Category: Music

  • Make Music Downey Saturday June 8th

    Make Music Downey Saturday June 8th

    This Saturday June 8th, downtown Downey will come alive to participate in an international music celebration, “Make Music Downey,” follows in the footsteps of annual events in hundreds of cities around the world with an open opportunity for musicians to perform at businesses or performance venues that sign up to participate.

    In Downey, this is an all-volunteer effort put on by members of the Downey Arts Coalition, put together for the first time ever.  An open invitation was extended to local musicians, and the response was great, over 50 separate music acts are participating, from rock bands, singer-songwriters, solo musicians, electronic music, choirs, and more across all genres of music, even dub-step.

    A total of six venues will be hosting the musicians simultaneously from 11AM to 6PM near Downtown Downey, including two main stages at the First Presbyterian Church Front Lawn on 7th Street and Downey Avenue, Mambo Gril and Sports Bar on Downey Avenue just south of 3rd Street, Stay Gallery on Downey Avenue just north of Firestone, Epic Lounge on 2nd Street just a block west of Downey Avenue, Downey Music Center on Firestone near Downey Avenue, and Super Stack Burgers on New St and 3rd St next to the Krikorian Theaters.

    With so many options, you’ll never be able to catch everything, but also doesn’t lock you in if a certain performance isn’t your style.  The venues are within walking distance.  Parking is available at Our Lady of Perpetual Hope (Downey Ave and 7th St), St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church (Downey and 4th), the Krikorian Parking Structure (New St and 2nd St) as well as all public parking on Downey Avenue.  The Farmer’s Market will also be going on from 9AM to 2PM, so plan accordingly.

    This event is free to everyone to attend, the musicians, organizers and venues are all donating their time.  The event does have many expenses, however, and is sponsored by the Downey Arts Coalition non-profit community group.  Consider donating to the cause to make this event happen again in the future: Click here or scroll down to the bottom of this post.

    A full schedule of performers is available at www.makemusicdowney.org.

  • State of the Art Photos

    State of the Art Photos

    On Sunday, the Downey Arts Coalition put on an intimate art fair featuring local artists and local arts organizations gathering together to talk about what they do and meet each other.   With participation from the Downey Museum of Art, Third Thursday Poetry, Nuvein Foundation, Zzyzx Writers, Friends of the Library, Make Music Downey, OLPH, California Guitar Academy, Downey Music Center, Paramount Traditional Artists Guild and more.  Thanks to the Moravian Church of Downey for hosting the event and everyone for pitching in to set up and tear down.

    “State of the Art” was designed to foster communication and participation among local art groups, as well as get the word out about what others are doing, and that was a stimulating part of the event.  Some interesting collaborations were discussed that will hopefully come to fruition.

    The local arts directory made available at the event will soon be available here online as well.

  • STATE OF THE ART is Sunday

    STATE OF THE ART is Sunday

    Sunday 11AM to 6PM at 10337 Old River School Road, STATE OF THE ART is an art fair and a chance learn about local arts organizations and the local arts community.

    Exhibit a piece of artwork from the past year, all are welcome, any size and medium.  Drop off is 7:30 to 9:30AM ($3 donation).  There will also be an open mic (no amplified music) taking sign-ups.

    Children’s corner, food trucks, and more.

  • Bellflower Civic Chorus presents “Thanks For The Memories”, May 17 – 19, 2013

    The Civic Chorus sings favorite Broadway songs and American standards from the 1920’s to 1990.

    William and Jane Bristol Civic Auditorium, 16600 Civic Center Dr., Bellflower, CA  90706

    (562) 866-4664   Alice Brindle, President.

    Tickets are $5.  Free parking.

    Friday, May 17, 2013 at 7:00 PM

    Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    Sunday, May 19, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    For advanced tickets, send self-addressed stamped envelope to: P.O. Box 1058, Bellflower, CA  90706

     

  • Downey Symphony “Berlioz to Brahms” April 6

    Downey Symphony “Berlioz to Brahms” April 6

    When the Downey Symphony completes its 55th concert season on Saturday, April 6, the audience can expect some extra flourishes in celebration.
    The program opens with the guest conductor who won last spring’s Baton Auction, that coveted opportunity to lead a stage full of professional musicians. She is the fearless Dara Small, who had a distinct aversion to practicing when she was young, tackling first piano, then violin, then saxophone, then drums, sort of. But this is now, and odds are, with a baton in hand, she will shine.

    Another special moment will be the symphony board’s appreciation of Wendy Doty, Downey’s retiring schools superintendent. About 15 years ago Dr. Doty and our late conductor, Tom Osborn, established an important outreach, Music in the Schools, which reaches every one of our elementary students annually.

    “It was a joy to create this program with Tom,” she says. “I am very happy the music program still exists to benefit the students.”

    After intermission we’ll hold the auction for next year’s baton winner; there’s a complimentary reception for everyone at the end of the evening; and – not to be forgotten – somewhere in there is a beautiful concert as well.

    Music Director Sharon Lavery conducts Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture and Brahm’s Symphony No. 4. Icing on the cake is soprano soloist Diana Newman singing the ravishing Songs of the Auvergne, by Canteloube.

