WORKSHOP: SATURDAY  APRIL 3rd @ 11 am

 

Portrait of Place | Lauren Bartone

The current exhibition on view in the windows of The Red Poppy Art House

ARTIST STATEMENT

Making art is how I raise a question or explore a problem. This means my work is often driven by subject matter that I have personal experience with; subjects from my daily life that challenge me. Paper trash, found objects, and site-specific materials become important in my work because of the experiences they reference. In public works, I produce images with the materials brought to the project by participants, and the result is the product of some form of dialogue. In my paintings and sculptures, the materials are borrowed from everyday life and are transformed, or are represented as subject matter. In either case, I enjoy finding meaning in the little bits of refuse that are leftover from my daily life.

PROGRAM (ONLINE) APRIL 3rd

Video: “ASIAN AMERICAN BLUES” by Kyoko Takenaka

“HOME IN ASIAN AMERICA”

Multimedia + Live music + q&a from artist Kyoko Takenaka

Director, musician, filmmaker, and actor Kyoko Takenaka will perform “If We All Wait,” a powerful song about Asian American history; and share segments from their multimedia piece, “HOME,” and “Kung Flu Virus: Come Fly Me Away” followed by a short Q&A.

Artist Statement

As a first generation Japanese-American artist living in Tongva Land, I have found myself yearning to explore just what it means to “go back to your country” during the time of COVID-19—when Anti-Asian hate crimes continue to rise in America. I have never lived in Japan and grew up in the states all of my life. But this land, Tongva land, was never ours to claim and it feels Asian- Americans are constantly and starkly reminded that no matter our journey, no matter how many decades or generations of pursuing the American dream, we can always belong, but rarely feel a complete belonging.

        I compare my yearning to my parents:

       What myths do we each hold about the promise of faraway places?

Dedicated to Vicha Ratanapakdee, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Yue, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, and all of our Asian-American elders who moved to America, with this promise and hope of faraway places.

Video: KUNG FLU VIRUS: COME FLY ME AWAY

Why are you keeping me here? You said I don’t belong here – Kung flu Virus, come fly me away.”

 “I feel like I’m exploring three sides of me here in Japan –

one that feels distinctly American, that feels like a lucky giddy visitor taking it all in for the first time; one that deeply and ancestrally remembers the familiarity of this land and can finally breathe easier and tread lightly;

and the curious non-binary Asian-American artist that holds both dualities, and explores a new creative space where their art is no longer driven entirely by diasporic anger.

But it’s that same curiosity that is often met with this deep isolation and knowing—that no matter where I physically go, I will never be separated from this rooted anger and grief, or be able to escape the never-ending longing for home.”

Video: “Home” by Kyoko Takenaka Video info: “These are real-life audio recordings from men who came up to me in bars. I made this film, HOME, encapsulating over 7 years of recorded micro-aggressions. It’s a visual + sonic collage of my experiences growing up in America as an Asian-American femme.” – Kyoko Takenaka 

In “Home,” artist and filmmaker Kyoko Takenaka unveil a visual and sonic portrait of belonging and memory in four chapters. Calling upon the experiences that underline their otherness as an Asian-American, the film chronicles their contemplations through original song and poetry, as well as video clips, audio recordings, and digital conversations captured from real-life experiences over the span of seven years. Through references to pop culture, racist imitations of Asians, and a defining return to their childhood home, “Home” is a multimedia statement on how the affirmation of culture, resistance, and resilience can disrupt enduring myths and redeem our histories.

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Kyoko Takenaka (they/them) is a multi-disciplinary performance artist, actor, musician, filmmaker, and movement facilitator based between Tongva land (L.A.), Tokyo, and London. Their name Kyoko means “vibrations of sound child” in Japanese. Kyoko believes in artistic expression as a conduit for personal and collective liberation and is constantly exploring un-binary ways of thinking, moving, and creating.

Takenaka’s multimedia piece, “Home,” has garnered much attention in the media this past week, and has been recognized by the Japan Film Festival, L.A. Shorts International Film Festival, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, and performed at the Japanese American National Museum and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival.

They are also the guitarist/singer-songwriter of the queer multi- continental band, ‘Wastewomxn’, channeling diasporic experience and Afro-Asian unity and liberation through their work.

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A little bird, a little light

Stories of spring sung with gayageum

A folky Korean tune from China, a yearning waltz from Brazil, and a midcentury ballad from the States, plus Joyce’s original songs on gayageum 

Featuring:

Joyce Kwon – voice & gayageum (traditional Korean instrument)

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Joyce Kwon is a singer, composer, and gayageum player making folk music for folks of the diaspora. She released her album “Dream of Home” for those who reside in between, marginalized in their homeland and out of place in the motherland. A graduate of UC Berkeley, Joyce is the eldest of three sister bears (go bears!) and got her master’s degree in jazz voice at the Manhattan School of Music, before continuing her gayageum studies in Seoul. She now resides in Los Angeles, looking forward to a future of sitting in cramped restaurants with friends and wearing shoes without holes.

