needs it ASAP. Any amount accepted. This is a wonderful program with sites around the city. My son loves them.
REDCAT
631 W 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
NOW Festival
July 23–August 8, 2009, Thur–Sat | 8:30 PM; call box office for $35 festival pass or purchase single nights online
Ayana Hampton y'all...with Sheetal Ghandi on the first program. Damn, George Lugg! You tryin' to hurt somebody?! And then closin out the whole thing with the dance Ninja herself, Meg Wolfe? Get that bar stocked, George. get the bar stocked. BLOWOUT COMB, prolly need to bring your own grease...
FESTIVALS
GRAND PERFORMANCES, 350 S Grand Ave, LA, map
Grand Performances is in full swing now. I saw Buika last week and thought I would absolutely not mind dying right there, listening to that voice and that amazing pianist. Last night was certainly a big blast for those in attendance and tonight ALBITA will hurt your hips, direct form Cuba, so you better get there early if you know what is good for you.
Coming up that you don't want to miss:
Jul 25 8:00 PM: Curumin with Money Mark & Novalima, sweeeeet! Nice balançando Brazilian grooves, Curumin will be lovely. Great dancing night.
Jul 31 8 PM Lo Còr de la Plana and Fish Tank Ensemble--OMG! The bass player of Fishtank is HOT. I had to say that. And the music is just ridiculous. I have a weak spot for Gypsy music and that thing with the saw has to be seen to believe. Bring your dancing shoes and tamborines. The other group...hmmmm. Not quite feeling it, but the fountain has a way of bringing out the best in a group. here's hopin'.
Aug 15 8 PM Zap Mama!!! Yes, there was a cancellation in the program , so geez, Zap Mama was gracious enough to fill in. WHAAAAT?! Early, get there VERY early.
ONGOING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Hana van der Kolk has a new class up at the Open Space! 10:30am-12:30pm and Mondays - July 20, Thursdays - July 16th, 23rd, and 30thth, and 27th 7:30-9:30pm; $10/class; 209 S. Garey St. 90012 (2nd floor). Why don't you check out Hassan's page and see what all is crackin there. He has reduced rental rates for this month only (who knows, maybe a slot is waiting for you) and Po One has been giving class there, too.
Right now in Oakland, Muisi Malonga is gearing up to take the peoples out to the woods for 10 days of dance, music, sun and Kongo Arts next weekend. First, she wants you all to stop by for the "warm up" all weekend long at the Malonga Casquelourde Center for the Arts. Go get that 'fro picked all the way out, with some afrosheen gloss spritzer to finish it out. map
LOVELY!
I'm gonna stop here. I am obviously still not downtown for this meeting, likely because it will just make me sad. As part of my investigations into what to do to help keep my babies outta jail this summer (that's right, once you have one child, you get to claim all of them in the whole wide world as yours, check your contracts and memos) since there is no summer school, I have been going around town looking into what already exists and thinking of ways to let folks know about it, support it and participate in it. Museums, performance centers, dance companies, presenters...again, I was reminded about the numbers, those pesky digits from the 2000 census and really became concerned about 2010 numbers as well as an unnecessary split in civic consciousness: city vs. community. While we are refocusing our minds to celebrate the new beginning being handed us by the demise of our educational systems, we better plan a way to break apart this dichotomy. I am getting the sense that these two words are racial codes AND class codes, and that ain't good. City folks are generally white and affluent, or white-identified and affluent and have very little need for city services. Community members work hard for their money, may in fact earn more than $75K a year, but are concerned with and need services to supplement their income and lifestyle; often these are people of color and "white hipsters" who just cannot understand why anyone would waste money as easily as the City does on improvements that don't help the communities. Not good. As I sit with this thought, I invite you all to begin writing letters telling the city administrators exactly what you would like your money to support/improve/eradicate. For instance, I get sick every time I see a new speed bump go up. The issue is fast, accessible, pervasive public transportation; people would not tear through neighborhoods in a huff if the main arteries were not so clogged. Or spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to artically market the city with those lamp post banners when 500+ childern could have a blast in an innovative arts-based summer exploration. Get the idea? Let's start slinging that ink, making those plans and taking the necessary steps to shake the dust out of this rug we call civic pride so we can once again admire its lovely pattern.
