Anji in LA

Surrealism, drinks @ The Figueroa Hotel and music @ the Colburn School

2007-03-02T19:12:00.000-08:00

This is the last weekend to check out the Magritte exhibit and contemporary artists influenced by his work. I went last weekend and while I wasn't blown away, it was an enjoyable exhibit.
http://www.lacma.org

I checked out a concert at the Colburn School next door to MOCA last Friday. The Calder Quartet played and they were fantastic--the performance hall is also really great. Next, it was off the the Hotel Figueroa for drinks. My new favorite place in downtown LA. This grand dame features gorgeous Spanish tile everywhere. The walk down to the bar is a treat for the eyes with its Moroccan decor and once you get to the bar, there's more. A beautiful cactus garden surrounds the pool. It was a bit chilly to sit out there, so we stayed indoors. Beautiful people, beautiful place but not LA pretentious and unbearable. Go get a drink there! http://figueroahotel.com

And check out the Colburn School's calendar at http://www.colburnschool.edu. For $10 you can see a top notch performance...

anji gaspar-milanovic

Volver, Pan's Labyrinth & Self Help Graphics in East LA

2007-02-18T18:09:00.000-08:00

I've been catching up on movies I haven't seen yet and authors I should be reading or rereading. What does that translate to? In the last week I've seen Pan's Labyrinth & Volver--I'm surprised I liked Pan's Labyrinth as much as I did but the fascism-fairy tale combination was appealing (and much more satisfying that The Devil's Backbone). I wanted to like Volver more but hated the musical score and some of the dramarama plot even though Penelope Cruz was just spectacularly beautiful and alluring--the scene where she lipsynches a flamenco song is heartbreaking. I also watched the intriguing Passion in the Desert again, which is based on a novella by Honore de Balzac....which I haven't read....yet.

So when friends invited me to Self Help Graphics for a tribute to famed Mexican novelist Juan Rulfo I couldn't say no--I hadn't been back there in over a year. One, I'm happy that this place is back on track after being shut down and plagued by problems. Their annual day of the dead ceremony is fantastic and the space is truly for the community.

But back to the show. The night was a mix of community theatre and readings from Rulfo's classics Pedro Paramo and El Llano en Llamas as well as music featuring Esteban Leon (who does a mean show of Chava Flores songs) the gentle Tomas Cadena and son jarocho virtuoso Hector Marquez. It was a good effort and the show could be finetuned for greater impact on the audience.

For more info in Self Help Graphics, check out http://www.selfhelpgraphics.com.

-anji gaspar-milanovic

A weekend in Big Bear

2007-02-17T12:08:00.000-08:00

What happens when you go to Big Bear, there's no snow and you don't ski? You drink! and eat! and visit the carved bear collection on the main drag.

Patty Griffin @ Hotel Cafe

2007-02-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

February 13, 2007

Hotel Cafe, Hollywood

My friend Melinda convinced me that we absolutely had to go to Hotel Cafe to see Patty Griffin, even though we didn't have tickets and it had been sold out for weeks. So we got there and yep, very slim chance. We waited outside the door and as more and more people showed up, including actress Jill Hennesey and director Cameron Crowe, we figured it was worth it to stay since we were at the head of the line. Plus it's Patty Griffin, so the crowd is fairly laid back. About 15 minutes into the show, we got the green light to go on in.

Patty's set was short and gorgeous. I had never heard her before--Melinda was the expert fan. Griffin had the full house eating out of her hand--what a voice! My personal favorite of the night was "Heavenly Day," a love song she said she wrote for her dog. To me it's reminiscent of Otis Redding's "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay" for it's lyrical simplicity and poignancy. Her new album is out and I've been playing it non-stop. Sometimes I get into a rut of sorts where I'm not exploring new sounds as much as I should, so it's always cool when someone gives you a nudge and shares one of their passions with you. And when it's someone with a voice like Patty's, even better.

The Nightwatchman @ Hotel Cafe in Hollywood

2007-02-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

Tom Morello's Nightwatchman reigned over Hotel Cafe and gave me something to look forward to on Tuesday nights. While Zack de la Rocha has been working with Santa Ana's premier son jarocho band Son del Centro from Centro Cultural de Mexico, Tom has been finetuning his acoustic folk alter ego The Nightwatchman at Hotel Cafe. His sound is somewhere between Johnny Cash and Nick Cave with lyrics that pack the punch of RATM but without the hysterics--I'm looking forward to the album release in April.

The Nightwatchman's residency at Hotel Cafe ended on February 6 with Ben Harper as the main attraction--a night I didn't bother going to because friends said it was already nuts at the door with too many on the guest list for what was supposed to be a benefit. All I can say is, I hope they charged em and that the money went to Axis of Justic and Food Not Bombs!

All Star jams featuring the likes of Wayne Kramer from MC5, Jill Sobule, Sen Dog, poet Jerry Quickly, Shooter Jennings and actor Breckin Meyer on drums.

