Downtown…

Its 75th Annual Nissei Week at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center (JACCC). Enjoy a day of FREE Music. JACCC celebrates Nisei Week with Taiko (drum), Japanese classical folk dancers, martial arts, musical performances and DJ’s throughout the day. View Japanese prefectural displays as well as artisans skilled in Ikebana, Bonsai, Japanese Dolls, Calligraphy, Tea Ceremony and more. Japanese fusion food and beverages provided by Far Bar of Little Tokyo.

This weekend, Japanese American authors come together in cooperation with Heritage Source and Kinokuniya bookstores. Todd Shimoda, Amy Uyematsu, Stan Sakai, Marsha Aizumi, Naomi Hirahara, Kerry Yo, Nakagawa, Sunny Seki and Lora Nakamura comprise a partial list of participating authors who will be signing books and discussing their works.

What: Festival
Where: JACC Plaza, 244 S. San Pedro St LA, 90012
When: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm – August 16
Website: http://www.jaccc.org/

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Santa Monica Resident and Venice based artist, Helen K. Garber recently introduced “Undulations,” which opened on July 16, at the Leica Gallery Los Angeles. 

Today an artist talk will be held in conjunction with Leica’s current exhibition.

Her new body of large format, fine art photography represents the mystical quality of the soft light that embraces Santa Monica Bay. This is her first exhibit presented in color in a Los Angeles gallery setting.

There will be an art talk on Sunday August 16, at 2:00 pm. Be sure to RSVP – see below for more info.

Ms. Garber’s work has been exhibited and collected internationally, she received the 2014 Santa Monica Arts Fellowship and teaches photography workshops through Otis College of Art and Design. Her work is in prominent collections such as LACMA, the Brooklyn Museum, NY, MOMA Dublin, Ireland, the archives of the Venice Biennale, Italy and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, Beverly Hills, CA. She has lived and worked by Santa Monica Bay since 1982. 

Florida based photographer, Henthorne will also be featured at the 2 person exhibition.

See below for more info about the exhibition from Helen Garber. I can personally attest, her work is amazing.

On view: July 16 – August 30, 2015

You must RSVP for this event as seating is limited. 

RSVP ONLINE: http://tinyurl.com/orpzypp
Or email RSVP: info@leicastorela.com

What: Art Talk
Where: Leica Gallery Los Angeles, 8783 Beverly Blvd. West Hollywood
When: Sunday, August 16, 2:00 pm
Phone: 424.777.0341
Website: http://www.leicagalleryla.com/

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In Santa Monica…

bG Gallery hosts a closing reception for “Spectrum-Gestalt 2,” a group show which is part curatorial, part installation. “Spectrum-Gestalt 2” brings together artists’ works from a wide variety of genres and mediums, grouping them into an expansive spectrum of color.

bG Gallery has organized some exceptional exhibitions since it moved to Bergamot Station. The first spectrum was one of its most popular exhibits and the unofficial launch of the new Bergamot Station space. The second incarnation will have a similar concept but a different installation structure.

See image: by Michael Baroff, Apex 14 X 18. 3

Gallery hours: 10-6 pm Tues-Sat or by appointment.

On view: August 1 – August 16

What: Opening reception 
Where: bG Gallery at Bergamot Station 2525, Michigan Avenue, Space G8A, Santa Monica, CA 90404
When: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – August 16
Phone: 310-906-4211
Website: bGartGalleries.com

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Head East towards Normandie…

Monk Space LA presents “Hooligans & Hyenas,” is a mixed media art exhibition created by the emerging artist Shay Will (Shay Williams). Shay has been doing art all of his life; he believes it’s his best talent and recently is has become his voice for things he never could say in passing conversation. “A voice without the box or limits of social media TV and music.”

Combining surreal concepts with images based in reality, Shay creates juxtapositions that are inspired by real people and real events, with their faces replaced with Hyenas and Lions. Inspired by the Disney film “The Lion King”, Williams poses that the divide between the Hyenas and Lions in the film metaphorically highlights the division of class in the United States. In the film the Hyenas are cast away to a life in the Elephant Graveyard, a dark and unforgiving place with little to offer it’s inhabitants, the ghetto. They are allowed limited access to Pride Rock, a metaphor for the world of the privileged and wealthy in Shay’s mind. This divide ultimately leads the Hyenas to trust in the wrong sort of leader (Scar, the antagonist of the film) who is seemingly a part of that elite one-percent of society who could offer promises of power and riches. Just as in the film, in life these sorts of people can offer solutions that lead those who are trusting astray; whether financially, morally or legally.

BE AWARE there is a CHARGE of $10 for entrance to this event.

August 16th – August 16th

What: Artist reception
Where: Monk Space LA, 4414 West Second St., Hollywood, 90004
When: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Website: http://www.monkspace.com/location.html

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Enjoy the openings…don’t forget to check our Upcoming Events Page to find out about all the free music events.