in love,
-Anna
Wow, so the University of California just took a massive financial hit. I am confused as to how slashing workers pay 4 - 10% for one year through a weirdly structured furlough plan is going to save anything since the State of California continues to also not pay any of the rest of its obligation to the University, but hey, maybe that's just me. Right now, this morning, the Repair California folks are meeting and Antonio is giving the welcome. I had hoped to actually be involved and be there, but their phone call for action came yesterday at 11 am and when I returned the call, it went straight to voice mail. I do not feel so bad about my procrastination now. But in all of this, there is a rather sparkly silver lining. For the last several decades the UC and the State of California have been able to determine what was knowledge worthy of knowing and more importantly how & when that knowledge would be distributed. Not so anymore. Any arts education entrepreneurs out there? This is YOUR moment. There is absolutely no way that the educational system K - 12 and into Community College and University can sustain these cuts. Programs and departments will be disappearing in a few weeks and the time to degree will significantly increase, the K-12 experience has been gutted: it is time to create a new path to knowledge, new definitions for "education." And from my point of view, not just the "ed. specialists" should have a hand in this. The parents, even of the college folks (cause, boy are they too coddled to handle college these days) should be part of the teaching team. No more backseat teaching! No more automobile metaphors! We're going for low-carbon emission theoretical and practically implemented models! While the education thing crumbles down around our feet, let's take note of the pieces that can be recycled and/or repurposed responsibly. Swim in the elegance that is life and you'll find that you have more than enough to share, create with, and give.
Afrolicious. Afrologia. Afrodelic. Afropoesia. Afrologica. How big is your 'fro? Fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in service to lifting us all up! That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, read up, be up, act up--you can move mountains, now make it beautiful.
BLOWING BACK DA FRO right this very minute, aside from the big meeting at USC for the planning of the Constitutional Convention is the Big Parade! Yes, some pretty crafty art that is a mapping project, endurance test, and meet your neighbors cause you might need their help kinda thing. They pushed off about three hours ago in China Town. You can follow their updates via twitter. Go to their blog page to get the links for the parade route, how to meet up with them, to follow the Twitter Feed. If you use Twitter, you can follow them directly @bigparadela. I am likely going to join them tomorrow, though I would love to walk through Echo Park today, gotta see what I can learn from the gathering downtown.
TONIGHT
UNKNOWN THEATRE
1110 Seward Street Los Angeles, CA 90038; (323) 466-7781, map
Born Dance Company
July 16 - July 26: Thursdays - Saturdays 8 PM, Sundays 6 PM; $18 tix on line, $25 at the door
Quite the collection of dancer-choreographers on this show! Won Sun Choi, an intriguing mover between traditional and contemporary Korean dance, artistic director of this new venture, has layered an evening with a slew of visiting performers from Seoul and new dancers from Southern California. Sue Roginski, a collaborating choreographer will be on hand with "Sandoval's Story," which she showed in progress at Anatomy Riot #31. It was really intriguing since it involves the audience learning the gestures live while doing them. You will not be disappointed. And what a great place to see them altogether! Go check it out!!! (Unknown's website appears to be having trouble right now)
1830 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
Sunday, July 19th; Doors 8:30 PM, Screening 9 PM $5
1830 Collective presents a mini-Freewaves type of event on their roof in Echo Park! Freewaves is this awesome video festival that places work in the most unlikely places including security monitors, diner TVs and laundromats. Director/curator Anne Bray will be on hand to talk about the work showcased in this event, Civic Statues Unfrozen for One Hour: Clothed Women and Unarmed Men. Run time is 55 minutes and this is a two-channel installation piece of recent international short films. I LOVE the 1830 folks. They have a very quirky vision and they are committed to making it happen. Go check this.
other events from 1830:
Dinner: A raw vegan gourmet Thai dinner under stars and moonlight
Chefs Stephen Hauptfuhr (MOOI) and Bryan Au (Raw in Ten)
Saturday, 25 July 2009, Doors 8pm, Dinner 8:30pm $25
RSVP required info@eighteen-thirty.com
PADDLE BOAT HOUSE ECHO PARK LAKE
1714 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles
826LA Paddle Boat Regatta1714 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles
Saturday, July 25, NOON; donations being accepted NOW
All things Echo Park today?! I guess so, cause this event is gonna be a lot of fun for a great cause. Even though the city has cut the boat House at the Echo Park Lake (yup that's right, no paddle boats) this event was allowed to happen this weekend. I am not sure but I think the Big Parade was scheduled to get in there and boat across but were denied access since I guess there is only so much OT the City Parks & Recs can carry right now (LAKERS!). Anyway, donate some cash even if you can't go. 826LA needs it ASAP. Any amount accepted. This is a wonderful program with sites around the city. My son loves them.
