In Memoriam

"Some people seem to fade away but then when they are truly gone, it's like they didn't fade away at all." — Bob Dylan (Chronicles: Volume One)

This is an element for a photo project by Walt Cotten.  He left us before we could celebrate his birthday August 2nd.

That's all.  See you next week.

Around the globe in LA

Japanese tea in Koreatown

Music from Egypt downtown

Multi-national design festival in Little Tokyo

History of German music and art in Echo Park

OJO POP

It starts with words.  The words are looped and processed.  Ambient sounds begin to dominate.  Guitars come out.  More words.  A rhythm, a riff, we're rocking.  

OJO performances have interactive elements.  Chinatown in a basement.  A captive audience in a tightly confined space.  
BANG DROP IT! TROW IT! STEP ON IT! SNAP IT!
OJO does things that make me fall in love with Los Angeles all over again.

OJO is a Los Angeles-based performance, art, and music collaborative founded in 2005 by Joshua Aster, Chris Avitabile, Justin Cole, Moises Medina, Eamon Ore-Giron, and Brenna Youngblood.

Design Festival

Saturday's work at Strangeways Academy in Chinatown.  Come see the show Thursday June 30th 6-9 PM

Work by over 20 Los Angeles Creatives.  Graphic design, drawings, paintings, photography and ....

Defining Family

Sue and her daughter Marka

Why do some families have to explain themselves?  Here are a few quotes from this weekend's interview with the Maberry-Gaulke family.


"When you lead a  different lifestyle, you're open to public comment."  Rather than  resist "we chose to live our lives in ways that let people in, to make the world safe for families like ours." 


Being a family with two moms is still a little different in LA.  In a  way the kids think its cool, in another "it's like coming out" every time they have to explain it to someone. 

Xochi gets emotional when talking about the day calling it "our wedding because they're the ones being married but we're the ones being pronounced a family in the eyes of the state".

Having twin daughters drew much attention when they were out and about.  In one memorable incident they politely explained being a lesbian family to an inquisitive woman.  After taking it into consideration, the woman decided, "Well, I don't approve."

Cheri with her daughters Marka and Xochi 

four for june gloom

Photographers enjoy the cloud cover.  The changing light makes for excellent shooting opportunities.  Let's make pictures.  The heat will bare down on us soon enough here in Los Angeles.

the light is long

on a summer day

june gloom shrouds

and paints the way

sets are fake

sidewalks bake

double take

Angeleno

Los Lobos has consistently represented itself as "from Los Angeles".  It's hard to think of another band that so closely associates their music with the city.  Lyrics drawn from lives growing up in and being from East LA.  The imagery and style is specific to their latin roots but, somehow reaches out to all who call LA home.  Whether Los Angeles is your adopted or native home, Saturday night at Los Angeles Theatre Center was a rare treat.  In an intimate setting, David Hidalgo and Louie Pérez of Los Lobos celebrated 40-years of songwriting.  A proud moment in our city.