The ‘Heartbeat’ of a Community Libraries set to reopen
Two Fresh Twins launch Twitch-based talk show to highlight artists
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The Garden Bar Manuela’s debuts new outdoor bar and menu
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Covered California will help OPINION
Mom, so much has happened By Ellen Snortland LA Downtown News Columnist ear mom, It’s hard to believe you’ve been dead since 2003; that’s 18 years now. I think you would have loved your memorial. We held it at the Stave Kirke in Rapid City, South Dakota. Honoring your love of needlework, we hung the Norwegian bunad you meticulously made by hand. Like the tradition of the riderless horse, we had the womanless dress. I don’t even know where to start to catch you up on everything. You always told me time gets faster as we age, and I now see you were right. Let’s see… I am mortified that I can’t remember the year Ann died, although I’ll never forget that it was on June 9. You’d think that the year my only niece — your only grandchild — died would be emblazoned on my brain. It hurt so much, I can still barely think about it. Alane couldn’t ever talk about it with me. I told her once that she could say anything she needed to about Ann. Alane turned icy cold and said, “No. I don’t like to process like you do.” It was more important to let her know I was open to hearing about one of the more contentious mother/daughter relationships I had ever experienced. They were often both too generous with their mean streaks. Alane did tell me once that she believed her pregnancy with Ann, being unplanned and unwanted, was possibly the cause of Ann’s cancer. Imagine my sister carrying that burden around: the guilt, the self-recrimination. I’m so grateful that you and I had the heartto-heart talk about “unwanted” that we did. When I asked if you had wanted me, I was sure you’d be honest. And you were, when you told me “no.” I’d be a hypocrite if I asked and then got angry for hearing the truth. And I would not be a good daughter and feminist activist for reproductive choice if I resented you for feeling that you had no choice. We got closer after that talk, and for that, I’m forever thankful. Now for the latest family news: Alane herself died last year on July 27 of a rare blood disorder. Remember cousin Torvald in Bergen? He suffers from “Viking disease,” which is a form of overly iron-rich blood. I’m curious if I have any propensity toward it. Anyway, Alane soldiered through a lot of the indignities of aging and would not stop. I was incredibly proud of her for taking what she knew would be the last trip to visit her beloved grandson, Nico, and his new wife, Randi. Mikey was able to come, too, and I came up for a few days. It was as close to a family reunion that we had gotten in years. Alane proved to be a doting grandmother, and both boys and Randi adored her. A significant part of my life is that I got married for the third time in 2008. Yep, the third time appears to be the charm, although I’m proudly still good friends with both my ex-husbands. I married Ken Gruberman in the first Buddhist wedding I’d ever attended — my own! We love each other, but even better, we enjoy each other’s company. We both work from home, and if you had told me I’d be working and living around the clock with a spouse, I’d say you were nuts. That could only end in a murder, and I’d be in prison for life. As it turns out, we love being together. That particular relationship asset has paid off, since we’ve been in a quarantine situation for more than a year thanks to a global pandemic. I regret not asking you more questions. I also regret the questions you never asked me. I suspect you may have been a tad leery of hearing my answers, given my wildness in comparison to the nice, quiet Norwegian girl I never turned out to be. I am forever grateful to you for so many things. You never gave me a discouraging word even when my plans and dreams were so outrageous that you were no doubt stunned when you heard them. I am
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particularly indebted to you for turning me on to Eleanor Roosevelt, who was living proof that a woman could write a column. I don’t know if there’s an afterlife or not. If there is, I wonder if you’ve been keeping track of me. If so, I hope I make you proud. Love, Ellen P.S. I wrote a one-woman show about you and have performed it all over the world. It’s called “Now That She’s Gone: Unraveling the Mystery of My Mother.” I think I finally figured you out after you passed away. • Ellen Snortland and the Rev. Hannah Petrie are interviewing midwifery professor Dr. Mayri Leslie on the POP podcast on Friday, May 7, in observance of Mother’s Day. Like and follow @Radio Jornelero on Facebook to catch the midwife episode. Ellen Snortland has written a column continuously since the early ’90s. She also coaches writers. Contact her at ellen@authorbitebybite.com.
