Latino Blogging in Los Angeles – Part 2

 
Image from Son Mis Locuras

The second meeting of local Latina/o bloggers took place this week in the eastside. It would be just as easy to point out the differences as the similarities amongst us. Mexican and Salvadorian and Guatemalan roots, 1st and 2nd and 3rd generation, students and artists and professionals. It just shows that the blanket term “Latina/o” covers alot of territory. To get a sense of the diversity of Latina/o voices, here are some of the blogs that were represented that night:

www.SonMisLocuras.com
www.WendyCarrillo.com
www.Pachucoville.blogspot.com
www.LoteriaChicana.net
www.SicklySeason.com
www.ViewFromaLoft.typepad.com
www.Lucesitas.wordpress.com

As before, the conversation went all over the place. It touched upon blogs, bloggers, RSS, Obama, El Chavo, Cityhood for East Los Angeles, art, and stuff white people like.

Another meeting is scheduled for March 2008. If you are a blogger with a Latina/o-slant or potential Latina/o blogger come join the fun. Please email us at info@eastsidescene.com for the details of the next get-together in East Los Angeles.

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Complementary wine tasting in Atwater Village – UPDATE

The new wine store, 55 Degrees Wine, will celebrate their grand opening on Saturday, March 16, 2008. To celebrate the grand opening, they will offer complementary wine tastings on Saturday from 11am to 10pm. No reservations necessary.

55 Degrees Wine is located at 3111 Glendale Blvd in Atwater Village.

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Free Event – See the Academy Award nominated PERSEPOLIS and meet the Director in Hollywood

Image from IMDB.com

On Friday, February 15, 2008 at 7:30, enjoy a special free screening of PERSEPOLIS at the Harmony Gold Theater. PERSEPOLIS is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Animated Feature.

After the film there will be a Question and Answer session with the one of the film’s Directors, Marjane Satrapi.

This film is described as:

A poignant coming-of-age story about a precocious and outspoken young Iranian girl that begins during the Islamic revolution. This beautifully animated film is based on Marjane Satrapi’s award-winning graphic novels of the same name. Featuring the voice of Catherine Deneuve.

The Harmony Gold Theater is located at 7655 Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Reserve a seat by calling (213) 403-0416 or by clicking this link. Be sure to arrive about 7:10 to secure your seat. Parking is free behind the theater (enter on Stanley).

For further information, visit ZocaloLA.org

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See stars in Highland Park

 
Image from Orion’s Belt from nightsky.at

We enjoy gazing at the sky through telescopes. Whether it be the rings of Saturn or beauty hidden within the belt of Orion (image above), it is a treat to examine the wonder of the night sky.

On Wednesday, February 13th from 6 pm till 8 pm, the Sidewalk Astronomers will have telescopes available to view the night sky in front of Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library. The library is located at 6145 N. Figueroa in Highland Park. CLICK HERE to visit a special section of the NASA website to get started exploring space.

Let’s hope for a clear night!

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Art and music at El Gallo Cafe – One night only

 
The image of Cesar Gonzalez’s painting is from myspace.com/prelustro

This should be a good one. For 3 bucks, El Gallo Cafe will offer music and art on Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 7 pm till midnight.

Music will be provided by DJ Ded Merchant, Das Radio, Legs On Sale, and The Sirens. 

The art will consist of  paintings, prints, photography, animated shorts, some of it live. The artists featured will be Manuel Lopez, Cesar Gonzalez, Alexander Schaefer, Stephen Romio, Andrea LaHue, Rogelio Gutierrez, Robert Vargas, Rick Mendoza, and Javier Barboza.

El Gallo Café is located at 4545 Avenida Cesar Chavez in East Los Angeles.

For more information:
www.myspace.com/prelustro

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Find love in East Los Angeles at the Botanica de Amor Craft Fair

Image from the Self Help Graphics website

This weekend Self Help graphics will feature the Botanica de Amor Craft Fair. This is not your run-of-the-mill craft fair with quaint heart-shaped knick-knacks. This event will go far beyond the ordinary to assist you in your quest to find your Mojo of Love.

In addition to local artwork and crafts, the fair will feature:

• Live poetry readings;
• The possibility of seeing into the future with tarot card readings;
• Special foods & drinks known for their aphrodisiac qualities;
• DJ Meraz setting the mood; and
• For those who want to get an advantage in the game of love, there will be potions botanics and henna tattoo love spells.

Intrigued? The fair will take place on Saturday, February 9, 2008 from noon till 5 p.m. Self Help Graphics is located at 3802 Cesar E. Chavez Avenue in East Los Angeles. 

More information can be found at www.selfhelpgraphics.com

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Takashi Murakami gives a closing talk about his MOCA exhibition

Image from moca.org/murakami

It seems like most people we have talked to have seen the Murakami Art Exhibition at The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA. If you haven’t seen the show, you have till Monday, February 11th. There will be one final free day on Thursday, February 7th from 5-8pm. Otherwise, admission is $8. The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA is located at 152 North Central Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles.

On Sunday, February 10th, the public has the chance to hear Takashi Murakami speak about this important exhibition and his approach to art. The talk will be $20 for the general public and $15 for members and students. You can get your tickets online by visiting THIS LINK.

Here is a bit of information about Murakami from the MOCA website:

Arguably the most internationally acclaimed artist to emerge from Asia in the postwar era, Takashi Murakami effortlessly navigates between the worlds of fine art and popular culture and is best known for his cartoon-like, “superflat” style. 

More information can be found at MOCA.org.

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