Tonight: OUTspoken Sessions Queer Youth Open Mic tonight!

 The Equal Action folks are an amazing group of organizers dedicated to empowering queer youth of color to fight for social justice.  I hope they don't mind my plagiarizing their post:

Equal Action proudly presents

OUTspoken Sessions

an open mic and safe space for queer and ally youth 19 and under

Friday | 03.25.11 | 6:30-9:00

with two extremely creative women 

during this Women's History Month

singer and song writer Caresse Fernandez

Caresse is 4'11 and that seems tiny,

Although this is true, her voice is kinda mighty.

Ready to go with her guitar,

Equipped with a piano, she could go far.

She likes to sing and she likes to dance,

She just loves music, so give her a chance!

End.

&

spoken word poet and hip hop artist Sumiko Braun

 

Sumiko Braun is:

a radical queer feminist. 

a single mother of color. 

a libertarian socialist. 

a spoken word poet. 

a womyn warrior.

Check out our new location!

KIWA's Cultural Education Center

3471 W. 8th Street

Los Angeles, CA 90005

street parking

near busline 66, Wilshire/Western Metro Station

for more info: info@equalaction.org

check out our facebook page

Are you a youth who wants to help organize OUTspoken Sessions? Get more info about joining theOUTspoken Youth Organizing Committee by contacting Stephanie at svan@equalaction.org.

Equal Action is honored to hold the 2011 OUTspoken Sessions season at KIWA's Cultural Education Center, home to a variety of invaluable events and programs for the community. Learn about KIWA and other events happening at their Cultural Education Center.

New Ceramic Art Gallery on 1st Street!

While wandering around Little Tokyo waiting for the Hope & Memory Service at the Japanese Cultural & Community Center, I found a bright green wall and open door under the old boarded-up game shop sign (you know, the one that says "Outer Heaven"). 

Meet Lilia:

Meet lovely ceramic art:

I kept coming back to those faces. I'm trying to think of what I can give up for a few weeks in order to save the dough to buy one of her lovely pieces. Good to set artful goals. In addition to her own work, she also has pieces from friends in South Africa available. 

I loitered there watching her work and chatting for about an hour. Only one couple came in during that whole time. Come on, people! She's getting her sign this weekend and her opening will be in a few weeks. I love new discoveries, especially when they resonate with ideas I've been toying with for a while. I've been thinking about taking a ceramics class for over a year now. Material art is sort of foreign to me since I'm so used to the work-anywhere medium of writing. Hmm, there's always papier-mâché...

More on Venier Gallery soon, like the address and opening date. For now, wander down First Street and look for the bright green wall. You can't miss it.

If You Send Nothing Else, Send Love

The destruction and impact of the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdowns in Japan are unfathomable at this point. I've found it hard to take it in, let alone express it (though I tried and will keep trying). 

On Thursday is a chance to gather with others in the Little Tokyo/Downtown LA community to "come together, and reflect on the suffering of countless individuals and our interconnectedness" (Chris Aihara, Executive Director of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center).

"In response to the tragedies in Japan, the JACCC is convening an interfaith service and community gathering.

       Service & Community Gathering for Japan Quake Victims
       Thursday, March 17, 6:30
       JACCC Plaza
       244 S. San Pedro St.
       Los Angeles, CA 90012

       For more information, contact: JACCC 213-628-2725

There will be representatives from Japan disaster relief funds, for individuals who wish to make a contribution."

See JACCC's press release here.

I'll be there.