Sometimes here in LA you just stumble upon something that takes your breath away. Last night was a case in point. As I drove home around 10 PM, I zipped by Disney Hall, always a visual treat with its soaring silver architecture. But this time there was something different.

The front face of the building was alive with colors and stars that moved through the galaxies, then crazy patterns of colors. I stopped the car and got out.

Awestruck, I watched as the building was bathed in an array of sound and cool visuals. Some from Fantasia, some seemingly from other random visual art. This went on for 10 minutes or so and then ended. I walked over to the building, where there were trucks and booths set-up. This was a big production! The woman in charge told me it was a traveling exhibition from San Diego to San Francisco, that used various notable architectural buildings as canvas. It’s stunning. Called, “World of Color” it’s tied to the visual World of Color they are doing at the Disney Theme Parks.

If you want to see it, tonight, (Friday, July 30th) is the last night!!!!! It’s on from 9 til 11, so if you’re downtown or want a fun diversion to your night…. check it out.

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was a world without film. (I know!) Whatever did people do for fun on a Saturday night, aside from bathing? They would go see amazing spectacles called “Panoramas.” Starting in 1792, 360 degree paintings were installed in circular venues and you viewed them from the inside. Don’t tell James Cameron this, but they were even in 3d! Faux terrain elements were placed in front of the images to enhance the paintings themselves. Even Disney took a cue from this style and created CircleVision 360.

Another version of the Panorama experience was the Moving Panorama. Images were painted on huge panels and scrolled through in a theater accompanied by live narration, music and sound effects. The original Moving Picture Show!

What does this have to do with Los Angeles? LA is home to the Velaslavasay Panorama “an exhibition hall, theatre and garden dedicated to the production and presentation of unusual visual experiences, including those of the 360-degree variety.” They research and preserve fragile works of mass entertainment from centuries gone by. You can visit the gardens and exhibits during the day and for the next four weekends, you can see a Moving Picture Show.

Every Friday and Saturday night until August 21, The Velaslavasay Panorama will be showing “The Grand Moving Mirror Of California” a modern panel based on an 1853 script about the journey to get to California during the Gold Rush. Adventures around Cape Horn, views of historic California cities and “famous natural treasures” are part of the story.

This Saturday, July 31, is a fundraiser for the museum. You get a gourmet dinner before the showing of the Moving Picture and help raise funds for this fascinating non-profit. Click here for more details on that event.

The Velaslavasay Panorama
In the Historic Union Theater in the West Adams District
1122 West 24th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90007

Open to the public on Fridays, Saturday and Sundays from 12-6pm
Street parking only.

I’m buying tickets for Friday’s show…join in!

Cross section of a Panorama rotunda

Ack!! I totally forgot to add a Hat Tip to Los Angeles Magazine (August issue), which is where I first read about the Panorama!

Mitch Albom had Morrie; what do we have on Tuesdays?  Ah, yes, Tuesday Night Cafe, a bi-monthly gathering of poets, musicians, writers, organizers, parents, their kids, their dogs, and whomever else happens to be walking by the Aratani Courtyard in Little Tokyo around 7:15pm.  A revolving line-up of artists and spoken word performers wax or rap poetic about everything from their commute to being queer in a land of not-queers.  Often, there’s playful bantering with you, audience member/non-passive observer, followed by striking poetry, followed by lively live music, followed by impromptu karaoke.   And it’s only Tuesday!

Tonight’s lineup includes hip hop MTV journalist-turned-hip-hop-rapper Rocky Rivera and singer SueJin.  The guy in the back painting and sketching while all this is going in? Is Alex Chiu (see here).

The Tuesday Night Project organizes and hosts the event; its mission is to crank open space for the community – particularly the Asian-Pacific Islander communities – to build relationships and forge bonds via art and music.  In a town stuffed to the gills with the cement jungle, this space is a breath of fresh air.  Go to the Cafe tonight, get fueled for the rest of the week, and the weekend will be here before you know it.

Your Tuesday starts at 7:15pm, but if you want to break the fourth wall and perform, sign-ups for the open mic start at 6:45.  The Aratani Courtyard is on 120 Judge John Aliso, between 1st and Temple downtown.  Just follow your ears.

Amazing mixed media Artist Dave McKean is doing a signing this Friday, followed by a display of new work, opening Saturday.

He’s responsible for all of the covers of the comic book Sandman, as well as The Vertigo Tarot. A long time collaborator with author Neil Gaimen, and the director of Mirrormask.

