Venice Celebrates Cinco de Mayo With Annual Parade and Fiesta - Viva Mexico!

The annual Venice Cinco de Mayo Parade and celebration took place this past Saturday, and I got to see the whole parade for the first time ever! Paraders met up at the corner of California and Lincoln, where dancers, marchers, bands, and classic cars and low-riders convened to show their Mexican pride.

There's always excitement for a parade, and this one had Venetians lining the streets to see the bright colors, music, and history brought out for this wonderful event each year. I got there early and stayed late as we were capturing the activities for our documentary, 90291: VENICE UNZIPPED, and we could not have asked for a more gorgeous day for our efforts to capture the spirit and essence of our real Venice. The whole day was awesome.

With all the talk of immigration and walls and negativity toward our Mexican neighbors, this event was more important than ever to show the pride and history of the beautiful country that we used to be.

There was a float with men and women dressed up in old-timey 1862 Mexican garb, letting everyone know that this part of Venice history goes way, way back.

A dude dressed up in a superhero outfit was roller-skating around, and he told me he was "Captain Native America" and it was his job to welcome everyone to the event. Love him.

The classic car clubs were out in force and slicker than ever. Mexican flags hung from them with pride, and the drivers of some low-riders treated the parade watchers to the hydraulic coolness of their cars bouncing up and down as everyone egged them on.

I think my favorite shot of the day was this little guy riding in his own mini classic car, and beaming ear to ear to be right out there with the big boys. 

The parade route this year went down Lincoln, turned left on Rose, then left on 7th to the Oakwood Park and historic E.L. Holmes Square - the real epicenter of our African American and Latino history. The street was full of parade participants and celebrators alike, with taco trucks and merchandise booths lining the street, where you could purchase traditional Mexican wares.

Folklorico dancers entertained the crowd, from young to old, all dancing their traditional numbers with traditional music.

Several mariachi bands played, giving the whole day a festive soundtrack to party along to. And people were partying.

The car club guys lined the street in their lawn chairs, tossing back beers and greeting one another like the old friends that everyone seemed to be. It was interesting - and pretty cool - to see guys from former rival gangs embrace and wish each other well ... even though one guy told me that he and the guy he'd just been talking to had shot at each other in the past. Over territory. It all seems so dumb now that they're older and wiser, but it was real and heavy when it was going down, and pretty impressive that they've been able to let things go and live in peace. That was just one of many touching moments throughout the day.

We got to interview several people who live and breathe the history of Venice - like my friend, Lydia Poncé, who walks her talk daily. It's inspiring to be in the presence of people who care so deeply, and are consistently on the front lines of standing up for what's right. Venice needs more of these gems, and should consider itself lucky to have the ones we still do.

The Venice Gondolier marching band played in the parade and at the park, and it was great to see the kids appreciating and participating in their town's history with such enthusiasm. They are all torch bearers to the future, and my heart swelled to see them all there - and proud.

The beautiful and powerful Aztec dancers we saw at the First Baptist Church rally a few weeks ago were back to dance for their people, and their gorgeous costumes brightened the day for everyone. The little ones just killed me with their little outfits and smiles at being a part of it all.

Families came out en masse, enjoying their traditional foods and drinks, dances and rituals. Old friends and neighbors greeted each other all day, and new friends were also made. I had just about the best street corn I've ever had, and happily chowed it while my face became a sticky mess. YUM. I heard so many good stories, and ran into so many cool people that I can't wait to share this film we're making with everyone ... you will laugh, you will cry, and you will think. I could have stayed there all day, enjoying the happy festivities there in the sunshine with so many other happy people of Venice - but we had to get over to Great Western Hoagies to interview my awesome friend, Sergio Perez (all decked out in his Cinco de Mayo best!) about the special place Hoagies has in the heart of Venice - and what Venice means to him. Again, I can't wait to share it all with everyone.

