Really. I want to say hello to all my "passive readers," meaning those of you who come across the blog through some odd turn of the trackpad. I have yet to turn GoogleAnalytics on this site (I guess it brings me so much joy and pleasure just to do this that AI don't care yet to know numbers), so I can't tell you exactly how many are reading and where they are located, I am just grateful whenever I come across anyone who has checked this out. So I have some news for you all: stimulus money is starting to become available for the arts in alternative ways to the NEA. Read on to find out more. Next, as much as I love Twitter, I just have to say that it can truly be like shooting a gun in an steel drum: ricochet, echo, and certain death. This fantastic tool can easily become part of the problem we now face with fading news industries. Ironic, ain't it? Twitter can solve a lot of issues as far as news is concerned, especially for us artists types, but it is being hijacked by people desperate to create a "Steady passive income in 12 easy steps on Twitter!" or "Get 40K followers on Twitter in just 4 weeks!" Formulas abound, and the real way it's done is that people send you money to buy your video feed or collection of platitudes. This standardization worked well for realtors, education administrators, public safety officials, and of course, marketers. But it did not work so well for homeowners, renters and the Homeless. Nor did it work out for students, inmates, public protesters or folks just lookin to throw a block party. And it definitely has not worked out well for the consumer. Now Twitter has had to place limits on number of friends. Standardization, I have decided, is the BANE of our existence. Though it is effective for cost-cutting, budgeting and planning, it literally HURTS the human bodymind: we are not the same person. We do not all live in the same place. We do not have even access to the processes nor the makers of The Law: how did Richard Pryor put it? "When they Justice they mean 'just us.'"And now, the Americans for the Arts are headed down this same road, offering services that appear to be for artists, but on closer inspection they are for arts organizations, specifically, for administration. Yes, getting forms and grant questions standardized seems like a wonderful idea to streamline "the process" for the artist (from grant apps to tax and insurance compliance), but all it really has done is create a new industry: the for-hire-art administrator. I should know, I am likely about to become one of them. I am dismayed, however, at the similarities between grant applications from vastly different funders, the funneling of Federal Stimulus money for the arts through layers and layers of bureaucracy and the fact beneath all of this: that artists, esp. performing artists, are expected to not make money. It's maddening. Can we get a lean, start-up like entity going that gets the most dollars into the hands of affiliated artists as it possibly can? Can the amount of funding and the categories sought actually reflect the targeted community as it is, not as some policy wonk somewhere thinks it should be? Am I being crude? Yeah. I am. I am inspired by the green movement in this, the slow food movement, the community banking movement, the local currency movement, the rebirth of DIY movements. While these ideas are percolating everywhere, and folks do get together (mostly online) to talk about how they did it, there is not an overarching sense that somehow everyone should do it exactly the same. These movements are localized, and derive their power and momentum from being in harmony with their biospheres. Can we continue to try and sustain a practice of managing art/dance that ignores the place-ness of each performer, each new whacked out genre? Nope. And I am in love with all the contrarians and freaky people who are not waiting for their bailout, but making a way--just don't muck up the road by following in false foot steps. You got wings. Now fly into greatness.
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 weeks are cheese sandwiches, books, and 21st Century pedestrian dance taking the stage.
BPS at the BREWERY, map
618B Moulton, Los Angeles, CA 90031
Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company presents Value System
Thursday April 23 - Friday 24th @ 8 PM, Saturday April 26 @ 5 PM; $20/$25
Okay, so just off the title of the piece, I am so THERE. Plus, PLUS, have you checked them out?! It is likely you have seen a number of these work-horse dancers laboring in the pieces of choreographers all over town. If anybody was gonna make a piece about the economy, this would be the crew; they know it intimately. When they come together, they tend to go for it. So Imma finally get my butt to one of their shows. You should, too, if you have not. MUST GO.
UNKNOWN THEATRE, map & parking
1110 Seward Street, Los Angeles
Mongrels by Samantha Giron Dance Project
Thursday April 16th, 2009 - Sunday April 26th, 2009; Th - Sat @ 8 PM & Sundays @ 6 PM; $18 advance on-line sale, $25 at the door
A stripped-down and tripped out investigation of LA's electronica club scene, Mongrels seeks to get the rabid beasts off the street and onto the stage, but don't be surprised if they have filled all the seats in this small house. Lucky for you, it's a two-weekend run. This weekend, Sabela Grimes joins the line up!!
