These Art + Soul events are always wonderful with great turnouts, some fantastic live performers, dope DJs and a load of great local artists. I'l be there with my soundsystem and my Astronaut Disco Visuals show. Do not sleep on this guaranteed dope affair. I also designed the flyer for this one!
This is simple. Help support a very special high school art event by coming out to enjoy yummy $3-a-plate sushi, a couple drinks, and be entertained by some spectacular DJ talent.
By just leaving the house on Thursday April 19th and spending $10 - $20 on an evening out, you will be contributing to the funds needed for a student created public art instillation and pop-up gallery at Verdugo Hills High School.
On the corner of 8300 Wilshire Blvd @ San Vicente in Los Angeles
What:
A night of good vibes, good food, and good music! It’s all to help us raise funds for this art project. Have dinner, a couple drinks – stay as late as you’re inclined to. We start at 6pm and go til 1am!
Hosted By: The Lady Tigra
This MC and Personality formally of the seminal 80’s Miami Bass Girl Rap group L’Trimm has been a part of supporting VOI – Verdugo on the Internet - for a couple years now, and we are thrilled to have her voice as a part of our program and on this special night.
This dude is no joke. He works regularly with DJ Al Jackson and their "Takeover" events and music projects. Also the horn player for long time Jazz outfit Umoja.
A DJ duo from Los Angeles who are at the highest level of turntablism with collaborations too many to mention. They are also responsible for the monthly event Skratchpad LA where the best turntablists from the area and beyond come together for a night of scratching sessions and showcases.
One of LA’s most sought after underground DJs and Promoters who is behind many an event including “Jazzercise”, “JazzMoov”, and “Fresh” plus his signature radio show called “Soul Circle Radio”
Milwaukee’s arguably best and biggest DJ is now an LA resident! His mastering of the turntable and his ability to rock a party at the highest level has put him on the stage with the likes of Z-Trip, N.E.R.D., Kid Cudi, Wiz Khalifa, Atmosphere, Pitbull and many others.
Mixmaster Massey been behind turntables since the 80’s and has had countless residencies throughout his long and eclectic DJ career. Massey has also been working behind the scenes of LA’s nightlife as a promoter and visuals artist as well as acting as the technical advisor for the VOI program at VHHS.
About: VOI presents VOICE AND VISION – May 10th 2012
Purpose:
To provide a showcase for student and community art, and music with a larger goal of showing the community the exciting things that are going on with Verdugo Hills High School students.
To create a public piece of art and event which will instill a sense of pride and excitement about our community and our school.
To create an opportunity for the student body and community to come together to work on a common artistic endeavor
To bring art to the community by creating a temporary outdoor museum.
The Plan:
VHHS students will be invited to contribute a piece of art, music, and/or performance to the event in order to create a celebration of art and community. The unifying artwork for the show and most visible part of the instillation will be on the outer walls of the bungalows; these will be used as canvas for a wheat paste photography exhibit that VOI will be producing along with several artists from the community.
VOI will also curate an interactive art exhibit, another one of the centerpieces of the event. We will paint wooden billboards with paint that mimics a chalkboard. The weeks before the opening these “chalkboards” will be placed around campus. Students will be encouraged to write on the boards, completing the sentence: “Before it’s too late, I want to ______.” On the day of the opening this work will be assembled into one whole and visitors will also be asked to complete the sentence. The completed work with hundreds of sentences will be on permanent display at VHHS. In addition, we will be inviting several student and professional aerosol artists and stencil artists to do pieces during the event.
Why It Matters:
Our young people have a voice; they just need an opportunity. This event gives them just that; it is a means of empowering our young people – to let them know that we honor their voices because they have much of value to communicate. In the production of this event the involved students are instilled with a dose of confidence and self-esteem as they work together to create something truly special and larger than themselves.
Goal:
The event is a celebration of the vision and voice of our young people and our community; it is a forum in which they can bring the issues that concern them to the attention of a wider audience. We also wish to provide the public with thought-provoking entertainment that elevates the level of social discourse and challenges all the participants to engage in relevant, important dialogues about the needs of our community.
What We Need:
By coming out or through your donations you will be helping us to purchase:
lumber
particle board
paint and painting supplies
gallery presentation materials
printing materials and printing costs
How Can You Help:
Just by coming to the event on April 19th and having dinner you will be helping!
However, if you cannot make it in person or would like to help a little more we have a Donors Choose page that you can donate to. Through this program we are able to purchase much needed gear for the program. Currently we are working hard on raising money for a new DJ mixer for the class. The current mixer being used is on loan. Go to Donorschoose.org and search for Ms. Conant’s classroom.
If you would like to directly fund the program with a larger financial donation or offer your time as a volunteer contact Noah Massey or Allison Conant directly. Their contact info is below.
Verdugo On the Internet – VOI - is a student run website that features student produced art, music, and podcasts. We also have a DJ component to the class. VOI creates a "real world" situation for the students in which they are encouraged to explore their own creativity while working together towards unified goals, larger than what they could produce individually. Our DJ's provide music for lunch rallies, football games, dances, and other school events. Since its launch, VOI has become a relevant and important voice for the students. The website celebrates the best of Verdugo Hills High School student’s work; it podcasts about the issues that matter most to the students. This class has also proven to fill in holes in student’s knowledge about technology and internet usage, something that is a critical key to success today and in the future.
