Will.i.am on The George Lopez Show discussing growing up in Estrada Courts and name dropping DQ’s, Roosevelt and Garfield. (h/t Jimmy Alvarado)
“Snowcones? Raspados, foo!”
Will.i.am
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Category Archives: Musica
Zeus from Highland Park
Zeus and his guitar
The past week I’ve been reading the book Outliers, The Stories of Success by Malcolm Gladwell. The basic gist of the book is very successful people, outliers, owe their success to a few proven factors: time spent practicing their craft, dedication and luck (class, unique historical moments, when they were born etc.) Anyways, I immediately thought of this book when I went to the Rite Aid on York and Ave 64 this evening and spotted this young dude playing his guitar and singing outside the front door.
I’ve seen him all over Highland Park, at the farmer’s market, the library, on Figueroa, all sorts of places and he’s always with his guitar. I thought to myself, it’s not too many young people that would have the dedication and gumption to stand in front of Rite Aid playing on a Monday night. But it seemed to be paying off, I saw a man go to his car, get money and come back to put it in the already-full-of-bills of hat. Nobody does that in Highland Park, c’mon! Make an extra trip to give someone money? They wouldn’t even do that for their mom! Something about this dude’s spunk was admirable and piqued my interest so I asked him if I could interview him for the blog. He was really nice and said yes, even though I interrupted his song. It’s okay it was a Beatles (gag) song.
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Eastsider Rudy Regalado 1943-2010
If you don’t know, you need to ask someone. Rudy Regalado, timbalero. Viva Tirado!
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The Fall
The Fall – L.A. – 1985
Driving home last night from the Calavera Fashion Show, we saw small clumps of college girls walking through the Downtown streets, their sparkling sequin pants glimmering in the headlights.
Dia de los Muertos 2010
Considering how I got a lot of positive feed back from last years impromptu Day of the Dead guide, I was debating whether or not to make another this year too. I mean, I do have a life beyond my random ramblings on this here bloggito. But then again, I love DOD and I love sharing the tradition and parties with as many people as I can. My homework will still be there after I finish. So here it is, your 2010 Dia de los Muertos guide to events you probably already know about and some you may have missed. Also, Day of the Dead is also election day. So, after you vote between a @#!*% and a turd, which I won’t get into lest I be called childish names again, start making your way to Self Help Graphics for the original Dia de los Muertos celebration, going on its 37th year and it’s free. Free !! You can also print and wear this kick @#!*% mask made by Cuéntame, the ¡Latino Instigators!, for a get out the vote campaign. I think it’s hilarious because if you can vote and don’t for whatever reason you have, then you are a cabron and you have no right to complain about how bad things are either. Also, most of these events are pretty self explanatory, soo I’m gonna cut corners and just copy and paste info with flyers and pics really. Anyway, enough jibba-jabber, on to the festivities
Tio Rifles is Coming to Town!
Give those ghoulitos some candy!
These two Westside chicks screwed up and told a Chicano cabdriver they wanted to go to the Eastside and party but they were thinking along the lines of Glendale Blvd and Silverlake. Homeboy, like any OG Chicano, took them across the LA River to the real Eastside, to N. Main and Ave 19 site of the infamous “Club Silencioâ€- where to their chagrin and terror – they ran into “La Llorona de Los Angeles.” This La Llorona apparition sure is fine though. Nothing like the “White Lady†chillona, covered with green moss and stinking of LA River water that many of us chavalo’s remember. Cuidado you gentrifiers!
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CicLAvia moment: Celeste, the Little Rocker
Celeste from Boyle Heights enjoying the music during CicLAvia click here for HD version
By now, there are tons of gushing stories on Los Angeles blogs with participants sharing their photos and experiences at CicLAvia. I also had a great time despite being swiped by one or two cyclists as I attempted a leisurely walk through the route. I would love to see the closing off the streets, not just for a freeway of bikes but for spontaneous street action. Despite what the promotional video touted, there was no way you could have an impromptu soccer match during CicLAvia. Perhaps in the future, we can have an event where our streets are open to the randomness of city life. Despite the domination of cycles, this event was filled with all kinds of awesome moments and I was lucky to catch one of these on video.