On January 23, Tom kicked off the night with songs from his upcoming album, including "House Gone Up In Flames", "Union Song" (which I love), and "Midnight in the City of Destruction". Queen V rocked the house with her fiery version of "Big Balls" and poet Jerry Quickly nearly broke my heart reciting his poetry. I would love to see him headline a night at Hotel Cafe. The All Star Jam included a rousing tribute to Peter Framption with "Show Me The Way". Later that night Sen Dog and Jerry Quickly made everyone nuts with their cover of "It's Tricky" and ended the night with "How I Could Just Kill a Man"

The next week Jill Sobule and MC5's Wayne Kramer got together with Shooter Jennings and the rest of the band for "I Will Survive". But it was ending the night with "Kick out the Jams" and "Paradise City" that reminded me just why I come to Hotel Cafe in the first place. Val Kilmer was sitting up front and we all wondered if the night would end with some Doors covers. Didn't happen, and that's ok.

Now that we've heard that Christ Cornell is leaving Audioslave and that Rage Against the Machine will reunite for one show only at Coachella, one wonders what will happen next. I'll tell you my personal wish: after seeing Manu Chao live in San Diego last summer, I would love to see him and Tom perform together. What a trip that would be!!

Don Giovanni @ OCPAC

2007-01-18T08:30:00.000-08:00

Free tickets to see Mozart's Don Giovanni @ OCPAC? Sure, why not. Something I'll regret for the rest of my life. It was awful, simply awful. Mixing genres and eras in a drab red setting just didn't do it for me. A 1970's Al Pacino/John Travolta inspired Don Giovanni, coupled with a 1940's trenchcoated henchman and a Napoleonically dressed murder victim--and this was just the men! The women wore garish colours and seductresses were none too seductive, crossed between Holly Hobby dresses and cabaret fuschia. It was all too much, too Orange County.... There's something to be said for updating a classic, but in this case it was a total failure.

Erika, Josefina & Claudia

2007-01-15T22:51:00.000-08:00

Though I've always sought out strong, independant, creative people, this year in particular I realized that a lot of my photos gravitated towards these personalities and more specifically to women. So here are a few of my favorite photos to share....

Erika is one of the most strong-willed people I know. I love the mix of an "oppressed" looking woman according to Western values and the very obvious strength that just emanates from her gaze.

Josefina was my big 2005 Day of the Dead model and it was through photos I took of her that i realized just what a digital camera could do. Here she is gazing out from her home.

Claudia is a flamenco dancer, teacher and artist. She created an experimental flamenco show in Santa Ana back in September and this shot is emblematic of her performances.

Alfonos Maya & Edgar Oceransky @ Calacas 1.27.07

2007-01-15T22:26:00.000-08:00

This is the first El Sapo Cancionero show of 2007, so I'm excited that it will take place at the very cool Calacas in Santa Ana. If you haven't gone, go! We bought our Day of the Dead supplies there in October and it's a great place to find an original gift for a good friend. But if you happen to like trova music, come by on the 27th to hear Alfonso Maya--he's very cool and he's been coming to southern California for several years now.

2007........time for a resolution

2007-01-15T22:18:00.000-08:00

I've realized that the movies, shows, museums, siteseeing, eating & general hanging out I do in LA has not made it to the blog unfortunately. So my resolution is to be good about posting more regularly and not being a flake.

Why am I doing this mid-January? Well, this weekend we celebrated Orthodox New Year, Serbian/Mexican/LA style. So I'm right on time.....

We were in Europe for the month of November, and I'll post some fotos soon.

Some of my favorite things of 2006

Experience/Theater/Concerts/Shows
Taking the Jesus Pull @ King King in Hollywood--it absolutely blew me away
Day of the Dead @ Cultural Stage of Art in Santa Ana
Slava's Snow Show @ UCLA
The Black Rider @ the Ahmanson
MamaCoatl at Solart (& organized by yours truly)
Tania Libertad at the Orange County Performing Arts Center
Manu Chao in San Diego
American Ballet Theater @ Orange County Performing Arts Center

Also, I got more serious about digital photography so I'll start posting more of my favorite things. Later.....

Griffith Park & Observatory

2007-01-10T11:59:00.000-08:00

Hiking in Griffith Park

It was a fabulous way to spend Christmas Day. The sky was clear and you could see LAX, Santa Monica, Pasadena & more. So coming back a few weeks later to check out the newly refurbished observatory was a treat.

Free Concerts in L.A. Summer 2006

2006-07-10T17:07:00.000-07:00

Nothing makes a Serbian happier than the word "free". So here you have it, Anji's Guide To Free Shows throughout L.A. And they're all free free free.....

