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Celebrating our Culture, History, and the Arts

October  2007

Bienvenidos!

It's been a busy month here at Olvera-Street.com; a new year of school starting for all, preparation for Dia de los Muertos, and the temporary relocation of our flagship store, Casa Belen from Olvera Street's center to the plaza area as the center of the street is being renovated.

Six stores are scheduled to be work on at a time, as the ground is drilled to update the electrical wiring. In the true spirit of L.A., the historic puestos will receive a facelift. Our Overseers (El Pueblo) estimate the entire process will take anywhere from four to 18 months.

Meanwhile, the new manager of Olvera Street was busy canceling the “Annual Dia de los Muertos Juried Exhibition.” For 16 years Ginette Rondeau attracted tens of thousands of visitors to Olvera Street to see art and learn about our culture and traditions. But no longer. See her epitaph below.

Pardon the pun, but you can’t kill Dia de los Muertos, and Ms. Rondeau, a fourth-generation Olvera Street merchant, will be featuring her “Mailbox to Heaven” and the oddly controversial “Altar to the Iraq War” in several other locals, including: Casa Belen and Olverita’s Village at Olvera Street, the Hollywood Forever cemetery, the ”Power of Art” in Redondo Beach and at “Festival de La Gente” in downtown Los Angeles and at the “Dia De Los Muertos Collective Art Show” at the Casita Del Pueblo in Uptown Whittier .

Meanwhile, the Novenaria processions will take place on Olvera Street nightly at 7 PM from October 25 though November 2. Fiesta Muertos is November 3 and 4, with children's workshops, face painting and free entertainment, and the art exhibit “Sacred Memory: Honoring the Dead Across Cultures” runs October 20-November 17 at the Pico House, 424 North Main Street.

Other October highlights on Olvera Street include “Groove to Your Health," an annual free health festival on October 13 highlighting a connection between dance and fitness. An Afro-Brazilian street parade, hula-hooping, and free health screenings and a good and healthy time will be had by all.

Also, “The Latin Grammys Street Festival” will be held outside Olvera Street on October 21 from 12 PM –7 PM It’s also free.

Make sure to visit our “”See L.A.! so you can plan your fun with your family and friends. We have links to various places right here in Los Angeles for you to explore. It’s a great page to bookmark for your reference. All in all, an Oktoberfeast of goodness at Olvera Street. All this and more, this month ....

What’s Happening at
Olvera Street!

The California Endowment Healthy
Neighborhood Festival
"Groove to Your Health"

The California Endowment Healthy Neighborhood Festival "Groove to Your Health"

October 13, 2007

"Groove to Your Health" is the Center for Healthy Communities' second annual health festival highlighting the connection between dance and fitness. This year's event features an Afro-Brazilian street parade, music and dancing from around the world, hula-hooping, tumbling and martial arts workshops, a community art project, free health screenings and information booths about health services. Admission, refreshments and parking are free at this interactive event for all ages. 

Time: A 9:45 PM procession for school groups begins at El Pueblo Historical Monument, home of Word Famous Olvera Street.

10 PM - 4 PM festival at The California Endowment, 1000 N. Alameda Street, Los Angeles, 90012

Admission: Free    Telephone: (866) 833-3533

Website: http://www.calendow.org/chc/upcoming.html

The Latin Grammys Street Festival

October 21, 2007
12:00 PM -7:00 PM

“The most powerful Latin music comes alive
on the streets of L.A.”

 Presented by All Access Entertainment and
El Pueblo Historical Monument. Free entertainment all day.

Website: http://www.allaccess.la

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS Celebration

on Olvera Street!

October 25-November 2
 

Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead, will be celebrated at El Pueblo Historical Monument, home of the famous Olvera Street. This joyful celebration of departed loved ones includes nine evenings of colorful processions, altar displays, music and refreshments.

Novenaria processions begin on Olvera Street at 7 PM nightly.

November 3-4 is Fiesta Muertos, for elementary children's workshops, face painting and free entertainment all weekend.

For more information please contact:
Valerie Hanley: (213) 716-1373

The art exhibit Sacred Memory: Honoring the Dead Across Cultures runs October 20-November 17  at the Pico House, 424 North Main Street.

For more information call: (213) 625-7074 or (213) 485-8372

***FOR ALL WHO RIDE METRO TO OLVERA STREET*** 
Show your valid Metro pass or Metro Rail ticket and save 20% on any purchase at El Pueblo's Visitor Center, 622 North Main Street. For more information, visit www.lacity.org/elp or call
(213) 485-8372.  Valid through December 31.
 

