Performer and Writer Bios
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ZZyZx WriterZ
The ones behind this creative mess!
ZZyZx is a group of diverse writers who collaborate with other multimedia artists to create projects and workshops to educate and share poetry to raise artistic and cultural awareness and diversity in Los Angeles.
Poetrypalooza is a celebration of all those things!
We have a motto: We float in that midpoint between nothingness and inspiration...ZZyZx
ZZyZx is a group of diverse writers who collaborate with other multimedia artists to create projects and workshops to educate and share poetry to raise artistic and cultural awareness and diversity in Los Angeles.
Poetrypalooza is a celebration of all those things!
We have a motto: We float in that midpoint between nothingness and inspiration...ZZyZx
Meet the Poets!
Melissa Alvarado
Melissa grew up in Nebraska (barefoot with chickens in the yard and everything.) She first started writing in the fifth grade, where she got in trouble for writing a "scary" story about a girl drowning in a lake...in high school she received the "Spindrift Poet'sAward" as a Junior.At the University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) she graduated with her Bachelor's in English and Biology, but for some reason was told to "pick one or the other," which never made sense to her. While at UNK, Melissa received the "Christine Pappas" award for best Nebraska undergraduate writing which was awarded to her by William Kloefkorn, the Nebraska state poet. After UNK she applied to only one Pharmacy school, Creighton University. She says she completed her Doctorate's of Pharmacy in 2006 to "punish" herself because she didn't get in to the writing school of her choice. She considers herself a non-fiction narrative poet. Publications include poems published in Chum, Suisun Valley Review, The Toronto Quarterly, The Poetry Warrior, Secret Press USA, Plains Song Review, "The World According to Goldfish - Looking Past," by Goldfish Press," "Times of Sorrow, Times of Grace," by Backwaters Press, and a few more. She is also a Nebraska Center for Writer's author. Recently, Melissa realized that she traveled from coast to coast within six months (including Hawaii andAlaska), but continues to focus her writing on her experiences in Nebraska.
Tairy Barrie
Tairy "Little Red" has been writing for over 30 years, specializing in the heartfelt classic style of the traditional love struck poets. With such influences as Edgar Allan Poe, e.e. Cummins, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, William Shakespeare, Robert Frost, Lewis Carroll and on the lighter side T. S. Elliot, exposing herself to a wide range of styles. Never forgetting what is truly in her heart to be expressed.
With two published books and one CD so far, she has over 500 pieces to her credit and is the creator and host of a successful online podcast for over 8 years, as well as the winner of a Podcast Peer Award in 2007 and a nominee again in 2008. The Podcast it currently on sabbatical due to recent health issues.
She was active in local poetry venues in Las Vegas, NV as well as several online venues with various other talented poets, and now resides in Southern California finding her way around this LA sea of highly talented poets.
A member of the Poetry Podcast Association for over 7 years, The CCSD Writing Alliance for just under a decade, LA Poets, Revolutionary Poets Brigade, and the Redondo Poets. She hosts her own venue entitled LRWH Lunch & Cocktails on certain Saturday afternoons.
Writing is a passion not a hobby for those who love it, and that is a category reflected in Tairy’s work.
Believing that all things are possible brings forth endless opportunities for content and growth – Keep a close eye on this girl, she hit the ground running many years ago and after a pit stop, she is off and running again.
With two published books and one CD so far, she has over 500 pieces to her credit and is the creator and host of a successful online podcast for over 8 years, as well as the winner of a Podcast Peer Award in 2007 and a nominee again in 2008. The Podcast it currently on sabbatical due to recent health issues.
She was active in local poetry venues in Las Vegas, NV as well as several online venues with various other talented poets, and now resides in Southern California finding her way around this LA sea of highly talented poets.
A member of the Poetry Podcast Association for over 7 years, The CCSD Writing Alliance for just under a decade, LA Poets, Revolutionary Poets Brigade, and the Redondo Poets. She hosts her own venue entitled LRWH Lunch & Cocktails on certain Saturday afternoons.
Writing is a passion not a hobby for those who love it, and that is a category reflected in Tairy’s work.
Believing that all things are possible brings forth endless opportunities for content and growth – Keep a close eye on this girl, she hit the ground running many years ago and after a pit stop, she is off and running again.
J. Bayani
Jay Eusantos (J. Bayani) is a young Filipino-American organizer and artist living in Long Beach, California. He has been involved with organizing youth in the Long Beach, South Bay, and Los Angeles area since he was in high school. Being part of the 1.5 generation, his duality has been moulded in a slightly different way than some of his peers. He has also been shaped by his involvement with Kabataan maka-Bayan, which is an organization that addresses and educates the youth about the gamut of issues facing people everywhere. Now 23, he has recently graduated from California State University Long Beach with a B.A. in Asian American Studies. He has sporadically performed his poetry at community events, colleges, and venues across Southern California.
Andres Bermejo
Litany of crazy dumbsaints
Jack Kerouac pray for us
Walt Whitman pray for us
Edward Abbey pray for us
Kurt Vonnegut pray for us
Robert frost pray for us
J.d. salinger pray for us
My abulita ubalda pray for us
John Steinbeck pray for us
And all Those who have moved
On pray for us.
Jack Kerouac pray for us
Walt Whitman pray for us
Edward Abbey pray for us
Kurt Vonnegut pray for us
Robert frost pray for us
J.d. salinger pray for us
My abulita ubalda pray for us
John Steinbeck pray for us
And all Those who have moved
On pray for us.
Anna Broome
Anna Broome is a local poet and artist. She earned her BA in literature and creative writing from the University of North Carolina. She is a member of the Storyphile poetry troupe and produces her own poetry/music show the Anna Broome Room "Wild Nights Wild Nights" at Angel City Brewery the first Monday of every month featuring Art's District talent. Broome is currently working on her new collection, Pineapples. Poems and paintings available for viewing at [email protected]
Don Kingfisher Campbell
Don Kingfisher Campbell is currently studying for an MFA in Poetry at Antioch University, Los Angeles. Mr. Campbell has taught Creative Writing for 27 years in the Occidental College Upward Bound program and has been a Guest Teacher even longer for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Kingfisher is the host of Saturday Afternoon Poetry in Pasadena, editor of the San Gabriel Valley Poetry Quarterly, and founder of POETRYpeople youth writing workshops. Don has recently been awarded a commission by the city of Pasadena to compose a poem for the City Speaks art exhibit and also won first place in the 2011 Whittier Poetry Contest.(http://dkc1031.blogspot.com)
Lauren Candia
Lauren Candia is a library scientist living in Los Angeles, California. Her entire life revolves around the written word and she wouldn’t have it any other way. A former Vice President of the Coffee House Writers Group and current coordinator of the OWL program at the Ovitt Family Community Library, she strives to bring greater visibility to artists of the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire. She writes creepy stories and is currently working on a creepy YA novel.
The Claremont Forum & Prison Library Project
Located inside the Packinghouse, the Claremont Forum is a used bookstore that also houses the Prison Library Project. The Prison Library Project’s mission is to provide free reading materials to inmates nationwide. The PLP receives nearly 300 letters a week from inmates. They mail over 12,500 packages of books, audio books, and magazines each year to individuals and libraries in 600 state and federal prisons and detention centers throughout the United States. They hope to help those who receive these materials to learn to take charge of their lives in positive ways and to return to society with new abilities, awareness, and the confidence to contribute to their families and communities in meaningful ways.
586 West First Street
Claremont, CA 91711
586 West First Street
Claremont, CA 91711
Kimberly Cobian
Poetrypalooza Event Director, ZZyZx WriterZ PreZ, Poet, Educator, Belly Dancer.
Larry Colker
Larry Colker has been co-hosting the weekly Redondo Poets reading at Coffee Cartel for 15 years. In 2006 his submission was selected as poetry winner of the California Writers Exchange contest, sponsored by Poets & Writers, Inc. His first book-length collection, Amnesia and Wings, was published by Tebot Bach in 2013. His publication credits include, among others, The Los Angeles Review, Spillway, Rattle, Brickbat Revue, Burnside Review, and several anthologies. He is also a featured poet on Poetry.la. Larry is currently the content manager of Poetix.net, and Managing Editor of Speechless, the online magazine edited by Suzanne Lummis (speechlessthemagazine.org). He has had a couple of stints leading the Beyond Baroque Wednesday Night Poetry Workshop, and is currently on the Beyond Baroque Board of Directors.
