PULL OUT FIG JAM MAP AND EVENT GUIDE ENCLOSED
LA ART NEWS Section B Volume 3 No.11 laartnews.com find us on Facebook March 2016
HOW DO YOU CREATE?
We Choose Art • BREAK BREAD | RECAP Written by: Baha H. Danesh from WeChooseArt.com Located at: Think Tank Gallery, DTLA Featuring: Scott Hove and Bakers’s Son
Over the years, Think Tank Gallery has become one of LA’s top cultural destinations. They’ve hosted groundbreaking art shows, fashion events, musical performances and even converted the gallery into a one of a kind art inspired skate park. But their latest installment is unlike any other show I’ve ever seen. On February 13th, Downtown’s Think Tank Gallery celebrated the opening of BREAK BREAD, a salivating collaboration featuring artists Scott Hove and Keith Magruder—also known as Baker’s Son. BREAK BREAD’s ambiance was stylishly decadent yet eerie. The gallery was transformed into a candy land of art that included floor to ceiling cake sculptures, tech-based mirror mazes, a hyper–realistic ice cream truck and even a coffee shop to go along with their challah shop. Walking into the gallery the viewer is elevated into a whimsical yet nostalgic land of art. Each room photo: Baha Danesh encompasses the duality of light and dark--giving you brightness and feelings that can take you back to being a kid, while simultaneously haunting you with murky shadows and images of a dark future. These contrasts between the bright cakes and dark objects placed within them transport viewers and allow them to forget that they are located on the second floor of a 7,500 square foot warehouse within LA’s urban Fashion District. Artist Scott Hove has made a name for himself in the art world with his striking, cake-themed sculptures. His installation for ‘BREAK BREAD’ is the largest Cakeland installation to date. Hove states: “Every time I create a new Cakeland, it’s an opportunity for me to expand the concept. Whenever I create this installation I’m retelling a story and adding to the process. It’s constantly an evolving thing.” Giant cakes with enticing neon colors and acrylic frosting wrapped chandeliers and stiletto heels are just one serving of the show. The other half is filled with the hyper-realistic watercolor paintings and installations of Keith Magruder (AKA Baker’s Son) Magruder states: “For my Childhood Street dreams installation, I’m hoping viewers will strike a memory from their childhood. I just want people to feel something. Let it be happy, sad, confused or hungry.” And that’s exactly what I felt when looking at his life-size watercolor installation of an urban ice cream truck. The realism of Keith’s work jumps off the paper and leaves the viewer wanting more. Keith explained: “The best advice I’ve been given is to never stop painting even when you don’t want to. I choose art because it was always around me. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother who was an all around crafter. She used to give me art books, markers, pens, pencils, and crayons to draw with. My parents were also pretty supportive and let me take a lot of different classes to explore my creativity. I went to a magnet high school where I took painting classes and then went on to Art College. So I guess I have always been training to become an artist.” Think Tank Gallery is located on Maple Street between 9th and Olympic. The last day to day to see Break Bread is March 13, 2016. I highly encourage you to experience this beautiful exhibit before it’s too late. photo: Baha Danesh
For more information and a list of their events please visit ThinkTankGallery.Org.
CRIERS FOR HIRE:
EAST WEST PLAYERS COMEDY INSPIRES LA ARTCORE EXHIBIT Universal themes of family, belonging, and transition take center stage in the East West Players production of “Criers for Hire,” a poignant comedy written by Giovanni Ortega and directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera. 14-year old Gaya arrives from the Philippines. Her beloved mother, who took on mythic status during the pair’s long separation, turns out to be human. And Gaya finds herself with feet in two worlds, although she is fully part of neither. Gaya’s mother, along with two friends, is a professional funeral crier. Gaya must join in the business to raise money, but there’s a problem--she just can’t seem to cry. Cast members Joan Almedilla, Nicole Barredo, Samantha Cutaran, Rudy Martinez, and Giselle “G” Töngi bring some serious stage credentials to their crying. All in all, the play comes in at a fun 90 minutes, but leaves the audience member thinking about cultural identity and community. “Criers for Hire” runs through March 13 at the David Henry Hwang Theater, part of the Union Center of the Arts in Little Tokyo. www. eastwestplayers.org
Professional mourners Henny (Samantha Cutaran), Baby (Joan Almedilla), and Meding (Giselle “G” Töngi) cry in the background with Narcisco Triste (Rudy Martinez) and Gaya (Nicole Barredo) in the foreground in East West Players’ world premiere comedy “Criers for Hire” written by Giovanni Ortega. Photo: Michael Lamont.