Hey you! Speak up! Downtown News wants to hear from people in the community. If you like or dislike a story, let us know, or weigh in on something you feel is important to the community. Participation is easy. Go to downtownnews.com, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the “Letter to the Editor” link. For guest opinion proposals, please email christina@timespublications.com.
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EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Christina Fuoco-Karasinski STAFF WRITERS: Andrew Checchia, Andres De Ocampo, Julia Shapero CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sara Edwards, Kamala Kirk ART DIRECTORS: Arman Olivares, Stephanie Torres STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER: Luis Chavez CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS: Myriam Santos ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES: Catherine Holloway, Michael Lamb FOUNDER EMERITUS: Sue Laris
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Covered California will help OPINION
A call for law enforcement training on autism By Tosin Ade LA Downtown News Guest Columnist eartwarming. Kind. Innocent. Compassionate. These are words families, friends and colleagues used when describing the amazing soul that was Elijah McClain. Elijah’s life mattered. Elijah was killed as a result of police brutality in Colorado. Right before he was unjustly killed, Elijah could be heard emphasizing that he was an introvert and needed the police officers to respect his space and boundaries. In the video, watched by millions around the world, Elijah rendered his last words in the form of a heart-tugging emotional appeal. “I am an introvert, please respect the boundaries that I am speaking,” Elijah pleaded. It has been almost two years since the passing of Elijah, but the impact of his death still lingers and stings. His death confirms the need for police officers to be trained when dealing with individuals like Elijah. History repeated itself on March 31, when an autistic individual, Isaias Cervantes, was shot by the police in Los Angeles. The McClain family has never confirmed or refuted Elijah’s diagnosis of autism. Nevertheless, many parents of autistic children could see glaring similarities between Elijah’s mannerisms and their children. Parenting is hard. Now throw in the mix of rais-
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Lumbini Child Development Center
Licensed to care for children 2 ½ through Kindergarten. Year-round program with individual classrooms unique to each age group. A balanced hot lunch is prepared on site and served daily. Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 7:30a.m.- 6:00 p.m. For more information: Email: Lumbini.missleslie@gmail.com Address: Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple 505 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles, 90013 Phone: Miss Leslie @ 213 680-2976
ing a special needs child. The stress is quadrupled. These parents live in constant fear of what will happen when they finally send their autistic child into the world. The fear is real, constant and persistent. Will they receive acceptance and empathy from the world? Armed with tools and resources, parents of autistic children instill the skills needed to navigate the world. Unfortunately, no amount of preparation would help if the people tasked with the responsibility of protecting them have no inclination as to the very essence of an autistic individual. According to the Autism Society of America, 1 in 5 young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) will interact with a police officer before the age of 21. Additionally, individuals with disabilities, including autistic individuals, are five times more likely to be incarcerated than people without disabilities. As a society, we are predisposed to view disability as a physical impediment. Yet not all disabilities are visible. Autism is an invisible disability. A vast majority of the autistic population looks like neurotypical individuals. Autistic individuals exhibit mannerisms that could be perceived by law enforcement as belligerent behaviors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines autism as a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. According to the CDC, an estimated 5.4 million adults and 1 in 54 children have been diagnosed with ASD. Given the population of autistic Americans, autism awareness and acceptance are critical within law enforcement. Police and other law enforcement agencies should be trained comprehensively and holistically on the nuances of autistic individuals. The autism spectrum ranges from being high functioning to low functioning. Generally, autistic individuals struggle with communication skills, social skills, eye contact, expressing feelings, touch and changes in routine. We are raised to maintain eye contact when speaking to show respect. This can be excruciating for an autistic person. A police officer can view this inability to maintain eye contact as rude or suspicious behavior. Another example is the need to repeat words (echolalia). To a neurotypical person who is not aware of symptoms of autism, it can be viewed as a behavior done with the intent to annoy. Engaging in repetitive behavior is one of the ways autistic individuals self-soothe. Since officers are not trained to recognize these behaviors, it puts autistic individuals at risk. No one expects police officers to know everything about autism. Notwithstanding, knowing what behaviors to look out for and how to respond will reduce the number of unjust deaths. These changes can only be made through nationwide training and education on autism within police departments. In providing training, it is recommended that autistic individuals, families, caregivers and experts be involved. Likewise, consistency is key. Follow-up training at multiple different intervals during the year (quarterly or semi-annually) should be considered. The training must never be one and done. Local law enforcement agencies should have community events that foster positive interaction within the autistic community. As we celebrate Autism Awareness Month, let us also focus on the need for acceptance of autistic individuals. Through awareness and acceptance, let us give parents of autistic individuals faith and assurance in the goodwill of society. A faith that when their child steps out of the confines of their home, they will be accepted. An assurance that those sworn to protect and serve will show empathy coupled with acceptance.
