AFROLOGICS NEWSLETTER: do the hustle

Hello Love!

I just posted a link on my Face Book page asking my friends over there to vote on the new Afrologica video intros, making a joke about the Afro having to beam up to the Mothership for a while for some intergalactic travel and multidimensional phase shifting. Then I came across this video, described as a steel drum meets a ufo. Check it out:

Indeed! That was some other other, just like these last few weeks on the geopolitcal landscape. How much further can art and politics cross?! The Wise Latina is now on the bench, there is a new NEA chief whose previous job combined with his name really makes me think of wiseguy one-liners and the new senior deputy director comes from the Rockerfeller Foundation. Boy do I have major gossip! But isn't that always the problems with blogs? Suffice it to say, the Rockerfeller Foundation underwent some major restructuring during during Shigekawa's reign, I mean term, so you can expect similar activity at the NEA. Will this mean more money flowing out to working artists? Not likely. We are more likely to see an attempt to bolster the profitability of the arts and insure a high ROI for all grant programs and cycles, those that can't churn out the stats in the right way will be cut. What did I just say? Well, likely, the NEA will start behaving a lot like a private medical insurer, pretending to offer coverage, then withdrawing it at the first sign of a person actually needing it. If you truly need some money to get your art thang off the ground, don't ask the NEA, you will need a proven track record, largely based on your financial records, but with a nod to your "artistic excellence of the highest caliber." And how about this healthcare thing?! OMG! I need to watch that hang drum video all over again just to calm myself down. "I want my America Back" whaat?! Truly, it is time to get my space-travelin behind back on the ship and head for the stars of my birth! National Healthcare will happen, but not with us each sittin on our butts. We need to talk to each other, and continually convince each other that not only is it the right thing to do, but it is the economically sensible thing to do. There is no reason for us to continue on like this. Art dollars are tied up in insurance overhead and high co-pays. Thankfully the new field of energetic medicine is taking off as we in the West finally realize that if we use electricity to monitor the heart, maybe wattage plays an important role in the entire system. I'll have a little goody for you on this at the end. So hold on, your Mothership is in orbit and ready to beam you up when you need it. Just don't forget: ain't no stoppin a fallin star until it hits the ground. Some crashes are necessary for the next round of flight.



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 THE 'FRO this week are dance classes and workshop and one very timely dance event about medicine (yes, there was a reason why I tied them two together).

ELECTRIC LODGE
1416 Electric Ave., Venice, CA 90291
Crossing the Bridge, presented by Leonix Movement Theater Ensemble
Friday, August 14th, 8 PM; $15 at the door but advance purchase recommended
The first recipient of the @sk Alternative Transmissions Soup Kitchen plays their last gig in LA before heading out on tour. LA Weekly recommends this show, and so do attendees of the first soup kitchen. Inspired by Studs Terkel's investigation of death, Crossing the Bridge engages how we do and don't die so wonderfully in our current medical system. Come hang out with me in Venice this Friday while we check them out. Tickets are going fast. Just got mine!

THE HIGHLANDS: HOLLYWOOD
6801 Hollywood BLVD, Hollywood, CA 90028
Salsalegre!
Wednesday, August 19th 8 PM - 2 AM; 21 and over, $15 in advance/$20 @ door; dress code enforced
I am listing this because, well, it is a SPECTACULAR way to raise funds for the hungry, the sick, and the undereducated, which is the mission of this annual dance extravaganza. All you have to do is show up dressed for success on the salsa dance floor, pay your way in, and party party party to : 2 live bands and a few DJs spinning live, floor show at 10 PM. It all goes to their work in Mexico through Su Misercordia. Now, there is likely a big dose of Jésus in their work (I'm not hatin, just not my road), but if that's cool with you and you can't make it, pop some money into their donation bucket on their page. I am just too impressed. Had to let you know about this, cause this is what lifting us all up looks like! I am rocked and you will be too when you read the ticket page. Please. Just read the info in the blue box. Amazing.



FESTIVALS
TOPANGA CANYON
Yoga Desa, 120 N Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290, map
Froggy’s Restaurant, 1105 N. Topanga Cyn. Blvd., Topanga, 90290, map
Topanga World Music & Dance Festival
Thursday, August 13 - Sunday August 16th; all classes $15, all shows suggested donation of $15
You can never get enough of dance community love, so warm up for Salsalegre by going to the 1st Annual (set that intention y'all) Topanga World Music and Dance Festival starting TONIGHT. If you even think about this event, you will get a lovely long distance energetic hug. I'm not kidding. I have this listed up here to talk about the nightly shows, but there are some amazing classes lined up as well. Since I know most of the teachers, I can actually tell you that this will be wonderful, loving dance experience that you don't want to miss. once you get there, don't forget to get a schedule. Carpooling is highly recommended. Give yourself plenty of time to get up the hill!
8:30-10:00 Friday Night Concert @ Yoga Desa with Momo Loudiyi with percussionist Patrick Richey -Moroccan Tribal http://www.loudoasis.com.
Armenian Oud Master Richard Lapachian accompanied by Jamie Papish will open.
7:30-9:30 Saturday Night Concert @ Froggy's with Suzanne Teng & Mystic Journey featuring Gilbert Levy and guests. Opening drum & dance invocation with Cari Ann, Henrik Jakobsson and others (I am one of the others...hee!)
http://www.suzanneteng.com
7:30-9:30 Sunday Night Concert @ Froggy's with iST/West Ensemble (Turkish meets Flamenco) and Guest Russian Clarinet Virtuoso Leo Chelyapov
http://www.Myspace.com/istwest


GRAND PERFORMANCES
Lawdy, if it gets any hotter down there the asphalt will melt! The Watercourt Fountains will host yet another fabulous weekend of live, free music this weekend...
ZAP MAMA is on deck, Saturday, August 15th. Go and get you some! I will be there late, cause I am planning on seeing her gig in Paris, at some point int he near future. Setting intentions!



ONGOING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Alrighty, DanceBANK summer workshop is in full swing. Tomorrow you can take class with Mira Kingsley at the Metabolic Studio / Farmlab, 1745 North Spring Street, #4, LA, CA 90012. Coming up:
Sabela Grimes brings FUNKamentals August 22 & 23
Anna B Scott drops FUNdamentals of West African Dance August 28 & 29 (i had to keep the vibe going)
Please check us out! These classes directly support the teacher with a very small service fee going to SHOWBox. What better way to support your local artists?

Topanga International Drum & Dance Festival has lots of classes lined up for you in two lovely locations. Be advised that Yoga Desi has shared restroom facilities with the entire Pine Circle business residents: best to come dressed to dance or carrying a lapa to get it done in the parking lot. All classes are $15. Cool t-shirts for sale, too!
Saturday Aug 15:
Classes @ Froggy’s
9:30-10:45 Beg. Middle Eastern Drumming with Jamie Papish
10:00-11:00 Beg. Belly Dance with Melanie Kareem
11:00-12:00 Int. Belly Dance to live drums with Melanie Kareem and Jamie Papish
11:00-12:30 Beg. West African Drumming with Henrik Jakobsson
1:00-2:15 Beg. Riq (Arabic Tambourine) with Jamie Papish
1:00-2:15 Int. West Africa Drumming with Henrik Jakobsson
2:30-4:00 Afro-Brazilian Dance to live drums with Linda Yudin
2:30-4:00 Int. Middle Eastern Drumming with Jamie Papish

@ Private Residence 274 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
4:45-6:00 Int. Riq (Arabic Tambourine)