The universal themes depicted in “Criers for Hire” are interpreted by visual artists from a variety of cultural backgrounds, working in a variety of media, in a group show put on by The Arroyo Arts Collective at LA Artcore in the Brewery Art Colony. The exhibit is curated by Stuart Rapeport. Artists in the show include: Fern Bealmear, Jaydee Dizon, Kathi Flood, Gwen Freeman, Jeanie Frias, Rebeca Guerrero, Sanae Guerin, Cidne Hart, Peter Hess, Amy Inouye, Kristen Johannesen, Guadulesa Rivera, Antoinette Miller, Cathi Milligan, Julie Nagesh, Miguel Olivares, Racquel Ormsby-Olivares, Connie Rohman, Rachel Siegel, Suzanne Siegel, and Diane Williams. “Criers for Hire Inspired - Arroyo Arts Collective meets East West Players” opens Sunday, March 6, with a reception from 1-3 p.m. and a conversation with the artists at 2 p.m. 650A S. Avenue 21. Continues through March 27. www.arroyoartscollective.org www.laartcore.org
Diane Williams, Uncertainties
18
SOCCA- NIÇOISE CHICKPEA CREPES Socca, in my opinion, is one of the best kept little secret gems in the world of gluten free-healthier cooking options. Socca is a crepe-like street food from the South of France, that is so simple to make it is almost mind blowing, consisting of just chickpea flour, olive oil, water, and seasoning. It makes a healthy crepe for breakfast, lunch, or a light dinner, or it can be made a little thicker, and cooked longer for a pizza crust or flatbread effect. The trick is in not trying to flip it over, but instead, letting it cook through from one side. socca with dijon & garden vegetables 1 cup chickpea (garbanzo bean) flour 1 cup water 1 1/2 tbsp. olive oil, plus extra for cooking 1/2 tsp. salt 1 tsp. herbes de provence Suggested Toppings: Dijon mustard, baby spinach, sautéed mushroom, fresh tomato, sautéed zucchini, garlic, steamed snow peas, sprouts, artichoke hearts, roasted eggplant, caramelized onion, roasted fennel, fresh herbs Mix the chickpea flour, water, olive oil, salt, and herbes de provence in a mixing bowl. Let mixture sit for at least 30 minutes. Preheat oven to high broil setting. Brush some olive oil or spray some olive oil spray into an oven proof skillet or sauté pan, about medium sized, and heat on the stovetop on high. When the oil gets hot, use a medium to large ladle to ladle some of the socca batter into the pan, and swirl the pan so it creates a crepe in the pan. Cook on the stove top until you start to see bubbles forming on top. Move the pan into the broiler, and broil until the top starts to brown. Remove from oven using a good oven mitt, and slide the crepe out of the pan, using a spatula, if needed. Spread some dijon mustard onto the crepe, then your desired toppings. This can be enjoyed two ways: 1) make the crepe thicker and cook until it is firm, so that with the toppings it can be sliced like a pizza, or 2) make it thinner and softer like a traditional crepe, and then fold it over the toppings and eat with a fork. Get creative and use tomato sauce, white sauce, or even poultry or shellfish if you aren’t keeping it vegan. Harvey Slater is a Chef and Holistic Nutritionist residing in Highland Park. You can find more healthy recipes on his blog: thewholedish. wordpress.com
MARCH 2016
19
CLASSES IN NELA
Besides being a haven for artists and creative types, Northeast Los Angeles is the home of a fine array of arts classes, especially the industrial arts, but not limited to them. Below is a list of some of the businesses in the area that have classes. Do check with the facility to verify times and prices of their classes. As we find more places we will bring that information to all of you. Adam’s Forge 2640 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 Adamsforge.org You may email Nancy with questions at blacksmithclasses@gmail.com Discovery Days/Weekdays/Fridays 2nd Sunday 9-1pm $60 Discovery Nights 2nd Thursday Night $60 Open Forge Every Tuesday from 7-10 pm, Once a month 2nd Sunday 1 pm – 5 pm, Every 2 months on the 2nd Sat. 1 pm – 5 pm, Every 2 months on the 4th Sat. 1 pm – 5 pm $40 Hot Forging series of 4 classes $80 per session CBA Level 1 Series New Series starts in March 6 or 19 First Sunday $80 Instructor Workshop Second Saturday of the Month $50 9 am - 3pm Forging for Woodworkers First Friday and Saturday of the Month $220 7 pm - 10 pm Cheese Slicer Saturday March 5, 9 AM to 3 PM with a break for lunch $90 One Piece Lily Saturday March 26 9am to 3:30 pm with an hour for lunch $100 The Glass Studio 5668 York Blvd. 323.387.9705 www.theglassstudio.net Jewelry Tuesdays March 8, 15, 22, 29 11-1 $250 Fused Glass Wednesdays March 9, 16, 23, 30 11-1 $250 Glass Tiles March 12 12-4pm $75 Blown Ornaments March 18 6-8pm $50 Vitrigraph + Plate March 20 12-4pm $250 Earrings March 25 6-9pm $75 Beginning Glass Bead Making March 26-27 11-4pm $250 O&M Leather 5048 Eagle Rock Blvd. 323-274-4640 www.ommleather.com Basic Leather Working Classes Leather 1 - Leather Basics $200 Leather 2 - Cutting and Skiving $200 Leather 3 - Hand Stiching $200 Leather 4 - Color, Finishes, and Leather $200 For information about scheduling call their store at (323)274-4640 or email them at ommeather@gmail.com Toros Pottery 4962 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.344.8330 Mon. 11:30am-2:30pm Adult Class Mon. 6:30pm-9:30pm Adult Class Tues. 6:30pm-9:30pm Adult Class Tues. 4:30pm-6:00pm Kids Class Wed. 6:30pm-9:30pm Adult Class Thurs. 