Venice Cinco de Mayo was another fantastic community event, and I hope everyone got to experience even just a part of it - or you fully missed out. Thank you/Gracias to everyone for making it a beautiful day, and for keeping the true history of Venice alive and very well.

Viva Mexico! Viva America! Viva Everyone TOGETHER! 

Love For The Fun Side Of The Wall

Hola! I just got back from a little - sorely needed - getaway to Sayulita, Mexico. Wow, was it lovely. Then this morning, honestly, my first thought was "Well, back to the junkies and the homeless." First, because I'm simultaneously working on a Viceland show about heroin addicts (formerly called American Junkie until overly p.c. groups complained and now it's Dopesick Nation - coming to you on September 12) and a documentary about income inequality/housing in Venice (90291: VENICE UNZIPPED), so those thoughts are work related, but also just the reality of living here. I didn't see a SINGLE homeless person sleeping on the street in Mexico. Not ONE person asked for a handout, they sold you things and worked for their money. EVERYONE was friendly and warm and welcoming ... and we want to build a wall against them, when it seems they actually have it a lot better figured out. I get that L.A. is a massive city, and this was one little fishing village, but still. ZERO homeless. They just seem to take care of each other better. Care more. As one sign said, "Smile - You are in the fun side of the wall" ... so they even manage to have a a good sense of humor about our government's ridiculous prejudices against them.

Sayulita is all about color. All of the walls are painted brightly ...

Festive flags hang above the cobblestone streets in the town plaza ...

Their big thing is pom poms, and they're everywhere ...

The native people to the area are the Huichol, and their art is exquisite. All colorful and symbolic and meaningful and great.

I got a necklace from this artisan elderly woman Maria as she sat there in the "Hippie Market" (perfect for me!) creating her wares and smiling warmly at my effusive gushing that she couldn't understand.

I stayed at a little boutique hotel called Hotel Hafa, and it was the most charming place ever. Done up in Morocco meets Mexico vibes and colors, it was again perfect for me.

Hearts are everywhere in this part of Mexico also, and everywhere you looked there were hearts leading you to your room in the hotel ...

...up the stairs to a surf tour place ...

... in every shop and worn on every person. I wasn't really into hearts on stuff before, but now I get it. Everything should start and end with love. and the heart is a symbol of that. And you absolutely feel it here.

My favorite beach was Playa de los Muertos. It's not called that because you might die in the water, but because to get to it you have to hike through a hillside cemetery.

Even the cemeteries are full of color and all the graves are bedecked in bright paint and colors and religious imagery ... and some surfboards for good measure.

You come down the hill and there's a little shack with food and beverages being made for the beachgoers, and then you see this pristine beach with almost no one on it. The water was so warm you couldn't tell the difference between water and sky, and I'd float on my back and feel like I was in one of those "Pause" deprivation chambers ... but better. Way better. There would be a margarita waiting next to my towel when I got out of the water, from a friendly guy whose gig that was. It wasn't crowded, and I only heard Spanish ... like this is where the locals hang. I love that ... and indeed, search for that. For the REAL in places.

I was looking for REAL adventure too. I'd heard and read about the "Hidden Beach" in the Marietas Islands off of Punta Mita for years ... seen it from above and HAD to go.

They've drastically limited the amount of people that can enter this cave beach now - because Humans - and I was extremely lucky to finagle a boat to take me there.

"Playa del Amor" is its nickname, again with the love. You jump out of the boat (with helmet and life vest on so you don't end up like the Thai boys) and swim through a little opening in a cave.

Once through the tunnel, you emerge into the crystal clearest water ever, where you are allowed to frolic and take photos for about 20 minutes before you have to leave, again because of humans.

Looking up from this beach was one of the coolest things ever, and I was literally about to burst with gratitude.

If you google it, you can see just how cool it really is - like this blurry shot I stole from the internet.

