Photo LA 2012

I've been to the last two & was really inspired. So considering that this year I'm focusing more on photography, this event is a must for me! I suggest the same for anyone truly into photography. See you there. Here's the info directly from the site, photola.com

© Anthony Friedkin, Woman by the Pool, 1975

21st Annual International Los Angeles Photographic Art Exposition
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium | January 12th-15th, 2012

Confirming Los Angeles’ rising status as a destination and marketplace for curators, collectors, and art enthusiasts are the city’s many new galleries, world-class museums, and outstanding university programs. Now in its 21st year, Photo LA, the longest running art fair west of New York City, carries on its mandate to showcase emerging and established artists from around the globe. Photo LA continues the discourse on photography’s place in the fine arts, providing a platform for the display of vintage masterworks from the 19th and 20th centuries, contemporary photography, new techniques, and new forms of presentation alongside video and multimedia installations. This exciting juxtaposition creates the character that is Photo LA.

During the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, January 12-16, 2012, Photo LA returns to the landmark Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for the 13th time. As the Getty’s Pacific Standard Time: Art in LA 1945-1980 initiative continues into January, Photo LA will include installations focusing on post-WWII art created in Southern California. January is also LA Arts Month, a collective marketing effort by the city and its arts organizations to attract enthusiasts and collectors to Los Angeles.

Buy tickets HERE

Undun

New Roots album was released this past Tuesday. I've always been a big fan & will always support! You can preview the entire album on KCRW. If you like what you hear, please go out & support good music!

The Givends Benefit Compilation Vol 1

Peace world, and I really do mean PEACE! As messed up as the world is today, it's very important to set our personal agendas to the side from time to time & give back. Giving back doesn't always mean donating millions of dollars to charity. In this case, a small donation to purchase this Compilation or it can be as simple as donating a moment of your time to spread the word and encourage others to buy it. Either way, thank you for your time & remember as DJ Dusk would say "None of us are as strong as all of us."

THE GIVENDS Benefit Compilation Vol 1 is a unified effort from artist to support arts/music programs that benefit at risk and underprivileged youth.

In conjunction with the annual Thanks Givends event, this compilation will enable our outreach to go global and with 20 incredible tracks from a wide range of artists at a "you name the price" donation, you not only get to discover new music and artists that are pushing the industry forward, but each dollar is energy that will be put back into these programs.

This years beneficiaries; Marvista Family Center, Sound Art,
Peace 4 Kids & Pio Pico Ms Music Program

Low Key Thanksgiving Eve

A very special THANK YOU to DJ Cee Brown, Anthony Valdez, Jimetta Rose & everyone who celebrated our 1Yr Ann with us a couple weeks ago. Low Key returns this Wednesday Night on Thanksgiving Eve. I'm going to be spinning all night, so before you head over to Thanksgivends stop by and vibe with us!

Always FREE, always a good time at Carbon 9300 Venice Blvd in Culver City. Make sure you get there early to take advantage of Happy Hour $3 Drink Specials!

13th Annual Thanksgivends Benefit

The 13th Annual Thanksgivends Benefit takes place this Wednesday Night Nov 23rd 9pm-4am. Thanksgivends is
a community effort to raise funds and awareness for programs incorporating the arts for underprivileged and at risk youth.
2 levels, 3 area featuring the best of LA Underground culture. Live art patio, 21+ $10 admission at Los Globos Nightclub, 3040 W Sunset Blvd in LA

Participants include...
4 Mula, Analigital, Anything Fresh, Art Don't Sleep, Bach MRKTG, Beat Junkies, Beat Swapmeet, Beathackerz Collective, Blu Events, Bodega, Boombox, Bridges, Bunda Funk, Cornerstore Radio, Descarga, Devil's Pie, DP Sound, DTLA Tonight, Dublab, Escapism, EVFA Music, Extra Mile Sauce, Fast FWD, Flavorpill, Fly Ball, Footlong Development, For Those Who Know, Frolab, Funkmosphere, Funky Sole, Fusicology, Gata Recordings, Gifted City, Hang Together, Harmony Sound, In Soul We Trust, Incognito, Juju, KCRW, KPFK, Ladies First, Low Key, Muzicality, Nance.Arte, Niteshift, Nu-Soul Magazine, Ozomatli, Pitchblend Media, Plug Research, P.O.P. Culture, Pocho Hour Radio, Power Tools, Proper, Resident Friday, Rice & Beats, Rick & Ray, RK Entertainment, Root Down, Sailaway Collective, Shift, Solshock, Soul Children, Soul Circle Radio, Soul Sessions, Spring Strut, stay Gold, Strictly Social, Subsuelo, The Noise Academy, Transit Events, Tumbe, Turntable Addicts, Uniquity Records, Unison, Universal Rhythm, Vibes & Stuff, Walk Talkin, We own The Night

DJays...
Al Jackson, Analog, Anthony Valadez, Beat Ventriloquists, Billy Goods, Bobby Soul, Brazilia, C-Minus, Cee Brown, Clifton, Danny Massure, Destroyer, Drack Muse, Dubs One, Duran Castro, Ervin Arana, Expo, Frank Foreal, Gazoo, Inka One, Jedi, Just Pudge, Kerry Simester, Mando Fever, Marlon Fuentes, Michelle Q, Monalisa, MZA, Panamami, Phatrick, Phersone, Phyz Ed, Plann B, Puffs, Raul Campos, Re-Mitch, Rick Wren, Rudy Carmona, Scott K, Sean O, Selectra, Seven 57, Sloe Poke, Soluz, Wordamouth, Wyatt Case

Host/performers...
Quetzal Querrero, Derrick Buck, E Reece, KG Superstar & Mayda Del Valle

Live art by, Mear One & Outdoor Art Gallery by Analigital
This years beneficiaries; Marvista Family Center, Sound Art,
Peace 4 Kids & Pio Pico Ms Music Program

"Legend's Hip Hop" by Justin Bua

Pick up Justin Bua's new book and get it signed by the man himself at Amoeba Music in Hollywood (6400 W Sunset Blvd.) Here's the info....