6:00pm-9:30pm Adults Only Fri. 11:30am-9:30pm Adults Only Sat. 11:30am-2:00pm Kids and Parent Mandatory fee of $15 for tool use (not including brushes and trimming tools). A Place to Bead 2566 Mission St San Marino, CA 91108 626.219.6633 aplace2bead.com
Molten Metal Works 2558 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90065 moltenmetalworks.net INTRO MIG: One Day Welding Sundays, 10am - 4pm Wednesdays, 10am - 4pm $180 INTRO to TIG Fri 3/4 12-6pm or 3/25 4-10pm $235 Steel Stool: Tube Bending 2 Fridays 3/11 and 3/18 $180 Plywood Side Table with Hairpin Legs 2 Fridays 3/10 and 3/17 $275 Live Edge Table with Hairpin Legs Fridays 3/13 and 3/20 7-10pm $275 Hairpin Stool Sun 3/10 a,d 3/17 7-10pm $275 Sign up through Community Woodshop 6 week classes are also available. To register for all classes, and for more information, please visit moltenmetalworks.net Space 1506 Mission St. South Pasadena, CA 91030 626.441.47788 spaceartcenter.com Birthday Parties and Spring Camp available Art Explorers Ages 6-8 begins January 8, Friday 1:00-2:00pm Fee: $240. meets 8 times Ceramics Ages 6-9 starts January 26, Thursday, 3:30-5:00pm Fee: $265 meets 8 times Portraits Ages 6-9 starts February 10, Wednesdays, 3:30 - 5:00pm Fee: $240 meets 8 times Creative Writing Ages 9-12 starts January 28, Thursdays, 3:30 - 5:00pm Fee: $240 meets 8 times The Path of Story Adult starts January 26, Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00pm Fee: $240 meets 6 times Exploring Art Adult starts January 30, Saturdays, 10:00am-12:00pm Fee: $250 meets 6 times Rock Rose Gallery 4108 N. Figueroa Street Highland Park, CA 90065 (323) 635-9125 www.rockrosegallery.com Visit: Rock Rose Gallery News, Instagram & Twitter KIDS CREATIVE ARTS 2-4 yrs Art, Music, Movement Sat. 9:30am-11am, $5
Community Woodshop 2558 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles CA 90065 626.755.4202 www.community woodshopla.com These guys offer a wonderful selection of classes from beginner to advanced, membership, and private lessons. Please check their web site for more information and a list of classes. New Stone Age Mosaic Studio 1754 Colorado Blvd Eagle Rock They offer mosaic classes on Mondays and Tuesday. All classes are on going and open to all skill levels.We also do mosaic birthday parties. Call Mary at (323) 547-2021 for more information. Little Knittery 3195 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039 thelittleknittery@gmail.com Beginning Crochet Saturdays 3:30-5:30 Tuesdays 1:00-3:00 Beginning Knitting Sundays 3:30-5:30 Wednesdays 1:00-3:00 Check schedule for new macramé classes Deb3321 3321 Pasadena Ave. Los Angeles, CA email: deb3321@gmail.com Uninstructed Figure Drawing Saturdays 11:00am - 3:00pm $5.00/hr Strictly Charcoal 11am - 1pm First two Saturdays of every month. Christine Haenen Artists Crit Saturdays Starting at 3:30 $5/session Crit with Karen Stained Glass Supplies 19 Backus Street Pasadena, CA 91107 626-219-6055 Stained Glass Class Tues. 9-12 or 6:30-9:30 Wed. 9-12 or 6:30-9:30 Thurs. 9-12 or 6:30-9:30 Sat. 9-12 $95 - 8 weeks Tools - $45 - $125 Materials - $45 - $100 Classes are ongoing
LATIN PERCUSSION Sat. 12pm-2pm, Bring your conga, etc. Instructor Robertito Melendez, $15
Barndall Art Park 4800 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027 323.644.6295 http://www.barnsdall.org
RINCON RUMBERO EAST w Troy Parker 3rd Sat. 3-6pm. Bring your drum $5
Check they’re web site for upcoming classes.
New! FREE FOR ALL Artist Only Creative Night Every Wed. 6-9pm, Artist bring your own supplies. Table & Hospitality provided. $10
co-LAB Gallery 5319 York Blvd. http://co-lab-gallery.myshopify.com
GUITAR - Please call regarding interest. Six students required.
Check their schedule for fresh classes.
Ball Clay 4851 York Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90042 310.954.1454 ballclaystudio.com
Leanna Lin’s Wonderland 5024 Eagle Rock Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90041 323.550.1332 Check Leanna’s web site for a current list of workshops and events.
Intermediate Ceramics Pottery Class 6 class sessions Check web site for start date $240
Find a variety of jewelry making classes, including stringing and wirework.