REDCAT
631 W 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
NOW Festival
July 23–August 8, 2009, Thur–Sat | 8:30 PM; call box office for $35 festival pass or purchase single nights online
Ayana Hampton y'all...with Sheetal Ghandi on the first program. Damn, George Lugg! You tryin' to hurt somebody?! And then closin out the whole thing with the dance Ninja herself, Meg Wolfe? Get that bar stocked, George. get the bar stocked. BLOWOUT COMB, prolly need to bring your own grease...
FESTIVALS
GRAND PERFORMANCES, 350 S Grand Ave, LA, map
Grand Performances is in full swing now. I saw Buika last week and thought I would absolutely not mind dying right there, listening to that voice and that amazing pianist. Last night was certainly a big blast for those in attendance and tonight ALBITA will hurt your hips, direct form Cuba, so you better get there early if you know what is good for you.
Coming up that you don't want to miss:
Jul 25 8:00 PM: Curumin with Money Mark & Novalima, sweeeeet! Nice balançando Brazilian grooves, Curumin will be lovely. Great dancing night.
Jul 31 8 PM Lo Còr de la Plana and Fish Tank Ensemble--OMG! The bass player of Fishtank is HOT. I had to say that. And the music is just ridiculous. I have a weak spot for Gypsy music and that thing with the saw has to be seen to believe. Bring your dancing shoes and tamborines. The other group...hmmmm. Not quite feeling it, but the fountain has a way of bringing out the best in a group. here's hopin'.
Aug 15 8 PM Zap Mama!!! Yes, there was a cancellation in the program , so geez, Zap Mama was gracious enough to fill in. WHAAAAT?! Early, get there VERY early.
ONGOING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Hana van der Kolk has a new class up at the Open Space! 10:30am-12:30pm and Mondays - July 20, Thursdays - July 16th, 23rd, and 30thth, and 27th 7:30-9:30pm; $10/class; 209 S. Garey St. 90012 (2nd floor). Why don't you check out Hassan's page and see what all is crackin there. He has reduced rental rates for this month only (who knows, maybe a slot is waiting for you) and Po One has been giving class there, too.
Right now in Oakland, Muisi Malonga is gearing up to take the peoples out to the woods for 10 days of dance, music, sun and Kongo Arts next weekend. First, she wants you all to stop by for the "warm up" all weekend long at the Malonga Casquelourde Center for the Arts. Go get that 'fro picked all the way out, with some afrosheen gloss spritzer to finish it out. map
LOVELY!
I'm gonna stop here. I am obviously still not downtown for this meeting, likely because it will just make me sad. As part of my investigations into what to do to help keep my babies outta jail this summer (that's right, once you have one child, you get to claim all of them in the whole wide world as yours, check your contracts and memos) since there is no summer school, I have been going around town looking into what already exists and thinking of ways to let folks know about it, support it and participate in it. Museums, performance centers, dance companies, presenters...again, I was reminded about the numbers, those pesky digits from the 2000 census and really became concerned about 2010 numbers as well as an unnecessary split in civic consciousness: city vs. community. While we are refocusing our minds to celebrate the new beginning being handed us by the demise of our educational systems, we better plan a way to break apart this dichotomy. I am getting the sense that these two words are racial codes AND class codes, and that ain't good. City folks are generally white and affluent, or white-identified and affluent and have very little need for city services. Community members work hard for their money, may in fact earn more than $75K a year, but are concerned with and need services to supplement their income and lifestyle; often these are people of color and "white hipsters" who just cannot understand why anyone would waste money as easily as the City does on improvements that don't help the communities. Not good. As I sit with this thought, I invite you all to begin writing letters telling the city administrators exactly what you would like your money to support/improve/eradicate. For instance, I get sick every time I see a new speed bump go up. The issue is fast, accessible, pervasive public transportation; people would not tear through neighborhoods in a huff if the main arteries were not so clogged. Or spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to artically market the city with those lamp post banners when 500+ childern could have a blast in an innovative arts-based summer exploration. Get the idea? Let's start slinging that ink, making those plans and taking the necessary steps to shake the dust out of this rug we call civic pride so we can once again admire its lovely pattern.
in love,
-Anna
Monday, July 6, 2009
NEWSLETTER: listing to the left
or to the right?
Greetings!