114 W. 5th Street (b/w Spring & Main), map
IT’S (A)LIVE: BRAVE LIVE ARTS FROM LOS ANGELES
Friday April 24 7pm – 10pm; no tix info but i do believe that donations are welcomed at the door, plan for $15
Stakes a very big claim in their press release: "is an amalgamation of artists who claim, write and redefine the real, constructed and imagined territories of Los Angeles. The body, gender, race, sex(ualities), history and play are examined and celebrated through dance, movement, literature, storytelling and music." Curated by Dino Dico, what I most like about the promise of this group show is that it is situated in the history of Downtown LA performance scene. So this is uber alternative, kiddies. Go check out part of the luminous darkside. Artists include: RICARDO A. BRACHO : BUTCHLALIS DE PANOCHTITLAN : HEATHER CASSILS : SIR HEFFINGTON & THE FINGERED DANCERS : ICY LYTES : BIANCA OBLIVION : DORIAN WOOD
BEATROCK STORE & GALLERY, map
4158 Norse Way, Long Beach, CA
Because Your Mama Said So: Group ArtShow dedicated to Mr. T
Sat Apr 25 2pm – 11pm, Opening reception
Alfie Numeric can throwdown y'all and this will be quite the jam. Yes, "Mr. T, dammit!" If you are in your 30's, okay, maybe 40s, you know you were lovin you some Mr. T on the A-Team. Come on now, don't try and front! I had to drop it 80s style just then, sorry. Ahem. Mr. T., crazy lookin character that he was, would always tell us kids "Don't be a fool, stay in school!" And so, I did. Cause if that's what lookin foolish was like, I was definitely staying in me some school! Alfie Numeric and massive crew celebrate this giant icon with a day long series of events, and of course, a commemorative t-shirt. For more information, please contact Dave Araquel at dave@beatrock.com or Alfie Ebojo at alfie@alfienumeric.com
REDCAT
Marc Bamuthi Joseph/The Living Word Project: the break/s: a mixtape for stage
Wednesday, April 22 - Saturday April 25 @ 8:30 PM, Sunday April 26 @ 3 PM; W - F $25/12; Sat & Sun $30/16.
Now last week I lost my mind about this, and I will once again: THIS IS THE BIG BLOWOUT COMB. Taking HIP Hop theatre to a whole 'nother plane, Bamuthi imagines the stage as a needle on a record. MUST GO.
PERFORMANCE LAB, UC RIVERSIDE, map
Cake in My Face: New Dances about Betty Crocker and Misbehavior by Melissa Hudson, MFA candidate in Dance
Thursday, April 23 - Saturday April 25; $6 BUY TICKETS NOW! (951) 827-4331 or www.ticketmaster.com, walk-ups available 1 hour before show, but space is limited, no late seating; parking $5
I laughed so hard, I nearly fell off my chair and down the stairs, which is easy to do in this venue because the seating retracts and is plastic, so, do the math. Melissa Hudson's exploration of the absurdity of a fictional character giving advice to people on how to live "perfect" and therefore, fictitious lives is startling and about as fun as plucking a chicken or scaling a fish. Ew & Ouch. Did we really write in those letters asking those questions of a marketing device? Yet is WAS hilarious, great integration of text with movement with props with clowning with choreography. Yes, there was a lot going on, and it all mattered. Fantastic. Please, please please, go out to Riverside and see this show. I am working to get a little bit of it to LA, but don't count on that. Tis likely that it will also make its way up to the Bay Area, where Hudson is from. The zany, zippy, and surprising cast includes Hudson, Hannah Schwadron, Melissa Templeton, Szu-Ching Chang and Ann Mazzocca. Schwadron stands out as the fictitiously real Betty who has escaped General Mills, while Templeton, Chang and Mazzocca function as a madcap, ever-changing cast of characters...animals...and cakes. MUST GO!
Los Angeles State Historic Park, map
1245 N. Spring St, Los Angeles, CA
1st 7th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitatonal
Saturday, April 25 12- 6 PM, competition begins @ 1 PM; $5 gate entry, $10 competition entry
Let the Cheesening begin! I heard about this last night from a friend whose friend is competing. The CAARS sent it out as their pick. And the website is so fabulous that even though I am lactose intolerant and very close to being a celiac, I am recommending that you go to this event if you are looking for some laughs drenched in nostalgia and wonderment. Kraft Singles, anyone? Organizers recommend that you take the Gold Line into China Town and walk on over. Don't forget your camera, sunblock, and seltzer water.
UCLA, bus lines, map
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books
Saturday & Sunday, April 25 & 26
Truly a festival, there is something for everyone, but do wear your walking shoes because parking is far far far away! Take the bus even! I only made to an eensy weensy bit last year and we managed to have a great time. Tickets sometime required for some of the events. Check the listing. Here are some performances/readings I think you should see if you are planning to do the festival all day Saturday:
On the Target Children's Stage 2:40 p.m. Eric Carle, Author and Illustrator, “Hungry Caterpillar 40th Anniversary” and “Very Hungry Caterpillar Pop-Up Book” 5:10 p.m. Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players, Pop Fly
On the Los Angeles Times Stage 12 p.m. Danica McKellar, Author, “Kiss My Math: Showing Pre-Algebra Who’s Boss”
On Poetry Stage it all looks good?
On Hoy Cultural Stage 12 p.m. Mariachi & Folklorico Cielo Nuevo, Mariachi Musical Performance 1 p.m. Sajama, Musical Performance
All day on Sunday:
On the Target Children's Stage 12:15 p.m. Judy Schachner, Author, “SkippyJon Jones and the Big Bones” MUST SEE! 1 p.m. Justin Roberts & the Not Ready for Naptime Players, Pop Fly 1:35 p.m. Jon Sciezska, Author, “Knucklehead” 1:55 p.m. Kim Wayans and Kevin Knotts, Coauthors, "Amy Hodgepodge: Digging Up Trouble"
On Etc. Stage 1 p.m. 826LA, Teeny Tiny Vaudeville Not a lot of dance like last year. Look down to see the likely culprit.
