Archive for the 'L.A. Cultural Events' Category

Best CicLAvia Photos – April15, 2012

The picture above is not from a funky race in a bike-centric city like Salem, Oregon. No, this is a friendly bike ride in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.

The concept for CicLAvia is simple – 10 miles of Los Angeles City streets are closed to cars for the day. Bring a bike, scooter, skates, wagon, or just your feet and take part in the pedestrian party. The picture above shows some of the over 100,000 people who thought that this sounded like a good idea. CicLAvia is a new way to experience Los Angeles. You roll down the beautiful Los Angeles streets, avenues and boulevards that thought they were made for cars, but find they work even better for bikes, skates, and runners.

If you haven’t experienced it, picture this — you are surrounded by your neighbors. They are smiling and they whoop and holler often throughout the route. There are trikes and lowrider bikes, ska ters and joggers, rugged unicyclers and jump ropers, dog-driven bikes and pedal-powered bars, camera men and super heroes (pic 1, 2, and 3). They are all next to you, enjoying the sweet California day. Everybody is pleasant and ready to help if something goes wrong.

It is true that when they are in their monstrous metal machines, they are the same people that cut you off on the freeway or honk angrily at you when you are waiting for that parking space — but not today. Today, they are here to enjoy your communal company and to offer you oranges. You overhear time and time again, “Isn’t this great? Los Angeles needs to do this more often!” Sometimes that sentiment is coming from your lips.

Once you experience CicLAvia you will never forget it. This is the Los Angeles of dreams — the mixing pot where 100,000 Angelinos from every background imaginable ride together as one.

On this beautiful April day, not one arrest is made — people were too intent on enjoying their day.

It works. Los Angeles, the experiment, works. This is why people flock here from all over the world.

And the flock has bikes. Who knew?

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Below is the collection of best CicLAvia photographs we took on 041512…and don’t ask us what that couple is doing on the ground.

Want to use a photo? Contact us at info@knoweverything.net.

The Eastside Band Quetzal is Back with a New Album “Imaginaries”

Published on February 28, 2012 in 2012, CD Release Party, Chicana, Chicano, Chicano Bands, culture, dance, East LA Bands, East Los Angeles, Events, Good for the soul, L.A. Cultural Events, LA Bands, LA Musicians, Latino Bands, live entertainment, live music, Los Angeles, Mexican American, music, Must see, not to be missed, Son Jarocho and The band Queztal. 0 Comments

We are overjoyed that Quetzal is back! Not only are they back playing in the local area, but Quetzal has a strong new album that will keep your toes a tappin’ and your mind a thinkin’. Quetzal’s latest album, Imaginaries, was be released on February 28th, 2012. This album blends the Veracruz traditional sounds of son jarocho with modern rock and R&B sounds to create a fusion that is very Los Angeles and features tracks in both English and Spanish.

If you haven’t heard Queztal before, you are in for a treat. You can sample four of the new tracks now from Imaginaries at SmithsonianMag.com. The available tracks are the title track ”Imaginaries,” “Tragafuegos (Fire Breathers),” ”Dreamers, Schemers,” and the beautiful “Todo lo que tengo (All That I Have). After you get a taste of these tracks, we are sure you will want to support Quetzal and buy the full album on iTunes or on Amazon. These Eastside artists are nourished by their music, but they need food to survive.

This album, Imaginaries, is the first release in association with Smithsonian Folkways Tradiciones/ Traditions, known for releasing culturally relevant music of the United States.

From their website:

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings is the nonprofit record label of the Smithsonian Institution, the national museum of the United States. We are dedicated to supporting cultural diversity and increased understanding among peoples through the documentation, preservation, and dissemination of sound. We believe that musical and cultural diversity contributes to the vitality and quality of life throughout the world. Through the dissemination of audio recordings and educational materials we seek to strengthen people’s engagement with their own cultural heritage and to enhance their awareness and appreciation of the cultural heritage of others.

Our mission is the legacy of Moses Asch, who founded Folkways Records in 1948 to document “people’s music,” spoken word, instruction, and sounds from around the world. The Smithsonian acquired Folkways from the Asch estate in 1987, and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has continued the Folkways commitment to cultural diversity, education, increased understanding, and lively engagement with the world of sound.