Bob Covington
Following four years of military service, my professional career was as an administrator and writer for Financial Management Services at the United States Treasury Department in Washington, D.C. Little did I know during 32 years at Treasury that I would acquire a passion for poetry or be a resident of California. Fortuitously after my retirement, my bride of now 58 years visited the Inland Empire. She liked all she encountered and asked me to come and take a look. Liking it, too, we said goodbye to often unkind winters of suburban Maryland and took up Inlandia residency. One day on a stroll, breathtaking hilly and mountainous scenery settled in my head. I hurried home to write “The Walk,” my first poem since taking a stab at poetry as a youngster. Now a published poet with contest winnings under my belt—I owe it to my dear mother who, out of love for his work, named me after Robert Louis Stevenson—Scottish novelist, essayist, and poet. Indebtedness extends also to IECWC colleagues for contributions that I lean on and glean from, endeavoring to become a keen writer.
Rachelle Cruz
Rachelle Cruz is from Hayward, California. She is the author of the chapbook, Self-Portrait as Rumor and Blood (Dancing Girl Press,2012). Her work is forthcoming or has appeared in New California Writing 2013 (Heyday Books), Yellow Medicine Review, Jet Fuel Review,The Lit Pub, The Bakery, Stone Highway, The Collagist, Bone Bouquet, PANK Magazine, Muzzle Magazine, Splinter Generation, KCET's Departures Series, Inlandia: A Literary Journey, among others. She hosts The Blood-Jet Writing Hour on Blog Talk Radio. She is a recent recipient of the Manuel G. Flores Scholarship from PAWA (Philippine American Writers and Arists, Inc). An Emerging Voices Fellow, a Kundiman Fellow and a VONA writer, she lives and writes in Southern California.
Abraham Marquez Gonzalez and Francisco Torres
Abraham Marquez Gonzalez and Francisco Torres have been playing music on-and-off for almost two years. Abraham is a poet/vocalist, volunteer of A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism) Coalition, and member of P.S.L. (Party for Socialism and Liberation). The P.S.L. is a part of the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition, inside which our activists have played an important role in organizing and building mass antiwar demonstrations across the country. Francisco, also known as Pancho and FT, is a drummer and mechanical engineer major at UC Santa Barbara. His favorite bands are Tool and Mars Volta.
S. A. Griffin
Early Life and Education
The oldest of six children, S.A. was born in San Antonio, Texas while his father Robert was completing the last months of his tour of duty in the Air Force as a Security Policeman. Upon completion of his tour, his father relocated the family to his hometown of Richmond, California where Griffin spent the majority of his childhood in what was once Easter Hill. Attending nine different grade schools, Griffin lived in many small cities in the East Bay during his childhood. He graduated from Castro Valley High school in 1972.
Military Service
Griffin served honorably as a 702 clerk typist in the United States Air Force from 1972–1976, and was stationed at Warner Robins AFB Georgia and Eielson AFB Alaska. During off duty hours, he performed as the lead singer in local rock/folk cover bands while serving in Alaska. After his volunatry tour of duty in the United States Air Force, he returned to the San Francisco East Bay attending Chabot College from 1976-78, and lived in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles in 1978 to pursue a successful career as an actor.
Acting Career
Griffin came to Los Angeles in September of 1978 with a scholarship to attend the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Workshop directed by Paul Gleason. Upon completion of the 12 week workshop, he was asked to audition for the role of Jud Fry in "Oklahoma!" at Sebastian's Grand in Anaheim. He got the job and his Actor's Equity card, and in 1979, received a Dramalogue Award for his work. He spent the next six years doing stage work, primarily in musicals. In 1984 he was booked as one of the six silent gunslingers in Clint Eastwood's "Pale Rider" and has been working on camera since. He has appeared in films by several notable film directors, including Kathryn Bigelow's Near Dark (1987), and Ivan Reitman's Twins (1988). Notable television guest star credits include Perry Mason, Matlock, Alien Nation, Designing Women, Melrose Place, Las Vegas, Dexter, Days of our Lives and appears as Dr. Osiris in the ride film In Search of The Obelisk directed by Douglas Trumbull at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada screening there since 1992.
Griffin has appeared in over 150 commercials and was awarded the Kari Award (Canada), as Best Actor in commercials.
Literary Career
Griffin first began reading and performing poetry in public at The Water Espresso Gallery at the corner of Hudson Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood in 1981 and began publishing in small press DIY journals and anthologies soon after. The Water, which shared a wall with The Lhasa Club, is where he met the members of The Lost Tribe. S.A. and The Lost Tribe were regular performers at The Lhasa Club as well as the D.A. Ward Studio, The Anti Club and X=Art Gallery.
Griffin is a Los Angeles-based poet, DJ for killradio.org, KBLT pirate radio, co-editor of The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry awarded The Firecracker Award as best in alternative press and was named Best Performance Poet by Wanda Coleman for the LA Weekly in 1989. In 2011, he was honored as the first recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center in Venice, California. He has served on the curatorial board at Beyond Baroque since 2010.
Griffin has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada with Los Angeles based poetry/performance ensembles, The Lost Tribe (1984-1992) in a 1972 Mercury Capri, M. Lane Bruner, S.A. Griffin, Doug Knott and Mike M. Mollett, White Trash Apocalypse (1995-1997) in a 1971 Buick Riviera, Iris Berry, Pleasant Gehman and S.A. Griffin and The Carma Bums (1989-2009) from behind the wheel of a 1959 Cadillac and a 1966 GMC bus. A feature length documentary about the Carma Bums The Luxurious Tigers of Obnoxious Agreement was released in 1998, directed by Bruce Dickson. In the summer of 1994, The Carma Bums traveled to the University of Washington at Seattle to create The Carma Bums International Superhighway Tour of Words considered the first poetry website of its kind with graphic images, sound files, hyperlinks and text. The website was hosted by the University of Washington until 1996 and was then hosted by the University of Southern California until 1998. The Lost Tribe a short film about The Lost Tribe, was directed by John Leslie Fox in 1988.
Widely published and anthologized as a poet, he has also written for the LA Weekly and is a contributing writer for The Underground Guide To Los Angeles, which remained on The Los Angeles Times bestseller's list for nine weeks.
Established Rose of Sharon Press in 1988 with the publication of Sharktalk by Doug Knott.
Griffin worked on staff for underground alt poetry zines Shattersheet, The Moment, and Nuthin' Sacred, then published and edited his own zine (Sic) Vice & Verse with Rafael FJ Alvarado for 9 years. Griffin co-edited and published Black Ace 8 for Temple of Man in 2007, a tribute to late Venice Beat progenitor Tony Scibella. He is also the publisher and editor of the broadside series MEAT.
In 2009, Griffin purchased a decommissioned 100 lb MK4 Vietnam-era bomb on Craigslist for $100. Now dubbed "The Poetry Bomb", this former U.S. military practice bomb has been converted into a beautiful object of art, filled with poetry from around the world. It has been named Elsie in honor of Griffin's paternal grandmother Elsie Emerson, painted a marvelous blue in the spirit of an American hotrod – complete with pin-stripes. It has a curved window that opens, making it possible to not only see inside, but to take poems out for sharing and to continue to collect poems to put inside. There are poems from all over the world, and from every walk of life from individuals from 3-93.
Griffin purchased a 1995 Ford Econoline van to travel the bomb, touring the country reading poetry from inside The Poetry Bomb in an attempt to inspire disagreements. The Poetry Bomb Couch Surfing Across America Tour of Words 2010 was a five week tour which included stops in California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado and Utah.
Personal Life
Griffin has one son, Spencer, by his second wife, Sharon. In 2000, Griffin was married to Lorraine Perrotta in Griffith Park about 50 yards from the Merry-Go-Round. His wife Lorraine was ushered to the wedding in his 1960 Cadillac Coupe.
The oldest of six children, S.A. was born in San Antonio, Texas while his father Robert was completing the last months of his tour of duty in the Air Force as a Security Policeman. Upon completion of his tour, his father relocated the family to his hometown of Richmond, California where Griffin spent the majority of his childhood in what was once Easter Hill. Attending nine different grade schools, Griffin lived in many small cities in the East Bay during his childhood. He graduated from Castro Valley High school in 1972.
Military Service
Griffin served honorably as a 702 clerk typist in the United States Air Force from 1972–1976, and was stationed at Warner Robins AFB Georgia and Eielson AFB Alaska. During off duty hours, he performed as the lead singer in local rock/folk cover bands while serving in Alaska. After his volunatry tour of duty in the United States Air Force, he returned to the San Francisco East Bay attending Chabot College from 1976-78, and lived in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco before moving to Los Angeles in 1978 to pursue a successful career as an actor.
