SOUND DOWNTOWN

SoundDowntown 2008 is a one-day music festival on Saturday, November 15, featuring a lineup of over 50 locally and nationally recognized bands, DJ’s and performing artists at various venues throughout the Artist’s Village of downtown Santa Ana.

Preferred advance tickets are $10 and general admission is $15 day-of. Event tickets will allow patrons to enter all local venues (some 21+) curated with entertainment. Venue capacity will range from 50 to 800, so suggested arrival times will vary. Advance tickets are now on sale.
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New Artists TBA!
Note: Some Performances are 21+
Please Check Schedule

Sponsored in part by the Downtown Santa Ana Business Council, OC Weekly, Karl Strauss Brewing Company, KUCI, Yelp and Splitends.

Participating Venues:

The Crosby, The Yost Theater, Bistro 400, Festival Hall, Gypsy Den, Jason’s Downtown, Memphis Santora, Proof, CSF Grand Central Art Center

Billing (More TBA):
Austin Hartley-Leonard - Bearded Baby - Blank Blue - Bobby Soul – Busdriver - Cheap Date - DJ Dan Oh - DJ Dan Sena – DJ J Hall - DJ Nobody - DJ Pubes - Faded Tequila Wormz - Flying Saucers - Free Moral Agents - Free the Robots - From Elsewhere – Inkblots - Living Suns - Look Daggers - Majic Bullet Theory - Mexican Institute of Sound – MODE - My Hollow Drum – Nalepa – Narodniks - No MSG - Nortec Collective Presents Bostich + Fussible - Nosaj Thing - One Way – Peanut - Protect Me – Satisfaction - Shepard Fairey - Sparrow Love Crew - Strange Fruit - Tea Long - Teton Songwriters - The Entrance Band - The Growlers - The Hattrix Project - The (International) Noise Conspiracy - Two Guns - Venus Infers - Zechs Marquise - Zutra

The historic—and historically progressive—Artists’ Village district in the city of Santa Ana gets into the groove this November 15, with the much-anticipated soundDowntown 2008. This day-into-night music and spoken word festival happens on Saturday, November 15, from 2pm-2am, featuring a lineup of 60+ locally and nationally recognized bands, DJs and performing artists hosted by more than a dozen of Santa Ana’s most famously intriguing landmark venues, all within a walkable radius of just a few square blocks in the downtown arts district. The streets of the area won’t be blocked off, instead audiences will be issued all-access passes that allow for a freeform, self-guided experience akin to a gallery walk, complete with printed programs containing maps and full schedules, and integrating the simultaneous performances to unfold within the vibrant nightlife of the neighborhood.

One of the Southland’s best kept cultural secrets, Santa Ana is a dynamic, evolving, and engaged arts community. The Bowers Museum, Orange County High School of the Arts, OC Weekly HQ, the revitalized Santora Building, the renovated Festival Hall and Yost Theater, dozens of independent galleries, and Rude Guerrilla Theater Company are just a few of the pillars of this naturally occurring culturati hub. The noted Grand Central Art Center with its small but salient regional museum vibe in the European kunsthalle tradition, and its edgy, ambitious programming, offers the quintessential example of the kind of cultural interplay soundDowntown 2008 is engendering, as it invites radio station KUCI to program a full night of local indie buzz bands inside its galleries, including some explosive special guests to be announced soon.

In fact, each of the dozen plus venues participating share not only the organizers’ love of progressive culture, but also their passion for the breathtaking architectural preservation and innovation that gives the community its compelling, eccentric, and almost literary flavor.

soundDowntown 2008 signals the return of Koos Art Center, whose presence laid the groundwork for Santa Ana’s cultural vibrancy, as founder and soundDowntown producer Dennis Lluy reopens Koos at the Yost, once a Mexican movie house and Vaudeville theatre, and who for soundDowntown host a bill featuring; the politically-charged, anthemic rock from Rick Rubin-produced buzz band International Noise Conspiracy; Nortec Collective Presents Bostich + Fussible, a collaborative effort in furhterance of dirty TJ techno; the Entrance Band’s psychedelic avant-freedom rock; and Free the Robots blend old-school/avant-garde hip-hop.