LA ART NEWS SECTION B
ART HAPPENINGS AROUND LOS ANGELES Presented by Shoebox PR
UPCOMING OPENINGS Steppin’ Into Art - The 2nd Mar Vista ArtWalk Venice Boulevard between Inglewood Boulevard & Beethoven Street March 3, 6-9 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/1534835040179563/ Laluzapalooza La Luz De Jesus Gallery 4633 Hollywood Boulevard Opening Reception: Friday, March 4, 8-11 p.m. March 4 – 27 https://www.facebook.com/events/124738754577697/ Empowerment: Works by Modern to Post Modern Women Artists Vita Art Center 432 Ventura Avenue Studio 30, Ventura Opening Reception: Friday, March 4, 6-9 p.m. Exhibit Dates: March 4 - 27 https://www.facebook.com/events/1363110263715553/ OUROBOURIC ECHOES- Solo Art Exhibit by Arrington de Dionyso Last Projects 6546 Hollywood Boulevard Friday, March 4-Sunday, March 27 Opening reception: March 4, 7–11 p.m. Discussion panel: March 24, 7–9 p.m. Closing reception and film screening: March 25 https://www.facebook.com/events/1294181447265422/ Sal Taylor Kydd | ORIGINS Gallery 169 169 W Channel Road, Santa Monica Artist reception: Saturday March 5, 5-8 p.m. March 5– May 14 https://www.facebook.com/events/1228212677193313/ Ryan McCann - Random Acts of Fire LAUNCH LA 170 S La Brea Avenue Opening reception Saturday March 5, 6-9 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/752526561547008/ A.M. Rousseau-The Art of Taking A Line For A Walk Ruth Bachofner Gallery 2525 Michigan Ave, Santa Monica Opening Reception Saturday, March 5, 5-7 p.m. March 05-April 16 https://www.facebook.com/events/610111419142140/ Abstract Never Is MUZEUMM 4817 W Adams Boulevard Opening reception Saturday March 5, 7-11 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/740276306073451/ “TIME MACHINE” curated by White Matter The Hive Gallery and Studios 729 S Spring Street Opens March 5, 8-11 p.m. Show Runs: March-April 2 https://www.facebook.com/events/817080921753944/
MARCH 2016
20 Arroyo Arts Collective meets East West Players at LA Artcore Brewery Annex LA Artcore Brewery Annex 650 S Avenue 21, #A Artist Reception: March 6, 1-3 p.m. March 3-March 27 https://www.facebook.com/events/567740650056039/ EnGendered InEquity: The Gallery Tally Poster Project Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions 6522 Hollywood Boulevard Opening Reception March 9 Exhibition Dates March 10–April 17 https://www.facebook.com/events/1514146332221660/ Two Solos: Brandon Andrew “The Roughs” & Kevin Fey “Double Resolve” Luis De Jesus Los Angeles 2685 S La Cienega Boulevard Opening reception Saturday, March 12, 6 – 8 p.m. March 12–April 16 https://www.facebook.com/events/162184630831246/ Virginia Broersma, Trophies The Lodge 1024 N Western Avenue Opening reception Saturday March 12 6–9 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/638733299608559/ Layers: 4 solo shows The Gabba Gallery 3126 Beverly Boulevard Opening reception March 12, 7-11 p.m. March 12 to April 2 https://www.facebook.com/events/588785144604392/ Stick Stack Stuck Mixed Media Show SugarMynt Gallery 810 Meridian Avenue, South Pasadena Opening reception March 12 7-10 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/239634499709067/ Here’s the Thing... Art Share-LA 801 E 4th Place Opening reception Saturday March 12, 7-10 p.m. On view March 9-March 26 https://www.facebook.com/events/979719048788581/ Grand Opening of Hauser Wirth & Schimmel Hauser Wirth & Schimmel 2121 E 7th Place Opening SundayMarch 13, 2-6 https://www.facebook.com/events/1235260043170341/ Tangled & Bound: Kimberly Morris California State University, Long Beach Art Gallery 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach Opening Reception March 13, 5-9 p.m. Exhibition closes Thursday March 17 https://www.facebook.com/events/902897336497055/ Women Manifest: Out and About West Hollywood City Hall 8300 Santa Monica Boulevard, West Hollywood Opening Reception March 15, 4 p.m. http://womenmanifest.org/calendar-2/2016/3/15/womenmanifest-artist-exhibition-out-and-about
MAS Attack San Diego Art Institute 1439 El Prado San Diego Saturday, March 19 6-10 p.m. http://www.sandiego-art.org/upcoming/masattack Portraits and Autobiographies by Kim Abeles PØST 1206 Maple Avenue #515 Reception: Sunday, March 20, 2-5 p.m. Dates: March 20 – May 21 https://www.facebook.com/events/1716034151952747/ ONGOING EXHIBITIONS COAST to COLOR Laura Korman Gallery 2525 Michigan Avenue, Ste D2, Santa Monica Through March 5 https://www.facebook.com/events/1525572081074878/ Invisible Geometry By Artist Beth King HB Punto Experimental 2151 Logan Avenue Section B, San Diego, California Through March 5 https://www.facebook.com/events/193970954280387/ Transparency-a group exhibit SugarMynt Gallery 810 Meridian Avenue, South Pasadena Exhibition runs: February 6-March 5 https://www.facebook.com/events/581588295322424/ Shades of Winter Art Share-LA 801 E 4th Place Opening reception February 20, 7-10 p.m. Through March 5 https://www.facebook.com/events/1666354133621080/ Wyatt Mills | NORMAL Project Gallery 961 Chung King Road Through March 6 https://www.facebook.com/events/1304695746229709/ Tim Hawkinson & Patty Wickman: Staring Off In The Same Direction Azusa Pacific University Galleries 901 E Alosta Avenue, Azusa Through March 11 https://www.facebook.com/events/577512022401496/ Elemental Energies Neutra Institute Gallery & Museum 2379 Glendale Boulevard Through March 12 https://www.facebook.com/events/1666325316967317/ Alexandra Grant & Keanu Reeves: Shadows ACME 6150 Wilshire Boulevard February 13-March 12 https://www.facebook.com/events/214212412262653/ Wild Land: Thomas Cole and the Birth of American Landscape Painting & Urban Transformations: The Contemporary Landscape University Art Gallery, LaCorte Hall A-107 California State University, Dominguez Hills, 1000 E.
