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SUNDAY SESSIONS: Home Edition 2020 | AUGUST

August is usually an activity-filled month spent outdoors in Los Angeles (aka Land of Tongva). Backyard boogies and block parties are regular occurrences in many neighborhoods around the city.  Warm weather play host to summer barbecues and beacon long days at our beaches. There’s the option to attend games at Dodger stadium to catch our boys in Blue, complete with a Dodger Dog or two, naturally.

Then there are the tourists. Ah, the lovely tourists. They plague, er, grace our city in herds, walking around our sunshine wondering how much their home value back in Arctic Town, USA compares to the charming Cape Cod just saw in Burbank yesterday; the one they happen to see after taking a wrong turn leaving Universal Studios to go back to their hotel in Downtown. 

“I mean, really, Larry, I told you to just ask Siri for directions…”. 

But I digress.

And of course we can’t forget about the abundant free outdoor concerts and festivals around town. Some of the best music of all genres played outside in our beautiful beaches, museums, and magnificent parks every summer. 

One of those magnificent venues is none other than our very own Grand Park; and one of those events that was supposed to be celebrating its 8th Summer Season this year is SUNDAY SESSIONS. 

Grand Park is not one to cancel a dance party and this year we knew it was even more important to bring some sort of respite from what has become the heaviness off ALL of our every day.  Thankfully the City decided to continue SUNDAY SESSIONS: HOME EDITION 2020. 

And it’s been ahhh-mazing.

Last month’s Sunday Sessions curated by Map Pointz, for example, took us back to the culture-defining Latin party crews and DJ’s from the 1990s in Southern California. I heard from a number of friends who tuned in say that it was the most dancing they did in a long time, and their kids were loving the music. Many danced the day (into the early evening) away enjoying some of the city’s best DJs. The coolest part is that families were able to do it at home (all over the world, online) with kids hopping and celebrating along safely.  

This upcoming Sunday Sessions won’t be any different but our ears will be reminiscing about and hearing a different era in House Music. THE WELL, one of L.A.’s most well-know culture tastemakers, will be presenting a showcase that illuminates the electro house/blog house era of the 2000-2010s; a pivotal moment that shaped sound, fashion and culture for Los Angeles.

Let’s get to know your resident DJs for this Sunday.

UFFIE literally killed it in 2006 when her debut single, “Pop The Glock” came out. It was eventually released in the 2010 EP Sex, Dreams and Denim Jean’ with Ed Banger Records. The song has remnants of “Two of Hearts”, a classic 1980s dance song by the queen of Synth Pop herself, Stacey Q.  Makes sense. Uffie’s voice is just as sultry and playful as Ms. Q’s, and perfect for the sassy harmony that comes with the song. And it’s just as danceable. From the same 2010 album, the disarmingly charming tune “MCs Can Kiss” was also a hip-shaker. Fast forward a few years and Uffie is now a mother of two dividing her time between Los Angeles and Miami. Her most recent release Tokyo Love Hotel is a bit more haunting for the ear, but still sticky sweet in synth-sound. 

“The drugs don’t love you like I do. Don’t walk away from me tonight,” she croons and coos. “The clubs won’t treat you like I do, don’t’ way away tonight.” 

You will not want to away from Uffie’s Sunday set!

MIJA is next folx and her sound reminded me of mid-90s trip-hop with a mix of drum and bass. Yes, I’m totally ageing myself, but I also feel like those twins on YouTube who just heard and reacted to Phil Collins and Dolly Parton’s music for the first time. My mind was beautifully musically blown when I heard her mix of DJ Snake/Bipolar Sunshine’s “Middle”. 

So. Good. 

When asked how these tough times have changed her music, she responded with a lot of hope:


“I believe we are in the middle of a transition period that will restructure the entire music industry; from the way in which we engage with fans, to the royalties paid – the need for changes change has been long overdue.” 

She then continued, “my role as a DJ has reverted back to the good old days where I am throwing my own weekly parties (but online instead of real life). It’s dope being able to engage with fans in real time via chat.” 

Mija knows that personal connection, especially through dance and music, is powerful even while social distancing, and even virtually. She will be gaining new fans after they hear her upcoming set this Sunday Sessions. 

Italy-born and Los Angeles-based BOT knows and respects the musicians who came before him but knows he stands on his own lane. He plays the music he wants from the deepest of his instincts; music that takes open inspiration from nature. The sounds that are then birthed from him are, literally (and not cheekily), trance-like. But when I say trance-like, I also mean it in the most danceable way, with his mixes “Party People” and “Baggage” ready to help us burn calories on our living room dance floor this Sunday.

As far as the current state in music, Bot admits that “there’s still a lot of output but people are paying less attention to new music.” He also acknowledged that a lot of his peers are not earning the income they were earning before due to less live shows, which were many musicians/DJs’ bread and butter. 

He, meanwhile, admitted: “I am lucky to have developed some engineering skills during all the years I have been living off music so I make most of my money teaching production remotely or mixing down songs and mastering them for others. That leaves me with less time to work on my own music but I still feel extremely blessed that I can work on music all day.”

Smart DJ.

JANUARY BLACK is up next on the mix. This LA native spent much of his teenage years collecting records and trying to sneak into warehouse parties. He eventually started throwing his own parties in college and graduated to promoting large scale events in Los Angeles thereafter. He has DJ’d at some of LA’s biggest clubs, including Vanguard. There he supported the likes of legend Frankie Knuckles. He has also supported Felix Da Housecat, Jimpster and Busy P. 

January Black is like the LA Clippers’ Lou Williams of the House music scene.  Williams is the current NBA 6th Man Champion because he’s always ready to be the support slot, complementing the team in order to win. January Black is similar in that, he wants to make sure you have a good time at the party, and he will make sure the support slots are there to help you dance like a happy fool all night.

Finally, superstar big ups to THEE MIKE B who literally hit the decks running once The Well asked if he can DJ this upcoming Sunday Sessions due to a last-minute change.  The LA native and founding member of the legendary Banana Split Party (alongside DJ AM and Dim Mak) jumped at the chance. Okay, I’m not really sure if he jumped at the chance but I know he’s a damn good DJ. Let’s say he’s that type of DJ who will play at an after-party and just when you and your people think you are all done dancing for the night; in fact you start gathering your things and are about to just say bye to everyone when…! Wait. What the heck is that thump?

And back on the dance floor for two more hours of non-stop you go.  

If you’re somehow not dancing along on Sunday, Thee Mike B will help get you up and disco-dancing by the end of the night.

Please get your hydration station ready to go and enjoy every moment of our August (and final) Sunday Sessions: Home Edition 2020! (Sunday, August 23rd)

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Grand Park’s Sunday Sessions: Home Edition 2020 – Ladies First

Click here to watch the live stream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVigj7YDDGSLWCDXRhmqj6g

Welcome to Grand Park’s Sunday Sessions: Home Edition 2020! We’re so happy you’re joining us this year for the first of a select group of Sundays, which you need to mark on your calendars right now (June 14, July 19 & August 23). 

Calendar all marked? Perfect! 

This year Angelenos, you will be welcoming folks from around the globe who will join our dance and music community online. From Berlin and Brooklyn to the Bay area, and everywhere in between, we will introduce numerous visitors to our eclectic city. They’ll get to know us through our most talented and original musicians, and we are ready to represent. 

“Ladies first, there’s no time to rehearse. I’m divine and my mind expands throughout the universe.” 

– Ladies First (Queen Latifah) 

LADIES FIRST, the all-female lineup of LA’S top open-format DJs, are curating the first installation of this year’s summer series. DJs Rashida, Kim Lee, Storm the DJ, Kronika, Lani Love, Novena, Bella Fiasco & Suga Shay will be the first group of creative talents we get the honor to share with the world. These women, with their diverse experiences and offerings, are just the prescription the musical doctor ordered when deciding who should premier at Grand Park’s Sunday Sessions: Home Edition 2020. The eight DJs – all women of color – know the importance and advantage that their voice and platform could add to fighting injustice, and decided to dedicate Sunday Sessions to the Black Lives Matter Movement. 

“House music is black music, so it’s really fitting for house music to be part of the soundtrack for the BLM (Black Lives Matter) movement. House music is just one example of how black culture has given us so much,” said DJ Lani Love, giving props to where house music originated. The importance of her giving credit where credit is due in regards to House music speaks volumes of DJ Lani Love’s true respect for the art form. 

DJ Kim Lee talks about the how the community can heal and connect through music and action. “House music and music overall unites people. People of all different races and color are coming together (right now) in protest of what happened to George Floyd and music has the same effect. We can have social distancing awareness shows, Spotify live DJ playlists or a “We are the World” dance track with the top artists that would raise money for BLM and social injustice movements. Now is the time for action and love!” 

And Storm the DJ adds, “Fortunately, music has been one of the few platforms for the Black community to have a voice. From James Brown’s “Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud” to the house music track “Follow Me” by Aly-Us, to Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright”. Music lifts spirts and unites, while empowering and strengthening both. Music is a sounding board for change.” 

No truer words were said. Music is a sounding board for change – specially the house music scene that Sunday Sessions is deeply-rooted in. Let’s think back to any house music party, night, event, festival I/you have attended. For many of you, maybe it was at one or all of last year’s Sunday Session events. For me, I’ll think back to eons ago when I used to bartend at a venue in East Hollywood that housed a Friday night jam called “More.” Every week behind the bar, I witnessed the most diverse group of people dancing to the deepest cuts of house, soul and dance music in pure bliss; one nation under a groove, indivisible, with vodka & cranberry for all. The loving energy, the accepting people, the light vibe, everything about those Friday nights – was a microcosm of what life and society should be like – unity. 

For our first Grand Park Sunday Sessions Home Edition, we expect an energetic and electric gigs from each DJ. Many, including the aforementioned artists Storm the DJ, Lani Love, Kim Lee, as well as Bella Fiasco, are doing their first sets at Grand Park ever and are humbled by the experience. 

DJ Bella Fiasco on experiencing her first Sound Sessions on Sunday: “I’ve always loved Sunday Sessions at Grand Park, I’ve attended but never got to play as a DJ. Really excited to add this to the repertoire, but most excited to bring people from all over the world together through music virtually- specially those who are not in LA and will probably never get a chance to physically attend Sunday Sessions.” 

Storm the DJ echoes Bella Fiasco’s sentiments. “I’ve been to Sunday sessions in the past and I remember saying how much I wanted to play at one… Now, I finally get that opportunity! Even while quarantining. This will always be a Sunday session to remember.” 

Long-time LA-nightlife stalwart Rashida, KCRW’s Novena Carmel, Filipina-American Kronika from Soulection Crew, and Suga Shay from Philly round out the incredible line-up for what is sure to be a Sunday Sessions to remember. 

Dear Los Angeles, I guarantee that all the DJs in Sunday’s lineup are going to rock their sets June 14th to give you the best shows from their repertoire. Music is a salve for the soul especially during tumultuous times. These amazing DJs’ collective energy and genius will be a welcome Sunday vitamin for all of us. The power of music is immeasurable. It can inspire people beyond what they think they are capable of. 

Music can inspire people to dance. It can motivate people to gather around and move. It can encourage someone to cast a vote, to cook a fabulous meal, to ask someone on a date, to run for office, or make a new friend. As we foray into our first Sunday Sessions, we now need the power of music, dance and the arts more than ever, to connect with each other. We need music to connect with nature. We need music to get lost in so we can connect with ourselves. We need music for our children to lose themselves into, and maybe find a new way too. 