Classes @ Yoga Desa
1:00-2:00 Family Drum Circle with Suzanne Teng
2:00-3:30 Adv. Belly Dance Part 2 with Napali Sunshine Cohen
4:00-5:30 Haitian Dance to live drums with Kingsley Irons

Sunday Aug 16:
Classes @ Froggy’s
9:30-10:45 Beg. Middle Eastern Drumming with Jamie Papish
10:00-11:00 Beg. Belly Dance with Melanie Kareem
11:00-12:00 Int. Belly Dance to live drums with Melanie Kareem & Jamie Papish
11:00-12:30 Beg. West African Drumming with Henrik Jakobsson
1:00-2:15 Int. West Africa Drumming with Henrik Jakobsson
1:00-2:30 Flamenco Dance Basics with Assieh “La Mora”
2:30-4:00 Int. Middle Eastern Drumming with Jamie Papish

Classes @ Yoga Desa
1:00-2:15 Beg Riq (Arabic Tambourine) with Jamie Papish
2:30-4:00 West African Dance Dundun Ba with Anna B. Scott, Giavanni Washington & Henrik Jakobsson
4:00-5:30 Showcase
This is so full of love, you just have to come! Stop what you'r doing, and head up to Topanga! I especially hope to see all of my former students in full effect on Sunday! It is going to be HOT! Gia will send you to places unknown and Henrik will give some love by actually playing a break for you to get ont he good foot. As for me, I'm gonna throw down...

And as if that were not enough...Pat Payne is teaching an amazing stage craft workshop at Highways this september! Registration is open now. Go and learn how to make your objects actors. She is no joke. I have seen her do some amazing work with a plank, some chalk and some nails. Take these classes. The first one actually starts next week: IF I HAD A GREEN HAMMER: LOW-COST, LOW-TECH, LOW CARBON FOOTPRINT PROPS FOR PERFORMERS, August 23, 30, September 6, 13* (Sundays) 1:00pm-4pm $175. Follow this link to download the complete series. Pre-registration absolutely required.

I will have a list of upcoming African Dance camps for Washington, DC, Chicago, and I think Atlanta has something, too. And OMG, Oakland is throwing down with a Brazilian Fest for the ENTIRE month of September, more detials to follow...

GRANTS
LA County Arts Commission grant for the the NEA regrant closes on August 24. You must have received a grant from them recently in order to apply for this money. Check here to see if you qualify.

Ford Amphitheatre Partnership summer season 2010 applications are due September 9th. Most of it is done online, and there is a lot to it, so hopefully, you have already started!


Lovely!
So, I have been flummoxed by this phoney healthcare debate we are having as a "nation." I know that lots of working artists are without healthcare or struggle to pay their co-pays of their exorbitant "plans." They also are struggling financially and the added expense of healthcare...well let's just say that there are lots of camels hobbled in the arts world. A great deal of money, personal time and energy gets sucked into managed care plans, co-pays, policy analysis, etc. It actually makes you so stresed out thinking about tending to your health in that system that you get sicker! A while back I found that acupuncture really really solves a lot things for me, like seeing and walking both of which I have learned to do again... The goodie I mentioned earlier is called Emotional Free Therapy, a technique based on acupuncture, you'll also see it called Meirdian Tapping. I just got rid of most of my allergies. Here is the link for the founders site, where you can download a free guide. You can DO IT YOURSELF. Energy medicine is ancient and also the wave of our futre here in the US. Check out this video from a provider in England. I think, I hope you will find it useful. It is free and on YouTube! Why do this? To clear the blocks in our political system, we have to first realize how we are blocked ourselves. Our own energetics affects our interactions. It's so simple, it's actually scary. Yeah. Scary that it could be so easy to be clear, and open to change and ready to make the world that you really want to live in rather than gripe about a world that feels like it has been imposed on you. So, here you go!

in love,
-Anna

NEWSLETTER: making that change

Alafia, peace unto you

This has been such an incredible week of takin it higher: the people of Iran tryin to get full representation; the President Obama trying to get that health care thing movin while First Lady calls you to take to the streets and be of service serve.gov; Twitter discovers it is a weapon of mass communication; communities across the US battle to get their summer school back for their kids; perhaps the most embattled Republican governor in the union admits that he knows love and screwed it up; California lawmakers become the bane of the state's existence, pushing citizens to new histrionics/heroics; LAUSD thinks about raising taxes to save services; and the king or pop, loved and reviled, champion of innocence and erstwhile destroyer of it, lord of the catchy phrase, video cultural emissary, changer of the world, uniter through a sequined glove-- MICHAEL JACKSON, has passed away today. Strut on, bruh.





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 the knowledge that no matter how twisted we think ourselves to be, no matter how ridiculous we allow ourselves to act, when we open up, the love and light will shine through each and every time. Play that video one more time and take the lesson.

HIGHWAYS
1651 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
FAR FROM HOME by KEITH GLASSMAN
Friday, June 26 + Sautrday, June 27 @ 8:30 PM; $20/$15
"Choreographer Glassman presents a suite of dance and performance works that reveal the underbelly of our intercontinental community. In dialects foreign and familiar and with movement ranging from enigmatic gesture to shout-and-holler Krump dancing, the cast of twelve uncovers the secret of cultural endurance - and long life!" Yup, takin it higher still. Go see Ms. Pat Payne rock this here stage.


JAPANESE-AMERICAN CULTURAL & COMMUNITY CENTER
244 S. San Pedro St, Little Tokyo, Downtown LA
Free Screening in JACCC Plaza of Astroboy, Gigantor, and Voltron
Friday, June 26, 7:30 PM
Bring picnic, hairs, blankets jackets, kiddies and have a good time watching these classic animated films that probably inspired all of those kids who grew up to make sci-fi effects, video games, and a user-friendly internet. Don't miss this one.


THE ECHOPLEX
1154 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
826LA's Tiny Vaudeville #4, for the kids - but not *for* kids
Tuesday, June 30 @ 8 - 11 PM; pay what you can with on-line pre-reg/$15 at the door
If you don;t know about this fabulous little org that could, you should. 826la has two sites, one here in Venice and another cross town in Echo Park that has an afterschool open-door policy for homework help and they hold special writing events on weekends and during the summer. Some pretty amazing folks turn up as the teachers. This fundraiser looks like a big laughs, with professional actors doing a staged reading from the many student-created books that 826la publishes. Great cause. Cool place. Check it out.

Oh, my Lovelies!
I will add on to this later. I need to get up and dance to the Off the Wall album, or maybe Thriller. Cause when all is said and done, all we have is sound, soul/soles and sweat. Boogie down to get up. Sign up on http://www.serv.gov for a project in your community to make that change. If you are an artist in LA, please consider signing up to give summer classes to students in LA through an initiative I am developing with KAIPS called S.A.S.E. If you are a school teacher, we need you, love you and hope that your local prevails in Sacramento to stop the budget cuts. Peace y'all. I'll be back in a few hours with some classes and several other interesting shows that I thought you might like to hear about.

in love with the music,
-Anna

NEWSLETTER: hit and run

Right now I am writing to you from the passenger side of a car between Hacienda Heights and Los Angeles. This past week has been a wild ride and a bit of a blur. Did I not say that Obama was gonna have some trouble getting his cabinet confirmed? I'm still waiting for the exodus of Rahm Emmanuel, simply because there is no way that all these tax-evading folks cleared without it being the case that he did not perceive it as being a problem. Ahem. So Obama has taken a few hits, mostly cause he is not surrounded with that shield of love that got him elected. Now that he's in office folks are kinda hangin' back and waiting for the miracle. Hello people. Now is not the time to stop wishing on a star. Focused group visualization has served us well so far, why stop now? Where are all those song writers and choreographers now? We need some "Obama Work That Confirmation" songs and maybe an Obama Hustle world record shattering gathering in the streets. Something. With the massive layoffs that have happened in the last few weeks and the news media pretending to dribble every agonizing detail your way, it's no wonder that folks are not dancing in the streets and making records with Garage Band. However, now is not the time to stop. We have not had enough. So I am putting up some playlists over on Afrologica, not to avoid the economic meltdown, but to focus your energy and vision, so that you may reach the sublime, find that unsuspecting sweet spot. California is bankrupt. National banks are hoarding bailout money. Art institutions of the bloated elitist type are going the way of the Dodo. Newspapers that have spent years ignoring local issues in favor of the bottom line are crumbling. Fill in the blanks! Localism with an eye for the global is where it's at right now. PUT ON YOUR RED SHOES AND DANCE THE BLUES.