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At a time when the entire world is in an ever-changing state, and health concerns are paramount, you can continue to rely on LA Downtown News to keep you informed on how the COVID-19 virus is affecting your local community. We appreciate the trust placed in us as the news and of the Tosin Ade is a 10-year specialvoice education teacher in Los community. Angeles County. She is the founder of Childhood Uninterrupted, a platform dedicated to celebrating and embracing special Being needs parents. good stewards of that trust means we are here for you, especially in difficult times.
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Libraries set to reopen indoor activities
By Matthew Rodriguez LA Downtown News Staff Writer os Angeles Public Library will offer limited in-person services at about half of its locations on May 3. “We’ve been putting a lot of work into planning this reopening,” said Joyce Cooper, interim director of branch library services “We are really happy to finally be back in our buildings and to be able to provide a public service to our patrons again.” That day, officials will begin their phased reopening of 38 libraries — including the Central Library — across the city. In addition to the Central Library, the Echo Park, Pico Union and Robert Louis Stevenson branches will also be open Monday. All other branches Downtown will not reopen on May 3. “Libraries are the civic and cultural heartbeat of our communities, and a lifeline for Angelenos,” Mayor Eric Garcetti wrote on Twitter. “Our next phase in reopening our library doors is a crucial marker on our road to recovery — expanding access to learning, literacy and resources for all our residents.” The services provided may include quick browsing for up to one hour, computer access for one hour at all branches except Central Library, pickup of holds, and mobile printing orders. Here is a list of services listed for the four locations reopening around Downtown:
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• Central Library: browse and borrow, Library To Go, public computers, wireless printing. • Echo Park: browse and borrow, wireless printing. • Pico Union: browse and borrow, public computers, wireless printing. • Robert Louis Stevenson: browse and borrow, public computers, wireless printing. Last March, all 86 Los Angeles County libraries — including the 73 in LA city — closed following state restrictions aimed to stem the spread of COVID-19. Just like many other businesses, libraries predominantly went online with e-books, streaming services, and digital subscriptions to newspapers and magazines. Libraries also expanded their Library To Go services, allowing people to pick up reserved materials outside the library. “It’s been very challenging for libraries because we are a public service model-based organization,” Cooper said. “To not have a public to serve in person has been very difficult for us. But I think we’ve managed to transition to Bristol services much better than I expected.” These services will continue during the reopening. Libraries will continue to adhere to the COVID-19 safety protocols, and capacity will be determined at each library. Patrons, even those who are fully vaccinated, must wear a face covering and must maintain social distancing to people outside of their party. The Central Library will be open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Other regional and branch libraries will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, they will be open from 12:30 to 7:30 p.m. “Hopefully, LA residents will be very happy with the progress of our reopening,” Cooper said with a bit of excitement in her voice. “We know that they would love us to be 100% back to normal, but all we ask is that they be a little patient with us and we will get there eventually.”
