February 22, 2004
Planet Rabbit Hole, California, USA12:07pm. Last night, Robbie Dew hooked up with us at the JU JU, a dance party in a warehouse with funky mix of industrial high ceilings, huge open rooms, exposed brick and steel structure with a community center vibe cuz there was no liquor. Red, blue and green stage lights pointing up from the floor lit huge banner canvases of powerful nude afro-queens, cartoonish in simple lines and coloring, much like the silhouettes of people standing in front of the lights-one image in my mind especially--spiky dreadlocked, looking bodi-lious.
JU JU had a few different scenes: the dance floor, chill couch crash pad, Cafe' with slow-ass friendly kitchen staff, and basement--all dimly lit. Rob, Moriah and I were a few of the half dozen minority whites amid a couple hundred blacks, Hispanic and Asians. We were comfortable and got a groove on. The DJ's vibe was fun, but not hoppin'. I saw several couples groovin' beautifully in sync and some entertaining break dancing, but many folk looked heavy, observing solo in shadows.
One woman, an angel above them all floated on air and I told her so. "Hey, you're that guy traveling around taking pictures," She returned. "We met at the Lesbian Film Festival." It was dark and I had not recognized Shamba. It was amazing I'd randomly find her again considering the population of LA. I'm attracted to people by the way they shine-- their effervescence seen in how they carry themselves and face the world with a smile.
Paul, a brother I met taking pics, gave me a card for his mag, Jointz, so I'll check his site for images from last night. JU JU is a Soul Children Experience.
Now we are headed to the 1ST ANNUAL DOWNTOWN ARTIST CARNAVALE.
"Join the 1st annual Downtown Artist Carnaval. Help the future growth and direction of this annual event and participate. Be colorful, wear your art. Volunteer performers also wanted (stilters, cirque, dancers, etc).
featuring
(main stage) Internationally renowned Ricardo Lemvo and Makina Loca "Salsa et le Soukous."
plus
Afro-Caribbean Salsa Reggae
Fantuzzi and the Flexible Band
(BM LaDecom, Rainbow, Black Rock City)
and the
I and I Sound System will be holdin' down the street!
Indoors dance area until 1am
DJ Vanka
(Tropicalia, SF Carnaval)
plus myriads of dancers, performers, stilt walkers, costumed revelers and you! (food, carnaval punch and sangria specials also available)Be here in living colour
$8.00 advance or at gate with Carnaval wear (ie beads, feathers, masks, feathers etc) $12.00 at door in regular attire [yawn]
Entrance 1st @ Vignes
*****Halifax Free school Begins****** Please Distribute
Every Thursday 7:00 - 9:00 (Beginning February 5th)
Mi'kmaq Friendship Centre (2161 Gottingen St)
Child Care ProvidedIn our culture today, education is increasingly institutionalized, it is inaccesible for many communitites and individuals because of high costs and entrance requirements. It is a hierarchical institution which perpetuates class, race and gender oppression. Our educational system is furthering the gaps between the rich and the poor, and is putting a price tag on learning and teaching.
Halifax Free School is a way to take the 'institution' out of learning, teaching and knowledge. It is a way for communities to learn from each other, and to share knowledge and skill. No one is an 'expert' at free school, and everyone has something to contribute. All sessions are open to everyone, and anyone can lead a session, or put forth an idea for a session.
The line up for the first month is as follows:
February 5th: Posters and Pamphlet Making
February 12th: History of the Black Panther Party for Self Defense
February 19th: Stenciling and Screen Printing
Feburary 26th: Queer Theory
If you have a session or an idea for Free School, or if you would like more information please contact: anna 423-2122 or hfxfreeschool@ziplip.com
"A good education should have three purposes: it should provide all who want to learn with access to available resources at anytime in their lives; empower all who want to share what they know to find those who want to learn it from them; and finally, furnish all who want to present an issue to the public with the opportunity to make their challenge known." - Ivan Illich (deschooling founder)-
DO OR DO NOT, THERE IS NO TRY
-YODA-
Beautiful person reading my journal... I need your help!
Please adopt a dragonfly!
I've worked thousands of hours to create this web site and it is yours free to enjoy. That wasn't a profitable thing for me to do, but it was my calling and it has been very successful at providing inspiration and information to many people all over the world.
If you'd like to see this project continue, I need your help right now. I'm working hard to set up shows in the LA prison system and get a TV deal, but at this time I'm a starving artist.
Dragonfly adoption is $30 plus shipping. Send me an email and we'll work it out. Get one for a friend or lover. I'll send it special delivery. Put it on a hat or house plant-- it is attractive anywhere.
If you'd like to give birth to your own dragonfly, I've made a web page to show you how. They are a simple and relaxing meditation tool, that take approximately two hours.
If you just want to show your support for this project with a few bucks, click this, I'll be stoked!
I'm open to any ideas or suggestions... so talk to me: MAX@solomax.com
