A Rebelle Roadshow House Concert Starring Rosie Flores!

When the ladies of Rebelle Road invite you to something, you jump at the chance because you know it's going to be a rip-roaring good time! That was certainly the case last night, when they threw a house concert at the beautiful Dunlap home on Rose Avenue, featuring the California Country of the legendary Rosie Flores!

Flores herself answered the door for me, asking, "What's the password?" I answered without hesitation, "I'm here to see the incomparable Rose fucking Flores!" (as the invite had stated). Well, that got me in, AND a hug ... and this night was ON.

Friends and fans mingled around in the kitchen - as you do - snacking and drinking and catching up before Rebelles Adrienne Isom and KP Hawthorn introduced the truly incomparable Ms. Flores. Fresh from the SXSW Rebelle Road showcase in Austin, Flores was back in California to play and promote her album, Simple Case Of The Blues - and we were lucky to bear witness. In a living room!

Flores kicked off her first set with her great tune, "Bandera Highway", which she said took her from age 16-42 to complete. This was played solo acoustic, and the silent reverence from the loud room that occurred the moment Flores started playing was testimonial to the respect Flores commands. She's something else.

Flores is a wonderful storyteller with her guitar skills putting the exclamation point on all of her musical tales. Obviously very close to her late father, Flores told of how he bought all of the equipment for her first all girl band in Texas, Penelope's Children. An audience member commented, "He believed in you", and Flores showed us all just exactly that talent that her Dad had seen in her, multiplied by years of playing, touring, and becoming the icon that she now is. Flores played her tribute song to her Father, "Who's Gonna Fix It Now?", and though she had given us a Kleenex tear drop warning ... several of us were still a mess at song's end, when she sings, "I guess I"ll fix it now". She shared that when she was writing the lyrics for that song, a candle in the room would flicker every time she sang the title question. Her Dad knew. The room got blurry there for a minute ... phew!

Flores made her name big with Rosie Flores and The Screaming Sirens, and has always been a champion of female artists, as well as a glorious inspiration. This makes her a perfect member of the Rebelle Road family - who are dedicated to booking and producing more female artists. In fact, there was a bit of a meeting of our female minds last night, and a shot across the bow to music media and bookers is forthcoming ... just you wait. "Thank you, Rebelle Road, for appreciating what I do," said Flores humbly ... and kindly downplaying our superfandom yells and whistles.

The Palomino Nightclub in the Valley was the headquarters of California country, and where I first saw Flores play at their reunion celebration last year. That's when I really understood how much this fierce woman means to the California Country scene, and that she is seen as its undisputed Queen. Like, seeing her in a living room is a big deal, and we knew it. When she played her "Palomino Days", the room erupted in cheers just about as loud as that monumental show last fall ... Sorry, Neighbors!

There was a "Hound Dog" cover, and then we got "Boxcars" from the great Flores album Rockabilly Filly. The whole room was tapping its feet along in a group percussion effort , and the extra-skilled guitar solo earned more raucous applause. Then it was time for more red wine.

Everyone mixed and mingled by the bonfire outside, then it became more of a real hootenanny, with the musical stylings of Rebelle Road co-founder KP Hawthorn's beautiful voice mingling with the perfect Southern California nightsongs outside. Alice Wallace showed off her yodeling skills, and then Flores returned, allowing some talented gentlemen to join the ladies. Fantastic fiddler, Xander Hitzig had a fiddle/guitar battle with Flores that was so fiery, it prompted Flores to say, "He's so cute I want to put him in my suitcase!"  Blues guitarist Jeff Ross and co-host of the night, Danny Dunlap (along with the lovely Danielle) next came up to play alongside Flores on his standup bass. People were up and dancing, carrying on like it wasn't a weeknight, having a total ball.

The living room honkytonk had to end sometime, and as we exchanged hugs and thanks before stepping back out into the night, KP Hawthorn said, "I wish every Tuesday was like this!" I could only answer, "Or ANY night!" - as this truly was one for the memories.

Thank you to everyone for a complete blast, and stay tuned for more fun from Rebelle Road!

Farewell Madame Varda!

I was sad to hear the news today of the passing of Agnes Varda, widely known as the mother of French New Wave Cinema. She was one of a kind.

I've written stories about her projects in the past, as I found them so moving. First, The Beaches of Agnes, which is filmed partially in Venice, and couldn't be more lovely.

More recently, I was charmed out of my socks by the wonderful Faces/Places ... and I bet you will be too.

