NEWSLETTER: twists, spirals, & pivots oh my!

ALAFAIA!

Sending you all calming love and light as we weather some serious storms! Goodness! I just want to know: where did "they" get 86 BILLION dollars and the arts can't even get a serious national fund from which to beg money? And how will the clean up of Ike be covered with that money floating off into bankrupt financial companies? What agency will fund dispossessed homeowners who now likely will not even be able to vote in November? Yes, we make and consume art in this economic reality. It is the material condition within which we work. It determines so much, that we often miss it. Like, for example, the rise of hour long dance classes and 3 hour long anti-classes. In one hour, a consumer can feel like they have done something without getting bogged down in the complicated details of how the class will probably not bail them out of their fat bodies, but rather a systematic approach to shifting eating, sleeping and working habits in addition to that precious one hour (multiplying it by 3 times) would do the trick; in effect they need to regulate. On the other end of the spectrum, classes that can best be described as "Gatherings" endure for 2, sometimes 3 hours without so much as one correction on alignment, one tasty tidbit about finding your center (although often the metaphorical center will be invoked). "Students" roam free, dance with abandonment and likely hurt in unimaginable places once the ecstacy, I mean joy, has drained from their system. Hmmm. Me thinks that this financial market thing is not unusual or out of the blue. It seems like we have been living this moment for some time, completely denying and accepting our predicament simultaneously: we desire the stability that an inhumane work ethic brings but want to live in the moment, at specific times. Yikes. Last week I felt the need to tell you to hold to the credits, this week I feel compelled to say the wheel of history has rolled back around, but this time, it is not a repeat. However, it will likely be by the seat of our pants.

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 the facts: everybody is trying to get their house in order, cleaned up, cleared out and ready to go for the soul-stix, I mean equinox. Y'all missed a lovely end/beginning with itch on Tuesday--get your subscription--and dancer types gathered last Sunday to chart a course. Other facts that actually got my ears a wee singed is the collapse of goodwill in the name of international cooperation. As you know, I work with Viver Brasil on their board and they just had a horrific time trying to get a visa application read, just read, even after expedition, to bring the lovely Dona Cici here for the Festival of Sacred Music. Yes, sacred. The facts are, that art and politics have long ago collided, but now you REALLY know, and will ACT accordingly. SO get out there and bring the big bag of love with ya (yeah, i'm preachin)


Lots of openings and one time gigs tomorrow/today! Start it off with a trip to the park.
PARK(ING) DAYLA
Friday, Sept. 19th
Yes! It is here! I plan to go and have tea in a number of these sites. Likely, I will make it after school gets out to downtown, but I will start in the AM in Santa Monica. Join me, e-mail afrologic@gmail.com if you plan to go to either of those spots or text WATA to 41411 for updates on my location. Check Park(ing) DayLA's live map for possible impromptu parks near you!


FORD AMPHITHEATRE
Backhausdance
Friday Sept 19th, 8:30 PM; $25/$5
I did not mention this group last week...but they will dance on grass! What a perfect way to end a day of strolling through park(ing)s. Tickets almost gone, allegedly.


MUSIC CENTER
Dance Downtown
September 19th, 7 PM FREE
Now if you end up downtown for the tea party, likely we will go dance disco at 7 PM, for FREE. Kiddies welcomed, so this might be where I end up. DISCO! Last one of the season, first come first served.

MILES MEMORIAL PLAYHOUSE
1130 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90403
Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
September 19-October 5, 2008
Fri-Sat at 8:30pm / Sun at 3pm; $30 for opening night/ $20 general, discount for groups of 5+

Finally, I have ticket info! Good grief, good thing I delayed sending this as ticket info has changed. Well, the show is about craziness, so this is the pre-quel. She got a "go see" from Flava PIll, so watch out now! It opens tonight to sparkling cider fanfare! I am waiting for their Obama Fundraiser on the 21st--all proceeds to the O.


