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Lucille DeThomas to demonstrate for Paramount TAG Sept 13

Saturday, September 13, 2014 TAG will meet at Progress Park Plaza, 15530 Downey Ave., Paramount, CA. between Somerset and Alondra Blvd’s. Board Meeting at 1:00 P.M. and General meeting and demonstration at 2:00 P.M. Lucille DeThomas will demonstrate for us.

Born in Easton, Pennsylvania, Lucille is a intensive, dedicated artist who won her first award in a city wide competition at age 13. Totally committed to art, she has exhibited in Art Shows throughout the U.S. and has consistently won top awards in oils, watercolor & sculpture. A past Gallery Director, an occasional Judge at art shows, and an aspiring Author, Lucille teaches art at Art Centers in five locales. She was a featured Art Instructor at Sequoia National Park for six years. Always finding beauty and inspiration in her travels, she has hundreds of sketches anxiously waiting to be “brushed into life.”

She paints a variety of subjects using vibrant colors and loose strokes, creating an impressionistic aura, which stimulates the viewer into participating with the scene’s mood and atmosphere. She has demonstrated her spontaneous technique on TV as well as to Art Associations and Teacher’s Groups. Her greatest rewards are awakening the imagination and senses of enthusiastic students to the wonders of light and color. She hopes to capture and motivate an even larger audience to pick up the brush and palette knife. Lucille strongly feels that color communicates to everyone in all languages and the Art is an expression of life’s countenances.

Come join us for a wonderful afternoon.

September 10, 2014
Downey Avenue Historical Exhibit August 22

Have you ever imagined what Downey Avenue might have looked like forty, seventy, even a hundred years ago? Stay Gallery has partnered with the Downey Historical Society, Downey Museum of Art, Downey Conservancy, and the City of Downey, to host their first historical exhibit based on how this city came to be. “Downey Avenue is becoming a new destination for many, and we believe in the importance of knowing where it came from,” says Valentin Flores, the Executive Director of the gallery.

Opening night is Friday, August 22nd at 8PM. The photographs will be up in the gallery through the end of the month.

Downtown Downey began developing after John Gately Downey formerly organized the Tract of the Downey Land Association in 1873 from land he purchased at auction. Downey Avenue was originally called Crawford Street, after Downey’s trusted attorney Matson Duke Crawford, who conducted most of the land transactions in the early development of the city.

The location was determined by the newly constructed railway line, where Downey would soon build a station. Early on the promoters of the town built a hotel at La Reina and Firestone Blvd, and an enterprising pioneer moved his general store from the further south College Settlement up to Downey. Churches were among the first buildings as well, many of which were sold their land for only one dollar. 300 homes in the district had been established, and the town continued to grow with a courthouse, a post office, and schools.

By the turn-of-the-century, Downey was the undisputed center of the business and social life of the area. Downtown now contained a Sunkist packing plant, a department store, banks, restaurants and mercantile shops. The shape and character of old downtown would change significantly in 1967, when one of the first significant investments in redevelopment was the widening of Downey Ave. The realignment resulted in several blocks of new store fronts and landscape improvements.

August 17, 2014
Poetrypalooza hosted by the Green Salon August 23

saturday night art music poetry wine nudity

the green salon
a monthly gathering of poets writers artists musicians dancers filmmakers
and other creative people

the fourth saturday evening of the month
at casa la reina in downey (los angeles) california
7pm

wine and vegan snacks
open mic
bring something to share
bring your books / cds for sale

POETRYPALOOZA @ the green salon

https://www.facebook.com/events/1377760522505100/

http://poetrypaloozala.altervista.org/

saturday, 23 august 14, 4 – 10pm
at casa la reina in downey

4pm poetry workshops (frank kearns, terry walker)
5:30 dinner and a movie (vegan potato and salad bar, Dead Poets Society)
5:30 poetry critiques (one-on-one writing help)
7pm music (yerri josé frankie chespi)
7:30 open mic
8pm featured readers (lorine parks and zzyzx writerz)
9pm music and poetry (shy but flyy)

this is a free event. donations accepted.

like the green salon on facebook

email roy@www.downeyarts.org for more information

August 6, 2014
Douglas Kearney at Poetry Matters August 14

This edition of POETRY MATTERS will feature Poet/performer/librettist Douglas Kearney. His second, full-length collection of poetry, The Black Automaton (Fence Books, 2009), was Catherine Wagner’s selection for the National Poetry Series. His produced operas include Sucktion, Mordake, and Crescent City.