It felt - and was - special to be there, as even many native Mexicans have never been. My guides were laughing at me, because I was so stoked, but probably also because they didn't understand a word that I was bombarding them with. No matter. Everyone understands a happy face. I will always remember this solo trek to an island beach off Mexico as one of my most special days ... the day after my birthday! What a way to kick off a new year!

Like the smiles and "Hola Amiga's" that greet you everywhere ... like, let's start out as friends. The warm spirit is infectious everywhere you go, and music drifts through the days and nights like a live soundtrack to their lives, all the time. Even the lizards were friendly ... maybe too friendly, because this buff looking green guy would never leave my room, and gave me fresh heart attacks every day when it jumped out of my towels or clothes. But that's Mexico, and you just shrug it off (after screaming bloody murder).

Even the surf schools find a way to be fun and musical ... Get Up, Stand Up! Perfecto.

Though very little English was spoken here, and my Spanish is very L.A. pequito, we all managed to get our points across and enjoy ourselves in the process. One evening after a delicious meal (where they use fried cheese instead of tortillas for their burritos!), I saw a bar with swings instead of stools, and had to belly up.

I was instantly friends with the whole joint, and we all sat out a sudden squall of ferocious rain without a care in the world, and a tequila horchata in hand. That was a fun one.

My days were half lazy and half super active, because I like to do and see everything. I had massages on the beach for $20. I rode a bike around town, but quickly dropped that and hoofed it, because bikes on cobblestones and dirt roads are not that awesome. Walking really lets you see things up close, and lets you be more impromptu about what you go investigate. No matter where I went, it was "Hola, Amiga!" and waves and instant kindness. The Mexican people are wonderful, and I'm so sorry and embarrassed that they've been so vilified by this current U.S. Administration. I was seriously just doing my best to be a goodwill ambassador, and let them all know that WE'RE not all bad. For Heaven's sakes.

As I start a new year, and am back in Venice, and back deep into the drug addiction and homeless problems here, I can only think about how grateful I am that I was able to travel and explore and communicate (even if just by gestures and charades) and let beautiful Mexico know that they are loved, and then to be back here doing something to try to help make these United States be a little less awful. We could really learn a lot from Mexico, from the looks of it. I know they have their own share of problems, but the every day people you meet are lovely. Not sleeping on sidewalks. Not begging. Not complaining. Working hard. Playing hard. Just living their lives with love and color and music and art and family and friends. They really know the value of those things, much more than money, which is where I think we've gone wrong.

Gracias, Sayulita! And Mexico ... I have your back.

Viva Venice! Viva Mexico!

The Venice Art Walls are at it again ... reflecting what's going on around us and making the social commentary that goes along with it. This weekend's graffiti news brought a piece that celebrates Venice, celebrates Mexico, and condemns Trump. Perfecto.

I'm on a Mexico trip at the moment (and will be literally this weekend) and it's really been on my mind a lot since the KRS-One show I went to a couple of weeks ago. That prophet said that we were standing on Mexico ... as this art piece (by I'm not sure because I can't make out that tag?) also states. Then we went outside and the hot dog cart ladies took off running from the cops because they were scared of ICE. Then there was this anti-Trump Wall banner hanging on Venice Boulevard. Then there was another checkpoint on Lincoln over the weekend that gets everyone scared about ICE more than DUI's. Then I went to see Rodrigo y Gabriela and absolutely swooned over the beautiful music being made by these Mexican treasures.

You can go anywhere in Los Angeles - or California as a whole, really - and see all the contributions made daily to our lives and economy by our Mexican friends. Did you ever see A Day Without A Mexican? Well, you should. L.A. would literally grind to a halt without them. They should be appreciated and thanked, not persecuted. It's ridiculous, and sad. So, I'm going to go celebrate a new year with all the color and flavor of a Mexican fiesta, and let them all know that we've got their backs - and that we're not all bad. Thank you to the Venice Art Walls artists, for always keeping it on the real real.

Viva Mexico! Viva Venice!