Here are some links to access info at a particular venue, otherwise I've listed events in chronological order:

Hollywood & Highland: http://hollywoodandhighland.com/play_events.php
The Skirball Cultural Center: http://www.skirball.org
California Plaza, Downtown LA: http://grandperformances.org
Santa Monica Pier: http://www.twilightdance.org

LACMA: http://lacma.org/programs/MusicPrograms.aspx

Pasadena: http://www.levittpavilionpasadena.org/calendar06.htm

The Getty: http://www.getty.edu/visit/events/summer_sessions_2006.html

Saturday, July 1 @ 7:00 pm

Sounds Eclectico with Kinky & Sidestepper

California Plaza http://www.grandperformances.org

Kinky is hands down the most energetic band you'll see this summer, except for maybe Manu Chao.....

Thursday, July 13 @ 7:30 pm
Dick Dale: Killer Surf Guitar
Santa Monica Pier http://www.twilightdance.org
What could be more appropriate in Santa Monica than the surf guitar king?

Sunday, July 16 @ noon- 7:00 pm

Bastille Day in the Gardens of the Page Museum

http://www.bastilledaylosangeles.com/

Celebrate this French holiday with food, music, Tahitian dancers and more.

Thursday, July 20 @ 8:00 pm
The Refugee All Stars of Sierra Leone
Skirball Cultural Center http://www.skirball.org
I saw a documentary of these guys at AFI Fest 2005 and it was amazing. Not to be missed. Also, they'll be screening The Refugee All Stars on Wednesday, July 19 @ the Skirball.

Thursday, July 20 @ 7:30 pm
Mavis Staples
Santa Monica Pier http://www.twilightdance.org
Soul, Gospel & Groove

Thursday, July 27 @ 8:00 pm
Mono Blanco with Los Cenzontles
Skirball Cultural Center http://www.skirball.org
Mexican folk music, particularly son jarocho, at its best

Thursday, July 27 @ 7:30 pm
Lyrics Born & Daara J
Santa Monica Pier http://www.twighlightdance.org
Senegalese Hip Hop & Rap

Saturday, July 29 @ 8:00 pm

Sounds Eclectico 2 w/Nortec Collective and Banda with Mexican Institute of Sound

California Plaza http://www.grandperformances.org

Tijuana techno mixed with ranchera and old school accordions.....

Thursday, August 3 @ 8:00 pm
Eliseo Parra
Skirball Cultural Center http://www.skirball.org
Spanish musical great

Thursday, August 3 @ 7:30 pm
L.A. Reggae: The Aggrolites, Joey Altruda's Classic Riddims & Christ Murray Combo
Santa Monica Pier http://www.twilightdance.org
Local reggae bands

Thursday, August 10 @ 7:30 pm
Salif Keita
Santa Monica Pier http://www.twilightdance.org
The "Golden Voice of Mali" brings Afro-pop to L.A.

Thursday, August 10 @ 8:00 pm
New Orleans Klezmer All-Stars
Skirball Cultural Center http://www.skirball.org
Music from New Orleans in the summer is always a good idea.....

Friday, August 11 noon- 2 pm

All Africa: Naby Camara

Central Courtyard http://hollywoodandhighland.com

Friday, August 11 @ 8:00 pm

Henry Mancini Institute Big Band with Maria Schneider

California Plaza http://www.grandperformances.org

Jazz classics under the stars in downtown LA

Thursday, August 17 @ 7:30 pm
Inti-Illimani
Santa Monica Pier http://www.twilightdance.org
Legendary Chilean group. They're a group that just must be seen live.

Thursday, August 17 @ 8:00 pm
Little Willie G Y Los Tamaleros
Skirball Cultural Center http://www.skirball.org
An East LA electro-acoustic set featuring a 9 piece band.

Friday, August 18 noon- 2pm

All Africa: Kow Kanda

Central Courtyard http://www.hollywoodandhighland.com

Thursday, August 24 @ 8:00 pm
Mamadou Diabate
Skirball Cultural Center http://www.skirball.org
Music from West Africa

Thursday, August 24 @ 7:30 pm
Kiran Ahluwalia
Santa Monica Pier http://www.twilightdance.org
Indo-Canadian singer trained in classical Indian singing.

Thursday, August 31 @ 7:30 pm
David Grisman
Santa Monica Pier http://www.twilightdance.org
Deadheads rejoice in this man's combo of acoustic string instrumental music

Friday, September 22 @ noon

Very Be Careful

California Plaza http://www.grandperformances.org

LA-Colombian traditional vallenato music

Wild Child @ The Whisky 7/3/06

2006-07-07T18:29:00.000-07:00

I have a mental list of things I want to do in LA before I die or move to someplace less crazy. Seeing Wild Child live, THE Doors cover band, has been on that list for years.

As far as cover bands go, I've seen my share. In LA it's special because there's a whole cult following generated by these groups. I've seen Led Zeppelin and Stevie Nicks covered in strange places like Receda and the Bicycle Casino off the freeway. It's not always a pleasant experience.