Acting Career
Griffin came to Los Angeles in September of 1978 with a scholarship to attend the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera Workshop directed by Paul Gleason. Upon completion of the 12 week workshop, he was asked to audition for the role of Jud Fry in "Oklahoma!" at Sebastian's Grand in Anaheim. He got the job and his Actor's Equity card, and in 1979, received a Dramalogue Award for his work. He spent the next six years doing stage work, primarily in musicals. In 1984 he was booked as one of the six silent gunslingers in Clint Eastwood's "Pale Rider" and has been working on camera since. He has appeared in films by several notable film directors, including Kathryn Bigelow's Near Dark (1987), and Ivan Reitman's Twins (1988). Notable television guest star credits include Perry Mason, Matlock, Alien Nation, Designing Women, Melrose Place, Las Vegas, Dexter, Days of our Lives and appears as Dr. Osiris in the ride film In Search of The Obelisk directed by Douglas Trumbull at the Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada screening there since 1992.
Griffin has appeared in over 150 commercials and was awarded the Kari Award (Canada), as Best Actor in commercials.
Literary Career
Griffin first began reading and performing poetry in public at The Water Espresso Gallery at the corner of Hudson Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood in 1981 and began publishing in small press DIY journals and anthologies soon after. The Water, which shared a wall with The Lhasa Club, is where he met the members of The Lost Tribe. S.A. and The Lost Tribe were regular performers at The Lhasa Club as well as the D.A. Ward Studio, The Anti Club and X=Art Gallery.
Griffin is a Los Angeles-based poet, DJ for killradio.org, KBLT pirate radio, co-editor of The Outlaw Bible of American Poetry awarded The Firecracker Award as best in alternative press and was named Best Performance Poet by Wanda Coleman for the LA Weekly in 1989. In 2011, he was honored as the first recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center in Venice, California. He has served on the curatorial board at Beyond Baroque since 2010.
Griffin has traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada with Los Angeles based poetry/performance ensembles, The Lost Tribe (1984-1992) in a 1972 Mercury Capri, M. Lane Bruner, S.A. Griffin, Doug Knott and Mike M. Mollett, White Trash Apocalypse (1995-1997) in a 1971 Buick Riviera, Iris Berry, Pleasant Gehman and S.A. Griffin and The Carma Bums (1989-2009) from behind the wheel of a 1959 Cadillac and a 1966 GMC bus. A feature length documentary about the Carma Bums The Luxurious Tigers of Obnoxious Agreement was released in 1998, directed by Bruce Dickson. In the summer of 1994, The Carma Bums traveled to the University of Washington at Seattle to create The Carma Bums International Superhighway Tour of Words considered the first poetry website of its kind with graphic images, sound files, hyperlinks and text. The website was hosted by the University of Washington until 1996 and was then hosted by the University of Southern California until 1998. The Lost Tribe a short film about The Lost Tribe, was directed by John Leslie Fox in 1988.
Widely published and anthologized as a poet, he has also written for the LA Weekly and is a contributing writer for The Underground Guide To Los Angeles, which remained on The Los Angeles Times bestseller's list for nine weeks.
Established Rose of Sharon Press in 1988 with the publication of Sharktalk by Doug Knott.
Griffin worked on staff for underground alt poetry zines Shattersheet, The Moment, and Nuthin' Sacred, then published and edited his own zine (Sic) Vice & Verse with Rafael FJ Alvarado for 9 years. Griffin co-edited and published Black Ace 8 for Temple of Man in 2007, a tribute to late Venice Beat progenitor Tony Scibella. He is also the publisher and editor of the broadside series MEAT.
In 2009, Griffin purchased a decommissioned 100 lb MK4 Vietnam-era bomb on Craigslist for $100. Now dubbed "The Poetry Bomb", this former U.S. military practice bomb has been converted into a beautiful object of art, filled with poetry from around the world. It has been named Elsie in honor of Griffin's paternal grandmother Elsie Emerson, painted a marvelous blue in the spirit of an American hotrod – complete with pin-stripes. It has a curved window that opens, making it possible to not only see inside, but to take poems out for sharing and to continue to collect poems to put inside. There are poems from all over the world, and from every walk of life from individuals from 3-93.
Griffin purchased a 1995 Ford Econoline van to travel the bomb, touring the country reading poetry from inside The Poetry Bomb in an attempt to inspire disagreements. The Poetry Bomb Couch Surfing Across America Tour of Words 2010 was a five week tour which included stops in California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Indiana, Illinois, Colorado and Utah.
Personal Life
Griffin has one son, Spencer, by his second wife, Sharon. In 2000, Griffin was married to Lorraine Perrotta in Griffith Park about 50 yards from the Merry-Go-Round. His wife Lorraine was ushered to the wedding in his 1960 Cadillac Coupe.
Tresha Haefner
Tresha Faye Haefner’s work appears in various journals and magazines, including BloodLotus, Melusine, Pirene’s Fountain, Poet Lore, and Rattle. Her poem, “A Walk Through the Parking Lot at Midnight” won the Robert and Adele Schiff Poetry Prize from The Cincinnati Review. “I Will Arise Now and Go to Los Angeles” won the summer poetry contest hosted by Writer’s Row, and her poem, ”Vermin” was recently nominated for a Pushcart Prize. She is the author of 2 chapbooks, The Lone, Breakable Night from OutoftheBlue Poetry Press, and Take This Longing, which will be published by Finishing Line Press in 2013. Currently she lives in Los Angeles, where she writes, teaches, and hosts the 4th Friday of Santa Monica’s ongoing poetry series, The Rapp Saloon. Her mission there is to promote writers, both new and established, and to help readers and listeners find the unique poets they deserve!
Tresha earned a B.A. in Modern Literary Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, but didn’t discover her love of poetry until the last class of her senior year, when she was introduced to more modern poets, such as W.B.Yeats, and Eavan Boland, to name a few. Since then, she has studied with luminaries such as Kim Addonizio, Sally Ashton, Brendan Constantine, Mathew Dickman, and Eloise Klein Healy. She currently teaches private poetry workshops in Culver City and on-line, for poets both new and established.
In 2012 she received her Master’s degree in Humanistic Psychology/Creativity Studies. She uses what she knows about psychology to help her students reach and harness their deepest creative impulses. She uses what she knows about art to help them create the visions they want to bring forward into their lives. The greatest gift of her craft, she says, is not the surprising line-break, but the ability of poetry to surprise the heart, and break it open.
She teaches poetry workshop to beginning, advanced, and even award-winning poets at ThePoetrySalon in Culver City. Find out more about her at http://www.thepoetrysalon.com./
Tresha earned a B.A. in Modern Literary Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz, but didn’t discover her love of poetry until the last class of her senior year, when she was introduced to more modern poets, such as W.B.Yeats, and Eavan Boland, to name a few. Since then, she has studied with luminaries such as Kim Addonizio, Sally Ashton, Brendan Constantine, Mathew Dickman, and Eloise Klein Healy. She currently teaches private poetry workshops in Culver City and on-line, for poets both new and established.
In 2012 she received her Master’s degree in Humanistic Psychology/Creativity Studies. She uses what she knows about psychology to help her students reach and harness their deepest creative impulses. She uses what she knows about art to help them create the visions they want to bring forward into their lives. The greatest gift of her craft, she says, is not the surprising line-break, but the ability of poetry to surprise the heart, and break it open.
She teaches poetry workshop to beginning, advanced, and even award-winning poets at ThePoetrySalon in Culver City. Find out more about her at http://www.thepoetrysalon.com./
Judah1
Judah1 is the author of Instructions of Alchemy, Ingredients of Ether and the recently released Child of the Sun, Man of the Moon. He is the founder and host of the LionLike MindState Open Mic Night and the owner of Machine Pomona Art Gallery. Judah1 was a member of the 2005 and 2006 LA Slam Team. He was also a coach for the 2009 and 2010 Empire MindState Slam Team which rose to second in the nation. He teaches poetry as a service to the community, and is currently teaching at the Chino Men’s Prison.
traci kato-kiriyama
As an actor, writer, multi-disciplinary artist, theatre deviser, and arts educator, traci has been presented, featured and awarded by a vast cross-section of presenters, venues and residencies (incl. National Asian American Theatre Festival/Inner City Arts; GTC Burbank; Japan America Theatre; LACE; Hammer Museum; Bindlestiff Studio, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, CounterPULSE, San Francisco; Asian Arts Initiative, Philadelphia; Centre of Gravity, Toronto; NAATF/La Mama Cabaret, New York; Enwave Theatre, Toronto; museums, nightclubs, and libraries across Southern California; festival, conference and university venues throughout the country). She is co-creator of theatre ensemble, PULL PROJECT, with aerial artist/actor Kennedy Kabasares. While still touring their show PULL: Tales of Obsession, they are in the beginning stages of development for two new shows, including one centered around rusty nails, tales of clamor, and video footage of the 1981 Commission Hearings on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians.
