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TREKKING LA NEWS & EVENTS AUGUST 2008 | |
  How Do You Do BBQ? Join us for a BBQ and music adventure in Leimert Park, the third stop on our LA BBQ tour. Come and taste secret BBQ recipes handed down from generation to generation and hear the fascinating stories behind the sauce. And, eat your "Q" and cobbler while enjoying the multi-textured rhythms of Leimert Park at the World Stage Jazz Festival.
Leimert Park Village, photographed here, is alive with restaurants,
specialty clothing stores, theaters and more. Photo by Cristina Ortiz
Artists and musicians will guide you through the neighborhood visiting galleries and gift shops with unique objects, collectibles, jewelry and clothing imported from locales throughout the African diaspora. As part of the experience, you will also have the opportunity to be stimulated by the amazing murals and colorful expressions to be found in all the nooks and crannies of the neighborhood. August 10th Information
BBQ adventure in Leimert Park, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm The tour starts at the fountain in Leimert Park 4395 Leimert Boulevard, LA, 90008
Cost: $20 RSVP and Info: rsvp@lacommons.org or (323) 282-3563.To pay in advance, go to www.trekkingla.org and click on the donate link. | |
 World Stage Jazz Festival Celebrates In Leimert Park
In the heart of Leimert Park Village lies the World Stage, a vibrant performance arts gallery and educational center dedicated to supporting African American traditions in music and literature. S.H.I.N.E. Mawusi performs at the Santa Monica GLOW festival on July 19, 2008. Photo by Clint Rosemond
Since its founding in 1989 by the late world renowned master jazz drummer Billy Higgins and by poet and community arts activist Kamau Da’ood, the Stage has grown as a destination for musicians, poets, writers, singers and storytellers and continues to play a strong role in the arts community of Leimert Park. For every night of the week, there is a performance workshop open to the community, from Drum Mondays, Writers’ Wednesdays, to Jazz Sundays.
Next month, the World Stage will host its own Jazz Festival, on August 10 from 12 noon to 7 p.m. This years’ concert will feature artists such as The Roy McCurdy Quartet, Bobby Matos & his Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, and the all-female drumming group, SHINE Mawusi. SHINE On
Started as a support group for women who drum, SHINE (Sisters Healing Inspiring Nurturing Empowering) now stands as a unique force in the community of drum circles around Los Angeles. Focusing on the traditional rhythms of West Africa, the ensemble that now includes drummers and dancers brings a powerful energy by drawing on centuries of rhythm and the creativity of the female spirit. Not to be missed at this year’s World Stage Jazz Festival! | |
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TrekkingLA BBQ Tour Recap: Past events in Highland Park and Thai Town  The idea of naming this series of neighborhood tours “How do you do BBQ?” was initiated when a group of us at LA Commons were discussing the different ways people around the world eat BBQ and the social and cultural meaning that it holds in various cultures. No matter where one hails from, a BBQ is a time to gather with friends and family members to tell stories and enjoy each other’s company. Since we are so fortunate to live in our multi-cultural, multi-ethnic city, we thought a unique opportunity existed to explore the different ways people do BBQ and the associated stories by visiting culturally diverse neighborhoods across Los Angeles. Our first stop, on June 22, took us to Avenue 50 Studio, a wonderful art space in Highland Park, where “barbacoa” was on the menu. Those present ate delicious lamb and chicken cooked in a hole in the ground using the traditional techniques of the original barbecues of the Mexican vaqueros, and listened to the delightful sounds of Las Cafeteras, a group of young musicians playing Son Jarocho music. During this event we also launched our website, TrekkingLA.org, which is dedicated to making it easy and fun for people to connect to authentic LA and the people who are at the heart and soul of the city.  Traditional Isan dancing at Thailand Plaza on August 12, 2008. Photo by Cristina Ortiz
Next we visited Thai town on July 12 to learn up close how Thais do BBQ. Our host was the lively and engaging Chef Jet Tila, well known for his appearances on the Food Network and LA’s own “Good Food” on KCRW. Tila showed our guests how to make the original “Thai BBQ” and other gastronomic specialties of the ISAN region of Thailand and answered not questions related to thai cooking but also Thai culture in general. After enjoying the delicious meal at Red Corner Restaurant, we made stops at local stores to buy Thai sweets and the authentic Thai ingredients used in the recipes and the “Thai spirit house” to learn more about Thai religious practices. The tour finished with a delicious dessert at Thailand Plaza Restaurant and a participatory Thai dance performance led by local cultural emissary and hairdresser, Faroh. As one of our participants wrote: ” “The market! The chef! The dancing! All was great!”Don’t miss our next stop “How do you do BBQ” at Leimert Park, Aug 10. We hope to see you there! | |