So on the 35th Anniversary of Jim Morrison's death and on Wild Child's 20th Anniversary of being together the stars aligned and I ended up at The Whisky. I thought the crowd would be lots of old souls and hard rockers, but to my surprise easily half of the audience was a young Latino crowd, along with some drunken blondes and a few men who looked like they saw The Doors back in the day.

Not to say that Dave Brock, lead singer of Wild Child is Jim Morrison, but their performance was haunting. They don't do the note for note but instead after so many years together they have their own sound that's a beautiful homage to the Doors.

Kinky @ California Plaza 7/1/06

2006-07-07T18:18:00.000-07:00

Kinky had the crowd eating out of the palm of its hand Saturday night. California Plaza was full of fans from their early days, KCRW hippies and people looking for a good time.

I missed Sidestepper because we were at the LA Film Festival watching East of Havana, a documentary on Cuban rappers. By the time we got to the plaza, Kinky had everyone dancing to their infectious rhythms: their energy onstage is on par with that of No Doubt. I was at a show of theirs at Forbidden Garden in Hollywood back in 2003 that was shut down by the fire department--they don't let up and are all the more loved for it.

5 guys from Monterrey, Mexico who initially blended ranchera music with trippy techno a la Nortec Collective have decidedly gone more commercial and a la Shakira their latest release is very mucho en ingles. But it's all good because they sound fantastic.

Arlo Guthrie @ California Plaza

2006-07-03T16:44:00.000-07:00

Arlo Guthrie Family Legacy Tour

Saturday, June 17 @ Calfornia Plaza

Arlo Guthrie gave a fantastic concert at UCLA back in the fall of 2005 and this time he came back to LA with the whole family in tow. His humorous brand of socio-political folk music was very welcome on a balmy day in LA. Of course he did "Alice's Restaurant", his signature tune and "Flying into Los Angeles" and his daughter did his songs justice with her band. But it's his renditions of his father Woody Guthrie's songs that put a lump in my throat this time around. "My Peace" and especially "This Land is Your Land" ( a song I had to sing at many, many spring sings in Libertyville, IL) speak so poignantly to the reality of 2006, with war and the fight for immigrant rights dominating the headlines. It's not just listening to a 60's throwback, it's going to see a man whose music has come full circle.

For more info on other shows at California Plaza, check out http://www.grandperformances.org

Alfonso Maya @ Solart Gallery Cafe

2006-07-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

Alfonso Maya returned to Southern California for another performance on June 24 at Solart Gallery Cafe in Santa Ana. He's always welcome and since it was El Sapo Cancionero's night to put on a show of Latin American trova (4th Saturday of every month!!), his visit dovetailed nicely. Not a lot of people came, but Maya gave a terrific perfomance as usual. He's a hilarious storyteller.

Super Burlesque @ El Cid, Silverlake

2006-07-03T16:38:00.000-07:00

I'd been to see these gals perform back in January and they were a hoot. Some friends were in town from Denver so I suggested we catch up over cocktails & bustiers @ El Cid in Silverlake. It's a historic, beautiful place, built originally as a soundstage for E.W. Griffiths. The creepy Birth of a Nation was filmed here in part. http://www.elcidla.com

But we were here for fun and yet again the girls gave a great show. Here are some pix from their show.

Tere Estada @ Cultural Stage of Art 6/10/06

2006-07-03T16:33:00.000-07:00

We picked up Tere Estrada and her husband Dario in Tijuana on Friday night. Saturday we headed to Cultural Stage of Art in Santa Ana, a beautiful space run by flamenco dancer/teacher Claudia de la Cruz and her partner in crime, Xosue Menenses.

For their first show in Orange County, Tere gave a kick ass performance and Dario was fantastic on slide guitar. For more info check out http://tereestrada.com.mx. Here are some photos. Hope they'll be back soon!

Opening Game of the World Cup @ Goethe Institute

2006-07-03T16:24:00.000-07:00

Goethe-Institute Los Angeles

5750 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 100

Los Angeles, CA 90036

http://www.goethe.de/losangeles

I'd been to the Goethe Institute for a Southeast European Film Festival not too long ago and had returned to watch a Brazilian film about soccer a few weeks before the World Cup. The director of the institute kindly invited us to come for free beer and sausages on Friday, June 9 at 8:45 am and watch the opening World Cup game of Germany vs. Costa Rica. We figured, hey, why not?

So we arrived a little before 9 am on the 9th thinking not a lot of people would be there. It was packed! Standing room only, in a room full of intoxicated Germans. A little early for beer and sausages, but somehow I managed. It was funny to be out in the courtyard on a work day in full celebratory mode while other offices watched us from above. Even the janitors of the building managed to sneak in for a beer. Germany kicked Costa Rica's ass and it was time to leave, after one more beer. We've been told they will be open for every game during the day and we're invited back.....