Rodrigo Y Gabriela Live With The L.A. Phil At The Hollywood Bowl!

It was another perfectly balmy and wonderful night at the Hollywood Bowl, and this one was even more special because I was seeing the marvelous Rodrigo y Gabriela for the first time live. And WOW. I'm a fan for life.

The program opened with the ever-charming Gustavo Dudamel and the L.A. Philharmonic performing a series of Latin-themed numbers to set the stage for the dynamic duo from Mexico who would join the show later. After The Star Spangled Banner (which we again made it in time for, I'm happy and amazed to report), the orchestra immediately launched into the lively "Nereidas de Dimas" from Salon Mexico by Perez. This number set the tone for the all-out fiesta that everyone in the Bowl had been invited to - and was feeling it.

"Good evening, Buenas Noches!" shouted Dudamel, welcoming everyone to this absolutely beautiful night of music. "We are having fun up here! ... and now we will travel from Mexico to Cuba for a piece called El Caiman, or "Xylophone" - you will see why." The rare xylophone showcase piece by Paul Desenne was full of energy and African rhythms, and yes, a xylophone spotlight. And it was great. The whole place was in a great mood, and I think it was because Dudamel's happy energy is so infectious, you can't help but enjoy yourself. We were loving it, and then we took another musical flight, this time to Argentina for Piazzolla's Oblivion. "This tango is about contemplation of the past, and it is very romantic," explained Dudamel in his charming accent. He was right - what a romantic, beautiful tango of a piece that one was ... swoon! I like it that Dudamel thought so too, saying, "Ahh, it's wonderful, so beautiful!" Totally.

Then we flew back to Mexico (where I will also be flying for my birthday adventure this coming weekend, so this was a wonderful way to kick off the week!) for their "Second national anthem", the great Huapango by Moncayo. There were choppers flying overhead during this one, providing their own interesting percussion, but the crescendo of the music soon made you forget all about them, especially when the gorgeous harp was playing. Dudamel again must have felt the same as we did, as he was beaming all throughout his energetic conducting of the Mexican classic. Our L.A. Phil is SUCH a treasure, and when playing under the stars at the Bowl, it just can't be beat.

Unless you next bring out Rodrigo y Gabriela! The guitar virtuosos took the stage casually, both in dress and demeanor, but the huge cheers before they played a note hinted at the bigger deal that it was. Rodrigo had blue hair for the occasion, and you could tell that they were both fired up to play. The crowd was equally fired up to listen, clapping along from the start of their first piece, "Hanuman". This exciting duo is truly a musical force, and had the entire Bowl mesmerized and immersed in the tunes the whole time. This isn't always easy when it's brand new songs that no one has heard, but no matter. They could play anything and we'd be into it. After the first one, the joint erupted in applause, and Rodrigo said, "This is our fifth time playing the Hollywood Bowl ... it's like magic that we come here without rehearsing and these musicians read papers - and they PLAY. It's fucking amazing!" It really was.

They were playing all new tunes from the new album they're working on now ("The songs are so new I don't remember there names" - G.), and from the sounds of it, it will be a must-own. Gabriela is not only a complete bad ass guitar picker, she is also perhaps the cutest person alive, I'm pretty sure. Her sweet voice when saying, "Buenas Noches, what a treat, it's like Santa Claus at Christmas!" made everyone fall even more in love with her and her playing. As a man about halfway back yelled, "I love you, Gabriela!" echoing everyone else's thoughts.

"Mexico where we live is a beautiful place to get inspired (yay!)", said Gabriela, as she explained that on this new album they worked 9-4, "like in an office". The L.A. Phil had to race to keep up with their breakneck speed-playing, and arms got weary trying to clap along fast enough. My notes simply say "WOW!" in a lot of places. Dudamel's face looked like he was thinking that too. Gabriela said after that one, "I want to say I have a feeling of being very grateful ... we are so lucky to be living this life in this moment ... and now we play 11:11, the title track of their also-named album. She was right, too. We were ALL so lucky to be living this life in this moment ... and I think everyone knew it. It felt special. To where when that one ended, Dudamel said, "Isn't it amazing, this?!" Agreed, 100%.

