Art Nap. – March 11, 2010. Downtown Los Angeles, CA – A quiet place to rest is also a performance art installation during March Art Walk last year.

Click on the image to view slideshow.

Not really in the Artwalk “mood” last night, I took a long stroll along Broadway and got some pictures of a few things that caught my eye. One of those things was the Gary Leonard studio. You know the dude from the LA Weekly, “Take My Picture Gary Leonard” photo column. I’ve been a fan of this guy for years. I walked inside and met the fella. Very cool dude. They had complimentary MGD, but like I said, I was not in the mood. I saw the exhibit, said thanks and walked on.

It was the best walk I’d had in a long time. Crisp cold air swept the lonely street. The old theaters of the Golden Era followed me with their eyes and studied my gait, slow and methodical. I snapped a few shots and continued. Every block had at least three people waiting for a bus. No one spoke. No one looked up to see me. Anonymous worker bees heading home.

Below are the images I captured from that stroll or you can click on the image to the right to see the slideshow.

When I made it back to the Artpark, I did manage to get some people in my frame. But mostly I just let the camera hang on my neck and I chilled. (more…)

An American officer provides the clash in New Mexico culture.

It’s opening night for “Palestine, New Mexico” at the Mark Taper Forum and the scripted action rolls out on stage. Voices begin to reveal the themes of war, religion, country, race, a soldier’s mysterious death, and the purity of tribal blood lines. All played out on a beautiful set of red mountains blue heavens. It’s a tale of an American officer who comes to a fictitious tribal town to explain to the chief that his son’s death might be part of a military cover up. It’s also a story of two tribes divided by the Jewish roots that connect them.

When the conquistadores came from Spain to the new land they brought with them Jewish slaves. The dark skin slaves that eventually broke away from their masters were able to live among the natives and naturally inter-breed. An interesting story I had never heard.
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Things to do Thursday, Friday and Saturday!

You might bump into the Eastsider Writer if you are at the follwing events this weekend. I’m starting my weekend on Thursday at the opening night of Culture Clash’s new play “Palestine New Mexico” at the Taper. On Friday I will be at the Olmeca CD Release Party for his new album “La Contra Cultura/Counter Culture” at Self Help Graphics. Then, on Saturday, I will be celebrating art at the Arts District Open Studio Tour. Check all the details below. Ready, set, go! Aytewatcho!

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PALESTINE, NEW MEXICO
Written by Richard Montoya for Culture Clash
Directed by Lisa Peterson

STARTS: Thursday, December 3rd
ENDS: Sunday, January 24th
TIME: varies depending date
LOCATION: Mark Taper Forum
LINK: www.centertheatergroup.org

RUMORS, SECRETS, SAND AND BLOOD.  U.S. Army Captain Catherine Siler journeys to the  New Mexico reservation home of Private First Class Raymond Birdsong on a search  for answers.  The questionable circumstances surrounding Ray’s death in  Afghanistan create a crisis of conscience for the captain giving her no choice  but to re-examine her own life along the way.

Culture Clash, L.A.’s premiere Chicano performance  group, returns  with a World Premiere play about America’s constantly shifting  political  landscape exploring loss, identity and the notion of occupied  homelands.

Palestine, New Mexico promises to be an inherently theatrical work  that mixes humor and cold fact to  unforgettable and galvanizing effect. (more…)

This photo was taken by Rick Mendoza. Thanks for the lens buddy! Click on the image to view the slideshow.

Another art walk has passed and another hangover has been survived. Thanks to the cool peeps at Ramirez Liquor and the kind folk at 410 Boyd we had pleeeeenty of alcohol at the Citizen booth this month!

I started my evening’s merryment at the Million Dollar Theater where they were having a 40th anniversary screening of The Wild Bunch. After snapping shots of the celebs on the red carpet and knocking back a few shots of tequila to the dome, I headed to the art park and the party begun. People dropped in all night long to say wudddup and pound a brew.

Across from the art park Haru Kuroi played a great set under the night’s light drizzle to a crowd of art walqueros.

I have to walk the walk next month again. That’s when you really see the scope of this event. Next month I will walk over to Spring and Broadway and cover the whole evening.

In the spirit of consistency I have posted another Downtown Artwalk slideshow. Click on the picture to view the peeps of the November madness.