DIAVOLO LAB
6188 Moulton, Los Angeles
LA Contemporary Dance presents an Open Rehearsal
Friday, Sept 19th, 8 - 11 PM
It's a showing, wait it's a cocktail party. Don't you love that word? Cocktail, hmm, goes good with dance. Not sure, but a $20 donation is requested and you can do your best LA chic/slouch fashion statement, or bust out a vintage cocktail gown or smoking jacket. That'll teach them! Show up and help them get the Fall season off to a solid financial start.
Take a sneak peek at a rehearsal for our upcoming October repertory concert with original choreography by Kate Hutter and Kevin Williamson, while of course while enjoying an open bar courtesy of LACDC!

$20 suggested donation, reservations required, 323-883-1948. Free parking!



Looking for something mentioned last week? Check over in the archives.



PHYLLIS STEIN GALLERY
207 W. 5th Avenue @ Spring ST
Saturday, Sept 20th, 7 - 10 PM, FREE?
Artist in Residence Performance/Happy Hour
Come meet Mecca Vazzie Andrews and Sara Paul Occampo as thy host with Phyllis Movement Movement, VUM and Big Swell. Music, performance, drinks, art, a fine evening.

18th STREET ARTS COMPLEX
SOMA FEST is just about over. Classes are a wee pricey, but with anywhere from 3 -5 years for certification in these intricate techniques, we understand the price schedule. Tonight, check out...
HIGHWAYS PERFORMANCE SPACE
1651 18th Street, Santa MOnica, CA
Friday, Sept. 19th - Sunday 21st, $20 gen/$15 student DRC discount
"conscious embodiment in performance" (um, i hope you don't phone it in when on stage, but maybe they mean, nothing repetitive without thinking), a show featuring: Christie Svane, Kirk Andrews, Lionel Popkin (go Lionel, cause he uses his name), Jamie McHugh, Stefanie Cohen, Craig Ng, and Teri Carter, the hostess with the mostess. Show repeats with different cast on Saturday night, both at 8 PM; then Sunday at 3 pm.

THE OPEN SPACE
209 S. Garey ST, Los Angeles, 90012
One Step Ahead Fundraiser
Saturday, doors at 7:30, show at 9 PM,; $15 suggested donation
Marissa Labog wants you to come out and shake it! She just launched One Step Ahead, a hip hop nation exploration and has invited Rodney Mason of Rome & Jewels fame to come and share the space as the raise the roof and the company. Check it out.


ELECTRIC LODGE
1416 Electric Avenue, Venice
MAX 10, featuring Simone Forti and Rae Shaolan Blum performing "icebergs"
September 28th, Saturday, $20 at the door as this is a fundraiser for the full season

If you've ever been to an Anatomy Riot and wondered, "whose grandma is that?" you should go see her dance! Simone Forti is grandma to all of us; and the coolest type: the one who knows just how foolish and crazy you really are so she eggs you on, knowing you will stumble across something wonderful that she can't wait to see. Forget candy in a purse! Every time I see her, I am just filled with gratitude. This past Tuesday at the itch launch party, she blew us away with her writing as well. There are so few true Elders willing to walk among us, don't miss the opportunity to see one do her thang. And Rae can D A N C E, so you don't want to miss the young thang work it! bonus: there are two slots which will be raffled off to audience members to perform...


ONGOING CLASSES/WORKSHOPS
A new stripper-inspired class has just joined the Tuesday line up at The Open Space. Gregory Barnett presents dancing with your pole, I mean pole dancing as you likely often have seen it and thought , "i love to swing!" Just kidding. Check out the dance map for directions. Class begins October. Follow this link to the Open Space for more info.

Please, don't forget Viver Brasil's sponsored workshop for the Festival of Sacred Music at the 18th Street Arts Complex, Sat Sept 20th at 1 PM. $10 gets you choreography, song instruction and a SHOW. If you feel so moved, please leave double after the event. This one will be awesome.


