Weekend Update.....So Many New Events Added, Plus PIck of the Week is this Saturday!

If you were planning on going to Sunset Junction (Boo Hoo), don’t fret. So sad to hear, but there is still lots going on that you can enjoy. Some fun stuff in Silver Lake area too on Friday.
 

However, My Pick of the week is this Saturday, the opening reception for artists, Stephan Canthal and Mark Hobley at the Lurie Gallery/The Art District. Both artists are incredibly talented. I am especially excited about Stephan Canthal’s The "America Dream" series, which is mixed media on wood, as well as Urban Landscape images on aluminum. See below, under Saturday Events for more info on the artists.

Add to that, the fact it’s happening at one of my favorite party places and you got a pretty cool Pick of the Week. It all takes place at Lurie Gallery/LA Art District which is the gallery right in front of deyermond art + books, located at 2801 Main Street. They always have fabulous parties…so this is sure to be a fun one. This event runs from 6:00 pm to 10:00 and as always there will refreshments and spirits. (310) 450-4400; http://www.luriegallery.com/; www.deyermondbooks.com

But before we start the Weekend…..If you are an artist, or know one…..

Attention Artists!!! The 6th Annual Pico Art Festival, is looking for artists, interested in participating in their group show to be displayed in a “Gallery Pavilion". The festival will take place at Virginia Ave Park in Santa Monica on Sunday October 2nd, 2011, from 9am to 4pm.

The exhibition, a 1-day outdoor fine art festival, will be open to all working artists, 18 years and older. Any medium in painting, sculpture, drawing, graphics, mixed media and photography will be accepted, as long as the work falls within the area of fine art. Sorry, NO CRAFTS. Email me back if you are interested ktrpromo@gmail.com.

So many new events….starting tonight!

 

Friday August 26^th

 

Downtown there is a fun event happening, head to the Music Center and learn how to dance and shake it, move it and groove it under the stars with live music/DJ and beginner dance lessons sprinkled throughout the evening.

So far there are only two of these events scheduled. This is the first and features Zydeco and runs from 6:30 pm till 10:00 pm. Dance lessons at 6:30pm and throughout the evening.

Active Arts at the Music Center, 135 North Grand Ave., LA 90012. 213-972-3660 http://www.musiccenter.org/events/aa_dancing.html

 

Also since you are downtown, you may want to stop by “Grand Performances.” it’s a Free event that happens in Downtown L.A.’s California Plaza.

Grand Performances’ offers wonderful performers, all established singers, dancers and musicians in this free performing arts summer series.

Today at noon, you can catch Chicano Batman (see photo) and later in the evening at 8:00 pm.


There is a tribute to renowned music producer Quincy Jones entitled. “From the Roots to the Fruits: A Tribute to Quicy Jones.

Affectionately known as "Q," Jones has influenced almost every popular musical style for over 50 years with music heard in jazz clubs, film, television and the world's largest concert venues.

 

Drummer Ndugu Chancler and pianist Patrice Rushen have shared much of Q’s musical journey.

Joined by Alphonso Johnson, David T. Walker, and others, they will celebrate the music of this famed composer, musician, conductor, arranger, record, concert and television producer's rich legacy that ranges from bebop to hip hop.

Show starts at 8:00 pm. California Plaza is located at 300-350 S. Grand Avenue, 90071. http://grandperformances.org/

Or stay by the beach and head to Gallery 1988 Venice is a quirky Venice gallery located at 214 Pier Ave. right off Main St., actually it’s in Santa Monica, not Venice. See, I told you it was quirky.

Tonight they feature an opening reception for artist, Nathan Stapley The show is entitled, SAME GANG, compartmentalizing pop culture iconography. Event runs from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. http://www.nineteeneightyeight.com/

Another lovely spot to enjoy the beach and enjoy the last bit of summer, is Figtree’s Café. They have a wonderful happy hour and will have some great live music tonight at 5:00 pm. Tonight’s show features Beatle tunes from Fefe. Show goes till 7:00 pm.

 

 

Figtree’s Café is known for their healthy delicious food, located right on the Venice boardwalk at 429 Ocean Front Walk Venice, at Paloma Ave, two blocks south of Rose. Figtree’s has been voted the best restaurant on the boardwalk since 1978. Figtree’s also has FREE delivery. 310 392-4937; www.figtreescafe.com;

In Santa Monica, South, on Wilshire presents a fun night with local DJ Jacque from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. It’s always a fun night with tasty drink specials and a yummy happy hour! Starting at 4:00 pm and runs till 7:00 pm. Get there early to partake of the specials.  South also offers $3 beer, ($10.00 pitchers) and $5 wells.

South is located at 3001 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403. (310) 828-9988; http://southsantamonica.com/.

 

Or if you are up to an art event in the Miracle Mile area Steve Turner Contemporary presents Wet Paint 3 Artist Talk: Sergio Bromberg. Enjoy an artist talk held from 8:00 pm till 9:00 pm.


Steve Turner Contemporary is located at 6026 Wilshire Blvd, just east of Fairfax, 90036, 323 931-3721; http://steveturnercontemporary.com

Saturday, August 27^th

 

Pick of the Week…..in Santa Monica, Lurie Gallery/The Art District presents Stephan Canthal and Mark Hobley. I happen to know Stephan personally and his work is incredible

 

Technology is a key component in the work of Stephan Canthal. His signature iconographic images of industrial Los Angeles are suggestive of his architectural background and trained eye for structure, space, and substrate.

With his fresh, imaginative approach to photography, Canthal began to experiment with unconventional photographic mediums. He wanted to merge traditional photography and modern art, breaking old rules through original composition and cutting-edge presentation.

