On Thursday, August 18th, Poetry Matters welcomes Tamara Madison, author of the collection “Wild Domestic” (Pearl Editions; July, 2011) and the chapbook “The Belly Remembers” (Pearl Editions, 2004). Her work has appeared in numerous small press journals and anthologies. Two of her poems have also been featured on Garrison Keillor’s Writers Almanac. Tamara is a California native who grew up on a citrus farm in the Coachella Valley. She has two grown children and teaches French and English in a high school in Los Angeles.
Poetry Matters welcomes Judith Terzi at Stay Gallery on Thursday July 21. Judith’s most recent chapbooks, If You Spot Your Brother Floating By, and Sharing Tabouli, are collections of memoir poems.Now a member of the Claremont Poets group, she holds an M.A. in French Literature and has taught high school French for many years in Pasadena as well as English at California State University, Los Angeles, and in Algiers, Algeria. Her Ghazal for a Chambermaid shows a mastery of exotic forms and her wide-ranging poems addressing current events have been included in Malala: Poems for Malala Yousafzai, andTimes They Were A-Changing:Women Remember the 60s & 70s. Open Microphone for local poets starts at 7:30, and the public is invited to attend.
Roy Anthony Shabla will exhibit his new solo show Water Music / Fire Dance at the Mary Paxon Art Gallery from Tuesday, May 10, to Saturday, May 28. If you would like to meet the artist, ask questions about pricing or the artwork, or simply enjoy a night among art and artists, please attend their reception on Friday, May 13, 7-9 p.m.
Roy Anthony Shabla is a painter and poet living in the Los Angeles area. His large scale work, Water Music: Blue and Gray 2015, was exhibited onstage opening night of the Downey Symphony Orchestra, October 2015. That 36-foot painting is included in this show with new work from the same series. Shabla is the Director of Collections for the Downey Museum of Art and hosts a monthly salon in his home with live music, poetry readings, and featured artists. All are welcome.
The Mary Paxon Gallery is located at the Norwalk Cultural Arts Center, adjacent to the Norwalk Arts & Sports Complex at Norwalk park. The address is 13200 Clarkdale Ave, Norwalk, CA 90650.
Another successful art show, “Classical Elements,” on April 9th presented two dozen local artists’ work along with the Downey Symphony concert, “A European Exhibition.” The concert featured a new work from composer Oscar Navarro, who also wrote the Downey Overture, a whimsical orchestral piece dedicated to our city. Clarinetist Kelli O’Connor was the featured performer for Navarro’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2.
Special thanks to all the artists who participated, as well as the concert production team, curator Eloise Ball, producer Pat Gil and coordinator Andrew Hernandez. The Downey Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Music director Sharon Lavery, and supported by the Downey Symphonic Society, president Larry Lewis and a board of dedicated individuals who keep this important cultural institution alive.
We are also grateful to the City of Downey and Mayor Alex Saab for presenting a city proclamation to the Downey Symphony Orchestra and a certificate of recognition to composer Oscar Navarro and, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to our city.
Consider supporting the Downey Symphony Orchestra through your donations and participating in fundraising events. This will help continue their legacy of impactful music and cultural experiences in our community.
Director Sharon Lavery and the Downey Symphony Orchestra
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the City of Downey’’s incorporation, and Downey’’s illustrious history with the aerospace industry, the Downey Symphonic Society in conjunction with Poetry Matters is sponsoring a contest on a space-related theme suggested by, but not limited to, Gustav Holst’’s The Planets.
PRIZES $100 First Prize, $50 Second Prize
AND 2 Gold Tier season tickets to Downey Symphony’’s 2016-17 Season
for First Prize Winner, Offered by the Downey Symphonic Society
Open now, April 21, 2016; Deadline: July 31, 2016
Publication: in Downey Symphony Concert Program October 22, 2016
Read: on stage prior to performance at Downey Symphony Concert Oct. 22, 2016, when Holst’s The Planets will be
performed at the Downey Theatre, in honor of the City of Downey’s 60th anniversary
Display: Downey Theatre Lobby Gallery for month of October with Planets Art Show; Lobby at Columbia Space Center
TOP TEN poems to be printed in Commemorative Booklet distributed at the Concert (funding permitting)
The Planets, Op. 32, is a seven-movement orchestral suite by the English composer Gustav Holst. The piece has seven movements, each named after a planet (Earth not represented) and its corresponding mythological figure and astrological characteristics.