Varda saw the humanity in all of us everywhere, and made the viewer feel it too. I hope to touch people even just a little bit as much as she did one day, and thank this legend for her inspiration always. 90 is a great run, but the loss of this marvelous woman is still a tough one. She will be missed by the entire world. 

Vive Varda!

One Love - One Sky - One Family!

I cut through Muscle Beach a lot on my morning walks, and lately there have been little inspirational messages in chalk there nearly every day. This morning's message was especially lovely, because it is a BEAUTIFUL day, and this message is exactly what the whole planet needs to be hearing now ...

  
   
One Love. One Sky. One Family. We really are all one, and it gets so discouraging that so many people can't seem to grasp this concept. It's a global village. We're all in this together. Things people do affect everyone. Every day the news is downright awful, but it doesn't have to be. We can make change. The message next to the above one was a little deeper ...

"Truth is clearly visible for every individual who dismisses what they're taught to believe in." I don't know who is leaving these messages, but if they see this, thank you and I appreciate them. And you. And I think you're rubbing off on people, as I've been seeing happy little chalk posts all around town, like on this walk street heading to the beach ...

It just adds a little cheeriness to your day, and we can all use a whole lot more of that now. I gotta go. I've got some sidewalk chalk burning a hole in my hand - and I hope my message will find you well.

One Love!

Diamond In A Rhinestone World - The Costumes Of Dolly Parton At The Grammy Museum

This country is so divided and has such a hard time agreeing on things these days, but one thing everyone can get together on is that we all love Dolly Parton. The wonderful music and acting icon is a true national treasure, and now through March 31st, her fans can see her stage and film costumes up close and personal in the excellent exhibit showing at The Grammy Museum, Diamond In A Rhinestone World - The Costumes Of Dolly Parton. 

This retrospective of Parton's greatest fashion moments is the first time these costumes have been on display outside of Dollywood, Parton's theme park in Tennessee, and seeing them so closely really shows how otherworldly Parton's physical being really is.

You can't believe how tiny Parton's waist is, especially when topped off by one of the world's most famous - and biggest - racks. Her costumes have obviously all been custom made, as no one on God's Green Earth has this holy physique. It's like ... just WOW.

The demure little yellow outfit from 9 To 5 is there, as is the bawdy Madam glitzy red get-up from The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas.

Stage costumes are displayed next to looks from Parton's films and videos, making the viewer realize just how many things Parton has been in that you forgot about. Like Rhinestone, with Sly Stallone! You see the very young Parton, all country girl purity, all the way to right now Parton with all of her shiny glamour ... and you can't help but love every single look.

We had a hard time choosing a favorite, but I loved the little, colorful suits that looked like Nudie's style ... a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll. Parton's music was playing throughout the gallery, getting you into the mood - and then sticking in your head all day. I even teared up listening to Parton sing "I Will Always Love You" live in London, and we left this show both humming and loving Parton even more.

The added bonus on this trip to the Grammy Museum is an exhibit dedicated to Johnny Cash's historical concerts at the Folsom and San Quentin prisons, where Cash played for the inmates.

Jim Marshall's classic photos make up the majority of the gallery, and they have what is probably the most famous picture of any musician, the one where Cash flips off the camera right to its face.

You've seen that shot a million times, but you probably haven't seen the "San Quentin" lyrics written in Cash's own hand.

The sign that welcomed Cash to the prison was there, underneath a screen playing the actual black and white footage taken at the event. You're very aware of the weight these special shows had, especially in the photograph of the gymnasium at Folsom where the prisoners enjoyed Cash and his music while armed guards watched from within a cage above the crowd. Heavy.

They don't make them like Parton and Cash anymore, which makes these shows all the more impressive and awesome in the true sense of the word - filled with awe. The Grammy Museum itself is a treasure, and there's always something interesting to see, or a program to honor every single genre of music. You could spend the entire day going through the Museum's archives of past shows and events, a virtual who's who of every note of music every played, basically. I urge you to go and experience it for yourself, and before March 31st if you'd like to see the Parton collection. And you do.

And Dolly ... we will ALWAYS love you! Thank you.

Sprung!

Spring! It's here! I think the whole country is rejoicing as evidence of a new season surrounds us. After some morning showers here in Venice, the day emerged bright, blue skied and all around town windows have been thrown open to let in the sunshine and the scent of the jasmine busting out all over.