Meanwhile, down the block, Mexican Institute of Sound’s boundary and border-blurring indie electronica and rough-riding feel-good beach Goth from the Growlers take the stageFestival Hall; The Living Suns infiltrate the Gypsy Den with their psychedelic prog rock;Bistro 400 opens their patio to host DJ Bobby Soul and Secret Affair and Jason’s throw their antes in with eclectic indie fare. Shepard Fairey aka DJ Diabetic, and DJ Pubes hold it down at the Crosby, an archetype of the lively college town coffee house offering books, art, music, food, drinks, and the kind of genre-blurring cultural fusion that defines Santa Ana society.

Among the most lively mash-ups of old and new is are the all-star spoken word jam by Hattrix Project, dancers, and music from the Magik Bullet Theory taking place at the Grand Central Art Center; DJ Nobody and Free Moral Agents at Memphis in the instantly classicSantora Building, kicking out the louder beats amid impressive surroundings that include three floors of art galleries; and Sparrow Love Crew’s soulful hip-hop and self-described “Ghettotech” draw dance-hungry crowds at Proof.

Animal Magnetism

An all media national juried exhibition

September 4 to 27, 2008
117 N. Sycamore, Santa Ana, CA
714.667.1517 www.occca.org
Opening Reception September 6th, 6 PM to 10 PM

Juror:
Mat Gleason, editor and publisher of
Coagula Art Magazine

Recently praised by the British critic Julian Stallabrass in his book, Art Incorporated, The Story of Contemporary Art, Mat Gleason has a keen eye for quality and authenticity, ferocious wit and an intimate knowledge of the jungle.

Animals, real and imaginary. We fear them, pamper them, tame them, trap them, eat them, lobby on their behalf, experiment on them, strut them as status symbols, and exterminate them. How do contemporary artists represent them?

From the caves of Lascaux, to the halls of the Louvre, there is no escaping them. With their long pedigree in the history of art, they prowl the great museums of the world. And today, animals leap from the work of contemporary artists, symbolically expressing their ideas and emotions. OCCCA’s terrific exhibition space will showcase a menagerie of superb examples of this trend, from the traditional to the avant-garde, from the realistic to the fantastic, in painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, video and new media

A catalog of accepted works will
accompany this exhibition.

Admission Free

Film, Concerts and Other Events @ OCCCA During September 2008:
First Friday Films: September 5: 8pm
Winged Migration (2001)
Director: Jacques Perrin

EMC Concert no.26: September 13: 8pm
Happy Dwarf
Deal by Dusk
B-side Effect

Downtown Santa Ana Mixer

Dear Community Members,

This is an invitation to the Downtown Santa Ana Business and Neighborhood Mixer. Come and meet the many people who make Santa Ana a great place to live and work. Bring information about your business to share and sample delectable appetizers from Jason’s Downtown Restaurant and Wine Cellar complimentary of the Downtown Santa Ana Business Council.

- see upcoming branding and marketing images for the area
- interactive website launching
- receive a copy of the area’s new map for visitors
- view a list of 2008/09 events
- share your thoughts with business owners, community leaders and residents

WHEN: April 3rd from 5-8pm
WHERE: Jason’s Downtown, 416 West 4th Street (across from the Ronald Regan Courthouse)
WHO: you and others that you know, please pass this along!
CONTACT: Delilah Snell, 714.836.8727 for more information.

Thank you and we hope to see you at the Mixer!

Delilah Snell

Board Chair, Downtown Santa Ana Business Council

Tierrita Flamenca Live

Claudia de la Cruz children dance company “Tierrita Flamenca” will be performing Saturday April 5th, 2008 at 7pm at the CSUF Grand Central Art Center.

Tierrita Flamenca is another Claudia de la Cruz’ project on an effort to preserve the passion of flamenco dance through children and teenagers. Tierrita Flamenca is the petite version of her formal Adult Tierra Flamenca Dance Company founded in 2004 with 4 of her most talented students. Currently formed with 11 members the company continues to grow with more choreographies and challenges every day!

