Category Archives: Events

El Verde ~ The Marriage of Quinceañera

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La Quinceañera, played by Ramona Gonzales (center) and her chambalanes Uno, played by Justin Rabi, left and Dos, played by Marcelo Alivias, right, prepare to do battle with El Verde

All Photos courtesy of El Verde Production

You know that phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” ? It’s like a double edge sword. You know what works, but at the same time don’t want to be repetitious and boring. It happens to the best of us, and in the newest installment of the on going adventures of “El Verde,” it’s a good thing.

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Random’s Rundown: Puro Pinche Pari

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Except for my horrible farmers tan, I love summer. Hot days, cold drinks, long evening bike rides through Los Angelestitlan. The electricity in the air, waiting to spark a blaze of social upheaval. You can literally feel it in the air. Social unrest, riots waiting to happen. Not too worry though, we all need to relax and have a good time every once in a while, por que si no, it get’s ugly. So even though the week isn’t over, the weekend is already getting started.

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“Dream Catcher” Mural at Wabash Rec Center

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With close to two years of planning, procuring grants/funding and fighting through city legal red tape, East Los Angeles Community Corporation has taken the initial steps in making the Wabash Recreation Center a family park that is safe, clean and not full of gang bangers. Both a community clean up day and a mural painting session were held Saturday July 24, bringing out Boyle Heights residents, families and kids in full force. Through the various grants ELACC was able to attain, improvements to the sites facilities have begun, such as installing new basketball courts, bringing in new bleachers and general baseball field improvements,  along with a new mural designed by ELACC’s Wabash committee and designed by local east side artist Wenceslao Quiroz.

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Hunger Strike for the DREAM Act

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“The height of manhood/womenhood, Cesar Chavez believes, is to give of one’s self.”

Watching nine of my peers start an indefinite hunger strike to get Senator Diane Feinstein to champion the DREAM Act as a stand alone bill brought me back down to earth. Knowing that they’re going to be depraving themselves of all food except water for the next few weeks is nothing short of amazing. The hunger strike is in solidarity with the 21 students that participated in civil disobedience in Washington D.C. yesterday, two of them here from L.A. All across the United States, undocumented youth and allies are working on making the DREAM Act happen this year because immigration reform is an idealistic, farfetched dream right now. The current IR bill would mandate more enforcement and laws than new path ways for people to adjust their legal status. Immigration Reform is dead and people need to realize that by passing the DREAM Act first, we are creating a path for just and fair Immigration Reform that will help people, not just imprison and deport them.

Come and show your support as they hold down the corner of Sepulveda Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. in Westwood. It’s funny, the things you see sitting and watching the world drive by. Angry honks of road rage. Angry yells of idiots who talk out of their ignorant asses. But also to personally speak with people out on the streets, explaining to them what they are doing, what the DREAM Act is and why they are doing. Wishing us luck on the campaign and saying they support the cause. If you would like to help the cause, give her a call or two and tell her you support the DREAM Act as a stand alone bill and that she should get cracking on it (310) 914 – 7300. Feinstein already supports the DREAM Act, but that’s not enough. She has the power to put it up in the Senate so it can be voted and passed. Sim ply saying you support something to get people off your back isn’t enough.

“Come on Brown, come on!… I’m trying to tell you … I’m telling you, that picketing thing is over … All you’re doing is getting your own people in trouble. Now look …he leans over toward me and lowers his voice, “the blacks picketed for years … for years. They marched and they did they very things you people are doing right now … but you know something, and this is the honest-to-god truth … they didn’t get a thing until they had Watts! That is a fact. And I’m telling you, until your people riot, they’re probably not going to get a thing either! That’s my opinion.” Revolt of the Cockroach People ~ Zeta pg. 74

Peel Here 2010 Fotos

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With approximately a thousand people coming through to Self Help Graphics, Peel Here 2010 was a gargantuan success. Peeps from all over L.A. and a few surrounding cities and states came through to get their sticker on. Stickers were traded, posted and seen in this one of a kind show, made possible by Sticky Rick, Zan, family and friends. Since I was having too much fun that night, I completely forgot to take any pictures. Course, that hardly matters since El Rafa was shooting pics the entire night. He took more than 900 pictures and uploaded more than 300 bad ass pics. So, even if you couldn’t make it out to the event, here’s your chance to see what you missed. Peel Here 2011 … brace yourself, again.