"Let's have some fun!" said Dudamel before they lit into "Tamacun" ... which we continued to do until the last note. When that last note happened, Gabriela's "Hippie message of the night" was for everyone to please recycle more! Thank you so much, bye bye! There was a standing ovation - of course - and Rodrigo, Gabriela and Dudamel all took a bow together before the L.A. Phil left the stage. There was a brief intermission before Rodrigo y Gabriela came back out together, just the two of them, and sat down on the lip of the stage to fully enchant the entire Bowl with just two people and two guitars. They play off of each other so well, with Gabriela's rhythmic percussive playing and Rodrigo's intricate finger picking ... the two parts make up a majestic whole. It was just SO beautiful ... and the entire audience was on their feet clapping along for the remainder of the show - even a little baby in the box next to us was all about clapping along, in a show that was truly one for the ages - and all ages.

For the final set, they first teased Extreme's "More Than Words" to laughter, before we were really treated to "Cumbe", "Echoes" (a Pink Floyd cover), and their own classic, "Diablo Rojo". People couldn't get enough of it, but it had to end, and did with another thunderous ovation for the remarkable talent of Rodrigo y Gabriela. Again ... WOW. Everyone was still bouncing from it as we all danced out of the aisles and out into the Los Angeles night ... truly feeling grateful for having lived this life in this moment, as Gabriela had said. This was a show we won't soon forget, and I'm so happy to have finally seen this delightful duo play live.

What a wonderful start to Mexican birthday week! Gracias!!!


*Press photos courtesy of The Hollywood Bowl

Venice Celebrates Cinco de Mayo - Olé!

What a gorgeous day for Cinco de Mayo we had this year! The sun was out, the breezes were warm, and people were in the mood to fiesta!

 I didn't get to catch the actual parade that went down Lincoln Boulevard, but I heard (and saw below) that it was fantastic. The car clubs came out with their lowriders and hot rods, there were beautiful, brightly costumed Folklorico and Azteca dancers twirling their skirts, and the Mariachi played all over town - from Oakwood Park to the rooftop of La Cabaña!

Oakwood Park was the epicenter of the fun this year, and it was packed with revelers of all cultures and backgrounds celebrating the Mexican and Chicano history that is so crucial to Venice, and especially this neighborhood (It's also right across the street from the Baptist Church that we sure would like to save as part of the town's equally important history).

There were food booths, arts and crafts you could purchase, performances from the dancers and musicians, and several speakers who educated everyone on the local and national histories behind this holiday (really commemorating the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 over the French, not Mexican Independence Day, as many believe, and also why Mexicans have bolillos ... they learned the baking from the French).

Friends and neighbors pulled up lawn chairs and blankets, settling in to enjoy and to learn. It was a bright, colorful, beautiful, festive day in Venice, for sure. I couldn't stay as long as I'd have liked at the park, as it was also the birthday of my little friend, Mia, and her mother's 19th Anniversary of owning Burro on Abbot Kinney AND my friend Lacey's birthday too! Partying was in order. And was done.

One of the speakers at the wonderful Cinco de Mayo celebration in the park (planned and organized by Darlene Rodriguez and Laura Ceballos) explained how important the Mexican and Chicano history is in Venice, and that the working class of all colors is what made Venice what it is today. They are raising funds for a monument to go in Windward Circle (where nearby the Venice sign is now lit with the red, green, and white of the Mexican flag) so that all may know of the contributions made to our town by our Latino friends and neighbors. "We don't care about the color of your skin in Venice, we care about your heart." Exactly. And on days like this in Venice, you can feel pretty good about the hearts that call it home.

Viva Mexico! Viva Venice!

*Video courtesy of Brad Hennegen