 

 

For his new series, "American Dreams", he pushes the photographic envelope yet again. This time using wood as his canvas, Canthal creates a photo transfer process on top of painted or stained wood.  merging iconic images of LA, with text and other imagery.



This series, "American Dreams", explores the idea of what The American Dream used to stand for and what it has evolved into.

 

Artist, Mark Hobley, also will be showing his mixed media on wood. Hobley is a wonderful artist as well. 

 

It all takes place at Lurie Gallery/LA Art District which is the gallery right in from of deyermond art + books, located at 2801 Main Street. They always have fabulous parties…so this is sure to be a fun one.

This event runs from 6:00 pm to 10:00 and as always there will refreshments and spirits. (310) 450-4400; http://www.luriegallery.com/; www.deyermondbooks.com; http://www.canthal.com/; http://www.markhobley.com/;

If you need more art time, pop into the Gebert Gallery (1345 Abbot Kinney) for the show, "Alter-native Signs" by John Randall Nelsonthe.


Yummy complimentary cocktails at this one. This opening reception runs from 6:00 pm till 9:00 pm http://www.gebertgallery.com/

If you want to experience a wonderful one woman show, stop by Maureen Cotter's 7th annual one woman show at Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd. in Venice.  . Doors open at 7pm for pre-show party. Show starts at 8pm. Party after till midnight.

Indoor/outdoor seating on first come bases. The show will be projected on the Venice Fire Department wall for those sitting outside by the bar. This year's theme is humor. $10 admission at the door. Get there early as this is a sell out event every year.

In Culver City, Giant Robot hosts Smoke and Mirrors, a show featuring new work by Bay area based artist Deth P. Sun.

This exhibition features Sun’s acrylic paintings on panels bring epic landscapes and cosmic occurrences into a private and personal world. Influenced by David Attenborough, as well as the Moomin series and films of Terry Gilliam, Deth seeks to create a fantasy world as a reflection of his own experiences and worldview.

 

GR2 is located at 2062 Sawtelle Blvd., 90025. Opening reception happens at 6:30 pm - 10:00 pm. http://www.giantrobot.com/

Also if you are near Silver Lake, Los Feliz,  La Luz De Jesus Gallery is having a party. It’s for their Class of 2011 Kitchen Sync Jury Winners, who collectively sold over 60 pieces! Wow Great news. I love to hear artists are actually selling their work. Artist reception runs from 6:00 pm -9:00 pm, which is early for this gallery. La Luz De Jesus Gallery is located 4633 Hollywood Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90027. http://www.laluzdejesus.com/

Here’s another one that is close to the Silver Lake area, check out SnPGallery. Curated by Greg Cohen, this solo show features artist, Dani Vinokurov.

Her collages include embroidery and weaving techniques alongside minuscule ink drawings, paper cuts, and watercolor washes to create environments that not only gesture towards natural landscapes, but also reveal the luscious world of historic and ethnic textile design.


The opening reception runs from 7:00 pm till 10:00 pm. SnPGallery is located in Atwater Village at 3015 Glendale Blvd., 90039; http://snpgallery.com/

And what about Downtown?….well, there is one more for  Grand Performances, which is a free outdoor concert series in it’s 25^th year located at California Plaza in Downtown LA.

Tonight’s show features A Night at the Phillips Music Company. This imagined evening of musical history, set in the landmark Phillips Music Co store, will feature an all-star line-up of musicians, writers, and Boyle Heights locals, along with video, rare photos and spoken word tributes.

Reflecting the rich tapestry of Jewish, Japanese and Mexican immigrants who shared the trials of assimilation into mainstream Angeleno culture, the Phillips family invites you to join us as we celebrate the neighborhood and the Phillips Music Company's East L.A. democratic ideal.  

California Plaza is located at 300-350 S. Grand Avenue, 90071.Show starts at 8:00 pm. http://grandperformances.org/

Sunday August 28^th

How bout a FREE BRA and some ice cream?…..Say What?  No kidding. Bras are expensive!!! So many women find it hard to choose the correct bra, well there will be a team of professional bra fitters lined up, ready to help you find a cup that fits you just fine - and you'll get a perfect fitting bra for free!  Girls come get your free bra, boys….enjoy the view! There will be women everywhere!!

While you wait for your fitting, enjoy low fat ice cream cups. As a special thank you, you'll also get a sassy swag bag filled with lots of fun goodies—like cool coupons and samples of new SKINNY COW Chocolate Candy. The event takes place at the Pacific Design Center, located 8687 Melrose Ave, in West Hollywood, 90069.

The City of Santa Monica presents Free Jazz on the Lawn at City Hall from 5:00 pm till 7:00 pm. I love this event. It’s a lovely short but sweet series, which happens each year in August. Violinist Terry Lesa, performs with her all star rhythm section play a eclectic mix of blues, bebop, swing, Middle Eastern, this woman does it all.

Santa Monica City Hall is located at 1685 Main Street. There’s free parking after 4:00 pm in the Civic Auditorium Parking lot and a complimentary bike valet will be available in the parking lot north of City Hall. Cool! For more information: 310-458-8350. http://arts.smgov.net/jazz_on_the_lawn_2011.htm;

The Happening Gallery  is having a Sunday afternoon opening reception of a group show, entitled “In the Flow”.

 

The event runs from 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM and the address is 4047 Lincoln Blvd. at Washington Blvd in Marina Del Rey. Wine & tasty treats will be served. 310 305-ARTS; www.thehappeninggallery.com

Have a great Weekend.....!!!