Peel Here 2010 “Brace Yourself”

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Read my review for Peel Here 2007 here

Read my preview for Peel Here 2008 here

PEEL HERE is an unbiased forum for sticker and paste-up artist, we feature large scale sticker art in a gallery setting, along with interactive modules for our guests to slap stickers and add their tag. We will feature a MASSIVE STICKER WALL, STREET FURNITURE, STICKER TRADING ZONE, as well as “Open Call Submission” Sticker Installation.

This year our theme is “BRACE YOURSELF!” which is inspired by and focuses on the current social, political, economic and environmental climate we live in today. Brace Yourself! the urban underground speaks. It’s time to get sticky.

Saturday, July 17th, 6 p.m. to midnight. The Exhibit will run through July 31st at Self Help Graphics and Art

Featured Artists:
ROBBIE CONAL – THE LONDON POLICE – GERMS – SMEAR – ASHES57 – MAN ONE – OLIVE 47 CHAZ BOJORQUEZ – BRANDY FLOWER – ENIK ONE – TIMOI – VYAL ONE – ERNESTO YERENA – SAND ONE – FAVIANNA RODRIGUEZ – SHARK TOOF – CAT CULT – CHOICE ROYCE – TOOFLY- DR NUSE 89 – DMN – JESSEROBOT – SKET ONE – STICKY BANDITS – SPRFKR – BRIAN EWING – AKO – JAXIE JAX – MCA – DEWEY TAFOYA – KATHIA DUNGPLATA – DOUGLAS MILES – MAD ONE – EVOKER – SHARK TOOF – ROBOTS WILL KILL – MODERN DAY MONSTER – RAH TEN – FLYING FORTRESS – VINCENT VALDEZ – NOMADÉ

Brace Yourself Installation by PHANTOM STREET ARTIST

Live Art Paper Fashion by
DIANE GAMBOA

Live Screen Printing by
HIT & RUN CREW

BRACE YOURSELF! Installation by
THE PHANTOM STREET ARTIST

Come out and enjoy the live music and DJ’s:
DJ TOKS
DJ BROHMEINI
AC The PD

Bands:
THE SIRENS
THE LEAF BLOWERS
TURBO MEX
FOUR WAY HIT
ELECTRIC CURRENT ECCENTRIC KAOS

Admission is $5 – all ages
First 100 guests receive a free Stick Rick’s gift bag

Bring stickers to add the to the MASSIVE STICKER WALL and trade with new friends in the PEEL HERE TRADING ZONE!

OVARIAN PSYCHOS/CYCLES.. wombyn’s cycling krew

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RIDE IT TIL’ DA WHEELS FALL OFF FRIDAYS

Sometimes our ovarian cycles make us turn into ovarian psychos. Come ride off the stress and work out while connecting with other wombyn on the streets of Los Angeles. OVARIAN PSYCHOS/CYCLES.. wombyn’s cycling krew.

We meet every first and third Friday of the month at:
Corazon del Pueblo
2003 East 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90033

First meeting is this third friday JULY 16th at 6pm
(Corazon del Pueblo is providing child care for wombyn who need it!)