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Covered DININGCalifornia will help
The Garden Bar at Manuel features a “fully separate kitchen” with four entrées, three side dishes and one dessert offering along with new produce-driven cocktails.
Photo by Katrina Frederick
The Garden Bar: Manuela’s new outdoor bar and menu
By Frier McCollister LA Downtown News Contributing Writer he pandemic allowed guests to really appreciate the pleasures of outdoor dining. Los Angeles definitely has the best weather for it. Yet, for some reason, there was no defined outdoor dining culture in the city, except perhaps for the various seafood shacks and boites along the beaches. Due to the pandemic, restaurateurs were forced to use their parking lots or bus or bike lands as dining areas, with the city’s help. The positive reception suggests outdoor dining is here to stay. Located in Hauser & Wirth, Manuela seemed to have anticipated the trend when it opened in September 2016. A full 70% of the restaurant’s seating capacity is housed on its sprawling outdoor patio area. Now, Manuela’s chef Kris Tominaga and his beverage director, Niki Kotantoulas, are doubling down on their already sizable outdoor dining wager. “We wanted a different offering that satisfies a different need,” Tominaga said. The Garden Bar at Manuela opened on April 16. With tables set among the restaurant’s nine raised garden beds and near the coop, where 11 rare-breed chickens provide eggs for the kitchen, the Garden Bar is a dedicated space for casual weekend tippling and tasting. “The garden is a fully separate area,” Tominaga said. “It’s not connected to the restaurant. It’s maybe 100 feet away. It’s not far, but it’s not a part of the general seating. There’s a big archway, there’s graffiti on the walls, and it’s pretty big. We have string lights. It’s always been a great place to see the garden, where we grow the vegetables and herbs for the restaurant. But it was never really used, except for special events and things like that.”
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The Garden Bar at Manuela is a dedicated space for casual weekend tippling and tasting surrounded by nine raised garden beds and near a coop with 11 rare-breed chickens.. Photo by Katrina Frederick
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Welcome to the Wild World of Online Dating! Dessert at the Garden Bar is churros with cinnamon sugar ($10). Photo by Katrina Frederick
The Garden Bar is open 5:30 to 9 p.m. Fridays and 2 to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The bar area seats 33 guests and is walk-up only. “We want it to be ultra-casual. Really casual.” Don’t expect to order from the Manuela brunch menu, though. “It’s a fully separate kitchen. It’s its own self-sustaining (operation), almost like a pop-up,” Tominaga said. “It’s kind of its own special thing. “You know how some of these things come out from the current (pandemic) situation and it’s not how you would plan to open a bar. It’s more of an event on a weekend, a street market or gallery opening, but it’s just open to the public, so it makes it a lot more fun.” Tominaga took over Manuela’s kitchen in 2018 from chef Wes Whitsell, who set an elevated Southern tone for Manuela. Tominaga maintained the Southern influence but drew inspiTO THE WILD ration from low-country seafood turns and the recipes of theWELCOME legendary Black culinary doy- WORLD enne Edna Lewis. There’s a humble biscuit on the Manuela menu that Tominaga worked on OF ONLINE DATING! for five years to perfect. The Garden Bar’s menu is simple and priced for casual weekend supping. Tominaga’s icon…thinking about dipping that toe ic biscuit is nowhere to be seen. Instead, there are four entrées, three side into dishes the onlineand datingone pool? dessert offering. …need an online “dating detox?” “This is really based around a charcoal grill and what we can do off of that grill, ” Tominaga …want to filter out the men who waste your precious time? said. “I like the smell and the look of a big charcoal grill.” For now, what comes off the grill is chili de arbol chicken served with white barbecue t last, a “tough love” book that gives empowered women sauce and fries with bread and butter pickles ($16). the tools to quickly screen out the wrong guys…and pave the “We do a dry cure on it, and then we rub it with this chiliway deforarbol mix that we make,” Tomthe right guys. inaga said. “It’s really a play on piri piri, (which) for a lot of our demographic is too spicy. The Here’s your personal online “dating mentor” to navigate this crazy chilis traditionally used in piri piri are a lot hotter.” process. Read the incredible stories from Katie’s adventures with He is referring to the traditional Portuguese grilled chicken preparation that typically uses scamsters and schemers, filled with tips and tactics to move Mr. Wrong out of your orbit quickly. fiery African bird’s-eye chilis. “We love the flavor of chili de arbol, so we use chili de Learn arbolwhat andit means a mixtoofbedifferent dried cushioned, submarined, stashed, Mexican chilis,” Tominaga said. “We have this blend that we’ve been orbited, playing with for a coubreadcrumbed, zombied or kittenfished, and identify the red flags when smitten by that cute guy who attempts to ple of years, just tweaking it as we go. And it plays really well with grilled chicken. In the end, manipulate your emotions and trust! the full-circle inspirations (are) the Dino’s Chicken guys. So, the full play on that is the chickare marvelous men outand there; this is book en and fries thing. To me, beer and wine and sitting in theThere garden and chicken fries a streamlines the search to help find the one for you. You only need one... good casual meal that’s not too serious.” so let's get started! The Garden Bar’s other menu choices include garlic shrimp with “pencil cobb grits” ($18). Anson Mills provides the grits. 51499> “They’re more difficult to cut, but they taste like fresh corn,” Tominaga said. “Rancho Gordo San Franciscano” beans served with queso fresco, pickled jalapenos and chips ($12) and 781735 556109 baby lettuces, pickled carrots and red onion tossed with a dill yogurt dressing ($11)9 round out the list of “Plates.” Side dishes are simply smoked almonds ($6), pickles ($6) and French fries ($7). Dessert? Churros with cinnamon sugar ($10). This is a bar after all. In addition to bottled and canned beers and an affordable list of wines, all by the glass or bottle, Kotantoulas has concocted new produce-driven craft cocktails for the Garden Bar. Highlights here include the Garden Gimlet ($14) served on ice with gin, cucumber, parsley, mint and lime; the Barcelona ($12) with Xalar vermouth, orange peel and olive; or the House Paloma ($14) with blanco tequila, grapefruit juice and lime. There are also two sangrias ($15) — orange, with orange wine and citrus vodka; and pink with rose wine, Meyer lemon vodka and watermelon with peach bitters. Bring a gang and order a pitcher ($55). “The nice thing about it is it’s dynamic. It can change as we want to,” Tominaga said. “We can do one-offs. We’re looking at doing a Tiki night. So, we can be as creative as we want or we can be as consistent as we want, so we’ll see.”
A “tough love” book that gives empowered females the tools to quickly screen out the wrong guys…and pave the way for the right guys. Here’s your personal online “dating mentor” to help navigate this crazy process. Read the incredible stories from Katie’s adventures with scamsters and schemers, filled with tips and tactics to move Mr. Wrong
HE SAID WHAT?! Secrets to Navigating Online Dating
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The Garden Bar at Manuela 907 E. Third Street 323-849-8480, manuela-la.com
TIPS TO FILTER OUT THE MIXED SIGNALS, SCAMSTERS AND SCHEMERS TO FIND MR. RIGHT.
out of your orbit quickly. Learn what it means to be cushioned, submarined, stashed, breadcrumbed, orbited, zombied or kittenfished. This book will empower women to quickly recognize and purge those men who are looking for money, a hook-up, a green-card or something other than love. Here’s to independent women pursuing their love dreams and clearing the field for a fantastic man and relationship they so richly deserve!
On Amazon for purchase
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“The Tenth, 2019” by Chaz Guest depicts the 10th Calvary, who were the first of six all-Black peacetime regiments that Congress created after the Civil War.