And now, more than ever, we need music, dance and our Sunday Sessions as a respite during the Black Lives Matter fight and other movements. 

Stay strong and keep dancing, L.A. 

–Haydee Vicedo 

Haydee Vicedo is a Manila-born, Los Angeles-bred, and Torrance-based freelance writer (fittingforty.com) and budding social entrepreneur (pinayclothing.com / IG: @pinay_clothing) – just trying to live her best life. For the fantastic health insurance that helps her live said best life, she works from home for a huge corporation. Ask anyone who knows her, Haydee LOVES L.A. – pure and simple. 

The interviews have been edited for length and clarity

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Sunday Sessions: Home Edition 2020

Grand Park’s Sunday Sessions: Home Edition lets the beat drop at home this summer as the annual dance and music party goes online. Some of L.A.’s finest House music curators will host multiple-hour sets on select Sundays (June 14, July 19 and August 23, 2020) from 2:00–8:00 p.m.

SUN JUN 14 from 2PM-8PM

Grand Park presents Sunday Sessions: Home Edition 2020, and we are excited to partner with Ladies First as curators for the first one of the season.

Ladies First (@ladiesfirst.co) brings us a diverse, all-female DJ lineup of LA’s top open-format DJs, who will have special sets featuring House music. These ladies are carving out their own lane in the music + nightlife industry not just as women, but women of color. Each known to rock the dance floors, and each with their own unique style & flavor.


Lineup includes Bella Fiasco, Kim Lee, Kronika, Lani Love, Novena Carmel, Rashida, Storm the DJ and Suga Shay 🎧🌴 Subscribe to our YouTube HERE for all the live DJ sets.

About the curators:

LADIES FIRST features a diverse, all-female line-up of L.A.’s top open-format DJs. Through their curated content and experiences, Ladies First aims to be the catalyst for the next generation of female creatives and entrepreneurs who break boundaries. A mix of Asian American and Black voices will rock the Sunday Sessions virtual dance floor and shine a light on the community’s strength and endurance during this pandemic.

Media partner: FUSICOLOGY

About the DJ’s:

Bella Fiasco

Bella Fiasco is a Los Angeles and Las Vegas based DJ most reputable for her dynamic taste and technique in open format style DJing, earning her a notable repertoire of career highlights and growing popular demand in the world of music. Bella Fiasco has opened for artists such as Cardi B, Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Skrillex, Snoh Aalegra, Nipsey Hussle, G Eazy, and most significantly- rock legends U2. You may have also heard Bella Fiasco mixing on the airwaves all over the country- she has played on air for stations such as LA’s #1 old school radio station 93.5 KDAY, LA’s #1 hiphop station Power 106, Hawaii’s hit music station 102.7, Radio Bassment, and more. Bella Fiasco is also no stranger to the Serato family, she has been a consistent feature in their Seratocast and In The Mix series. Currently, Bella Fiasco is proud to represent The World Famous Beat Junkies brand as their dot com ambassador. Respectably dubbed as one of the most in-demand DJs in the game today, Bella Fiasco is proud to break barriers in a male dominated field and continue to thrive in different markets of the music world.

Kim Lee

Kim Lee first made a name for herself as a fashion model. She walked runway shows in Paris, Los Angeles, and at New York Fashion Week for top designers including Emanuel Ungaro, Marc Jacobs and Cynthia Steffe. Kim Lee has appeared in editorials for Maxim, Elle, Hip-Hop Weekly, Vanity Fair, Show Magazine, Low-rider, Sports Illustrated,
and Chinese, Japanese, French, American, Spanish, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Russian versions of FHM. She was chosen as FHM’s Sexiest Woman in the World!
You will also recognize Kim Lee from her role in the film “Hangover 2,” and from her appearances in music videos including Neyo’s “Beautiful”, Kid Cudi ft Kanye West’s “Erase Me”, Flo Rida ft David Guetta’s “Club Can’t Handle Me” and “Hot n Cold ” Katy Perry. Kim continues to model and act professionally, all while managing her busy DJ tour schedule! Kim Lee travels across the world djing as one half of renowned duo KIMKAT, and for her solo DJ shows as KIM LEE. Recent shows include: MAD DECENT BOAT PARTY, ULTRA KOREA, ULTRA JAPAN, LIFE IN COLOR KOREA, BUDWEISER TOUR
VIETNAM, EDC NEW YORK (mainstage set). As a dj, KIM LEE’s performances pack the house in top venues including Drais BeachClub Las Vegas, DJAIS Jersey Shore, Borgata Atlantic City, The City Cancun, Tao Beach Las Vegas, Marquee Las Vegas, Skygarden Bali, and so many more. Kim has appeared on MTV Vietnam, and she currently has her own television series in Vietnam as well.

Kronika

“SouL Sista.
Headnodika.
Fire Starter & Bomba Sound Selekta.
“Fierce and unforgettable, yet tender and giving.“


Angel Mercado aka Kronika is a core member and a familiar presence in the Los Angeles music scene. Through her soundcloud mixes (or as she playfully calls them “Mixtures”) and her DJ and A&R positions for Los Angeles based record label/Movement “Soulection”, Kronika has become a trusted source for global audience interested in learning about new artists and over all discovering quality music. Kronika is known for her vast musical knowledge, truthfully nurtured from her early years growing up in the
Philippines. Exquisite and Eccentric in taste, Kronika understands and lives artistry. She commands and engages her listeners in a musical journey that “flows like water.” Her transitions are so swift and smooth you forget they are even “transitions.” Kronika’s mixes and live sets are unpredictable. Her energy is contagious, which makes the experience of seeing her live all the more powerful and memorable. Kronika is a powerhouse of musical knowledge, constantly sharing her divine energy with the world.”

Lani Love

An ear for beats and eye for style, Lani Love is known for her eclectic and curated collection of music.

After a gig as an internet radio music director in Southern California, she started her
adventures as a club DJ in New York City in 2007. In late 2011, Lani Love relocated to
Chicago and quickly landed residencies at city hotspots: Soho House, Virgin Hotel, and
East Room. Her sets were well received, as she was featured in the Chicago Tribune
(2015) and voted Chicago’s Best DJ by Chicago Magazine readers three years in a row
(2014, 2015, 2016). In 2018, Lani Love was an official SXSW artist playing showcases for
Tidal, Mercedes-Benz, Showtime, and Maltesers. Lani Love currently has DJ residencies in Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Novena Carmel

If you find yourself in a room with Novena Carmel, you’re in the right place. With music royalty in her blood, Novena is an eclectic and energetic Bay Area raised, LA-based DJ, singer, host, and curator known to lure a crowd and turn the party out. As a DJ, her love for and knowledge of music emanates through her vast, open-genre music selection, signature smile and dance moves. You can catch Novena live on-air Sunday nights on KCRW, locally in Los Angeles and beyond.

Rashida

After getting her first pair of turntables in 1998, DJ Rashida has gone on to play her signature fusion of hip-hop, funk, soul, dancehall, and house around the globe at music festivals, concerts, private events & on television. In 2004 after playing what would be the first of many parties for The Artist, Prince approached her about collaborating. Soon after, (and for the next 10 years) she would tour the world with the superstar, spinning as an opener for his shows, as well as at his private parties, special events and performing live with him on shows such as The Tonight Show, George Lopez, and The BET Awards. In addition to her work with Prince, she is a familiar sight at the world’s most important music festivals, playing for thousands at Super Sonic in Tokyo, Good Vibrations in Sydney & the Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago to name a few. She was the house DJ on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew as well as on The Arsenio Hall Show revival. She is frequently called upon to spin for a bevy of corporate and celebrity clients worldwide. Rashida has also crossed the globe touring with Grammy-winning & nominated artists Kelis, Cee-Lo Green, and Pharrell Williams. Today she continues to tour and play for artists & clients around the world, most recently as the opener for Bruno Mars 24k Magic World Tour (the US, Europe & Africa.) Acclaimed not only for her deejay skills, but also as a cultural influencer, and fashionista, Rashida has been featured in Vogue Italia, Essence, Vibe, The Source, Flaunt, Remix, Dazed & Confused & Refinery 29 to name a few. She is currently the campaign model for avant-garde sunglass makers GreyAnt. Rashida has also made cameos as herself in music videos like Prince’s Black Sweat and most recently Finesse by Bruno Mars.

Storm the DJ

Dominating both beauty and bass, Storm captivates audiences worldwide as an
international DJ and producer. Based in Hollywood, California, her global appeal
transcends boundaries and has earned her repeated tours and performances around
the world including Hong Kong, Taipei, Vietnam, Shanghai, and Bali. She has also
opened up for Kaskade at LA’s Staple Center and performed alongside Kendrick Lamar,
DJ’ing his shutdown of Sunset Blvd. Storm has also been featured in Vogue, Glamour,
W, and Cosmopolitan Magazines. In a setting dominated by bright lights and massive
drops, it’s hard to ignore how entranced fans are with her infectious energy and sexy
vibes – she is Music’s Perfect Storm.

Suga Shay

Widely known across the US for her bold DJ sets, Philly native Suga Shay is a force to be reckoned with. Her versatile underground style spans countless genres and has been showcased at many of Los Angeles’ favorite parties. As comfortable on large stages as she is in basement afterparties, she’s been seen DJing alongside chart-topping mainstays such as Diplo, Mark Ronson, Miguel, and Solange Knowles, and has toured internationally with rising star Bhad Bhabie.

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Coronavirus updates

September 16. 2020

General update:

Grand Park is open during regular operating hours (5:30 AM – 10:00 PM). The Event Lawn (between Broadway and Spring) and its amenities are closed temporarily for maintenance.

Here is the current status of amenities:

  • Dog run: closed
  • Picnic tables: closed
  • Playground: closed
  • Restrooms: open by Starbucks (off Grand Ave.)
  • Splashpad: closed
  • Starbucks: open. For more information on hours, click here.

Lunch a la Park food trucks are onsite for lunch takeout only, in Olive Court, near Starbucks. For the weekly list of trucks please click here

Programs and events have shifted to online until further notice, based on guidelines from LA County Dept. of Public Health.

August 3, 2020

Grand Park is resuming the Lunch a la Park Food Trucks program, to serve local employees and park guests. Grand Park, along with our vendor partners, are practicing the following safety protocols:

  • All staff must wear appropriate PPE at all times in the park – masks and gloves
  • Any staff exhibiting symptoms of Covid-19 must stay home
  • No physical hand-out menus are allowed
  • All utensils must be in pre-wrapped packages to minimize contact
  • Condiments must be in individual, single-serving packages
  • Cash-free payment is strongly recommended and encouraged. Vendor partners are strongly encouraged to make best efforts to minimize contact in ordering and payment, shifting to mobile or pre-ordering if possible.
    • If a card is used, it must be disinfected after handling
    • Mobile, contactless, or pre-orders is the preferred method
  • Sneeze barrier between customers and staff
  • Disinfectant wipes/sanitize must be provided at touchpoints (drink counter, utensil dispenser, etc)

All food truck patrons and guests, please practice safety protocols as well:

  • Wear a mask
  • Wash your hands
  • Practice social distancing of at least 6 feet apart

Let’s be kind and take care of each other!

