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DCA Presents the Charles Mingus - Son of Watts - Musical Caravan Project - Part II

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Los Angeles - The Charles Mingus - Son of Watts - Musical Caravan is a year-long tribute to the life and work of Charles Mingus, one of the most important figures in 20th Century American Music. The celebration began in September 2008 with the opening of the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center, and continued with the prestigious 27th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival and the 32nd Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival, two concerts from The Charles Mingus Big Band, and Visual Arts Exhibitions at the Watts Towers Noah Purifoy Gallery and the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center.

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is pleased to present the second part of the Mingus Musical Caravan Celebration, and provide a lasting tribute to Charles Mingus, a musician from Watts, California and of the Nation's musical and cultural treasures. The Charles Mingus - Son of Watts - Musical Caravan project is made possible in part through the support of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) American Masterpieces initiative, a program designed to present and celebrate works considered “American Masterpieces."

PROGRAM EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Mingus Visual Arts Exhibition
DCA presents an exhibition of memorabilia relating to jazz musician Charles Mingus from the collection of Alden Kimbrough at the William Grant Still Arts Center. On display are 70 vintage album covers, which chronicle his recording history from 1946 to 1989. Photographs, concert posters, and books will also be on display to provide an insight into the work of this American treasure.
Dates: April 11 - May 24, 2009
Times: Monday - Saturday, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: William Grant Still Arts Center; 2520 South West View Street;Los Angeles, CA 90016
Cost: Free

Zcalo Lecture and Reception: Remembering Charles Mingus
From his first concert piece, written when he was 17, to his expansive, 19-movement, 4,000-measure opus “Epitaph," Charles Mingus built a remarkable legacy as a jazz bassist, band leader, and composer. His body of work is second only to Duke Ellington's in size, and arguably matches it in quality, combining innovation with mastery, spontaneity with precise orchestration, tuneful melodies with pulsing rhythms, and inimitable flurries of sound. Mingus, who grew up in Watts, was also a teacher to many musicians at his Jazz Workshop, an activist for racial equality, and a performer praised for his passion and lambasted for his temper. Thirty years after his death, Zcalo and DCA host a panel - featuring music producer Hal Willer, writer Emory Holmes II, and the jazz great's son, Eric Mingus, also a musician - to discuss the life and continuing legacy of Charles Mingus. The panel will be moderated by Oscar Garza, Senior Editor, Los Angeles Daily News. Reception entertainment will be provided by Music LA students from Art in the Park's Lalo Guerrero School of Music.
Date: April 28, 2009, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Barnsdall Gallery Theatre; 4800 Hollywood Boulevard; Los Angeles, CA 90027
Cost: Free
Partner: Zcalo Public Square: Bringing together an extraordinarily diverse group of Angelenos, Zcalo - “Public Square" in Spanish - seeks to create a non-partisan and multiethnic forum where participants can enjoy a rare opportunity for intellectual fellowship.

Tribute to Mingus Gala
DCA presents an evening of fun and music with a special All-Star band led by the incomparable composer/musician James Newton with Bennie Maupin, Roberto Miranda, Nolan Shaheed, Sonship Theus, and Steve Cotter performing several selections of Mingus' most influential and memorable music compositions.

Mingus' concern for social events during his life and his influence on other art forms will be remembered through individual testimonials by friends and fellow artists, a photo and memorabilia exhibition, and a multi-media presentation of his life.

Mingus' passion for teaching young people and preserving the heritage of jazz will be celebrated by students from DCA's Music LA program. This gala evening will also include special guests and presentations,with a reception to follow.

Music LA Program Student Performance
DCA is proud to partner with Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and The Walt Disney Company, Title Sponsor of Music LA and the City's Heritage Month Celebrations, to provide free music classes focusing on the repertoire of Charles Mingus to students aged 6 to 18. Classes were offered during African American Heritage Month at Art in the Park, the William Grant Still Arts Center, and the Los Angeles Jazz Society. Students will perform selections learned during these sessions.

Music LA, a DCA initiative, is a citywide music education program for youth providing high quality music education instruction in areas of the City where few or no arts education programs exist.

Tribute to Mingus Band
Conducted by James Newton (Flute) with Roberto Miranda (Bass), Bennie Maupin (Tenor Sax), Steve Cotter (Guitar), Nolan Shaheed (Trumpet), and Sonship Theus (Drums).*
* Tribute band line-up subject to change
Date: Friday, May 1, 2009
Times: 6:30 p.m. - Pre-Performance Reception and Charles Mingus Exhibition; 8:00 p.m. - Concert
Location: Nate Holden Performing Arts Center; 4718 West Washington Boulevard; Los Angeles, CA 90019
Cost: $25
To Purchase Tickets: Inglewood Tickets; 128 South Market Street; Inglewood, 90301; 320.671.6400 or 800.671.SEAT; inglewoodtickets.com

Honorary Gala Hosts: Geoffrey Holder and Carmen de Lavallade
Concert Host: Bubba Jackson
Presented By: The Honorable Herb Wesson, Councilman 10th District

State of Music in South LA Forum
Beginning with the jazz clubs of Central Avenue in the early 1900's, through the music created out of the political and social unrest in Watts, up to today's current talent, South LA is integral to the development of jazz and other forms of music. Charles Mingus was raised in the South LA community of Watts, where he was trained in public schools and Christian churches, learning trombone, cello, and finally, double-bass. He was influenced by the music emanating from this area, and in turn his legacy has become part of the fabric of the community.