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Ali Dineen

Songs from the Saint Joan Suite

Ali Dineen will perform songs from the work in progress, the Saint Joan Suite, based on the life and transgender identity of the historical figure and Saint Joan of Arc. Ali began this project while in a residency in the winter of 2020 and has been developing it ever since. Ali will also perform a shadow puppet “cranky” based on a song from the Georgia Sea Islands.

Featuring:

Ali Dineen – voice and piano and Shadow Puppet 

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Hailing from Queens NY, Ali Dineen is an artist & teacher who has performed her original music regularly in New York City and across the so-called United States. Ali’s lyrics highlight the intersections between personal experience, larger histories, and systems of power. Ali has performed at the Museum of Art and Design, the Caramoor American Roots Music Festival, the Savannah Music Festival, the American Folk Art Museum, and the Brooklyn Folk Festival. Ali was awarded the Helene Wurlitzer Foundation Residency in Taos, New Mexico in the winter of 2020. Ali teaches voice and harmony at the Jalopy Theatre and School of Music, works with local Brooklyn puppet troupe extraordinaire The Boxcutter Collective, and performs in a duet with Feral Foster. Ali released her third album, “Hold On,”  in February of 2020. 

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Louda y Los Bad Hombres

Music, Art, Activism, Nuevo Latino Soul

Louda y Los Bad Hombres are a paella of art, music and activism surging from San Francisco. Including acoustic bass, Latin, and other eccentric percussions, Louda y Los Bad Hombres house a signature bilingual sound blending Latin and American rhythms with performance excellence led by charismatic powerhouse vocalist, Louda. Tune into this Nuevo Latino Soul group with original compositions and reimagined classics, streaming everywhere. They were featured in the Bay Area’s Longest running bilingual newspaper, El Tecolote, for performing at The Chapel pre-pandemic, December 2019.

Instagram, Facebook, Spotify

Featuring:

Alex Shapiro-romano – Drums

Dave Eagle – Percussion

Jeff Gomez – Art And Percussion

Leo Nava – Guitar

Marley Edwards –  Bass

Louda Laura Camacho – Vocals

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Alex Shapiro- Romano grew up in the Bay Area and has been playing drums since he was a boy. During high school, he was the drummer in the Berkeley High Jazz Ensemble and won multiple awards. Alex graduated from the California Jazz Conservatory in 2019 with a B.M. in jazz studies. While going to CJC he met the Bad Hombres and Louda. In addition to playing drums, Alex composes and produces music. 

Marley Edwards is from Redwood City. He started playing electric bass about 15 years ago and then moved to stand-up bass not long after. He has studied Jazz music for 8 years, first at the College of San Mateo, and then at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley where he received a B.M. in Jazz studies in May 2019. Marley is interested in playing different styles of music in an authentic way, especially music from other countries. Hearing music from his mother’s home country of Nicaragua has no doubt led to this interest. 

Jeff Gomez is a graphic artist and musician living in San Francisco. He has been drawing since before he can walk. In high school, he picked up guitar and drums to further his creative adventures. He left his Southern California home to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration at California College of the Arts in San Francisco. His style in art, music, and life has always been influenced by the vibrant colors and melodies of his Mexican American upbringing, and his curiosity and admiration of all cultures.

Leo Nava‘s interest in music began at three years old in the backyard of Tia’s house warming party. A mariachi band had been hired to play, and they found their biggest fan in little Leo, who stood in front of them, enamored, through the whole party. Since then Leo has spent a lifetime studying, composing, teaching, and playing music. He graduated from the California Jazz Conservatory in 2016 with a BM in Jazz Studies. Since then he has focused on teaching and composing and arranging music for Louda y Los Bad Hombres. His goal is to blend music from his Latinx heritage with modern jazz and hip-hop. 

Dave Eagle is a Berkeley native who has been playing percussion before he could walk. His musical abilities were greatly influenced by his father, who is a conga drummer and a collector of world music, and Capoeira Mestre who introduced him to Brazilian culture and music. Now you can find him in the community playing weekly at a church and at many senior centers throughout the Bay Area. He also plays most nights at local venues with different bands, playing many styles and instruments; including New Orleans, Boogie and Blues washboard, Brazilian, Latin, Reggae, and more. Dave lives his life trying to spread the love of music to make people happy and dance! 

Laura Camacho, a Chicago native, has been creating in the Bay Area since 2017. Beginning her classical career at Jones College Prep, she pursued a BA in Music at Northeastern Illinois University, where she took part in classical, theatrical, and jazz ensembles. From 2011 to 2014, she began her commercial assent into the music industry joining the Chicago ska band, Run and Punch. Without haste, she launched her solo career as LOUDA. Since 2017, LOUDA y Los Bad Hombres has been a collaborative ensemble of Art, Music, and Activism. Switching stages, Laura is also a music teacher and has been MC/host for local not-for-profit events.

