NEWSLETTER: radiating outward

Peace & Time!
First, let me get my hippy thing done: it's Friday the 13th (awesome) and tomorrow, on Valentine's Day, at 7:20 AM, the planets line up just like in the song "Age of Aquarius!!!" This is great because, lawdy, I have been trying to get back on the Love Train all last week. After a test run of blogtv as a possible site for an interactive show for American Ways Network, I really started thinking about all those guns that were purchased when Obama was nominated. Really started thinking about them. And after the insanity that resulted in an indeed wasteful stimulus package because it can't possibly stimulate anything at that size and with those restrictions, I was really thinking "where is the love?" I wanted to run away! But then I did the dishes after a rare sun salutation, and the sun did shine in. Love is the answer. We do have to let the sunshine in: we have to confront racism. It is the core of our financial catastrophe here in California. It is embedded in the very laws of our nation. So many of our problems can be traced back to hate and fear: sprawl, disinvestment in public schools, freeways cutting up neighborhoods, overpopulated prisons with black and brown folks, limitation of the arts as pure leisure and inconsequential...PROP 13. Wow, the whole sink was empty. I know this sounds wacky, but we need a love-in, right after a truth and reconciliation convention of about a year in length. Then we need to fire all of our representatives in Sacramento, ban political parties for 4 years, and change the structure of governance to something more like a swarm mind and hold elections through instant run-off since we can't afford to do it old stylee. Yeah. Forgive to live. Peace so we are not in pieces. Let's take this higher.


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--you can move mountains, now make it beautiful



BLOWIN BACK DA FRO this week are new members over in Afrologica--oh yeah!--web 2.0 delivering on its promise--hell yeah!--pink pantie protest for gender freedom in India--oh no she didn't!--and wacky artist lovevision.

TONIGHT
HIGHWAYS

1651 18th St., Santa Monica, CA
Delicious by Blu13
Friday, February 13 - Sunday February 15th; 8:30 PM; $20

For a very unusual valentines, check out Blu13's Bollywood mayhem. The description of the show sounds all kinds of wrong ie: this could be the perfect kitchy Valentine that you were looking for. "Tongue in cheek, and other places." They are as bad as I am! Not sure how they will pull it altogether, but that is the beauty of Bollywood, it is not about coherence, rather the experience of mind alteration in real time, without chemical assistance. Just pure "wow!"

THE BROAD
1310 11th St. Santa Monica, CA 90401
String Theory
Saturday, February 14, 7:30 PM; $125, $100, $55, $45
Finally open for biz, this Santa Monica-based stage is pretty delicious. Though I am telling you to go and check out String Theory there, you likely cannot: it is sold out!! And tix were not cheap. String Theory will turn the entire space into ONE large resonating instrument. Maybe some medical issues there, but there will be a healing. Sound is healing, and this group not only brings sound, but dance, song and projections. So if you don't have a ticket, go get in the rush line and see if you get lucky. This is a not to be missed show. Alas.
Next week, Diavolo is up on the 20th!

AVENUE 50 STUDIO

131 NORTH AVENUE 50, Highland Park, CA
INTENSIDAD: Painters & Poets

Saturday, February 14, 2009, 7:00-10:00 PM
I had to list this, cause Peter J. Harris will be on stage, with his sho nuff nasty self! If you wanna get your Valentine (turned)on, this likely will be a GREAT evening, thought provoking, too. Four poets respond to the visual work of four painters, work will be on display, and likely, for sale.
POETS: GLORIA ENEDINA ALVAREZ, RUBEN FUNKAHUATL GUEVARA, PETER J. HARRIS, & ABEL SALAS. PAINTERS: BARBARA CARRASCO, ELIZABETH PEREZ, JOHN VALADEZ & J. MICHAEL WALKER.