LOVELY!
So this is sooo bloody late, that I have to apologize. Mil desculpas! I've had quite the week--likely I should've danced more! But the writing task that got in the way our/my weekly love offering to you is almost complete, and hopefully, I'll see you soon in a new studio space. I do have a show coming up that I am curating with Pat Payne in October; part of our VISCERA thang. So if you are not on Face Book, get on there and join our group! While you're at it, look around for groups that strike your fancy. Hot ones I recommend: Viver Brasil, Lula Washington, itch, LA Contemporary Dance, The Open Space, R.A.I.D. (Random Acts of Irreverent Dance), House of Wong and Phyllis Stein Art. SInce you are already in the business of donating your money to industry(86 billion from where?!), why don't you actually do it on purpose and "tithe" to your favorite group? $19.99/mo, every month. Just do it. At least you know you'll get a good return on your money.


in love and wishing you an abundant and expansive Autumn Equinox,
-Anna

NEWSLETTER: extend the leg

Peace & Love!

The Olympics are upon us and already they are in trouble. Gone are the days where safe passage is offered to contestants in the Games during a world wide truce. We have seen protesters launching themselves at the torch bearers, locals shoved out of their dwellings and trained how not to have a conversation with visitors, athletes denied visas at the last moment because of their political activity--where is the love of the human spirit? So very complicated, playing games. To be truthful, I could not believe that China was even allowed to host, but they are, so the Games should go on, in their true spirit. No, I"m not saying forget Tibet, forget about all the valleys that government has flooded with their hydraulic dam systems, forget the exceptionally polluted air, the persecution of Falun Gong members, the aiding and abetting of genocide in North Korea and Darfur--no, I am asking that we utilize the amazing energy generated when we humans congregate and use our ENTIRE bodies to think and experience the world to create the process and determination to end systems of domination, whether they be in China or stamped in the Patriot Act. The Olympics are the ultimate body-based performance. If you ever doubted that we are sacred creatures capable of acts of boundless determination, just tune in and git lifted.

Here at home, I am staging an olympics of sort on the sidewalks of Hollywood. Want to be a contestant? Write me back.

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.

I must issue a mea culpa about last week's newsletter: I forgot the links for the mapped dance classes and the new Afrologics blog -- an archive of these newsletters. My bad. The heat got to me. BLOWIN' BACK THE FRO this weekend are late summer festivals and staple performers, think well stocked pantry!


TONIGHT!
SANTA MONICA PIER
Twilight Dance Series (which does not present dance shows) presents
Oliver Mtukudzi and Rocky Dawuni, AfroPop from Zimbabwe and Ghana
FREE, 7 - 10 PM
Finally there is something of afrological interest at the Santa Monica Pier. Actually, the Spanish Harlem Orchestra was of interest, but that was on a weekend where I just needed to get bodies to dance concerts! SO...free, beach, picnic, free, dance, beach crazy parking. Take the bus or park on the east side of town and ride a bike across. I am so serious. After being stranded after the Glow Festival, I do not have great trust in the transit system when it comes to crowds, that said, if you plan it right, you should be able to take a Wilshire bus across or take the Venice express bus 3/33 which will drop you right in front of the pier. That way, your contact high will not interfere with your driving. SPeaking of contact high, Toots & The Maytals close out the series on August 28th--it will be monster!

BARNSDAL PARK
4800 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90027
(between Edgemont and Vermont - free parking is first come, first serve)

Invertigo Dance Company, "Revelries & Reveries"
Thursday Aug 7th, Friday August 8th; Saturday August 16th, Wednesday August 20th
All dates are at 6:30 PM
Sarita Louise Moore sent me the heads up for this free event to "raise the curtain" on the Independent Shakespeare Company performance of Twelfth Night. She's in it! The Pre-show dance event that is. Go Sarita!

The event is FREE but you must MAKE RESERVATIONS with the Independent Shakespeare Company.
www.independentshakespeare.com
Outdoors next to the beautiful Hollyhock House
Bring a blanket and a picnic!