Love,
Grand Park

July 22, 2020

General update:

Grand Park is open during regular operating hours (5:30 AM – 10:00 PM). Here is the current status of amenities:

  • Dog run: open
  • Picnic tables: closed
  • Playground: closed
  • Restrooms: open
  • Splashpad: closed
  • Starbucks: open. For more information on hours, click here.

Onsite programs and events have shifted to online until further notice, based on guidelines from LA County Dept. of Public Health.

Please continue to practice safety measures when in the Park:

  • Wear a mask
  • Maintain a minimum of 6 feet physical distance from others
  • Stay home if you feel sick or exhibit any symptoms of Covid-19

Thank you for your continued patience and understanding. Let’s continue to take care of each other, L.A.

GRAND PARK

July 3, 2020

Regarding 4th of July:

Grand Park is open during regular operating hours (5:30 AM – 10:00 PM). However, there is no July 4th event and no fireworks for the holiday. We encourage you to stay home and enjoy our virtual program:

Grand Park + The Music Center’s 4th of July Block Party: Home Edition will be on TV and online this year. Tune in:

If you decide to visit Grand Park, please practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet, wear a mask, and please stay home if you feel sick or exhibit any symptoms related to COVID-19.

April 10, 2020

Hi L.A.,
in alignment with LA County Parks, Grand Park will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 12th. While parks are a favorite location to celebrate Spring holidays, the closure is part of ongoing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Let’s continue to take care of each other and keep each other safe.

¡Hola Los Angeles! En alineación con los Parques del Condado de Los Ángeles, Grand Park estará cerrado el Domingo de Pascua, 12 de Abril. El parque estara cerrado para proteger nuestras comunidades de la propagación de COVID-19

Love always, siempre con ustedes ❤️
Grand Park

*******

March 20, 2020

Dear L.A.,

As you may already know, on March 19, the County and City of Los Angeles issued the “Safer at Home” public order, “ordering all residents of the City of Los Angeles to stay inside their residences, and immediately limit all movement outside of their homes beyond what is absolutely essential … in an effort to stem or slow the spread of COVID-19 within the greater Los Angeles community.” This order includes curtailing non-essential business. Since our staff is now prohibited to gather for work, we are canceling the following programs:

Lunch à la Park programs:

  • Food Trucks
  • Yoga reTREAT (online included)
  • Spring Concerts (originally scheduled to start April 2)

Earth Day LA (originally scheduled for April 22)

The order does allow outdoor activity and recreation, provided that social distancing measures are followed – at least 6 feet distance from another individual. Grand Park grounds are still open to walk, breathe and take a break. Please practice social distancing, and please do not gather in a group of more than 10, as required in the order. Also note, that our playground and restrooms will be closed out of an abundance of caution.

Thank you to everyone who has already been practicing social distancing. Your care for your wellness and the wellness and safety of our community, especially for the most vulnerable, is so appreciated.

We will continue to keep you updated. Stay tuned to our Instagram, Facebook and website for the latest news pertaining to Grand Park.

Take care of yourself, each other, and our beloved Los Angeles.

Siempre con ustedes ❤,

GRAND PARK

For more information on the current order, visit:
https://lacounty.gov/covid19/
https://corona-virus.la/

*******

March 13, 2020

Dear L.A.,

There’s a lot going on right now and we wanted to check in. We love you and appreciate you and want to affirm that our commitment to you stays the same: we are here with you and for you. Just like all LA parks, Grand Park is open and our hours remain the same. Our commitment to your safety and wellness remains our top priority and always will. We are taking things one step at a time, day-by-day, attentive to the directives from the LA County Department of Public Health.

Our Lunch a la Park Food Trucks (TUE-THUR) will still continue service, and we are adding hand sanitizing stations near each truck. We are also implementing enhanced daily cleaning and disinfecting practices across the park. Pending weather conditions since it’s been raining, we will have more info about Lunch a la Park Yoga next week.

We know you’re doing your best to stay well, and to keep our community well. We’re here for you.

Estamos con ustedes always ❤,

Grand Park

Grand Park Sunday Sessions 2020: Home Edition – Map Pointz

Tune into Sunday Sessions on Sunday, July 19, 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM PT here: https://www.twitch.tv/grandpark_la

Welcome Back, fellow Angelenos and Citizens of our lovely Gaia. It’s time for July’s Sunday Sessions: Home Edition 2020! This one is going to be very special, folks. This event is something for which you’ll probably use the word “epic” when describing the weekend to your coworkers come Monday morning during your Zoom meeting (who the heck scheduled that 7am anyway?).

Before I let you in on the extraordinary DJ’s mastering the decks on Sunday, it would behoove me to give you a little history about the creative genius whose work inspired the musical lineup this weekend. Her name is GUADALUPE ROSALES and she’s a Northern-Cali-born, Los-Angeles-bred and New York-City-shaped artist who moved back to the city that raised her in 2016. While completing her MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Rosales created Veteranas & Rucas and Map Pointz, two digital archives accessible through Instagram.

Rosales started the two accounts in 2015 to slowly reconnect to her hometown and their popularity quickly grew after she asked other people to send in their old pictures to share. The two archives suddenly became spaces to re/present honest and positive narratives about her culture, her neighborhood and the true version of the Los Angeles she, her friends and family lived in; spaces that were clearly lacking.

For someone like me who whose teen-into-twenties-partying years were lived in the wondrous era that was the 1990s, the coming-of-age nostalgia these photo archives brought were surprisingly emotional. I’m a first generation Filipina-American who went to a high school in Mid-City/Koreatown with a student population that was majority Latinx and African-American (big ups, L.A. High, Class of ’94). When I first discovered Map Pointz I felt like I went back to the 90s having a do-over and partying with my own (version of) party crews. When I checked out Veteranas & Rucas, I again saw something in Rosales’ archive that felt both familiar and familial.

I remember this guy in my high school Geometry class whose regular uniform comprised of physics-defying baggy denim pants that somehow always covered his shoes, but never touched the ground. It floated in this raver-pants-plane-perfection. He also came in the classroom, on more than one occasion, sucking on a lollipop like that round-a-way girl LL Cool J said he needed. You know, the one for him. The lollipop was usually a Ring Pop, the kid’s birthday goodie bag staple. He told me all the time about these ditch parties he attended and always, always extended an invite (because ravers are polite, people). I also recall that on his matching denim 3-ring binder he curated his own artwork that spelled out his party crew’s name in gorgeous graffiti.

What’s the point of the story about the guy in my high school Geometry class, you’re asking? We reconnected a few years back via Facebook (surprise) and I learned that he’s now a Dad and has been married to his beautiful wife for almost two decades. From his current photos, it looks like his pants aren’t three sizes too big anymore and he’s a cheerful family man. He’s one of the lucky ones. He came out of the dangerous environments that many of the kids who frequented these parties, a success. And I celebrate that for him.

I also celebrate the idea that like my high school classmate, many of the same folks who were part of the 90’s party crew scene and subculture are now parents and will be joining Sunday Session, with their families dancing along. For many, it will be the first time their kids will get to see Mom and Dad in their “natural” dancing element. It will be glorious.

Hosting this Sunday’s dance party with Map Pointz is the iconic electronic music radio show, POWER TOOLS. They curated a group of the most revered and influential 90’s Latino/a party crew scene DJs that will take everyone back to big baggy pants, colorful beads, burgundy lip-liners, and perfectly arched brows.

Here is the amazing line-up:

DJ Frankie Z

DJ Frankie Z is going to get the party started this Sunday. Frankie Z started DJ’ing with a party crew called Gypsy Kings out of East L.A. in 1990. That same year he DJ’d at the popular rave, Wonderland, playing house and techno to blissful dancing bodies at a downtown LA’s warehouse district. He joined the Madness Crew in the early 90s and while throwing house parties, he took a liking to designing his crew’s party flyers. Other crews eventually asked him to design their party flyers and this is how Frankie got interested in and started his career in graphic arts/design. You’ll enjoy a lot of techno rave, 80s flashback mix and more from DJ Frankie Z on Sunday.

DJ Hi-C

Next up is DJ Hi-C, an Orange County native who grew up in Placentia. Born Carlos Chiang, DJ Hi-C started to DJ in 1993, mostly playing at house parties. He eventually graduated to playing all age clubs such as Sound Factory, Club Extra, Club Flavor, Old World; as well as big events like The Great American Dip in Orange County and the legendary NYE Countdown Parties. He is the Co Founder of West End Boyz Edits and is a sought after DJ in So Cal. We’re going to love dancing to his set, which will include anything from Classic and Hard House, to KROQ Flashbacks and Rock en Español.

DJ Modern Romance

DJ Modern Romance (aka Modern) was born and raised in El Monte and discovered his passion for music at a very young age. His brother was a big inspiration for him and he began DJ’ing in 1988. He studied with many industry veterans including DJ Vice, DJ Enrie, David Delano, Richard Vission, Swedish Egil, Reza, Tony B, Irene and more. He’s known to put together dope sets of 80s and 90s music.

Jungle George

As we head into the 6 o’clock hour, some folks may be tempted to take a long break and feed the kids. If you do may I suggest to do it while dancing to Jungle George. It’s his job to, and he definitely will, put your (literal) house party on another level. Jungle George’s DJ resume reads like he has a PhD in DJ’ing from the Harvard of DJ’ing schools. The Monterey Park native started his DJ career in. He was the 2nd place winner in the Power Tools DJ Contest in 1996 and came back in 1999 to win 1st place. He was recognized multiple times among the best DJs in the late 1990s by Industry Insider Magazine. His list of vinyl releases is impressive and he’s been featured on many radio stations in Southern California, including Powertools 105.9, Groove Radio 103.1 and KUSC. Expect a mixture of hard and classic house, some progressive imports, and much more from Jungle George’s set. 

DJ Irene

Our last DJ is a special treat because she’s joining us on her Birthday Weekend. Happy Birthday, DJ Irene! Citizens of the dance world, this set is going blow your mind. I was lucky to have experienced her magical skills at Arena and Circus in the 90s. DJ Irene is a Los Angeles icon. Period. Everyone should be excited and grateful that she will be providing soundtrack to our personal dance floors this Sunday Session! The passion she exudes emanate not just from her natural talent for and love of music (which are both immense); it’s also inspired by a tough background that includes past stints of homelessness and troubles with substance abuse. DJ Irene is a warrior, so she got up over and over again when she was knocked down. She has recently earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music and when not touring or working with the likes of Lady Gaga, Madonna and Taryn Manning, she finds time to teach music at urban communities.

Like I said, folks, this is one will be epic.

Let’s get dancing.

—Haydee Vicedo

Haydee Vicedo is a Manila-born, Los Angeles-bred, and Torrance-based freelance writer (fittingforty.com) and budding social entrepreneur (pinayclothing.com / IG: @pinay_clothing) – just trying to live her best life. For the fantastic health insurance that helps her live said best life, she works from home for a huge corporation. Ask anyone who knows her, Haydee LOVES L.A. – pure and simple. 

The interviews have been edited for length and clarity

GRAND PARK’S OUR L.A. VOICES 2020 Photography Installation

The End of an Era: Union Swap Meet’s Last Days
by Samanta Helou Hernandez

The swap meet is a mythic place in Los Angeles. In the ‘90s and early 2000s, it’s where kids in Black and brown neighborhoods bought fits for school: Pro Club white tees, Dickies, Nike Cortezs, and gold nameplates. These in-door markets were a hangout very much like the malls of white America. 

