In That Carnival

Carousel horses at the 30th annual Springfest in Redondo Beach

Life in Los Angeles is filled with endless travel, whisking across the city on freeways, elevated above the vibrant streets and neighborhoods, passing it all by going to and from the routine destinations. Perhaps, an interesting sight will catch the eye as your car passes it by, just a fleeting glimpse of novelty.

For years, I have seen this little carnival, Springfest, in Redondo Beach, as I've made my way to the 405 Freeway. Each time, I think to myself, "Why not stop to look around?" but, each time, I am too busy, rushing off to an appointment. This weekend, I decided to stop, if only to snap a few photos. ;-)

"Go Gator" roller coaster

I didn't get on any rides, play any games, or even talk with anybody. I was too busy, rushing off to an appointment. Maybe next year. . .

Mood Indigo

Model for Duke Ellington Memorial (1988) by Robert Graham, on view at UCLA

Last year, I wrote a whole bunch of posts expressing my adoration for the music of Duke Ellington. It's a topic about which I can endlessly discuss, but I'll spare you all the gushing fanboy enthusiasm. ;-)

Ellington was born on April 29, 1899. There have been many excellent American composers and musicians, but, for me, Duke stands out as the greatest. So, let's spend some time this evening listening to some swinging American music, beyond category.

Sculpture in Motion

1956 Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ, body by Zagato, designed in the "Double Bubble" style

It had been a while since I last visited the Petersen Automotive Museum. Since today marked the birth dates of both Nicola Romeo (b.1876) and Ferruccio Lamborghini (b.1916), I figured it was about time to drop on by and check out the newest exhibit, "Sculpture in Motion: Masterpieces of Italian Design".

There were three gorgeous Alfa Romeo autos in this show, the 1956 1900 SSZ, the 1949 6C 2500 Villa d'Este, and the 2008 8C Competizione. They set the gallery aglow with awesome. ;-)

There were other fine vehicles on display, including a 1970 Bertone-designed Lancia Stratos HF Zero and a lovely 1959 Pinin Farina body Ferrari 400 Superamerica, but we'll focus on the Alfa Romeo beauties in this post. Hopefully, I'll get back to the museum sometime soon and fully document the show for you all.

Sideview of the 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Yeah, I might be a dedicated Ferrari man, but I'd be willing to settle. ;-)

Frontview of the 2008 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Fortunately, this show is going on for a good, long time. It's scheduled to run until February 2013. But don't procrastinate. If you love elegant automobiles, this is a show to appreciate over and over again.

Why Not?

"Why Not?" billboard by the AIDS Health Foundation on La Cienega


You folks know that I love spotting odd billboards that pop up around town. Now, there's nothing ridiculous about this billboard itself, but, in conjunction with the gleeful little star, the context made me laugh.

After all, why should one need a condom at the Carl's Jr? ;-)

Enjoy!!!

It's Been a Long, Long Time

Image from the Corey Helford Gallery's exhibit of "Legend of the Pink Cherry" featuring works by Buff Monster, which runs until May 5

It's been nearly three months since last I wrote about the gallery scene over in Culver City. Why the long neglect? I just haven't been able to spend quality time checking out the shows, especially not to an extent that would enable me to coherently review them.

Well, I was passing near the art district, not intending to stop and see things, but a strong passion to visit the galleries overcame me, even if only for a brief glimpse. And so I did.

Ideally, I would write up a bunch of reviews detailing why I appreciate each exhibit, providing context and commentary, linking to a vid to showcase the artist's body of work. Sadly, I was only able to get a few quick visits along Washington Boulevard sqeezed into my limited viewing time. But it was all good.

Detail of (A) Murder of Crows 8 by Stephanie Inagaki, part of Skotia Gallery's group show "Veneris XII" which runs until May 5

I figured that, while I may not have either the time or ability to write up proper reviews, at least I can share some photos with you. ;-)

A gallery view of Shay Bredimus' "Kotomi" at Koplin Del Rio, exhibiting until May 12.

Awesome work!

I Want a Clydesdale

Parked Budweiser truck making a delivery, but where are the Clydesdales? ;-)

Nothing much to share tonight. Honestly, I'm a bit drained, hoping to get my mojo back in order soon but realizing that I'm going through one of those cyclical phases of the "blahs" that all writers, great or small, experience. But that doesn't mean that my ability to write has up and vanished.

It just means that I'm having a tough time developing a thesis with eloquence and artistry. My words are not failing me, but I might be failing them. ;-)

But, hopefully, we can amuse ourselves with meandering thoughts and whimsical play. We can dream of ponies and balloons.

Well, there are no ponies, but we've found some balloons.

A bit of popcorn and lemonade go a long way to having a good time on a hot Spring afternoon.

Yum!!! LJ loves kettlecooked popcorn and fresh squeezed lemonade!!!

And some music will make the night go right.

Seifu-An: Arbor of Pure Breeze

Japanese Garden at the Huntington: Arbor of Pure Breeze

A while back, I promised you all some photos of the newly reopened Japanese Garden at the Huntington. Well, I figured we would celebrate Earth Day by looking at this beautiful place.

A crooked bridge leads to the Bonsai Courtyard

It's a bit late tonight. So I'll let the photos "speak" for themselves. ;-)

Dance Party: April

Detail from the cover image of Celine Dion's A New Day Has Come (2002)

So, we've been doing these monthly dance parties for a year now. My focus and approach has changed a lot since my first post last May. I used to focus exclusively on "Dance/Club" music. I used to write a lot of context on how the musical styles had changed over the 5-year increments.