HIGHWAYS
1651 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
SWEAT! A New Summer Dance Festival; $20/$15
Aug 8th - 9th, 8:30 PM PLEIADES
Aug 15 - 16th, 8:30 PM SPILL, SPLASH, and SPLENDOR
There is a dance festival on over on 18th Street! It's a small house, so tonight may already be sold out out, but it runs through the weekend.
Pleiades takes a spin on Hassan Christopher's Combustion: instead of 24 hours, these seven women dancer-choreographers had 7 days to put together a performance for you. Flora Weigman at curator-controls with Carol McDowell, Rae Shaolan Blum, Sarah White and some un-named astrids.

The second weekend is curated by a UCR MFA, Sue Roginski--yay!!!! New choreography by Alison Bory, Cynthia Lee, Rosie Trump and Sadie Weinberg. Not just solos!


ORANGE COUNTY PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
American Ballet Theatre "Rabbit & Rogues"
$105 - $25, August 6 - 10, 2008; 7:30 PM Wednesday -Friday; Saturday 2:00 & 7:30; Sunday 2:00
Last week I wrote about this one, well ABT is here in the OC with the West Coast Premiere of Twyla Tharpe's lastest piece. There may be some tickets left for tonight, but the run is quick, so who knows.


and coming up...

GRAND PERFORMANCES
August 8, 12 PM, FREE!
Jaipur Kawa Brass Band is gonna bring the funk for you, subcontinent stylee. I had my doubts from the description, but I listened to some tracks and found it very compelling. Too bad they are gigging at noon on a Friday. I'll need to leave Thursday night to make sure I get there on time.

but never fear, you can go shake it that night at

THE MUSIC CENTER
Friday, August 8th
directions to the Plaza
Dance Downtown presents ZYDECO! Featuring TLou and his Superhot Zydeco Band
Dance lessons begin at 6:30; the band takes the stage at 7:15 PM. Everything is FREE, limited space.


WORLD STAGE JAZZ FESTIVAL & BBQ
Leimert Park at the Fountain
4395 Leimert BLVD, Los Angeles, CA 90008
Sunday, August 10th, 10 AM; $20 in advance--includes tour and lunch
Now what tour you may wonder? LA Commons is doing a food tour of the city! This weekend they head to Leimert Park to taste authentic barbque. If I had not just come back from Mississippi, this would not be so funny to me, but let's just say, that my olympics dovetails nicely with this. The lovely and talented Maia brings out her vibraphone to gig with Jesse Sharpe around 2:30 PM as part of the actual Jazz festival. I think that the music & parking are free and the food is not. On the bill:
The Roy McCurdy Quartet, The Gathering with Jesse Sharps, Bobby Matos & his Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, The George Harper Quartet featuring vocalist Karen Evans and Nate Morgan's Swingin 'N Exile. SHINE Mawusi, an all-female drum and dance ensemble,, under the direction of Rene Fisher, will share this star-studded bill. Gifted artists from the World Stage workshops will perform.


UNKNOWN THEATER
Fables du Theatre, a collaboration with Immanence Artists
August 15 - September 27th; Thursday - Saturdays @ 8 PM; Sundays @ 6 PM
"Sex. Death. Clown." this is how the event is described. This will be the season finale for the unknown, and I think we should turn out as thanks for their stellar dance season this year, and also to learn a thing or two;->


JAPAN AMERICA COMMUNITY CULTURAL CENTER PLAZA
244 S. San Pedro St., LA
Nisei Festival
Next Generation Remix Concert, FREE 6-7 PM "cultural", 7 - 10 PM "contemporary"
Here is one of those events that you just know will surprise you, so you best show up. Boasting everything from team hip hop dance crews to folksy alternative rock and some traditional dancetheater pieces, the Remix Concert has something for everyone, even if the premise is to become a viable market for transglobal entertainment industries--I'm not making that up. You can watch their promo video here and see for yourselves. Still, the show looks VERY interesting.

coming in September: Baker/Tarpanga Project at the Ford!!