From the Bay to L.A. and AZ: Print Marathon at Self Help Graphics and Art

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In a show of solidarity against the anti-Latino/a and immigrant sentiment in Arizona and the 30 days 30 actions campaign currently going on,  artist from here in East L.A. and the Bay area organized a 12 hour print-a-thon, silk screening more than 1,000 posters, some stickers and shirts with various designs for the July 29 action taking place in AZ against SB 1070. Joel “Rage” Garcia and Melanie Cervantes first got the ball rolling for the print marathon after discussing solidarity work with the AZ coming up. Garcia along his partner/artist FelicaMontes , musician Olmeca and Vyal have been working with artist in AZ for the last few months. Doing organizing, connecting with artist there and helping them get the resources not found in AZ. Cervantes and her partner Jesus Barraza at the same time have been working on the AZ campaign as well providing artistic resources and support with groups, orgs and individuals in AZ along with frequent partner and collaborator Favianna Rodriguez. Initially the plan was for everyone to go to AZ and do the work there, but contributing artist Ernesto Yerena warned them that the weather conditions and the AZ boycott would impede their productivity. Soon enough the conversation turned to printing here in L.A. and with the help of artist Dewey Tafoya, Self Help opened their doors to use the space and the marathon was on.

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Boyle Heights Farmers Market

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The first of weekly Friday farmers markets at Boyle Heights’ Mariachi Plaza launched last week to the sounds of boleros and sweet scents of fresh produce.  Vendors selling fresh fruits and vegetables from Oxnard, roasted peanuts by the Tiny Peanut Factory, homemade soaps and oils, Chicano-themed art, aguas frescas and coffee were accompanied by live mariachi music and a deejay from 92.3 The Beat.  The vendors were small in number but the liveliness of the homegrown crowd were enough to keep the market in residence at the corner of 1st and Bailey.  Market organizer, Juan Romero, who also owns and operates Primera Taza coffeehouse – a pebbles throw from Mariachi Plaza – says number of vendors will grow in the next few weeks.  The market offers a great family atmosphere and an alternative in grocery shopping. Check it out!

Walking in (E)L.A.

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Get your huaraches on and join the rest of the Walking Class for a cool tour of Boyle Heights!

Getting to Know LA: Boyle Heights
Sunday, July 11
11:30am – approx 1:00pm | | FREE (transportation and lunch not included)

Explore Latin American cultures in Boyle Heights beginning with a visit to our partner, La Casa del Mariachi, a shop that produces colorful and sparkling mariachi garments. We’ll then head on a walking tour led by urban planner James Rojas and explore the many creative ways in which the residents of Boyle Heights animate their front yards and streets to make this a truly distinct corner of Los Angeles. Directions to the meeting spot will be provided when you RSVP. Please RSVP by July 9th to (323) 937-4230 x50 or workshops@cafam.org

Tour details:
Walking tour begins at La Casa del Mariachi (1836 E. 1st St. – across from Mariachi Plaza)
We will view art work that has been placed at La Casa through the Folk Art Everywhere project. Then we will hear about the art of mariachi garments from the owner of La Casa. From there, we’ll move on to explore the neighborhood on foot: from murals and architecture to porches and fences.

The tour will involve walking approx. 1 mile roundtrip.

More info: www.folkarteverywhere.com

From the Barrios of LA to the Bay: Concierto sin Fronteras

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I know Chimatli mentioned this already on Botanitas, but I have to plug it up again. Why ? Because there is an amazing line for that night. Musically and in spoken word. This is one of those events that you don’t wanna miss out on because if you do, you’ll be sorry when everyone else is telling you how much they had and how dumb you feel for not going.

SATURDAY, JULY 10TH
6PM to 2AM
-LA CASA DEL MEXICANO-
2900 Calle Pedro Infante
Boyle Heights, CA 90063

Tickets $8 pre-sale at Corazon del Pueblo (available SAT 07/03) * $10 at the door

Anime Expo 2010

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The Anime Expo. Next to the San Diego Comic-Con, it’s one of the biggest cons here in the west coast. Kids, their parents and Otakus like myself, come from far and wide to get their anime on. Like any other convention, the Anime Expo brings together fans of all levels into one single city for one weekend to share in their love and passion for all things Japanese, but mostly the anime. BHHappa talked about this fandom a while back and even though it hasn’t been accepted or welcomed in the past, Eastern and anime  influences can be seen all over the place these days. It’s cool to like anime now thanks to Hollywood and Disney. But there’s still a deeper, darker level of fandom seldomly seem by others.

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