Category: Music

  • BalloonHead Short Film & Art Show Nov 18

    BalloonHead Short Film & Art Show Nov 18

    Artist Polaris Castillo hails from South Gate, and has been an integral part of the art movement here in Downey, and a strong artistic voice locally.

    The DAC is proud to present the premiere of Polaris’s new short film “BALLOONHEAD” about his famed character.  November 18th at the Epic Lounge in Downey, CA- 8239 2nd Street.

    BalloonHead is a work of street art that has shown up in public places all across Southern California.  He touches a nerve in us, dressed to the 9’s and ready for our busy world of long hours and social pressure, however his mind is able to escape up into the air with colorful levity.  This film is his origin story.

    The evening features an art show and reception at 6PM, followed by the screening at 8PM.  Drinks, food, music, and a community gathering not to be missed.  Our last short film screening packed the house, so arrive early to get a good seat in the house.

     

  • Taste of Downey Art Show Photos

    Taste of Downey Art Show Photos

    The city came out in force for the “Taste of Downey” Thursday September 20th.  The Downey Art Vibe produced an art show in the lobby of the Downey Theatre with local artists on display as well as live music from musicians such as Amanda Brown.

    Jump to the posts on Downey Daily Photos for more, here and here.

     

  • From Our Eyes To Yours B&W Photography Show Oct 6th

    From Our Eyes To Yours B&W Photography Show Oct 6th

    Our monthly gallery event, Art on the Vine presents “From Our Eyes to Yours,” a photography show featuring all black and white photos.  Several local photographers are participating, and a special exhibition of photographs from the late James Arthur Morris, whom the evening will be dedicated to.

    Arthur Morris was a pillar of the Downey community, having been a leader and philanthropist who’s fingerprints are on many Downey institutions, such as the Downey Regional Medical Center, Downey Savings & Loan, Downey Symphony, Downey Civic Light Opera, Rotary Club, and more.  He owned a photography studio on Firestone Blvd to feed his habit, even though his background was as a radiologist and hospital administrator.  He studied with photography luminaries such as Ansel Adams.

    The participating photographers are Joan Anderson, Roberto Chavez, Carolina Del Toro, Don Elkins, Anthony Giron, Pam Lane, Alex Linares, Leopoldo Pena and Luis Sanchez.  Carolina Del Toro, one of the DAC’s founding members, curated the show.

    Mari’s Wine Bar is at 8222 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA across from Porto’s Bakery.  The event is Saturday October 6th, 7PM to Midnight.  Look for live music, raffles of original artwork, food, great beer and wine, as well as a chance to get out with the community. (21+)

     

  • Taste of Downey Art & Wine Festival Thursday Sept 20

    Taste of Downey Art & Wine Festival Thursday Sept 20

    The Downey Art Vibe and the soon-to-launch Stay Gallery will present an art show of local Downey artists, with some special pieces from the Downey Historical Society.

    The art show will take place in the lobby of the Downey Theatre during the city’s annual “Taste of Downey” festival featuring food from local restaurants and a beer and wine garden.  The event takes place from 5:30PM to 9:00PM in the civic center between city hall and the theatre.

    Live music also accompanies the event, including Amanda Brown singing jazz standards from Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole and more, accompanied by pianist Christine Pohlen.  Outside the classic rock cover band “The Answer” will take the stage.

    Last year the Downey Art Vibe held a strong crowd around their exhibit of local artists work, in a successful partnership with the city, which is expanded this year.   Here is last year’s event:

    The Downey Theatre lobby has hosted local artwork a few times before, this is from last year’s “Suburban Renaissance” show produced by Downey Art Vibe:

    “Image of America: Downey” is intended to give Downey a sense of place, celebrating what is unique to the story of Downey, from its origins through today.  The show is a lead-in to the grand opening of the new Stay Gallery taking place October 11 and 12.

    Tickets are available the night of the event, which include 10 tastes from local restaurants.  They can also be purchased in advance from the Downey Theatre box office.

  • I Am Awake in the Garden of Dreams, Saturday August 18

    I Am Awake in the Garden of Dreams, Saturday August 18

    DAC member and curator Roy Anthony Shabla has been invited to curate a show during the La Puente Art Walk this Saturday, August 18th.  The show features artists that have shown here in Downey in previous DAC events and is sure to be an experience not to be missed.  If you have plans to venture out of Downey this weekend, this should be your destination.  All the details are spelled out below:

    when asked if he were a god or a man, the buddha replied: i am awake!

    galleRoy @ R i T Gallery

    is proud to present

    i am awake in the garden of dreams

    featuring artwork by

    Gennie Prochazka

    Sylvia Lopez

    Roy Anthony Shabla

    and live music by

    Blac Jesus and the Experimentalists

    Mike San Juan  ~  Adapt  ~  Rainman  ~  Take Pictures

    Dirty Harriet and the Swamis  ~  Radios

    VVIHT FVZZ  ~  Din Gle  ~  Mothers of Gut

    Nicholas Chacón  ~  Pan, dithyramb, and things

    White Owl Brown  ~  N O W  ~  Death Lens

    plus

    50 gift bags  ~  hourly raffles  ~  other giveaways

    in conjunction with the

    La Puente Artwalk

    saturday  .  august 18th  .  2pm to 10pm (plus after party)

    R i T Gallery

    15866 main street  .  la puente 91744

    dress as your favorite god or goddess!

    art and art event curated by roy anthony shabla  .  music curated by gabriel armenta

    sponsors:  nuvein foundation for literature and the arts .  r i t gallery .  trunk trends  .  galleroy @

  • Free Downey Symphony Concert in the Park Wednesday

    Free Downey Symphony Concert in the Park Wednesday

    Don’t miss a special free concert this Wednesday night, August 8th, of the Downey Symphony Orchestra. The concert is at Furman Park on Rives south of Florence Ave, and begins at 7PM.