FUNDRAISING EVENT
Sat Apr 5th, 2008
Tickets $20
7:00 pm
Limited Seating

CSUF Grand Central
125 N Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92701

RSVP 714.543.1370
info@culturalstageofart.org

click here for more info

Back to Natives for the Holidays

Here is a list of activities and events that Back to Natives will be involved in during the next few weeks:

Get Back to Natives for the Holidays!
There is NOTHING the staff at Back to Natives hates more than the commercialism and materialism associated with the holidays. One way to avoid the malls and make a difference with your holiday gift giving is to give gift memberships to your favorite environmental non-profits, and give “green” gifts! We plan to do all of our holiday shopping at our favorite store, the Road Less Traveled - where you can now buy Back to Natives label native plant seeds! They make an awesome stocking stuffer, or a great insert in your holiday cards (as long as they are being mailed locally, of course!). Back to Natives also offers gift memberships! For just a few dollars more than a regular membership, we will send the recipient a Back to Natives “Care Package” with native wildflower seeds, organic coffee or tea, and organic chocolate. Membership forms can be downloaded at www.backtonatives.org/Donations.htm

Very Important Planet Event
Saturday, November 3, 2007, 1 - 3 p.m.
Back to Natives will have a booth at the Very Important Planet Event at the Placentia Town Center. The event will feature activities to educate people about protecting our environment. The Placentia Town Center is located at Kraemer & Yorba Linda Blvd., in Placentia.

Volunteer Restoration Training Program
Saturday, November 10, 8AM - 12PM
The United States Forest Service & Back to NativesRESTORATION presents a Volunteer Restoration Training Program on 9 Saturdays in 2007 & 2008. If you were unable to attend the first Restoration Volunteer Training Class on September 15, it’s not too late! The introductory class will be repeated in the future on a date to be determined. You can still join us at the second class, scheduled for 11-10-07 in Casper’s Park (the October class was cancelled due to the fire). Feel free to invite others, as well. Our next class will focus on restoration methodology and some of the invasive species we will be encountering. Then we hope to spend a couple of hours removing small herbaceous weeds.

The url of the Biodiversity presentation we viewed in class is http://www.backtonatives.org/btn_biodiversity.pdf
To view photos of the first class, visit http://backtonatives.blogspot.com For more information or to RSVP call 949-509-4787 or restoration@backtonatives.org This training is free.

Jeronimo Creek Restoration Day! - VOLUNTEER!
Saturday, November 17, 2007, 9AM - 12PM
Join Back to Natives in assisting the Earth Resource Foundation to restore native habitat at Jeronimo Creek, in Mission Viejo. Everyone is invited - children below high school should be accompanied by a parent. We will be weeding. Bring gloves, sunscreen, water, snacks, hat, and closed toe shoes. Where to Park: Park at Pavion Park, 24051 Pavion, Mission Viejo, CA, located off of Jeronimo. From Marguerite Pkwy turn east onto Jeronimo, go almost 2 miles and take a right into Pavion Park. Walk south along the trail to the restoration site. For more information or to RSVP: 949-509-4787 or restoration@backtonatives.org

Buy Nothing Day Hike in the National Forest
Friday, November 23, 9AM
Join Back to Natives for a walk up Silverado Motorway in the Cleveland National Forest in celebration of Buy Nothing Day — an informal day of protest against consumerism on the day after American Thanksgiving. This day, often called “Black Friday,” is one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Participants will wear off their Thanksgiving meals when they climb two thousand feet in three miles. The Silverado Motorway runs its narrow course up the north wall of Silverado Canyon. The path twists past fascinating strata until it arrives at Bedford Peak where we will enjoy panoramic views extending to Catalina Island and Mount Baldy if it’s clear.

Bring plenty of water, energy food, and a hat. Be prepared for narrow sections and rocky slopes. A Forest Adventure Pass is required in this area and can be obtained at the Silverado Canyon Market at 28192 Silverado Canyon Rd. Call 949-509-4787 or email education@backtonatives.org to RSVP. Meet at the Maple Springs Parking Area. This event is free.

Full Moon Walk at Crystal Cove
Saturday, November 24, 4:00PM
Join us for a quiet, slow paced walk to enjoy the “Beaver Moon.” We’ll stroll through the backcountry listening for the song of tree frogs and nocturnal insects. As the sky fades to black, we’ll search for the darker silhouettes of bats and owls, as they soar across fields of stars. Call 949-509-4787 or email info@backtonatives.org to RSVP. Meet at the CCSP Ranger Station. This event is free.