To learn more about the history of Dia De Los Muertos,
 click here!

The Annual Dia De Los Muertos Juried Exhibition

After 16 award winning years curating the “Annual Dia de los Muertos Juried Exhibition” at Olvera Street and its El Pueblo environs, Ginette Rondeau, a fourth-generation Olvera Street merchant, which lived in the Sepulveda House, who has donated her professional enterprise since she established the annual exhibit on Olvera Street in the early 1990s, was unceremoniously cut off from the show several weeks ago, being told El Pueblo was moving in a different direction with their own employee as an in-house curators.

Any real reasons were not revealed; but perhaps Ms. Rondeau’s exhibits were too edgy or controversial. With annual backing from El Pueblo that ranged between slim and none, Ms. Rondeau was still able to bring in thousands of visitors every year, as well as strong publicity for her shows (last year National Geographic, local television news stations, press, and a feature in a children’s book “Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life And Death” from Capstone Press. In addition, she was very honored when she was recognized for her work by the Mexican Government. She was the only American recipient of a 1994 Grant Award from the Consejo Nacional Para La Cultura Y Las Artes and was asked to curate an exhibition side by side with the Museum of Mexico City: “Dia De Los Muertos: A Celebration Across The Borders.”)

Nonetheless, the spirit of Dia de los Muertos, both in this world and the next, lives on. From the sour lemons of El Pueblo has emerged freshly squeezed lemonade.

“The news was heartbreaking since Olvera Street is not just a business, but it has been my home. Dia De Los Muertos has become a passion. It has been a tradition in my family to give back to the community and share our culture with pride and dignity to all those who come to visit us. Nonetheless, the spirit of Dia de los Muertos continues,” said Ms. Rondeau. “One door is closed, but many others have opened, and those looking for the “Mailbox to Heaven” exhibit, where the public can write letters to loved ones who have passed, will find it in five locations this year. In addition, I will continue to find ways to honor all those who have died in the Iraq War. Our installation of the “Altar of the Iraq War” has created an opportunity for the public to pay their respect as it  has been a special place of healing. We will continue to pay homage, in the spirit of Dia De Los Muertos, to all those who have died in the war as they will not be forgotten.”

“In the spirit of my beautiful Mexican grandmother, Belen Tapia, I am thankful for the privilege of independently producing a place of healing and understanding by spotlighting the enormous talents and heartfelt altars of talented artists and thousands of children throughout the years.  I will continue my work in reaching out new avenues to share this wonderful celebration. I hope the public will still come and experience Dia De Los Muertos here on Olvera Street as it is a treasured time to remember and honor our beloved.” said Ms. Rondeau.

“My thanks to the wonderful support team throughout the years at Olvera Street: The Olvera Street Merchants Association, my mother Irma Tapia, Al Herion, Juliane Backmann, John Trausch, Rebecca Tapia, Margaret Beltran, Dennis Lawver, Tony de Carlo, Ofelia Esparza, Elvira Rojas, Gabino Albino, Debra Anne Davis, First Street School, Virginia Fields: Curator at LACMA and many others. They have all enriched my life and I am forever grateful. I hope public will adopt this wonderful celebration into their own lives.”

To learn more about the history and philosophy about Dia De Los Muertos, click here!

To view Ms. Rondeau’s guide on how to create your own ofrenda, view “The Love of Creating an Altar”

Mailbox to Heaven”
created by Ginette Rondeau

The “Mailbox to Heaven” has been featured at the El Pueblo Gallery and Pico House Gallery for the Annual Dia De Los Muertos Juried Exhibition, since 1992.

For those of you come every year to see the “Altar of the Iraq War, ” this year it will be featured at: 

• Casa Belen, recently relocated temporarily at the plaza area at Olvera Street
• Dia De Los Muertos Celebration at Hollywood Forever
      

The “Mailbox to Heaven” installation will also be featured at:

• The ”Power of Art” in Redondo Beach
• Casa Belen, recently relocated temporarily at the plaza area at Olvera Street
• Olverita’s Village,W-24 Olvera Street
• “Eight Annual Festival de La Gente”
  
  If you know someone who died in the Iraq War and would like to share your story in honor of his or her memory, please submit it to webmaster@Olvera-Street.com Just make sure you write “Stories to Share” in the subject line of your e-mail.
  
  We are looking for communities who would like to make their own Mailbox to Heaven. If you are interested, please contact Ginette Rondeau. To write a private letter to a beloved one, visit: www.MailboxToHeaven.com
  
  For more information about the “Mailbox to Heaven” and the “Altar of the Iraq War” please contact Ginette Rondeau at Rondeau@Olvera-Street.com.