WORKSHOPS & ONGOING CLASSES
Dance Week Special! I JUST got the email a few hours ago from Lula Washington that:
"The Lula Washington Dance Theatre celebrates National Dance Week April 24th, 25th, and 26th with three days of free dance performances; master classes; a panel discussion on the future of dance; and multi-cultural guest artists from around the world and down the street! "Inside View" performances are sponsored by the Los Angeles City Department of Cultural Affairs. On Saturday, April 25th at 8am, people can sign-in for classes. Space is limited. You can RSVP starting today! For information, contact: luladance@aol.com. At 9am*, dance enthusiasts will gather for a round table panel discussion to share ways that dance is continuing to survive during the economic crisis."
Yup. FREE! Better than $2. But the problem is finding an actual schedule schedule. Viver Brasil will be int he house at some point. And, their website is down right now! You can reach them @ 323-393-5852. I do have a call out to LA Dept. of Cultural Affairs to find out if anyone else has a similar deal in another part of the city, but no one called back.
Ester Baker-Tarpanga is at DANCEBank this weekend. Saturdays 11am-1pm, $12
April 25, May 2, May 9 - Esther Baker-Tarpaga
Metabolic Studio / Farmlab, 1745 North Spring Street, #4, LA, CA 90012
Pay her in $2 bills marked with something like this (it's an afro with a D in it)
Stop laughin! I tried to get my son to make a true logo like thing, but he was dumfounded that I thought I had something for him to do. Okay, laugh.
Next on the list to pummel with $2 bills at the door is the fabulous Juan Carlos Blanco Riera. His mixed-level Cuban class @ Studio #1- West LA, 2037 Granville Ave, West Los Angeles is on Sunday Apr 26 2:30 PM – 4 PM. If you keep saying, "I gotta go," you really do because he will give only two more classes this season, then he's out for some research...
Studios to check out and spread the $2 love can be found on this map. Remember, no special deals, just pay with two dollar bills. This one is curated by me. If you want a map that just has everything on it in LA, check out the Dance Resource Center. If you are elsewhere and feeling this, let me know how it goes!
And finally for Dance Week, is International Dance Day April 29th Metered Dance Action. Look to the blog for a live map that you can add your location with time.
GRANTS
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-8650.htm
This one is a wee complicated, but if you qualify, it is worth going after. Goodwill is making a comeback! Well, at least as defined throughthe Fulbright/Hayes doctrine. From deep inside the RFP
Emerging Cultural Leaders(lot more then i jumped to here)
Program Contact: Jill Staggs, tel: 202-203-7500, e-mail:
StaggsJJ@state.gov.
The `Rooted in the Arts' program provides opportunities for U.S.
performing artists (ages 25-35), teachers and students to build long-
term sustainable linkages with their counterparts in selected
countries. The project should connect economically and socially diverse
populations of high school social studies, music and/or art students
and their teachers in the U.S. with comparable populations in the
selected countries. The project must include two-way physical exchanges
of artists and teachers (but not students), each two to four weeks in
duration. It must also include virtual or distance projects that will
provide the high school students an opportunity to communicate with
their counterparts abroad. Projects must present an opportunity for
participants to explore and learn about their own and another country's
history and culture through the performing arts. Activities should
include artistic performances, workshops, lecture demonstrations,
contextual learning, and on-going virtual (internet) dialogues and
other virtual exchanges.
The overarching goals are:
1. To articulate identity through artistic expression, gain respect
for the identity and artistic expression of another culture;
2. To learn about their own and another country's history through
the performing arts;
3. To incorporate cultural awareness and build mutual understanding
and respect for other countries;
4. To foster continuing personal and institutional ties between
participants and partner countries.
Eligible CountriesAlright, so it is SPECIFIC, but OH SO L.A.!!!! Get to writing.
East Asia: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan
Western Hemisphere: Mexico, Venezuela
LOVELY!
Oh my dears, this has been a very productive afternoon, but now I must away to the freeway to land in a seat somewhere to watch something fabulous. It can certianly feel like you are escaping heading off to shows when 29 banks have failed this year alone and a new strain of flu is killing peple in Mexico City. I do try, however, to bring you events and shows that build the grey matter just a bit, or at least get you cleared with laughter so you are ready to focus on giving your neighbor a hand. If you want to support Afrologics, follow me on Twitter and tipjoy.com @doctoradancer; you can drop this endeavor some spare change. On the list of items to take us to the next level: a flip video camera and a Lomo 35 mm fisheye camera. And yes, I am pining for an iPod Touch so that I can tweet with greater ease while out and about. I'm saving up for a new laptop...or live/work space, LOL! A big thank you to new members of Afrologica! If you are seriously interested in building something sustainable, wonderful, productive, collaborative and of service that is people-centered through the arts, please contact me directly through afrologic at gmail.
in love,
-Anna