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TRIO CAMINOS

Acoustic Rivers

TRIO CAMINOS puts together a fun mix of rhythms, grooves, and musical styles including Latin, Flamenco, Jazz, and Venezuelan Music (Joropo, Vals, Merengue). Lifelong performers are coming together on this occasion for some serious jamming to uplift our spirits.

Featuring:

Carlos Caminos- Guitar

Sascha Jacobsen – Bass 

Marlon Aldana- Percussion 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS:

Marlon Aldana, Drummer and Percussionist born in Guadalajara, Mexico. Aldana is a multi-genre accompanist and educator based in Berkeley California. As a young musician, Aldana exposed himself to many styles, and joined many groups, from Cumbia and Salsa to Rock, Funk, and Metal.  Aldana has shared stage with renowned artists such as Flamenco guitarists and Grammy Award winner Antonio Rey, Legendary Rumbero John Santos, former Pedrito Martinez pianist Edgar Pantoja, Jazz Mafia, Jose Luis de La Paz, Bay Area Bassist Jeff Chambers, Flamenco Pianist Alex Conde, Flamenco singers Mara Rey, Jose Mendez, Jesus Montoya, Manuel Moreno Carrasco, Flamenco Dancers Alfonso Losa, Andres Peña, Ivan Vargas, Juan Ogalla, Fanny Ara and may others.

In 2018 and 2019 Aldana collaborated and accompanied the Oakland Symphony led by Conductor Omid Zoufonoun. Thanks to his career trajectory Aldana was granted a scholarship at the California Jazz Conservatory where he currently studies. Aldana is now working on building an independent home studio and writing/composing some material of his own.

Sascha Jacobsen was born into a musical family, going as far back as his great, great, great, great-grandfather, who was a bassist for the Moscow Opera. He completed a Master’s degree at the University of Southern California and has served on the faculty at The California Jazz Conservatory, Humboldt State University, Laney College, Golden Gate Bass Camp, and the Sequoia Chamber Music Festival. Sascha has performed with  Kronos Quartet, Rita Moreno, Hugh Jackman, Martin Short, Mandy Patinkin & Patti LuPone, Marc Shaiman, Bonnie Raitt, Randy Newman, Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth, Andrew Lippa, and many others. He is the founder of the Musical Art Quintet which performs his original works. Strad Magazine says his music is “…Stylish and Vigorous…beautifully arranged”. SF Bay Guardian says “composer-bassist Sascha Jacobsen’s concoctions hop nimbly through a world of styles while impressing with ear-catching intricacy and handsome technique.”. East Bay Express says “Classical Music is sexy again”.  SF Weekly says: “Classical training and a taste for evocative melodies underpin this sound”.

He is in demand as a performer, composer, and arranger with commissions from the San Francisco Arts Council, San Jose Chamber Orchestra, San Jose Dance, San Jose Youth Symphony, Berkeley Youth Symphony, and SF Friends of Chamber Music.  

Carlos Caminos is a Venezuelan-American musician, composer, and performer with over 25 years of experience performing as a Guitarist. A long career has taken him on a journey of very diverse projects and collaborations. His project, Caminos Music is the result of years developing a passion for learning: Flamenco (Bulerías, Soleá por Bulería, Alegrías, Fandangos de Huelva, among others), Latin Music (Salsa, Bolero, Son, Tangos, Cumbia, and more), Venezuelan Music (Joropo, Vals, Merengue) and Latin Jazz.

Carlos Caminos has co-founded several projects: Raíz de Agua, a Live Music and Theatrical Dance group with choreographer Juliana Mendonca and music producer Jorge Espinoza; Latifonía, a project of Latin American and European Music for Band and Symphonic Orchestra; A Tono Acústico, contemporary Venezuelan Music; New Caminos Duo, Piano – Guitar recitals with Classical Pianist Sebastian New; Trio Caminos, Flamenco, and Latin American Music acoustic music project. He has lived in different countries, attaining musical experience from diverse sources. Growing up and performing in South America made Latin Music part of his musical heritage. Studying in Granada, Spain, with local Flamenco Guitar teachers allowed him to dive further into this unique guitar culture. Living in the U.S.A. has set the stage for interaction with great artists working for very diverse projects that include Physical Theater, Contemporary Dance, art shows, Tango music, Reggae, Flamenco, Electronic music, and more.

 

PREVIEW THE PERFORMANCE  

Asian American Blues by Kyoko Jinjabrew

Dream of home … but don’t go back there by Joyce Kwon

little bird by Joyce Kwon

I Know Moonlight, I Know Starlight by Ali Dineen

 

Louda y Los Bad Hombres

MARIA LAYA: New Caminos Duo

Trio Caminos @RPAH

ACreative Map Making | Lauren Bartone

ONLINE EVENT DETAILS 

Time: June 5th, 2021, 7:00 pm -10:00 pm 

Admission: Free (donations are encouraged)

Tune in 10 minutes before each event starts to test your devices for connection.

The event will be streamed live through the Red Poppy Art House Facebook page