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, aside from my students having no idea that their education is threatened by economic collapse (no really) is a dance in a highrise, black dance at Irvine, Afrosheen Appreciation Month (not really, I just made that up) and a slew of dance workshops.


KIRK DOUGLAS THEATRE
9820 Washington Blvd, Culver City
Got Gentrification? by Danny Hoch
Jan 21 - Feb 22; Tuesday - Friday 8 PM; Saturdays 2 & 8 PM; Sundays 6:30 PM. Price varies according to seat selection...
OBIE Award-winning solo artist Danny Hoch returns to Center Theatre Group with his riveting new work, TAKING OVER, a show that we all know too well, and can't seem to stop living in. Set in his 'hood of Williamsburg, if you just change the accents on a few of the characters, names of streets, back ground beats, you would sear that you were just about ANYWHERE in Venice, Echo Park Silverlake, Downtown LA, Leimert Park, Grand Lake district in Oakland...ANYWHERE. SO, um, he has hit an appropriate nerve, just in time for white folks and upwardly mobile folks of color to rethink what exactly are they looking for in a good ethnically mixed neighborhood...


SELF HELP GRAPHICS
3802 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., 90063
Handmade Love Just For You
Saturday, February 7th, 12 - 5 PM
If you were missing Pat Payne and her inimitable antics, she is back, working her badass intersectional self to death just for you. Go get your lovejones quenched with her "Unauthorized Use" line of custom housewares and delicious erotic chocolates by Reina Prado. Poets, love potions-wielding curandeiras, and some musica round out the mix. A delightful evening for those of you done with leaving your love life to chance...


JULIAN DIXON LIBRARY
4975 Overland Avenue, Culver City, CA
We Tell Stories presents, "The Spirit of Black Folklore"
This 45-minute performance includes three folktales to celebrate Black History Month. Geez, I almost forgot it was Black Artist Employment Month! If you have little ones, go check this crew out. In the meantime, don't forget to put up your personal shrine to all things Black and Proud this month.


CALIFORNIA AFRICAN-AMERICAN MUSEUM
600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles CA 90037
Black History Month Events, general
As it is THE MONTH for this venue, there is a lot going on, so please go check out their website. The Black Motorcycle Culture exhibit is still up and so bizarre, that you just have to see it. If you are into bikes, then you don't want to miss this very rare exhibit. Also of interest is a 4-weekend long workshop called "African-Americans, Naturally." While you will not get to learn how to get your hair to kink up and love it, you will learn how to make art with natural and found objects. The theme this month is Earth. Every Saturday in February, twice a day, 12:00-1:30 PM and again at 2:00- 3:30 PM with master artist Angela Briggs. Call 213-744-2024 to make reservations ASAP. Stand by for MANY fantastic programs coming at the end of BAEM, and several right at the top of March....like "Quiet as Kept" Written and directed by Ulysses Jenkins with the participation of Afronauts from across the city (including Bettye Saar and Viver Brasil). February 27th, 7 - 10 PM. Reservations required, suggested donation of $5 - $10, free for members. 213-744-7678. This is a special performance, so it is NOT listed on the website. But don't let that stop you.



THE GETTY CENTER
1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles CA 900449
Collecting African American Art in the 21st Century
Project for the Study of Collecting and Provenance Annual Lecture (PSCP)
Tuesday, February 17, 2009;4:00–5:15 p.m., Reception to follow, FREE
Museum Lecture Hall, The Getty Center
Keeping in theme with black history and art, this is arguably THE year to be a black visual artist, or at least an artist really good at making a likeness of Obama. To help you get your collector on, GRI is bringing in Alvia J. Wardlaw, Art Historian and curator @ The University Museum , Texas Southern. I want to see how she explains the plethora of post-black artists working in experimental and multimedia as "African American." That should be interesting given that she plans to put them in the tradition of historically black colleges and businesses. Where would she place a John Sims? a Damali Ayo? a Navin Norling? a Pat Payne? a William Pope.L? or Mendi+ Keith Obadike? Go and find out. Reservations are required.



okay, here's a question: if you are black, have you ever been wished a "Happy Black History Month?" If you are not, do you ever wonder if you should wish a "Happy Black History month" or have you? I just want to know. Cause as you know, we now have an unofficial Black President's Day. Check the archives if you are missing something from last week. Go vote on this and other topics at Afrologica.


7+Fig
735 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, 90017
A Material World, Collage Dance Theater w/ Heidi Duckler
January - February Open Rehearsals ALL FREE
Art Walk, Feb 12, 5- 9 PM FREE
A Material World Show, Feb 18th 12:30 PM and again@ 5:30 PM FREE, no reservations
MUST GO! They've been at this all January, and I swear I have had it on my mind to let you know about this project, but each week, I just space after finding too much else. So here it is. The open rehearsals are coming to an end, but the show is not until next week. And it is free! What interests me about this show, and this company period is the potential to use their working style as a template for transformation, for working in wild locations with tangible results for "retrofitting" "repurposing" not just space/sites/locales, but ideas, ordinances, economies. Meet me there next Thursday. I'll be fresh off the freeway and looking for a revelation.


reminders:
18th Street Art Open Studios is tomorrow-Saturday--but it may be rained out...
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE, 4199 Campus Dr # 680, Irvine, CA, Dance Visions, A celebration of Donald McKayle, Thu Feb 5 8pm – Sun Feb 8 6pm; $16 gen/ $14 seniors & UCI staff & faculty/ $9 UCI students & children
MACHINE PROJECT tree give away Sunday Feb 8th
ANATOMY RIOT #30 @ The Open Space
look in the archive for last weeks recommendations...

coming up:
-blue13 Dance Company, "Bollywood Delicious" [WORLD PREMIERE!] at Highways Feb 13th - 15th get your tickets now!
-decaDance, Grad Concert at UCR Dance dept--will be hilarious! Feb 20th - 22nd tix
-The W. Kamau Bell Curve: Ending Racism in About an Hour comes to LA, Comedy Central Stage, 323-960-5519. Dude told the first Obama joke EVER in 2005! Call to reserve.




ONGOING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Get your carpools together and check out these local dance workshops!
Brazilian Dance and Drum Workshop, Center for Worldance, 230 West Main Street, Alhambra CA Feb 7th & 8th, 1 - 10 PM $25 each or $45 for 2 classes. Laila Abdulla from Viver Brasil is not to be missed. HOT!