Lummis Day in Highland Park

2006-07-03T16:11:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 4th was Lummis Day at Sycamore Grove Park in Highland Park, an old LA neighborhood in the northeast part of the city and where I call home. It was a great, but hot, day to eat yummy food, check out the leftist booths, watch Aztec dancers and listen to good music. Highlights included listening to Cuban Juan Carlos Formell, East LA band Quinto Sol and Severin Browne (Jackson's brother.)

So who was Charles Lummis, you say? He was one visionary cat. He walked from Massachusetts to California, writing stories along the way that ended up in the Los Angeles Times. He led expeditions to Latin America, built El Alisal with his own hands and founded the Southwest Museum here in Highland Park. Ah yes, he was also the city librarian. His best known book is A Tramp Across the Continent. If you're ever in town, pay a visit to the Southwest Museum or El Alisal, aka the Lummis House. For more info check out http://www.socalhistory.org.

My favorite images from Lummis Day are these: a potbellied kid and his tattoed dad and a little girl in a red dress.

Sunday at Mercado La Paloma

2006-05-14T19:38:00.000-07:00

Mercado La Paloma
3655 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90007
http://www.mercadolapaloma.com/

Mercado La Paloma has been on my go-to list for years. Today was my day. We went in for lunch--I had chilaquiles and my partners in crime had a delectable shrimp soup that I wished I had ordered instead. Along with a flor de calabaza (pumpkin flower) quesadilla, I was more than satiated. But the aromas of Lalo's Bakery called, and the German-Iranian baker urged us to try her baklava. At 3 for $1, we couldn't say no. Meandering through the space I found a flower shop, a tailor, artisanal crafts and leather goods from Mexico and El Salvador. Some interesting photography and murals too, along with a community organization offering yoga classes.

Mercado La Paloma was initially conceived as a community revitalization project to bring several resources together under one roof: good food, handmade crafts, classes, etc by taking an abandoned warehouse and turning it into a community space. Though it wasn't bustling by LA standards (though today was Mother's Day), I'd love to see it on a busy afternoon. Guess that means another trip....

Frenchies at the Skirball

2006-05-13T10:54:00.000-07:00

Two recent shows at the Skirball Cultural Center have left me mightily impressed with their programming. Nestled in the hills just north of the Getty, the Skirball cultural center has a small auditorium perfect for intimate shows; the only drawback is the fake trees they have lined up onstage. That’s ok though, because Keren Ann and Pierre Bensusan left me speechless.

Keren Ann 5/11/06

After battling traffic on the 110, 10 and 405 freeways (one hour from the Eastside!), I was almost ready to throw in the towel. The show was already underway and we grabbed some open seats in the back. Usually my freeway migraines last about an hour but as soon as I sat down my anger dissipated as I entered the melancholy world of Israeli-born, Paris-raised Keren Ann. Accompanied by Avishai Cohen on trumpet and Daniel Freedman on drums, they created a heady cabaret of songs in French and English. I only had to close my eyes and Paris conjured itself immediately while my memory of being a parasite in the intestinal freeways of L.A. faded away.

Keren Ann is somewhere in the realm of Mazzy Star and the Cowboy Junkies along with Tom Waits-style jazz and la belle Francoise Hardy. Her voice is velvet and her guitar-playing is so soft and graceful that I found myself leaning in to catch every chord. Along with Freedman’s trumpet they created an aura of calm and of poetry. She sings her song quietly, almost whispering, and there’s absolutely no indie posing here. From “Que n’ai je?” and "Spanish Bird Song" to “Not going anywhere”, "Jardin d'hiver" and "End of May" and her songs are otherworldly and emotionally fierce. Her lush soundscape easily transports.

As we walked out after the show a cloud of fog enveloped us, very a propos….

Pierre Bensusan 3/30/06

Though I had some misgivings about the title of his show “Fretloose: The Guitar Across Cultures and Styles”, I was intrigued. Sitting in the front row was the best thing we could have done. To be able to watch a master for a few hours. To see how an acoustic guitar becomes much more than an instrument but a messenger of cultures and traditions and of love (and no, I’m not a hippie). To say French-Algerian Bensusan is a virtuoso or a genius doesn’t begin to describe him.

Watching him is a total experience. He took us from Paris to the Andes back through the Middle East, with some hints of Africa and all the while bringing jazz scat singing into the fold. It was surreal, his ability to create a unique sound that encompasses the world in so many soundscapes.

So here we are (me, an American born to Yugoslavian parents and my husband, born and raised in Mexico City) in Los Angeles in a Jewish cultural center listening to a French Algerian. Now, I don’t normally cry at concerts but when Bensusan sang Demain dès l’aube… (Tomorrow at dawn…), a poem from 19th century French poet Victor Hugo that speaks of grief, it was too much. Suddenly I was transported back to my time in college in the Midwest, when my favorite French professor, a Quebecois by the name of Jean-Luc Garneau recited it to us in class. Months later I found myself in Paris at the Place des Vosges, sitting on a bench and staring at the former home of Hugo. Bensusan’s singing was soulful, perfectly capturing the true essence of the poem and adding a musical element to that I never thought possible: he made a perfect poem a perfect song.

