Category: Updates

DAC Annual Meeting March 30 2015

Come join fellow artists, art advocates and art lovers in celebrating the start of the fifth year in pursuit of our objectives to stimulate, develop, foster, encourage, and promote public interest ín, and appreciation of the arts in Downey and throughout the area.

May 30^th, 2015
“Pat’s Patio”
7901 7th Street, Downey, CA 90241
12 Noon –4 PM

All are Welcome

DAC Member Meeting and business will begin promptly at 12 Noon

Potluck

Hot Dogs and Buns will be provided
Contact Pat at patgil1031@gmail.com or 562-879-3029 to get your item on the potlucklist.

DAC Meeeting Agenda

Opening Remarks: by Andrew Wahlquist

Business:

– Membership vote on the acceptance of the By-Law Update.*
– Membership vote on the slate of officers presented by the nominating committee.

Celebration: Adjourn for Food and Beverages, conversation and networking.

* The By-laws are available for review at: http://www.downeyarts.org/by-laws/
Comments may be submitted prior to the meeting.

May 19, 2015
STEAM Festival with Stay Gallery May 23

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, ARTS, and Mathematics. Join the Stay Gallery team in a new event to celebrate student creativity on May 23rd from 10-1pm at Downey Federal Credit Union. They are partnering with Downey High School Engineering Department and Columbia Memorial Space Center to host a variety of fun science and art activities for the entire family to enjoy. This event represents Stay Gallery’s partnership with Downey Unified School District and our efforts to integrate the arts into modern day education. Thanks to program sponsors like Downey Federal Credit Union, we are making this a reality! #steamcity #stayyoung #staygallery

May 12, 2015
DAC Open House May 12, Short film ‘Premeditative’ and artist Terry Walker

DOWNEY – The Downey Arts Coalition will host an open house on Tuesday, May 12, at 7 p.m., at the Epic Lounge. The event is free to the public and offers an opportunity to connect with others who have an interest in supporting and participating in local art events. Refreshments will be served, along with the showing of a short film, “Premeditative,” by co-directors Gene Aversa and Carlos Quinterro. Artwork by local glass artist Terry Walker will also be featured.

“Premeditative ” is a drama about a high school student who snaps after repeated bullying and harassment, and makes a drastic decision to take a gun to school. The film centers on his inner turmoil and his decision as he walks to school, before he makes a very dire mistake.

Glass artist Terry Walker has been an important part of the Downey Arts Coalition since 2013, and has brought her work to many festivals and art events. Her work is popular as it makes affordable gifts for friends and family. She recently completed a new mosaic, entitled Triumph, for DAC’s recent “Rebirth” art exhibit at the Downey Civic Theatre.

Glass mosaic “Triumph” by Terry Walker

The Downey Arts Coalition is also celebrating its fourth anniversary this year. Since its founding in 2011, the group has sponsored art exhibits, monthly poetry readings, and produced two Broadway plays and two free music festivals. Art shows for the Dia de los Muertos celebrations, the City of Downey rooftop events, and the Downey symphony concerts are curated by members of DAC. The non-profit organization has also hosted movie screenings by local filmmakers, 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 downeyarts.org.

DAC Open House screening of “The Whexican” by Forrest Hartl

May 10, 2015
Russtache Bash

Russtache Bash –

Join us this Sunday, May 3, at the Epic Lounge for the benefit concert for local Downey musician Russ Lewark, who is battling Myelodyplastic Syndrome (MDS)

Live Music by: Dennis Roger Reed Band – Fossiltones – Ben King

Raffle Prizes, PhotoStache “Booth”, and other amusements

Please donate $20.00 at the door on arrival – and grab your free “One Foot In Songbook” CD as you leave and Dennis Roger Reed CD, and Kahuna Cowboys Jug Band CD

Bring your instruments to jam after the concert.