Catch it on Youtube, performed by many Symphony Orchestras and also rock bands.
1. Mars, the Bringer of War
2. Venus, the Bringer of Peace
3. Mercury, the Winged Messenger
4. Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity;
5. Saturn, the Bringer of Old Age
6. Uranus, the Magician
7. Neptune, the Mystic.
“Waves In Motion,” glass sculpture by Michael Robinson, will be one of several art pieces on display at the Downey Theatre in conjunction with the Downey Symphony performance on April 9.
DOWNEY – The Downey Symphonic Society, once again in collaboration with the Downey Arts Coalition, concludes the 2015– 16 Concert Series of the Downey Symphony Orchestra at the Downey Theatre by presenting an evening filled with classical music and and art exhibit with the theme “The Classical Elements – Earth, Water, Air, and Fire.”
Music Director Sharon Lavery describes another delightful evening of music planned to conclude the 58th season of the Downey Symphony Orchestra, “This concert is entitled “A European Exhibition” and we will have two works by one of our favorite composers, Oscar Navarro. There is no better way to start off this great program than to perform Oscar’s piece specifically written for and dedicated to the Downey Symphony Orchestra, “Downey Overture.”
Also on the program is Navarro’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2, performed by nationally recognized clarinetist, Kelli O’Connor. The masterful “Pictures at an Exhibiition” by Modest Mussorgsky will conclude the program, topping off what promises to be an inspiring evening of music.”
Opening the concert will be Catherine Peterson, winner of the “Baton Auction” fundraiser in April of 2015. The musical selection she will be conducting is “to be announced” at the time of this article’s writing.
Once again, after intermission at this concert, there will be the 2016 “Baton Auction” held to raise funds to support the Downey Symphony Orchestra and also give the lucky winner the opportunity to lead the stage full of professional musicians in April of 2017.
All of the above activity will take place within the auditorium of the Downey Theatre beginning at 8:00 p.m. However, the doors to the Downey Theatre lobby will open at 6:30 p.m. for the “Opening Night” of an art exhibit entitled “The Classical Elements – Earth, Water, Air, and Fire” curated by Pat Gil and Eloisa Ball, members of the Downey Arts Coalition. The theme was chosen in connection with Earth Day which is on April 22.
In the “Call To Artists” looking for artwork to feature in the exhibit, the parameters were set for the work to be from any medium or mixed media, any size, and self-contained. Of course, the artwork must be within the theme set for the exhibit.
Guidelines included the suggestions that the artists “embark on a journey exploring the classical elements or the temperaments of people, places or things. Unearth them individually or combine them all to create an explosion of new matter.”
Pat Gil explained, “I am pleased to have the following wonderful artists returning: Carolina Del Toro, our local abstract nature photographer who is one of the favorites that is always asked about; Lindsay Yost, a local mosaic artist whose wonderful imagination and craftsmanship is always a crowd pleaser, and has the audience coming back for more; Susy Arteaga , another local artist who often sells her works at these exhibits, is gifted with a wonderful use of color and seems to be getting more talented with every exhibit; and Kristine Augustyn who uses wonderful colors that remind people of Monet.”
Eloisa “EJ” Ball added, “I’m very pleased to see artists from different cities wishing to participate in our art exhibitions. We have an artist, Geoffrey E. Levitt, coming from Lancaster, CA to exhibit his watercolor on paper, Old Point Loma Lighthouse. We are also excited to introduce a 2016 Award Winning Artist from Orange County, Michael Robinson. Michael works in glass and we are thrilled to exhibit his amazing surfing wave sculptures.
His sixteen years of experience in sculpting glass have brought him to the point of capturing life and movement in his glass pieces. His “Waves in Motion” sculpture consists of three waves and it is incredible! We are very humbled to see our local artists supporting the Downey Symphony Orchestra concerts and very honored that many new artists from different cities are delighted to be exhibiting in our art exhibitions and supporting our orchestra as well.”
