Category: Updates

  • Review: Brecht on Brecht at Atwater Village Playhouse

    Review: Brecht on Brecht at Atwater Village Playhouse

    Bertolt Brecht is known to have said about great art that, “nothing is self-evident. I am made to laugh about those who cry, and cry about those who laugh.” We experience a little bit of both in The Other Theatre’s production of George Tabori’s Brecht on Brecht at the Atwater Village Playhouse, directed by Downey resident Alistair Hunter. The evening was one-of-a-kind, from the text, to the actors, to the space, to the very words and ideas of Brecht– this is a production not to be missed.

    The performance was an assemblage of the playwright’s poems, songs, prose, and scenes, put together loosely by Tabori, but arranged specifically for this production by the director. A narrative of Brecht’s life it was not, nor did it follow the fictional lives of any of the poet’s most famous characters–yet at the same time, none of this went unnoticed or unlearned throughout the performance. Without being explicitly taught, an audience member completely unaware of the great Bertolt Brecht could easily leave the theatre with a thorough understanding of Brecht’s most passionate beliefs, and the intentions of his now infamous alienation effect and epic theatre.

    The cast of five (Gil Hagen-Hill, Daniel Houston-Davila, BeLinda Howell, Susan Kussman, and Gregg Lawrence) brought much more than just talent to the performance. They brought intelligence, sophistication, and a deep understanding of Brecht’s values and way of thinking that is very rare to find in Los Angeles theatre. The space is small but beautiful, comfortable enough to relax, but intimate enough to feel that the actors are talking right to you (and sometimes they are).

    Indeed they are speaking to us, here in Downey, in more ways than one. Aside from being a compelling and moving theatrical experience, Brecht was the champion of the type of people we are here in Downey. Brecht spent his life campaigning for the worth of the common man– the workers, the oppressed, the middle- and lower-class. Downey represents all of this and more. Even the wealthy among us are down-to-earth, hard-working, salt-of-the-earth folks. The people who Brecht desired to inspire and empower were those just like us. His words ring just as true today as they did when they were first penned, and have sustained the power to inspire us all.

    Brecht on Brecht is presented by The Other Theatre Company, at the Atwater Playhouse, 3191 Casitas Ave. #100, Los Angeles, CA 90039. FREE parking lot. Runs through Sunday, June 9 on Fri/Sat at 8pm, Sunday at 2pm. Dark on May 12, 24, 25, 26. ADMISSION: $25. Students and seniors, $18. RESERVATIONS: (323) 960-1054. ONLINE TICKETING: www.Plays411.com/brecht

  • Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 with Downey High Theatre

    Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 with Downey High Theatre

    Downey High School Theatre Department presents “Musical Comedy Murders of 1940” beginning June 7th in their Morris Theatre.

    New York, 1940. In the glamorous world of Broadway where dreams come true, things turn into a nightmare for a certain group of showbiz types. Taking place in a mansion in the country, a group of theatrical people gather for what seems like a backer’s audition lead by the mansion’s owner, Elsa. Soon, they find themselves caught in a serial killer’s game- The Stage Door Slasher. To make matters worse, they must try to stay alive while trapped in a terrible winter storm. With the culprit amongst them, they will have to find out who the murderer is before they’re next. With secret passages, undercover disguises, Nazi saboteurs, love, confusion, and tension surrounding them, this task will be very difficult indeed. Come follow the group as they try to survive in this comedic murder mystery with a twist that will shock you! Be there to solve the mystery.

    Downey High School, D. Mark Morris Hall
    11040 Brookshire Ave. Downey, Ca.
    Show dates 6/7, 6/8, 6/14, 6/15 at 7pm
    All tickets $6 at the door.

  • Elsa Van Leuven Artist Workshop May 11

    Elsa Van Leuven Artist Workshop May 11

    Elsa Van Leuven is the demonstrator for the next meeting of the Downey Art League and Paramount Traditional Artists Guild, May 11th, 2PM at Progress Park Plaza.   15530 Downey Ave., Paramount, CA, between Somerset and Alondra Blvds.

    Elsa was born in Oklahoma, moving to California in her mid-teens. Her artistic talents first developed along the musical line, majoring in Music at Los Angeles City College, singing with the Hollywood Bowl Chorus and appearing as soloist with the Los Angeles Opera and Downey Symphony Orchestra. She became intensely interested in oil paintings and began her studies with Nona Taylor plus taking workshops under such well-known artists as Joyce Pike, Don Foster, Gilee Barton, Sandy Bergeron, Tom Anderson and Hal Reed.

    Her paintings hang throughout the U.S., Canada, and England, and more locally have hung in Flavia Gallery, Huntington Beach, Virginia’s Gift Shop at Knott’s Berry Farm, Old Town Gallery, Seal Beach and in Solvang and Palm Springs. Also at Lindsey Gallery, S.R. Brennan, Moreton Gallery, Haggenmaker Gallery, Lu Martin Gallery, Anenberg Gallery in various locations here in Calif. More recently she has enjoyed working in an impressionistic style of the Romantic period. These works convey a sense of tranquility and beauty of times past.

    Elsa is now teaching in Adult Education in La Mirada, and is a member of the First Baptist Church of Downey.  Fun fact, she is also a regular contributor to the Downey Patriot’s Letters to the Editor.