“Where, oh where would we be without the dynamic intelligence and feats of lyric daring that Douglas Kearney’s work has delivered to American poetry? …”
—Tracy K. Smith

Thursday August 145h

7:30 open microphone

Stay Gallery 11140 Downey Ave, 90241
Downtown Downey at Firestone
DOORS OPEN AT 7

Tallahatchie Lullabye, Baby

cattail cast tattles Till tale,

lowing low along the hollow.

crickets chirrup and ribbits lick-up

what’s chucked the ‘hatchie swallow.

skin scow skiffs upon pond scum skin

getting slow along the hollow.

now may mayfly alight brown brow.

what’s chucked the ‘hatchie swallow.

maybe bye baby bye baby by and by–

lying low along the hollow —

we will slip the knot not slip will we?

what’s chucked the ‘hatchie swallow.

who’s a bruise to blue hue ‘hatchie,

going slow along the hollow?

who’s a bruise to whose hue, ‘hatchie?

what’s chucked the ‘hatchie swallow.

Kodak flash tattles Till tale

going slow along the hollow,

who’s a bruise to bruise hue?

swallow what the ‘hatchie chucks.

                  –Emett Till (1941-1955)

       Douglas Kearney, The Black Automaton

How to re-tell a brutal landmark civil right’s crime? Kearny’s understated take is to present it as a lullaby, with soothing rhymes and slick, almost too slick, consonant chatter.   The story emerges like ripples, where something has disturbed the water. A new look at an old wrong.

Doug Kearney will read his poems which contain adult themes and language at Stay Gallery August 14.

August 6, 2014
Southeast LA Artwalk August 2

Other neighboring cities to Downey are starting to catch on, that if we care about our communities and would like to see new opportunities for creative people and artists, that the initiative has to come from the people. SELA Collective has sprung up in the last year with many ideas for Southeast LA, which they’ve identified as the area which includes Bell, Maywood, South Gate, Bell Gardens and Cudahey. Meeting frequently in a thrift store, they’ve taken their case to city council meetings and social networking to spread social change and artistic expression.

Alivio Open Mic was their first event, a monthly open mic for artists of any style to share with their neighbors, held in a converted garage at a private home. The events have been packed, and even were noticed in major media outlets such as the LA Times and KCET.

The Southeast LA Artwalk is their latest endeavor, and the community support has been strong. It takes place on August 2nd, 2 to 6PM, followed by another Alivio Open Mic. Artists work will be hosted in businesses along Atlantic Ave between Gage and 16th St.

DAC founding members Carolina Del Toro and Jorge Del Toro will be showcasing work at the event at the Neighborhood Bike Shop (and the Beauty Salon adjacent to the shop) located at 6118 Atlantic Blvd., Maywood, CA (Atlantic and Randolph).

For more information about the event, you can also read other local articles such as at EnclaveLA, at this link: http://enclavelosangeles.com/ai1ec_event/southeast-los-angeles-art-walk/

SELA Co’s event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1502425179972571/

Press release below:

July 31, 2014
Downey Symphony Free Concert in the Park August 6

Wednesday August 6th is the annual tradition of the Downey Symphony Orchestra’s free concert in the park. 7PM at Furman Park in Downey, on Rives Ave south of Florence. Director and conductor Sharon Lavery will lead the orchestra in a number of audience favorites and pops classics. This year’s concert is entitled “The Sounds of Music” and includes some of your favorite broadway classics. This is a free event in Downey’s beautiful Furman Park. Bring lots of food, drinks and good friends for a spectacular evening under the stars. Plus, don’t forget to bring the kids… they’ll thank you when they each get the chance to conduct the orchestra at the end of the concert! www.downeysymphony.org

July 24, 2014
The Green Salon – Saturday July 26 7PM

Every month poet/artist and Downey native Roy Anthony Shabla hosts a gathering of creative people in his backyard garden, the 4th Saturday. This month features poet Scott Noon Creley, artist Arteaga Sae, and world-renowned spanish guitarist David Holguin will perform. 7PM July 26th at Casa La Reina, as its a private home, for directions email roy@www.downeyarts.org.

July 24, 2014
An Evening of Short Films – July 20th at The Epic Lounge

Falling Awake Productions and Sweet Nightmares are joining forces to present “An Evening of Short Films”, an event that combines filmmakers and films from Chicago, Illinois and Downey, California for an evening of spectacular entertainment.