Somebody’s Children

News About Our World Update
Iraq War

At Olvera-Street.com, the spirit of giving, understanding, compassion,
and support goes far beyond our doors.

As of October 8, 2007, according to a CNN count: “There have been 4,116 coalition deaths -- 3,816 Americans, two Australians, 170 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 21 Poles, two Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq. The list are the names of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose deaths have been reported by their country's governments. The list also includes seven employees of the U.S. Defense Department. That is 44 more deaths since September 10, 2007.

At least 28,093 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.  That is 326 more than September 10, 2007..

In 2004 we honored the 1250 Americans who had died in the Iraqi desert; that list has now grown with an additional 2,822 lives cut short. Note: May 1, 2007 marked the four-year anniversary when President Bush announced “Mission Accomplished!” and the end of hostilities in Iraq.

 
  
The first “Altar of the Iraq War” was created on October 28, 2004 to honor and respect the memories and lives of all those who have died. NOTE: The figures do not count the estimated 100,000-200,000 Iraqi deaths, including women and children.

The original altar was featured in a children’s book: “Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life And Death” by Capstone Press and distributed in bookstores around the United States as well as on Amazon and other prominent retailers. National Geographic and NBC News also came out and filmed the exhibition last year.

The “Altar of the Iraq War” was re-created at last year’s “El Amor Eterno” Dia De Los Muertos Juried Exhibition at the Pico House Gallery. There were several thousands of visitors including children who were very touched and left notes of love at the altar. The gallery was created to be a place of healing, understanding and a place of education.
* (The "Altar of the Iraq War" honoring the dead was created by six artists: Ginette Rondeau, Juliane Backmann, Al Herion, Bonjunnie Comostiles, Gabriela Quintero, and John Trausch. The altar does not necessarily reflect the thoughts of the Olvera Street merchants or El Pueblo Historic Monument.)

We send our love to them, their families, and dear friends.

The altar was dedicated to their memories so they won’t be forgotten,
true to the meaning and spirit of íDa De Los Muertos!

Supporting the Arts and Our Community
“Events Around Town”

Habitat for Humanity International
Jimmy Carter Work Project 2007: Los Angeles, California

Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter at work during the JCWP 2006.

Sweat, smiles and dreams mix with sore muscles, energy and celebration every year for the Jimmy Carter Work Project. In 2007 that celebration will surround greater Los Angeles where 100 affordable houses will be built and rehabilitated in a week.

Amid the affluent lifestyle of glass and glamour the West Coast is famous for, more than 1.7 million people live in poverty in Los Angeles County alone. Habitat for Humanity Greater Los Angeles works year round to serve their need for decent housing.

In one special week this year, however, volunteers from all over the world — led by former President Jimmy Carter, his wife Rosalynn and Habitat CEO Jonathan Reckford — will join Angelenos from Oct. 28 to Nov. 2 for the weeklong build. The annual gathering focuses the world’s attention on the need for affordable housing worldwide. Called the Jimmy Carter Work Project, the international event has been an ongoing light raised against poverty housing by the Carters and Habitat for Humanity International since 1984. The 2006 JCWP built 100 houses in Lonavala, India. Previous JCWP work sites are all over the United States and the world. The first weeklong projects were held in New York City in 1984 and 1985.

JCWP Los Angeles will bring together thousands of volunteers from around the world to build side by side with homeowner families in the Los Angeles area who will contribute 500 hours of sweat equity to help build their home. Due to the wonderful response to our call for help in making dreams for a better life come true, all volunteer spaces have been filled. Registration is now closed.

For more information about Habitat for Humanity International visit www.habitat.org

For more information on sponsorship, please contact svalencia@habitatla.org or jcwp@habitat.org.

If you live in the Los Angeles area and are interested in homeownership, please contact sbautista@habitatla.org.

Los Angeles Center for Digital Art

Downtown Art Walk
(Second Thursday of Every Month)

Thursday, October 11, 2007 from 12 - 9 PM
(some locations close earlier, see details on Art Walk map)

The Downtown Art Walk is a free, self-guided tour of the many art exhibition venues in Downtown Los Angeles — commercial art galleries, museums, and non-profit arts venues.

Public information and a printable map of the Downtown Art Walk are available at www.downtownartwalk.com.