AFRICAN DANCE WORKSHOPS
Okay! Le Bagatae is turning on more heat in Chicago, IL. Congo Camp is a wrap and so is the Denver, La Merveille. But don't hang up your lapa just yet. Still to come, a camp in Upstate New York in September--ahhhh foliage--and then Mama Nzinga Camara will host the annual African Dance Conference at Debbie Allen Dance Studio sometime in the fall as well, so be ready. Just to make you cry, I have posted the list of classes for Le Bagatae at the bottom of this e-mail...United just announced a sale. FYI.

SUMMER DANCE INTENSIVES
On deck next week for DANCEbank is Mira Kingsley, August 9th & 10th, 11 am - 2 pm
These classes will be held at Farmlab + Under Spring
1745 N. Spring Street #4, LA, CA 90012
directions on their website:
http://farmlab.org/2006/12/more-information-coming-soon.html



ONGOING CLASSES
Again, here is a link to a map I made. If you know of classes that are active and cool, let me know and I'll send you an invite to collaborate on the map. Likely, I'll make one for national African Dance Camps/Festivals.

LOVELY!
WOW! Ever get that feeling that something itsy bitsy in your life is about to become slightly unmanageable? Well I have that sensation more and more each week as I work to figure out the best way to bring this information together and out to you. I want to thank all of you for reading the newsletter and dropping me a line form time to time! If you have any suggestions about where it should migrate, let me know. For now, ning is the place, so join up on Afrologica because I am getting close to being evicted from my .mac account, lol!

Class will resume s o o n.

in love,
-Anna

Conference Schedule www.lebagatae.com

Dance

Thursday August 7, 2008

Youssouf Koumbassa (Guinea) 5:00 - 6:30pm

Djenaba Sako (Mali) 6:30 - 8:00pm

Idy Ciss (Senegal) 8:00 - 9:30pm

Friday August 8, 2008

Djenaba Sako (Mali) 5:00 - 6:30pm

Biza Sompa (Congo) 6:30 - 8:00pm

Marietou Camara (Guinea) 8:00 - 9:30pm

Saturday August 9, 2008

Youssouf Koumbassa (Guinea) 10:00 - 11:30am

Mariama Basse (Senegal) 11:30am - 1:00pm

Marietou Camara (Guinea) 2:00 - 3:30pm

Moustapha Bangoura (Guinea) 3:30 - 5:00pm

Sunday August 10, 2008

Biza Sompa (Congo) 10:00 - 11:30am

Mariama Basse (Senegal) 11:30am - 1:00pm

Idy Ciss (Senegal) 2:00 - 3:30pm

Moustapha Bangoura (Guinea) 3:30 - 5:00pm



Drum

Thursday August 7, 2008

Abdoul Doumbia (Mali) 5:00 - 6:30pm

Alysco Diabate (Dununs * Guinea) 6:30 - 8:00pm

Fode Moussa Camara (Guinea) 8:00 - 9:30pm

Friday August 8, 2008

Talla Faye (Senegal) 5:00 - 6:30pm

Marietou Camara (Women Dununs) 6:30 - 8:00pm

Fode Moussa Camara (Guinea) 8:00 - 9:30pm

Saturday August 9, 2008

Titos Sompa (Congo) 10:00 - 11:30am

Marietou Camara (Women Dununs) 11:30am - 1:00pm

Madou Dembele (Ivory Coast) 2:00 - 3:30pm

Bolokada Conde (Guinea) 3:30 - 5:00pm

Sunday August 10, 2008

Bolokada Conde (Guinea) 10:00 - 11:30am

Alysco Diabate (Dununs * Guinea) 11:30am - 1:00pm

Madou Dembele (Ivory Coast) 2:00 - 3:30pm

NEWSLETTER: swirl

Peace & Time Y'all,

It's a full moon full of energy to get on the One, if you so choose, or at least go out and enjoy yourself IMMENSELY. There is a vertiable SWIRL of activity in the City of Lost Angels, defying demographics, grant makers and rush hours alike. Get your hover crafts ready because there is a Ben and Jerry's-esque palette of artistic offerings this weekend and the next. Time to call the sitter, get in a car pool, and hit the city with eyes and hearts wide open.


