Author: Downey Arts Coalition

  • The Pajama Game by Downey Civic Light Opera

    The Pajama Game by Downey Civic Light Opera

    When you hear the Pajama Game, you’re probably more familiar with the movie.  However, it was born out of the successful broadway musical, which is being revived this month by the Downey Civic Light Opera.

    Running now through June 17, the performances run at the Downey Civic Theratre at 8:00 p.m. on June 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16, then matinee 2:30 p.m. performances on June 3, 10 & 17.

    The Downey Civic Light Opera was born out of the Downey Children’s Theatre, having produced its first musical in 1973, and has run consistently since then, even in a time when other CLO’s have struggled and closed.  They always put on a lavish production with old-school fun.

    Tickets can be purchased at (562) 923-1714 or more information at http://www.downeyciviclightopera.org.

  • Final Urban Act: Alexander the Greatest by Forrest Hartl June 3rd

    Final Urban Act: Alexander the Greatest by Forrest Hartl June 3rd

    Join us this Sunday night for the final staged reading in our series “Urban Acts: New Plays from the Street.”  DAC member Forrest Hartl has written a hilarious mash-up of one man’s life as a theatre actor, social media addict, and the violent pursuer of success.

    Sunday night, June 3, 7PM at the Downey Moravian Church, Hove Hall — 10337 Old River School Road.

    RSVP by emailing rsvp@www.downeyarts.org or join the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/212803295507172/

  • 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/

  • “Handball” Staged Reading Sunday May 27

    “Handball” Staged Reading Sunday May 27

    Urban Theatre Movement and Downey Arts Coalition presents a staged reading of new play about suburban warfare.

    Meet Laurie & Chris, New York hipsters. They moved to the suburbs, and now they want to clean up their new neighborhood by demolishing the old Handball court to pave the way for an urban facelift. But not all the locals want a gentrified neighborhood, and this court is ground zero for the debate. Are the new residents just trying to help, or are they selfish opportunists? You decide.

    This Sunday, May 27, Epic Lounge, 7PM. Great actors from the SoCal theatre scene produced by Urban Theatre Movement.++ DAC member Paul Tully directs the reading.

    Stay afterward for drinks & Epic music, but first a Q&A with the playwright, Seth Zvi Rosenfeld.

    Cast List

    Christopher. . . . . . . Sean Zilke Escalante

    Laurie. . . . . . . . . . . .Isabel Davila

    Orlando. . . . . . . . . . Rich Martinez

    Barry. . . . . . . . . . . . Jon Duran

    Gee. . . . . . . . . . . . . Alex Alfaro

    Lil Lucy. . . . . . . . . Elisa Noemi

    Javier. . . . . . . . . . Charles Sanchez

    Ra Ra. . . . . . . . . . . Donte Wince

    Panama. . . . . . . . . Gary Perez*

     

    ++Be warned: some explicit language may not be appropriate for all audiences

  • Downey/Warren Student Photography Show

    Downey/Warren Student Photography Show

    Downey Art Vibe is back with a new event– this one’s to recognize the talented artists in our local high schools. Also, a free pastry from Porto’s Bakery just for showing up. All the art will be on sale, with over a hundred pieces on display. Don’t miss this one, they really know how to put on a show.

    Thursday, May 31st @ Porto’s Bakery, 8233 Firestone Blvd, Downey, 5 to 9PM.

    The event on facebook– Join to RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/315402235205233/

  • La Vida Lucky (1974) Staged Reading May 20

    La Vida Lucky (1974) Staged Reading May 20

    “La Vida Lucky (1974)” is a short play written by Daniel Houston-Davila, based on stories out of his book, Malinche’s Children, which chronicles the rise of a small barrio in Southern California throughout history, to what it is today located in Downey’s neighboring city, Norwalk.

    Norwalk photo courtesy Flickr Ozfan22

    This story follows a young hispanic father of five grappling with the idea of getting a vasectomy, which is practically unheard of in his culture.

    The staged reading will be directed by DAC member Alistair Hunter, who has a long history of leadership in the Southern California theatre community, such as artistic director of the Scorpio Rising Theatre and Los Angeles Theatre Projects.

    Sunday, May 20th at 7PM begins the reading, followed by a Q&A with the cast and playwright.  We are hosted by Granatas and Tapas, located at 11032 Downey Ave, Downey CA 90240.  Granatas has generously extended its Happy Hour deals to audience members of the reading before and after the play, so be sure to come out and take advantage of gathering with the Downey creative community.

     

  • Poetry of G. Murray Thomas, May 17

    Poetry of G. Murray Thomas, May 17

    Thursday May 17 is the next Wine+Words poetry night.  8PM starts the open mic, and 8:30PM will feature poet G. Murray Thomas.