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ARTS & CULTURE
Art brings two artists together at Night Gallery By Bridgette M. Redman LA Downtown News Contributing Writer haz Guest and Josh Callaghan didn’t know each other until Davida Nemeroff married their works in an exhibition called “The Promised Land” at Los Angeles’ Night Gallery through May 15. However, they found instant camaraderie in their art’s stories and the way they make art. Guest’s two-panel painting, “The Tenth, 2019,” depicts the 10th Calvary in action. The 10th Calvary was the first of six allBlack peacetime regiments that Congress created after the Civil War. The “Buffalo Soldiers” were used during the Westward Expansion to help eliminate Native Americans. “This painting is 1856, and it’s a cyclical thing — we’re always trying to fix stuff,” Guest said, explaining how his painting belongs to our current era. “Can you imagine this time? These gentlemen were pit against the Native Americans by the oppressor of two peoples.” Callaghan’s sculptures, “Flagpole People,” are marching to demand a better America. Caught midstep, they are made of institutional, aluminum flagpoles that have been both figuratively and metaphorically dis-
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mantled. “What we are processing in this last era we’ve been in, it’s going to be an ongoing processing,” Callaghan said. “There are so many complex issues.” The two met on opening night of “The Promised Land” exhibit, and both walked away with a new appreciation for the other. Guest said it took him a few days to process it. “Seeing a photograph was one thing,” Guest said. “But seeing it in person — after about a day or two the brilliance was so poignant and so exact. I remember saying to myself, ‘Wow, that was really brilliant bringing those two together.’” Callaghan described a similar experience of how seeing the two works put together was very different than reading about it or looking at the pictures. “These works, there is something about the way of making art that I think is really similar, even if the outcomes are very different.” Callaghan said, “It’s about a kind of process, and the artwork is an outcome of the process. I think there is a lot of interest in the human body and capturing that living spirit of the human body. It’s a representation of a human energy that I see in both
Josh Callaghan’s sculptures, “Flagpole People,” are caught mid-step marching to demand a better future. Photo courtesy of the Night Gallery
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“Flagpole People” and “The Tenth, 2019” are on display within “The Promise Land” exhibit at The Night Gallery through May 15. Photo courtesy of the Night Gallery
of these pieces, and then I also think both have a political agenda that is really interesting.”
Seeking stories Guest is not overly fond of talking about what narratives are contained in his paintings. He wants that to come across in the work itself. “I will be honest with you,” he said. “I put all of that energy into the art, into creating what it is that I’m trying to convey. It’s my personal narrative and journey. I am going about it with all of the human gifts I’ve been given by the universe. I think when someone sees it, they’re going to be able to register it because we’re all human.” Guest’s work has been exhibited around the world, from Santa Monica to Paris. His work has been purchased by Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Herbie Hancock and the Rennie Collection. He’s painted pictures of enslaved African Americans on cotton flags from Georgia and created a graphic novel superhero, Buffalo Warrior, which is about to be made into a movie. Right before the pandemic, he spent some time in Japan, creating work there and learning about Japanese painting styles. He said he has a real appreciation for Akira Kurosawa, a Japanese film director whose work inspired “The Tenth.” “I love history, period,” Guest said. “But I really love my personal history as an African American. It’s very underserved. I chose to create this narrative, this painting, this tableau of the Buffalo Soldiers, and I used Asian ink and real fast lines. So, you take two cultures and merge them together —
sort of like appreciating our likenesses instead of our differences.” Guest puts a lot of thought into what he paints on, and it often becomes a part of the work itself. He’s painted on sand, leaves, shoes and paint tubes. When he first became a painter in 1987, he started studying painting from the Dutch to the Renaissance. He learned about traditional ways of making primer for his canvases. “I used to take 13 hours to make rabbit skin glue until I discovered PBA,” Guest said. Every canvas he chose was related to what he wanted to do. For “The Tenth,” he picked a linen canvas upon which he painted with oil paints. “There is an authenticity to the canvas before I even put the first mark on it,” Guest said. “And the paint as well. I was so unattracted to acrylic. I think I used it once in my entire life. Oil breathes. Oil has a life to it.” He points out that every artist has their own idiosyncrasies, habits or processes that help them create. For him, it begins with trying to translate his subject’s spirit into their images. He often starts with the mouth and eyes so they can tell him their story. “I conjure these people in my head, in my imagination,” Guest said. “I paint their eyes, their mouth — how many teeth are missing? How do you talk? Finally, what do you want to say? I conjure imagery and then I try to put the DNA in there.” Callaghan was also moved by his fellow artist’s work. “Let’s put this painting in the library or in city hall or in Congress,” Callaghan said. “This is the kind of art that can help us un-
derstand what America really is.”