To see a cool video about VOI please check out the following:
Why It Matters:
Our young people have been neglected. Often they are dismissed as apathetic when in many cases, they are simply overwhelmed. They are deluged with carefully crafted media message designed to encourage consumerism, sexism, and narcissism. There are, however, young people in our communities who refuse to buy into the propaganda. But they are frustrated. They have a voice; they just need an opportunity. VOI gives them just that; it is a means of empowering our young people – to let them know that we honor their voices and we know they have much of value to communicate.
The Transcendentalists of the 19th century understood the power of youth; Henry David Thoreau said, “The youth gets together this material to build a bridge to the moon, or perchance, a palace or temple on earth, and at length, the middle-aged man concludes to build a woodshed with them.” VOI is a forum for LA’s youth to express themselves, to inspire each other, and to, perhaps, stir the middle-aged thinkers to tear down their “woodsheds” and build some bridges.
Who We Are:
Allison Conant has been teaching high school in Los Angeles public schools for over eleven years. She is currently teaching English at Verdugo Hills High School in Sunland-Tujunga.
She started VOI, with Noah Massey, to give students an alternative to traditional art and music classes. “Budget cuts have been whittling away at music and art programs for years now. I felt this would be a way to offer students both.. it was also an opportunity to teach real-world English skills and to encourage students to get involved with campus events,” says Allison Conant.
Noah Massey comes with a unique background suited to the needs of VOI. He has been a professional DJ for 20+ years, was an Editor-In-Chief for the largest videogame website in the world, IGN.com and launched PlayStation Magazine. Noah currently produces events around LA and has tapped into his professional connections from the music and art world in LA to enrich the students’ experience. He also manages several blogs and is an accomplished graphic designer and visual/audio artist. More on his art career check out: http://mixmastermassey.typepad.com/design/
In terms of funding the start-up, Allison and Noah petitioned friends and business associates for donations. Andy Summers, guitar player for the band The Police, was generous enough to give us the original seed money of $3,000. With that initial contribution, and some of their own money, Noah and Allison were able to purchase a basic DJ set up, and some of the gear necessary for recording podcasts.
Fusing the sounds of Nu-Jazz, Afro-latin, Jazzy House, Brazilian +
After a long hiatus the makers of Jazzercise returns, bringing back that raw essence of uptempo jazz & worldly rhythms fused with live art & musicians. Located at the original spot now called "NOLA's" we are thrilled to be bringing back this vibe for our Angelenos!! Big ups to all the dancers that supported us & the Jazzercise movement. We know you guys have been waiting a long time for this! Thank you for your patience and continued support. The wait is almost over! We salute you and will see you soon the dance floor on March 25!!
DJs Softcore, Mixmaster Massey and Ghost Lyon are bringing all kinds of quality music to a new spot in Beverly Hills. DJ's spin from 8pm to at least 1am Thursday the 26th.
NO COVER
Sushi is $3 a plate Beer is 3 bucks Well drinks are $6. + A bit of space to dance and revel!
Sushi Cam can be found on the corner of 8300 Wilshire Blvd @ San Vicente in Beverly Hills. Lots of free parking.
I'm getting back together with the guys - DJ's Softcore and Ghostlyon to bring all kinds of quality funkiness to a new spot in Beverly Hills. We're trading off all night long from 8pm to 12am and there will be $1.50 a plate sushi, $3 beers and $6 cocktails all night as well. There is no cover and the vibe is way nice. Please stop by for nice evening of exceptional music from a rare grouping of DJs!
Sushi Cam can be found on the corner at 8300 Wilshire Blvd @ San Vicente in Beverly Hills. Lots of free parking.
Astronaut Disco Ustream Channel The U-Stream channel used to broadcast events as well as live DJ sessions out to the universe and beyond! Find archived video from past sessions or tune in when we are live! Webcasting home of Skratchpad LA.
DJ Mza The home of DJ MZA including DJ mixes, music news, upcoming gigs and more.
Dope Computer Music Music and news from, about and pertaining to the funky digital maestro, Kemek The Dope Computer and his interests. Free DJ mixes, original music and more.
JazzMoov The home of the monthly Jazzy House dancefloor getdown I am a part of in downtown LA. Pics, mixes, party posts and more!
JazzTonic The online home of Jazz Tonic and All Forms Jazz. A weekly event every Wednesday Night at the Broadway Bar in downtown LA. Featuring top shelf DJ's, Poets/MC's, Vocalists and Musicians exploring and celebrating new and old forms of Jazz Music.
Mixmaster Massey The online home for all things Mixmaster Noah Massey. Mixes, flyers, photos, videos and more!
Noah Massey Art & Design The fine art, flyer designs and commercial graphic design of Noah Massey.
Skratchpad Los Angeles A monthly event at The Blu Monkey for DJs focussing on the Cut & the Scratch.
softcored The online postings and musings of DJ pal and close friend DJ Softcore.