But my "curatorial" style has changed over the year. I've broadened out my selection criteria and allow the listeners to bring their own experiences or context to my monthly playlist.  Yeah, I know that this is my blog and that, ultimately, everything boils down to being "all about me" but I like being "light-handed" and subtle. After all, if my song choices are interesting, then they can tell the story themselves.

Image from Soft Cell's Tainted Love (1981)

So, what narrative arises from this month's selection?

Friday Flowers: Marguerite Daisies

Argyranthemum Frutescens: Marguerite Daisies

World's Bliss
(By Alice Notley)

The men & women sang & played
they sleep by singing, what
shall I say of the most
poignant on earth the most glamorous
loneliest sought after people
those poets wholly beautiful
desolate aureate, death is a
powerful instinctive emotion—
but who would be released from
a silver skeleton? gems
& drinking cups—This
skull is Helen—who would not
be released from the
Book of Knowledge? Why
should a maiden lie on a moor
for seven nights & a day? And
he is a maiden, he is & she
on the grass the flower the spray
where they lie eating primroses
grown crazy with sorrow & all
the beauties of old—oh each poet's a
beautiful human girl who must die.


Well, I haven't much to say tonight. It's been a long week and I'm quite happy to see it come to an end. It may be 420 today, but, since I don't partake, I'll have to get my high off of good poetry. ;-)

Alice Notley brings the bliss of beautiful words, imaginative vision, and engaging concepts. Now, if only we could find a way to make brownies out of her poems. . .

Argyranthemum Frutescens: Marguerite Daisies

As for the Marguerites, I figured two consecutive weeks of daisies would be a nice way to celebrate a bright April. Anyways, they certainly are a lovely bunch.

2012 Weekly Wrap #9

Detail of The Swing (1767) by Jean-Honore Fragonard


Well, it's been a rough week. I would have liked to get a few posts up over the past few days, but distractions piled up, keeping me from hanging out with you all. For instance, this post ought to have been finished up on Tuesday morning. . . I guess it's better late than never. ;-)

Overall, I'm happy with Paideia, but I have a vague anxiousness that there needs to be a change. I keep on intending to start "quickie" posts, maybe a photo, a few sentences, and a vid or two after the jump. Perhaps, I'll start adding those to the rotation. It'll keep the front page fresh and dynamic.

I've also put an end to two Friday Flowers in a single "weekly" Wrap period. It just bugs me when that happens, an annoying pet peeve. Since I'm having a hard time keeping these Wraps on a weekly schedule, I'll have to drop the flowers. Yeah, it's a bummer, but maybe it'll provide incentive to improve my post count.

Anyways, let's look at our twelve posts of the "Weekly" Wrap.

Detail from the cover image of Ray Anthony's Bunny Hop (1952)

Four Art posts were featured. We celebrated the birth dates of the Rococo master, Jean-Honore Fragonard, and two of the High Renaissance giants, Leonardo and Rapheal. Then we offered up a brief look at my Saturday visiting Bergamot Station and the Torrance Art Museum.

Music was showcased in three posts. First, we celebrated Easter with the Bunny Hop. Then, a whimsy post about pirates featured some early music from the Age of Exploration. Finally, we celebrated the birth date of Dusty Springfield. Good stuff!!!

As regards Cinema, we had three related posts. The birth date of Bette Davis was a mandatory celebration here at Paideia. Then we looked on in horror upon a video that showed the awful aging of Lindsay Lohan; very sad. Finally, we went light-hearted with considerations upon the old-fashioned buffoonery of classic episodes of the Three Stooges. Nyuck, nyuck, nuck.

Our Friday Flowers featured African Daisies and the works of Samuel Beckett. Finally, I shared photos of the Blessing of the Animals over at Olvera Street.

At Madrona Musings, it was a busy time with the new exhibition opening in Torrance. We considered the works of Samuel Beckett with a video of Rick Cluchey. We announced the opening of the "Two-Headed Monster" exhibit in Gallery 2. We gave a Sneak Peek of "Between the Knowing" and, then, photos from the Opening Night. It's been fun times at the TAM.

In any case, here's to another exciting week.

Image of the Three Stooges from Disorder in the Court (1936)

Enjoy!!!

Look of Love

Dusty Springfield was born on April 16, 1939


Another quick hit to celebrate the birth date of a lady with a meltingly smooth and warm voice, Dusty Springfield.

You all should know by now that I adore the "songbirds" of the '50s and '60s, from Julie London to Sarah Vaughan; few things please me more than a female vocalist soulfully winding a song in rich and fervent tones. Whether the piece is uptempo and bright, leisurely and hot, or gentle and slow, the passions are authentically conveyed by the singing traditions of the era.

I have many favorite "songbirds" on my Top Ten, a list that is always changing, but Dusty Springfield is a constant. Her voice became the sound of "white soul", introducing this powerful style of music to a broad audience. Yes, she played up the campiness of her stage persona, but, underneath the mod and glam, there is a powerful expression of life and emotion, from the painful to the blissful.

And that's what I want to consider, this veracity of sensation, to admire in celebration of the day.

Strangeness In Your Smile

Mona Lisa (c.1503-06) by Leonardo da Vinci

I can't let the day end without celebrating the birth date of Leonardo da Vinci. As I've mentioned previously, he isn't my favorite High Renaissance artist, but he certainly deserves our esteem.

Since I'm a bit pressed for time tonight, let's just take a moment to appreciate his most famous work, La Gioconda. She makes me smile. ;-)