Back then, South Central swap meets were often the only place that sold West Coast rap mixtapes. The Compton Fashion Center was featured in both Tupac and Kendrick Lamar videos. When it closed and became a Walmart, it was as if a piece of Compton had been erased.

Swap meets are much more than an affordable place to shop. They’re where neighborhoods create community, re-affirm identity, and build collective memories. They’re historical landmarks. But as the city changes, people are displaced, and younger generations shop online, the swap meet’s days are numbered.

This is the story of one such place: Union Swap Meet in East Hollywood. 

Joo Lee opened Union Swapmeet on Vermont and Santa Monica Blvd. in 1986. He modeled the concept on ones from his home country of Korea that allowed multiple people to own businesses in one place.

For merchants, the rent was more accessible than a traditional brick-and-mortar, and it attracted new immigrants who wanted independence—but didn’t have the capital for a larger enterprise.

At the height of Union Swapmeet in the ’80s and ’90s, lines of people would wait to shop at 70 different stalls.

Families sent money to their home countries and bought clothes, toys, and pets. They could get acupuncture, a haircut, tailor clothes, eat, and buy alternative medicines from Mexico, all in a day.

Latino radio stations held events, mariachis played, and there were even car giveaways. Latinos and Koreans, hundreds and thousands of miles away from home, spoke their native languages. A trip to Union Swapmeet was an all day affair.

Naturally, friendships formed. Kids who grew up going to the swap meet with their families, later took their own children. Some patrons went on first dates here and others even met their spouses. 

Joo retired four years ago, leaving Union Swap Meet in the care of his two daughters and son-in-law.

The Lees adapted to the changing demographics of the neighborhood by repainting the exterior with murals of long-time vendors and even added an Instagrammable set of wings. They threw pop-ups and a heavily attended Hong Kong-style night market and tried to fill some stalls with Etsy vendors.

It wasn’t enough.

The Lees struck a deal with Koreatown developer Jamison Services to demolish the market and turn the property into a seven-story residential and retail complex.

Throughout 2019,  customers continued to trickle in to pay their cell phone bills, buy jewelry, and visit longtime friends.

Vendors at Union didn’t plan to move to another swap meet after the closure. To them, it’s a futile attempt. They understand they’re a dying breed.

What follows are the voices of the longtime merchants that remained that year.

Olga Avila originally from Michoacan, Mexico. Owner of Incense, Arts, and Crafts at Union Swap Meet since 1986: 

“When I first opened, this was a music store. I sold all kinds of music like merengue, salsa, cumbia, punta, soca, ranchera, nortena, balada, everything. My customers were from  Mexico and Central America. I had to have something for everyone.

When one first arrives in this country, it’s easier to go to a swap meet and be able to speak your own language than going to a mall and having to speak English.

It’s a place where Latinos can feel like they’re in their own country. They don’t feel so sad, because when you leave your country, it’s a sad thing. You feel alone.

It has changed a lot. Now there is almost no one. All the young people who are born here go to the malls.

I’m a little sad. I spent many years here. My children grew up here, my grandchildren grew up here. My daughter has a stall here. It is very painful to leave it.

All the time I spent here was very beautiful. I got to know many people. I got to know their stories from joys to sorrows, everything.”

——————————————

“Cuando yo abrí esta era una tienda de música. Vendía de todo tipo de música merengue, salsa, cumbia, punta, soca, ranchera, norteña, balada, todo. Escogía de todo porque venía gente mexicana y Centroamericana. Entonces tenía que tener un poquito de todo para todos gustos.

Cuando uno llega a este pais es mas fácil ir al swap meet donde puedes hablar tu idioma en lugar de ir a un mall donde tienes que hablar inglés.

Es un lugar donde Latinos se sienten en su país. No se sienten tan mal, porque cuando uno deja su país, es algo triste. Te sientes triste.

A cambiado muchísimo. Antes había más gente ahora ya casi no hay.

Estoy un poquito triste. Tengo muchos años aquí. Mis hijos aquí crecieron, mis nietos aquí crecieron. Y mi hija tiene un local. Es muy doloroso dejarlo.

Todo el tiempo que pase aquí fue muy bonito. Conviví con mucha gente. Conocí muchos sentimientos de muchas personas, tristezas, alegrías, de todo.” 

Francisco Gutierrez, originally from Guatemala. Owner of F&G Shoe Repair at Union Swapmeet since 2000: 

“I’m from Guatemala. I repair all kinds of shoes, women’s bags, luggage, leather jackets. I learned this in my country, when I was 8 years old. My mother made me learn this work. I know how to manufacture the entire shoe, not just repair it. I am 65 years old now.

I wanted to become independent and be my own boss, that’s why I’m here. Thank God I’m doing very well.

This job cannot be done online, so I still have customers. If this were just retail, I would have left, because it is easier to buy online.

I have a lot of American customers now, before it was only Latinos that came here. 

A lot of swap meets are disappearing. I think once this closes I’ll look for a place outside. I do not plan to close. The swap meet gave me a lot of life. It has given me everything—a way to survive, everything.”

——————————————

“Yo soy de Guatemala. Reparo toda clase de zapatos, bolsas de mujer, las luggage, las chamarras de piel. Yo aprendí en mi país a los 8 años mi madre me puso a aprender el trabajo. Yo sé hacer el zapato completo no solo reparación. Tengo ahorita 65 años.

Me quise independizar y ser yo mi propio jefe por eso estoy acá. Gracias a dios me va muy bien.

Esto no lo pueden hacer por internet por eso sigo con clientela. Si fuera esto solo ventas, ya me hubiera ido.

Tengo mucha clientela americana y antes era puro Latino.

Ya se están acabando muchos swap meets.  Yo creo que buscaré un local afuera. No pienso cerrar.

El swap meet me dio mucha vida. Me ha dado de todo. Como sobrevivir, de todo. ”

Lilia Ochoa, Michoacan, Mexico. Owner of Travel Latino Express at Union Swapmeet since 2004: 

“The majority of my clients are from Mexico. Many are from Durango and Oaxaca, but I also have many from Guatemala. What I do most is send money.

When Trump first won, my clients sent and sent money. They took their money from the bank because of all the changes that were happening. They were afraid of being deported and so they sent the money.

My clients come with the illusion of helping out their families back home and building their houses. That is why they come and work so many jobs so they can send money and finish their houses back home. And then they return to their home countries. Those stories are very common in this type of business.

It’s very nice because sometimes they tell me their stories, they tell me their lives, about how they left children back home. They feel trust in me and maybe that keeps them coming back.

I like to take care of people. I like listening to them.

I do feel nostalgia about the swap meet closing, but these are the changes of life and you have to accept them. Everything has an end, right? What can we do?” 

——————————————————————— 

“La mayoría de mis clientes son de México. Hay muchos de Durango y Oaxaca, pero también tengo muchos de Guatemala. Lo que más hago es envió de dinero.

Al principio que ganó Trump mandaban y mandaban dinero. Sacaban su dinero del banco por todo el cambio que pasó. Tenían miedo que los deportaran y entonces mandaban el dinero.

Mis clientes vienen con la ilusión de ayudar a sus familias en sus países y construir sus casas. Por eso vienen, agarrar dos tres trabajos para mandar y mandar y terminar sus casas. Y después se regresan a su pais. Esas historias son muy comunes en este tipo de negocio.

Es muy bonito porque a veces me cuentan sus historias, me cuentan sus vidas, que dejaron hijos allá. Sienten yo creo confianza en mí. Y eso tal vez los hace que sigan viniendo.

Me gusta mucho atender a la gente. Me gusta mucho escucharlos.

De repente si siente uno nostalgia que se vaya a cerrar el swap meet, pero son cambios de la vida y hay que aceptarlos. Todo tiene un final verdad? ¿Qué podemos hacer?” 

Casey Yoo, originally from Korea. Owner of Easy Alterations at Union Swap Meet since 2015: 

“When I retired a doctor, I was bored so I thought this would be a good way to spend time. I’m also a background actor.

I’ve owned this business for four years now. I took over because the previous owner passed away. But this stall has been here since 1986.

The original owner of the swap meet is actually from my hometown in Korea. We graduated middle school together. When I started this 4 years ago, I realized I knew him.

The tailor is my friend. He has over 40 years of experience. I do the cutting and trimming, and he sews.

I heard when this swap meet first opened it was very busy but people from Mexico and El Salvador they don’t come here anymore so business is down.”

But alteration is still a busy business and so is shoe repair because it’s a good service at a cheap price.

This building will be torn down and rebuilt. I hope I can come back, because the first floor will be commercial.”

Sonia Gomez, originally from Mexico City, Mexico DF Mexico. Owner of Naomy’s Hair Salon at Union Swap Meet since 1997: 

“The majority of my clients are Latinos and Filipinos. A lot of Americans are coming to this neighborhood, but they don’t enter the swap meet.

Until now, my business has not been affected. Thank God it hasn’t. It will affect me when they close this. I have many clients that have been coming here for many many years.

They are taking a lot of Latinos out of here. A lot of my clients lived around here but they kicked them out. That’s what’s going to happen to this whole area. They are going to Americanize this bit. In the building next door, they gave people money to move out of their apartments but they still come here. They come from places as far as Hesperia.

For me the hours go by when I’m working. I forget the clock. This is where I live my life. I love to see that people leave happy, that they feel different with a haircut. They leave with more self esteem. And I’m happy that they leave happy.

Since I was 7 years old, I used to say that I wanted to curl hair and look here I am curling hair.”

—————————————— 

“La mayoría de mis clientes son latinos y filipinos. Está llegando mucho americano a esta vecindad, pero al swap meet no entran. Aquí no entran.

A mi hasta ahorita no afectado mi negocio. Gracias a dios no. Lo va afectar cuando ya me cierren. Tengo muchos clientes de muchos muchos años y siguen viniendo.

Pero están sacando mucho a los Latinos. Toda esta área es lo que va a pasar. Van a americanizar este pedacito. Aquí alrededor eran mis clientes y a todos los sacaron. Les dieron dinero para que se salieran de los apartamentos de aquí al lado y todavia vienen hasta acá. Hasta vienen desde Hesperia.

Para mí se me pasan las horas y sin comer. Y sin acordarme del reloj. Aquí se me va mi día y mi vida. Me encanta ver que la gente sale contenta, que se sienten diferente con un corte de pelo. Se sienten con más auto estima. Y me quedo contenta que se vayan contentos.

Yo desde que tenía 7 años decía que quería hacer chinitos y mira estoy haciendo los chinitos.” 

Christian Lopez owner of City Pets at Union Swap Meet:

“I’m from Los Angeles, but my parents are from Guatemala. I opened this up when I was 18. I like animals, so it’s kind of like a passion and a business at the same time.

I’ve been coming to this swap meet since I was maybe three or four years old, because I grew up in the area. I actually have pictures of me as a kid when we would come and visit the swap meet and buy jewelry. When we would visit, I would buy animals without my mom noticing, and I would hide them until we got home.

I went from having one small 500 square feet locale to having four little spots. The next step I think for me would be to get an actual brick-and-mortar location.

I have customers that come in here, and I’m like a therapist to them. They’ll talk to me not just about their animals but about family. It’s a community based business. You’re serving the community.