Afrologics...afroism, afronaut, afrolicious, Afrologica...how big is your 'fro?


BLOWING BACK THE 'FRO
Well, the FESTIVAL of course! The Republic of Santa Monica brings an overnight festival to the US this weekend and the REDCAT brings back artist from its local season for a two weekend extravaganza, and most likely, a neighborhood near you is throwing their own shindig; go investigate!

TONIGHT:
REDCAT
Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater
631 W. 2nd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
http://www.redcat.org
NOW Festival 2008, Series One
BUY TWO TICKETS, GET THE THIRD FREE (deal available through the box office only - not the web).
213-237-2800 and this is with purchase of either series , into a mix n match

The bill is nicely streamlined, while still covering a lot of LA artsoup. This festival will remind why it is so important to go and see each other's work: it takes momentum to propel an object, and the same is true for art of any ilk. In addition to being your duty, attending this festival is just going to be fun. It's the REDCAT, darn it! They can produce an event! Go Hassan, Edgar and George!
Of Afrological interest: Baker & Tarpanga Dance Project is up TONIGHT with "Sira Kan/ON the Road." They are also appearing at the Ford in a bit.

Free beer tonight, if that appeals to you.
Baker & Tarpaga Dance Project: Sira Kan / On the Road
Performed by three captivating male dancer-musicians and directed by Olivier Tarpaga, Wilfried Souly and Esther Baker-Tarpaga, On the Road layers movement, music, and personal and oral histories as it journeys through the physical dangers and political realities of West African men seeking new opportunities across borders.
Cloud Eye Control: Final Space and Subterranean Heart
With an ingenious blend of projected animation, live theater and upbeat music, Cloud Eye Control generates hyper-live performances of technological fancy.
Theatre Movement Bazaar: Model Behavior
In Model Behavior, the acclaimed team of Tina Kronis and Richard Alger shred the story of Jekyll and Hyde into a collage of movement, theater and song that careens through cultural obsessions with mesmerism, CSI, the modeling industry, and more.


THE UNKNOWN THEATRE
1110 North Seward Street, LA, CA 90038
"An Attic, An Exit" Lean to Productions San Francisco
July 17 - 27, 2008 Thursday, Friday, Saturday @ 8 PM; Sunday @ 6PM
Free parking at Lexington and Seward
$18 online at www.unknowntheater.com
$24 at the door or by phone (323) 466-7781

I just went for the first time ever last weekend to see Meg's show, and I am LOVING the vibe of this production collective. The stage is a wee wacky in its relationship to the audience, but make no mistake, these folks LOVE them some dance. Street parking was easy on that Sunday, but I wonder how it is on Fridays: there are three other theatre spots within a one block radius. Definitely a part of town to watch.
Lean to Productions San Francisco slams into Hollywood like a meteor. Check out the press here. If I survive the GLOW Festival, I will go to this show on Sunday.

FORD AMPHITHEATRE
2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068
26th Los Angles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival: OUTFEST!
Started on Wednesday, but they go through July 20th
$18 each day at 8:30 PM, but the 20th, which includes award ceremony, is $30 and starts at 7:30 PM

Under the stars and a full moon, this should be a pretty amazing night of film for those celluloid junkies out there. Come early and picnic...and avoid the traffic trying to get to the Hollywood Bowl. Tickets here.

GRAND PERFORMANCES
300-350 S. Grand Avenue in the California Plaza
Parking $7.50, and precious...
Friday, July 18th, 8 PM
TCHEKA
My fav free concert series has an afrolicious afternoon of Cape Verdean music for you! This music verges on the easy-listening, but in classic Cabo Verde style, is infused with deep soul and will instill a longing for more tropical climes without all the hustle--yeah we got to hustle a bit too hard here to remember to enjoy the beauty of where we live, but we are letting that go, right? Bring your lunch.