Eternally grateful to her family and friends who have raised in her to be engaged in community building, she is the Director/Co-founder of Tuesday Night Project where she serves as co-curator to the Tuesday Night Cafe venue in Little Tokyo - now in its 15th year as one of the longest-running free arts series in Downtown L.A.
Writer and author of signaling; currently working on second book of poetry and random bits of writing, slated for publication next year by Writ Large Press.
Starting September 13 at the Japanese American National Museum, she will be one of two actors playing several roles in the site-specific theatre piece, "Our Wide American Earth" as part of a new traveling exhibition from The Smithsonian.
Eternally grateful to her family and friends who have raised in her to be engaged in community building, she is the Director/Co-founder of Tuesday Night Project where she serves as co-curator to the Tuesday Night Cafe venue in Little Tokyo - now in its 15th year as one of the longest-running free arts series in Downtown L.A.
Writer and author of signaling; currently working on second book of poetry and random bits of writing, slated for publication next year by Writ Large Press.
Starting September 13 at the Japanese American National Museum, she will be one of two actors playing several roles in the site-specific theatre piece, "Our Wide American Earth" as part of a new traveling exhibition from The Smithsonian.
Frank Kearns
Frank Kearns was raised in New England. He was transformed into a Southern Californian by time in Venice, years at the Bethlehem Steel mill in Vernon, and a long career in the aerospace industry. He lives and writes in Downey, California.
lalo kikiriki
lalo kikiriki, the illusive tejano poet, attended College of Idaho, winning prizes in painting and poetry, and later earned BA and MA degrees at Cal State Dominguez Hills. After eight years at Pacifica Houston producing the popular Mandy in the Morning drivetime show, lalo moved to L.A., was a member of the Barnsdall and Bardic Poetry Circles, and has been featured at venues all over Southern California, including L.A. Municipal Art Gallery, and Pasadena's Central and Santa Catalina Libraries.
Deborah P Kolodji
Deborah P Kolodji moderates the Southern California Haiku Study group which meets on the 3rd Saturday of the month at 2 pm at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena. She is also one of the co-organizers of Haiku North America 2013, one of the largest haiku poet gatherings in North America, which will be held on the Queen Mary from August 14-18th. Her work has appeared in Rattle, Modern Haiku, Frogpond, bottle rockets, Strange Horizons, Acorn, Star*Line, poeticdiversity, and many other places. She has published four chapbooks of poetry and has appeared in many anthologies, including "Chicken Soup for the Dieter's Soul," The Rhysling Anthology, the Red Moon Anthology, and Aftershocks: The Poetry of Recovery.
Kenji C. Liu
Kenji C. Liu (www.kenjiliu.com) is a 1.5-generation immigrant from New Jersey. A Pushcart Prize nominee and first runner-up finalist for the Poets & Writers 2013 California Writers Exchange Award, his writing is in CURA, The Baltimore Review, RHINO Poetry, the Best American Poetry blog, Generations, Eye to the Telescope, Ozone Park Journal, Kweli Journal, Doveglion Press, Lantern Review, and others. His poetry chapbook You Left Without Your Shoes was nominated for a 2009 California Book Award. A three-time VONA alum and recipient of residencies at Djerassi and Blue Mountain Center, he is completing and shopping around a full-length poetry book. He is the poetry editor emeritus of Kartika Review.
Radomir Vojtech Luza
Radomir Vojtech Luza’s love of politics and art comes from his parents who escaped Communism in their beloved Czechoslovakia in 1948. His mother was the youngest actress ever accepted into the Czech National Dramatic Conservatory, where she studied until Adolph Hitler closed-down the school in 1943. His father, Radomir Sr., was a Resistance fighter against the Nazis in WWII, and later a widely-published full professor of Eastern European History at Tulane University in New Orleans. His grandfather, General Vojtech Luza, led the Czech Resistance until he was murdered by the Nazis in 1944.
From his first book, THE HARAHAN JOURNAL (1986), to his 24th, THE CAFÉ LATTE TAPES (2011), Radomir has averaged about a book a year. He has been widely-published in literary journals, anthologies and on websites, and has organized poetry readings across the country, including UNBUCKLED: NOHO POETRY, which he co-organizes and hosts in North Hollywood, CA and a new Reading at The Republic of Pies in NOHO which he hosts and organizes.
Radomir attended Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School, Jesuit High School and received a BA in English from Tulane University in New Orleans. He has also written and contributed to over 25 newspapers and magazines all over the country, including The Times Picayune in New Orleans, The Jersey Journal in Jersey City, NJ, Creative Loafing in Atlanta, GA and The Bucks County Courier-Times outside Philadelphia, PA.
Luza has also recorded three spoken word CD’s to music: STRAIGHT OUTTA NOHO: INCOMPLETE, NOTHING WATER and his latest, IN THE DARK OF MORN: A JOURNEY TOWARDS LOVE (A Recording of 38 poems written in two mornings).
As an actor, Radomir’s short films CURIOUS TUMOR and THE BLOOD WILL MURDER ROSES, which he wrote, directed (CT), produced and acted in, are being considered by The Valley Film Festival. For love is the most curious of tumors...
The stage version of THE BLOOD WILL MURDER ROSES is being produced in New York City by the Boog Poets Theatre, and a pre-quel is being done as a staged reading by First StageLA at The Missing Piece Theatre in Burbank. Radomir has also entered a screenplay, NEANDERTHAL LOVE, into the Zoetrope Studios screenplay competition which will be judged by Francis Ford Coppola and his staff.
Luza also sits on the Mid Town North Hollywood Neighborhood Council where he is a member of the Arts & Humanities Committee.
From his first book, THE HARAHAN JOURNAL (1986), to his 24th, THE CAFÉ LATTE TAPES (2011), Radomir has averaged about a book a year. He has been widely-published in literary journals, anthologies and on websites, and has organized poetry readings across the country, including UNBUCKLED: NOHO POETRY, which he co-organizes and hosts in North Hollywood, CA and a new Reading at The Republic of Pies in NOHO which he hosts and organizes.
Radomir attended Holy Name of Jesus Elementary School, Jesuit High School and received a BA in English from Tulane University in New Orleans. He has also written and contributed to over 25 newspapers and magazines all over the country, including The Times Picayune in New Orleans, The Jersey Journal in Jersey City, NJ, Creative Loafing in Atlanta, GA and The Bucks County Courier-Times outside Philadelphia, PA.
Luza has also recorded three spoken word CD’s to music: STRAIGHT OUTTA NOHO: INCOMPLETE, NOTHING WATER and his latest, IN THE DARK OF MORN: A JOURNEY TOWARDS LOVE (A Recording of 38 poems written in two mornings).
As an actor, Radomir’s short films CURIOUS TUMOR and THE BLOOD WILL MURDER ROSES, which he wrote, directed (CT), produced and acted in, are being considered by The Valley Film Festival. For love is the most curious of tumors...
The stage version of THE BLOOD WILL MURDER ROSES is being produced in New York City by the Boog Poets Theatre, and a pre-quel is being done as a staged reading by First StageLA at The Missing Piece Theatre in Burbank. Radomir has also entered a screenplay, NEANDERTHAL LOVE, into the Zoetrope Studios screenplay competition which will be judged by Francis Ford Coppola and his staff.
Luza also sits on the Mid Town North Hollywood Neighborhood Council where he is a member of the Arts & Humanities Committee.
Blazhia Parker
As a published poet and online fashion writer, Blazhia Parker has always maintained a balance when it comes to artistic expression. She enjoys experimenting with the creative forms of poetry using photo-journalism and sound bite techniques in her writing. Blazhia currently writes articles about music, film and literature for online dj/blogsite Local Suicide, Turntablemag.com and The Examiner.