And here is a cool event that we hope to attend:

Patchwork Art & Craft Show at the Road Less Traveled!
November 4, 10AM - 4PM
This is your chance to get started on holiday shopping while supporting local, independent artists! Some of the products for sale include: amazing clothing for men, women & kids, letterpress stationary, jewelry, rock’n'roll belt buckles, edgy dolls, artsy purses, green & sustainable goods, aprons, refashioned vintage clothing, art & so much more.
www.roadlesstraveledstore.com

Back to Natives RESTORATION
(949) 509-4787 voice/fax
(949) 335-8656 cell
Saving Habitat One Person at a Time
www.backtonatives.org

Don’t ever become a pessimist… a pessimist is correct oftener than an optimist, but an optimist has more fun, and neither can stop the march of events. - Robert A. Heinlein

SECOND USE

Los Angeles Assemblage Group at Orange County Center for Contemporary Art

Thursday, November 15, 2007 through Saturday, December 15, 2007

Opening reception: Saturday, December 1, 2007, 6:30 to 10 PM

FREE ADMISSION

Gallery hours: Thursday – Sunday noon to 5PM, Friday- Saturday until 9PM

Orange County Center for Contemporary Art is located at 117 N. Sycamore, Santa Ana, CA 92701.
Directions and more information: www.occca.org

The 15 member Los Angeles Assemblage Group addresses private and public matters in this alternative art form—an art form of reference, psychological association and narration.

LAAG is a multicultural, multiethnic group. They come from diverse disciplines such as collage, painting, photography, construction, printmaking, and ceramics.

Members:
Leslie Caldera
Pat Cox
Dale Davis
Jari Havlena
Ursula M. Kammer-Fox
Eva Kolosvary-Stupler
Barbara Baker McIntyre
Lois Ramirez
Annemarie Rawlinson
Joseph Sims
Diane Stovall
Mauricio Vallejo
Joan Vaupen
Sandy Brown Wyeth
Mel Andrews

Orange County Center For Contemporary Art
117 N Sycamore. Santa Ana, CA 92701 www.occca.org
714 667 1517 • Th-Fri 12-5pm, Fri-Sat 12-9
1st Sat receptions: 7-10pm • First Friday Films: 8pm

OCCCA is located
at the corner of 2nd and Sycamore in the Santa Ana Artists Village.
There is no entrance fee. Please see the web site for more
information, www.occca.org , or call the gallery during regular operating hours.

GLOBAL WARMING

“GLOBAL WARMING: Artists Speak”

An all-media, national juried exhibition
September 1 to September 29, 2007;

Reception: Saturday, September 1, 6:30 - 10 p.m., free and open to the public

Gallery Hours: Thurs & Sun: 11 am to 5 p.m., Fri & Sat: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Contact: Laura Hines-Jurgens: 310-544-2424,
31206 Marne Drive Palos Verdes, CA 90275-5618, LHJFineArts@aol.com

“GLOBAL WARMING: Artists Speak”, is an all media national juried exhibition inviting eco-artists and thinkers to submit work inspired by their concerned interest in climate change. Jurors Laura Hines- Jurgens, (MFA, Drawing & Painting); Rob Mintz , (MFA Cinema); Linda Southwell, (MFA, Sculpture) chose entries emphasizing the multiple ongoing aspects of Global Warming, specific or intuitive, political, ethical, technological, or social. Read more

PATRICK MITCHELL book signing party!

Santa Ana Parks & Rec Naturalist PATRICK MITCHELL book signing party!

The Road Less Traveled Store is hosting the Book Signing party for local author Patrick Mitchell for the release of his book: THE SANTA ANA RIVER GUIDE. Mitchell, who is Senior Naturalist for Santa Ana’s Parks & Recreation Department has written an extensive guide to “Southern California’s largest and most important river systems”, covering topics such as: hiking trips, historical sites, wilderness areas, parks, & general information on the 3000 square mile watershed. Read more

Out of the ordinary in Orange County

By Jennifer Mena
Los Angeles Times

Amid the cookie-cutter homes in gated communities throughout Orange County, Santa Ana’s downtown has become a refreshing, urban oasis for adventurous home seekers. New businesses and a nascent artists village have drawn professionals who live in lofts and revel in the area’s Latin flavor, which differentiates the area from its starchier neighbors. Read more