MACHINE PROJECT
1200 D North Alvarado, Los Angeles, CA 90026 tel:213-483-8761
Valentine Concert with PremaSoul
Saturday, February 14, 8 PM; no price listed, but I'm sure donations will be accepted
This is a delightful band fusing jazz and tabla. I got to see them when Machine Project took over LACMA. They are definitely a good choice for some Valentine Day groovin. If you are not feelin the love jones, then Machine has you covered...
Sunday, Feb 15th , 8 PM FREE
"Please join us as February artist in residence Emily Lacy presents a tragic post valentines day evening of songs on the topics of breakups, heartbreak, affliction and regret. Crying encouraged, BYO Hanky.Featuring Christian Cummings, Corey Fogel, John Hogan, and Emily Lacy"


7W
7 West 34th St, New York , NY
National Black Fine Art Show
Friday, February 13, noon - 8 PM; Saturday February 14, 11 AM - 8 PM; Sunday, February 15, 11 AM - 8 PM; $25 2 day pass or $15/day (children under 16 free with adult)
WOW! Had to shout this one out. If you are in NYC, go check it out. Although I'm bummed about the stroller ban. I understand, insurance yadda yadda, but plenty of new parents wanna buy themselves some art. Well, maybe not right now. Over 40 galleries will present artists work. Hopefully I can dig up a blog report from someone...

BACK TO THE GRIND
3575 University AVE, Riverside, CA, 92510, map
Ursula Rucker with James Luna
Friday February 20, 8 PM - 11 PM; FREE!
Ursula Rucker is simply an amazing poet. Bumpin' before slam was a genre, Rucker was part of the resurgance of Philly soul via a hip hop route with bands like the Roots and our own beloved DJ OvaSoul aka d. Sabela Grimes. James Luna is a prolific performance artist, and a frequent contributor to the scene at UCR. Now, in order to attend this if you are coming form LA, you will need to come out very early so that it won't take you 4 hours in the car. This show is worth the drive, though. And coming out early will be rewarded by hanging at the California Museum of Photography and the Sweeney Art Gallery. Also, don't miss the Life Arts building at Lemon Ave & University. Tonight is the Athey event, but you'll get another chance on the 21st. More details to come contact jennifer.doyle@ucr.edu with any questions.



Looking for details from last week? check the archive. If you join Afrologica, you can look at a live calendar whenever you feel like it!

coming up: 

Ailey at the Dorothy Chandler. tix already on sale.
Michael Sakamoto & Angela Jordan at UCLA in a free showing Feb 26 @ WAC


ACTION
Twestival
For those of you all hooked up on twitter, and those of you looking for a tres cool model of microfinancing a project, twitter is running a fundraiser for charitywater.org via tipjoy.com. It is called a "Twestival" and donations are collected via your twitter account! The "event" is based at http://www.twestival.fm/. Musicians have donated music which you can download as a donation "gift," or you can just give the money. And if you don't twitter, know that you don't have to do it from your phone! If you sign up or already twitter, you can follow me at doctoradancer.

Hearings on Arts at the Committee on Education and Labor
US Rep. George Miller (D-CA) will hold hearings on the arts and their economic status in early spring. Congrats on getting heard!! Now, let's hope we get an actual invite to the proceedings.They do make use of webcasting, so it will be available as it happens. I hope to get info on when exactly they will occur so those of you who can will be able to go to DC. No word back yet on how to participate. Here's the press release. If you know who will testify, let me know, I'll try to get them to blog for Afrologica!

Arts Recovery Funds Restored in Economic Stimulus Bill
"February 13, 2009—Today the House of Representatives voted 246 to 183 to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The bill includes $50 million in direct support for arts jobs through the National Endowment for the Arts and language that would have prevented museums, theaters, and arts centers from receiving stimulus funds was removed." This news from Americans for the Arts. YAY! way to get heard, BUT, I am still not convinced that the NEA is the most efficient way to get money out to artists. Art institutions, yes, but not artists. There is still much to talk about. Lesson: the Republicans are like a water hose on high with no one holding it; just pick it up and aim it properly and the water will go where you need it. Go'Bama. Chess, not checkers.