Inspirations Callaghan has exhibited at the Night Gallery several times, including inaugurating its outdoor space this past summer with a sculptural work that invited interaction during social distancing. The three “Flagpole People” were born in his studio. Many years ago, he had used flagpoles as part of the structure of another public project he’d been working on, and the flagpoles were in his workspace along with other materials. “I thought they were interesting objects to look at critically, but also structurally they’re very interesting,” Callaghan said. “They’re very lightweight and aluminum. I had these in my environment for several years between using them and creating this.” One day, while he was working, one of the pieces caught his eye and inspired him to think differently about it. “I saw the volume of a leg or a thigh — just in that tapering shape of the aluminum,” Callaghan said. “This is an idea I’ve touched on in other artworks — a certain tube or tubular thing being like a human shape.”
He cut up the flagpoles and then pieced them together to see how close he could get to a human form. “At a certain point, I realized I wanted to make them a standing figure that was actually walking,” Callaghan said. “Just tinkering away, I started to make that happen. And then the walking figure was a great commentary on the flagpole in terms of what it represents in our society.” He was further inspired by the marches in the streets calling for justice. He wanted to combine a challenge to what government was with his process of making art. He also likes that they aren’t attached to the floor but that they have to balance on their own. “There is no illusion,” Callaghan said. “I like that in a sculpture. They’re playing by the same rules as the rest of us.” A former gymnast, Guest found the way Callaghan articulated the movement to be brilliant. “They have a language,” Guest said. “Put alongside this painting? It’s just a surreal and poignant message, and I love it.” It’s a conversation that Los Angeles art lovers can witness at the Night Gallery through scheduled appointments, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday through May 15.
“The Promised Land” with Chaz Guest and Josh Callaghan WHEN: Through May 15 WHERE: The Night Gallery, 2276 E. 16th Street, Los Angeles COST: Call for appointment INFO: 323-589-1135, nightgallery.ca
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ARTS & CULTURE
Twins launch Twitch-based talk show to highlight artists By Bridgette M. Redman LA Downtown News Contributing Writer rom GarageBand to Twitch, twin brothers Kendo (KingJet) and Shweez (Sherwyn) Nicholls have taken advantage of the latest in technology and social media to build a following for not only their music but the music and creative endeavors of everyone they know. Two Fresh, as they are known, hosts a chat series on Lost Resort TV, one of Twitch’s premium music channels, during which they play games and talk music and art with two guests each week. “Hard Coffee & Donuts” is part variety show and part talk show and brings on a musician and another creative type each week. The latter could be a visual artist, a producer, an actor or anyone who identifies as a “creative.” And yes, they imbibe spiked coffee during the show. The two LA-based producers were drawn to streaming during the pandemic. It’s been a time where they have experimented with a lot of artistic projects. “Me and Sherwyn were lucky enough to have each other to work on music with when this
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went down,” Kendo said. “We had our quarantine pod, and we were able to work on music together. We took this year to really dive in and throw a lot of paint at the wall for both of our artist projects.” When they discovered Twitch, they found they could give artists exposure — and people would listen. It was new to them, but they wanted to improve. “This is our first attempt at streaming and doing it live,” Sherwyn said. “We started bringing on some of our friends who are doing cool things. We had a homie who is a comedian, and we would ask wild questions that we don’t hear in interviews. People want to know more about artists and getting to know things around the artists instead of the normal ‘Where are you from?’” They caught the attention of Lost Resort TV, which asked them if they would try to do their show live on Twitch. “It was an easy yes,” Sherwyn said. The first episode was April 6. Lost Resort TV proposed the title, and the brothers were immediately on board. “I love to have coffee with my friends, and
food is a big thing,” Sherwyn said. “Put some alcohol in there and we’re going to have some good conversations.” Kendo said they saw it as an opportunity to showcase friends who are doing cool things. “I think it is always fun to get to know people through conversation,” Kendo said. “That’s how it came to be this variety show of segments that tell a little bit about yourself that isn’t serious.”