He’s seriously one of my all time favorite artists, and, the couple of times I’ve been honored enough to meet him, one of the nicest guys ever. According to his Twitter he’ll sign whatever you bring to the signing Friday night at Wacko. (I mean “La Luz de Jesus.” Which is the Gallery in the back of Wacko. Whatever. Details below.)

Signing on Friday, February 12, 6 pm – 9 pm,
LA LUZ DE JESUS GALLERY,
4633 Hollywood Blvd. LA. 90027

“New Works Inspired by Early Cinema”
Exhibition: February 13, 2010 – March 6, 2010
BILLY SHIRE FINE ARTS GALLERY
Opening Reception: Saturday, February 13th, 7-10 pm
5790 Washington Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90232

“I don’t think there’s anything Dave McKean cannot do as an artist..” – Neil Gaiman

More bad news on the Arts front: The Pasadena Playhouse, an L.A. landmark and institution, California’s only State Theatre, will be closing its doors, possibly for good, due to financial woes.

With 2 million owed to creditors and no way to pay, the current production of Camelot looks to be its last. Thirty seven employees will be out of work after the final curtain February 7th.

Stephen Eich, executive director of the Pasadena Playhouse, has said he is looking for ways to fulfill his obligation to current subscribers amidst massive financial restructuring and possible bankruptcy.

Attempts to find a donor to name the main auditorium after have thus far proved fruitless, as corporate donations have dwindled.

The company was founded in 1917, and the building itself built in the twenties, this is a huge loss for the arts, and a huge loss for theatre. I truly hope they find a way to re-open their doors soon.

Secret Headquarters will have original artwork by Mike Mignola on display for one night only, Friday December 4th. That’s totally like tonight, man!

And since you’ll be rushing to get there after work and won’t have time for dinner, you’re in luck! Kwong Dynasty’s Noodle Fantasy will be serving up noodles in front of the store.

Secret Headquarters will also be offering a limited edition Mignola illustrated letterpress print made specifically for this show. The prints feature never before seen Hellboy artwork by Mike Mignola with color supervision by Dave Stewart. These 3 color letterpress prints have been beautifully made by Aardvark Letterpress of Los Angeles.

One Night Only
Friday, December 4
8 – 10pm

Complimentary wine provided by Bear Flag.

Apologies for the late-ish notice, but heads up if your afternoon is free:  Designer Con 2009 is up and running until 5pm today at the Pasadena Convention Center.  Designer art, apparel, and slick toys will be on display and for sale.  Their attitude is to “expand the scope of ‘that which is design.’”  Artists defining and expanding the scope of design include Amanda Visell, Christopher Lee, Tim Biskup, and Buff Monster (!).  If you follow Buff Monster on Twitter, you’ll see he’s made an exclusive t-shirt for the event.  And, though it’s not nearly as kawaii as watching the shiba inu puppies grow, ToyBreak also is using Ustream to stream live from the floor of the show.

Admission price is $5 before 3pm; after 3pm, it’s free.  See you at 3.

Last night, I learned that this year’s Grand Avenue Festival is on hiatus so that the organizers can do some restructuring. From their website:

The Grand Avenue Partners, the association of organizations responsible for the annual Grand Avenue Festival, have decided to place the 2009 festival on hiatus and direct their collective efforts on assessing needs and possibly re-inventing the festival for 2010 and beyond.

Many of the Grand Avenue-based arts and cultural institutions featured in the Festival will continue to offer low-cost or free programming on Saturday, September 26, 2009 as well as offer ongoing community programs throughout the year.

A shame, to be sure. It’s is always nice to be able to wander Grand Avenue and take in performances from The Colburn School on over to the Cathedral. There were activities for kids, from creating art to making music and of course, all the food.

In fairness, last year’s event wasn’t exactly a fun time.  It was ridiculously hot, but no shade available. This led to the indoor events being overcrowded.  Many vendors neglected to show up, so there were many empty booths. Not to mention that despite all of the food vendors, there was no place for people to sit and eat. I can only hope that they event organizers are focusing on fixing these problems.

As for events this weekend, a quick glance at the calendars show only paid events. I’ve contacted people at some of the facilities and no one has any knowledge of free or ‘low-cost or free programming on Saturday, September 26, 2009′. I’ll update once I get more information.

Summer Fun Time Society (SFTS), a group who has been “slappin’ the shit out of boredom since oh eight,” is putting on fantastic event tomorrow night called ROBOsoup 3.1-Technology & The Future at the Downtown Independent. This is the third installment of their “Art Soup” series which brings creatives together into a forum “in which they can gain exposure in an art arena that isn’t bound by the bureaucracy of the L.A. art scene.”