  • 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.

  • Bill’s Shorts: One Act Comedies May 19

    Bill’s Shorts: One Act Comedies May 19

    Sylvia Blush and Downey Arts Coalition
    present
    Bill’s Shorts: a brief evening of one act comedies

    ONE NIGHT ONLY!
    4 Comedic Plays by Bill Blush
    Including staged readings of:
    The Unhap-Happiest Season of All
    Edith and Gary Forever?
    Large Coffee

    and a FULL Performance of

    A BAD IDEA
    featuring
    Forrest Hartl and Bill Blush
    Dude and Bro, the undynamic duo, stage a highfalutin heist to avenge their egged-on egos.

    DOORS OPEN AT 6:30PM
    SHOWTIME 7:00PM
    RECEPTION 8:15PM

    TICKETS: $5 (cash only)
    GENERAL SEATING

    NO HOST BAR OPEN ALL NIGHT!

    FREE PARKING available in the Krikorian structure and adjacent streets. (The Porto’s structure is limited to 2 hours.)

     

  • Alan Hess Free Lecture on Mid-Century Architecture April 25

    Alan Hess Free Lecture on Mid-Century Architecture April 25

    Alan Hess, an architect and historian will speak this Thursday, April 25 at the Downey City Library as part of “View From the Edge,” a lecture series on modern art.  Hess will speak about “The Long History of Modernism in California,” featuring mid-century architecture, which Downey is known for.

    The lecture series, curated by Roy Anthony Shabla, will take place the fourth Thursday of the month through June, beginning at 6:30PM.

    Learn more about Alan Hess at his website: alanhess.net

    Join the event page: www.facebook.com/events/454818907926488/

  • Calixto Shibaja Painting Demonstration April 23

    Calixto Shibaja Painting Demonstration April 23

    The Downey Art League, Downey’s original fine arts association, presents a painting demonstration by Calixto Shibaja on Tuesday April 23, 7PM at Rio San Gabriel Park in the activity room.

    Originating from San Pedro Tapanatepec Oaxaca, Calixto Sibaja showed great talent for painting and sculpture.

    While in school, he won numerous painting and drawing contests. He also took part in events that required making sculptures out of clay. At the age of 9, he was invited to be part of the creation of a presidential mural for his town, and at age 11, he like most Oaxaca natives, he moved to Mexico City where he continued middle school. His talent earned him various recognitions in his new residence.

    Due to circumstances of life, Calixto had to pursue an alternate career. He became an optometrist with which he was able to help himself continue with his passion for art.

    After some time, Calixto moved to Los Angeles, California, where he became a full time artist. He exhibited in numerous galleries such as Casa de Sausa, the Silver Dollar, Xochitl Gallery, El Tecolote, Raymundo’s Art and Soul Gallery, and Plaza Mexico. He participated in the Contemporary Spanish Market Art festival in New Mexico in which he won first place for the oil on canvas category. He was also able to participate in the International Art Festival in New York, International Latino Film Festival in city hall of Los Angeles California, Art Exhibitions for NASA Laboratories in Pasadena, and Boeing in Long Beach.

    His art offers a colorful interpretation of life in his native land, the sun burnt faces of the field workers, the fresh smiles on children’s faces, families hard work, showing the magic of his culture and ethnic groups from Oaxaca and Mexico. He has so much love for art; he wishes to leave a legacy for humanity. To do so, he invented a new art technique which he calls “Elipsismo”.

    His goal is to be happy with what he has and share it with others through his art, but his biggest longing is to visit poor isolated villages and teach his art in particular to the native children.

    “Over at Oaxaca, we used to entertain ourselves by playing with dirt and clay; we used to watch corn grow. I believe that all that is inherited has to be put out there through art and the colors on the canvas, since we are serene, hardworking, honest, respectful, intelligent people”.

    Nowadays, he has received important recognitions for his art work. Throughout his trajectory, he has been able to achieve an important evolution in his techniques and art work.

  • Third Thursday Night Poetry presents Beth Ruscio – April 18, 2013

    Third Thursday Night Poetry presents Beth Ruscio – April 18, 2013

    BETH RUSCIO comes from actors, writers and vaudevillians, considers herself all three. She was named one of six Newer Poets of L.A. last year by the Los Angeles Poetry Festival, won the Patricia Bibby Scholarship to Idyllwild Summer Poetry in 2006, is published in the “Poetry Goes To The Movies” issue of Speechless with her poem “Strangled Eventually,” along with her essay and tribute to her Dad, “On Acting and the Art of Boxing,” and has read her poems at the Taper Library, the RedCat Theater, Beyond Baroque, the Cobalt Café, Horse of Another Color, and Pacific Resident Theatre..

    Reception at 7:00 pm. First twelve poets to sign up will read at Open Mic beginning at 7:30

    Hot food and soft drink refreshments for $11 donation

    RIVES MANSION  in Downey, CA. 10933 Paramount Blvd (and Third Street)

    Valet parking, too.

    Please enter by driveway on Paramount. Leave Third Street clear

    Third Thursday curated by Lorine Parks    lorineparks@verizon.net

  • 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)