Sunday, May 3, 2015, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, Epic Lounge, Downey, 8239 2nd Street, Downey (323) 841-0194

May 2, 2015
Poetry Matters with bilingual poet Margarita Ezcurra – April 16

Margarita Ezcurra is scheduled as the feature reader at April’s Poetry Matters, which will take place on Thursday, April 16. The bilingual installment is a first for Poetry Matters, with Excurra reading her work in both Spanish and English.
Ezcurra was born in Bolivia and moved with her family to the United Sates in 1968, after witnessing the South American conflicts while seeking political asylum with Argentina. She is promoting her new collection, Because I Have Lived, Poems From Two Worlds. The text includes a Spanish and English version of each poem on facing pages.
Poetry Matters will be held at Stay Gallery, located at 11140 Downey Ave. in Downey. Doors open at 7:00 and the event begins at 7:30 p.m.

April 7, 2015
In Concert: Tenth and California April 19

Singer/songwriter Macain Treat (originally from Downey) brings a Free concert based on the new album “Angels Singing in The Dark,” the debut recording by the Santa Monica based music collective Tenth and California, Produced by Macain Treat , a veteran Los Angles session and touring musician, this modern Americana Gospel recording contains 7 original selections along with 3 inspired reinterpretations of classic hymns.

“Angels Singing In The Dark” features musical contributions from some of the best session musicians in Los Angeles. The band collectively has recorded or toured with such legendary artists as Roger Daltrey, Barbra Streisand, Quincy Jones, PINK, and Ray Charles to name a few. “The most wonderful thing about working with such talented musicians,” Macain explains, “is being able to throw anything at the musicians on the stage or in the studio and know they can pull it off”.

Tenth and California has it’s roots at Trinity Church Santa Monica, a community of believers that formerly met at the corner of 10th and California. “We are a spiritually hungry group that puts God as our focus in worship and hearing His word through music” said Macain. This desire to share the teachings of God’s word accompanied with a calling to share their experiences of faith became the foundation for the record.

The concert is sponsored by the Downey Arts Coalition and the First Baptist Church of Downey, Sunday April 19 at 6:30pm, 8348 Third Street. Admission is free, but donations will be collected to support the future efforts of the musicians. CD’s also for sale.

For further information about the band, visit tenthandcalifornia.com. Follow Tenth and California on Twitter @tenthandca and on Facebook at facebook.com/tenthandcalifornia

April 7, 2015
Rebirth Art Show at the Downey Civic Theatre

April 11 – “Romantic Gems” Downey Symphony concert & Rebirth art exhibit

Downey Symphony Orchestra closes their season on Saturday, April 11, with “Romantic Gems.” The program will include pieces by Johannes Brahms, and the violin concerto of Jean Sibelius, as performed by the winner of the 2013 Downey Symphony Young Artist Competition, 18-year-old violinist Hao Zhou. Hao began playing the violin at age six and currently studies under Aimée Kreston at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles.
The art exhibit, Rebirth, will take place in conjunction with the concert, and will run for a month long. The mixed media exhibit will showcase art, submitted by 33 local artists, that portrays the theme of rebirth — death, life, and transformation. This installation is the largest yet for this space, with over 50 total pieces on display. Both the exhibit and concert are a celebration of Easter and the welcoming of spring.
The exhibit will open at 6:30 p.m., followed by the concert at 8:00 p.m. Purchase tickets at http://www.downeytheatre.com/Event

April 7, 2015
Poetry Matters presents Roy Anthony Shabla March 19

It’s poetry March Madness, Poetry Matters features poet/artist Roy Anthony Shabla, who is the curator of The Green Salon, and at the end of the month the Green Salon will feature Lorine Parks, curator of Poetry Matters.