Right around Gless and Fourth St in Boyle Heights, I stopped to listen the death metal band Take Flight (El Chavo mentioned them the previous post.) The shady curb was a good spot to take in the music and the passing crowds. Across the street, I noticed a woman and a young girl were waiting for the music to start. When the din of guitars and drums began to roar, the little girl jumped out of the shade, onto the pavement and started rockin’ out!
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Day of the Dead Workshops for the WHOLE familia start THIS Saturday in ELA!
I know that Random Hero has posted the cold hard facts about Self Help Graphics & Art’s Day of the Dead workshops starting this Saturday at 11am (right below this). All his data you can get from FBing Self Help Graphics or going to their website. VyalONE’s Saturday aerosol spray-paint class has made a sign announcing this fact too (see Random’s blog). Random always says he can write better, if he gets paid for it. Me? I have a passion for art and everything Self Help Graphics, so I will give you a more personal account as to why this is one of the greatest events taking place in the heart of East LA. Above (and below when you click on “more”)) are some images of joyous Day of the Dead workshops past and the kind of artisan skills you and your little ones can gain by attending. Continue reading
On the non-movement of show attendees in Los Angeles
Coming from a decidedly punk background I feel first hand that live music is a physical experience. Usually the music is loud-enough to feel, whether the kick of a bass drum, or the pain in your ears from ringing feedback: there is nothing unsensual about it. I am accustomed to people dancing to music, whether it is “proper” dancing or the sort of dancing you see at punk shows. In the absence of live music I am a rather inanimate person. But when any music comes on this goes out the window.
Harbor Area Music & Art Gathering Sunday, September 26, 2010
The  Harbor Area and the cool breeze of the Pacific Ocean are calling you this Sunday!
Support my comadre Doña Licha for the: ” Harbor Area Music and Art Gathering” in good old Wilmington. She will be displaying  some of her art along with 20+ artists.
For $3 bucks enjoy art, music and good times!
When: Sunday, September 25, 2010
Time: 12:00 p.m. till 6:00 p.m.
Where: Smoking Coffin
1606 n. Wilmington Blvd
Wilmington, Ca 90744
¡Sounds Like Burning: I’ll Put My Foot On The Living Road
when i first heard her music at imix books, i knew she was special. i was given a copy of her first cd by my friend elisa. it was a simple voice, and like some simple things, it meant a lot to me. once i got in the car, i gave it a whirl. most poets offend me with their pathetic arrogance, this poetry was neither pathetic nor arrogant. in the car, the music got me, how could it not? (here, sing along with the video)
mi hija, quédate conmigo un rato
por que andas arrastrando eso desdicha?
espérame un momento y te desato
pero, qué enredo te has puesto, muchachita!
qué amargos son los hechos que adivinas!
qué oscura es la ronda de tu recuerdo!
y en cuanto a tu corona de espinas…
te queda bien, pero la pagarás muy caro…
con tu mirada de fiera ofendida,
con tu vendaja donde herida no hay,
con tus gemidos de madre sufrida,
espantarás a tu última esperanza.
haz de tu puño algo cariñoso
y haz de tu adiós un “Hay mi amor!”
y de tu ceño una sonrisita
y de tu fuga un “Ya voy! Ya voy llegando!”
mi hija, qué pena me da de verte!
dejando olvidado a tu cuerpo
muy lista, pobre boba, a dedicarte
a la eterna disección de un pecadillo.
mujer, desnúdate y estáte quieta
a ti te busca la saeta
y es el hombre, al fin, como sangrÃa
que a veces da salud, a veces mata…
y es el hombre, al fin, como sangrÃa
que a veces da salud, a veces mata
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