BEYOND KING TUT

Hark the Herald!

DLANC PRESIDENT & DTLA CHAMBER FOUNDER CLAUDIA OLIVEIRA

BEYOND KING TUT

Claudia Oliveira Photo by Eric Epperson

The holidays are here. Many have closed the year 2022 and are looking forward to a new chapter. There’s no doubt that this year was the year of surprises for DTLA.

Elections were very close and unpredictable, scandals flooded the news, and still, we keep finding ways to maneuver our challenges while enjoying that “feeling of closeness” only Downtowners understand. The luxury of running into friends and sharing a cup of coffee without having to make plans makes our community special, a place that attracts those looking for a dynamic type of life with a village undertone. This relationship goes beyond the residents and overflows to the workforce, the business owners, and the unhoused. We are one!

Karen has delivered my mail for as long as I’ve lived in DTLA. Yesterday, she joyfully returned from an extravagant trip to Portugal, where most of my DNA comes from, and told me she had brought me back a gift from my homeland. That’s the “Spirit of Downtown!” Because of Karen, I chose to continue on my arduous path of public service. I submitted my candidate application, crossed my fingers, and started campaigning again. Winning led me to serve on the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council for my third term, and unpredictable circumstances made me President.

“Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.’” – Eleanor Roosevelt

As President of DLANC, I vowed to lead these organizations with courage and transparency, with getting the most done for the most people as my end goal. Under my presidency, the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council has weighed in on over forty Council Files and has written fourteen letters and resolutions.

We sponsored movies at Spring Street Park, a Coffee with Fire Captain Sloan Joseph, the Skid Row Festival for All Artists, and more. But most importantly, together, we transformed DLANC into an inclusive agency where harassment, bullying, and disrespect are not tolerated. When those at the table feel comfortable expressing their opinion, regardless of how controversial they might appear to be, with the confidence of being met by opposing sides with compassion, understanding, and openness, it’s when we get a diverse set of solutions. Fostering respect results in healthy work environments and creates a safe space for marginalized voices to participate with real value.

Recently, I launched the DTLA Chamber of Commerce to connect the 300,000 businesses that shape DTLA’s economic matrix with resources and was appointed Co-Chair of the Small Business and Employment Committee for the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed.) As I juggle my endeavors through Q1 of 2023, I can’t but contemplate running for re-election and maybe recruiting my friend, Postal Server Karen, to run with me. DLANC’s election serendipitously falls on the famous Star Wars holiday, May Fourth. May the fourth be with us!

Still the only intact ancient Egyptian royal tomb ever found, Beyond King Tut at Magic Box presented by National Geographic Society comes to life within a multi-gallery journey through the boy king’s story. The exhibition opened in Washington D.C. and Boston this summer, and will remain in Los Angeles through the end of the year. With nine multimedia galleries to explore, wind through the story of a young boy who ruled as pharaoh more than 3,000 years ago, and what we’re still learning about him today. Sightsee the wonders of modern and ancient Egypt.

Visitors join the exploration for King Tut’s tomb and descend into his burial chamber. Relive the discovery of the king’s tomb with all his treasures waiting inside.

Finally, explorers join King Tut for a voyage through the underworld in a sweeping cinematic experience in the final immersive gallery.

This exhibition goes beyond a traditional artifact display using the power of photography, technology, and life changing VR experiences provided by Dreamland XR ensuring that the artifacts from King Tut’s tomb remain in their country of origin.

“Beyond King Tut will be a must- see for anyone interested in Egypt and the history of King Tut,” said Kathryn Keane, vice president of public programming and National Geographic Museum director for the National Geographic Society.

“New technologies are making it possible to fully immerse people like never before in important stories from our past, allowing us to develop connections and understand history’s influence on our present and future generations.”

Beyond King Tut is produced by Paquin Entertainment Group in association with Immersive and the creative team behind the King Tut artifact exhibitions that awed millions of visitors across the globe. Paquin Entertainment Group’s exhibition portfolio has attracted more than 5 million visitors around the world and includes the acclaimed Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet exhibitions. Reprising its role with those exhibitions, Montreal’s world-renowned Normal Studio presents a journey through Egypt in a way no one else can tell it. www.beyondkingtut.com