When musicians come to town from far away and share their heart by way of their instrument, immediately they become neighbors and friends. Pierre Bensusan is that kind of musician.

5/1/06 in Santa Ana, CA

2006-05-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

A Day Without An Immigrant in Southern California

Thousands of people descended on downtown Santa Ana to show their support for immigrant reform on May 1st. Santa Ana is the most densely populated Latino city in the U.S. and over 15,000 people marching through the heart of Orange County means the needs of the population can no longer be ignored. Unions, workers, students and families walked the streets dressed in white while a few ridiculous Minutemen tried to unsuccessfully agitate the mass of people demanding change in U.S. immigration policy. Most importantly, it was peaceful.

S.E.I.U. walked down 17th Street to Main Street, all the way to First Street and then through historic downtown to the Plaza de las Banderas. What started off as a few hundred janitors and organizers turned into well over 1,000 people by the time they reached the Old Courthouse.

Here are some of my images:

13 seconds left as the marchers gather momentum on Main Street.

Crowds merge together into one near the Plaza of the Flags.

A family shows their support from their balcony.

Review of MamaCoatl's New Record

2006-04-20T19:48:00.000-07:00

Border Crossing Diosa
MamaCoatl

Border Crossing Diosa, Mamacoatl’s stunning debut, is an innovative fusion of diverse musical traditions. For those who demand comparison, she’s somewhere between Lila Downs, Ani DiFranco and Nina Simone, incorporating a fearless, feminine rearticulation of trova (Latin American protest song) and spoken word infused with jazz, funk and traditional Mexican sounds. MamaCoatl tells stories from both sides of the border in a time when the streets across America are filled with people using their voice to demand immigration reform.

MamaCoatl’s silky voice lures us into her world where culture, poetry and jazz live side by side and where there is room for articulated anger and the need for a just solution in a time of rabid globalization. It’s impossible to remain indifferent to MamacCoatl’s tribute to the women of Juarez or demands for social justice. Listening to “Testimonio Madres de Juarez en el D.F. 2004”, an excerpt of women describing the disappeared daughters of Juarez, is sobering.

The diversity of provocative soundscapes blend to form an amalgamated record. Listen closely to the darkly haunting “Predator” (“You can be my father, my lover, my teacher, my preacher, my employer, my elected official. Predator. Or are you this love that kills, this desperate need for an emotional fix?”) or the Native American music crossed with funk on “Hey, Macho”.

What a powerful 27 seconds on “Adicta” as MamaCoatl invokes the earth mother as she recites: “Holy Mothers of Mole, who beat and blend the flavors together. Your hands, your canas, you laughter, your fuerza, your daughters. Womanhood a fuego lento, simmering in great mud ollas.” From here she immediately launches into the jazzy “Holy Mothers”, attacking the Frankenfood prevalent on most plates in America: we’re eating poison thanks to transnational corporate greed. Food is indeed a weapon.

She creates a passionate postmodern son that laments violence against women (both economic and cultural) on the rhythms and English/Spanish poetry of “La Guerra de Ser Gacela”, while her plaintive cry of “perdóname” with Gothic chant on “Tu Santa Madre” is heartbreaking.

“I Need A Man” is one of the best songs ever written about the feminine need for an emotional, intellectual, carnal and economic relationship with a man. From seductress to revolutionary to Earth Mother, MamaCoatl’s music is a prism of a woman whose voice is so needed in these turbulent times where too many search for commercial solace in American Idol wannabes and blonds with Chihuahuas and not enough seek funk ranchero....

Anji Gaspar-Milanovic

MamaCoatl & Alfonso Maya Live @ Solart Gallery

2006-04-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

I'm really excited that MamaCoatl is coming to town on April 22! Her new record is amazing and timely as people prepare to march on May 1.

“Border Crossing Diosa is a fearless, feminine rearticulation of blues, poetry and protest song, telling stories from both sides of the border. A fusion of diverse musical traditions, it’s impossible to remain indifferent to MamacCoatl’s tribute to the women of Juarez or demands for social justice." ---Anji Milanovic, www.plume-noire.com

La Peña del Sapo Cancionero presents:

Border Crossing Diosa MAMACOATL & ALFONSO MAYA

performing live at solart gallery & café
Saturday, April 22 @ 8:30pm

tickets $15 (seating is limited)
2202 north main street, santa ana
(corner of main and buffalo)
www.solartgallerycafe.com

for more information call me at 714-675-1930

http://myspace.com/sapocancionero

“…Eclectica e intensa, mezcla de ritmos y generos musicales de resonancias arquetipicas, ‘BorderCrossingDiosa’ no nos deja mantener una actitud indiferente al escucharla…[el album] es una incisiva expocision de la psicologia del poder y un reclamo de justicia social…” -Jazzimientos /Alterna FM Cuernavaca, Mexico.

