"Mine Eternal" by Laura Krifka

Beacon Arts continues its Critics-as-Curators series with Pieceable Kingdom curated by art critic David Pagel, opening Saturday, February 5, 2011. The exhibition features works in a range of media by seven artists – Erin Cosgrove, Asad Faulwell, Maxwell Hendler, Laura Krifka, Mimi Lauter, Devin Troy Strother, and Matt Wedel –  who capture the complexity of everyday life by giving form to its down-to-earth beauty and uplifting ordinariness, its tribulations and triumphs, its pleasures and pains. As a group, they piece things together, sometimes literally and sometimes figuratively, creating singular pieces that are complete unto themselves yet also openly invite all sorts of stories, from other times and places, to echo across their sensuous surfaces. Pieceable Kingdom runs until Sunday, March 20, 2011.  Exhibition special events include an opening reception on Saturday February 5, 6:00 – 9:00pm, an artists’ panel discussion on Sunday, March 6, which starts at 2:00pm, and a closing reception on Sunday, March 20, which will include a catered brunch and a critics’ panel discussion. Read the rest of this entry »

Bootleg Theater is excited to announce the brand new Ken Roht’s Same-O, A 99¢ Only Electric Ballad – once again bringing together the award-winning creative team of Roht, John Ballinger and Ann Closs-Farley for an outrageous holiday production. Previous 99¢ Only shows have been critically acclaimed as a “bedazzlement of theater action and peanut gallery voyeurism” (LA Times) and “mix of heady surrealism, marvelously inventive choreography, unabashed camp, and delightful whimsy” (Backstage West).  Costumes, sets and moving sculptures in this progressive multimedia music event will once again incorporate traditional 99¢ Only Store fare, with the addition of recycled and sustainable materials this year. The interdisciplinary extravaganza, with a cast of 18 diverse performers, runs from December 4 to 19, 2010 on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00pm nightly with Sunday matinees only at 3:00pm.  Performances have been extended, now running January 6 to 30, 2011 on the same schedule. Read the rest of this entry »

Paradox Media and Vau de Vire present the highly anticipated return of The Edwardian Ball to Los Angeles on Saturday, March 5, 2011 at The Music Box.  Once again, the splendid San Francisco tradition flies south for the winter, presenting an elegant, turn of the century celebration of music, theatre, circus arts, DJs, ballroom dance, fashion, technology and, of course, the ominous art and stories of beloved author Edward Gorey. Hosted by Edwardian Ball co-creators Rosin Coven and Vau de Vire Society, the night promises an unforgettable blend of audience participation and performance with darkness, humor, and style in a stunning historic venue. The event also features “Belle of the Ball” Jill Tracy, DJ Xian, Miz Margo, Dark Garden Corsetry, and many special guests. Costumed attire is highly encouraged — all in attendance are invited to return to a time of gentility by creating characters for the occasion. Read the rest of this entry »

Los Angeles, CA – Humanitarian organization NextAid presents its second annual World AIDS Day campaign fundraising event at LA’s top “green” event location, Marrakesh House. Entitled SOUND>EFFECT and taking place on Saturday December 11, 2010  from 5:00pm – midnight, NextAid and partners will create an unforgettable evening of music, dancing and art.  NextAid joins forces with like-minded organizations Family Affair, HearME, Green Wave and Africa10 at film director Chris Paine’s noted sustainably remodeled home located on a scenic hillside in Culver City (private address, parking info revealed upon ticket purchase).

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Breakdance Project Uganda reaches youth in the slums of Kisenyi, Uganda (photo credit: Nabil Elderkin)

Award-winning film Bouncing Cats, the inspiring documentary of one man’s attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda through hip hop, is on the festival circuit making its way around North America along with limited sneak peek screenings and benefit events.  Narrated by Common and featuring interviews with Will.I.Am, and K’Naan, the story follows the legendary Crazy Legs of the Rock Steady Crew and b-boy Abramz, the founder of Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU), on a journey to unify, empower and inspire youth in the war torn region that has been called one of the worst places on earth to be a child.*  The film, by director Nabil Elderkin, recently won “Best Documentary Feature Film” at the Urbanworld Film Festival in New York, “Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Filmmaking” at the Newport Beach Film Festival, and “Audience Favorite Award” at Southern Utah International Documentary Film Festival.