Participants in the Downtown Art Walk are The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles Public Library, Grey Goose, Gary Leonard, L.A. Artcore Center, 2nd Street Cigars and Gallery, M. J. Higgins, bank, Continental, Crewest, The Regent Galleries, Pharmaka, Los Angeles Center for Digital Art, El Nopal Press, Bert Green Fine Art, INMO Gallery, Red Dot Gallery, Niche.LA Video Art, Kristi Engle Gallery, Art Murmur Gallery, 626 Gallery, Gallery Waugh, Infusion Gallery, Gallery 727, The Hive Gallery, City Center Gallery, Museum of Neon Art, BOXeight Studios, and the Downtown Art Gallery.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive by public transit, as the Art Walk is easily accessible by the Red, Gold, and Blue line trains which run past midnight, and the area is well served by the

DASH bus system until 6:30 PM. Parking is plentiful in the areas many paid lots and garages, at meters on the street until 4 PM, and free after 6 PM on most streets.

Redondo Beach Art Group Presents:
Alta Vista Power of Art 2007

October 12 - 14, 2007

ART IS SWEAT –a juried, all media Redondo Beach Art Group Exhibition by RBAG artists showcasing their art work. Three days of contemporary art innovations, workshops, music, poetry, storytelling, public art project, film, art education and appreciation.  Friday, Oct. 12 from 7 AM to 10 PM, Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 AM to 10 PM, and Sunday, October 14 from 10 AM to  9 PM.
 

Curated by Robin Hinchliffe.   All free to the public!

ALTA VISTA COMMUNITY HALL AND COURTS
715 Julia Ave.
Redondo Beach CA 90277

For more information please visit:
http://www.redondobeachartgroup.org/poaDk.html
 

Line Dance and Texas Two-Step - Afro-Peruvian Dance - 60's Funky-Fun - Hip Hop -
Salsa, Cha Cha, Merengue, and Samba - Bhangra

Join Active Arts at the Music Center for our first annual A Taste of Dance-A-Thon! Boogie, shake, and shimmy the day away on the Music Center Plaza while raising money for the arts. Share your love of dance, and your love of the arts, with friends and family who can sponsor your dancing feet as you "taste" diverse dance forms throughout the day. Come dance in a sociable, mistakes-allowed, joyful environment.  This fundraising event is designed for everyone, from the first-timer to the experienced dance enthusiast. Dance for as much or as little as you want (6 minutes or 6 hours!) No prior dance experience necessary. Instruction provided. Marathon format is as follows: at the beginning of every hour is a 50-minute dance lesson, followed by a 10-minute break. 
 Register by Oct. 10 for $25; after Oct. 10th fee increases to $35. 

When: October 20, 2007 from 10 AM to 4 PM
Where: Music Center Plaza
135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012

More info: http://www.musiccenter.org/tasteofdancethon.html

MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP

The MARK MORRIS DANCE GROUP Featuring the Southern California Premiere of “Mozart Dances,” a visually stimulating display of movement and technique set to music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Described as a "feast for both eyes and ears", Mozart Dances also features live music by world-renown pianists Garrick Ohlsson and Yoko Nozaki.

Receive 20% off tickets to Mark Morris Dance Group!

3 performances only!

Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Downtown Los Angeles

October 20, 2007 @ 7:30 PM

October 21, 2007 @ 2:00 PM & 7:30 PM

To take advantage of the 20% discount, click here and enter the code: GRMMDG

Dance at the Music Center.

Bringing the art of dance to Southern California.

molaa will host its annual 2-day Art Auction on October 20-21, 2007 at its newly renovated facilities.

The auction weekend will consist of live and silent auctions of more than 250 high-quality paintings, sculptures, photography and drawings by over 100 contemporary artists from throughout Latin America

All 250 plus works are available for public preview during regular museum hours in the molaa Galleries through October 19, 2007

Saturday, October 20, 2007
Silent Auction: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Live Auction: 8:00 PM- 10:00 PM
$100 per person, (Includes: Full-color Catalog, cocktails, heavy hors d¹oeuvres and live music) RSVP at 562.437.1689 or Online.

Sunday, October 21, 2007
Live Auction: 1:00 PM ­ 5:00 PM
Free and open to the public.
Auctioneer: Alex Slato
All proceeds from the event benefit molaa¹s exhibitions and education programs.
RSVP at 562.437.1689 or Online.

To view all 250 plus works available for bid, please click here and download a PDF version of the Auction 07 catalog.

8^th Annual
Festival De La Gente

On The Streets of Los Angeles
at the
Historic 6th Street Bridge

The festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 28, 2007 from 11 AM to 10 PM on Saturday and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sunday, at the historic 6th Street Bridge, the symbolic link between downtown Los Angeles and Boyle Heights; between West Los Angeles and East Los Angeles, in the heart of the city’s Latino community.