This panel will be moderated by Urban Issues Forum President Dr. Anthony Samad and will bring together a diverse group of scholars and musicians to discuss the historical significance of South LA's contribution to African American music, examine the current state of music and arts, and look at the future of music in South LA.

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2009
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Nate Holden Performing Arts Center; 4708 West Washington Boulevard; Los Angeles, CA 90016
Cost: Free
Partners: The Tribute to Mingus Gala and the South LA Panel are sponsored in part by: Janew Music, LLC; the African Marketplace, Inc.; Dance SouthLA, Inc.; The Office of Councilman Herb Wesson; Inglewood Tickets; The World Stage; and the Ebony Repertory Theater.

Music Classes for Young People at the Watts Towers Arts Center and the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center

CalArts Community Arts Partnership (CAP) Watts Towers Jazz and World Music Program
Since 1990, this DCA program has provided exposure and appreciation of jazz, Latin jazz, Balinese Gamelan, and African music, among others, through guest performances of music and dance ensembles at high schools in Watts and other communities. Music workshops taught by master artists are intimate one-on-one student/teacher classes. Over 2,000 young musicians benefit from this program that culminates with a concert each spring. Piano classes are taught at the Watts Towers Arts Center and the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center by master musician Brenda McGee.
Dates: Through June 2009
School Presentations: Times vary. Please call for more information.
Piano Classes: Tuesdays - Thursdays, 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. ( hour per student); Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. ( hour per student)
Cost: Free
Ages: 5 - 17
Information: Watts Towers Art Center - 323.847.4646

Jazz Mentorship Program
The Jazz Mentorship Program, now in its eighteenth year, teams professional master musicians with young people interested in this original form of American music and presents a combined academic and concert forum. One of only a handful of jazz education programs nationally, this DCA program provides aspiring young musicians with an opportunity to interact and play with seasoned jazz professionals. The program's outreach efforts include going into communities to bridge the gap between older and younger generations, and joining people of diverse cultures together with one common goal, the appreciation of music. Founding mentors are Buddy Collette, Patrice Rushen, Ndugu Chancler, Sharon Hirata, Nedra Wheeler, Bobby Rodriguez, Danellen Joseph, Rick Moss, Estella Holeman, and Rosie Lee Hooks.
Dates: Year-round. Please call for more information.
Cost: Free
Ages: Elementary School to College Age Students
Information: Watts Towers Art Center - 323.847.4646

Culminating Film Screening and Concert Event in Watts
The final celebration of the Charles Mingus - Son of Watts - Musical Caravan Project will be held at the Watts Towers Arts Center and the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center. The event includes the world premiere screening of the following film by Rosie Lee Hooks and Paul S. Rogers, in the Noah Purifoy Gallery:

A Tribute to Charles Mingus: Past, Present, and Future
27th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival
32nd Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival
Grand Opening of the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center
Charles Mingus - Son of Watts - Musical Caravan Project

The film features an all-star line-up of world-class musicians, singers, dancers, and artists who come together in an exceptional, jam packed hour of television that not only entertains and informs, but inspires as well. Interviews and performance excerpts from many notable musicians, include world renowned Patrice Rushen, the luminous Nedra Wheeler, the extraordinary Ndugu Chancler, the Center for Celebration Arts amazing Giant Puppets, and jazz great Buddy Collette who discusses his life-long friendship with the legendary Charles Mingus.

In addition, Nedra Wheeler's Bass Choir will perform live in the Mingus Gallery, playing Mingus, Mingus, Mingus!!!
Date: June 21, 2009
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Watts Towers Arts Center; 1727 East 107th Street; Los Angeles, CA 90002
Cost: Free

About DCA
The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) both generates and supports high quality arts and cultural experiences for Los Angeles residents and visitors. DCA advances the social and economic impact of the arts and assures access to arts and cultural experiences through grant making, marketing, public and community arts programming, arts education, and creating partnerships with artists and arts and cultural organizations in every community in the City of Los Angeles.

DCA grants $3.4 million annually to over 300 artists and nonprofit arts organizations and awards the Artist-in-Residence (A.I.R.) and City of Los Angeles (C.O.L.A.) Individual Artist Fellowships. The Department provides arts and cultural programming in its numerous Neighborhood Arts and Cultural Centers, Theaters and historic sites, and manages several arts and education programs for young people. It directs public art projects and manages the City's Arts Development Fee and Percent for Arts Programs, Art Collection, and Murals Program. DCA markets the City's cultural events through development and collaboration with strategic partners, design and production of creative promotional materials, and management of the culturela.org website.

About the National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education. Established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government, the Endowment is the nation's largest annual funder of the arts, bringing great art to all 50 states, including rural areas, inner cities, and military bases.

About the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center
The Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center presents a full range of programs to young Watts residents by expanding the diverse array of cultural programs offered through the Department of Cultural Affairs. The center will provide a safe and creative atmosphere for individual expression under the guidance and direction of professional artists dedicated to continuing the work provided by the Watts Towers Arts Center since 1965.

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