What will you get with your $5 admission to this happening? Well, there will be screenings of Bronx Executioner, a 1989 cyborg flick, and Metropolis, the classic 1927 silent film starring its iconic robot, Maria, in the gorgeous remodeled theater, 8-bit music, a DJ party on roof, planetariums, 3-D photography, a photo booth and more!

Click through for more robotic details

Photo by Blake Gardner, used with kind permission.

Looking for something interesting to do tonight in L.A.? Take in some culture, a lot of culture, at Create:Fixate‘s art space at the Premiere Events Center in downtown Los Angeles.

Back in March I told you about Create:Fixate’s first event of this year, “Wisdom Within Us.” Tonight they return with their new show, “Build.” I had a great time at Wisdom, and I’m really looking forward to the new show.

Tonight’s event will follow a similar format to the one in the Spring, with a new theme. There will be many different artists showing in a huge three-room gallery, live music & DJs, cocktails and dancing. It’ll be like that party at your friends house, but cooler. Much, much cooler.

What: Create:Fixate’s “Build” – Exploring Art, Architecture & Design
When: Tonight, Saturday 6/27, from 7:00pm-3:00am.
Where: Premiere Events Center, 613 Imperial Street, Los Angeles

So tonight join me early at the Doll Factory for the LA Derby Dolls All-Star game, then follow me over to Create:Fixate and we’ll make it a high-brow after-party. For complete details on tonight’s event, see Create:Fixate’s website.

I have no words.

Looking for art that’s not in a stuffy gallery setting? We’ve got just the thing. Tonight check out Block Party, a one night tour of apartment exhibitions in Highland Park.

The tour consists of three exhibitions hosted by curators Kiki Johnson from Artist Curated Projects, Kate Hillseth from Young Art, and Daniel Ingroff and Paul Pescador. The apartments are in close proximity and guests can tour the three venues during the evening, like a block party. Hence the name.

More info behind the jump!

Read the rest of this entry →

You be the judge!

Last night’s preview party was fantastic, but let’s face it, it was just a warmup for tonight’s huge bash.

No invite required, so just show up to the

Corey Helford Gallery

7-10pm

(DISCLAIMER: Shameless Self Promotion coming at you in 3, 2, 1)

No secret my affiliation with COOP – so here’s news of the opening of Coop’s first show of paintings in three years.

It’s at the stupendously awesome Corey Helford Gallery in Culver City, and PLEASE come!

Party is Friday the 29th from 7-10pm and Coop and I will both be on hand so please step up and say hey!

COREY HELFORD GALLERY

8522 WASHINGTON BLVD

CULVER CITY

Party – open to the public -

FRIDAY MAY 29TH

7 – 10 pm

I *just* found this out! You still have a few hours to tune in–it goes until 5p:

theprimespot.com

Presents A LIVE WEBCAST: STRANGERS WITH POETRY

Mindy Nettifee

Live from The Clamshell [apparently a converted garage in a mystery location here in LA!], Sunday, April 26, Noon to 5p

A live webcast of some of SoCal’s strongest poets, performing in an intimate (secret) venue. Hosted by G. Murray Thomas and Eric Morago, this will be an entertaining and enlightening session of spoken word. The featured performers will include:

R.D. “Raindog” Armstrong, founder and publisher of Lummox Press. His latest book is Fire and Rain.
James Bolt SoCal performance poet extraordinaire.
Mona Jean Cedar combines poetry, dance and ASL until a unique performance style.
Commoners & Kings (Jason O’Neal, Anthony Sims, and Dragonfly Jon): “We’re all common men striving to be kings, but when we get to be kings don’t forget to be common men.”
Scott Huestis, from Gizmo and Building 7,will be accompanying some of the poets on guitar.

Rob "Ratpack Slim" Sturma & friend

A rare SoCal appearance by Lob, head of the Instagon Foundation. Poet, musician, artist, all-around creative master.
Eric Morago: A poet who blends page and performance, passion and humor, featured all around Southern California.
Mindy Nettifee, Long Beach’s poetry queen, author of Sleepyhead Assassins.
Gill S.O.T.U. “He be to soul what key be to lock.”
Rob “Ratpack Slim” Sturma, long-time host of Green and author of You Sensitive Bastard.
G. Murray Thomas, performance poet, former editor of Next…, author of Cows on the Freeway.
…and many more to be announced!