Bleeding Through

I'm lucky that I found something different to do on Halloween. 2 FREE comp. tickets that would have been $40 each. Can't beat that =) A little history on Angelino Heights, the next neighborhood over. Always good to learn more about LA's rich history.
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OX OFFICE INFO: 800/595-4TIX (4849)

GENERAL INFO: 626/396-0920

A theatrical layering of live music, video, and interactive setting, BLEEDING THROUGH uncovers the narrative ghosts of L.A.’s Historic Angelino Heights District and the adjacent Downtown area—a neighborhood where more cinematic “murders” have occurred than anywhere else in the world. This noir-influenced theaterwork, adapted from Norman Klein’s highly praised novella, explores the shaping of a city’s memory by commonplace experiences, chronicled history and cinematic influences.

Co-written & co-directed by Theresa Chavez & Rose Portillo
Adapted from Norman Klein’s novella

OCT 23 – NOV 22, 2009
Thur-Sat 8PM; Sun 3PM

OPENING NIGHT: Sat, Oct 31
$40 includes post-play Noir Costume Party

Shakespeare Festival/LA
1238 W. 1st Street
Los Angeles, CA 90026

Original Music: Vinny Golia

Featured musician: Scott Collins

Ensemble Actors:
DAVID FRUECHTING
BRIAN JOSEPH
LYNN MILGRIM
PETE PANO
ELIZABETH RAINEY
ED RAMOLETE
JAMES TERRY
and KIKEY CASTILLO

Set Design:
Akeime Mitterlehner

Lighting Design:
Francois-Pierre Couture

Costume Design:
Pamela Shaw

Videography:
Claudio Rocha

FREE STREET PARKING and HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE

TIX:
General: $25 Fri-Sun; $20 Thur.;
Students/Seniors: $20 Fri-Sun; $15 Thurs.
Groups(6+): $10

BOX OFFICE INFO:
800/595-4TIX (4849)

Small World

Hope you can join me this Friday. I promise, the music is guaranteed to be good. Not only are they incredible djs but they are also dear friends. Come out and support, you'll see that it really is...A SMALL WORLD after all.

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thanks for your interest in friday's celebration. really looking forward to sharing space with you all.. and creating a good night together. please spread the word to all like-minded and like-hearted. one.

EVENT DETAILS:

a celebration of life along with live performances and djs..

SMALL WORLD
Friday, October 30th
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a race of angels + GB are THE OTHASIDE:
preparing for the release of their debut album together,
they will be performing all new material for the first time ever.

http://www.myspace.com/fromtheothaside
http://www.giftedandblessed.com/
http://www.myspace.com/araceofangels
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AFTA-1
finishing new material for his second album,
he will be showcasing his most current works for an exclusive premiere.

http://afta1.com/love/
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RANI D. + SON ZOO
selecting world rhythms, uptempo grooves, steady rockers
for the discerned dance floor.

http://www.myspace.com/djranid
http://sonzoo.podomatic.com/
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hosted by SANTANA (Truthseekers Radio)
facilitating vibrations and setting tones.

http://www.myspace.com/nexus102
http://truthseekersradio.org/
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cash bar only. visuals, and an altar for offerings.

$5 before 11, $8 after / 21+ / 10pm-2:30am

Address: 651 S. ANDERSON STREET, LA 90023
(LOOK FOR THE PURPLE BUILDING)
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The beauty and interconnectedness of our community is becoming
more and more apparent with each passing moment.
Small World is an attempt to acknowledge and celebrate this beauty.
You, me, and we are summoned to share in this space,
in hopes that all our senses may be awoken.
As we surrender to the alchemical vibration of love,
may our collective energies unite and vibrate on the plain of Oneness.

A dancing prayer awaits you...

PS: SMALL WORLD went on Truth Seekers radio this past Friday.
We played some new tunes, shared story, and spoke on the intention of this night.
Please give it a listen and catch a vibe: http://truthseekersradio.org/


blessup to the one,

SMALL WORLD.

Norah Jones

The cold weather always makes me want to drink some warm chai tea and listen to jazz. Among the music that hits my eardrums, I've rediscovered my Norah Jones cds, listen to her lyrics, and remember...sweet memories.

Hello Kitty exhibit: 35 years of Hello Kitty from Japan to LA

Sunday brunch with some of the Women of Balagtasan Collective before the Pilobolus show. The exhibit was in Culver City in a cafe where the waitresses are dressed like Harajuku costume girls. LA is turning Japanese, I really think so.

Dia de los Muertos Celebration @ Hollywood Forever Cemetary

Remembering the dead and what they meant to us when they were alive. I spent this year's Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with the Mexican side of my family. It was truly a beautiful experience as you can see from the pictures below.