Though I had a burning desire to send out a post pre-Independence Day, full of irony and likely a tad too much bile, I decided instead to take action and be of service. Wow, has the last week not been surreal, or what? I had a complete list typed out in my head, which means that it is time to start putting stuff onto a channel on YouTube, of all of the crazazy things going on in California, especially in LA, that required our true love of citizenship, not jingoistic patriotism. So, I guess, I'll rattle off the list, because time is of the essence y'all. We got to get into motion towards resolutions and solutions, not just studies (though those are cool, they can suck needed resources away once the picture is clear enough to make a good educated guess about the action part), not just talking (omg, how many projects do you have mostly completed because you could not shut up about it and got tired of it your own self) not just letter-writing ( a recent study, note irony here, found that all those cool little emails you shoot up to DC and your state's capital go unread because they are form letters and therefore 'not real,' I know, I know) but person to person, thoughtful action embedded in loving kindness. Irony is fun y'all, but often, not productive, so let me get it off my chest:
Afrolicious. Afrologia. Afrodelic. Afropoesia. Afrologica. How big is your 'fro? Fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in service to lifting us all up! That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, read up, be up, act up--you can move mountains, now make it beautiful.
BLOWIN BACK DA 'FRO right now is my own shimmy and shake for da peeples. This past weekend, after years of working behind the scenes with Viver Brasil, I got to witness them take some risks on that wild Ford Amphitheatre stage and receive a big time international agent!! Go Linda! That made me feel great to be a part of that. Whaaat! Next, Nehera Kalev pushed me up my own big-mouth-thinkin-out-loud hill, with Sara Wolf right alongside screamin' and kickin' and together we three (with emo support from Arianne Hoffmann, Meg Wolfe & Taisha Paiggett) hosted the first-ever Alternative Transmissions: Sunday Soup Kitchen, or @sk for short. We gifted $100 to Leonix Dance Theater! Now I am about to drop some bombs with the S.A.S.E. project and urge people to go to their local schools and do TEACH-INS next week. That's right. Action, Jackson. Check out how P.A.P.E.L. is rockin it. Sometimes, you gotta tell yourself, "thank you self, for sticking in there and letting the Higher self get a crack at shining that light." This week is pretty much a continuation of more of the same madness, so luckily there are PLENTY zany, community-based arts projects to get your mind free so that your ass can follow. Now grab that Afro Pick and let's get this thang all the way round and crowned!
AVENUE 50 STUDIO GALLERY, 131 North Avenue 50, Highland Park, CA
Ashé Blessings, Energy, Power
FREE Reception: Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 7-10 pm
Exhibiting artists: Katie Elizabeth Brown, Eddy Bello-Sandoval, Viredo, Ricardo Silvereira Miró, Wendell Wiggins, Susan Matthews, Betty Kano, Lili Bernard, Gloria Longval, and an Eleggua altar by Jorge Luis Rodriguez. Modupe Orixá! Come one and come all! This is a glorious ocassion! Bring some candy for Eleggua!
IMIX BOOKSTORE, 5052 Eagle Rock Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA
WORDS WITH A PURPOSE Free fundraiser reading
Saturday, July 11, 7:30pm
Featuring the words and rhythms of Olga García Echeverría, liz gonzález, reina alejandra prado & Frankie Salinas with special guests Gloria E. Alvarez and Lysa Flores. Yes, this is free, BUT it is a fundraiser, so to get them the cash to help out a local bookstore and a school library please do the following: If you can't make it to the event and want to make a donation, gift certificates from IMIX or online bookstores, like http://www.powells.com/, are preferred. Make checks payable to “Friends of the Arroyo Seco Library.” Send gift certificates and checks to
Erika Montenegro, Adult Librarian
Arroyo Seco Library
6145 N Figueroa St
LA CA 90042
For more info about donations, contact Erika Montenegro: emontene@lapl.org or 323.255.0537
Alright? It sounds as if once you get there, there will be a basket/bucket/can collection thing happening, otherwise, DONATE even if you can't make it! They are STILL taking donations...
Chinatown's Historic Central Plaza, 943 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA
Alfie Numeric and her possee are at it again! Get yourself downtown and have a good time at what promises to be an unusual street party. "Half music festival – half block party, The Funk Rumble is a blend of live music, djs, vendors, and artists coming together to celebrate urban soul and create the ultimate summer party!" DJ Jeremy Sol will be on the block as will a bevvy of live painters. You wanna check this one.