Additionally, Pat Gil noted, “Trista Dominqu is the featured poet and has written a poem specifically for the concert that goes with the art show. The name of the poem is “Born From Water” and it will be read on stage right after Sharon’s pre-concert lecture is over.”
On the day of the concert and art exhibit, Saturday, April 9, the Downey Chamber of Commerce’s Street Faire will be going on until 7 p.m. Brookshire Avenue will be closed from Firestone Boulevard to 5th Street. Theatre performers and patrons should allow extra time to find parking – not necessarily in the immediate vicinity of the Downey Theatre.
To restate the facts: The art exhibit “The Classical Elements – Earth, Water, Air, and Fire” and the Downey Symphony Orchestra concert “A European Exhibition” take place at the Downey Theatre on Saturday, April 9.
The lobby doors open at 6:30 p.m.. A lecture about the music being performed is given from the stage by Music Director/Conductor Sharon Lavery at 7:15 p.m. The concert begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets are still available at the Downey Theatre Box Office, 8435 Firestone Blvd., open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, and one hour before the concert. You may order tickets by telephone at (562) 861-8211 or online at downeysymphony.org.
This edition of POETRY MATTERS – Thursday April 21st at STAY GALLERY- welcomes back ZZyZx Writerz.
7:00 pm: Doors Open
7:30 pm: Open Mike
STAY Gallery
11140 Downey Avenue
Downey, CA 90241
The ZZYZX Writerz descended from the rib of a CSULA writing group, where most of the current members met in 2011. Their writing is as diverse as the neighborhoods they hail from! Since their formation they have written two group anthologies: “A Three Hour Tour” in 2013 and “Exit 23” in 2015.
The ZZyZx Writerz group hosts monthly read arounds and open mics within the Alhambra/El Sereno neighborhoods. They are also the organizers of Poetrypalooza, a month-long celebration of poetry in life that hosts events in dozens of creative neighborhoods across Southern California.
Poetry Matters also features an open mike. We welcome first-time readers and everyone else with a poem to share.
April 9th will open our next group art exhibit, “Classical Elements – Earth, Wind, Air and Fire” at the Downey Civic Theatre. That evening the Downey Symphony Orchestra performs its concert “A European Exhibition” beginning at 8PM. The doors open at 6:30 PM to view the art, with a special pre-concert lecture at 7:15pm with Music Director Sharon Lavery.
Tickets are available at the Downey Civic Theatre box office, or online at www.downeytheatre.com. 8435 Firestone Blvd, Downey CA 90241. 562.861.8211
Spanish composer Oscar Navarro will be a special guest, as his Clarinet Concerto No. 2 will have its West Coast Premiere, and his piece dedicated to our city, the Downey Overture will once again be performed.
This edition of POETRY MATTERS – Thursday March 17th at STAY GALLERY- welcomes back Jean Barrett Holloway, who will read from her new book, Over the Falls.
Three years ago Holloway captivated Downey audiences with her first collection, Weightlifting Rules. This time she does it again with the voices of women, literary and historical, imaginary or real.
Poetry Matters also features an open mike. We welcome first-time readers and everyone else with a poem to share. Doors open at 7 p.m. The open mike begins at 7:30. Poetry Matters is free and open to the public.
Poetry Matters welcomes Peggy Dobreer to read from her book in the lake of your bones at Stay Gallery on February 18th. Peggy is an educator, poet, public speaker, and she was a Pushcart nominee for Best of the Small Press for Cadence Collective.
Dobreer’s poems come out of a life of art, dance, love, political involvement, travel, and “the cauldron of Los Angeles,” the poet Richard Garcia has said, “In their music you will hear the urban landscape, Spanish, and even ancient Sanskrit. Come dance with Peggy Dobreer’s poems. You’ll be thankful that you did.” Dobreer will perform her poems February 18 at Stay Gallery 11140 Downey Avenue, in downtown Downey, preceded by an open mike at 7:30 pm.
In The Lake of Your Bones is a poetry book that opens like a revelation. Peggy Dobreer blends memory, meditation, nature, sensuality, and takes us to the lucid territory between intuition and wisdom, between desire and surrender. Peggy is a member of The Hollywood Institute of Poetics, and Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center. She lives in Los Angeles with her daughter.