Quetzal is also back playing locally. To keep up with all things Quetzal, follow them on Facebook. at Facebook.com/QuetzalEastLA.

Javier Hernandez, comic creator, will release THE COMA at GEEKS Comics in Whittier on Sat, Nov 19, 2011

Published on November 12, 2011 in 2011, Art, blogero, Chicano, East of the Eastside, Easy on the pocketbook, El Muerto, Events, Food, Free, L.A. Cultural Events, LA, Latino Comics, Los Angeles, Mexican American, Poetry, Stuff Chicanos Like, Support the Artist! and Whittier. 0 Comments

Javier Hernandez, the independent comic book creator known for creating EL MUERTO, the Aztec Zombie, will be releasing his newest comic, THE COMA, at GEEKS Comics in Whittier on Saturday, November 19, 2011.

Hernandez’s latest comic is THE COMA, which is about…nope, can’t tell you yet. You will get all that info below in the interview we did with Hernandez. Not only does he talk about The COMA, COMA CON, and COMA CAKE, but he also talks about his interest in comics, the movie that was made about El Muerto starring Wilmer Valderrama (El Muerto DVD link), and shares his advice for people wanting to break into the comics-writing world.

Also, check out his artwork that is currently on display as part of the UCLA Chicano Studies exhibit “Chican@s Collect: The Duron Family Collection”

- Interview with Javier Hernandez -

What what were the first comics you remember reading?
My older brother Albert gave me stacks of his comics, which include late 60s/early 70s runs of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, FANTASTIC FOUR, DAREDEVIL, INCREDIBLE HULK, BATMAN, etc. A great sampling of classic Marvel and DC comics.

Who are your main artistic influences?

Continue reading ‘Javier Hernandez, comic creator, will release THE COMA at GEEKS Comics in Whittier on Sat, Nov 19, 2011′

Chicanos and Counter-Culture at LACMA on Sun, Nov 13, 2011 at 1pm

Published on November 10, 2011 in 2011, Chicana, Chicano, Counter Culture, culture, East Los Angeles, Events, Free, free - oh yeah - free, L.A. Cultural Events, LA, Latina, Latino, Los Angeles, Stuff Chicanos Like, weekend event, What to do, What to do this weekend? and What to see. 0 Comments

Sandra de la Loza, study for Raza Mural Remix installation, 2010

There will be an interesting talk at Los Angeles County Museum of Art ‘s Bing Theater this weekend. Sandra de la Loza, Louie Perez of Los Lobos and Tomas Carrasco of the Chicano Secret Service comedy group will be discussing the influence of Chicanos and countercultural production in the Art Scene.

This will be a free talk. No reservations necessary.

LACMA is located at:
5905 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles CA 90036
tel 323 857-6000
publicinfo@lacma.org

Dia de los Muertos 2011 in Los Angeles (Day of the Dead)

Published on October 22, 2011 in 2011, Chicana, Chicano, Chicano Bands, Day of the Dead, Day of the Dead 2011, Dia de los Muertos, Dia de los Muertos 2011, East Los Angeles, Events, Family, Free, Good for kids, Good for the soul, L.A. Cultural Events, LA Bands, LA Musicians, Latina, Latino, Latino Bands, live entertainment, live music, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Free Events, Mexican American, Mexican American Bands, music, Southern California, Stuff Chicanos Like, Take the metro, What to do, What to see and Where to go. 0 Comments Tags: LA Ban.

Dia de Los Muertos 2011

Have you made plans for Dia de los Muertos? This is a fun, yet reverent Mexican holiday that dates back hundreds of years. On this day, a National holiday in Mexico, people remember loved ones that have passed. Like Halloween, it is celebrated with costumes and candy. You will see many people who have painted their faces like a fanciful skulls. At many of the events, they will sell skulls made of sugar that you may decorate and eat.

Need some suggestions on where to go? Then, check out LA Taco’s incredibly comprehensive list of events in the LA area at http://www.lataco.com/taco/2011-dia-muertos-day-dead-los-angeles. As this is LA, there are some interesting offshoots from the traditional celebrations.

Among the highlights of the 30+ events listed on LA Taco’s guide are:

It seems to get better each year.