21
Victoria St., Carson On view through March 14 https://www.facebook.com/events/180479485645824/ Emma Sulkowicz: Self-Portrait: Solo Exhibit & Artist Performance Coagula Curatorial 974 Chung King Road Through March 18 https://www.facebook.com/events/1563686867289338/ In-between Sun and Moon: Takeshi Kanemura and Snezana Saraswati Petrovic Groundspace Project 1427 E 4th Street, Apt 4 Through March 19 https://www.facebook.com/events/511997152316478/ Go Big or Go Home - Opening Reception Brand Library & Art Center 1601 W Mountain Street, Glendale On View: February 20-March 25 https://www.facebook.com/events/959891597421668/ Tight Squeeze Art Show and Benefit Armory Center for the Arts 145 N Raymond Avenue, Pasadena Through March 26 https://www.facebook.com/events/188559734839613/ Michael Criley: Dr. Awkward’s Clinical Findings on the Back Wards Gregorio Escalante Gallery 978 Chung King Road Through March 27 https://www.facebook.com/events/1765893406967847/ Michael Chearney: The Four Seasons Paintings George Billis Gallery 2716 S La Cienega Boulevard Through April 2 https://www.facebook.com/events/752538651546914/ Willard Hill The Good Luck Gallery 945 Chung King Road Through April 2 https://www.facebook.com/events/1721628358073219/ Farewell Eden: Nature in a Post-Wild World
Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge On view January 10–April 3 https://www.descansogardens.org/calendar/farewelleden/?date=2016-02-21 Werewolf - Curated by Nick Brown Guy Richards Smit - A Mountain of Skulls and Not One I Recognize Charlie James Gallery 969 Chung King Road February 27-April 9 https://www.facebook.com/events/933840170003807/ PARAGONS: feat. Diane Silver / Doug Pearsall The Loft at Liz’s 453 S La Brea Avenue Through April 12 https://www.facebook.com/events/429706100562888/ SKIN Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery 4800 Hollywood Boulevard Through April 17 https://www.facebook.com/events/1542486922740233/ Jason Salavon (Gallery Two: Lester Monzon) Mark Moore Gallery 5790 Washington Boulevard, Culver City Through April 16 https://www.facebook.com/events/556628257818375/ Techo Rococo, new work by Laurie Lipton Ace Gallery- Los Angeles 5514 Wilshire Boulevard 2nd Floor Through May https://www.facebook.com/events/142043479487791/
Diane Thater Through April 17 Catherine Opie: O Through September 5 California African American Museum (CAAM) Hard Edged: Geometrical Abstraction and Beyond Through April 24 Evolution of the Revolution Through June 26 UCLA Hammer Hammer Projects: Catherine Opie: Portraits Through May 22 Hammer Projects: Kenny Scharf Through May 22 Hammer Projects: Oscar Tuazon Through May 15 MOCA Catherine Opie: 700 Nimes Road Through May 8 Hito Steyerl: Factory of the Sun On view February 21-September 12 Torrance Art Museum Sibling Rivalries On view through March 12 MOAH-Lancaster Green Revolution Through April 17
Ayotzinapa: A Roar of Silence | 43 Missing Students from Mexico SPARC ART 685 Venice Boulevard, Venice On view through June https://www.facebook.com/events/1683913491886205/ Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Frank Gehry Through March 20 Rain Room Through April 24
shoeboxpr.com
LA ART NEWS SECTION B
SPRING RENEWAL
22
By Linda Kaye Amidst torture and grief we choose life our strength surfaces as the last light fades behind a cloud of smoke we resurrect out of the bastion of suffering to teach what can be done we pray for peace and hope for an endless future which our guardians have fought for and won we peel away the layers that have protected the sins of our past it reveals a light a shimmer of solidarity
Linda Kaye at Lummis Day
that at last we can unite
Linda Kaye presented this poem at the Southwest Museum as part of the 10th Annual Lummis Day Festival of Northeast Los Angeles. Poetry at Lummis Day was produced and hosted by Linda Kaye as part of a tribute to the late iconic artist Richard Duardo. The event was made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and was presented in conjunction with the Arroyo Arts Collective.
DISH OF THE MONTH Larisa Code
Note: Create happiness, one delicious bite at a time. Featured Restaurant: Tracy’s 3810 S. Western Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90062 (323)735-2166 Belizian Oxtail with Rice and Beans If I must head west in this LA sprawl, I remind myself that on the way back, I will jump off at Western and head to one of my favorite spots. Family run Tracy’s makes going through that pocket of hell via the 110 and the 10 worth my while. I like to try all of the food at a restaurant, and at Tracy’s I have never been disappointed. But, more often than not, I get the oxtail, because it is AMAZING! It comes with rice and beans, fried plantains and potato salad. A light meal, it is not. The oxtail is so tender and full of flavor; it is perfectly cooked by Tracy, the matriarch of this establishment. It is just plain delicious and all of the sides in this heavy combination go perfectly together. Service is fast and friendly. If you order to go, your food comes out open for your inspection. It is hard to contain my excitement when I lay eyes on this masterpiece of a meal! Add a ginger beer and you are still under $20 for what feels like a home cooked Sunday dinner. As I have spent many meals with many styles of Caribbean food, I can say that Tracy’s Belizian style oxtail is right on the money! Tracy knows what she is doing and has been doing it at this location since 1983. Enjoy!