Beginning at 6pm and running to about 9pm at The Epic Lounge in Downey, California “An Evening of Short Films” includes the films of Polaris Castillo and Dan Marcus. Polaris Castillo had a similar event earlier this year featuring some great films that were filmed locally in the area. This event promises to be even bigger, bolder and more entertaining by featuring some of those films (“Loveland” and “Windmill”) as well as films that were shot and produced in Chicago, Illinois. Those films, from director Dan Marcus, include “Wake” and “Streamline”. “An Evening of Short Films” will feature the exclusive Los Angeles premiere of Dan Marcus’s science-fiction short film “Streamline”.

“An Evening of Short Films” wants to celebrate the independent art community by featuring films that ordinarily wouldn’t be seen. With the film festival circuit always competitive and ever-changing, Polaris Castillo and Dan Marcus wish to bring a less formal and competitive nature to the way independent films are showcased. These filmmakers are joining forces to present an evening of films that everyone can watch and enjoy.

There will be food, drinks and a Q&A session after the screenings. The event will also feature some exclusive, never-before-seen trailers for some exciting new films that were shot in Downey and Los Angeles that are set for release later this year. Please join us for an exciting evening of entertainment and fun while we celebrate these great films from some wonderful independent filmmakers.

The event will take place at The Epic Lounge on Sunday July 20th from 6-9pm. 8239 2nd St, Downey, CA 90241

The Films:

STREAMLINE – A man haunted by traumatic memories must confront his past while eluding mysterious pursuers. Directed by Dan Marcus. Written by William Coffey, David Hammond & Dan Marcus.

LOVELAND – When soul mates Blue and Violet arrive at an end to their magical romance, a mysterious team of construction workers rise to the occasion to rebuild their broken hearts. Written & directed by Polaris Castillo.

WINDMILL – A narcotic recluse fears there is something vile outside his home. Directed by Polaris Castillo. Written by Matt Landsman.

WAKE – The story of young Max who is faced with confronting the death of his mother, while his father, Albert, tries desperately to repair the broken relationship with his son. Directed by Dan Marcus. Written by David Hammond & Dan Marcus.

Event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/263658673838474/

http://www.streamlinemovie.com | http://www.polariscastillo.com

July 12, 2014
Sarah Maclay reads at Poetry Matters July 10

Poetry Matters, the 2nd Thursday of every month at Stay Gallery, is a gathering of Downey’s best poets to share an open mic, and feature a prominent poet from Southern California.

Thursday, July 10th features poet Sarah Maclay. An open mic begins at 7:30, with sign-ups beginning at 7. Stay Gallery is located at 11140 Downey Avenue, north of Firestone Blvd, 90241.

Sarah Maclay’s poems, reviews, and essays have appeared in Ploughshares, FIELD, Ninth Letter, Hotel Amerika, The Writer’s Chronicle, Pool, ZYZZYVA, lyric and Poetry International. Her debut full-length, Whore, won the Tampa Review Prize for Poetry. She currently teaches poetry at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Lorine Parks curates the evening.

June 20, 2014
Pieces of Her, a new theatre work at Stay Gallery June 28-29

“Pieces of Her” is a collaborative theater piece featuring an ensemble of women focusing on the female experience. This debut project plays June 27 and 28th at Stay Gallery, 8PM.

Poetry, Spoken word, monologues, dance, movement, and music serve as storytelling instruments as we touch on everything from love, relationships, body image, sexuality, monumental life experiences and everything in between.

The piece was born out of Jesse Schiffmacher’s desire to combine her passion for women’s studies and the arts. She asked artists and writers of all genders to submit poetry, monologues, and music pieces that came out of their experiences as, or with, women.

“Pieces of Her” lives in the place where activism and art meet. It is a unique show that deals specifically with the female narrative. The goal is not only to entertain but to begin a dialogue. We ask the audience to be unafraid to explore topics that may seem controversial, trivial, or “over-discussed”.

The show is for anyone with an open heart and an open-mind. (Note: Some subject matter may not be suitable for young children)

Will run for two consecutive nights. Seating is limited. Visit Stay Gallery to purchase tickets ($10).

Starring:
– Jesse Schiffmacher
– Amanda Petrocelly
– Krystin Bergamasco
– Chelsea Boyd
– Patricia Lopez
– Taryne Moyse

June 20, 2014