Making it wild Every episode is customized to the guests. One creative might be interviewed, while another may play games. “I like that there is flexibility and it’s not just ‘This is what it is,’” Kendo said. They want to cross the lines of who might be considered an “art creator” and keep it as broad as possible. They’re even featuring someone who has started a burger pop-up in LA. “No, it isn’t completely art, but he’s creating something,” Kendo said. “I just want to cover all the bases to be real.” The brothers find it important to inspire the next generation.
“We try to connect with creatives, anyone who is making music or making art or is a huge fan of music or even thinking about getting into it,” Kendo said. “We want to find people like us, young Black creatives.” They have asked musical guests to identify two songs that they wish they had written/ recorded or been in the room when it was created. Titled “Wishing That Was Mine,” they play the songs and talk about what draws the musician to it. “To me, that’s a cool way for the audience to get to know musical tastes beyond what an artist gives their fans,” Sherwyn said. Another segment is called “That Sketch,” during which the two brothers and the guest sketch and the audience votes on the best one. “The majority of the time, we’re going to lose because that’s not what we do,” Sherwyn said. “We’ve lost the past two episodes, but it’s fun.”
Finding ways to connect While they are new to Twitch, they’ve always been inspired by new technology and figuring out how to push music to audiences.
Twins Kendo (KingJet) and Shweez (Sherwyn) Nicholls, aka Two Fresh, began their live variety/talk show “Hard Coffee & Donuts” on Twitch April 6. Photo courtesy of Two Fresh
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Two Fresh brings a musician and another creative type, ranging from a visual artist to a burger pop-up owner, on to the group’s show “Hard Coffee & Donuts” each week. Photo courtesy of Two Fresh
They started their musical career as teens, using GarageBand to produce music. They then moved on to other programs that let them play with new and virtual instruments. They experimented as they grew older. The pandemic led them to use social media more to connect with audiences. “I feel like as technology grows, we just kind of chose what to use,” Sherwyn said. “Maybe this is the time to get out of our comfort zone and try everything. People like us, and other electronic music producers have to keep things fresh and just keep being a student of music.” Technology is also part of what brought them to Los Angeles. They were part of a collective called Team Supreme, with producers and friends. Every week they sent samples and flipped them to make a beat in 30 minutes. They’d then compile the results. Most of their friends were in LA, so they traveled here frequently. Finally, they decided to move to LA so they could collaborate more. “We were part of the community through the internet, but when we got to link up in person, it draws you to take a leap,” Kendo said. “We had to take that leap for our progression.”
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Defining success With two episodes under their belt, they continue to rewatch the shows to learn about pacing and to find those moments that connect with their viewers. They’ve said numbers don’t define success for them. “I feel like success starts for us just as people wanting to come back and watch another episode,” Sherwyn said. “If they can take one thing from the episode or all of the episodes as a whole and say this one thing resonated with me — that’s success.” They want people to tune in knowing that they are going to hear good conversations with interesting people. “Expect to come on there to have fun,” Kendo said. “It’s a hang between us and the people watching. We want everyone to be involved and ask questions. It’s not just us; it’s more a community of us learning from the people who are watching and also just being together in that time and having a good time.”
Hard Coffee & Donuts WHEN: Noon Tuesdays WHERE: Lost Resort TV on Twitch INFO: twitch.tv/lostresorttv
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