“Mamacoatl’s sound carries a unique urban edginess. Her spanglish musical syntax –using spoken word and traditional Latino soundscapes, creates a sassy avant garde sonido.” -El Tecolote, San Francisco, CA

On her new provocative record BorderCrossingDiosa, MamaCoatl deals with themes like the women of Juarez, social justice and the multidirectional transformation of culture. BorderCrossingDiosa is a fusion of poetry and song and a mix of diverse musical traditions and rhythms. She rearticulates Latin American protest song with a fearless feminine voice and tells stories from both North and South of the border. Alfonso Maya, who produced BorderCrossingDiosa, once again returns to Southern California to delight us with his stories and songs.

El Sapo Cancionero is an organization dedicated to celebrating and promoting Latin American music in Southern California. For over 5 years, El Sapo Cancionero has brought diverse singers and groups such as Viola Trigo, Fernando Delgadillo, Mexicanto, Luis Jahn, Ismael Garcia, Gabino Palomares and Alejandro Santiago to Orange County.

Our Brand Is Crisis Opens This Weekend in LA!

2006-04-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

Sandra Sarmiento from Aztec Gold TV has a LIMITED amount of FREE tickets for this hilarious documentary THIS WEEKEND. Please read her message below and come out and support this film.

"It's like "Thank You for Smoking" set in Latin America. Absolutely delightful and thought-provoking. To "qualify" you must be a MEDIA Representative (tv, radio, print), a Film Festival Staff (Director, Programmer, Coordinator) , University Faculty or a Politician (yes, you politicos NEED to see this). I also have Beta + DVD versions of trailer for on-air promotions (tv & radio). Send your REAL NAME in an email to me by Friday 4/14 @ noon and I will put you on the Laemmle Box office guest list located on the Santa Monica prominade in LA. Send names to pocharte@aol.com. "

**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2006
Media Contact: Sandra Sarmiento
pocharte@aol.com, 714.417.0073

AWARD WINNING DOCUMENTARY OUR BRAND IS CRISIS OPENS THIS WEEKEND IN LOS ANGELES

OUR BRAND IS CRISIS is a thrilling and bittersweet documentary hailedas a "sequel" to THE WAR ROOM. It details the rise of current Bolivian President, the indigenous and controversial Evo Morales, and the fall of Goni, his Harvard educated predecessor, through the aid of one of the world's most powerful political advisors, James Carvill (who also handled US President Clinton's campaign). This delightful and thought-provoking film is a cross between THANK YOU FOR SMOKING and FARANHEIT 9/11.

OUR BRAND IS CRISIS opens this weekend at the Laemmle's Monica 4-Plex this Friday - 4/14 with DAILY SHOWTIMES of 1:00pm, 3:10pm, 5:30pm, 7:50pm & 10:00pm. Please support this well-crafted independent doc by joining us for opening weekend 4/14 through 4/16! For more info, visit: http://www.ourbrandiscrisis.net/

* * * Winner of the 2005 IDA Best Feature Documentary Award
* * * Nominated for the 2005 "Truer Than Fiction" Independent Spirit Award
* * * Official Selection at the 2005 South By Southwest Festival
* * * Featured Screening at the 2005 AFI/Silverdocs Film Festival
* * * Official Selection at the 2005 Edinburgh International Film Festival
http://www.ourbrandiscrisis.net/

WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING ABOUT OUR BRAND IS CRISIS

"Riveting, unravels like a political thriller!"--- Slant Magazine

"Absurdly funny, sometimes horrifying! ...Let everyone watch OUR BRAND IS CRISIS!" Stuart Klawans, The Nation

"A riveting and intellectually provocative tale of clashing ethics and ideologies." Matthew Ross, Filmmaker Magazine

"Hilarious! Would be even funnier if the well-paid American strategists weren't helping to decide the political fate of an impoverished Third World nation. Boynton's film ultimately reveals as many disturbing facts about our own backroom political process as it does about Bolivia's."
Joshua Rothkopf, Time Out New York

"Exotic location notwithstanding, Rachel Boynton's riveting political documentary Our Brand Is Crisis is a sequel to the Clinton-era campaign, The War Room. Call it spin-meisters abroad: Boynton chronicles the further adventures of ace political strategist James Carville and his associates at GCS as guns for hire in the 2002 Bolivian election."- J. Hoberman, The Village Voice