MARCH 2016
23
LA ART NEWS SECTION B
24
MARCH 2016
25
LA ART NEWS SECTION B
26
䜀䄀䰀䰀䔀刀夀 ∠ 䄀刀吀匀 䤀一䌀唀䈀䄀吀伀刀 ∠ 䜀䤀䘀吀 匀吀伀刀䔀
䈀刀䤀䄀一 䜀刀䤀䰀䰀伀 吀爀礀 夀漀甀爀 䰀甀挀欀
䄀爀琀椀猀琀 刀攀挀攀瀀琀椀漀渀㨀 䴀愀爀挀栀 㤀 ∠ 㜀瀀洀 匀瀀攀挀椀愀氀 䄀瀀瀀攀愀爀愀渀挀攀 戀礀 ᰠ䔀砀琀爀愀 䘀愀渀挀礀ᴠ
䜀刀伀伀嘀䔀匀䔀匀匀䤀伀一 倀漀猀椀琀椀瘀攀 䴀漀瘀椀渀 䜀爀漀漀瘀椀渀 䴀甀猀椀挀 䴀愀爀挀栀 ㈀㘀 ∠ 㠀瀀洀 ␀㔀 䜀爀漀漀瘀攀猀攀猀猀椀漀渀洀甀猀椀挀⸀挀漀洀 䔀䰀䤀伀吀 匀䔀䬀唀䰀䔀刀 䴀礀琀栀椀挀愀氀 䴀愀猀愀氀愀 瀀漀猀琀挀愀爀搀猀 愀渀搀 搀爀攀愀洀猀 䄀爀琀椀猀琀 刀攀挀攀瀀琀椀漀渀㨀 䄀瀀爀椀氀 ㈀ ∠ 㜀瀀洀 㐀 㠀 一⸀ 䘀䤀䜀唀䔀刀伀䄀 匀吀刀䔀䔀吀 ∠ 䠀䤀䜀䠀䰀䄀一䐀 倀䄀刀䬀 ∠ ㌀㈀㌀⸀㘀㌀㔀⸀㤀㈀㔀 ∠ 爀漀挀欀爀漀猀攀最愀氀氀攀爀礀⸀挀漀洀
MARCH 2016
Thanks to YV Print and NELA Homes for sponsoring the map and event guide for FIG JAM!
27
LA ART NEWS SECTION B
28
PLANT OF THE MONTH Larisa Code
Note: Create peace, one garden at a time. Featured Plant: Agave Attenuata Decorative Cactus Full sun to partial shade Drought Tolerant I was once dumped by a boy for the manager of a Banana Republic. This really stung! There were many reasons it hurt, the broken heart being the minor part of the pain. The fact that she worked at a Banana Republic being the big one, as I literally choose outfits, trying to avoid looking like everyone else. I worry about looking like I have on a ‘mall outfit’ (business casual being another look I try to avoid) and, I thought that was one of the things we shared, our unique clothing style. So, it was a double blow when I learned her profession. It was also confusing as we had spent so much time in second hand stores, picking out outfits for each other and having fun. We were in school together, so there was no way of escaping him and his new romance. She was out of state, but man, her presence was there, in every outfit he started wearing. He was like a chubby Banana Republic model. It felt like I was dumped for an unlimited (yet predictable) new wardrobe. Weeks after our demise, I was at the food truck across from school, getting an incredibly delicious pastrami breakfast sandwich with French fries (but I was so skinny…), when who comes strolling across the street but him, cig in one hand, fully clad in an ill fitted Banana Republic leather pant ensemble with a cotton sweater. The leather jacket was too tight, looking like it was hard to move his arms and it was causing the sweater to bunch. The visual almost escaped me, but my friend pointed him out. It was quite a sight to see, and it eased my broken heart. Although his outfit was a recipe for disaster and seemed very impractical for our 8 hour school day, the color of the sweater caught my eye. It was a perfect, soft, green, as if Banana Republic had found a vendor who could actually mimic the colors in nature. It was my love of color and creativity, as well as my need to express my creativity in my work that led me to forget all about my doctor of chiropractic status and become a designer--first working with a clothing designer and inevitably starting my own landscape design business. The color of that sweater, soft green with a hint of blue and grey is a color I use often in my designs. A plant that really holds true to these colors is the agave attenuata. This plant is great to work with, as it is not only an incredibly agreeable plant, but also pops out in any garden layout. It likes the sun, but not severe hot sun all day; partial shade is okay. It doesn’t need much water; even our limited rain will suffice once it is established, and unlike other cacti, it will not rot with too much water (to a point). It really thrives by the ocean. One plant, with time, can spread to about 5 feet wide and 4 to 5 feet high. The fleshy leaves have texture, like a piece of Judy Chicago art, drawing your eyes all over at once. As it grows, it juts out and hovers above the ground, the strong trunk making this possible. The leaves are thornless, so it is a ‘friendly’ member of your garden, especially if you have kids or pets. It looks great by a swimming pool. I believe my reactions were similar at the first sight of both the agave attenuata and my ex in leather. Both had texture, and with both it was hard to stop staring. But I had forgotten all about him, the pastrami breakfast sandwich, all of it, until just recently. There I was, at a jobsite, eating some sort of delicious food from a truck, agaves all over the place, and it brought me back to that day and that very special outfit, the one that gave me the ability to allow my heart to heal, knowing that I had been wrong all along and he was definitely not ‘the one.’