REDCAT, 631 W 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
NOW Festival
July 23–August 8, 2009, Thursdays–Saturdays | 8:30 PM; $36 for the entire series if you call 213-237-2800
AWESOME! Three weeks of mayhem with TWO folks whom I would absolutely stop and rearrange my schedule to go and see (out of about 5 or so): Meg Wolfe and Ayana Hampton. I should also add in there, George Lugg (teehee), director o da facilities. The Line up:
EARLY MORNING OPERA: ABACUS/SHEETAL GANDHI: BAHU-BETI-BIWI/AYANA HAMPTON: THE AYANA HAMPTON SHOW. program 2 CAROLE KIM w/ OGURI, ALEX CLINE & DAN CLUCAS: N1/JENNIFER THE LEOPARD: LEOP YEAR (NO JAMMING) program 3 ZACKARY DRUCKER , MARIANA MARROQUIN,WU INGRID TSANG: PIG/MEG WOLFE: WATCH HER (NOT KNOW IT NOW)/LAUREN WEEDMAN: OFF
ONGOING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
African dance camp season is HERE! Fareta kicks it off this weekend. Should be amazing. Pay upon arrival
Here in town, N'Deye Gueye Teaches West African Dance Workshops @ Lula Washington Dance Studios, Wed. July 8th & Thurs July 9th @ 8-9:30pm. This is a special treat. Definitely advanced level. $15/class.
I do believe that Juan Carlos is back for his now monthly class in LA (see, there is a dance fairy god mother) Sunday, July 12, 2:00- 3:30; 3:30-5:00 p.m. Afro-Cuban Folklore, Rumba & Cuban Popular@ Clarita's Arte Flamenco- Center for World Dance. $15 each or $25 for both
GRANTS
The NEA still thinks that bigger is better, and older unchallenging work, too, *sigh*. I am disgruntled, because I personally know so many fabulous dance and performance artists who could do so much with a $25K grant, it doth spin my heart. Most of these projects are MAJOR grants, 100K plus. But if say, LA County wants to get together with Grand Performances & The Redcat and put together a touring show called "LA Dance En Route," or something to that effect, I would not hate on them...I'm just sayin', pay close attention to option number 2.
1)American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius is a major initiative to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy. Through American Masterpieces, the National Endowment for the Arts will sponsor performances, exhibitions, tours, and educational programs across all art forms that will reach large and small communities in all 50 states. Scaled so they can be shown in small and mid-sized exhibiting institutions.
Shown for a period of 8-12 weeks at 2-5 venues which may include the organizing institution. The number of venues should be appropriate to the nature of the works on view.
Accompanied by related educational and interpretive components including brochures and catalogues. Educational material for children and youth must ensure the application of national or state arts education standards. Substantial efforts should be made to reach underserved communities.for full announcement see http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/AMVAT.html
Due date is September 17
2)This component of American Masterpieces will celebrate the extraordinary and rich contribution that presenting organizations make in American communities. Through American Masterpieces: Presenting, presentations of the performing, visual, media, design, and literary arts of the highest quality will be experienced by Americans in communities across the nation. This category is for projects that embrace multiple arts disciplines. Projects must consist of either a single multidisciplinary project or a multidisciplinary series comprised of several different single-discipline presentations. Presenting organizations of all sizes, genres, and aesthetics are encouraged to apply. Projects may be initiated by:
Networks of presenters.
College or university presenters.
Local, regional, or national presenters.
National service organizations and their networks.
The Arts Endowment plans to support a variety of multidisciplinary presentations that are artistically, historically, and culturally significant and that reflect the full breadth of genres. Presenters may define master artists or masterworks within their own context, community vision, or goals. For full announcement see http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/AMPresenting.html Due date is September 24
3)This component of American Masterpieces will celebrate the extraordinary and rich evolution of dance and choreography in the United States. Through American Masterpieces: Dance, reconstructions and restagings of significant work of the highest quality will be experienced by Americans in communities across the nation.
Grants will be awarded in two areas:
*For dance companies, presenters, and festivals: The reconstruction or restaging of significant American dance works and their performance at home and on tour.
*For college and university dance programs: The restaging, performance, and documentation of significant dance choreography in order to provide dance students with access to the legacy of American dance history. While faculty can assist with a project, the primary reconstructor/artist must be someone from outside the campus.
All projects must be accompanied by related educational, interpretive, or contextual components. Curriculum-based educational components for children and youth must ensure the application of national or state arts education standards. Substantial efforts should be made to engage and expand dance audiences by reaching underserved communities.
For full announcement see http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/AMDance.html
Due date is October 8
And don't forget the Durfee is do Aug 1, the SSRC (for you academic types in social sciences) and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts has several LOOMING deadlines (think hrs) that you might wanna meet.
LOVELY!