OUR BRAND IS CRISIS SYNOPSIS
For decades, U.S. strategists- for- hire have been quietly molding the opinions of voters and the messages of candidates in elections around the world. They have worked for presidential candidates on every continent (in Britain, Israel, India, Korea, South Africa, Venezuela, Brazil,to name a few). Without the noise of tanks or troops, these Americans have been spreading our brand of democracy from the Middle East to the middle of the South American jungle. OUR BRAND IS CRISIS is an astounding look at one of their campaigns and its earthshattering aftermath. With flabbergasting access to think sessions, media training and the making of smear campaigns, we watch how the consultants' marketing strategies shape the relationship between a leader and his people. And we see a shocking example of how the all-American art of branding can affect the "spreading of democracy" overseas. Shot in classic verite style, OUR BRAND IS CRISIS is the first documentary to take viewers into the rooms where the strategies and decisions are made, giving audiences access to some astonishing realities. We watch Americans employing the same imagery and techniques used to marketMcDonald's to change the political future of another country.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT
I got the idea for this film when I first heard about a group of Americans (not the ones in the movie) who had run an ad campaign to oust Chilean dictator Pinochet. For two years I'd been looking for the right idea for my first film. I wanted to find a topic that would let me explore America's relationship to the rest of the world, and here it was “ political idealism meets the profit motive. What could be more emblematic of us?"

Day of the Dead 2005

2006-04-09T22:20:00.000-07:00

These are some images from Day of the Dead in SanTana in 2005. I've been working on them the last few months and am finally satisfied with a handful of them. Mucio and Josefina organized the event, creating altars for all to enjoy, along with some pan dulce and hot chocolate.

Josefina lies down on the path to her altar. The path is covered in eucalyptus and marigolds and all of us took off our shoes to walk the path to visit an altar decorated with sugar skulls, flowers, corn, photographs and more.

Isabel has a quiet moment at the altar.

Sitting with Mucio. His idea was to bring people together to honor the dead as well as culture.

Enrique plays his guitar, once his father's, in front of the altar he created in his memory.

A gorgeous view of the altar created by Josefina and Mucio.

Solart Celebrates 2 Years in SanTana

2006-04-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

Who were the April Fools on a cold night in April in SanTana? Not us! We were too busy celebrating Solart's second year of bringing art, music, culture and a mean Argentine tea to Orange County.

Sali Heraldez's exterior may say "Peace" but her interior is saying "Huh?". Give Gustavo Arellano a few tequilas and off comes the prom dress.

There are so many things to say about Gustavo Arellano, but he's no mike hog!

Just Ask a Mexican! Nothing like Gustavo Arellano taking requests for Beatle songs.....

Two French Connection suspects stand nonchalantly, looking guilty.

Aztec Gold TV creators Victor Payan and Sandra Sarmiento mix and mingle with El Sapo Cancionero founder Enrique Gaspar.

Solart owner Sali Heraldez is beautiful, isn't she?

Gustavo Arellano shows off his good side.

Images from the 3/25/06 protest in Los Angeles

2006-03-28T21:08:00.000-08:00

The march in downtown Los Angeles on March 25, 2006 went far beyond most expectations. Over half a million people came out to peacefully march in favor of just immigration reform and to protest the criminalization of undocumented workers. Here are just a few images from that day.

A couple of masked men sit atop newspaper vending machines and bang out a beat for protestors to march to.

Succintly put, that's why we all came downtown.

The 101 Freeway overpass is filled with protestors with the Cathedral of Los Angeles in the background.

Quite possibly the funniest sign of the day.....

Downtown L.A. is a sea of peaceful protest.

A very recently married couple walks through downtown L.A., joining the march as protesters cheer and yell "Beso! Beso!"

Protest Indie 103.1's Stupid Decision to Fire Dickie Barrett

2006-03-27T22:32:00.000-08:00

Anyone who depended on Dickie Barrett's Mighty Morning Show to help make that tough L.A. commute more bearable has got to be pissed. Barrett was summarily fired last week from Indie 103.1.

So what can we do? Listen, if over half a million people were able to take to the streets of L.A. on 10/25/06, surely we can make some phone calls and send some emails to the fine people at Entravision. Send an e-mail to Michael Steele at Entravision at the following address: michaelsteele@earthlink.blackberry.net or msteele@entravision.com or call him or GM Dawn Girocco at 877.900.1031.

Here's a sample email:

Dear Indie 103.1 Suits,

I simply don't agree with your decision to fire Dickie Barrett and then try to trick me by putting on replacement monkeymen. I'm not buying it, even if you do try to sweeten it by putting Dave Navarro on in the morning. I respectfully ask you to bring back Mighty Morning Show Host Dicky Barrett, though I can't imagine he'd return. Being considered the "coolest radio station in America" doesn't come from your marketing plans--it comes from your talent. Why be just like every other cornfed station?

You've still got your claws in me for Jonesy's Jukebox, but I'm just counting the minutes on corporate clock. Hang on to him while you can.

Other suits to contact:
Mr. Walter F. Ulloa
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Joe Liberman
President, Radio Division

Entravision Communications Corporation
2425 Olympic Boulevard
Suite 6000 West
Santa Monica, California 90404
Tel: 310-447-3870
Fax: 310-447-3899