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Jae Hwa Yoo - "Wind City" - 2010, acrylic on canvas (photo courtesy of the artist)

Beacon Arts continues its Critics-as-Curators series with Densities: Line Becoming Shape, Shape Becoming Object curated by respected art writer Peter Frank, opening Friday, December 10, 2010. The exhibition features works in a range of media by artists Philippa Blair, Ran Harari, Tom Jenkins, Joel King, John White, and Jae Hwa Yoo, all with a sensibility that favors visual complexity driven by a profusion of active linear forms.  Densities runs from December 10, 2010 to January 30, 2011.  Exhibition special events include an opening party on Friday, December 10, 5:00 – 8:00pm; an open house on Saturday, January 22, 11:00am – 6:00pm; and a closing event on Sunday, January 30, 11:00am – 4:00pm, which will include a catered brunch and a panel discussion.

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Jon Reiss, the director of Bomb It, the global graffiti documentary, and his team, have a lot to announce and celebrate this month.  Starting as early as today – November 1, 2010 – Bomb It can be seen in tens of millions of cable, satellite, and telco Video On Demand (VOD) homes.  In mid-November the Bomb It team will be releasing a free geo-location graffiti and street art application (app) for both iPhone and Android operating systems (tentative release date: 11/22/10).  And Bomb It 2, commissioned as a web series exclusively for the digital broadcast network Babelgum, is rolling out new weekly episodes at http://www.babelgum.com/bombit2.

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Award-winning film Bouncing Cats is the inspiring documentary of one man’s attempt to create a better life for the children of Uganda through the unlikely tools of hip hop and breakdance. Narrated by Common and featuring interviews with Will.I.Am, and K’Naan, the story follows the legendary Crazy Legs of the Rock Steady Crew and b-boy Abramz, the founder of Breakdance Project Uganda (BPU), on a journey to unify, empower and inspire youth in the war torn country that has been called one of the worst places on earth to be a child.  Poverty, disease, and a brutal, mindless war in the region have divided families, displaced millions and led to the abduction and mutilation of tens of thousands of children resulting in the deterioration of identity and culture. Read the rest of this entry »

Congo in Harlem 2 is the second annual series of Congo-related films and events at the Maysles Cinema in Harlem. This year’s program runs from Friday, October 8 – Saturday, October 23, 2010 and showcases a wide range of films by Congolese and international directors, representing the most important issues facing the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) today. Most screenings will be followed by panel discussions, special events, musical performances, and receptions. Congo in Harlem 2 will provide audiences with more than the traditional movie-going experience – it will offer opportunities to celebrate Congolese culture, learn about the ongoing humanitarian crisis, engage in dialogue, and get involved. Read the rest of this entry »

Gustavo Venegas – “Bullethead”

Beacon Arts, a brand-new “arts laboratory” featuring innovative exhibitions in Inglewood, CA, kicks things off with its inaugural exhibition, Ghost Stories: Happenings, Hauntings, & Curiosities, running from Thursday, October 14 through Sunday, November 7, 2010.  Curated by art writer Shana Nys Dambrot, the show is the first in the art space’s Critics-as-Curators series.  Additional Ghost Stories-related events are planned including an interdisciplinary Halloween extravaganza on the evening of Friday, October 29th and a daytime Pagan Arts Camp (for adults) on Saturday October 30th, with a closing reception/panel discussion on Sunday, November 7, 2010. The Reverend Ethan Acres, whose ministry is dedicated to the expression of religious ecstasy through irrational and absurdist behavior, has signed on as resident “spirit advisor” for the gallery’s first exhibition. His Ghost Stories‘ performances will be his first locally in years.  Beacon Arts provides innovative arts programming and resources to enrich the cultural landscape of Los Angeles with contemporary fine art by a new generation of adventurous Southern California artists.  Renée Fox, known for her success organizing the rapidly growing Inglewood Open Studios, develops and directs creative programming for the Beacon Arts Building.

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