Chris "Cakeshop" Penalber
chris 'cakeshop' penalber is a self taught artist, woodworker, musician,poet/writer who also curates and organizes art/music events in and around the san gabriel valley. he's based out of la puente, in the heart of the sgv, but hails from ELA originally. growing up in ELA had a huge effect on what he would come to produce in his later years, involving artists, poets and musicians, bringing a little ELA to wherever he sets camp. his art is multi medium, including woodwork, pastiche, acrylics, aerosol, salvaged material. he doesnt like 'labels' but does refer to himself as a 'conduit'. his first love is and always will be the mighty word.
Angel Uriel Perales
Angel Uriel Perales is originally from Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. He has written three collections of poetry and lyrical prose, Brown Recluse (Rumrazor Press, 2002, 97 pages), Long (Rumrazor Press, 2005, 87 pages), and The Curmudgeon and the Debutante (Offworld Publications, 2010, 50 pages). He has worked for Hard Copy, Entertainment Tonight, Paramount Pictures, CBS, Viacom, and HBO. He lives in Valley Village, CA and works as a freelance journalist and broadcast technician.
Treesje Powers
Treesje Powers is a founding member and “First Lady” of LionLike MindState, a poetry venue in the Pomona Arts Colony. She competed two years in a row at the National Poetry Slam as part of the Empire MindState Slam Team, helping her team to rank 2nd in the nation in 2010. She was also part of the 2012 Elevated National Slam Team. Treesje was recently featured on Season 2 of Verses & Flow on the TV One network. She holds a Masters Degree in School Psychology from Loyola Marymount University.
Jeffrey Alan Rochlin
A Poet and an American Veteran, Vietnam Era! Jeffrey is also an avid musician, songwriter, and member of ASCAP. He is very prominent in the Los Angles poetry scene by both holding reading series, such as the Rochlin Papers, and in showcasing poetry.
Daniel Romo
Daniel Romo is the author of When Kerosene's Involved (Black Coffee Press, 2013) and Romancing Gravity (Silver Birch Press, 2013). His poetry can be found in The Los Angeles Review, Gargoyle, MiPOesias, Hobart, and elsewhere. He teaches creative writing and lives in Long Beach, CA. More of his writing can be found at danielromo.net.
Elena Secota
Elena Secota was born in Transylvania, Romania and studied acting at The Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art, in London. Amongst her favorite roles are: Antigone in Sophocle's Antigone at Theatre Technis, London, Sophie Oresanu in the BBC/Masterpiece Theatre, Fortunes of War, with Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branagh, and the Empress in Lost in Siberia, with Anthony Andrews, filmed on location in Moscow and Uzbekistan. Elena's love for poetry is expressed in her volume, Poems by the Sea, a collection of 72 poems and 140 color photographs. She enjoys reading her poetry throughout the Los Angeles area and was featured at Beyond Baroque, Cobalt Cafe, The Last Bookstore, Feral Fusion at the Amsterdam Cafe, Sweet Noise: A Soap Box Nation, Tia Chucha's Centro Cultural & Bookstore, Writer's Row, Indelible Ink, and The Ding Dong Lounge in Manhattan, NY. Hosting the Third Friday Salon, at The Rapp Saloon in Santa Monica, Elena sees poetry as a universal language for an awakened consciousness and compassion.
Matt Sedillo
Matt Sedillo is the author of For What I Might Do Tomorrow. His work has been published in multiple anthologies and featured on national radio programs. He is a two-time national slam poet and grand slam champion of the Damn Slam Los Angeles 2011. He performs at universities, venues, and special events around the country. His writing is a fearless, challenging and at times, confrontational blend of humor, history and political theory.
Nicky Sa-eun Schildkraut
Nicky Sa-eun Schildkraut is a poet, scholar and Adjunct Professor who teaches creative writing and college composition in Los Angeles. As a Korean adoptee, her creative and scholarly work reflects an ongoing interest to explore the emotional and historical aspects of the Korean diaspora as well as transnational adoption. Previously, she has collaborated on avante-garde music and art projects with composers and visual artists. She holds an M.F.A. degree in poetry (2002) and a Ph.D. degree in Literature & Creative Writing from the University of Southern California (2012). Her first book of poetry, Magnetic Refrain, was published in February 2013 by Kaya Press. She is currently completing a second book, lyrical and narrative poems inspired by cinema, and a non-fiction book about adoption narratives.
Alexander Schoenwald
Alexander Schoenwald is an Actor, Singer, Guitarist, Songwriter, and Sound Engineer.
He is only approaching 17 years of age, but has been studying acting and music from early age on.
He also studied Sound Engineering for about a year to be able to engineer his own songs that he just copy-righted, and plans to release online and on CD, starting in 3-4 months.
For a full Resume, check out his Facebook page under 'About' and 'About me'.
He is only approaching 17 years of age, but has been studying acting and music from early age on.
He also studied Sound Engineering for about a year to be able to engineer his own songs that he just copy-righted, and plans to release online and on CD, starting in 3-4 months.
For a full Resume, check out his Facebook page under 'About' and 'About me'.
Roy Shabla
Roy Anthony Shabla is an esteemed poet and writer with credits in both fiction and non-fiction on various subjects. His work is known for its humanity and its startling epiphanies on the reality of human nature, often with a humorous bent.
He is the author of several books, most notably, eating God and (PEACE) WORDS, each of which chronicles the progress of a spiritual person in the physical world. His most recent full book of poetry, libretti lumi, is a cycle of poems exploring the nature of love and communication. His most recent chapbook book of poetry, conversations, is already receiving great reviews.
Excerpts from eating God and libretti lumi have been used in several short art films, one of which is the poetic masterpiece, body of water. See roytube.com.
Spoken word / language poetry / sound poetry ~ with music. Listen for free or download.
Roy Anthony Shabla is a longtime publisher and editor, book designer, and bookmaker specializing in small, limited edition, letterpress broadsides and chapbooks.
Roy Anthony Shabla curates a monthly poetry series in Downey, California. Follow the green salon on Facebook.
http://royanthonyshabla.com/biographies.html
books by roy anthony shabla
He is the author of several books, most notably, eating God and (PEACE) WORDS, each of which chronicles the progress of a spiritual person in the physical world. His most recent full book of poetry, libretti lumi, is a cycle of poems exploring the nature of love and communication. His most recent chapbook book of poetry, conversations, is already receiving great reviews.
Excerpts from eating God and libretti lumi have been used in several short art films, one of which is the poetic masterpiece, body of water. See roytube.com.
Spoken word / language poetry / sound poetry ~ with music. Listen for free or download.
Roy Anthony Shabla is a longtime publisher and editor, book designer, and bookmaker specializing in small, limited edition, letterpress broadsides and chapbooks.
Roy Anthony Shabla curates a monthly poetry series in Downey, California. Follow the green salon on Facebook.
http://royanthonyshabla.com/biographies.html
books by roy anthony shabla
Rae Shaw
Rae Shaw is a filmmaker, educator, poet and writer who reveres the joys of working in film. After attending University of Miami’s graduate film school program, Rae combined her affection for film and poetry. Rae’s company Wicked Lovely Films is a film production company that is also committed to producing and teaching the craft of filmmaking to youth using poetry, collage, and creative writing as vehicles for envisioning. Rae coordinated the artistic program “Poetrypalooza 2011” last year and teaches workshops at libraries and nonprofits in writing, poetry, mixed media and film. Rae has gained recognition for her scripts, Salsa Millenia and Repass and is also the award-winning writer-director of the short, Soap and Roses. Currently Rae is developing her project, Repass, publishing her first book of poetry, Botany Pond, and writing a memoir.
Shy But Flyy
Shy But Flyy is a very diverse writer and performer. Starting off in the music industry, Shy is well known for her singing as well as her spoken word poetry which combines her two loves. Majoring in English-Creative Writing with a minor in Music, It's no wonder Shy can be found performing at the local poetry venues, and on the music scene, performing with different bands. Shy also co-hosts a weekly open mic at “Griot Cafe” in Long Beach every Saturday. In addition to writing, school, and performing, Shy finds the time to give back by volunteering as a mentor with a non-profit organization “Writegirl” that encourages young girls to write and plan their lives for college. June 2012, Shy But Flyy released her first book of poetry “The Meaning Of The Blues” available online www.shybutflyy.com
Mike the PoeT aka Mike Sonksen
Spoken Word Artist, Tourguide, Educator, Journalist, Historian
Mike Sonksen, also known as, Mike the Poet, is a 3rd-generation LA native acclaimed for poetry performances, published articles & legendary city tours. Poet, journalist, historian, tour guide, and teacher, he graduated from the University of California Los Angeles and is currently pursuing an advanced degree at California State University Los Angeles. Sonksen has lectured at and had his book I AM ALIVE IN LOS ANGELES! added to the curriculum of over 60 universities and high schools.