    G. Murray Thomas newest volume, News Clips and Ego Trips,, has just been released from Write Bloody Press. Thomas will also read from My New Kidney Just Arrived, published in 2011 by Tebot Bach. His collection bristles with the gentle intelligence and humor of a poet of great maturity…”Thomas’s great gift as a poet is to see and be bewildered by the thoroughly weird things most of us take for granted”—Victor Infante . … Gadfly and long time fixture on the Long Beach poetry scene, his poetry has been published in numerous literary magazines, including Chiron Review, Pearl, Caffeine and Spillway. He has also published Cows on the Freeway, and five chapbooks, Death to the Real World, Opposite Oceans, Poetry Spilled All Over the Carpet, A Rare Thing, and Songs of Inappropriate Desire. In 2005, iUniverse reprinted Paper Shredders, an anthology of surf poetry Thomas first published in 1993.

    Lorine Parks curates the evening, an intimate gathering of Downey’s literary lovers.  Mari’s Wine Bar is at 8222 Firestone Blvd, Downey, CA.  Handicap accessible, 21+ only.

  • Art on the Vine, May 5, features Mike Ferguson, Roberto Munguia and Jamie Rowland

    Art on the Vine, May 5, features Mike Ferguson, Roberto Munguia and Jamie Rowland

    Three unique artists will present their work Saturday night as part of “Art on the Vine” at Mari’s Wine Bar (8222 Firestone Blvd, Downey).  The opening reception begins at 7PM and continues until late.  Original works by the artists will be raffled off at 10PM.  Join us for food, wine, music, and a great community that loves the arts.

    Mike Ferguson, Roberto Munguia and Jamie Lennon Rowland are the featured artists this month.  The artwork will be on display throughout the month of May.  Mike Ferguson is a Downey resident who recently showed at the Hillcrest Fine Arts Festival and the Hibbleton Gallery.  Roberto Munguia hails from south Texas and has continued to be a mainstay in the Latino art community, having most recently shown at the Witte Museum and the Latino Culture Center in Dallas.  Jamie Rowland is also native to Downey, and is known for his work with the Downey Art Vibe, having been featured at the Taste of Downey and Suburban Renaissance shows.

    Mike Ferguson "In To Oblivion"
  • Photos from the Downey Street Faire

    Photos from the Downey Street Faire

    A special thanks to our dedicated booth workers and promoters… including Pat Gil (coordinator & dreamer), Don Lamkin (successful raffle peddler), Carolina Del Toro (photog in residence), Jorge Del Toro (sculptor in residence), Barbara Briley Beard (paper pusher), Marisa Gedney (postcard pusher), Rocio Gonzales (painter in residence), Ricky Ostendi (illustrator in residence), Hector Silva (and his eye-catching artwork), Bill & Sylvia Blush, Aimee Callegari, Forrest Hartl, Paul Tully, George Redfox, George Manzanilla, Lana Joy, our sons Peer and Leif, and anyone else that came to help or visit.

    Also a privilege to associate with such talented artists and the Downey Museum of Art.  The local arts haven’t been featured like this in many years.

    Here are some photos from the event:

  • “August G” Premieres at Casa 0101 Theatre

    “August G” Premieres at Casa 0101 Theatre

    Alistair Hunter, a member of the Downey Arts Coalition, is currently appearing as the character of ‘August G (without age)’ in the American Premiere of the  award winning French playwright Arman Gatti’s surrealistic play, “The Imaginary Life of the Street Sweeper August G” at the state of the art New CASA0101 Theatre, 2102 First Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033.
    Currently playing Fri Sat 8 pm, Sun 5pm through May 13. Tickets 323-263-7684. Mention you are a friend of cast member Alistair Hunter and get 2 for the price of one tickets. A cast of 31 actors, musicians, and dancers tell the story of August G, 46, a street sweeper who receives a strike to the blow while striking for better working conditions. As his life flashes before his eyes, all of the characters of his life meet for one last rendezvous in a sort of fantastic and desperate dance marathon.
    Alistair Hunter, will also be directing the DAC Staged Reading of Daniel Houston Davila’s new play ‘La Vida Lucky’ on Sunday, May 20 at 7 pm at Granata’s & Tapas, 11032Downey Ave, Downey. Free Admission. Please RSVP by email to RSVP@www.downeyarts.org if you are attending.
    Hunter has played a leading role in Los Angeles theatre since 1969 when he founded and served as Artist/Administrative Director of one of the leading Alternative Theatres in Los Angeles, Scorpio Rising Theatre. His work with Scorpio Rising Theatre received local, regional, national, and international attention, and was awarded the Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Margaret Hartford Award ” for the intensity of it’s focus on new playwrights and contemporary theatre”. He received support from the NEA, CAC, Office for Advanced Drama Research, and the CETA Program. He has served on the Board of Los Angeles Community Arts Alliance, League of Los Angeles Theatres, Los Angeles Theatre Alliance (now LA Stage Alliance), and Scorpio Rising Theatre Foundation. He has worked with the Mark Taper Forum, and Los Angeles Theatre Works in developing and coordinating many theatre projects, and Guest Artist residencies. He has been a Guest Artist at Golden West College. He has served as a school site administrator for the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Juvenile Court & Community Schools, and Alternative Education. He is currently the Artistic Director of Los Angeles Theatre Projects, and The Other Theatre, and is in preproduction for a Bertolt Brecht play in Fall, 2012.