Odoru Dance Studio: Grand Opening

Emiko's Dream Come True

おどるDance Studio. Emiko's dance studio in the heart of LA. Her dream is coming thru. Even greater things lie ahead, it's exciting. おめでとうえみこーちゃん！

Pilobolus in LA!

I just bought tickets to Pilobolus after finding out from Emiko that they're performing in LA this weekend! Thanks Emiko! I perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon and supporting an amazing dance company. I'm looking forward to it =)

がんばって

Love brings change.

2 of the men I loved once in my life are both getting married next month.

I'm one of two bridesmaids for my best friend/sister's wedding in April and she is moving to NY in January. It will be the first time we will live far away from each other throughout the 8 years that we've seen each other grow and change.

And my heart closed another chapter to my book of love this week.

No matter how far away, no matter what changes we face, always know what will remain the same:

I will always believe in you and will never forget the way you changed me for the better.

I Will Remember You.

どもありがとうございます。がんばって。

When one door closes, another one opens...

...and a new, beautiful day welcomes the change.

Don't Know Why

Help Samoa: Disaster Benefit Concert in Hermosa Beach

Help Samoa Disaster Relief Benefit Concert
Sunday October 25th, 2009, 6:00pm - 10:00pm
Hope Chapel Teen Center - Admission "Free"

The Strangers, Lisa Haley & Friends, IMISI, Hula Worship Team, Ola Fou, HC Youth Band
Also: Nonsina, Taupou Manaia Group, Kahanu Coleman and more...

Come enjoy worship and praise music and pray for the victims and families devastated by the disaster in the Samoan Islands and the South Pacific. Thank you for your love and support. Dinner is available for a donation. Thank you and tell all your family and friends to come and support this great cause.

Whether you can volunteer your time or make a product or monetary donation, your help is greatly apperciated. Oct 23, 24, & 25 will be open for drop-off of can foods, clothing, tents, etc. at the Hope Chapel Teen Center. For making monetary donations, please make your tax-deductible check donation payable to "Hope Chapel or Office of Samoan Affairs" All monetary donations will be used to purchase and transport items for the Greatest Needs.

For more info call: Tui Letuli 310.871.5385

2420 Pacific Coast Hwy. Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Somewhere Out There

I read it. I understand. Thank you. Maybe...one day. See you this winter.

Leftover pictures from my bday celebration

These pictures from my cousin, Xochitl's camera were just too beautiful that I had to post them for good memories. It was truly this beautiful. Thanks Xoch!

Untitled 10.17.09

I tip toe cautiously around the borders of love
If I lean one way, I may fall in
a fear from losing myself in the process.
If I lean the other way, I find myself trapped
Within the walls of emotional protection where no one can enter.

So I try to walk a straight line
But get pulled at from both sides.
When someone like me loves deeply
It hard to walk the straight line
And avoid the cracks in the concrete.

Timing, place and connection
Is everything when it comes to love.

So, I tip toe cautiously around its borders
And try to walk a straight path
Not chasing love
but building love
Within me.

That way when love comes with timing and connection in the right place.
I won’t fall down from it
I won’t run from it.
But I will be strong enough to meet it
Grow with it beside me, within me.
Taste the bittersweet that flows from it.

And strengthen my stride.

Acai

The Acai berry is from Brasil. I first tried this when I was living in Salvador, Brasil, the summer of 2005, and fell in love. I was so addicted to it like crack, I made sure I ate it every day before I went back to LA because I knew I couldn't find this or have it when I returned. About 6 months later, it came to LA and blew up as a popular berry/drink/dessert all over the world. Not only is it tasty, but it is also high in anti-oxidents, anti-aging, and anti-cancer.

Ah, Acai!!!

Kyu

Last Friday, Shino came down with her family and I was able to meet Kyu-chan for the first time. It was a wonderful weekend spent with my girlfriends. This dinner taught me about family as I heard the struggles of being a wife and a mom. I was in no rush to be either after this experience, but at the same time, I saw it as preparation. Maybe someday?

Kyu-chan was a really cool person to meet and the restaurant we ate it was really yummy!

Nice to meet you, Kyu-chan!

Words from Shabba-doo and Ana "Lollipop" Sanchez

I caught the tail end of Shabba-doo's locking class. Not enough time to see the locking, but just enough time to hear his words. There were several things that he said about dance, and just life in general, that stuck with me. These weren't their exact words but it was pretty much the same theme:

"Take it slow. Take everything slow. You have your life time to get better at it and do all the things you want to do."

"Do what you know well and don't worry about what you don't understand. Everything always comes full circle and it will all eventually make sense."

"Practice everyday. It's the only way you'll get better. Don't focus on learning the locking. Use the locking to help you unlock your inner self."

"There is not just 24 moves in locking and there is not always one way of doing it. In the original lockers, we were always creating new things. Moves change as you change. In a class of 60 students that I had, one student told me that he heard there were 24 moves in locking. I counted the class and there were about 60 students in that class. I told the class, there aren't 24 moves in locking, there are 84."