Sonksen's journalism has published in Wax Poetics, Los Angeles Review of Books, LA Weekly, OC Weekly and countless other magazines since 1997. In April 2013, Sonksen was awarded a prize by the Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center for "Distinguished Service to the Los Angeles Poetry Community." His weekly KCET column "LA Letters" celebrates bright moments from literary Los Angeles and beyond.
http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/landofsunshine/la-letters/
http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/MikeThePoet1
http://soundcloud.com/mikethepoet
Mike Sonksen, also known as, Mike the Poet, is a 3rd-generation LA native acclaimed for poetry performances, published articles & legendary city tours. Poet, journalist, historian, tour guide, and teacher, he graduated from the University of California Los Angeles and is currently pursuing an advanced degree at California State University Los Angeles. Sonksen has lectured at and had his book I AM ALIVE IN LOS ANGELES! added to the curriculum of over 60 universities and high schools.
Sonksen's journalism has published in Wax Poetics, Los Angeles Review of Books, LA Weekly, OC Weekly and countless other magazines since 1997. In April 2013, Sonksen was awarded a prize by the Beyond Baroque Literary Arts Center for "Distinguished Service to the Los Angeles Poetry Community." His weekly KCET column "LA Letters" celebrates bright moments from literary Los Angeles and beyond.
http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/landofsunshine/la-letters/
http://mikethepoetla.tumblr.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/MikeThePoet1
http://soundcloud.com/mikethepoet
Rick Stepp-Bolling
Rick Stepp-Bolling has been involved with poetry for over forty-five years. His passion for poetry began in high school when he would slip poems into his never-to-be girlfriend’s locker. After receiving his M.A. in English from the State University of New York, Fredonia, he returned to Southern California and began a teaching career at the community college level. He taught writing, study techniques and reading at Mt. San Antonio College for 33 years, and he taught creative writing at Citrus College for ten years. In the last few years, he has been involved with Nuvein for the Arts projects which included a poets speaking tour of venues throughout San Gabriel Valley. This last August, he participated in the Poetry Palooza project designed to bring poets to a variety of venues throughout L. A. County. This October, he was a guest poet at Nuvein’s “Day of the Dead” celebration. In April of 2012, Rick was awarded first place in the Whittier Writers Poetry Contest and in the Aquarium of the Pacific Urban Ocean Poetry Contest. Currently he is a member of the both the San Dimas Coffee House Writers and the Nuvein Poetry Group. His publications include a book of poetry entitled, Smoke and Mirrors (Nuvein Publications) and a number of small press publications including Dirty Dog and Statement magazines. Rick draws his themes from the world around him as he is generally inspired by what life has to offer and what it denies us.
Sunday Jump
Created to cultivate a safe space for self-expression, Eddy M. Gana Jr., Stephanie Sajor, and Janice Sapigao are the founders of Sunday Jump (SJ), a Filipino-founded free poetry open mic series held in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles.
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday from 5:30-7:30pm at Kapistahan Grill, you will find a friendly, open space for people of all ages to express themselves freely. Sunday Jump: giving voice to the community!
There are only two community guidelines:
(1) Free speech, not hate speech and
(2) Express, not impress.
Lot and street parking are available. Expect there to be live performers, good food, good music, and good vibes!
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
Every 1st and 3rd Sunday from 5:30-7:30pm at Kapistahan Grill, you will find a friendly, open space for people of all ages to express themselves freely. Sunday Jump: giving voice to the community!
There are only two community guidelines:
(1) Free speech, not hate speech and
(2) Express, not impress.
Lot and street parking are available. Expect there to be live performers, good food, good music, and good vibes!
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact us at [email protected].
G. Murray Thomas
G. Murray Thomas has been an active part of the SoCal poetry scene for over 20 years. News Clips & Ego Trips, a collection of articles from Next..., was just published by Write Bloody Press. His most recent book of poetry is My Kidney Just Arrived, published by Tebot Bach in 2011. His previous books are Cows on the Freeway and Paper Shredders, an anthology of surf writing. More information can be found at http://gmurraythomas.com.
Christopher Luke Trevilla
Christopher Luke Trevilla, aka Chris aka CLT is a 30 something Mexican-American poet(a) from Whittier, CA. CLT is a writer who once ran an active blog on Myspace, has been published in various anthologies such as the San Gabriel Valley Quarterly and an anthology of poetry and prose entitled Embracing Candace. Chris runs the Nuvein Foundation for Literature and the Arts, a CA non-profit that works to promote culture and the arts in the San Gabriel Valley communities of Southern California and Greater Los Angeles area. Events organized include the annual Dia de Los Muertos celebration in El Monte, quarterly La Puente Artwalk, and Annual Teen and Youth Poetry Competition in Arcadia. He has performed at various venues including the Last Bookstore for Night and the City LA Poetry Festival, Half Off Books as a featured reader and for Shout! open mic series, as well as a featured reader at the La Puente Relay for Life, and many other open mics and events around Greater Los Angeles. CLT along with other heads of creative writing, poetry, and literary groups have recently banded together to form the SGV Literary Arts Council. A professed wandering and meandering chicano neo-transcendentalist poetic holy fool, CLT's poetry portrays the sacred and the profane, the common mundane aspects of life and forces it into psychosocialsexual symbiosis with the hidden revered mystical and misunderstood aspects of our coexistence with nature, God, and the forces within ourselves, with a few accentos and references to history, myth, religion, cultura, and philosophy thrown in for a more meaningful poesia.
Vickie Vértiz
Vickie
Vértiz is from southeast Los Angeles. Her writing is widely anthologized, found
in publications such as _Open the Door_, from McSweeney's and the Poetry
Foundation. Her poetry collection,_Swallows_ was just released by Finishing
Line Press. She is currently a candidate for a Master of Fine Arts degree at UC
Riverside.
Jessica M. Wilson
A Poet from Los Angeles, CA, Jessica holds her Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Otis College, and a BA in both Creative Writing and Art History from UC Riverside. She is the founder of the Los Angles Poet Society, Writers’ Row (a showcase of Writers during the downtown Art Walk), and SoapBox Poets which is a collaborative group of artists delivering their work to masses. She is newly published in anthology In the Company of Women: An Anthology of Wit & Wisdom, Sass & Class by Edgar & Lenore's Publishing House, 2012.
Meet the Music!
Gabriel Armenta
Gabriel Armenta is a musician who currently resides in Downey.He began by playing guitar and has slowly incorporated tape loops and other electronic elements in his music.He was part of the Yuri Landman ensemble in 2012. With Landman’s assistance, he built a micro-tonal guitar called a Homeswinger, which he uses for his preformances.
Daisy unChained
Daisy unChained: an acoustic version of Daisy Chain featuring Debi Knable on guitar, Amy Lemp on the keys, Angela Moore on vocals, Raundi K. Moore-Kondo on bass. Like The Clash, none of the members of Daisy Chain have ever been arrested for crimes they didn’t commit. And much like U2 and The Earwigs, none of the original members of Daisy Chain had ever played an instrument before joining the band. They are just a bunch of crazy suburban moms making the most of mid-life crises...side by side... BFF’s... You Go, Girl... Woo Hoo! Daisy Chain is a milf and cookies gone loco support and shenanigan-management system. They're still practicing in a loft above a mechanic's shop, writing songs, learning covers, drinking beer, disturbing the peace, sweet-talking the police, soothing irate neighbors, commiserating over kids and husbands, homeschooling, carpooling, field tripping and dancing their asses off.
www.facebook.com/daisychaintheband
www.facebook.com/daisychaintheband
David Alberto Holguin
David Alberto Holguin
22 years old
Born in Colombia Medellin
Lives in Highland Park.
David Holguin Started Playing guitar at 16.
he has studied American blues artist such as Jimi Hendrix and BB King.
When he was 19 he began studying Flamenco guitar at PCC and since then has been on a path to master the art form of Spain.
his dedication has served him well expanding his network and committing to being a superb player to his audience. though he is an ametuer guitarist he is striving to become a great professional and outstanding performer.
22 years old
Born in Colombia Medellin
Lives in Highland Park.
David Holguin Started Playing guitar at 16.
he has studied American blues artist such as Jimi Hendrix and BB King.