The swap meet is a dying industry. The products that we have in here don’t cater to the people that are in the neighborhood now.

But swap meets are important, because they preserve culture and preserve history. They service the community. It holds for people an emotional part. They’re unique.”

In March of 2020, all remaining vendors left and the swap meet officially closed. A locked fence kept hopeful shoppers out as they walked by trying to visit one last time.

Signs from vendors hang on the market’s exterior announcing their new locations. Inside, the stalls are empty. The once bustling swap meet stands desolate awaiting the tractors that will tear down each wall, one by one.

All that will remain of the market are the cherished memories of the vendors who opened their first businesses here, of the second generation kids, now adults with their own children, who remember spending weekends shopping with their families, and of the immigrants who found a sense of comfort and familiarity speaking their native language, listening to cumbia, punta, and merengue, and building a community with fellow shoppers and vendors. They know the new development is not meant for them, and when construction ends, the neighborhood they’ve called home for decades will be even more unrecognizable.

Visual art segments of Grand Park’s Our L.A. Voices are made possible by Jardín deLArte

N.Y.E.L.A. Countdown to 2019 Featured Artists

Aloe Blacc

With the release of his major-label debut Lift YourSpirit, Aloe Blacc moved and inspired audiences across the globe through hispowerful fusion of soul, folk, R&B, and pop. Arriving in 2014, the Grammy Award-nominated album spanned from feel-good anthems like the platinum-selling single “The Man” to intensely charged tracks like Blacc’s acoustic version of “Wake Me Up”—the massive hit he sang and co-wrote for Swedish DJ Avicii, which topped the charts in more than 100 countries. Now at work on the follow-up to Lift Your Spirit, the L.A.-born rapper/singer/songwriter has expanded his emotional terrain to capture an even more personal element of the human experience. “My goal for this next album is to continue with the aspirational songs I’ve been writing for a while now, but add a dimension that’s more focused on love and relationships,” says Blacc. “My own relationship with my family and my wife is so important to me, and I want these songs to give people the opportunity to celebrate the love in their life.”

Raised on salsa, merengue, and cumbia, Blacc fell in love with hip-hop as a kid and started writing rap songs when he was nine. With his lyrics drawing influence from socially conscious artists like KRS-One, he put out his first hip-hop mixtape at age 17. Later developing a fierce admiration for such soul musicians as Donny Hathaway and Marvin Gaye, he also discovered an affinity for folk-rocksinger/songwriters during his college years. “One of the most important factors in my transition from hip-hop to being a singer was listening to people like Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Kris Kristofferson, and Cat Stevens,” Blacc says.“Their songs are full of emotion that’s expressed in strong lyrics, and that had a big impact on me.”

After inking a deal with indie label Stones Throw, Blacc released his solo debut Shine Through in 2006 and sophomore album Good Things in 2010. Boosted by the breakout success of “I Need a Dollar” (which was selected as the theme song to HBO’s How To Make it In America), Good Things reached gold status in countries around the world and paved the way for his signing to XIX Recordings/Interscope Records in 2012. Made in collaboration with groundbreaking producers like Pharrell Williams, Lift Your Spirit dropped on New Year’s Day in 2014, debuted at #4 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Album. 

Looking back on his musical path so far, Blacc notes that landing a deal with XIX Recordings/Interscope prompted a major moment of reckoning, and led him to re-examine his artistic intentions. “When I signed a major-label contract, I recognized the power of having a larger audience, and Ipromised myself that I’d use my voice for social change,” he says. And increating his upcoming album, Blacc has kept focused on making music meant toinspire a positive shift in mindset. “When things happening in the world seemso terrible and dark, it’s so easy to get stuck in all the negative,” he says.“But I try to do whatever I can to help people out of that. I want my music tobe the light.”

Maya Jupiter

Born in La Paz, Mexico to a Mexican Father and Turkish Mother, Maya grew up in Sydney, Australia. It was in Sydney’s Western Suburbs where she first fell in love with Hip Hop. Maya’s love of writing rhymes helped her express her fear, pain, joy and hope as a teenager and later on she realized the power music held in using it as a tool to make apositive difference in her community.  

It is with this ideal that she co-founded Artivist Entertainment, an entertainment company committed to creating and supporting art and music that inspires positive social change alongside Quetzal Flores, Veronica Gonzales, Alberto Lopez and Aloe Blacc. Maya’s Artivism began in her early twenties when she facilitated Hip Hop workshops with underserved youth in Sydney’s south and west, teaching young people how to write record and perform songs. In 2012 shewas an official Ambassador for ‘The Line campaign,’ an Australian governmentanti-violence initiative. 

In Los Angeles she volunteered as a mentor with Peace over Violence’s Youth Over Violence Summer Institute, facilitating a song writing and recording internship around songs that discussed healthy relationships. Since 2014, she has been a spokesperson for their Denim Day Campaign bringing awareness to Sexual Violence and was recognised with the Voice Over Violence Humanitarian Award. Maya is on the advisory board and volunteers with Tiyya as a writing instructor for the Storytellers writing course dedicated to refugees and first and second generation immigrants of Los Angeles and she has co-facilitated a Youth Radio Internship at Radio Sombra, teaching high school students from Boyle Height show to present and produce their own radio shows. Currently Maya is writing new music produced by Quetzal Flores for an album to be released August 26th 2018.

Irka Mateo is a Dominican singer who has managed to bring the sound of her country throughout the world, being one of the precursors of alternative music and the fusion of Afro Caribbean Dominican music. His work is an essential reference and inspiration forthe new generations of musicians. The artist writes contemporary music mixing popular and folkloric Dominican rhythms of Afro / Indigenous / European origin, such as mangulina, carabiné, sarandunga and congos with other Latin Americans and Africans such as cumbia, compa, tango and afrobeat.

 Irka conducted aninvestigation of Dominican folk music for ten years, (1997-2007) in the rural areas of the Dominican Republic, documenting more than thirteen genres of folkloric musical traditions, unknown in the wider Dominican culture and beyond. The Grammy Foundation supported this initiative that culminated in the folk music archive of the Dominican southwest. During this time Irka, with her band, introduced the accordion in the Dominican alternative scene, brought to light the ‘Comarca’, a genre of accordion completely unknown outside the field, and was the first woman to play traditional percussion in urban environments. The artist has performed at venues such as the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, NYC, where she released her most recent album “Vamo a Gozá” at the end of 2017, a production that quickly positioned itself in the ranking of music stations, blogs and music magazines of alternative Latin music and world music. At the beginning of 2018 the artist did a launching tour of “Vamo a Gozá” in her country supported by the Ministry of Culture. Irka Mateo has three (3) albums published “Vamo a Gozá” 2017,”Anacaona” 2009 and “Tres Américas”, Irka and Tadeu Silence Records, 1996, as well as a Dominican folk music archive of 33 hours (2013). She is a guest singer on Magín Díaz’s album “El Orisha de la Rosa”, nominated for the best folk album 2017 in the Latin Grammys.

Georgia Anne Muldrow has earned the respect and admiration of listeners and peers alike via her incredible talent not only as a vocalist and songwriter spanning jazz, soul and hip-hop, but her long standing role as a producer and musician during her 12 year career. “Music is my discipline. It’s my way of meditating, it’s my way of thanking God, it’s my way of communicating… It’s my way of life,” Georgia explains. Typically working alone, her new album flips that dynamic and takes Georgia out of her comfort zone forthe first time since “Seeds” (2003) which was entirely produced by Madlib.“Overload” bears the fruits of numerous collaborations, most notably with duo Mike & Keys (50 Cent, Nipsey Hussle, Snoop Dogg, G-Eazy) who contribute production to four tracks including the sleek, anthemic title track – Pitchfork ‘Best New Track’ on 25 June 2018 – alongside Khalil (Dr Dre).

Georgia was 17 when she began making beats in earnest, but first lit up the scene with her debut album“Olesi: Fragments Of An Earth” in 2006. It was at this time that Georgia met, befriended and collaborated with the likes of Madlib, Oh No, MED (fka Medaphoar), Wildchild, DJ Romes and her future partner Dudley Perkins akaDeclaime. She co-founded the SomeOthaShip Connect record label with Dudley in2008, the platform and springboard for many of her musical travels that have expanded and extended down myriad pathways. Georgia has collected many namesover the years: Ms. One, Pattie Blingh & The Akebulan 5, an electro fusioncollaboration with DJ Romes called Blackhouse and astral jazz outings as Jyoti- a Hindu name given to Georgia by her Aunt Radha’s friend Alice Coltrane (they attended the same ashram) and serendipitously Great Aunt to one Steven Ellisonaka Flying Lotus. “She showed me so much love as a child. She knew I was goingto work with synthesisers before I did,” laughs Georgia.

DJ Day (Damien Beebe) is a DJ, producer and musician hailing from Palm Springs, California. With an illustrious career spanning two decades, he was recently named “Palm Spring’s Finest” and for good reason: His contributions to the various avant-garde music scenes in Southern California run deep. From the historic Root Down parties of Los Angeles to the infamous Do-Over, Day has garnered respect from peers and fans alike for his eclectic, well-executed DJ sets and diverse taste in music. His debut album, The Day Before rose to the top of numerous notable playlistsincluding those of Gilles Peterson (BBC), Jeremy Sole (KCRW) and Philly’s CosmoBaker.

Not content being defined by one craft, he gracefully transitions between being a DJ/turntablist, musician and beat maker; a talent best exemplified by his ambitious release Land Of 1000 Chances. He has toured the world many times over as a solo artist and with fellow musicians Aloe Blacc, Exile and People Under the Stairs. Amongst numerous accolades, he was nominated for Song of the Year awards both by the BBC and The Village Voice and his music has been licensed for commercials by DC Shoes, Red Bull Music Academy, Rane/Serato, and numerous full length feature films. Day recently returned from The Playlist Retreat, an annual, invitation only event at the home of DJ Jazzy Jeff to start work on his next album. Currently, Day is working with Thes One on the management and expansion of the artist collective Piecelock 70 and holds a residency at the renowned Ace Hotel in Palm Springs.

GET DOWN STAGE

Spiñorita is a Los Angeles-based Xicanx DJ and a radio host on NTS Radio. She is a music lover at heart. Influenced by her family, music has been a part of her life since birth. In 2009, Spiñorita finally followed her passion for spreading good music & picked up some turn tables and a mixer. She holds DJ residencies around Los Angeles, has performed in New York, San Francisco, and Amsterdam and most recently interviewed Chef Roy Choi on her radio show, Casual Play. Spiñorita has roots in the entertainment industry working as a freelance music supervisor by helping choose and license music for short films and documentaries. She is determined to spread good music to anyone who is willing to listen. As long as it has soul, Spiñorita will play it.

Erica aka Ericlandia is a globetrotting dj, producer and music journalist nerd. She’s opened for Beyonce and BrunoMars, played Coachella and Lightning in a Bottle, London, Tokyo, Paris. She has a crush on intersectional remixes and setting vibes. She has set a personal goal of playing all the museums. Her favorite settings are beautiful and/or weird, preferably both and things like silent discos. An open format dj with her finger of the pulse of bubbling genres, you can catch her playing kawaii Future Bass in Japan, Future Soul at the Guggenheim or Afrobeats at Everyday People coast to coast. Erica gets called in to play for Tiffany and Co, Rihanna’s Fenty line, Converse, Nike, Adidas, Tastemade and Soul Pancake and has been featured in New York Magazine, Martha Stewart and Forbes Magazine as a tastemaker. She’s lived in SF, NYC and now calls LA home.