The event will feature live music, art exhibits, teatro performances, storytelling, arts and crafts demonstrations and traditional Latin American and international cuisine. Special areas of the event will be dedicated to health, education and community empowerment and will provide interactive activity for children and their families.

For more information: please click here!

Hollywood Forever the only cemetery in the county which opens its doors to commemorate this tradition will hold our annual event

Saturday, October 27, 2007 from 4 PM - 11 PM.

The Event Features

• A traditional spiritual procession in the home of Hollywood's Immortals
• Present life tributes through exhibiting over 100 community altars
• "Noche de Catrinas" sculpture art exhibit
• Theater performances
• Musical performances
• Local Artisans
• Traditional Mexican cuisine

For more information: please click here!

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN THE
CITY OF ANGELS!

Twenty years ago Los Angeles helped launch Cirque du Soleil worldwide. Join Cirque du Soleil under the Blue and Yellow Grand Chapiteau and celebrate the magic of 20 years with Corteo. —

Opening at:
The Forum on Thursday, August 23

Orange County Fairgrounds on Thursday, November 8.

Tickets are on sale now! Call 800.678.5440 or click here today!

Visit 20angels.com and celebrate with us!

Our Olvera-Street.com subscribers
will receive a special discount!

Don’t miss it! A wonderful experience!

Take advantage of a 20% or 30% discount on Category 2 and 3 tickets for selected performances of Corteo! Click here for your EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT OFFER today!!!

LET THE CELEBRATION BEGIN!

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art will present The Arts in Latin America, 1492-1820, an ambitious, multimedia, presentation of approximately 250 works of art created in Latin America during the roughly three centuries between the European invasions and the creation of independent states. Opening August 5 in the Art of Americas Building, The Arts in Latin America, will disregard the political boundaries created in the early 19th century, instead exploring both the artistic differences and commonalities in a synthetic context. Examples of painting, sculpture, feather-work, shell-inlaid furniture, objects in gold and silver, ceramics, and textiles will be borrowed from public and private collections throughout the Americas and Europe.

This exhibition is curated by Joseph J. Rishel, the Gisela and Dennis Alter Senior Curator of European Painting before 1900 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Suzanne Stratton-Pruitt, working with an international committee of scholars and in collaboration with the curators at the participating museums. Ilona Katzew, LACMA curator of Latin American Art, and a renowned specialist of Spanish colonial art, is in charge of the presentation at LACMA. The exhibition will run through October 28.

For more information: www.lacma.org
* LACMA is Free After Five. There is no charge for general admission after 5 PM, even on weekends. General admission allows you to visit all open LACMA galleries and all special exhibitions except those that are separately ticketed. What's more, kids under 18 can always enter free through NexGen.

Got Gas?

As a public service we at Olvera-Street.com want to help you find the least painfully-expensive gas in your area. To find out the best gas prices around, click here!

If you have any other suggestions for links that our community can either learn or benefit from such as scholarships, community programs, et cetera, please submit them to us.

Coupons for our Subscribers as a thank you for visiting us!

“Fly Frida Fly!”
By Ginette Rondeau

 “Viva el Amor Eterno”

I do not fear death
as I know those who have died before me
will welcome me with their loving embrace.

My senses will be awakened by the sweetness
of the Dia De Los Muertos yearly celebration.

I shall be remembered for eternity,
as my decedents will be preparing
and adorning their altars in my honor
and for other beloved.

There will be a sense of excitement
as they will be creating my favorite foods,
bringing me gifts that my soul has inspired
as they welcome me back.

At my altar,
there will be the lovely aroma of the copal,
and a glass of water that will quench my thirst
when I arrive from my long journey.

The salt and sweets will remind me of
the bitterness and sweetness of life.

I will see my family spending the day
lovingly cleaning my grave
and adorning it with zempasúchil (marigolds),
baby breath, candles and more.

There will be great day of
laughter, music, and poetry.

I yearn to hear their stories of my life
that they will tell their children
so they may know who I am.

Yes, it will be a joyous occasion
as I will be reunited with
my dear family and friends!

Thank you, gracias.
I know I will not be forgotten.
As your memories of me will continue
from generation to generation.

© Ginette Rondeau. 2006

Thank You for Visiting!

Bookmark Olvera-Street.com and our “See LA” link as a reference... and visit us often to find out about the latest arts, fundraisers, business mixers, screenings and much more. We hope you will visit us often throughout 2007.

Please e-mail this page to anyone you think may be interested.