by Bob Martin | Jun 26, 2009 | Actors, Art, Artist Residencies, Culture, Dance, Education, Events, Live Performance, Writing and Speaking
The key to a great career is to be totally in love with what you do. Helen Mirren must have been in more then 50 movies and a equal amount of plays and TV series. She is remarkably in that she continues to work. Her first credits go back to 1967. 
London’s National Theatre Production of Phèdre starring Ms. Mirren, performed in London and screened at Mann Chinese Theatre in LA yesterday. These kinds of screenings make theatre accessible and affordable again. No travel and no enormous Broadway ticket price.
There is a review on the LA Times blog but there are also tweets by the theater goers. Pretty nice.
by Sandy | Jun 21, 2009 | Arts, Entertainment and Music, Blogroll, Culture, music
She sings the music of Cape Verde, an island off the west coast of Africa which declared independence from Portugal in 1975.
Singing both in Portuguese, and in the language of her small country, Lura mixes some of the musical traditions, like “Morna”, with a more contemporary, urban sound. Different from the better known tragic, emotional Portuguese “Fado” songs, the music from the Cape Verde interior catches you up in its smooth, jazz-like rhythms.
Lura Albums:
“Di Kopu ku Alma” (Of Body & Soul)
“M’Bern di Fora” (I come From the Country)
by Bob Martin | Jun 16, 2009 | Art, Artist, Books, Culture, Events, Lecture, Live Performance
SAT JULY 11TH BIRTHDAY BLOWOUT “VIVA FRIDA!” FEATURES THE PHOENIX FRIDAS CRAFT COLLECTIVE
The Valley’s most popular craft collective, The Phoenix Fridas, returns to Tempe’s Changing Hands Bookstore on Saturday July 11 from 1 to 5 p.m. for “Viva Frida!” to celebrate the birth of the world’s most renowned Mexican female painter, Frida Kahlo.
“We play! We have pain and passion.
We love to paint and we live in Phoenix.
We are the Phoenix Fridas!
Rising up from triple-digit temperatures for the sake of art and craft!”
Last year’s event drew hundreds of Frida fans to Changing Hands, 6428 S. McClintock Drive, @ Guadalupe in Tempe; (480) 730-0205.
“This year we’ve ramped up our presentation to include cooking, a silent auction and photo fun,” says Carmen Guerrero, known as “Frida Beader.” Carmen, a jewelry maker and musician, will perform. A special look at the life of the artist also is scheduled.
Participants will be able to purchase original art and crafts from members of the Phoenix Fridas, including paintings, jewelry, hand-crocheted tops plus home and fashion accessories. A silent auction to benefit a local nonprofit will feature members of the Phoenix Fridas: Kathy Murillo, Emily Costello, Anita Mabante Leach, Lucia Madrid. April Edwards and Carmen Guerrero.
The Frida Photo Frame-Up, allows store guests to “pose” as Frida for a quick snapshot. “From Palette to Plate;” features food inspired by the bright colors of the artist’s palette will be presented by Anita Leach and will be shared with the audience.
Come make a special “Make and Take” craft with Author Kathy Murillo.
“Toxic Love” is a lecture presented by visual artist April Edwards.
The afternoon will rap up with a Panel Discussion by all the Fridas on how the artist has influenced their personal lives.
The Phoenix Fridas, voted Best Art Collective by the Phoenix New Times in 2007, take their inspiration from the late Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. The group’s members each take the artist’s name to create a personal crafty moniker.
Contact: Carmen Guerrero
(480) 834-5731
by Sandy | Jun 9, 2009 | Art, Blogroll, Creativity, Culture, Exhibits, Museums
Starting June 20, the deYoung Museum of San Francisco will have over 50 masks and sculptures from 4 Central African cultures, Luba, Chokwe, Songye (fetish figures) and Luluwa. Even though the 4 groups are different, they did share common beliefs. The pieces, fashioned mostly of wood with brass and bead touches, were made to appease the spirits and were thought to have the power to protect an individual from harm.
According to the museum catalog, the exhibit “examines the artistic traditions of the heart of Africa within the
context of historical change, thus countering the commonly held perception of African art as an art without history. “
“Art and Power in the Central African Savanna” 6/20 – 10/11/09
de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA
Images:
1- “Luba” – wood, beads, brass
2- “Chibinda IIunga”, Chokwe, Angola, West Africa
by Sandy | Jun 3, 2009 | Art, Blogroll, Culture, Exhibits, Museums
32 pieces have been gathered for this AIC exhibit showcasing the art of Japanese screen making from the 16th to 21st centuries.
Screens have covered, divided and beautified spaces around the world. According to the museum catalogue, “…the screen is the canvas upon which artists have historically realized their most expansive visions, which is why they are so often career-defining masterpieces.”
“Beyond Golden Clouds: Japanese Screens from the Art Institute of Chicago and the Saint Louis Art Museum” – 6/26 – 9/27/09
AIC, Art Institute of Chicago, 111 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
Images: 6 panel screen, 17th century and
“Willow, Bridge and Waterwheel”, 1650 Hasegawa Soya
by Sandy | May 26, 2009 | Blogroll, Books, Creativity, Culture, Education, Exhibits
The Los Angeles Black Book Expo 2009 will celebrate its 5th year on 8/22/09. The day long program will feature authors, storytellers, spoken word contests and poetry performances. There will also be musicians, children’s events, panel discussions, editors, publishers, and more!
LABBX 2009
Saturday August 22, 2009 – 10 AM to 6 PM
Expo Center
3980 Menlo Ave, Los Angeles, CA
BTW – booth applications still being accepted