LOVELY!
Whoah. I'm feelin all kinds of spacey right now. A solid 7 hours of "Age of Aquarius" blastin' through my laptop has taken its toll. But it could also be the cupcakes I made for the holiday. The turn about on art funding today in committee is welcomed! Whew. It's time for a dance party soon...we'll see what VISCERA can whip up for you. But now to get the plan together on how to receive the money. Yes, a plan is needed! That money will not just be given out, instead the NEA will likely send out calls for proposals. Maybe we should write them now and let them know the types of things we would like to use the funding for? I'm just sayin'. And as for the state of California...some times the base has no choice but to topple the superstructure, even when we would rather just keep getting done in. So far, the plan here has been to make a giantass credit card of each tax payer. That's not working as wages are in steep decline. I'm serious, we need to love each other into stability. First act of self love, stop those folks in Sacramento from playing chicken with our lives. Artists in California will likely not be able to make good use of the pending NEA money because of the madness of the state budget and its effects on art institutions. It's letter writing time, YouTube vlog time, blog time, twitter blasts, phone calls. (WAIT my son just walked in and asked if we could shoot off a confetti cannon I got in China Town on President's Day because it's Obama's Day--purrfect) It is also love time, hug times, heart warrior time. Be aware of your inner racist--we all have one, if you grew up on US soil--and ask it, what really is it afraid of whenever it threatens to topple your equanimity, your cool, your center. Ask, then listen without judgement. There we begin to be the love that we need. There we make room to thrive and release the need to survive.

in love,
-Anna

DISPATCH: World Festival of Sacred Music

The catalogs are all over town and postcards litter every gallery, studio and loft. The World Sacred Festival is lifting up LA once again in September. As promised, here are some events that I would not want to miss, though it is likely that I will miss half, wah!

OPENING NIGHT
Saturday 13th
$55/$45/$35/$20
Well, it is the Gala opener. However, my gut tells me the show will be very long and not the best choice if you have kids. It is actually not on my list of shows to see, even thought Waldemar Bastos from Angola will be singing! There's just something wonderful about setting your intention at these big fêtes that I love.


SONGS FOR THE FALL EQUINOX
Sat 13th @ 10 AM & Sunday14th @ 11 AM
Haramokgna American Indian Center; $5 donation/ $10 - $20 for workshops
Maybe because I like symmetry, some times, I am drawn to this event to close out my river meanderings. Opening with blessings at teh headwaters of the Arroyo Seco, this Flute Circle is open to all who come.


CANCIONES DEL ALMA (SONGS OF THE SOUL)
Sunday 14th @ 1 pm
MOLA, Long Beach; FREE
bata, djembe, taiko, gamelan, atabacque, cajones--sacred drumming and estatic dancing. a sumptuous feast. carpool!
Felipe García Villamil, DAFRA, Taiko center of LA, Viver Brasil, Oscar Reynolds. Oh, there's even gospel music sung by Samoans y'all!!! Gotta see this one for sure.


SALAM YATRA
Tuesday, 16th 8 PM
Nate Holden Center
$40 reserved is probably your best bet since this is a small house; $25 gen/$20 student
Go to see what is known as a "living treasure," Mythili Prakash will set your senses on fire as she improvises within the 2000 year old tradition of Bharatanatyam.

SOUNDS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AND BEYOND
Thursday 18th, 8 PM
Murphy Recital Hall, Loyola Marymount U.
The roots of Sephardic music get a lovely unearthing through the voice of Stefani Valadez with special presentation by dancer Melanie Karem. Also on the bill is 1st-West Ensemble, and Ava Nahas Percussion Trio. Of course, there will be a l'il bit of flamenco.


MARE SERENITATIS (Sea of Serenity)
Friday, Sept. 19th @ 8 PM; $25/$20
Aranti/Japan America Theatre
Zen archer Hirokazu Kosaku is joined by butoh dancer Oguri to present an evening of purification, expansion, and emptying. I've wanted to see Oguri for a while now but did not want to brave the desert, where a significant part of his work was once based.

