Category: Updates

  • Photos from Reflections Art Show with the Downey Symphony

    Photos from Reflections Art Show with the Downey Symphony

    Congratulations to the talented artists of the “Reflections” art show, which accompanied the Downey Symphony Orchestra concert “Harp & Soul” on January 24th at the Downey Civic Theatre.  The group show, which featured over twenty local artists was curated by Eloise Ball and produced by Pat Gil and her team from both the Downey Arts Coalition and the Downey Symphonic Society.  Artwork is on display at the theatre through February 28.

    These photographs are courtesy of Moving Still Pictures and the talented work of Oscar Dominguez.

    See the end of this post for a full list of participating artists and their contact information.

    Participating Artists:

    Ruben Acosta – Whittier, CA – salvageconcepts.com

    Michael Alvarez – Bellflower – Facebook.com/MichaelAlvarezArt

    Susy Arteaga – Downey, CA – Facebook.com/Arteaga Sae

    Kristine Augustyn – Los Angeles, CA – kristineaugustyn.com

    Jessie Castillo – Los Angeles, CA – Flickr.com/photos/kastleart

    Carolina Estrada-Del Toro – Downey, CA – Facebook.com/Carolina Estrada-Del Toro

    Dani Dodge – Pasadena, CA – DaniDodge.com

    Mike Ferguson – South Gate, CA – wmferg.com

    Valentin Flores – Downey, CA – Val@staygallery.org

    Mercedes Guzman – Torrance, CA – mercedesguzman.blogspot.com

    Kirk Kain – Whittier, CA – kirkkain.com

    Irina Krakov – Lake Balboa, CA – exoticabstract.com

    Lisa Maffia-Reynoso – Chatsworth, CA – Lisa.Maffia-Reynoso@ah.org

    Ricky Ostendi – Whittier, CA – Rickydraws.blogspot.com

    Roy Anthony Shabla – Downey, CA – royanthonyshabla.com

    William Rademaker – Downey, CA – william_taxman@msn.com

    Marina Santana – South Gate, CA – bloodtearsandlipstick.com

    Elaine Stewart – Torrance, CA – elainesart.blogspot.com

    Lindsay Yost – South Gate, CA – lindsaylittlebits@gmail.com

    Elsa Van Leuven – Downey, CA – emvanleuven@gmail.com

    Esmeralda Villalobos – Bellflower, CA – sme.design.arte@gmail.com

    Monica Wyatt – Los Angeles, CA – monicawyatt.com

    Karen Yee – El Segundo, CA – karenyeefineart.com

  • Lorine Parks to Debut New Book at Poetry Matters

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    At this month’s POETRY MATTERS,  the monthly poetry reading at STAY GALLERY, Lorine Parks will debut her new full-length collection of poetry, Persons of Interest. 

    Parks is a prolific writer who finds subject material in daily events and news stories. Although she studied classical literature, her first published book, Catalina Eddy, was fanciful personification of the many manifestations of Southern California weather in the form of a mafia family. For her latest collection she draws on her classical roots, but also from her many years as a professional travel consultant, to explore fascinating individuals throughout history, and to weave a woman’s perspective to this expansive cross section of life.

    “Wonderful, Parks weaves her signature extensions of metaphor and mystery, geography and myth” – RICK SMITH

    “Persons of Interest is a fascinating, chilling and remarkably clear-eyed navigation along the tightrope world that we all must walk.” –FRANK KEARNS

    “Among these poems we get, as part of the bargain, the wonderful “Old Woman”series. Women of all ages will empathize. Women writers of all ages will be jealous they hadn’t thought of it first. I know I am.” – SUZANNE LUMMIS

    STAY GALLERY, 11410 Downey Avenue, Downey 90241

    Doors open at 7:00, open mike at 7:30

     

     

  • Photos from Downey Museum of Art presents Vic Joachim Smith

    Photos from Downey Museum of Art presents Vic Joachim Smith

    On January 10th, 2015 the Downey Museum of Art presented work from it’s collection by one of Southern California’s original modern artists, Vic Joachim Smith ~ early work.  Presented at the South Gate Civic Museum and Art Galleries, the exhibit will be up for the month of January.  The Other Theatre Company also presented a short play titled “Off Kilter” by Barry Slater, directed by Alistair Hunter.  It featured Claudia Duran as an optimistic art curator, sparring with Daniel Houston Davila as a embittered former artist.  Special thanks to Roy Anthony Shabla, director of collections, for putting together this exhibit with the DMOA board members.