Afro-Cuban Dance Workshop in San Diego, Stage 7 School of Dance, 3980 30th Street, San Diego, CA Friday February 6 @ 7:30 - 9:30 PM; $20 with Freila Merencio & Juan Carlos Blanco, formerly lead soloists with Raices Profundas in Havana.
and then...they get on the road and come up here to us! Saturday February 7 @ 5:00- 6:30 PM for Yoruba and Congo; then 6:30 - 8:00PM for Arara & Franco-Haitian. Studio No.1 2037 Granville Ave, Los Angeles CA, $20 for one $35 for both. THIS IS REAL DEAL ACTION. Make it if you can. Ladies, bring your big white skirt.


DANCEbank Winter/Spring session, Saturdays 11am-1pm, $12
Feb 7, 14th - Hana van der Kolk ; Feb 21, 28, March 7 - Rae Shao-Lan Blum; March 14 - Eva Aymami @ Metabolic Studio / Farmlab 1745 North Spring Street, #4 LA, CA 90012



GIGS
Urban Bushwomen have a search on for an executive director. Here's the link to the job description! http://www.urbanbushwomen.org/downloads/Executive_Search.pdf

"Walla!" an MFA thesis exhibition opening at USC
8-10 Actors (NO ACTING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY just enthusiasm) needed for "Walla!" MFA thesis exhibition opening at the USC Roski School
of Fine Art (located at South Flower & 30th Street, a few blocks from main campus).
Auditions will be held Saturday, February 7th from 4-6 pm at the USC Roski School of Fine Art (located at 3001 South Flower & 30th Street, just a few blocks from main campus). Please RSVP by Friday, February 6th if you are interested : 503-853-1374 / emast@usc.edu a looping theatrical play to be performed (over and over) in the gallery space for one night only. The play involves two to three live musicians, five characters + eight to ten actors who play (very reactionary) live audience members/opening goers during the three hour duration of the play (think John Cassavetes, "Opening Night"). I think this is paid with footage for your reel, no cash.




ACTION
Start a local currency. Really. Get busy. Convince your credit union and a handful of local businesses. If nothing else, start with $15 as the base unit to equal one hour value, and print up cupons to exchange within your small community of artmakers, providers, vendors, set designers, etc...This does work. Check it out. Two distinct models:
Berkshares
Ithaca Hours
I want to start Dogtown Dollars. Who can help? Who knows of a local credit union that may have interest? Venice was hammered by the mergers of banks.
Also, here is a thorough website all about the process of creating a local currency:
E.F. Schumacher Society




LOVELY!
So I was listening to Obama give a speech to his Democratic buddies at their convention, and I was deeply amused. And then not. This economic stimulus package is weird. It does not seem to reflect the hope that billions of people world wide held for the big change bound to come upon his election. The reason for that: it was written while he was still campaigning, while elected "officials" were still holding out for the great big band aid fix. Quite frankly, it freaked me out when he said "creating thousands of new jobs, all in the private sector" like that was a good idea. The way this package is structured, we will continue to be held hostage by failing industries and corporations.News reports out of London confirmed that bankers there, too, were scurrying to pay out bonuses with their corporate stimulus check before the oversight rules kicked in!? The other mind boggling, but not surprising, chunk of weirdness in the package are provisions that will increase nuclear power industry and "clean coal." Obama likes these. He said that several times during the campaign. Most folks, especially those who live near this crap, can't stand'em. SO...phone and write, have neighborhood meetings, tape them puppies and throw them up on YouTube, FaceBook and any other site you can think of. I don't know about you, but when they said "create thousands of jobs to get America back to work," I really did think a second-coming of The New Deal was nigh. I mean, I damn near had t-shirts designed for the 21st Century WPA project. Private sector?! So please come and visit Afrologica and sign up so we can come up with a fantastic viral protest as well as some critical things we can do right now to create possibilities for "glocal" economic stability. I'm thinking we all post videos with the same title and then send out a press release. Enough is enough. Our economy is gone as we know it. It's time for the elected folks to have some vision and audacity and help us create one that will function for longer than 10 years at a time. People-centered, full of love and creativity.

in love,
-Anna

NEWSLETTER: focused reps

Hey hey hey!

Things are toning up and taking shape all over the place. Our once flabby electorate stepped out and found some new muscle, now we got the O. Then our wobbly-kneed civil rights movement figured out how to stand tall and walk the talk. Now we are watching the incoming administration take shape, slack-jawed. It's all a bit surreal, but I think the O is one fancy dancer (have you checked out the Obama Hustle or the Obama Slide, don't sleep), and we will soon come to know him in a way we have always wanted to know a president. (Watch those empty senate seats fill up with Obama supporters and the Hilraisers in the administration tow their new bosses party line, heh heh heh). Or will we? You know, this newsletter is all about the intersection of arts and politics, and though he is bringing much light, the arts, and their cost-saving, job-creating impact are not quite up on the O's list. Like initiating a green economy, this could be a missed opportunity. Any historian of the US Great Depression will tell you all about the WPA Project which not only built infrastructure, but employed hundreds of artists of all types to do a vast array of applied, civic art making. The google-enabled prez-elect is already defragging his netroots to figure out what to do with his private social network of one million. If you used my.barak.com, please respond to the questionnaire and put the arts up there as a human right and economic opportunity. For now, let me advise you to get ALL your car repairs done NOW, cause parts is gonna get scarce in a month or two. It is a great time to finally join that car pool or get that monthly transit pass.


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 right now is a gentle breeze, thankfully, a welcome respite from the soot-filled gusts of last week. Last week was also action packed, and though I looked for stuff to pad the newsletter with (hence this hour), I'm very excited, with afro pick in hand, to recommend these choice events for this weekend.


DIAVOLO DANCE SPACE, directions
616 Moulton, Los Angeles, CA 90031
California Touring Project
Friday and Saturday, November 21 – 22 at 8pm Sunday, November 23 at 6pm
$20 general; $16 student/seniors/dance professionals, advance purchase here. Cash at door
WOOO! This one is stirring up the precious remnants of the dance critics: LA WEEKLY & LA TIMES & FLAVOR PILL all say GO! This is definitely a show that you must see. Casebolt & Smith have put together an intense evening of works that you don't want to miss, especially rare in its generational sweep. Get your tickets and I'll see you there on Saturday night.



GLORIA KAUFMAN DANCE THEATER, directions
120 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA
Sheetal Gandhi and Krenly Guzman in Concert
Friday & Saturday, November 21 & 22, 8:00 - 9:30 PM;$15/$8; Parking is $9 in Structure 4
This will be a memorable evening as well. Furious refashionings of contemporary and heritage, this program will challenge you to see movement for the luxurious, cross-cultural language it is. I'll see you there tomorrow.


FREUD PLAYHOUSE, UCLA, directions
The Blue Dragon, presented by Robert Lepage/Ex Machina
Wed-Sat, Nov 12-15 at 8pm; Sun, Nov 16 at 7pm; Tue-Fri, Nov 18-21 at 8pm; Sat, Nov 22 at 2 & 8pm; $60/$40/$15 UCLA students
Okay, so for most of this week, I have not felt the urge to put this on the afrologics list, but the work sounds intriguing. Unfortunately, that means I have to figure out how to get there for the matinee on Saturday. From the website:
One of the true visionaries of modern theater, Québécois director, actor and storyteller Robert Lepage creates emotionally vivid and visually enthralling works that ponder the mystery and wonder of life. The Blue Dragon follows the lives of three characters in modern China, including the ambitious young artist Pierre Lamontagne, a character first introduced in Lepage’s 1985 masterpiece The Dragons’ Trilogy. The resulting intersection of their lives and the underlying collision of Eastern and Western, modern and ancient, and establishment and subversive values brings about fundamental changes for each.


SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL/LA
1238 W. 1st St., Los Angeles, CA 90026 (between Glendale Blvd and the 110 fwy)
For All Time
Oct 30 - Nov 23, 2008, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 3PM; come early and pay what you can, order on line for $20
The fearless Pat Payne joins Cornerstone Theater on a community production as a thespian--watch out now--to present this highly charged play about violence, incarceration and forgiveness. The play is about to close and has gotten a decent review in the LA Times. Worth the freeway time to go and see how art is a tool for policy change.



CENTER FOR PERFORMANCE STUDIES, UCLA, directions
Royce Hall and The Broad Center, campus map
Actions of Transfer: Women's Performance in the Americas
Thursday - Sunday November 20-23
This conference kicked off on Thursday and will go through Sunday. Packed with some of the more edgy female artists from South and Central America, the conference will also present a number of US scholar-practitioners. Tonight, Friday, go check out "Open_borders: Improvisation Across Networks, Distance, Timezones," coordinated by Adriene Jenik and Charley Ten, this performance is actually a collection of presenters who are waaay off-site. Should be interesting to see! I'm going to scoot over to this in a bit! Bumming that I could not respond to this call for papers when it circulated...But this means that if you are headed up to see Krenly & Sheetal, you should go early enough to see this performance as well, because parking will be awful, not to mention traffic.


"Now, where was that other thingamabob I wanted to see last week?" Check the Archives, search by location or artist, or just re-live the bright moments by reading older entries!


ECHOPLEX
1154 Glendale BLVD, Los Angeles CA 90026
Underground Dance Masters: Final History of a Forgotten Era, film by GS Media Group
November 22, Doors @ 8 PM, all ages; $15
This film will likely shake you up if you think you know hip hop. I've seen a few versions, and Thomas Gùzman-Sanchez is adamant about undoing our reliance on easy, sloppy terms and quickly shifting memory. The last bit has gotten him into a whole bunch of trouble. People have the right to forget; does not necessarily make them liars. That said, his reliance on television variety shows to help set a time line for the evolution of "break dancing" is just sheer genius. The battle for truth still rages on though, so you can expect a lot more films on the topic from a number of "OGs" round the globe. Go check this one out and you will get to see many of the masters in the film, throw down live. Kenny Ortega hosts the jam after the film.

ACTION
Self Help Graphics, an amazing community arts centro in East LA, has been forced into a crisis by their landlord, no surprise there, but it is SHOCKING because their landlord was...the Archdiocese of Los Angeles of the Catholic Church. This is literally insult to injury as the church sold off the building to cover legal expenses from sexual abuse cases that could have been avoided had they not tried to hide unstable and mentally ill priests among the pobre and brown (read, "folks who don't count but who's money we'll take anyway"). BASTA! Here's the link to Self Help Graphics, which houses Home Boys T's among other things. They were not notified of the sale, have been in the spot for 35 years, and now..well aren't we tired of hearing this story in LA? So, donate some funds, go to the holiday sale, and make your voice heard: projects that work, we want to protect. www.myspace.com/selfhelpgraphics



ONGOING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
I hope to drop a dispatch a bit later to invite you out to dance with me in a studio! YAY!
DANCEBank is going on a super short break for Turkey Day as is Kinky Stretch at The Open Space. I am still working to have the masterminds behind Funkamentals and Groundcore bring you some classes. Ahem, fellas, done called you out!




LOVELY!
I hope you made it out to LACMA for the Machine Project takeover. We had a blast for the first four hours of the day. Check out their photo feed on Flickr. Also, we made it to the Against H8te rally and protest: yeah! I'm happy to hear the supreme court of California taking up the case so quickly, but please continue to bring the love on this issue. The Holy Daze is upon us right when massive layoffs are predicted and food banks are already running out of food. If you've got a yard, donate the space to a garden effort. If you know someone sitting on an empty lot waiting for the value to go up, convince them to allow a community garden to go in. We must keep ahead of the collapse with open hearts, active minds, and engaged hands. There is precious little city governments will be able to do for us--they are laying off too--so let's put our efforts to good use. Time to meet up. Stay tuned...

in love,
-Anna

ps: today i am transferring the e-mail newsletter to gmail. if you get the newsletter twice, many apologies, but i beleive that only a portion of the list actually gets the newsletter regularly. the new address is afrologic@gmail.com. look out for more reviews and pictures in afrologica.

NEWSLETTER: fire breathing

ALOHA!

"All right already!" Don't you just want to shout that out loud for no particular reason aimed at no one in particular? Sometimes it just bees like dat, but especially right now with the economy eating itself like a maniacal, cannibalistic pacman AND the election right around the corner AND a sudden influx of drivers returning to the road since oil prices are plummeting. (For the last time: the price of a barrel of oil has scant little to do with the price of a gallon of gasoline on the exact same day.) We are all feeling a mix of euphoria, impending doom, and just a touch of hamster. Yes, hamster. You know, running around that wheel for no particular reason, greedily nibbling that kibble in a corner so no other hamster can get at it...There's just enough of that vibe to make everyday discourse damn near disasterous. Advertising companies like Yahoo are starting to fail, large retailers are going belly up (hello, Mervyn's?!) More financial mergers are happening and foreclosures have not been stopped. The UC system just announced no raises as had been planned. The Sant'Ana Winds are broiling even the beach areas. Time to lift it up! If you hold fear in your heart and focus on what you fear, you will help it manifest. Hold delight, grace and forgiveness in your heart, dance A LOT, and focus on a society full of people ready to make a difference for the good of ALL. Every morning, get up and just sit still with a smile on your face and imagine your day amplifying that sensation of smiling. Thankfully, there are lots of offerings out there to smile about, a number of which require some cash, but we are cutting up those cards because we need to become the solution ourselves.


Afrologic. Afrological. Afrologica. How big is you 'fro?
Multiple, fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in the service of lifting it/us all up.
That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, get your community on.



BLOWIN BACK DA 'FRO this week are new subscribers! Hellooooo there! Not to mention a li'l sumpthin sumpthin for those SYTYCD freaks out there, some trips down memory lane and a lot of opportunities to DIY, which ain't QED but well worth the effort IMO. yeah, i can't stand texting english either. What should we call it? "Acronize?" "Digitese?" Whatever. You need to check at least one of these out.


THE MUSIC CENTER, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Night Spot, Miami City Ballet
Thursday October 23rd - Friday 24th 7:30 PM, Sunday October 26th @ 2 PM; $30 - $120
MIAMI CITY BALLET performs the West Coast premiere of NIGHTSPOT, a Twyla Tharp and Elvis Costello collaboration. Big budget, big tour, big names, big ballet. be aware, that Night Spots is not evening length. There are 2 Balanchine pieces, Symphony in # Movements & Tarantella, and a Christopher Wheeldon piece, Liturgy.