Here, sans capitalization, is the announcement for Poetry Matters:

poetry matters
downey arts coalition
stay gallery

are proud to present the poetry of

Roy Anthony Shabla at “Art on the Vine”

roy anthony shabla

with the music of

joshua woodcarver
and
gabriel armenta

and the film work of

andrew wahlquist and celina armenta

thursday, march 19, 7:30 pm
11140 downey avenue 90241

roy anthony shabla is an accomplished poet and painter.
he is director of collections for downey museum of art
and hosts a monthly arts gathering, the green salon (join on facebook).
the green salon is free for everyone.

shabla is the author of ten books of poetry and three books of prose.
several received critical acclaim (see royanthonyshabla.com).

his art, poetry, sound art, film, and performance have appeared in
los angeles, portland, new york, paris, london, madrid, leningrad, beijing
and many more places… yet he remains downey’s favorite son.

joshua woodcarver (josue quiquivix and andrew ariza) and gabriel armenta
are local musicians who regularly collaborate and tour with several bands.
josue quiquivix teaches at california guitar academy in downey.

andrew wahlquist is a filmmaker and co-founder of downey arts coalition.

celina armenta is a graphic artist who regularly collaborates with shabla.

poetry matters is a monthly literary gathering hosted by poet, lorine parks.
there is no admission fee and all are welcome.

for more information, join downey arts coalition on facebook.

March 9, 2015
DOWNEY ARTS COALITIOIN: Open House March 10th 2015

Open House for Artists and Art Lovers

The Downey Arts Coalition will host an Open House on Tuesday, March 10, at 7:00 PM, at the Epic Lounge at 8239 2nd Street. The event is free to the public and offers 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 showing of a short film, “The Whexican,” by playwright/actor/director Forrest Hartl.

“The Whexican” is a family comedy about an aspiring standup comic reluctantly visiting his Mexican grandfather. Originally a stage play, it performed at CASA 0101 in Boyle Heights in 2007. In 2013, Hartl adapted the play into a short film and shot it in Downey.

The film stars Alejandro Patiño (The Bridge, Desperate Housewives, Bowfinger) and premiered at the Tucson film festival. It also screened in LA and Oceanside, and was a finalist for NuvoTV’s emerging Latino filmmaker showcase.

Attendees at the Open House will also have a chance to meet award-winning Downey sculptor, Jorge del Toro and view some of his artwork. Del Toro’s piece, “Deforestation,” won first place in its category at the recent 55th annual Hillcrest Festival of Fine Arts. Two of his other ceramic pieces were awarded Honorable Mention.

The Downey Arts Coalition is also celebrating its fourth anniversary this month. Since its founding in 2011, the group has sponsored art exhibits, monthly poetry readings, and produced two Broadway plays and two free music festivals. Art shows for the Dia de los Muertos celebrations, the City of Downey rooftop events, and the Downey symphony concerts are curated by members of DAC.

The non-profit organization has also hosted movie screenings by local filmmakers, and recently assisted with publicity for the Glenfest Movie Festival that was free to the public at the Downey Krikorian Theater. DAC will be helping with the movie festival once again, later this year.

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.

March 3, 2015
Help fund SEA MONSTERS – A short film by Sweet Nightmares

Local filmmaking team Sweet Nightmares have launched an IndieGoGo fundraising campaign and they need YOUR help in bringing their latest cinematic venture to the big screen. This time they are sailing into the treacherous deep seas of the Bermuda Triangle in search of the ultimate treasure: love. SEA MONSTERS marks the first time mixed-media artist Polaris Castillo & writer/director Matt Landsman join forces as co-directors. This is their final short film before taking on a full-length feature film in the near future.

Donating to the project has you winning, too.

There are various perks rewarded in return for anyone who supports the team. Some of the prizes include original concept art work, digital and hard copies of the film, and even a chance to be IN the film with a speaking role!

Check out the campaign over at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/sea-monsters

The team hails from all over Los Angeles. They’ve filmed in and around the areas of Downey, South Gate, Bellflower, Long Beach and in Los Angeles. They have also showcased their work before at The Epic Lounge on a number of occasions.

To view more of their work as well as consistent updates on SEA MONTERS, visit sweetnightmaresfilms.com

March 2, 2015