San Diego Free Press

Grassroots News & Progressive Views

You are here: Home / Archives for Culture / Arts

Desde la Logan’s Las Monthly Ondas April Edition: Chicano Park Celebrates 43 Years

by

On April 22, 1970 a rag tag group of artists, activists, and community members joined forces and took over the land underneath the San Diego-Coronado Bridge in Barrio Logan. At the time, construction was about to begin on the building of a California Highway Patrol substation. For many years, residents of Barrio Logan had been promised a park. Seeing the pending creation of a CHP substation was the straw that broke this barrio’s back.

City College student Mario Solis, the Paul Revere of Chicano Park, discovered bulldozers on the site and immediately began to spread the word. He burst into the Chicano Studies class of professor Gil Robledo and let all present know what was going down under the bridge. At noon, Chicano high school students from San Diego High and other area schools walked out and marched to the construction site.

Protesters formed human chains around the bulldozers. Many demonstrators planted trees, flowers and cactus. The community wanted their park. As the crowd swelled to over 250 people, construction on the site was called off. The community took action and occupied Chicano Park for a total of twelve days. With many protesters coming from outside of San Diego after hearing the news of the occupation.   [Read more…]

Nay to Hate and Yea to Culture at ECC

by

Board meetings are usually not my cup of tea. But I attended one, not too long ago, at the Educational Cultural Complex (ECC) and as I sat there, anticipating data reports and budget considerations and other matters that might lead me to want to cop some Z’s, I experienced a few moments that absolutely captivated me.

Like, all of a sudden, from behind me, during a section of the meeting that highlighted “Community Connections,” I hear a woman walking towards the stage belting out:

“They call it stormy Monday

but Tuesday’s just as bad.”

And the next thing I know my shoulders are gliding from side to side and my head is doing likewise and my size 14 feet are patting along with my fingers that are popping to the beat and right away three more singers got me leaning forward in my seat with:

“Wednesday’s worse and Thursday’s also sad.”

Oh, such sweet music from my past. For a moment my mind began to stray to times when I had my moments up there where those singers stirred my spirit in song.   [Read more…]

San Diego For Free: The Natural History Museum – Balboa Park

by

A weekly column dedicated to sharing the best sights and activities in San Diego at the best price – free! We have a great city and you don’t need to break the bank to experience it.

The Natural History Museum – Balboa Park

Address: 1788 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101 (Balboa Park)

Free Hours: First Tuesday of each month from 10 AM – 5 PM (Free for San Diego County residents and active-duty military, with ID)

Best For: Children, the naturally inquisitive, the curious, those looking for a break from the computer

The large white museum just off Park Boulevard in Balboa Park houses the San Diego Natural History Museum. If you’ve been to the zoo or museum campus of Balboa Park you’ve probably noticed the large structure and if you haven’t been inside yet you should take a visit. There is sure to be something of interest to you whether you are aged 5 years or 50.   [Read more…]

Alma Rodriguez: The ‘Little Napoleon’ Behind Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center in North Park

by

Alma Rodriguez’s childhood nickname was “Little Napoleon.”

At first glance, the obvious reason is her just more than 4-foot stature. But after a conversation about how she came to be the queen at the Queen Bee’s Art and Cultural Center in North Park, it’s her determination and self-proclaimed “need to be in control” that earns her the title.   [Read more…]

Desde la Logan presents March’s Las Monthly Ondas featuring: Art of Body : Body of Art – 6th Annual Día de la Mujer Exhibition at The Front

by

By Brent E. Beltrán

Every March 8 throughout the world women and their male allies come together to celebrate International Women’s Day. For the sixth straight year the dedicated, hard working people at Casa Familiar’s The Front will organize an art exhibition and night of culture to honor and celebrate the artistic contributions of females in the San Diego/Tijuana border region.

As a member of the Red CalacArts Collective I had the honor of playing a minor role in The Front’s first women’s celebration. Now, as a writer, I am equally honored to help spread the word about this beautiful, annual event. Recently, I had the privilege to communicate with Leticia Gomez Franco, The Front’s Gallery and Exhibitions Director. She broke down the reason why art spaces like The Front are necessary, why it is important to celebrate día de la mujer internacional, what the local San Ysidro reaction to The Front’s work is and what makes their event so successful.   [Read more…]

North Park’s Ray @ Night: What is Art?

by

By Mic Porte

The folks on Ray Street, one block just off University Ave. in North Park, on second Saturday evening of the month host San Diego’s longest running ART event: Ray at Night.

Last week’s event (February 9) held on a a crisp San Diego evening, saw the usual friendly crowd of artists and art lovers from all over, locals and tourists alike. Several art and craft galleries, shops and offices turned into galleries for the evening; the Art Center opened their doors, and art spilled out onto the street. Vendors of food, clothing and accessories, and objets d’art sprouted along the sidewalks tempting the passers-by.