Internationally acclaimed artist Justin Bua celebrates the release of his new art book, "The Legends of Hip Hop" with a book signing event at Amoeba Hollywood. With a forward by Chuck D, his new book is an an intimate look at the visionaries, the movers and the shakers and the pioneers who have helped shape the world of hip hop.

DJ Qbert is featured in the book and will be spinning at 6pm to kick off the event and will sign copies of the book with Justin. Book will be available for purchase at Amoeba day of the event.

Thank You! Low Key 1 Year Anniversary

I just wanted to thank everyone who came to celebrate our 1 year anniversary at Low Key. A very special thanks to Anthony Valadez, DJ Cee Brown & Jimetta Rose for truly blessing us with their talents! Peep the photo recap by yours truly (below) & Anthony Valdez HERE. Check us next time on Wednesday Nov 23rd, the night before Thanksgivings.

*Photography by Ervin Arana 2011

Low Key 1 Year Anniversary

A year ago I started a night called Low Key, focusing on the more soulful side of me & it's been a great journey. Many thanks to all of our past guest & everyone who's supporting us throughout the year! This Wednesday night is our 1 year anniversary & to help us celebrate, KCRW's Anthony Valadez & Bodega's DJ Cee Brown will be blessing us on the decks. Always FREE at Carbon 9300 Venice Blvd in Culver City. Hope to see you there!

Cherry Poppin

Tonight, I've been invited to spin at Cherry Poppin with DJ Jedi (Root Down). This night is for those who truly appreciate that soulful, sexy r&b sound. That's right up my alley, so I already know it's going to be a great night! Hope to see some of you there, here's the info....

Quinto Sol live at Irie Sundays

This past Sunday Night two of my favorite reggae/cumbia bands played live Irie Sundays. Let me just say, if you missed that show you missed a GREAT one. The video clips don't do them justice, but I'll share anyways, enjoy.....

Rumbankete live at Descarga

Just wanted to send a quick shout to everyone who came out to Descarga this past Saturday! If you missed it, here's a snippet...

DJ Destroyer at Low Key

On Wed Sept 28th, Low Key is honored to have special guest DJ Destroyer. If you don't know, join us and find out. You won't regret it! Always free at Carbon (9300 Venice Blvd in Culver City)



DJ, producer, remixer, Aaron Paar a.k.a. Destroyer was born in Nottingham, U.K. raised in Los Angeles, California and has been an active figure in the LA club and recording scene since the late 80′s. With a family music background as well as strong underground roots, Aaron continues to stay on the cutting edge of Club/Hip Hop+Soul music cultures. He cut his teeth in the early 90′s rave/loft scene in Los Angeles and currently holds residencies at Fast FWD @ Little Temple, and One of LA’s signature Eclectic Soul nights, Strictly Social. Aaron has touched the turntables at just about every club or bar in Los Angeles as well as booking gigs in San Francisco, NY, Las Vegas, Portland and San Diego. Look out for Aaron’s Remix work on the artist Rogiers remix/rejects album entitled “My Gift” as well as the Anthony Valadez remix project on Recordbreakin’. Expect to hear Destroyer displaying many different genres in his Soul driven sets geared for dancefloors worldwide.

Ghetto Dreams

Heard the snippet when it was floating around the internet, but I'm just now hearing the song in it's entirety and.... Wow, I'll just say, I'm stupid excited about hip hop again! Much much respect to Nas & Common!!!

Low Key

Just a little reminder, every 2nd & 4th Wednesday I hold down a residency called Low Key at Carbon in Culver City. This night is a reflection of who I am musically. So swing by sometime & get to know me.

Funky Sole

This Saturday I'm happy to be spinning at LA's favorite funk night. All vinyl & of course all FUNK!!! Doors open a little late, around 11pm & I'm going on at 12:15am & would love to see some familiar faces. FREE all night, the Echo 1822 Sunset Blvd LA 90026

Alika live at Little Temple

Straight out of Argentina, Alika performs live at Little Temple, backed by one of my favorite LA reggae bands, Quinto Sol. Tonight w DJ sets by DJ Sloe Poke & urs truly!

Soulstice

I got to see the lovely Gina Rene perform at Nu Thurdays tonight. I highly recommend you pick up Soulstice' new album titled In The Light, you won't regret it!

*Photo by Ervin Arana 2011

Beats, Rhymes & Life

Michael Rapaport's documentary film directed about one of the most influential & groundbreaking musical groups in hip hop history. I got to see the film earlier today & thought is was truly insightful. The title saids it all, "Beats, Rhymes & Life; The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest."

Please go out & support this film. It premiers in LA at the Achlight theater on Friday July 8th; 6360 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA. Click HERE to watch the preview.

Nasty

Nasty Nas at it again! His first single "Nasty" produced by Salaam Remi has been floating around the internet. So I thought I'd pass it along, check it... Download it HERE

While I'm at it, I'll share another one of my favorites. "New York State Of Mind (Featuring Alicia Keys & Rakim)" Enjoy.

DJ Nu-Mark Toy Set

Wow!!! I've always heard about DJ Nu-Mark's DJ Toy Set, and I'm not sure what I thought, but I didn't image it to be this DOPE!!! Much much respect to DJ Nu-Mark, thank you for the inspiration! Make sure you keep up with this cat at unclenu.com