Al Sharpton Brought it at MJ's funeral! Bringing that deep dark black love for MJ's kids. Priceless. Reminding us all what we must now continue to do: focus on the good we want to bring to the world and dissolve the ignorance that consistently attempts to thwart our best efforts our own and others. This is harder than it looks. Who would've thought that a) Sharpton would have been the one to get our undivided attention and make the point the clearest 2)That Michael Jackson was really, actually, almost totally using his record sales to heal the world? I am stunned, invigorated, and challenged...
in love,
-Anna
Greetings!
Though I had a burning desire to send out a post pre-Independence Day, full of irony and likely a tad too much bile, I decided instead to take action and be of service. Wow, has the last week not been surreal, or what? I had a complete list typed out in my head, which means that it is time to start putting stuff onto a channel on YouTube, of all of the crazazy things going on in California, especially in LA, that required our true love of citizenship, not jingoistic patriotism. So, I guess, I'll rattle off the list, because time is of the essence y'all. We got to get into motion towards resolutions and solutions, not just studies (though those are cool, they can suck needed resources away once the picture is clear enough to make a good educated guess about the action part), not just talking (omg, how many projects do you have mostly completed because you could not shut up about it and got tired of it your own self) not just letter-writing ( a recent study, note irony here, found that all those cool little emails you shoot up to DC and your state's capital go unread because they are form letters and therefore 'not real,' I know, I know) but person to person, thoughtful action embedded in loving kindness. Irony is fun y'all, but often, not productive, so let me get it off my chest:
- Michael Jackson dies of a heart attack and the haters are soon silenced by the flood of love washing over the interwebs. Many are stunned that black people even still like Michael Jackson. Spontaneous dancing ensues around the GLOBE.
- Meanwhile, back in Iran, the mullahs start putting people to death for rising up and claiming that their votes weren't counted. You likely missed that. I get a direct report fed from the country, and I can tell you, it ain't good. And no, I can't give up my source, because it would be literally giving up a body...
- People born between 1967 and 1974 suddenly feel very old because a)they remember the last debacle in Iran driven by US policy; b) they either owned ABC, a zipper jacket, or a sequined glove or all three; c)Ed McMahon was evidence that it was late and they were growing up when they got to see him; d) Charlie's Angel's fashion sense was just making a comeback, and now Farah couldn't show the young'uns how it's really done.
- ON Thursday of last week, the State of California began to issue IOUs to its vendors and service providers, with the Guvenator claiming that this would be a wake up call to the state: I did not know that dead things could wake up.
- Around that same time, UC employees of all grades and classes were asked HOW they wanted that 8% pay cut, and to please vote on it.
- LAUSD administration realizes that maybe parents were upset that summer school was cancelled afterall and hastily makes a crappy mini web page announcing some 'great things' to do over the summer, meanwhile a handful of us continue to scrap away at finding a decent solution.
- Black people really really love some MJ. Suddenly it actually doesn't matter if you're black or white, even in Harlem, for a minute...or two.
- The meetings of "mad as hell and we can't take it anymore" citizen groups begin in earnest in California, still mirroring the white to the right, white to the left problem that the Ecomonist pointed out as the reason for the failed state budget in the first place.
- LA, having just thrown a party for the victorious Lakers, will now host the funeral of Michael Jackson and hastily begins to fundraise because they can't pay for the Laker's party which already happened and oh yeah, summer school, and um, those pesky parks, and what pothole? I don't see no pothole? Who need public transit anyway?! Walk! Oh, sorry, gotta go, cain't miss my flight!
- There is a coup in Hondurus. Let me say that again, there is a coup in Hondurus rigged right between people using the Law of Attraction to get tickets to MJ's funeral and the first Fourth of July Celebrations helmed by "El Negrito," as the new phony prez of Hondurus repeatedly called Barak Obama (that's nasty race talk btw).
Afrolicious. Afrologia. Afrodelic. Afropoesia. Afrologica. How big is your 'fro? Fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in service to lifting us all up! That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, read up, be up, act up--you can move mountains, now make it beautiful.