"Don't be afraid to venture out of your own style and try something new. Try other styles. Take classes in other things. You will find out that one style/class will help you to understand another style of dance because they are all connected." - Ana "Lollipop" Sanchez.

There was a reason for me to go to this class today. There were multiple reasons actually. I needed to hear these pieces of advice and apply them to my life and where I'm at right now. I needed to see that there is more than one way of doing a certain style, as there is more than one way of living your life and traveling down a certain path. I am fortunate to have taken a class from one of the original lockers today, and fortunate to have had Asia One, one of the original b-girls, recommend the class to me. I have to remember to recognize my blessings and open my eyes to what is in front of me. Looking forward to continue to build and improve my craft.

Open Your Eyes

Bobby Caldwell was the original artist to this song, but Dwele did a wonderful rendition, in my opinion. Common also sampled the hook for "The Light". This song always comes around in my life and even though it's a short song, the lyrics have always spoken to me. I'm thankful that they wrote, such a beautiful song.

Shabba-doo Workshop: Locking and Waacking

I ran into Asia One at the Rich Medina party last night and she told me about this workshop today. I just got the information this morning and missed the locking workshop but am looking forward to try to make it to the waacking workshop. If you get this in time, hope to see you there.

Thrill The World - A Tribute to Michael Jackson

Thrill The World

On the same day, Saturday, on the West Coast, everyone throughout the world, at various locations will be performing Michael Jackson's famous "Thriller" dance. It will be in the Guinness World Book of Records, and it is a tribute to the late King of Pop himself, Michael Jackson. Throughout the week, people will be teaching the Thriller dance at various locations in Los Angeles alone, and I'm sure throughout different cities in the world.

This is the website that lists the schedule of when people will be performing the Thriller dance in every international city and the local location or website that will give you information about these events.

What a fun way to remember Michael Jackson, the person who made a mark on our lives and music history. R.I.P.

The umbrella

As tradition dictates, upon entering his Zen master’s house, the disciple left his shoes and umbrella outside.

“I saw through the window that you were arriving,” said the master. “Did you leave your shoes to the right or the left of the umbrella?”

“I haven’t the least idea. But what does that matter? I was thinking of the secret of Zen!”

“If you don’t pay attention in life, you will never learn anything. Communicate with life, pay each moment the attention it deserves – that is the only secret of Zen.”

Ooh Child

Sometimes I forget.
Every now and then, I fall off.

Hey, I'm not a perfect person.

I've made and continue to make a lot of mistakes. I have bruises and scars from past wounds, some still fresh.
Some heal right away,
others take a while to heal.

I have baggage just like you.

We all do.

But,

I have to remind myself and just believe
that everything happens for a reason.

Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.

So only focus on the positive.

Sometimes, I forget.
But, I have to remember

happiness

love

love and happiness

what that really means and how to live by it, not just dream of it.

A Cuban Salsa Experience

I haven't danced as much as I've wanted to lately, so on Saturday, I'm joining my cousin, Xochitl, at El Floriditas for her bday and for some Cuban food and salsa dancing. Can't wait to break out my dress and heels. Live cuban salsa music. I'm looking forward to it!

Happy Bday Fela Kuti!

It's Fela Kuti's bday this Friday. To celebrate, Rich Medina is gonna be in LA. So for all you music heads, this is one event you wont' wanna miss. If you don't know Rich Medina, then this is the night to check his set out. He'll definitely get you on the dance floor, that's for sure. I'll meet you there!

And for those of you who don't know Fela Kuti, here's a clip of one of his famous songs "Zombie". Enjoy and Happy Bday Fela Kuti!

It Never Entered My Mind

Cold mornings and rain always make me want to listen to jazz. This morning, I woke up with this song on my mind. It is one of my favorite Miles Davis songs of all time. It sounds like a beautiful melancholic song, with a touch of nostalgia. Ah...Miles Davis.

Where the Wild Things Are

This was one of my favorite childhood books of all times. The illustrations to me, as a child, were amazing and the story was full of creativity and possibilities. It was one of those books that I read over and over again, and now, they have a movie, that I am really curious to see. It is directed by Spike Jonze, one of my favorite directors.

I'm looking forward to seeing this movie in the theaters. It's been a while since I've seen a children's movie, but this is one my heart is taking me to see =)

Across the Universe: Something

This song was in my head, before I went to bed and this movie is one of my favorites because I love the Beatles and I really like this director, Julie Taymor. She's amazing! If you haven't seen this movie yet, go rent it! Good night everyone =)

P.S.
Brian Green's class tonight, as always, was amazing! For those of you in Japan, watch the Dance Channel, they were filming the Open House session tonight. I'll let you know when it airs.

Open House Workshop #2: Brian "Footwork" Green

See you tonight!