When he was 19 he began studying Flamenco guitar at PCC and since then has been on a path to master the art form of Spain.
his dedication has served him well expanding his network and committing to being a superb player to his audience. though he is an ametuer guitarist he is striving to become a great professional and outstanding performer.
Jarrett Keisling
Jarrett discovered his love for songwriting after high school when he moved to Santa Barbara. His fascination with psychology, philosophy and the natural world fuels his creativity and inspires him write lyrics that challenge, encourage, and illuminate. Jarrett currently works as a Staff Writer for Photo Film Stage Productions where he nurtures his other literary passions.
Lint Vaccine
Indie Rock N' Roll Band from Los Angeles, CA
Natural Hi-Fi
Natural Hi-Fi ROCKS a modern indie sound with lush guitar hooks and pop flair.
This entertaining three-piece band features the crazy talented, one-armed guitarist Saint Paul. He blows crowds away, and has performed with Stevie Wonder and The Wailers. Beautiful Kimmy MG rocks the fun and sexy bass grooves, and Grammy-winning drummer Andy Kravitz (Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Taj Mahal, Joan Osborne) drives the beat and vocals with his platinum sound.
Crowds LOVE Natural Hi-Fi's energetic and uplifting shows!
Natural Hi-Fi has performed at SXSW and is in demand producing commercial music for Sony, Verizon, and more.
Like us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/naturalhifi
This entertaining three-piece band features the crazy talented, one-armed guitarist Saint Paul. He blows crowds away, and has performed with Stevie Wonder and The Wailers. Beautiful Kimmy MG rocks the fun and sexy bass grooves, and Grammy-winning drummer Andy Kravitz (Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Taj Mahal, Joan Osborne) drives the beat and vocals with his platinum sound.
Crowds LOVE Natural Hi-Fi's energetic and uplifting shows!
Natural Hi-Fi has performed at SXSW and is in demand producing commercial music for Sony, Verizon, and more.
Like us on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/naturalhifi
Nocturno Hayes
...While lurking in the shadows of rejection and uncertainty... He had to overcome the fear of failure that was hot on his trail... The instinct for survival grew stronger and as his heart pounded from the agitation of the chase... he learned to become invisible and inaudible (i.e. he gained control over the sonic realm, reducing it and distorting it at will) and as he learned to float, he cloaked himself, never allowing the hunter's eye another chance to bring him down. Taking a deep breath, he let out a battle cry and in the key of Bm sang out: "Enough!!" He struck quickly and the defeated oppressor was forced to retreat. His newly acquired skill (STEALTH) allowed him to make many observations over the years and now he brings them to you as an offering, hoping that empathy will prevail. Fueled by the comfort of the moonlight, who shed many a speck of truth for him, he was compelled to visit the Autumn Oracle who revealed to him that love was on the way, but he must stand firm against adversity. It was then that she dubbed him: Nocturno Hayes. - See more at: http://www.nocturnohayes.com/bio/#sthash.cCsavMPJ.dpuf
Eddie Reed
Mister Reed will be performing 3 or 4 original compositions at POETRYPALOOZA. He will perform his songs solo singing and playing acoustic guitar.
Born in 1957 Mister Reed is a native of Los Angeles, but he was raised in Texas where he began playing and writing songs for voice and guitar at the age of nine. He first performed professionally at the age of 12 in Lubbock Texas where he performed a piece he composed for piano. Eddie returned to Los Angeles 3 years later where he found work as an accompanist and studio musician. In 1985 he formed his first band and recorded his first single for NERVOUS RECORDS. Eddie went on to record with many bands for various record labels including BMG/RCA RECORDS.
Born in 1957 Mister Reed is a native of Los Angeles, but he was raised in Texas where he began playing and writing songs for voice and guitar at the age of nine. He first performed professionally at the age of 12 in Lubbock Texas where he performed a piece he composed for piano. Eddie returned to Los Angeles 3 years later where he found work as an accompanist and studio musician. In 1985 he formed his first band and recorded his first single for NERVOUS RECORDS. Eddie went on to record with many bands for various record labels including BMG/RCA RECORDS.
SkyPiea
Every 1,000 years.
SkyPiea is made up of two young gentlemen that have at least two things in common; first, the infatuation with the story of a rubber man, following his course up and through an island in a white sea of clouds, known by the same name (Sky Piea), and second, their inability to avoid playing music.
"What kind of music does SkyPiea play?"
Lately they've been writing bossa nova and jazz ballads. Older songs include funk and 60s pop styles. SkyPiea doesn't attempt to mix styles, as much as they enjoy their attempt at playing them straight.
"Who writes the songs--or do they ... both?"
I'm not sure why there was a hesitation; actually, it's different for each song. Sometimes one will have a complete song and sometimes only a piece. The other will add his own flavour to it, as needed. Even in the case of a completed song from one, the other member will always add his own accompaniment to the song.
"How long have they been playing together?"
The band's first performance was in 2007.
Any other questions?
"Uuhm.."
GREAT!
SkyPiea is made up of two young gentlemen that have at least two things in common; first, the infatuation with the story of a rubber man, following his course up and through an island in a white sea of clouds, known by the same name (Sky Piea), and second, their inability to avoid playing music.
"What kind of music does SkyPiea play?"
Lately they've been writing bossa nova and jazz ballads. Older songs include funk and 60s pop styles. SkyPiea doesn't attempt to mix styles, as much as they enjoy their attempt at playing them straight.
"Who writes the songs--or do they ... both?"
I'm not sure why there was a hesitation; actually, it's different for each song. Sometimes one will have a complete song and sometimes only a piece. The other will add his own flavour to it, as needed. Even in the case of a completed song from one, the other member will always add his own accompaniment to the song.
"How long have they been playing together?"
The band's first performance was in 2007.
Any other questions?
"Uuhm.."
GREAT!
Thee Atom Smashers
Emerging from their subterranean lair, Thee Atom Smashers are alive and kicking! Ready to lay waste to the music scene with their music that sends atomic shockwaves wherever they play. Get ready to be sonically blown away!
Meet the Performers!
Idiot Savant
Idiot Savant is a project helmed by Mars Klif (guitar wizardry/ words/ arrangements) & Scott Nichols-Collier (voices/ words/ occasional noises). Their body of work fuses poetry & storytelling with music from all over space & time. Everything you have heard about them is true. Even the lies.
Cornelius Jones Jr.
Lana Joy
LANA JOY has worked in the world of professional theatre as an actor, director, and college professor and has appeared on regional stages throughout California including A Noise Within, Sierra Repertory Theatre, The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, Grove Theatre Center, The Odyssey Theatre, The Hudson, and many others. Favorite roles include Elma in Bus Stop, Nancy in Gaslight, Celia in Shakespeare's As You Like It, Sybil in Private Lives, Marianne in Tartuffe and Ela in Charley’s Aunt. She holds a BA in Theatre from Biola University, an MA in Theatre from CSU Northridge and was also trained at The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum and The Stella Adler Academy. Lana is a founding member of Downey Arts Coalition, but her favorite role of all has been that of Wife and Mother. Proud member of Actor's Equity Association.
Quincy Surasmith
Quincy Surasmith is a Thai-Chinese-American jack-of-all-trades artist: actor, singer-songwriter, chef, and arts organizer. He is a producer with the Tuesday Night Project, one of the longest running arts and performance series in downtown Los Angeles and among the oldest living Asian American-run mic spaces in the country. By day, he is a non-profit communications specialist working with Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles.
Quincy studied theatre arts at UC Santa Cruz, where he received his B.A. in history. There, he performed and directed with Rainbow Theatre and Isang Himig A Cappella.
Quincy has been featured at Tuesday Night Cafe, common ground, Tony T Sessions, on the webseries Romance of the Three Kitchens, and in the Artists at Play production of Ching Chong Chinaman. Quincy is still slowly inching toward the completion of his first EP. His thoughts on food, cooking, and his dinner series can be found at eatkunedo.com.
Quincy studied theatre arts at UC Santa Cruz, where he received his B.A. in history. There, he performed and directed with Rainbow Theatre and Isang Himig A Cappella.
Quincy has been featured at Tuesday Night Cafe, common ground, Tony T Sessions, on the webseries Romance of the Three Kitchens, and in the Artists at Play production of Ching Chong Chinaman. Quincy is still slowly inching toward the completion of his first EP. His thoughts on food, cooking, and his dinner series can be found at eatkunedo.com.
Meet the Artists!