BLOWIN BACK DA 'FRO right now is my own shimmy and shake for da peeples. This past weekend, after years of working behind the scenes with Viver Brasil, I got to witness them take some risks on that wild Ford Amphitheatre stage and receive a big time international agent!! Go Linda! That made me feel great to be a part of that. Whaaat! Next, Nehera Kalev pushed me up my own big-mouth-thinkin-out-loud hill, with Sara Wolf right alongside screamin' and kickin' and together we three (with emo support from Arianne Hoffmann, Meg Wolfe & Taisha Paiggett) hosted the first-ever Alternative Transmissions: Sunday Soup Kitchen, or @sk for short. We gifted $100 to Leonix Dance Theater! Now I am about to drop some bombs with the S.A.S.E. project and urge people to go to their local schools and do TEACH-INS next week. That's right. Action, Jackson. Check out how P.A.P.E.L. is rockin it. Sometimes, you gotta tell yourself, "thank you self, for sticking in there and letting the Higher self get a crack at shining that light." This week is pretty much a continuation of more of the same madness, so luckily there are PLENTY zany, community-based arts projects to get your mind free so that your ass can follow. Now grab that Afro Pick and let's get this thang all the way round and crowned!
AVENUE 50 STUDIO GALLERY, 131 North Avenue 50, Highland Park, CA
Ashé Blessings, Energy, Power
FREE Reception: Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 7-10 pm
Exhibiting artists: Katie Elizabeth Brown, Eddy Bello-Sandoval, Viredo, Ricardo Silvereira Miró, Wendell Wiggins, Susan Matthews, Betty Kano, Lili Bernard, Gloria Longval, and an Eleggua altar by Jorge Luis Rodriguez. Modupe Orixá! Come one and come all! This is a glorious ocassion! Bring some candy for Eleggua!
IMIX BOOKSTORE, 5052 Eagle Rock Blvd, Eagle Rock, CA
WORDS WITH A PURPOSE Free fundraiser reading
Saturday, July 11, 7:30pm
Featuring the words and rhythms of Olga García Echeverría, liz gonzález, reina alejandra prado & Frankie Salinas with special guests Gloria E. Alvarez and Lysa Flores. Yes, this is free, BUT it is a fundraiser, so to get them the cash to help out a local bookstore and a school library please do the following: If you can't make it to the event and want to make a donation, gift certificates from IMIX or online bookstores, like http://www.powells.com/, are preferred. Make checks payable to “Friends of the Arroyo Seco Library.” Send gift certificates and checks to
Erika Montenegro, Adult Librarian
Arroyo Seco Library
6145 N Figueroa St
LA CA 90042
For more info about donations, contact Erika Montenegro: emontene@lapl.org or 323.255.0537
Alright? It sounds as if once you get there, there will be a basket/bucket/can collection thing happening, otherwise, DONATE even if you can't make it! They are STILL taking donations...
Chinatown's Historic Central Plaza, 943 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA
The Funk Rumble Block Party
Sat Jul 11 12pm – 10pmAlfie Numeric and her possee are at it again! Get yourself downtown and have a good time at what promises to be an unusual street party. "Half music festival – half block party, The Funk Rumble is a blend of live music, djs, vendors, and artists coming together to celebrate urban soul and create the ultimate summer party!" DJ Jeremy Sol will be on the block as will a bevvy of live painters. You wanna check this one.
PHY aka PSA,
207 West 5th St ( @ Spring St), Los Angeles, CA
BEYOND THE FRAME: LIVE ART & FILM
Sat Jul 11 9pm – 11:55pm;FREE
This is part of the Outfest PLATINUM program. Curated by Cheryl Dunye, this program is intense! Not of rthe wee ones, but promises excellent art. most excellent.
EYE_WITNESS, an in-progress video collaboration by Abigail Severance and Julie Tolentino, YOU HAVE ONE FIST IN MY MOUTH AND ONE FIST UP MY ASS; YOUR ARMS ARE TRAPPED INSIDE ME LIKE A CHINESE FINGER TRAP, a work-in-progress by Zackary Drucker; and a new performance by Ashland Mines in collaboration with Elijah Crampton.
REDCAT, 631 W 2nd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
NOW Festival
July 23–August 8, 2009, Thursdays–Saturdays | 8:30 PM; $36 for the entire series if you call 213-237-2800
AWESOME! Three weeks of mayhem with TWO folks whom I would absolutely stop and rearrange my schedule to go and see (out of about 5 or so): Meg Wolfe and Ayana Hampton. I should also add in there, George Lugg (teehee), director o da facilities. The Line up:
EARLY MORNING OPERA: ABACUS/SHEETAL GANDHI: BAHU-BETI-BIWI/AYANA HAMPTON: THE AYANA HAMPTON SHOW. program 2 CAROLE KIM w/ OGURI, ALEX CLINE & DAN CLUCAS: N1/JENNIFER THE LEOPARD: LEOP YEAR (NO JAMMING) program 3 ZACKARY DRUCKER , MARIANA MARROQUIN,WU INGRID TSANG: PIG/MEG WOLFE: WATCH HER (NOT KNOW IT NOW)/LAUREN WEEDMAN: OFF
ONGOING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
African dance camp season is HERE! Fareta kicks it off this weekend. Should be amazing. Pay upon arrival
Here in town, N'Deye Gueye Teaches West African Dance Workshops @ Lula Washington Dance Studios, Wed. July 8th & Thurs July 9th @ 8-9:30pm. This is a special treat. Definitely advanced level. $15/class.