TEMPLE BAR - SANTA MONICA, CA
July 18th, 10 PM; $12 in advance, $15 at the door which open at 9 PM
AFRO-FUNK FESTIVAL 2008!!
1026 Wilshire Blvd. 323-391-6611
SAMBADA with SILA & The Afrofunk Experience
Plus DJ Jeremiah & The Afrobeat Nation
http://www.templebarlive.com
Not much to say other than, SHAKE IT!

SANTA MONICA PIER
GLOW Festival
Perhaps the public event of the summer, the GLOW Festival runs from 7 pm Saturday July 19 to 7 AM July 20th and boasts an international exhibition of art and performance. It launches by a performance by SHINE at Palisades park. Then during the night, you want to make sure to check out TAGTOOL and Sasas with DUBLAB. Sunday morning the festival is closed by a procession by Viver Brasil, leaving from Palisades Park down to the ocean. You just can't miss this. Pack your white clothing in your day pack so you can help gift the event to Mother Sea and get your groove on with the fabulous Viver Brasil.

THE MUSIC CENTER
135 North Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
213-972-7211
Fly to the Sky
July 25th, 8 PM
OMIGAWD!! if you know me well, you know that I have this goal of going to Seoul and dancing for 48 hours traight through various funk, soul, and hip hop clubs. So here comes a duet almost to my door. This is one of those scooby-head double takes, but don't sleep! The Soul is alive and well in Korea, and has been since 5th Century BC, yup, BC suckas! This particular crew used to come harder back in 2006, but lately, they have been crooning like lovesick puppies. Not sure what to expect, but it is worth checking out.

THE JAZZ BAKERY
Talita, Jazz Vocalist with special guest Maia, hosted by Nia Long
3233 Helms Ave, Los Angeles, CA
July 27th, 4 PM; $25/$15 for students
A sultry afternoon of avant-garde black 'oman music. Maia is a MUST SEE. You can check out a video I posted on Afrologica of a composition of hers. You must call to reserve your spot. 310-291-9039. Goodness, I'm gonna need me a press pass soon, lol!


Mercy!!! That's a lot in the next two weeks! I have not even included all the visiting artists and dance camps...


AFRICAN DANCE CAMPS
Fareta is a wrap, but the season has just begun with Alumuta here in LA launched and ready to take us through the rest of the month; Brazilian Dance on the platter this weekend. The Nate Holden hosts Yassinanga right now, literally, for $7 at 7 PM. Congolese Drum and Dance Workshop starts next weekend in Pike, CA July 25 - Aug 3rd. I think you can still pay online. And Chicago is home to Le Bagatae's dance camp in August 7 - 10, a very intense line up of master dancers. If you were unable to get it together to join Viver Brail's tour to Bahia, here is some late-breaking news for you:

Afro-Brazilian Dance workshop with Dandha of SambaDa!!! Friday July 18th, 4:30 - 6:00 hosted by
The Blankinship Ballet in Venice, at the corner of Brooks and Main, 132 Brooks AVe, Venice, 90291. $15 gets you in the door, and then you need to rinse off and head to SambaDa's show at the Temple Bar. Dandha throw down Ilê Aiyê stylee, so the funk will definitely be in da house. Bring a towel to wipe your sweat...

Oakland just launched Its 2nd Annual African Diaspora Arts & Culture Day last night, Wednesday July 16! Events will continue through the 20th. Covering everything from dance to film, to theatre and performance art, programmers show why Oakland continues to be a Chocolate City. For more info, contact organizers: [a Caribelinq intiative...510-451-6100]

ONGOING CLASSES
Even while traveling, classes will continue on Tuesday night for Viver Brasil at the Dance Arts Academy at 8th & Wilshire in LA. The line up:
July 22 Gracy Ferreguetti- from San Diego, combining Afro-Brazilian dance and capoeira.
July 29 Vida Vierra spirited orixa movement and samba
August 5 Badaró!! Back by popular demand with his brand of orixa dance movement and samba reggae.
August 12 Samantha Goodman- elements of Silvestre and orixa dance movement.
August 19 Badaró
August 26 Dani Lunn- back from Bahia full of energy and new movement
Live music by Viver Brasil drummers, Badaró, Mario and Sandie and guests.
Dance Arts Academy, 731 S. La Brea Ave,. Los Angeles, CA 90036
8-9:30pm

Sarita Louise Moore has also moved on from Shakti's Elements and is offering her class in Ozone Park, donation based. Class begins on July 20th.