  • DOWNEY ARTS COALITION: Open House January 13th 2015

    DOWNEY ARTS COALITION: Open House January 13th 2015

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    Open House for Artists and Art Lovers

    The Downey Arts Coalition will host an Open House on Tuesday, January 13, at 7:00 PM, at the Epic Lounge at 8239 2nd Street.  The event is free to the public and will offer an opportunity to connect with others who have an interest in supporting and participating in local art events.  Refreshments will be served, along with a brief presentation by local artist Roy Anthony Shabla who is also an artistic advisor for the Downey Museum of Art.

    Since its founding in 2011, the Downey Arts Coalition has sponsored art exhibits and monthly poetry readings, and produced two Broadway plays and two free music festivals.   The non-profit organization has also hosted movie screenings by local videographers, and recently assisted with publicity for the Glenfest Movie Festival that was free to the public at the Downey Krikorian Theater.

    Art curator Pat Gil explains, “Whatever someone’s passion is – music, film, theatre, dance, poetry – we can work together to help you express it in our local community.”

    Gil describes DAC as umbrella organization that provides “a place for local artists, arts organization, and community leaders to share and collaborate.”  Reflecting its commitment to the community, the DAC website offers a calendar promoting city concerts, art shows, and music events.

    Everyone, no matter what their interest, is invited to come for an evening of networking and stimulating conversation.  For further information go to:  www.downeyarts.org.

  • POETRY MATTERS: Rosalie Sciortino January 15th 2015

    POETRY MATTERS: Rosalie Sciortino January 15th 2015

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    Downey Native to be Featured Poet

    Downey poet and artist Rosalie Desimone Sciortino will be the featured reader for Poetry Matters, Thursday, January 15, at Stay Gallery.  Her work over the years has had an impact on the Downey arts scene in many ways.   Sciortino was a leader in Writers Workshop West (a writing group spearheaded by theater director John Hume), and a board member of the Downey Art League.  She has often been a contributing writer to the Downey Patriot, and before that the Downey Eagle.  Doors will open at 6:30 PM for a reception, and her artwork will be on display for a week.

    Reflecting her wit and creativity, Sciortino’s new book, The Gift, includes a whimsical short story and several memoirs of her Downey childhood, in addition to her lyrical poetry.  Her poems convey her love of nature and reflections on the human spirit.   “Her gift is the transformation of the common to the uncommon,” writes poet Zaida Ramos.

    Sciortino is a virtual native of Downey, having arrived here with her family when she was just twenty days old.   Her parents, who met and married in Colorado after immigrating separately from Sicily, settled into a farmhouse with acreage at the corner of what is now Paramount and Florence where the Chase Bank sits.

    At that time Paramount Blvd, known then as College, dead-ended at Florence, and vehicles were only able to turn east or west.  Sciortnio recalls that loaded hay trucks would shake the timbers of the house as they rolled to a stop at the corner.

    Sciortino was the youngest of seven siblings, with her neighborhood defined by orange groves,  sooty air from smudge pots, irrigation ditches, and the “magical sylvan retreat” of the Rio San Gabriel river bed.  Relatives from Los Angeles described their weekly visits to Downey as “a trip to the country.”

    In the 1970’s Sciortino was an active member of the Downey Art League when the organization’s membership was at its height.   She explored a variety of media, including oil, collage, and acrylic, winning numerous prizes.    Her subjects range from stylized still-life’s to realistic figures and cityscapes.

    While writing and painting were her chosen vehicles for expressing her love of nature and beauty,  Sciortino’s creativity was not limited to these art forms.  Fans of talk radio on KABC in the 1980’s remember Sciortino’s comedic call-in’s to the morning Ken and Bob Company show.   Listeners were invited to win prizes by calling in with explanations and descriptions of common terms.  Sciortino would call in so often that she would change her name, but she could not disguise her voice.   She recalls that her husband’s golfing buddies would tell him, “Your wife’s on the radio again.”

    As an avid KABC listener, Sciortino’s prize-winning success was legendary.  She twice won tickets to an opening game of the Dodgers, several dinners at high-end restaurants in Beverly Hills, and tickets for the Cirque de Soleil when it premiered during the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.