I do believe that Juan Carlos is back for his now monthly class in LA (see, there is a dance fairy god mother) Sunday, July 12, 2:00- 3:30; 3:30-5:00 p.m. Afro-Cuban Folklore, Rumba & Cuban Popular@ Clarita's Arte Flamenco- Center for World Dance. $15 each or $25 for both
GRANTS
The NEA still thinks that bigger is better, and older unchallenging work, too, *sigh*. I am disgruntled, because I personally know so many fabulous dance and performance artists who could do so much with a $25K grant, it doth spin my heart. Most of these projects are MAJOR grants, 100K plus. But if say, LA County wants to get together with Grand Performances & The Redcat and put together a touring show called "LA Dance En Route," or something to that effect, I would not hate on them...I'm just sayin', pay close attention to option number 2.
1)American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius is a major initiative to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy. Through American Masterpieces, the National Endowment for the Arts will sponsor performances, exhibitions, tours, and educational programs across all art forms that will reach large and small communities in all 50 states. Scaled so they can be shown in small and mid-sized exhibiting institutions.
Shown for a period of 8-12 weeks at 2-5 venues which may include the organizing institution. The number of venues should be appropriate to the nature of the works on view.
Accompanied by related educational and interpretive components including brochures and catalogues. Educational material for children and youth must ensure the application of national or state arts education standards. Substantial efforts should be made to reach underserved communities.for full announcement see http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/AMVAT.html
Due date is September 17
2)This component of American Masterpieces will celebrate the extraordinary and rich contribution that presenting organizations make in American communities. Through American Masterpieces: Presenting, presentations of the performing, visual, media, design, and literary arts of the highest quality will be experienced by Americans in communities across the nation. This category is for projects that embrace multiple arts disciplines. Projects must consist of either a single multidisciplinary project or a multidisciplinary series comprised of several different single-discipline presentations. Presenting organizations of all sizes, genres, and aesthetics are encouraged to apply. Projects may be initiated by:
Networks of presenters.
College or university presenters.
Local, regional, or national presenters.
National service organizations and their networks.
The Arts Endowment plans to support a variety of multidisciplinary presentations that are artistically, historically, and culturally significant and that reflect the full breadth of genres. Presenters may define master artists or masterworks within their own context, community vision, or goals. For full announcement see http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/AMPresenting.html Due date is September 24
3)This component of American Masterpieces will celebrate the extraordinary and rich evolution of dance and choreography in the United States. Through American Masterpieces: Dance, reconstructions and restagings of significant work of the highest quality will be experienced by Americans in communities across the nation.
Grants will be awarded in two areas:
*For dance companies, presenters, and festivals: The reconstruction or restaging of significant American dance works and their performance at home and on tour.
*For college and university dance programs: The restaging, performance, and documentation of significant dance choreography in order to provide dance students with access to the legacy of American dance history. While faculty can assist with a project, the primary reconstructor/artist must be someone from outside the campus.
All projects must be accompanied by related educational, interpretive, or contextual components. Curriculum-based educational components for children and youth must ensure the application of national or state arts education standards. Substantial efforts should be made to engage and expand dance audiences by reaching underserved communities.
For full announcement see http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/AMDance.html
Due date is October 8
And don't forget the Durfee is do Aug 1, the SSRC (for you academic types in social sciences) and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts has several LOOMING deadlines (think hrs) that you might wanna meet.
LOVELY!
Al Sharpton Brought it at MJ's funeral! Bringing that deep dark black love for MJ's kids. Priceless. Reminding us all what we must now continue to do: focus on the good we want to bring to the world and dissolve the ignorance that consistently attempts to thwart our best efforts our own and others. This is harder than it looks. Who would've thought that a) Sharpton would have been the one to get our undivided attention and make the point the clearest 2)That Michael Jackson was really, actually, almost totally using his record sales to heal the world? I am stunned, invigorated, and challenged...
in love,
-Anna
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