SACRED WATERS. WATERS OF LIFE.
Saturday, 20th @ 1 pm; $10 NOTE: this event is delayed due to visa logistics
18th Street Arts Center Gallery
Viver Brasil leads a workshop to prepare you to greet and salute the Sea, which will be the closing ceremony of the Festival once again this year. Songs, dances and instructions on making an appropriate offering. IF YOU CAN: please go to their website and make a donation to help offset the $1000 visa expedition fee that has been levied against Dona Cici's application to come and teach the songs. This is extremely urgent and every bit helps. The application was simply not even opened until two days ago, and then not read. $1000. Who can make that gift to bring the beauty and knowledge embodied by elder priestess Dona Cici?

THE RHYTHM OF AX´E
Saturday 20th @ 8:30 PM; $25 in advance; $35 at the door
Blenkenship Ballet of Venice
Axé! The concept of life force and good vibes is put to you via an evening of ritual-inflected performances. where white and cover your head!!! Just a precaution. Shaman's Dream World Ensemble, Djelia Kadi, Malaika, Mestre Amen & The Batuqueiros;Swing brazil; Hoopnotica with art installation and hopefully some food, as the night sounds long.\

VOICES OF THE WAY
Saturday 20th; $15/ $10
Sacred Heart Chapel at LMU
Yes, I know this conflicts with Rhythm of Axé, but these works will be truly breathtaking and contemplative, soooooo, if you don't want to jump around and sweat in your seat, with DJ breaks to let you stretch your legs, then this show is for you. Sri Susilowati will mesmerize you. Really. A multimediated collaboration, Susilowati is joined by composer Paul Humpreys and documentarian Luis Proença (he documents diasporic Portuguese speakers of So. Cal, East Timor and Mozambique). This will be a surprising night.

GLOBAL MALA
Sunday Sept 21 1 PM; $29
Sunken Garden at LMU
I have always wanted to go to this. I do not think I could do 108 sun salutations let alone 108 poses, but I could likely walk around something 108 times! Part of not only the festival but the International Peace Day, Global Mala seeks to make a ring of peace & love around the world through 108 acts of yoga-inspired action. This is a 6 hour participatory event.


EMERGING VOICES dance and music from Hawai'i and India
Sunday 21st 6 PM; $25/$15
James Armstrong Theater Torrance Cultural center
Halau Keali'i O Nalani and Shakti Dance Company share a bill designed to reveal how dance is a sacred text and historical record, always and forever more, no matter how many times you drop it like it's hot.

SOULULAR MEMORY...THE RECONNECT
Monday 22nd 8 PM; $10
Temple Bar, Santa Monica
d. Sabela Grimes. I said, d. Sabela Grimes. If you don't know, then act like you do and show up to this night of Ovasoul love in collaboration with Essential MC and Gina Rene. The mystikal side of Hip Hop, explored.

INTERSECTIONS OF SOUND AND SPACE
String Theory at the Fowler Museum
Friday 26th 6:45 PM; FREE
GOTTA GO!!! It's a sculpture piece, wait it's a set for dancers, wait, it's an instrument! NO, silly it's all three and you can be there for free.


ANATTA
Saturday 27th 8:30 PM; $20 & $15
Highways
Rather elusive description, but this collection of collaborative works will challenge your sense of reality. SO come get shifted by Michael Sakamoto, Waewdao Sirisook, Amy Knowles and Bob Bellerue. Buddhism, movement, sound, improvisation...existence.

HONORING THE SEA
Sunday 28th, 3 PM until sundown 6:41 PM
Santa Monica Beach, where Ocean Park BLVD meets the sand
Get your reconnecting ritual on, in many languages. Check the website to see which traditions will be present. But please, just come and get lifted.


well, that's it! there will be a map up for these things in the newsletter tomorrow--I must be nuts!---and I was. you'll just have to wait a wee bit longer.

Also, there were two events that were of interest, but involved no dancing--my main criteria--Guardians of the Sound and Spirit-Lesa Terry and the Women's Jazz Orchestra on Friday 26th @ 7:30 PM and One World Many Voices on SUnday 20th @ 2 PM (mostly for the Bulgarian folk singing, which I adore)

Reach out ad let me know where you might be headed and when during this magnificent event!

in love,
-Anna