    It’s all happening in Downey’s Civic theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd. at Brookshire. Lavery’s pre-concert discussion of the music to be performed is at 7:15, and concert time is 8.

    Tickets at $35, $30 or $10 with student ID are available by calling the theater at (562) 861-8211 or visiting the box office. Parking surrounding the theater is free and the welcome inside is warm and friendly.

    Contributed by Joyce Sherwin, Downey Symphonic Society (courtesy The Downey Patriot)

  • State of the Art – Arts & Information Fair – Sunday April 28

    State of the Art – Arts & Information Fair – Sunday April 28

    galleRoy @ The Big M and Downey Arts Coalition
    are proud to announce

    STATE OF THE ART

    A Democratic and Informational Art Fair
    For the City of Downey The Gateway Cities and Beyond

    Curated by Roy Anthony Shabla
    Sunday April 28th 2013.      11:00 am to 6:00 pm

    Moravian Church, 10337 Old River School Rd., Downey California 90241

    CALL TO ARTISTS: Bring one piece of artwork, any size, to the location between 7:30AM and 10AM on April 28th to be part of the art show.  Work should be created within the past year.  There is a $3 fee to participate.  Priority given to local residents, but all are welcome.

    Meet Representatives from Local Arts Organizations

    Including:
    Downey Arts Coalition
    Downey Museum of Art
    Nuvein Foundation for Literature and the Arts
    Stay Gallery
    Downey Symphony
    San Gabriel Valley Literary Festival
    Downey Theater
    Youth Cultural Arts Foundation
    Paramount Traditional Artists Guild

    And many more groups associated with art poetry dance theater film

    Exhibit Art in Downey’s First Democratic Art Show

    Every artist working in the local Southern California area
    Is invited to display one piece of original art created in the last year
    To be seen by curators arts organizers and the public

    Shop Art Vendors

    Fine Art for Sale by Quality Artists

    Including
    Carolina Del Toro
    Jorge Del Toro
    Terry Walker
    Polaris Castillo
    Mike Fergusen
    Anthony Cano
    And many more local painters sculptors and artists of various media

    Demonstrations and Performances

    Arts Organizations Directory
    (free to attendees and participants)

    Gourmet Food Trucks

    For more information on the event, or to submit artwork to show
    contact Roy@DowneyArts.org

  • Moravian Trombone Choir Spring Concert – March 25

    Moravian Trombone Choir Spring Concert – March 25

    The Moravian Trombone Choir’s Chamber Ensemble will be presenting the group’s annual Spring Concert on Monday March 25th at 7:30PM.  This concert will feature everything from the works of J. S. Bach to Gospel music.  This concert will be the perfect way to start the week!

    Founded in 1965 by Jeff Reynolds, the Moravian Trombone Choir of Downey is one of the most active all-trombone choirs in the world and has served a unique role in The Moravian Church.  The repertoire consists primarily of chorales, sonatas and occasional music mostly from the renaissance and the baroque.

    Admission is FREE, a freewill offering will be taken.

    Downey Moravian Church
    10337 Old River School Rd (south of Florence Ave)
    Downey, CA 90241

     

  • Blasters Perform at Epic Lounge April 13

    Blasters Perform at Epic Lounge April 13

    The Blasters are playing live in an intimate show in their hometown, a special concert brought to you by Catch 22 Promotions, Epic Lounge, and  Downey Arts Coalition.  Saturday April 13, 9PM, 8239 2nd Street, Downey, CA.

    Tickets are nearly sold out, but are available for purchase at catch22pro.brownpapertickets.com.

    Look for more music events from the DAC this year.

  • Interfaith Multicultural Songfest Saturday March 16

    Interfaith Multicultural Songfest Saturday March 16

    Enjoy a variety of music presented by performers from throughout the Los Angeles area, at the 21st Annual Interfaith, Multicultural Songfest, this coming Saturday March 16, 2013, beginning at 7PM.

    Admission is free, at the Downey Stake Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 12425 Orizaba Avenue in Downey  (one block north of Imperial Hwy, between Downey Ave & Paramount Blvd. Immediately north of Imperial School).

    Refreshments will be served after the concert.  Special seating is available for those with special needs.

    Program will include:

    Moravian Church Trombone Quartet

    Dust of the Saints Trio

    South Gate First Branch Choir

    Mei Chen – Soloist

    Hacienda Heights Community Choir

    Beverly Taylor – Soloist and jazz singer

    New City Parish Choir – Gospel Music

    Voices of Inspiration & Immanuel Gospel Choir

    Samoan Choir of Lynwood – Men’s Choral Group

    Tapestry – Ladies Choral Group

     

    For further information call Lois Buchanan at (562) 927-9790

  • Music Festival at the Garden of Dreams – Jan. 25, 2013

    Friday, January 25, 2013. 8:00 PM @ 10032 La Reina Ave., 90241

    The Garden of Dreams, better known as Casa La Reina, or the home of Roy Anthony Shabla, will host their 2nd. annual music festival of local bands. Sex Wounds, Pierrot Lunaire, In Tents, Stay Cool Forever, Catheter, Suzie Star, VVWITFVZZ, Courtaud & Bobtail.

     

    More information and links to the bands here at this link:

    https://www.facebook.com/events/387592764665953/