Until 8pm, when the band starts up, poets (many of them students from San Diego State) take turns at the open microphone set up in the street, sharing their latest. I would call it a “poetry slam”, but “slam” wouldn’t do justice to the sensitivity, wordcraft , and humor, of the poets. Very cool.   [Read more…]

Desde la Logan: Las Monthly Ondas February Edition featuring The HeART of Loteria

by

If you’re of Mexican descent then at some point in your life you have probably played the ubiquitous game Loteria. For those who are not Mexican Loteria is somewhat similar to Bingo except you use numbered playing cards with iconic images on them such as La Calavera, El Borracho, El Catrín, La Luna, El Diablito, La Muerte and many others instead of numbered balls.

Ruben Torres, who I wrote about in a previous column called Love Thy Neighbor. It’s Not About Charity, It’s About Humanity, has teamed up with a collective of creative Southern Cali folks to curate a massive art exhibit, to be held at the Centro Cultural de la Raza, called The HeART of Loteria.

Ruben told me that “the opening reception is meant to celebrate a family tradition through art, performance, food and Loteria game play. It is meant to be an experience that is rich with Loteria inspired imagery and art. There will be about 200 art pieces that will be featured, created by artists from all walks of life. There will be two main experiences – inside and outside.   [Read more…]

Desde la Logan: Casa Galería Brings Art and Culture to the Historic Barrio District

by

In an old Victorian house located on Island St. in the barrio of Sherman Heights sits San Diego’s newest art gallery. Casa Galería, located at the historic Founders’ House, is managed by the Historic Barrio District Community Development Corporation (HBD CDC). The HBD CDC is a nonprofit organization committed to addressing the needs of the communities of Sherman Heights, Logan Heights, Grant Hill, Memorial and Stockton. The Historic Barrio District presents itself as a Mecca of art, culture, history and activism that promotes community pride, economic opportunities and a healthy environment for all of its residents.

The HBD CDC’s latest project, among their many, is Casa Galería. Casa Galería is a community space dedicated to cultivating and celebrating Chicano/Latino arts and culture in San Diego’s historic barrios. The gallery will provide a space for local and international Chicano/Latino artists to showcase their art and will embrace visual, literary, musical, textile and craft artists by presenting quality work that will engage the residents, neighbors and the San Diego community at large.   [Read more…]

Desde la Logan: Loyola University Students Experience the Community that is Chicano Park

by

On a cold, blustery day in Barrio Logan’s Chicano Park my toddler son Dino and I had the opportunity to connect with some college students from Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland who were in San Diego for their annual Project Mexico trip. Project Mexico is a program of the university’s Center for Community Service and Justice.

The Center’s website states that Project Mexico provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to immerse themselves in a 10-day intense service and educational exchange with the peoples and communities of Mexicali and San Diego. During their stay in Mexico students participate in community directed projects and engage in cultural and social activities and education programs that address topics such as immigration, the environment, human rights and political and economic issues.   [Read more…]

How a Plan Comes Together Part II: Dino-Soar Float Takes Flight

by

Arlene Buchmann and the La Cañada-Flintridge volunteers put the finishing touches on their entry in the 2013 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. This is part 2 of Arlene’s photo diary.   [Read more…]

How a Plan Comes Together: The Construction of a Rose Parade Float

by

Ever wonder how those incredible Rose Parade floats are made? Arlene Buchmann, a graduate of Mission Bay High School, volunteers every year to help plan and construct the La Cañada/Flintridge float entry for the annual Rose Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena. This year she was kind enough to share some photos and commentary about how it all comes together. Enjoy!   [Read more…]

Free Miracles at the Museum of Contemporary Art, La Jolla

by

By Mic Porte

Thursday, January 17, 2013 is the last “free evening”, (free third Thursdays evening 5-7pm) of the current art exposition, Behold, America!,  at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, and the place to get yourself a miracle.

Artist Paul Kos , in 1989, created a multi-media, inter-active installation artwork to surprise and delight folks of all ages.   Called “Guadalupe Bell,” his intention is to create that “aha!” moment, “witnessing the miracle” of the appearance of St. Guadalupe to the native Mexican people in 1573, to assuage the pain of the Spanish invasion.   It is always a joyful miracle when you laugh in delight, as I did, visiting the expo recently with my two nieces.  Under the watchful eye of the museum “angels”, some of the nicest museum guards you will ever meet, go ahead and ring that bell, and get your miracle moment.   [Read more…]

©2010-2017 SanDiegoFreePress.org

Code is Poetry