MARCH 2016
FIG JAM at BOOK SHOW!!!!
29
By Jen Hitchcock
When I first moved to Los Angeles almost twenty-freaking-six years ago, I had no job, and lots of time. With all this time, my friends and I set out to discover the city, walking and driving often with no destination in mind. It was the best way to see LA. I will never forget the evening we stumbled upon the Sunset Junction Street Festival in Silver Lake. We were immediately intrigued by the crowd and quickly parked. We brushed up against hairy leather daddies in assless chaps checking out the fest’s carnival rides, vendors and live music harmoniously alongside families chomping on street tacos and cotton candy. Perhaps the scene was enhanced by our own diet of near-constant weed, booze and mushrooms, but it felt glorious. I am a big fan of street fairs. I think they are a cool way to explore and learn a bit about a neighborhood, and I am happy to be taking part in one we have coming up in Highland Park. FIG JAM is happening all day on March 19th. Now, I don’t expect to see many assless chaps walking the stretch of Figueroa between Ave 50 and Ave 60. However, I will do my best to revive some of the diverse and vibrant creative spirit I witnessed at Sunset Junction in its earlier days, here at my little spot on Figueroa & Ave 55. We are going to kick off the day with the best way to do it--with some sexy stuff. Specifically… a show celebrating the release of poet Linda Kaye’s new poetry chapbook entitled “Sexy Stuff.” Linda just received a certificate of appreciation from Gil Cedillo for her poetry event at last year’s Lummis Day event at the Southwest Museum, so we are excited to have her in our midst! Mid-afternoon will feature Circuit & Poetry by the spectacular poets and artists Mona Jean Cedar and Jeff Boynton, who not only will be performing, but will host a table full of circuit bent toys for curious folks to check out. The fantastic LA Poetry Society will round off the day and take us to into the twilight hours with an open mic and featured readers Rick Lupert, Pogo Saito, Iris De Anda, Raquel Reyes Lopez & Juan Cardenas. And after-FIG JAM-hours, we are going to have a special version of the EAT ART Open Mic hosted by the indomitable queen of the pukelele, Sabrina Dropkick. Sign up at 8pm, performances start at 8:30. We are also going to have two vendors here that are near and dear to Book Show’s heart. Erva Tea will be slinging their refreshing organic Yerba Mata tea blends all day long. Highland Park artist LaLaLandmine (Alexis Arietta) will also be here with a table full of her unique genius. She has been a Book Show supporter since day one and her artwork is the beautiful wry smile that Book Show has been looking for all its life. See you at Book Show during Fig Jam! 5503 N. Figueroa Street, Highland Park.
LUMMIS DAY FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER Ed Reyes, the former City Councilmember representing CD 1, who brought expertise in city planning and a passion for community service to a 24-year tenure in a variety of key City Hall posts, will be the 2016 Lummis Day “Noisemaker Award” honoree. The award will be presented at the Lummis Day Communuty Foundation’s annual fundraiser dinner on Saturday, April 16, 6:30-10 p.m., at the Highland Park Ebell Club, 131 South Avenue 57 in Highland Park. The April 16 fundraiser will feature a buffet dinner provided by many of Northeast L.A.’s favorite restaurants. A silent auction will offer the chance to bid on art, books, vintage wines and rare collectibles at bargain prices. Event tickets are available on the Lummis Day website, www. LummisDay.org, at Galco’s Old World Grocery, and at Las Cazuelas in Highland Park. Tickets are $45 per person, $400 for a table of 10. Dinner, entertainment, beer, wine and soft drinks are included with admission. All proceeds from the event support the 11th Lummis Day Festival, June 3, 4 and 5.
BOOK SHOW EVENTS Friday March 4th 8pm Special Edition EAT ART Open Mic as part of LAZF Zine Week Saturday March 5th 7pm LAZF Week!!! Bookmaking for zines and artist books workshop with Rachel Curry. (SOLD OUT) Saturday March 12th 8pm A special performance by Les Bohem (Gleaming Spires, Sparks) Saturday March 19th 10am – 8pm Fig Jam!!! Cool vendors and all day long lit & poetry & performance!!! Thursday March 24th 8pm John Travolta Considers His Odds | Girls in LA Emily Hunt reading and chapbook release party!!! Wednesday March 30th Superheroic: Readings by Francesca Lia Block, Lorinda Toledo, Peter Selgin, Noelle Falcis, Kristin McCandless, Eva Mejia-Shantharam, Francisco McCurry and Heather Hewson Thursday March 31st States of Terror Presents: Creature Feature A celebration of the States of Terror books! Readings from the forthcoming Volume 3 in this super cool horror series! ONGOING EVENTS and WORKSHOPS EAT ART OPEN MIC Monthly, every 1st Friday Poetry and Prose open mic 8pm sign ups Free Back To Scraps $5 Monthly, every 2nd Sunday An evening of writing exercises and prompts.