    Courtesy Downey Symphony Orchestra
    Courtesy Downey Symphony Orchestra

    Music director Sharon Lavery has a fun evening planned with popular classics, movie scores, patriotic hymns and more. From the Olympic fanfare heard every night during the Olympic broadcasts, to the music of “Pirates of the Caribbean,” there is sure to be something for everyone.

    Stay until the end for the tradition of Lavery bringing up the children of the audience to get a minute to guest-conduct the orchestra themselves. Also, Lana Wahlquist, co-founder of the Downey Arts Coalition will add some narration during “God Bless America.”

    Bring chairs, a blanket, plenty of food and drink, and be prepared to enjoy an evening of quality music with your friends and neighbors. Like what you hear? Consider becoming a subscriber, visit www.downeysymphony.org.

    Program:

    Olympic Fanfare
    Seventy Six Trombones
    Selections from Fiddler on the Roof
    Selections from “Pirates of the Caribbean”
    Raiders March
    Main Title from Prince of Thieves
    America the Beautiful
    American Salute
    God Bless America
    Armed Forces Salute

    Stay tuned for the Downey Symphony’s 2012-2013 season, beginning with “Relishing Rachmaninoff” on October 20th. This summer the DAC is proud to sponsor the design of a new season-introducing postcard that we’ll be passing out at the concert. Special thanks to Andres Cabrera for the design work.

     

  • Moravian Trombone Choir Performs Monday July 16

    Moravian Trombone Choir Performs Monday July 16

    Monday July 16, 7:30PM @ Moravian Church of Downey

    Monday night will be a special free concert of the Moravian Trombone Choir of Downey, and featuring organist Christopher Martin.

    Martin has served the Downey area churches for over a decade with his musicianship, first at the First Baptist Church, then the First Presbyterian Church and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church.  A graduate of USC Thorton School of Music, he is currently the organist, choir master and music director at La Purisima Catholic Church.

    The Moravian Trombone Choir of Downey was founded in 1965 by the legendary bass trombonist Jeff Reynolds, longtime bass trombonist of the LA Phil. It is founded on a centuries old tradition of trombone music in the Moravian Church (which developed primarily based on common translations of Psalm 98 which say to praise him ‘with the trombone’). It is a truly outstanding tradition, and features the entire trombone family. Most listeners to symphonic music will be acquainted with the alto, tenor, and bass trombones, but soprano trombones are rarely seen except in Moravian trombone choirs. Together, the 4 voices of the trombone choir can function in the same way as historic sackbutt ensembles or as a modern brass ensemble, but possess a spectacular unity of tone.

    Some of the works will be for brass alone, but there are three works for brass and organ: a piece by Benedetto Marcello that is an organ concerto accompanied by brass, and two antiphonal sonatas by Gabrieli, originally scored for two brass choirs but featured in arrangements tomorrow for brass and organ, the organ functioning as the second brass choir.

    The address of the church is 10337 Old River School Road, Downey, CA, 90241.  To listen to a preview of the selections, visit http://www.thechristophermartin.com/listening.html

    Follow the Moravian Trombone Choir on facebook.

     

  • Downey Symphony Guild Country Western Barbecue July 10

    Downey Symphony Guild Country Western Barbecue July 10

    Come join a fundraiser for the Downey Symphony Guild, which helps pay for their music program in schools as well as the concert season.

    There will be a “Country Western Barbecue” on Tuesday, July 10, 6PM at the Rio Hondo Event Center at 10627 Old River School Rd.

    Tickets are $22 ($12 children 4 to 11) if paid in advance. $25 at the door. Please RSVP by mailing a check with attendees’ names to the Downey Symphony Guild, 9700 Garnish Dr., Downey, CA 90240.

    For questions you can call the number in the picture below:

  • Art on the Vine presents Manuel Barillas & Asha Kamali July 14

    Art on the Vine presents Manuel Barillas & Asha Kamali July 14

    Art on the Vine moves to Saturday July 14th this next month, and features artists Manuel Barillas and Asha Kamali.  More information about the artists coming soon.  The opening reception event begins at 7PM at Mari’s Wine Bar, 8222 Firestone Blvd in Downey.

    There will be special live music provided by students of the Los Angeles City College music program.

  • Art on the Vine presents Michael Temple, Robert Thome, blues legend James Harman

    Art on the Vine presents Michael Temple, Robert Thome, blues legend James Harman

    Art on the Vine this Saturday features two artists that dare to be different:  Michael Temple, who is as deft with a paintbrush as he is with a brushes on a drum set.  Robert Thome, who paints with a brush in his mouth, because of his disability.  Also a special performance of the James Harman band– Harman has been a fixture on the Blues scene for decades, and its a rare opportunity to have him here in Downey with us.

    7PM this Saturday, June 2nd at Mari’s Wine Bar, 8222 Firestone Blvd, Downey.  Food, music, wine, community and inspiring artwork.

    Join the RSVP list: https://www.facebook.com/events/212367185550182/