    Sciortino’s impact on the Downey art scene extends beyond her own writing and painting.  Sciortino has contributed years of community service as a member of the Downey Symphony Guild, helping with fund-raisers that support the regular season concerts and the Music in the Schools program.   The music education program, started in 1995, serves 11,000 local elementary students in the area’s public and private schools.

    The public is invited to come early Thursday night for the reception at 6:30 PM and to sign up for the Open Mike, which begins at 7:30 PM.  The featured reading begins at 8:00 PM.  Poetry Matters is sponsored by the Downey Arts Coalition in conjunction with Stay Gallery at 11140 Downey Avenue, just north of Firestone Blvd.   For further information, go to www.downeyarts.org.

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  • Vic Joachim Smith: Early Work from the DMOA, Jan 10

    Vic Joachim Smith: Early Work from the DMOA, Jan 10

    Downey Museum of Art is proud to announce its first exhibition for 2015. Vic Joachim Smith ~ Early Work opens Saturday, January 10th, 1 pm, at Southgate Museum and Art Galleries. This is an important show.

    Vic Smith moved to Southern California from the Pacific Northwest to pursue a calling in art. He graduated from Cal State Long Beach in 1954 and later developed the arts program and taught at Cal State Fullerton.

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    During the 1950s and 60s, Smith exhibited throughout Asia and Europe alongside other renowned American artists such as Pollack, Rothko, Kline, and De Kooning.   California institutions, including the Museums of Art in Downey, Newport Harbor, Laguna, Long Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland, also hosted exhibits of his work. In 1967, Los Angeles Times art critic William Wilson noted, “The art of Vic Smith is so good, I can’t understand why it isn’t more famous.”

    Downey Museum of Art holds in its collection one complete early series by Vic Smith. “High Sierra” will be shown in its entirety as well as samples of other early work and ephemera.

    VicSmith2Simultaneous to Vic Joachim Smith ~ Early Work, Downey Museum of Art will offer a second show, Selections from the Collections, featuring large, avant garde, and constructed paintings from its permanent holdings, including the work of Charles Villiers. Both exhibits are hosted by the Southgate Art Galleries.

    The opening reception will include live music and theater. Featured at 3 pm, The Other Theater Company will offer a production of “Off Kilter”, a short play about how to look at modern art. And throughout the reception, Isaac Takeuchi will perform Bach and original cello compositions.

    The Southgate Museum and Art Galleries is located at 8680 California Avenue, just north of Firestone Blvd. The opening reception is Saturday, January 10, from 1 to 5 pm. Admission is free.

    Editor’s note: The Long Beach Museum of Art will exhibit one early painting by Vic Smith in February.

    Roy Anthony Shabla is Director of Collections for Downey Museum of Art, and a poet and painter living in the Los Angeles area.

  • Symphony Concert “Harp and Soul” Jan 24th, Reflections Art Show

    Symphony Concert “Harp and Soul” Jan 24th, Reflections Art Show

    The Downey Symphony Orchestra will hold its winter concert on January 24th at the Downey Civic Theatre, “Harp and Soul,” at 8:00pm. This concert will feature the Downey Symphony’s talented string section along with award winning harpist Alison Bjorkedal. Come hear the compositions of Mahler, Copeland, Debussy and Tchaikovsky. Also, the Downey Symphony seeks to to promote young American composers, and this concert will also include the world premiere of Five Variations of Loss and Isolations by Bryan Kostors.

    Accompanying the concert will be the art show “Reflections” presented by the Downey Arts Coalition and curated by EJ Ball.  Over 20 artists will be featured in the lobby gallery, with new works by local and regional artists.  The Call to Artists for this show is still open, see the details below.

    For details about the concert and bios of the soloist and composer, visit the Downey Symphony Orchestra Website.

    To purchase tickets online visit the Downey Theatre website.

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    Reflections-Call-to-Artists

  • Christmas Concert this Sunday – Downey Master Chorale

    Christmas Concert this Sunday – Downey Master Chorale

    On Sunday, December 21st, 2:30pm experience our city chorus perform at the lovely sanctuary of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 9820 Lakewood Blvd. in Downey. The concert will feature “Christmas Cantata” by Daniel Pinkham and “Ave Verum Corpus” by Mozart. Unusual arrangements of favorite carols plus some interesting surprises will add to the delight of all present. Come, celebrate and support Downey’s very own quality choral group.