Angel Mercado aka Kronika is a core member and a familiar presence in the Los Angeles music scene. Through her soundcloud mixes (or as she playfully calls them “Mixtures”) and her DJ and A&R positions for Los Angeles based record label/Movement “Soulection”, Kronika has become a trusted source for global audience interested in learning about new artists and overall discovering quality music. Having commanded a wide range of dance floors from major cities in the U.S., to the legendary Low End Theory, SXSW and Jazz Reggae Fest, as well as joining the Swedish band Little Dragon on their 2017 Spring Tour.  Kronika is known for her vast musical knowledge, truthfully nurtured from her early years growing up in the Philippines. Exquisite and Eccentric intaste, Kronika understands and lives artistry. She commands and engages her listeners in a musical journey that “flows like water.” Her transitions are so swift and smooth you forget they are even “transitions.” Kronika’s mixes and live sets are unpredictable. Her energy is contagious, which makes the experience of seeing her live all the more powerful and memorable.

Valia Basalious is 36 years old, of Egyptian and Greekdecent, bi-lingual, Culver City raised, music and business major turned psychology major, fashionista, who is in love with public speaking / hosting /singing and the arts in its entirety.

Valia has been singing her entire life and started to sing with church choirs at an early age. After gaining much-needed confidence, she perused a singing career at a young age that was not as picture perfect asassumed… And shortly after, a modeling career that ended after many years. After many corporate jobs, she decided to follow my true passion in hosting, which landed her the hosting of the 2nd and 3rdannual festival, “Head Wraps in the Park” held at Grand Park! 

2018 Grand Park Downtown Dia de los Muertos Participating Artists and Organizations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since its incorporation in 1973, Self Help Graphics & Arts has produced over 1,000 art print editions, including 54 Atelier projects and exhibitions all over the world. The organization remains dedicated to the production, interpretation and distribution of prints and other art media by Chicana/o and Latinx artists; and its multidisciplinary, intergenerational programs promote artistic excellence and empower community by providing access to working space, tools, training and beyond. Now, nearly a half century later, SHG continues to foster emerging Chicana/o and Latinx artists through its world-class printmaking studio and supports the role of artists as leaders, both within its organization and the community.

LORE Media + Arts founded by Robert Ramirez is a 15-year-old cultural and specials events production company.  LORE, as well as our newly developing foundation, works with NPO’s, NGOs, private corporations, and government/ civic entities to facilitate opportunities for at-risk people in marginalized communities to connect with professional visual artists and community leaders, in order to create public visual arts-based events that promote positive cultural identity of Latino and Mesoamerican indigenous communities, and to empower participants via scholarships to pursue higher academic achievement, and to encourage civic and neighborhood community building through the arts.

 

Azteca Danza – Balam Mictlantecuhtli – The Aztec Dancers  will be doing a Dia de los Muertos Ceremonial blessing of the four corners.  North, South, East & West.

Tierra Blanca Arts Center– “Leyendas de Mèxico”

VIVA LA REVOLUCION HIJOS DE LA PELONA: La Mujer en la Revolución Mexicana! It’s celebrating the Revolution in Mexico and along with this celebration we remember during DIA DE MUERTOS the great women in the Mexican Revolution!

We are TBAC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing the art of music, dance and theater to the greater Los Angeles area. Serving the community since 2003, TBAC was founded under the firm conviction that arts and culture have the power to break down the invisible barriers that often keep our multicultural community from truly living in harmony. Our mission is to instill in our community a sense of pride, identity and unity.

TBAC continually works to expand its services by supporting a variety of cultural events year-round. Our performers have showcased their talent in venues such as The Orpheum, The Montalban Theatre, The Downey Theatre, The New LATC and Los Angeles Theater.

Our vision is to reach a greater, more diverse audience. While our focus is Latin American folk dance, we are committed to celebrating Los Angeles’ rich diversity by engaging with like-minded organizations in order to raise cultural awareness.

 

“For over two decades, Quetzal has been getting down with movements fighting oppression in Los Angeles, Seattle, Havana, Veracruz and beyond. An East LA Chican@ rock group, Quetzal has a unique musical sound based on the incorporation of traditional son jarocho, Cuban batá, funk, Chicano rock, soul, and rhythm and blues. Quetzal’s music is a radical sound project of our times, a project based in artivism (art + activism), and feminist praxis.Since 1993, their sound project has archived their political activism from Los Angeles to Veracruz to Palestine.Their latest album “The Eternal Get Down” (Smithsonian Folkways) extends this project, bringing together a range of instruments to give voice to struggles of resistance, including: the Hammond B3, a core instrument in Black gospel and R&B music; the various instrument of son jarocho, including the jarana, the leona, therequinto jarocho and tarima, percussion instruments such as the Cuban batá drums, chekere, the marimbol, violins, and the moog synthesizer. The instruments do more than produce sound — they channel histories, prayers, lessons, and voices with stories to tell.”(Deb Vargas).

On October 27th, The Quetzal Quartet featuring Juan Perez (bass), Tylana Enomoto (Violin, voice), Quetzal Flores (Jarana, voice), Martha Gonzalez (Vocals, percussion) will bring an intimate sound to the stage in honor of the ancestors.

Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company (GMFBC) was founded by Jose Vences in September 2003. Currently, Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company has over 30 dancers and is a non-profit performing arts organization. The company was formed to advance the field of Mexican folk ballet, enhance the public’s appreciation for the diversity and depth of Mexican culture, and to present high-quality dance productions.

With signature pride in the rich national culture, Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company presents high-caliber dance productions that represent the diverse regions of Mexico. Whether choreographic works depict celebrations, ceremonies, or daily rituals, they are a colorful slice of the flavor of Mexico. Backed by careful research, GMFBC’s choreography is committed to preserving the traditions and customs of Mexico’s historic past and promising present.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsuelo is a global bass crew from Los Angeles that experiments with futuristic dance parties and old-school tropical music.  Named “Best Eastside Club Night” by LA Weekly, Subsuelo started as a house party in Boyle Heights back in 2011 and evolved into a weekly gathering where friends get down to cumbia, hip-hop, salsa, house, reggaeton, dancehall, baile funk, kuduro and all kinds of new weird global bass variations.

Directly from the city of hope – Mexico City, Mexico – in the month of March, 2012, the six-man group EL CONJUNTO NUEVA OLA released its first musical production, an album that is sure to make history. A very unique musical collective, one that will revolutionize the recording industry. The first promotional single from their album is titled “CHIDO, CHIDO” (“Cool, cool”) a classic title in the history of tropical music, but one that here takes on a completely different vibe.

The group is comprised of lead singer Urbano López, guitarist Luzio Nava, bassist Primitivo Ríos, percussionist Hipólito Madero, El Tacho on timpani and El Raio Manzares on keyboards. Their mission is simple: bring flavor and get people to dance to the rhythm of cumbia, mixing new wave, rock and disco sounds into hits from various iconic groups like La Sonora Dinamita, to the late Chico Che & Rigo Tovar.

Julio y su Teclado Màgico

 

 

 

 

It’s true that Irene Diaz captivates every audience with her powerful, soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. Irene has been playing music since she was 7 years old. Mastering piano and then guitar; but her greatest instrument is her voice.  With no formal training, Irene found singing to come naturally to her.  NPR’s Jasmine Garsd says, ‘You can’t fake the soul and Irene is so believable in her emotion.’ Her Kickstarter backed 2013 debut EP, “I Love You Madly”, showcased Diaz’s musical style and ability to crossover effortlessly into different genres of music ranging from Jazz to R&B to Folk. Over the years Diaz has pushed herself to evolve, combining looping keyboards and drum beats to go along with her shining, standout voice. With new music on the way we will still hear Ms Diaz stretching across genres. There will surely be something for everyone.

 

 

 

Ofelia Esparza, artist and educator born in 1932, still resides in East Los Angeles. Esparza has been associated with Self Help Graphics & Art for nearly 40 years, and is known for her Day of the Dead ofrendas/altars. It is at SHG where she learned and developed a body of work in printmaking, including monotype, etching, and serigraphs, and works in acrylics, graphite, and watercolor and mixed media. Her work reflects her spirituality and her Mexican indigenous heritage. She credits her mother for the influence in Ofelia’s appreciation for the spiritual beauty in the natural world and in the dignity of the people around her. A great portion of Esparza’s work honors womanhood. This is what inspires not only her ofrendas, but most of her art in all its diverse forms. Esparza considers herself a cultural facilitator as an educator and as an artist through the workshops, lectures, and the work she conducts at schools, colleges, and community venues. Most recently, she has been working within the community, with her daughter, Rosanna, conducting workshops for children and adults combining art, culture, and social activism as a vehicle toward wellness and personal empowerment.
In 2018, Esparza was named National Heritage Fellow by the National Endowment for the Arts. Esparza’s work can be found in numerous private and public collections, and has exhibited in and outside California museums and galleries, nationally, internationally, and the National Mexican Museum in Chicago, 2017. CSULA conferred Esparza with an honorary Doctorate Degree of Humane Letters, 2016 and is looked upon as a spiritual elder in her community.

On November 3rd at Grand Ave Arts All Access, Master altarista Ofelia Esparza and her daughter, altarista Rosanna Ahrens will teach an altar workshop about creating elements that go on an altar, using the existing altars, including the Community Altar as context. Participants will learn how to make paper flowers and paper picture frames as ofrendas, or offerings, to add to their own altar.

Indigital Productions/Jeniffer Sanchez

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On November 3rd at Grand Ave Arts All Access, Danza Workshops will be led by Jeniffer Sanchez, Los Angeles-based artist, danzante, choreographer, director and producer who began studying and performing traditional Danza Azteca at 9 years old.

Alfonso Aceves

Benedigital aka Ben Encarnacion is a visionary mixed media artist from Los Angeles, CA. He channels powerful visions that transform into mirrors of our own expansion as a collective consciousness.

His mission is to share reminders of the light we hold within that enhance and elevate our reality.His otherworldly digital vision quest is a fusion of cosmic consciousness, mystical experiences and ancient revelations.Channeling his groundbreaking personal experiences by remixing painting and digital graphics.Embracing these practices, ideals and energy, Benedigital’s work is becoming a vital component in the global visionary arts movement and live painting community.

Cal State LA Multicultural Arts in LA Class

LBS 2340-06

Dedicated to the people of Los Angeles

Instagram: @michellelopez777

Twitter: @mlopez777

Celina Jacques – “Los Angelitos”

Dedicated to all the children.

Instagram: @celinajacquesart

Consuelo G. Flores

Amor Enterno

No me movía, estaba quieta, completamente quieta
Tenía miedo de que la navaja me entrara más y otra vez
Sabía que ya había llegado cerca de mi corazón
Ese corazón que estaba tan lleno de suerte.

El amor es trabajo y es difícil y algunas veces puede tragarte por completo.
El amor puede ser un animal que destroza tu consuelo.
El amor puede desafiar, hacer la vida imposible, hacer la vida improbable.
El amor puede ser una flor de papel destrozada por la lluvia.
El amor puede ser un retoño que se encaja al corazón, y crece tan grande, que sus raíces se apoderan y se lo traga.
El amor también puede envolverse alrededor de la espina dorsal, enderezando la vida
El amor puede llenar los pulmones tanto que cada respiración fuerte puede navegar un barco a través de los siete mares.