ECHOPLEX
1154 Glendale BLVD, Los Angeles CA 90026
Underground Dance Masters: Final History of a Forgotten Era, film by GS Media Group
October 24, Doors @ 8 PM, all ages
This film will likely shake you up if you think you know hip hop. I've seen a few versions, and Thomas Gùzman-Sanchez is adamant about undoing our reliance on easy, sloppy terms and quickly shifting memory. The last bit has gotten him into a whole bunch of trouble. People have the right to forget; does not necessarily make them liars. That said, his reliance on television variety shows to help set a timeline for the evolution of "break dancing" is just sheer genius. The battle for truth still rages on though, so you can expect a lot more films on the topic from a number of "OGs" round the globe. Go check this one out and you will get to see many of the masters in the film, throw down live. Kenny Ortega hosts the jam after the film. No price given for admittance...and I cannot find an actual mention of the event on the Echoplex website; sera que no existera? They sent me a press release directly. For a review copy or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Tom Sachelle, Public Relations (818)727-1979



SEA AND SPACE EXPLORATION
4755 York Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90042
Exchange Rate: 2008 hosted by the Audacity of Desperation Exhibition
Oct. 26, 6-8 pm; then watch the election returns on November 4th alongside performances
Featuring performances by: Danielle Adair, Dorit Cypis, Liz Glynn, Adam Overton and Sara Roberts
I have to admit to not feeling the title of the exhibition, but the concept sounds very wonderful. The event here is one of many around the globe, all focused on the US Presidential election. Elana Mann helms the project. Check out their home page.


AVENUE 50 STUDIO, directions
131 N Avenue 50, Highland Park, CA
The Black/Brown Dialogues: Inspiration House Poetry Choir #4
Saturday October 25th, 7 - 10 PM
Hosted by Peter Harris, this evening of poetry is going to rock you and move you. If you remember his radio show back in the day on KPFK, Inspiration House, you know this will get you lifted. Featuring Music by Maria Elena Gaitan, cello; Robert S. Hilton, slide harp; Curtis Robertson, Jr., acoustic bass & Spoken Word by Peter J. Harris, Amalia Ortiz, Francisco Letelier, Imani Tolliver


THE NEW LOS ANGELES THEATRE CENTER
514 S Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Saturday October 25th & 26th, 3 & 8 PM on both days; $35, though discounted tickets may be had
The Limón Dance Company presents: Lament for Ignacio Santos Meijas and The Moors Pavane
Truly, this tour is a dance history course unto itself.


HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY, directions
6000 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Dia de Los Muertos
Saturday, November 1, 4- 11 PM; To watch the altars going up, October 31st, 6:30 - 10 PM; $5, children under 10 are free, bring exact change or you ain't gettin in...
Woooo. Nothing quite as invigorating as a rager in a cemetery. You absolutely must go to this event at least once in your lifetime if you claim to live in Los Angeles. Parking is catastrophic to say the least, so get your walking shoes on and use a Melrose St. bus. Gate entry on Gower is less busy than on Van Ness. Check out booth #9, my friend Trisha Casasola's spot. Her family turns it out. Bring a warm jacket--it's colder in the cemetery for some reason (spooky!), a flash light, plenty of dinero for drinks and food and a blankie to sit on. This thing is huge. MUST GO.


HIGHWAYS
1651 18th St., Santa Monica, CA
Also has it's own Dia de Los Muertos performances, shrine making and cemetery visitation.
October 31st - Nov 2nd
Calavereando looks like a great time of imaginative theater, Nov 1, 2, $20/$15 on Sat @ 8 PM; $15/$10 on Sun @ 3:30 PM, $5 for Santa Monica residents. Check the link above for more details.



Missing something from a previous newsletter, like all those awesome dance performances happening at 10 AM at the Music Center? Check out the archives. Add a comment while you're at it!



as promised for the So You Think You Can Dance fanatics:
THE EL PORTAL THEATRE
5267 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood
Sonya Tayeh Presents, Battles
Thursday November 6 & Friday the 7th, 8pm, $25 @ www.elportaltheatre.com or call 866-811-4111. Get your tickets now...this show will sell out!
Last year's show was one night only and completely oversold according to Grover Dale. This year a second night has been added. I checked some of the footage: the work has a certain ferociousness that is appealing, the ballet fits some of the time. It was definitely surprising and engaging. Go see it if you can and take class with her at Millennium. She LOVES to move, get others moving and be moved.


HERRICK INTERFAITH CHAPEL
Occidental College,1600 Campus Road,Los Angeles, CA 90041
N'Ap Kenbe/We're Holding on: Hope in the Eye of the Hurricane
Saturday, November 8, 8 PM $10
Marshall Dance Company and the Occidental College Department of Critical Theory and Social Justice present an evening of performances to benefit Haitians affected by hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike with Special Guests, Troupe Jaka, straight from Haiti. Elizabeth Chin would love to see you there. SO do come and help a great cause.


UPCOMING
Urban Bushwomen & Compagnie Jant Bi present "The Scales of Memory" at UCR November 14th. get tickets NOW!

Caseboldt & Smith present California Touring Project @ Diavolo Dance Space, November 21-23, tickets are on sale.

UCIRA, State of the Art conference @ UCRiverside, Nov 6 -8. Panels, performances & a party, too. Mission Inn is the conference hotel. Pat Payne is staging an instigation you don't want to miss.



ONGOING CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
Don't forget about the Cuban and Haitian workshops coming up. Cuban song and dance hit this weekend, Haitian follows after Halloween. Check it out in last week's newsletter.

Kinky Stretch with Gregory Barnett has started at The Open Space. Get details on that as well as other ongoing classes on the dance map.

Viver Brasil is still hosting Dona Cici. Study Afro-Brazilian dance at a great depth...


CALLS
itch is looking for submissions. get your subscription if you have not already. The launch party for issue 8 was a good time. Red Cat lounge has just the right levels of swanky and boho geek. itch # 9 is Before/After: a small book of predictions, outcomes, and paradigm shifts
they consider all kinds of writing and images. submit@itchjournal.org. also, respond to issue #8, which can be purchased through their website.





LOVELY!
OH MY GOODNESS. Thank you to all of you who came out to Asphalt Sea this past Saturday. The performances & projections were magical and the Techno Hillbillies laid down some cool acid jazz riffs. Tiffy G burned up the side of the buildings with her VJing. It got me to thinking: perhaps we all need to get ready for the return of the rent party, not that we was raising some rent money (boy did we not) BUT, we did elevate all who came. With purse strings a-tightening, it is more important than ever to make art for the people, by the people and with the people. Art that can literally keep a roof over somebody's head. Art that can help heal the void of consumerism. Art that relieves the symptoms of affluenza and poverty. Art that informs you. Art that makes you laugh & puts a song in your belly. It's time y'all. Get Up Stand Up. Shine your light.

i love you!
-Anna

NEWSLETTER: rise and fall

Hello there,

Up and down, around the mulberry bush and down the talking point check list we go! I don't know about you, but I have been distracted by the Sant'Ana winds and the smell of burning wood. Yet, the fire season takes on an added urgency when I think about the 3 billion dollar hole in the California budget that was just passed, and the 7 billion the Governator is hoping to get from...where I don't know (as a loan of all things). If we can't pay for elder care programs in this state, then how do we fight fires with the "new world water" (as Mos Def prophetically called our precious dwindling resource a few years back)? So I wind up thinking about the markets again, which reminds me of the bailout "plan" (use the term loosely), which reminds me of regulations meant to embezzle legally, which takes me to the presidential talking point debates, which makes me wonder if they haven't noticed that our collective house is not only on the auction block, but it is on fire. But one of them knows that we are angry. The other is ready already to get to work and tired of talking about it, but is expecting us all to sacrifice. As makers and consumers of art, are we willing to be sacrificed? Have we given much thought to how we can shift the discourse around change and sacrifice so that we find opportunity and invention? We kinda need to get ahead of that curve. As Sartre said, "You don't talk philosophy to a starving man." But you can cause us to think and act with a well-placed performance piece.

Afrologic. Afrological. Afrologica. How big is you 'fro?
Multiple, fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in the service of lifting it/us all up.
That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, get your community on.