    Director Margaret Zeleny brings an incredible energy to this new choral group.  Downey hasn’t had it’s own city chorus for over 20 years, we hope this new opportunity to celebrate the human voice will be embraced by the community.  Auditions are ongoing, for those who have a passion for singing.

    Read about the Downey Master Chorale in the Downey Patriot

    ADMISSION  General: $20; Students and seniors: $15. Group rate available, inquire by phone or email.
    Click to Email your RSVP

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    PROGRAM

    “Bring a Torch Jeanette, Isabella” arr. Keith Chapman

    David York, organ

    “Christmas Cantata” Daniel Pinkham

    “Carolling Carolling” Alfred Burt

    “Deck the Halls (in 7/8)” arr. James McKelvey

    “The Holly and the Ivy” M. Boughton

    “Sure on This Shining Night” Samuel Barber

    “Christmas in the Straw” Lloyd Pfautsch

    “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” arr. Richard Donohue

    “Medley Christmas” arr. Ron Howard

    Carol Sing-along with audience

    “One Solitary Life” Dr. James Allan Francis

    “Lullaby” John Ness Beck

    “Ave Verum Corpus” W. A. Mozart

    “A World That’s Free” Carol Owens

    Elora Chavez, soprano soloist

    “O Little Town of Bethlehem” arr. Kay Hawkes Goodyear

    Diane Fort-Woody, contralto soloist

    “What We All Want for Christmas is Peace” Susie and Joel Raney

    Vince Gonzales, baritone soloist

    “Behold! Rise Up! Go Tell! Shine!” arr. Mark Hayes

  • POETRY MATTERS: But Who’s Counting

    POETRY MATTERS: But Who’s Counting

    Poetry Matters announces a special event, the December 18 celebration of its three year anniversary. This event also marks the debut of a new chapbook, But Who’s Counting. Editor Lorine Parks has collected a poem from each of the featured poets who have come to read in Downey over the last eighteen months in The Rives Mansion, Epic Lounge and for the past year at Stay Gallery.

    Sure to be a collector’s item, But Who’s Counting is filled with some of the best in contemporary Southern California poetry. The Downey Arts Coalition has sponsored the publication of this book, and four of the eighteen poets are Downey residents.

    A number of the featured poets will be here in person to read their poems in this gala launch.

     

    DECEMBER 18, 2014
    STAY GALLERY
    11140 DOWNEY AVE, DOWNEY, CA, 90241
    Doors open at 7:00, readings begin at 7:30

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  • Downey Civic Theatre Announces 2014-15 Season

    Downey Civic Theatre Announces 2014-15 Season

    The Downey Civic Theatre continues its presenting series of shows to bring more music and entertainment to the area.  Check out the line-up for 2014-2015.

    Mariachi Divas Christmas Show

    Sunday, December 14th 2014 at 7:00pm

    Mariachi DivasDirected and founded by trumpet player Cindy Shea in 1999, under the musical direction of GRAMMY award winning Alberto “Beto” Jimenez Maeda, the Mariachi Divas have made big waves on the national and international music scene. With two GRAMMY Awards, five GRAMMY nominations, and one Latin GRAMMY nomination, the Mariachi Divas are a unique, multicultural, all-female ensemble imbued with the true flavor of Los Angeles. The Divas discography includes 9 albums released through Shea Records and East Side Records. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the founding of the Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea.

    Morris Day & The Time

    Saturday, March 7th 2015 at 8:00pm. 

    Morris Day 1Morris Day, lead vocalist of The Time, is known as one of pop’s most verbally pretentious vocalists. In the 80’s The Time burst onto the public scene, with “Get It Up,” “Cool,” and “Girl.” More hits followed including “777-9311,” “Wild and Loose,” “Walk,” and “Gigolos Get Lonely Too.”

    STARSHIP featuring Mickey Thomas

    Friday May 8th 2015 at 8:00pm

    Mickey Thomas is the owner of the soaring voice that propelled STARSHIP through the decades of the 80’s and 90’s. With his soulful and compelling vocals, Mickey has established himself as one of Rock Music’s most recognizable stars.