Veo el camino frente a mí y no sé a dónde va.
Me encojo y suspiro para reunir la fuerza y seguir adelante.

Arriesgo mi consuelo para una esperanza.
He vivido dolores, batallas y verdades mezcladas con esperanza y pérdida.
Quiero dar el siguiente paso, pero las huellas del pasado son demasiadas grandes.
No puedo llenarlas y tengo mis dudas.

Me quedo donde estoy y miro hacia un camino que no tiene destino.
Miro hacia atrás desde donde estoy y no veo pasado, ne siento atrapada en el presente.
Pero los veo y me veo en ustedes, en sus vidas, en sus cuerpos, en sus caras, en el amor eterno que los une.

Las huellas que veo enfrente están llenas de gracia fuerte y tierna.
Soy una mujer en una familia de mujeres fuertes, con lealtad, coraje y corazón.
El amor no tiene condiciones.
El amor no tiene ilusiones absudos.

El amor tal vez sea una respuesta para una vida llena, pero la pregunta siempre es diferente.
Y como ustedes, yo soy la pregunta y la respuesta.

Twitter: @poetaconsuelo

Corazon Del Pueblo – “Death of Colonization; Decolonize”

Facebook: @corazondelpueblo.boyleheights

East Los Angeles Womens Center – “They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds”

This altar is dedicated to our intergenerational healing, strength, survival and wisdom. They tried to wipe us out, they tried to break our spirit with rape and abuse, they tried to make us forget our traditions and they injected trauma into our veins. But here we are, we have survived, our traditions have survived, we heal ourselves and each other and our spirits continue to blossom. We are survivors, we are wise and we are healing.

Instagram: @elawcyouth

Eden Sanchez

Eric Scud Brenes

German Shepherd Rescue of OC – “Our Beloved Animals”

Honoring our best friends. Dia de los Muertos remembers our pets who gave us unconditional love and companionship. Animals that cross over the rainbow bridge and are at peace forever more.

goeastlos  – “#InstaAltar”

La Catrina, the icon of Dia de los Muertos, journeys back from the dead as she pays tribute and honors forgotten stories of Los Angeles. Follow her on instagram (@goeastlos) to experience the duality of life and death as she explores East LA and beyond. This altar showcases her journey in addition to a collection of stories submitted online that pays tribute to the dead. If you would like a loved one to be honored at this altar, submit your photo on Instagram and hashtag #InstaAltar

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @goeastlos

Grand Park – Staff Ancestral Altar

Facebook: @grandparklosangeles

Instagram: @grandpark_la

Guadalupe Homeless Project Proyecto Pastoral at Dolores Mission – “Prisioneros de la Injusticia”

“Porque aunque la jaula sea de Oro, no deja de ser prision….” Dedicated to the men and women who have left their home countries in search of a better life for their families, many times having to leave their families and children behind.

Haydee Jimenez – “Amor Eterno”

To our grandmothers who we love dearly can never be more than a thought away… for as long as there’s a memory they live in our hearts to stay.

Instagram: @moranchel4ever

Born in Mexico City in 1976, Heriberto Luna immigrated to the United States a year after. Of 6 children, he is the second to the youngest. Heriberto Luna comes from a colorful background. His grandfather was one of Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata’s soldiers, and his father was in the Mexican army. His grandmother was a Mayan shaman, fluent in two indigenous languages.

Graduating from Franklin High School, in Los Angeles, Luna was surrounded by gangs but found his salvation at age 16 in the arts. At La Tierra de la Culebra, an urban art park in North East LA, he developed his skills as an earth sculptor and painter. Combined with his passion for performing Aztec dancing as both a dancer and a drummer, the artistic exposure gave him focus and strengthened his resolve to rise above the bad circumstances around him.

During 2002 and 2005 Luna apprentice on major mural projects with L. A’s most influential muralist team the East Los Streetscapers, and artist Paul Botello. Luna met Los Angeles artist Margaret Garcia and in 2002 he apprenticed with her and with New Mexico Master artist Pola Lopez

The result of all that hard work is clear, as Luna has exhibited in over 35 major Museums thus far, among them such prestigious locations as: The Santa Monica Museum of Art, The National Mexican Fine art Museum in Illinois and The Museum of History and Art in Ontario, California. Beyond that, Luna’s works have become part of major art collections at Arizona State University and in 2006 Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa presented him with an award of recognition for his accomplishments in the arts; Luna has also been awarded two artist-in-residence grants from the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs department.

As his art career continues to bloom, Luna remains dedicated to under privilege youths, he is currently teaching arts classes for Theatre of Hearts and serves as a mentor. Heriberto Luna’s success is measurable on many different levels yet what makes him most proud is seeing the young people that he has worked with turn to the community and become mentors themselves. Some have gone on to achieve gallery and museum showings as well.

Withal, Luna’s bold colors juxtaposed with ancient inspiration and strong commitment to the future of his community bring a powerful and profound statement to the art world and beyond.

Homeboy Industries – “Our Dead Are Never Dead To Us”

George Eliot once said, “Our Dead are never dead to us, until we have forgotten them.” Homeboy Industries offers sanctuary, transformation, kinship and community to those that have been forgotten in the margins. As we do for the living, we do for our dead. Your Homeboy Industries family will continue your memory in love, kinship, transformation, and community. May your journey home always be your sanctuary.

Facebook/Instagram: @homeboyindustries

Jaime Zacarias – “Los Angeles”

Dedicated to the city.

Instagram: @Germ_s

Jamie Chavez “Storm Cloud”

Instagram: @stormcloud72

Joan Zeta – “The One Time I Didn’t Get Another Chance/Cuando no tuve ora oportunidad”

The alter is dedicated to all the people who have died due to alcohol and drug addiction. Este altar està dedicado a todos las personas que han muerto debido a la adicción al alcohol y las drogas.

Instagram: @joan_zeta

Jose Chaves “Chavez Art”

Jovenes, Inc.

Instagram: @jovenes_inc

Justice for Cesar Rodriguez – “Cesar murdered by coos for a 1.75″

Instagram: @Eveliiaa1

Las Fotos Project – “Honoring Our Migrant Mamas”

Las Fotos Project’s altar, Honoring Our Migrant Mamas, is a youth-led community memorial centering the resilience of women who have traveled across geographic and cultural borders in search of new possibilities. Featuring photographs of students with their migrant mothers and grandmothers, this altar invites the local community to share their own stories of migration through the eyes of their matriarchs. Participants are welcome to bring photographs, flowers, and other memorabilia to the altar over the course of the installation period.

Instagram/Twitter: @lasfotosproject

Latino Equality Alliance – “Rest in Power / Descansen en Poder”

This altar is lovingly dedicated to honor Gabriel Fernandez (8 years old) and Anthony Avalos (10 years old), youth taken away much too soon due to family rejection. Let us honor them and remind ourselves that prejudice against the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) community exists. What can YOU do to end this violence? #LaFamiliaIsOut #UnconditionalLove #FamilyAcceptance #RestInPower Este altar está dedicado amorosamente honrando a Gabriel Fernández (8 años) y Anthony Avalos (10 años), jóvenes que fueron quitados demasiado pronto debido al rechazo familiar. Honrémoslos y recordemos que existen prejuicios contra la comunidad LGBTQ (Lesbiana, Gay, Bisexual, Transgénero y Queer). ¿Qué puedes hacer TÚ para acabar con esta violencia? #LaFamiliaIsOut #UnconditionalLove #FamilyAcceptance #RestInPower

Instagram: @SomosLEA

Legacy LA – “Youth Justice”

Our participants and staff would like to honor la memoria of all youth who fight for justice. Both those who has lost their lives for justice, and honoring those who are still fighting for justice for community visibility, inclusivity, accountability, acknowledgement, knowledge, and identity. We don’t want to just highlight injustice that our communities experience from police brutality, anti-immigrant sentiments-polices, but demonstrate the love that exist when we unity all brown and black communities of color.

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @Legacy_LA

Lucretia Torva is an artist/painter based in Phoenix, AZ — but she  will travel anywhere to paint! She paint on canvas in oils and acrylics and I have acquired an addiction to painting murals! She was born in Peoria, IL. I grew up in Scotland and France because her Dad worked for Caterpillar Tractor Co. It was a great foundation for being an artist as she was able to see and experience some of the greatest art and architecture in the history of Western Art. Seems like she have been painting forever, yet it’s only been 30-some years. She received my MFA from the U. of Illinois in 1982.

Luis Huffington

LURN – “¡Cultivando Trabajo!”

Dedicado a todos los vendedores ambulantes de Los Ángeles.

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @LURNetwork

Marcus Pollitz

Martha Carrillo (Heart On Arts) – “Y lo Bailado, quien me lo quita?”

To those we have loved & Lost. For those who know they watch over us & guide us. Que en paz descansen.

Instagram: @heartOnArts

Michael Heralda has presented his culturally educational, musical, and interactive programs, to students and interested listeners of all ages throughout the U.S. since 1995.

Michael has recorded three CD’s that feature music, stories, poetry, and narratives – see MUSIC link for more information.

The stories, ballads, and narratives presented in this program are all true and based on documented accounts of what is termed the oral tradition – stories handed down through families, generation after generation.

Many handmade indigenous styled instruments are used and shared throughout the presentations – clay flutes, Huehuetl and Teponaztli drums, gourd water drums, shakers, rasps, conch shell trumpets, and many other unique instruments
all made from readily available materials giving the listener the understanding that musical instruments can be made from natural elements that surround you.

“Aztec Stories” is an intriguing and thought provoking way to learn about the culture of ancient Mexico and the indigenous Mexika (me-shee-ka)/Aztecs. For some it may be a way to reconnect to a wonderfully rich legacy that unfortunately lies dormant within them, buried for many, many years and generations. For others it may awaken a new understanding of a culture focused on the beauty, art, and high levels of sophisticated philosophical understanding that for many decades were ignored or suppressed.

Miriam Lopez

Moni Perez

My altar is dedicated to the hundreds of people that die due to cancer at the hands of systemic oppression.

Instagram: @lamoniperez

ni Santas – “jaula de oro”

we want to honor children who go through the harsh challenges of crossing the border . we recognize the struggles children go though to find a better life only find themselves in the dangers of crossing the border ,ending up in ice detention centers and worse yet passing away all while making the journey to the Jaula De Oro (golden cage) a symbol for what seems to be the American dream for most immigrants

Instagram: @ni_santas

Noemi Basquez

Ballet Folklorico Nueva Antequera was founded by Miriam Lopez and Raul Cortez to promote and spread the Oaxacan culture in LA.

Office of Supervisor Hilda L. Solis 

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @HILDASOLIS

Osvaldo Cervantes

 

Pacific Oaks College – “Celebrating All Families”

Celebrating different types of families from all backgrounds!

Facebook: @PacificOaks

People For Mobility Justice – “People for Mobility Justice”

A space to celebrate love and dignity in transportation and public spaces

Instagram: @peopleformj

Rachel Hoye

 

RAH Azul is a Painter, Muralist, Poet and Aztec dancer in the San Fernando Valley 818 area.