Anna Broome
Anna Broome, downtown Los Angeles artist since 2009 paints in almost any and all medium available emphasizing particulars of feminine current and historical as comical, sturdy, gregarious, sexy,determined, stable, and demented. The University of Ill Annoy piece is a satirical presentation, which denotes this exploration between the demarcations of uniform, enthusiasm and gender.
www.patfulmer.com/acbroome
www.patfulmer.com/acbroome
Andrew Cervantes
Andrew was born and raised in El Sereno and is the Artist in Residence at Holy Grounds Coffee and Tea.
Yuri Elvin
I’ve been making art since i was two, without instruction using ‘pen’ most my life has forced me to commit to my ‘line’. Now using ‘pencil’, we don’t seem to erase much. The ‘line’ finds its way and balances the composition in the last 4 years that i have picked up art again, i have gone thru a few styles. Today I’ve landed on heavy textures with minimal subjects. Drawing the ‘sun’ or the ‘moon’ creates all the depth i need to believe my reality. I look forward to each new day that i can express myself, without a plan or a direction, it seems to self-generate. Tomorrow may be different.
yurielvin.com
yurielvin.com
Nicole Fournier
Nicole Fournier's passion for photography was first expressed during a 4th grade trip to Washington DC, when she snuck away from her group to photograph a spiral staircase. Many years later, Nicole honed her skills at university by obtaining a B.F.A. degree in Graphic Design – alongside a minor in Photography – graduating Cum Laude in her class.
Nicole has 16 years of experience working in Photography and Publishing. She assisted many photographers in event, lifestyle, portrait, and wedding photography. Nicole's work has been exhibited in several galleries throughout the United States, and in the UK. Her photographs have been published in textbooks, science journals, and Shutterbug Magazine.
Her early photographic style centered around concepts, shooting people in abandoned buildings. In the late 90’s, Nicole began experimenting with industrial imagery with an emphasis on pattern and texture. In 2006, she moved from Jersey City New Jersey to Los Angeles. Longing for her earlier style of concepts with a poetic flair, and along with her longtime interest in encaustic wax paintings, she decided to experiment with encaustics and image transfers. She enjoyed the medium very much, and returned to her earlier interest; producing artwork with concepts of self-growth in mind.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Nicole Fournier enjoys pursuing her photographic career in art and commercial photography. For more information, please visit http://nicolefournier.com.
Nicole has 16 years of experience working in Photography and Publishing. She assisted many photographers in event, lifestyle, portrait, and wedding photography. Nicole's work has been exhibited in several galleries throughout the United States, and in the UK. Her photographs have been published in textbooks, science journals, and Shutterbug Magazine.
Her early photographic style centered around concepts, shooting people in abandoned buildings. In the late 90’s, Nicole began experimenting with industrial imagery with an emphasis on pattern and texture. In 2006, she moved from Jersey City New Jersey to Los Angeles. Longing for her earlier style of concepts with a poetic flair, and along with her longtime interest in encaustic wax paintings, she decided to experiment with encaustics and image transfers. She enjoyed the medium very much, and returned to her earlier interest; producing artwork with concepts of self-growth in mind.
Currently residing in Los Angeles, Nicole Fournier enjoys pursuing her photographic career in art and commercial photography. For more information, please visit http://nicolefournier.com.
Emmeric Konrad
Emmeric Konrad spent 4 years in the United States
Marine Corps before going on to earn a BFA from Otis/Parson’s when it was still
in the trenches of MacArthur Park. Since graduating from Otis his work has been
shown in the United states , Germany and Japan.
Emmeric’s work has been compared to the edgy pop artists of the late seventies and the early eighties, but with his own personal vision, at once perverse and strangely satirical. Inspired by Walt Disney’s humorous creations and by the intensity of such artist as Otto Dix, Goya and De Kooning, Konrad gravitates to the darker side of the human psyche. With childlike images of pigs, dogs, mice, and people replete with exaggerated attributes, Konrad’s paintings are happily manic expressions of equally innocent and painfully troubled characters interacting and willfully acting out. He delights in bringing his unique inner world to the canvas. www.emmerickonrad.com
Emmeric’s work has been compared to the edgy pop artists of the late seventies and the early eighties, but with his own personal vision, at once perverse and strangely satirical. Inspired by Walt Disney’s humorous creations and by the intensity of such artist as Otto Dix, Goya and De Kooning, Konrad gravitates to the darker side of the human psyche. With childlike images of pigs, dogs, mice, and people replete with exaggerated attributes, Konrad’s paintings are happily manic expressions of equally innocent and painfully troubled characters interacting and willfully acting out. He delights in bringing his unique inner world to the canvas. www.emmerickonrad.com
Last Minute Art Collective
Last Minute Art Collective is a community based organization whose goal is to provide upcoming artist with a free space to showcase their artwork. All of LMAC’s members are volunteers and are constantly outreaching in order to find artist and venues willing to work with us and support our mission:
“Our goal is to bring art to our community and give artists a chance to showcase their work. We are open to all types of art such as painting, photography, digital media, sculpting, poetry, emceeing and graffiti or any other unique artistic talent.”
The long term goal of LMAC is to build community through art and provide a safe space for the community to gather while bringing awareness to outside organizations and causes.
“Our goal is to bring art to our community and give artists a chance to showcase their work. We are open to all types of art such as painting, photography, digital media, sculpting, poetry, emceeing and graffiti or any other unique artistic talent.”
The long term goal of LMAC is to build community through art and provide a safe space for the community to gather while bringing awareness to outside organizations and causes.
Suzi Moon
The Downtown Art Community has taken me back to the elementary human thrill of making something and sharing it with others. Also it returned me to the desire and revelry of getting in a bit controversy or trouble. It’s all about creative play , risking a path less chosen.
We just can”t help ourselves.
www.suzimoon.net
We just can”t help ourselves.
www.suzimoon.net
Genie Prochazka
I am an artist/illustrator, living in West Los Angeles, California. I
use primarily pen/ink and watercolor to create a whimsical, yet
slightly twisted take on my illustrations and artwork.
I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Art from Cal State Northridge. I have
illustrated books, greeting cards and magazines for over 25 years, and most recently illustrated Roy Anthony Shabla's "I Write, Therefore I Am" (2012). I am currently working on illustrating Mr. Shabla's autobiographical book, "Child Harold".
I have shown my artwork in the Los Angeles area at various art venues for over 25 years and am currently selling my handmade custom jewelry on Etsy.com.
To view more of my resume and artwork, please visit www.blueartgallery.com
To view my jewelry, please visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZenBuddhaCat
use primarily pen/ink and watercolor to create a whimsical, yet
slightly twisted take on my illustrations and artwork.
I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Art from Cal State Northridge. I have
illustrated books, greeting cards and magazines for over 25 years, and most recently illustrated Roy Anthony Shabla's "I Write, Therefore I Am" (2012). I am currently working on illustrating Mr. Shabla's autobiographical book, "Child Harold".
I have shown my artwork in the Los Angeles area at various art venues for over 25 years and am currently selling my handmade custom jewelry on Etsy.com.
To view more of my resume and artwork, please visit www.blueartgallery.com
To view my jewelry, please visit https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZenBuddhaCat
Todd Tostado
I have a BA in design from CSULA (California State University Los Angeles). I have experience in logo/trademark design, web design, and print design.
Most of my free time is spent on my true passion, the creation of digital fine art, which is created with the combination of a variety of graphic art software programs. Once completed each piece is printed on canvas, or fine art paper. The pieces are then stretched or mounted, and custom framed. My art pieces have been displayed in several group art exhibitions, in Southern California galleries.
For more information feel free to visit my website: http://www.facelessimages.com
Or contact me by e-mail: [email protected]
Most of my free time is spent on my true passion, the creation of digital fine art, which is created with the combination of a variety of graphic art software programs. Once completed each piece is printed on canvas, or fine art paper. The pieces are then stretched or mounted, and custom framed. My art pieces have been displayed in several group art exhibitions, in Southern California galleries.
For more information feel free to visit my website: http://www.facelessimages.com
Or contact me by e-mail: [email protected]
Terry Walker
Terry Walker has been working with glass for over 25 years. Her specialty is fused glass. When Terry is not working on her jewelry size glass she enjoys working on larger sculptural pieces. Both her jewelry and glass wall art have been sold in galleries throughout Southern California and other locations in the United States. Terry also works in mosaic work and mixed media collage. She has sat on the Board of Directors of the Orange Country Fine Arts for over 5 years as Student Activities Director. Born and rasied in Downey, California Terry is delighted to volunteer with the Downey Arts Coalition and serves as their Community and Youth Outreach person.