BLOWIN BACK DA 'FRO THIS WEEK are dances about the times, opportunities to step across a portal to another dimension, and up close studies of the "who" in "who dat?".

OPENING TONIGHT
CARPENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater, 6200 Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA
October 16 -17, 8 PM; $25/20
Not About Iraq, choreography by Vic Marks
How timely is this? After the debate last night, clearly, it's all becoming about Iraq, our national money trap monument. Vic Marks dives into the subject, looking for a way to understand what is honor and where is it found in a place and idea like "Iraq?"

DIAVOLO DANCE SPACE
616 Moulton St., L.A., CA 90031
October 17th -26th, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM; Sundays at 5 pm; $25 reserved/$20/$15
Peep hole| People, LA Contemporary Dance
Opens to the public today. Are we really that paranoid? Have we all begun to think of ourselves as characters in a film? Some of the unsettling questions handled by this evening of work. Leave your ego at the door but plan to have a good time laughing at that other person, not yourself. (right)!


REDCAT
631 W. 2nd St., Los Angeles, CA directions
Sunday October 19 & Monday October 20 @ 8:30 PM; $15 gen, $12 alum, & $8 studs
Studio
It's studio time! The line up is pretty interesting this time around. PLUS, Laclau was hanging out around the bar this afternoon, sounding all smart and what not. LACLAU! That was the geek in me. He's on stage right now bending minds for $10. But the Studio line up for this weekend:
The Fall 2008 edition of Studio was curated by Leilani Chan and Leslie Tamaribuchi, and includes the following six original works:
KAREN ANZOATEGUI: SER; MARSIAN & COMPANY: GROWING UP LINDA -- FUDGIE'S DEATH; DYS-: TAPE MUSIC; KELLY & DAVID with BETTINA HUBBY: UNTITLED FEATHER CHORALE #1; SHEETAL GANDHI: BAHU-BETI-BIWI (DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, DAUGHTER, WIFE);CHRISTINE MARIE: GROUND TO CLOUD
I am going to see Sheetal. I've seen an earlier version of her piece and it was masterful. I do have to say, that the other pieces sound very edgy and inventive in their genre explorations of objects, but rather heady. Kinda my style, but not a light night out.

THE RED MERMADE
2814 Abbot Kinney Blvd @ Washington, Venice, CA 90291
Saturday October 18th, 8 PM - Midnight
Asphalt Sea
Wow. I'm about to explode with excitement, anticipation and a big case of the nerves--the boats just got moved around!! We are all repositioning ourselves accordingly. Come out to see Pat Payne, Meg Wolfe, Gregory Barnett, d. Sabela Grimes, Michael Sakamoto, Anna B Scott, Cari Ann Shim Sham*, and Maia negotiate the newly dry-docked boats, an alley and some stairs. Bring your flotation device for seating. The Techno Hillbillies advise that you should also come prepared to splash around on the asphalt like one funky amphibian during their set to close the night with VJ Tiffy G. This will be a great night. I promise. I rarely do that.


Looking for something mentioned last week? Check the archives.



THE LUCKMAN FINE ARTS
Paseo Rancho Castila, but follow their directions
Saturday October 18th, 8 PM; $45/40
The Limón Dance Company presents: Anna Sokolow's "Rooms" (Major Revival Premiere) and Clay Taliaferro's "Into My Heart's House" (World Premiere)
One of the founding sensibilities of what has evolved into "Dança Afro" in Bahia, Limón technique has profoundly influenced local dance practices around the world with its ability to allow for social as well as personal idiosynscracies. The company is celebrating José Limón's 100 birthday with a world tour, starting here at home. If you can't afford or make this event because you are, er, occupied, you can see...

THE NEW LOS ANGELES THEATRE CENTER
514 S Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Saturday October 25th & 26th, 3 & 8 PM on both days; $35, though discounted tickets may be had
The Limón Dance Company presents: Lament for Ignacio Santos Meijas and The Moors Pavane
Truly, this tour is a dance history course unto itself.


Things to look for soon:
Urban Bushwomen & Compagnie Jant Bi present The Scales of Memory at UCR November 14th. Get tickets NOW!

Caseboldt & Smith present California Touring Project @ Diavolo Dance Space, November 21-23, tickets are on sale.

N'Ap Kenbe/We're Holding on: Hope in the Eye of the Hurricane, Performance and Workshops to benefit Haitians affected by hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike" With Special Guests: Troupe Jaka, straight from Haiti! Saturday, November 8, 8pm Herrick Interfaith Chapel, Occidental College, 1600 Campus Road, Los Angeles, CA 90041


UPCOMING WORKSHOPS AND ONGOING CLASSES
The Caribbean is coming!!! First, Cuba.
Sunday, October 26 JUAN CARLOS BLANCO, former soloist with CUBA's esteemed folkloric company, RAÍCES PROFUNDAS, returns to L.A. to teach two classes:
*1:30-3 PM: BEMBE, & CONGO TRADITIONS ;
*3-4:30 PM: RUMBA: GUAGUANCÓ.
LIVE DRUMMING @ 'DANCE STUDIO NO. 1' (in Studio A) 2037 Granville, WLA 90025--between Barrington & Bundy, 1 blk. no.of Olympic Blvd., brick building). $20 per class; or $35 for both. BLANCO presently directs the AFRO CUBAN folkloric company OMO ACHÉ, based in San Diego. Women, bring full or circle skirts.

And now, Haiti:
Marshall Dance Company and the Occidental College Department of Critical Theory and Social Justice Present: N'Ap Kenbe/We're Holding on: Hope in the Eye of the Hurricane Performance and Workshops to benefit Haitians affected by hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike With Special Guests: Troupe Jaka, straight from Haiti!
(all workshops in the Occidental College Alumni Gym Dance Studio) Nov, 8
9:00-10:30 am -- Music and Song
10:30-12:00 -- Dance
2:00-3:30--Dance and music
3:30-5:00-- Dance and music
All workshops $10

Are your classes still going on? Have you had to move? Hit me up so that the dance map is current. I have added my Th - Sat morning offering, Olojo Oni, to the dance map. This weekend is special due to the show, but check in, I may be out there getting my head screwed on properly.


ACTION
If you are out Pomona way, or feel moved to get up and get out there, right now there is a gathering of LGBT folks in a local bar, The Press Restaurant, where a professor from the Claremont Colleges was verbally accosted by a drunken patron. Apparently, this is type of behavior is par for the course, so the lovely Shakina Nayfeck has organized this night of Guerilla Gayness, "because there is more than one thing you can do with a fist!" 129 Harvard Ave, Claremont 8 PM until 1:30 AM get your best queer chant out and support the right to be who you are, wherever you are.




LOVELY!
There was a lot to think about in the debate last night. Sorry, but I can't wrap this one up quickly. I've had the sense that I live in a bubble, that all of the "calamity" is taking place somewhere else. The language of those invested with our trust to lead tells a different story. I'm not quite buying it. If we got out of Iraq and Afghanistan and reduced the Pentagon's budget, we would be back in the black with a quickness (not to mention the NEA and NEH and even that awful No child Left behind could be fully funded)! And what about that money pit called "Dept. of Homeland Security?" Hatchet and scalpel! Yet, "we will need to make sacrifices"...Are we willing to take care of our elder performers, many of whom had marginal healthcare to begin with, but most of whom probably lost retirement funds in the money markets? Are we willing to hold rent parties, share our homes, help fix roofs, car pool, split dinner duties and expenses? Though these will all lead to a better social network, stronger sense of community, I kinda feel like I do when I'm in the grocery store and its 68 degrees, all the freezer sections are open and lights are on and the state has announced a power emergency. The up note here? We the people can bring about the change we want as long as we make sure we still have the laws we depend on to allow us to express ourselves. So rather than try to soothe you, I urge you to learn something you did not know about either the tax code, laws of public assembly, or immigration. When you find out something you don't like, write to your representative immediately. Make a piece about it if you are an artist. Tell your neighbor and co-worker. Change will come no matter what. Whether or not you help guide it to benefit you and your community without doing harm to others is another story.

in deep love and gratitude,
-Anna

NEWSLETTER: contract & release

ALAFIA!!!!