RAH Azul Artista, Muralista, y Poeta desde Los Angeles, CA

Raza Rider – “FALLEN MOTORCYCLES RIDERS”

Riders of all motorcycles that have been taken, as they now rider in the clouds.

Instagram/Twitter: @RAZARIDER

Dario Guerrero, creator of the new documentary ROCIO, is an undocumented Harvard graduate. His story first received national attention in September 2014 when he published an essay in the Washington Post titled “I told Harvard I was an undocumented immigrant. They gave me a full scholarship.”

Following up on this story, a Telemundo news crew reached out to Dario and found him living in his grandmother’s home, some 3,000 miles away from school in the crime-ridden, massive slums of Nezahualcoyotl just outside Mexico City. Dario’s story again made national headlines, this time under the guise of “Harvard student took his dying mom to Mexico, now he’s not allowed to leave.” This is the subject matter of the present film. This is the story of ROCIO.

Dario also co-directed 2013’s A Dream Deferred with college roommate Alex Boota, a documentary following several undocumented Harvard students as they apply for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. Funded by the Harvard Law Documentary Studio, it was a Regional Finalist in the Student Academy Awards.

Robert Ramirez

 

Rosanna Ahrens

 

South Central Farm – “La Procesiòn”

Our altar this year is dedicated to you, to us, to our community and to all who need to be reminded of where we came from. To all the land protectors who are fighting to protect our basic right to exist and live with justice and dignity. Whether you believe in the spirits or not, we all came from the earth. We all came from darkness. We all sprouted from a spark. A spark of love, a spark of light and with some warmth, with some sustenance, we blossomed to the beautiful beings we are today. The altar serves to reflect on the procession of life. How we rise and how we descend. And for those of who doubt we can come out from the darkness we may find ourselves in, look to the spirits and look to the earth to remind yourself that you too can resurrect. The altar is composed of earth elements ascending from the darkness. Seeds, water, blossoms and fruit follow the light out of the earth where they shall one day return, only to rise again re-nurtured, resilient, and reborn. “They Tried to Bury Us, But they Didn’t Know We Were Seeds”

Instagram: @Southcentralfarm

SWANA-LA – “SWANA-LA”

Dedicated to our relatives in Yemen

Facebook/Instagram: @swanalosangeles

Youth Justice Coalition – “We Are Not Targets”

The Youth Justice Coalition’s altar honors 851 people killed by law enforcement in LA County between 2000 and 2017. The Los Angeles Police Department and LA County Sheriff’s Department have – for many years – led the nation each year in use of force deaths. For the past 150 years, Los Angeles County has also led the nation in harsh policing, jailing and incarceration, and has established many of the policies on criminalization, suppression and deportation that have swept the nation and the world. Policies and procedures that came out of LA include the: (1) Militarization of police (first SWAT units, first use of helicopters, first use of army tanks against domestic populations, and build-up of the nation’s largest domestic arsenal of weaponry and surveillance technology; (2) Longest, most deadly and most costly history of community uprisings – all either attacks by law enforcement against civilian populations, or communities protesting police violence; (3) Political rise of Richard Nixon and creation of the “war on drugs;” (4) Political rise of Ronald Reagan, globalization, deindustrialization, and expansion of the war on drugs while also using drugs to fund and arm counter-revolutionary dictatorships in Central America; (5) Creation of world’s first “war on gangs” including the first gang databases, gang injunctions and gang definition; (6) Nation’s first anti-immigration policies; and (7) the Nation’s first school police departments, daytime curfew (truancy) laws, and first build up of a security culture in and around campuses that caused public schools to look and operate more like prisons, the first application of zero tolerance policies for student “discipline,” all of which led to the national creation of a school-to-jail-track that caused massive suspensions, expulsions and arrests of youth of color. We build our altar to remember all those impacted by these policies, that battled against this state violence for generations, that lost their lives behind the bullets of police, and those young people we buried too soon. Join the movement to STOP THE $3.5 BILLION L A JAIL PLAN, and fight for a just Los Angeles and California, and a future for our families and communities beyond incarceration or death. Contact us at: action@youth4justice.org; Facebook: Youth Justice Coalition; Instagram @youthjusticeLA

Facebook/Instagram/Twitter: @YouthJusticeLA

 

2018 Big L.A. Portrait Gallery

For the second year, Grand Park transforms into a nighttime art gallery featuring photography by L.A.-based artists projected to 100 feet wide by 100 feet high on the south wall of the historic L.A. County Hall of Records. Built by famed architect Richard Neutra, one of his few high-rises, this iconic modernist building serves as the perfect canvas for larger-than-life artwork. Featured images will tell stories and share visions of L.A.’s future as envisioned by some of the county’s best photographers. Park-goers can enjoy the exhibit over a picnic, view the gallery during their nighttime commute or take in the images during a stroll through the park.

Featured artists:

Aly Aliano
Real Mother
Real Mother is a personal project I began when my twins, Hallie and Ellison, were 9 years old. I married their father when they were five. I was instantly a parent at age 26. I did everything I thought a parent did: dentist appointments, parent-teacher conferences, playdates, sleep-overs, etc.  People would ask, “Aren’t you going to have children?” Implying that as a stepmom, I was not a “real mother.”

I began photographing any mother who would allow me into their world and share their story.  With Real Mother I attempt to raise questions such as, “What makes a mother? I seek to understand my own experience as a mom and my own legal emancipation from my mother at 19.  I hope that all mothers will have the support of their employer, family, healthcare, accessible education for every child, and paid family leave. My intention is that this project raises awareness and understanding around the many forms a “Real Mother” can take.

 

Emily Shur
Nature Calls
Emily Shur started Nature Calls in 2009 when she first noticed strange looking trees here and there. Little by little, these poor excuses for foliage were slowly infiltrating her day-to-day scenery, until she ultimately found out they were disguised cell phone towers.

Emily set out to create a document of these objects within the genre of classic landscape photography. Her intention was to photograph through the eyes of an explorer. She imagined Edward Curtis roaming the American West armed with nothing but a camera and a tripod. So, that is what she did…except she roamed in a Prius. During the documentation process, it became clear that she was also documenting technology, and how it changes our lives and now has begun to change our landscapes.

 

Gizelle Hernandez
Underrepresented Glamour
The following subjects are all people of color who work in LA’s creative industry.

As a fellow person of color, I find it important to highlight, connect and collaborate with other like-minded creatives.

Their concern for inclusion and culture have drawn me to them and their individuality and vibrancy are at the root of these photographs. Each artist has a strong sense of who they are and where they come from, and I was inspired to create environmental portraits based on their bold sense of self and style.

 

Gregg Segal
Daily Bread
When I was growing up, 1 in 40 kids were obese. Today, it’s 10 in 40. For the first time in many generations, life expectancy is declining. Unfortunately, we have outsourced making our own food, this essential part of our lives, the connective tissue of families and culture. There’s an old adage: “The hand that stirs the pot rules the world.”Well, the hand stirring the pot is more interested in profit than in our health. It’s time we take back food by stirring our own pots and demanding healthier options.

In shooting Daily Bread, I ask kids to journal everything they ate for week and at the end of the week, I shot a portrait of them with their food arranged around them. I started shooting in my backyard in Altadena and expanded to include kids from other LA neighborhoods, and the whole world.

 

John Francis Peters
The Young Visionaries of Los Angeles

One of the most defining aspects of movements like March for Our Lives is the unbreakable passion and resolve today’s youth have in facilitating change that will build a better future for us all. In his series, The Young Visionaries of Los Angeles, Peters photographs 4 young leaders in the Los Angeles area that are working hard to administer a brighter tomorrow.

 

Matthew Scott
The Concrete River
The concrete River, a.k.a. The Los Angeles River, follows roughly 48 miles, weaving through the urban sprawl and diverse neighborhoods of LA.

The images featured are from a stretch known as the Glendale Narrows, located in Northeast LA. It runs through Atwater Village, the edge of Elysian Park and Glendale. Like most sections of the river, it allows you to escape the city without leaving your neighborhood;  simply hop a fence and walk down the concrete embankment.

 

Melodie McDaniel
Daring to Claim the Sky
Compton Jr. Posse is an organization that was created to provide a year-round after school program for inner-city youth using equestrian activities to inspire young people to reach personal, academic and career goals. This was a powerful alternative to the equally powerful lure of gang and drug lifestyles. Under the leadership of founder Mayisha Akbar, the Compton Jr. Posse has given inner city kids hope for over 29 years by teaming them with horses. Many of the students go on to earn scholarships to colleges and universities.

 

Philip Cheung
Predictive Policing in L.A.
The future of surveillance has arrived on our city streets. L.A. has a new observer, the all-seeing, never forgetting eye of the LAPD—who attempt to use the past to predict the future. Backed up by new data technology and an internal culture of organized tracking, the LAPD now uses predictive policing to identify where potential criminal activity might happen, and, troublingly, who might commit these crimes. The LAPD keeps their methods and algorithms close to their collective vests, but in an attempt to record this invisible web of surveillance, photographer Philip Cheung photographed neighborhoods in South LA where predictive policing programs are known to be in effect.

 

Ryan Schude
Them & Theirs
Them & Theirs is an ongoing portrait project about people and their vehicles. Starting in 2001, I found subjects by placing notes on parked cars I found interesting and wanted to know about the people who drove them. Collaborating with the owners, we would find a location, props, and wardrobe that told a story about the relationship between them and their preferred mode of transportation.

 

Sam Comen
Newest Americans
Los Angeles is a city of immigrants. And just as the dreams of past generations of immigrants built the Los Angeles of today, so too will the dreams of today’s immigrants shape the future of our city. Through interviews and photos, Newest Americans explores the dreams and stories of 28 immigrants who came here from all over the globe in search of a better tomorrow.

The full exhibit is on display at The California Museum in Sacramento. Photographs by Sam Comen and reporting by Michael Estrin.

 

Spencer Lowell
Future of LA Technology
Los Angeles perpetually exists in the future. As a city that constantly reinvents itself, it’s fitting that it would be a hotbed of invention. From drilling and refining oil at the turn of the 20th century, to discovering the Big Bang in the 20s at Mt. Wilson, to developing robots to send to Mars at the turn of the 21st century at JPL in Pasadena, LA is more than sunshine and traffic.

 

Walter Thompson-Hernandez
Blaxicans of L.A.
This series of photos presents people in Los Angeles who identify as “Blaxicans.” As the city of Los Angeles and the United States continue to become increasingly multiracial, multiethnic, and multilingual, this series highlights the experiences of Blaxicans throughout Los Angeles as ways to think about the future.

 

Music playlist by: SeanO
Sean Osborn has been behind turntables since 2006. He cut his teeth at the Scratch DJ Academy and then honed his skills as the resident DJ at The Whisky A Go-Go.

After spending some time throwing one off parties and doing guest DJ sets at various clubs around the country, Sean soon found himself the co-host and producer of Soundwaves Radio, which airs 2-4am early Saturday mornings on 90.7FM KPFK Los Angeles.

His other radio show, The Treehouse, can be heard every third Monday of the month from 4-6pm (PST) on dublab.com.

He is the co-producer for the monthly soul showcase Devil’s Pie at Lock and Key and can also be seen each and every Friday night at The Shortstop in Echo Park for DOIT as well as Saturday night at The Perch in downtown Los Angeles.