LA ART NEWS SECTION B
30
“FOR THE LOVE A CHRIST!” by Florence the Dog of READ Books
Those readers familiar with my earlier work know that I, Florence, am a dog with a checkered past. Due to systematic iniquities & racism, I had been unjustly imprisoned in the Crenshaw pokey, where the powers that be had blithely discussed sending me to the gas chamber for the alleged crime of homelessness. Upon being freed from incarceration, naturally, I harbored more than a few issues, not the least being a raging case of separation anxiety disorder. Whenever my biped liberators drove to work at READ Books, thus leaving me home alone, I, Florence, would hop onto their biped bed and pee copiously upon their plush pillows. Leave me home alone, will yuh? I make no claims to being a role model, but I am an effective mother f#$%er. My precise bedwetting led directly to my becoming a bookstore mutt. Now that my two younger bipeds are finished with high school & attending college locally, I often spend afternoons at home with them instead of at the bookstore. Recently, these college boys have been grousing incessantly to their biped progenitors about lack of money: Blah blah blah broke. To which their decrepit elders retort: blah blah blah job. So last Sunday, my broke & puerile bipeds strapped me up, nudged me into the car, and drove to READ Books with the intent of alleviating their brokenness through literary labor. “For the love a Christ,” muttered biped boy #1, having circled the bookstore neighborhood myriad times, “what are all these cars doing here?” “There’s a spot,” said biped boy#2 as we passed the Lutheran church. “Nope,” said biped boy#1, noting that the curb had been painted white with a sign that denoted this street parking area as reserved for church vehicles. Around the corner, on the streets surrounding St. Dominic’s, all spots were taken. At this point I commenced slamming my body against the car door whilst barking: “Walk! Walk!” Lock me up in car, will yuh? Still not a role model, but I, Flo, get what I want. Thus freed from vehicular confines, I’m walking young biped #2 around the neighborhood while #1 searches alone for parking, and, my paw to God, we counted 8 churches in a 4 block radius. Did you know that there’s a church in the American Legion, or that the newest one is in the postal building at the corner of Eagle Rock & Chickasaw? Neither church has a parking lot. Strolling past the latter, a barrage of Mr. Microphone type chatter emanating from within molested this quadruped’s ears. Apparently the congregation was serenading Jesus, in Spanish, about how they had a great big convoy. Our walk concluded on the yard outside Eagle Rock Elementary, where we reunited with an irritable biped boy #1 who had finally located a parking space and was now hoofing it toward the bookstore. As I frolicked on the green grass, pausing briefly to poop, a throng of bipeds in their Sunday best exited the school’s, the public school’s, auditorium. “Blah blah blah church in a school?” queried biped boy #2. “Blah blah blah separation between church & state?” added his brother, the socialist. The three of us stood there wagging our heads sadly, wondering at the state of our nation whose public schools are so damn broke that they’d rent out space to religious institutions. I mean, what could possibly go wrong? Dismayed, we schlepped to the bookstore where we were involuntarily serenaded for the next hour by Eagle Rock’s newest church. Tenemos un gran convoy grande, corriendo toda la noche…
WOMEN’S CAUCUS READING In conjunction with the Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) conference, held this year in Los Angeles, MorYork Gallery will host a a free evening of readings by AWP Womens’ Caucus members. Featured writers include Natalie Diaz (of Princeton and Mohave Valley, Arizona, where she works to revitalize the Mojave language), Margaret Rozga (an accomplished poet, playwright and essayist visiting from Milwaukee), Natashia Deón (a Los Angeles attorney, law professor, and writer), and Dana Johnson (of the USC Department of English), who will read their works against a backdrop of artist Clare Graham’s magnificent assemblages. Wednesday, March 30, Doors at 7 for networking; reading at 8. MorYork, 4959 York Boulevard, Highland Park. More information about the conference may be found at www.awpwriter.org.
MARCH 2016
31
LA ART NEWS SECTION B
tracy do real estate www.tracydo.com • 323.842.4001 • tracy@tracydo.com
#1 in the neighborhoods I serve including Highland Park,
Eagle Rock, Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Echo Park, and surrounding communities. My knowledge and experience means you have the very best ally in your home search or sale.
FOR SALE CalBRE #01991628
Sales data collected from the MLS over 24 months.
1639 Scott Avenue, Echo Park I $749,000
4151 Holly Knoll Drive, Los Feliz I $1,550,000
If you have questions, need feedback or want to discuss your goals, I would love to hear from you. Call or text me directly at 323-842-4001, or email tracy@tracydo.com.
SOLD
4297 San Rafael Ave., Mt. Washington I $1,301,500
865 E. Kensington Rd., Angelino Hts I $1,185,000
1132 Le Gray Avenue, Highland Park I $906,000
We’re dedicated to our community and proud to support:
Celebrating its 13th year, Santé D'Or is YOUR neighborhood animal rescue! Our community based and donor supported 501 (c) 3 nonprofit serves metropolitan Los Angeles. We are a volunteer operated, no-kill animal sanctuary, with an adoption center right in Los Feliz.
3165 LOS FELIZ BLVD. L.A., CA. 90039 323.898.8889 FRI - SUN 12-5PM WWW.SANTEDOR.ORG