Dengue Fever, Kinky, 40 other major acts, and YOU performing at the free Make Music Pasadena Festival

Published on June 10, 2008 in bands, best of 2008, Community Building, culture, Easy on the pocketbook, Events, Family, For Lovers, Free, free - oh yeah - free, Great deal, history in the making, impress her, impress him, innovative, L.A. Cultural Events, LA, live entertainment, live music, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Free Events, make music pasadena, music, Must see, not to be missed, pasadena, San Gabriel Valley, sgv, Southern California, Take the metro and weekend event. 0 Comments Tags: make music pasadena, sing in the streets.

On Saturday, June 21, 2008, from 11am till 10pm, Pasadena, Califonia will be transformed into a rosy musical free-for-all!

Make Music Pasadena will have stages in Old Pasadena, One Colorado, the Playhouse District, the Armory Center for the Arts, and Memorial Park to celebrate World Music Day. The festival will be featuring internationally acclaimed bands like Dengue Fever, Kinky, Nortec Collective presents Bostich + Fussible, and the Raveonettes. It will also share the love with amateur musicians that are encouraged to perform in the streets.
Seriously!

The mission of Make Music Pasadena is to “encourage the community to Make Music where ever and how ever they can”. The ExperienceLA website announcing the event adds:

Along sidewalks and on street corners, in alleys and building lobbies, parks and courtyards, strains of Beethoven’s 5th blends with a Zeppelin guitar riff and a Coltrane saxophone solo as Pasadena becomes home to MAKE MUSIC PASADENA – A Fete de la Musique event.
On Saturday, June 21, 2008, the longest day of the year, Old Pasadena and the Playhouse District will become a musician’s playground.

A musicians playground…hmmm…I think it is time to dust off that guitar and practice knock, knock, knocking on Pasadena’s door. If not the guitar, bring the camera – the city is sure to be a great big photo op.

This is another great festival situated close to a Metro Rail station (Memorial Park stop). They will even have the Pasadena ARTS Buses shuttling people for free along the festival route.

See the full schedule of the day’s events HERE.

For more information, visit MakeMusicPasadena.org

See Jackson Browne at 2008 Lummis Festival – for free!

Published on May 25, 2008 in bands, comedy, culture, dance, Events, Family, Food, Free, free - oh yeah - free, history in the making, L.A. Cultural Events, LA, Los Angeles, music, Must see, not to be missed, Southern California, Stuff Chicanos Like and weekend event. 0 Comments Tags: Jackson Browne, Lumis, Lummis Festival 2008.

The third annual Lummis Day Festival will feature, music, puppet shows, dance, poetry, crafts and great food on June 1, 2008 from 10:30 am till 7:30 pm. The festival will take place in Sycamore Grove Park, located at 4900 N. Figueroa St. in Highland Park.

The festival gets its name from Charles Fletcher Lummis, the one of the first librarians of the City of Los Angeles, the first City Editor of the Los Angeles Times, founder of the Southwest Museum, and famous walker (he walked from Cincinnati to Los Angeles in 1884).

This year’s festival will feature a performance by the legendary artist Jackson Browne. Browne lived many years of his life in the area. A singer-songwriter known for his classic albums — For Everyman, Late for the Sky, and The Pretender — he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. He also co-wrote the Eagles’ hit song “Take it Easy” with Glenn Frey. Jackson Browne is scheduled to perform at 6 pm.

Other acts scheduled of note to appear are Carlos Guitarlos, Mariachi Divas, Chapin Sisters, Cava, and Culture Clash. CLICK HERE for the full schedule.

Although there is plenty of free parking, take the Metro Gold Line and save some money on gas. The Southwestern Museum stop is a short walk to the festival.

For more information, LummisDay.org.

Tierra, War, Malo, Little Willie G, Thee Midniters, Mariachis, and fireworks to celebrate the East L.A. Civic Center Grand Opening

Published on May 6, 2008 in Art, bands, Chicana, Chicano, Chicano Cultural Treasure, Community Building, culture, East Los Angeles, Easy on the pocketbook, Events, Family, Free, Good for kids, history in the making, L.A. Cultural Events, LA, Latina, Latino, Los Angeles, Mexican American, music, Must see, not to be missed, once in a lifetime event, Southern California, Stuff Chicanos Like and weekend event. 0 Comments

This should be a great free event.