Gosh darnnit (wink*)! Okay, I had to do that. This morning I went for a power walk, ended up at the ocean and discovered some clarity in my calling. Given that nothing fiscal much matters any more (where is your 403b or 401k and do you know who its with?), we have been set free to start our society anew, in tiny pockets that will soon meet each other and become something else. Think, rain drops. They look completely whole, impenetrable, but if they meet each other, they become a bigger drop and bigger and bigger until a stream, and well, you get the metaphor. Like the Cook County Sheriff's Office in Chicago refusing to evict people anymore! So, starting anew, afresh, working to keep my ability to walk and doing dance as a civic duty, you are welcomed to join me on Thursday, Friday and Saturday's at 8:30 AM on the beach for Orisha moving and West African grooving. It's not a class per se, rather, an offering. Be prepared to get wet, but wear layers! Donations based @ Venice City Beach, by the rocks on the knoll where you can watch crab and sea anemone. E-mail me for further details. Possibility to do mini offerings on M & W at 6:30 AM.


Afrologic. Afrological. Afrologica. How big is you 'fro?
Multiple, fractal, improvisational, polemical, but always moving with spirit and in the service of lifting it/us all up.
That's the Logic of the Afro--sign up, get your community on.



BLOWIN BACK DA 'FRO is a mega video festival that we all need to go see! Makes me wish I had my t-shirts together; "I read Afrologica." Field trip! The fall keeps comin at us in this month where we pretend that Columbus did something first and that it was all good (don't get me started on my son's homework assignment), and the dance and performance art is looking swanky!


OPENING TONIGHT
Hollywood Blvd between Wilcox Ave and Orange Dr
Freewaves presents "Hollywould" 11th Media Arts Festival
This festival is so smart, I could just go back to grad school. Part of Hollywood BLVD will be closed for portions of the festival, but more importantly, video works and installations will happen in local businesses like laundry mats, restaurants, dollar stores and the like. There are projections on sidewalks and building sides. Basically, you will need to down load the program from Freewaves, the organizers, because there is so much that I would recommend. Did I mention that a great deal of it is free? GO SEE!


THE ELECTRIC LODGE
1416 Electric Ave. at California Ave., Venice 90291
The Other Venice Film Festival
Thursday, October 9th, 6:30 PM - Sunday, October 12th
A must see night is October 12th for the film "The Rising Tide," by Robert Adanto about the burgeoning Chinese po-mo Art scene. Right now, the cocktail and kick off party is happening! Food by Primitivo, Music by Black Cat and an desert arrangement by Edible. Wear your best art black.


POMONA COLLEGE
Seaver Theatre Complex/Allen Studio Theatre, 300 E. Bonita Ave. Claremont, CA 91711
October 10th Friday 4 PM, $10/$5
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf
Box Office Phone: (909) 621- 8525 or 607-4375
Ntozake Shange's memorable play still brings down the house, production after production. This one sold out its 3 night run an added a matinee because director Shakina Jared Nayfeck heard that you didn't have a ticket. So you best call and go see these girls WORK IT!


THE ACTOR'S WORKOUT STUDIO
4735 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood 91602
Sunday October 12, sign 3:15 $8; reservations @ 818.506.3903
Cornucopia
Mad as hell and wanna get up and tell somebody why? Show up early to get in the grab bag of this well-established afternoon of poetry.


HIGHWAYS PERFORMANCE SPACE
4th Annual Latino new Works festival, Dance night
Saturday, October 11th, 8:30 PM (however, Jose Reynoso is on LGBT night, the 10th) $20/$15
It appears to be one piece, investigating Afro-Cuban dance, salsa, capoeira and HIp Hop. Why am I pumping it if I don't know what it is? Gustavo Caldas and Emeka. Need I say more? Get some tickets and get your drool I mean groove on.


Looking for something mentioned last week? Check the archives.


THE OPEN SPACE
Monday, October 13th, 8 PM
Anatomy Riot #27, guest curated by Samantha Giron
A hearty number of sacred fools have been let loose in this one! Come out to see this always satisfying night of daring. On the bill: Dance Good Damnit!, Samantha Giron dance project, Ryan Heffington, Marcus Kuiland-Nazario, Nina McNeely, Alexandria Yalj, Serene Zloof / Datgirl



CARPENTER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater
October 16 -17, 8 PM; $25/$20
Victoria Marks presents, "Not About Iraq"
Talk about dance as a civic duty...Launched here in LA last year, the piece is circling back to the general vicinity. If you missed it last time, here is your chance.


DIAVOLO DANCE SPACE
Peep Hole|People
October 17th -26th, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM; Sundays at 5 pm; $25 reserved/$20/$15
LA Contemporary Dance presents the choreography of Kate Hutter and Kevin Williamson, usually collaborators, but for this bill they each put in a piece to burrow deep into the alienated mind of, well people. Sounds like The Office meets Arrested Development but with dance and Michael Gondry filmmaking.


THE RED MERMADE
VISCERA hosts "Asphalt Sea"
Saturday, October 18th, 8 PM, $10
Come experience art out of the box, the building actually, and get your party on, too. The line up: Pat Payne (co-host aka La Negrita Maldita aka Spunky), d. Sabela Grimes, Michael Sakamoto, Maia, Anna B Scott, Cari Ann Shim Sham, Gregory Barnett and a bevy of special guests whom we can't announce cause we don't want to spoil the surprise! Juice, Beer, Wine, art, food all for sale, and maybe the DJ will save your life. Look for more info on Face Book.



ONGOING CLASSES AND SPECIAL WORKSHOPS
Field: A workshop with Rae S. Blum focuses on heightening your awareness of space from the inside out. The first four Saturdays in November, 2- 4:30 @ The Electric Lodge with a sliding scale of $75-$150 for the entire series or $20-$40 per class. Sign up now and pay by check. Contact orchidmoves@earthlink.net. Check the dance map for exact directions.

A living treasure is among us! Well, when we wake up face our greatness, we are each living treasures, but there are those of us who have already accepted that fact with grace and determination. One such individual is Dona Cici, who is the guest of Viver Brasil. She is giving instruction in the choreostories associated with all those exquisite dances in the Tuesday night class at Dance Arts Academy, the Friday gathering in the Dance Garden, and visiting Swing Brasil on Sundays at 10 AM at the Electric Lodge. At least once...you have to go at least once to take class from a woman in her 80s with a seized hip who is simply elegant when she moves...



LOVELY!
I'm moving to the new rhythm of the days and wishing you an upbeat tempo. The shifting economic terrain is really exhausting, but our focus must be squarely on each other. Got a yard? Turn it over to a neighborhood garden effort. Each yard devoted to something else. Plant fruit bearing trees. Car pool, ride your bike. Pitch in with the neighbors kids. Whatever you can do to be the value that we had collectively misplaced in a piece of paper, go ahead and do it. Up tempo, smile on face, dance as civic duty.

in love,
-Anna