    StarshipBacked by the power of Mickey’s vocals, JEFFERSON STARSHIP immediately scored a #1 hit with “Jane”. With this new sound and powerful new vocals the group was renamed STARSHIP and continued to record an amazing string of hits including “No Way Out”, “We Built This City”, “Sara”, and an Oscar Nomination for the #1 hit “Nothing Gonna Stop Us Now” from the movie “Mannequin”. Other top hits included “Find your Way Back”, “Stranger”, “Laying It On The Line”, and “It’s Not Over Till It’s Over” which became Major League’s Baseball’s theme in 1987. Moreover, every STARSHIP album released since 1979 has gone Gold, Platinum, or Multi-Platinum. 

    U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West

    Sunday, May 17th 2015 at 3:00pm

    US Air Force BandFrom Travis AFB CA, the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West is a select group of professional Airmen-musicians who support the global Air Force mission by providing outstanding musical products and services for official military, recruiting, and community relations events, and by fostering America’s rich national heritage.  Under the direction of Captain Dustin Doyle, the Band of the Golden West Concert Band, the largest ensemble within the organization, represents the professionalism and excellence found every day throughout the Air Force.  Touring the western states of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Arizona, Utah and Nevada, the Concert Band performs a wide variety of music from standard concert band literature and military marches to jazz and pop arrangements, Broadway standards, and of course, patriotic music complete with instrumental soloists and featured vocalists.  During a concert, you are likely to hear stirring works from contemporary composers as well as the familiar sounds of John Philip Sousa or Major Glenn Miller. Its wide and varied programs offer something for everyone and make an excellent choice for family entertainment.

    The US Air Force Band of the Golden West has performed for thousands of listeners in live concert appearances and for millions worldwide via its numerous recordings and television and radio broadcasts. Throughout its history, the Concert Band has collaborated with some of America’s leading band conductors, receiving enthusiastic critical acclaim as one of premier musical organizations of its kind.

    The United States Air Force Band of the Golden West is dedicated to using the power of music to inspire our Air Force members and the great nation we serve, producing innovative musical programs and products, and communicating Air Force excellence.

    This performance is a free, ticketed event. Individual tickets will be available Tuesday, December 16th 2015 at 11:00am on a first-come, first-served basis, limit of two tickets per patron. With the purchase of tickets to three or more Season shows, advanced tickets for this performance will be issued prior to December 16th. 

    Rita Rudner & Louie Anderson

    Saturday, May 30th 2015 at 8:00pm

    Rita RudnerTwo of America’s favorite comedians, Rita Rudner and Louie Anderson join forces for a great evening of fun. One of the country’s top comedians and a New York Times bestselling author, Rita Rudner is also an award-winning television personality, screenwriter, playwright, Broadway dancer, and actress. A house-filling favorite in Las Vegas since she opened as one of the hottest tickets in town in June 2000, Rudner is known for her epigrammatic one-liners. She performs at The Venetian in Las Vegas, where over the course of a ten-year run and 2,000 plus shows, she has sold over one million tickets and become the longest-running solo show in the history of Las Vegas. She has been named Comedian Of The Year nine years in a row and in 2006 received The Nevada Ballet’s Woman Of The Year Award (other recent recipients include Bette Midler, Celine Dion, Chita Rivera and Twyla Tharp).

    photo 2 louieTwo-time Emmy Award winner Louie Anderson is one of the country’s most recognized and adored comics and was named by Comedy Central as “One of 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians of All Time.” Currently he is headlining in his own stand up show, “Louie Live” at the Plaza Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. His big break came in 1984 when he appeared on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” who was so impressed with the comic he called him out for a rare and coveted “second bow.” Anderson’s stand-up comedy career skyrocketed. Known as a “clean” comedian, his stories about growing up in the Midwest, being one of 11 children and dealing with an alcoholic father provided endless material for the comic with audiences of all types relating to his everyday life experiences.

    Pre-Show Party

    The Downey Theatre Lobby and Patio will open two hours prior to each Season show. Beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at the concession operated by Lock and Key Social Drinkery, and there will be live music and dancing.

    Volunteer Opportunities

    The Downey Theatre is looking for arts enthusiasts to volunteer and assist with front of house operations during shows.  Discover the benefits of volunteering for the Downey Civic Theatre and find out how you can volunteer to support the arts by calling (562)861-8211.

    Box Office Hours

    The Downey Civic Theatre box office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 am- 5:00 pm and one hour before show time. For upcoming events and information call the box office at (562) 861-8211 or visit us online at www.DowneyTheatre.org. Get on the fast track for everything happening at the Theatre:  text downeycivic to 22828 today.