The East L.A. Civic Center Grand Opening will be on Saturday, May 10th, 2008 from 9am till 10pm. The concert starts at 5pm.

The East Los Angeles Civic Center is located at 4801 E. Third St. in East Los Angeles.

For more information, see Supervisor Gloria Molina’s website or this article from the LA TIMES.

Free music, art, & dance at the new LATC to kick off SPRING ON SPRING

Published on April 14, 2008 in after work deal, Art, bands, best of 2008, Chicana, Chicano, culture, dance, Easy on the pocketbook, Events, Free, free - oh yeah - free, Good for the soul, Great deal, great place to meet friends after work in los angeles, Groundbreaking performances, impress her, impress him, innovative, L.A. Cultural Events, LA, Latina, Latino, live entertainment, live music, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Free Events, Mexican American, music, Must see, not to be missed, Southern California and Stuff Chicanos Like. 0 Comments

At a time, when ticket prices for live entertainment are more expensive than ever, the New Los Angeles Theater Center will start off their ”Spring on Spring” programming with a free event featuring dance, music, food, and art. The great thing about the full Spring on Spring series of over 15 events is that no single event is over 12 bucks. Even better, 50 bucks will buy a pass for all the events.

The free kick-off event, Fresh Paint, will be Friday, April 18, 2008 at 9 pm. This should be a fun night with a variety of performances. The night will feature music by Cita La Muñeca Rota, Ricardo Ochoa, and the rock cello player Semyon Kobialka. There will be krump dancing by Buckworld One. The Art adorning the walls will be from the famous Chicano artist GRONK & the pop artist William Deutsch and to round out the party spirit, D.J. Original Bozak will use his turntables to make you move.

The New LATC is located at 514 S. Spring Street, in dowtown Los Angeles.

All this is free, but reservations are required. To reserve a place, send an email to Kick-Off@THENEWLATC.com.

For more information, visit TheNewLATC.com.

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The 2012 Thai New Year’s Day Songkran Festival – One of the Best Festivals in Los Angeles

Published on March 1, 2008 in 2011 Songkran Festival Los Angeles, 2011 Thai Festival Los Angeles, 2012, 2012 Songkran Festival Los Angeles, 2012 Thai Festival Los Angeles, comedy, culture, dance, Family, Food, Free, hollywood, L.A. Cultural Events, live entertainment, live music, Los Angeles, music, songkran festival los angeles, Southern California, Thai Culture, thai festival hollywood, thai town and thai town festival los angeles. 0 Comments

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Updated February 24, 2012

The 2012 L.A. Thai Songkran Festival returns in April!

The 9th annual Thai New Year’s Day Songkran Festival on Hollywood Blvd in located in the City of Los Angeles will take place on:

Sunday, April 1, 2012

The festivities, known at the “Biggest Cultural Event Outside Thailand” will take place from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m with most of the cool stuff happening after noon. This treasure of Los Angeles takes place in East Hollywood on Hollywood Blvd. between Western and Normandie. The official website (which is more helpful if you speak Thai) is at ThaiNewYear.com.

In researching this article, I came across their new Facebook page. I think by April 15, we should try to get them to 1,000 likes!

Whaddaya say? Like away!

Facebook.com/ThaiNewYear

We will try to post more as we get more details.

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Below is the original post from 2008

What makes this festival one of the Top 10 festivals in Southern California?

ADMISSION IS FREE
The money in your wallet can go towards that one-of-a-kind gift.

AUTHENTICITY
This is the largest Thai festival in the United States. It is a celebration of the Thai culture for people of Thai decent living in the US that we can all take part in. On a Sunday in April, Hollywood Boulevard will transform into a Bangkok street.

THE FOOD
There will be an abundance of traditional Thai dishes including pad thai, satay, and mango with sticky rice. This year also marks the beginning of the International Curry Festival.

THE BIRTH OF THE INTERNATIONAL CURRY FESTIVAL
The first instance of the Annual International Curry Festival will celebrate curry in all its forms. Curry transcends culture. Although originally from India, other cultures including Thailand and Japan have created national dishes flavored with curry.

Archive for the 'L.A. Cultural Events' Category

~~~~~~~~~~~ Below is the collection of best CicLAvia photographs we took on 041512…and don’t ask us what that couple is doing on the ground.