Shelby Williams is on a much deserved vacation.

Rae Shaolan Blum is holding it down on Mondays at Katnap with an intermediate/advanced Modern class.
7:30 - 9:30 PM, 12932 Venice BLVD (between Walgroove and Beethoven)
She danced beautifully in 11 Missing Days and her class has been recommended to me by Ilaan Mazzini. This one we need to get to. She is also offering a special workshop FIELD: Improvisation Workshop:
Where: Farmlab and Under Spring
1745 N. Spring Street #4 LA, CA 90012
near the chinatown stop on the goldline
When: 8/2 & 8/3 11am-2pm
Cost: $40- both days (encouraged); $25- single day
registration and payments are appreciated in advanced. Please send checks (payable to Meg Wolfe) to
1631 Barry Ave., #10 LA, CA 90025

LA Contemporary Dance is offering the following:
PILATES FOR DANCERS!!! Wednesday, July 16th at 5:45pm- 7:00pm
Diavalo Dance Space, 618 B Moulton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Are you interested in improving your core strength, flexibility, balance, turn out, leg extensions, foot/ankle strength and much more? Taught by LACDC company member and BASI certified Pilates instructor, Nichol Mason.
Come July 16th and take the class for only $8! Each additional class will be $15.
Please bring a mat if you have one or a towel. Therabands will be provided.
Please respond to Nichol Mason at nikida1163@yahoo.com to let us know if you will be attending.


The DANCEbank and SHOWBOX summer session courses are in full swing. The dance NInja, Meg Wolfe, continues to move us onward to our highest high. Go check out the schedule on her MySpace Page.

LOVELY!
The Watermelon Relay Race part one was very revealing! Just short of a full team, we managed to pull off a very amusing one hour of antics on Wilshire. Plans are in the work to do the full ethnic slur food olympics sometime in August on Hollywood BLVD. Video of our antics with the "time travel device" aka the watermelon, will be posted soon on YouTube. The NEST hosted by Pat Payne last Saturday was a real hoot. Please sign up at VISCERA on FaceBook to get details on how you can become a part of Pat Payne's NEST and work with me on future performance instigations through VISCERA. Meg Wolfe's show, "11 MIssing Days" was full, very very full. Unlike early work of hers which tends towards sparse staging and dense soundscapes, "11 Missing Days" was epic, and ultimately too large for the stage at The Unknown Theatre, which was shocking. It felt simultaneously too crowded and missing people! The themes were immense, and so was Rae Shaolan Blum's dancing. Jeremy Hahn needed some space to cut loose with his innate loveliness (I think he should play the femme fatale in the dress next time to see what happens). Mikki Delmonico surprised with her lust for performance, and her incredible abs (yikes!). The soundscape took up a lot of space, adding to the whir of images--both live and projected. Meg's solo was rapid and full of data, buzzing like those missing bees and already-dead divas. Perhaps in heels, it will take a different turn (Yes, I LOVE seeing Meg Wolfe in heels). All the makings of a masterwork are there. So Meg, can't wait to see the full, big blowout that this piece portends! Also on the bill, Caseboldt and Smith turned in a smoking, intense performance, though I was wondering what was gonna happen to the men on the floor. Meg's other guest punk rocked, leaving the 'fro stiff and a wee bored. A more complete review of these events and others will post at Afrologica just as soon as I manage to stop "relaxing" so hard. All in all, 11 Missing Days should be put up for a MAP grant so that our dear Dance Ninja can stop hustling so hard and deliver her masterpiece.

It's been great running into folks at shows! Let's stay connected. Send me your upcoming events! Missing you all dearly.

in love,
-Anna