The morning beach walk revealed the unobstructed view of the ocean, as all of the winter sand dunes have been bulldozed down, another annual harbinger of spring. Soon the lifeguards will return to their posts and the tourist traffic will join them ... and that will be awesome too, but right now is that feeling of freshness, clean, and the opportunity for NEW that we look forward to all winter ... and here come the Spring Breakers!

My family and friends in Minnesota have been suffering through a brutal winter, and as it all melts and little green leaves begin to emerge, it's so dramatic that it tends to make winter worth it. Though more subtle here, the signs of change are still present, and after all that rain this year, we too are grateful. Tonight is also the Super Worm Equinox Moon, a great time to reflect on that gratitude and make plans for the months ahead (I'm told. I'm hardly an expert on all that biz, but I believe). It's called the Worm Moon because this is when the worms begin to poke their heads out of the ground for the returning birds to grab 'em - especially if they arrive early. It's also the last Supermoon of the year, so be sure to look up!

Times have been pretty tough for everyone, it seems, so this time to begin anew feels even more real - and necessary. So set your intentions and get after them! The Supermoon is smiling on that.

"On soft spring nights I'll stand in the yard under the stars 

Something good will come out of all things yet 

And it will be golden and eternal just like that 

There's no need to say another word."

- Jack Kerouac

Big Sur

 

Petty About Pride

The fight between Venice Pride and the Venice Chamber of Commerce is so petty I can barely stand to talk about it, but here we are. The Chamber responded to what they say are false accusations with an overly wordy and evasive letter on their website that is essentially a smear piece directed at Venice Pride Board President, Grant Turck.

I know Turck, and I know how tirelessly hard he works to put on a joyous celebration for not only the LBGTQ members of our community, but for everyone. He has stood up to bullies since he was a kid in the Midwest starting his own Gay club at high school, the first of its kind. There are very clearly personal problems on both sides, but I can't stand bullying, and this whole situation feels an awful lot like just exactly that.

This all started when Turck asked for some accountability when going over Pride invoices and finding that there were some big discrepancies. He merely asked about them, and was immediately met with vitriol and the threat of canceling the Pride sign lighting, way back in July of 2018. Essentially, we don't like how you're playing, so we're gonna take our sign and go home (though it is not theirs, they are merely the custodians). This is all documented - but not at all addressed in the response from the Chamber, nor was it addressed why they would choose June - exactly when they know Pride to be - for the sign to be taken down for maintenance. Why not take it down NOW (the O'Venice is already past its freshness date, and needs to be taken down anyway) so it can be ready for the Summer tourists, and Pride? In the Chamber's attempt to punish Turck, they are in effect leveling their judgement at the entire community.

Turck's response to this personal attack was the following:

"Venice Pride always paid the Venice Chamber as agreed. In 2018, the Chamber opted to pay Venice Pride $3,500 via a member of their executive committee as part of a larger sum to settle accounting errors allegedly made by Chamber leadership involving equipment billed to Venice Pride but used at a June 8 Chamber event called Flower Fest."

So ... you know what would clear all of this up? A transparent and complete audit of both Venice Pride's event and the VCC's event for everyone to see. Turck is up for that, but with the avoidance of the topic shown in the Chamber's response ... I'm not so sure they are. I say let the community decide, as that is who both of these entities purport to serve.

I have no real dog in this fight. I'm not gay, and I'm not a member of the Venice Chamber of Commerce. I don't even really want to be involved, but I do think my Venice community should be aware of what's going on .... and I'm always going to stand up against bullying. When you break it down, it's Pride versus Commerce - and the names kind of say it all.

The Venice Pride celebration (with DJ Victor Rodriguez returning!) is happening on June 1st, with or without the lighting of the Venice Sign ...  and I hope that all parties involved can put this pettiness behind them and move forward - and that there will be a fun story to write about it! I'm out.

Aloha Friday!

Today is just about the most glorious day possible in Venice, California. Blossoms are bursting out all over, little straggler Painted Lady butterflies are still fluttering overhead after the massive migration this week, and the sun is shining, weather is sweet ...

I came across this quote today, that after all of the drama of this week in the world - from another mass shooting, to our awful Administration, to local cat fights over Venice politics - is especially perfectly great ...

"Staying positive in a negative world is the new gangster." - Lalah Delia

Yeah, man. I take that to heart, and do my very best to be gangster. Join me, won't you? 

Have an awesome weekend ... looks like it's going to be beach days finally! Yes! (gangster)