Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr.

Flashback to the 80's

Scavenger Hunt in Santa Monica

A Close Up of the Evangelical Right

Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Religion: The Content of their Character III
In Honor of the King Holiday
J.M. MORRIS
Highways
Friday and Saturday

Former MLK Center National Scholar and intern for Coretta Scott King, J. M. Morris staged the first Content of Their Character over the 2007 King Holiday weekend, and in this new three part version of song, multimedia and performance pieces by a multicultural cast, she presents her signature serious to satirical take on diverse characters taking on the issue of religion.  Parts I and II can be seen on Friday night and Part III on Saturday, but you can get a discount by buying tix for both nights online here. 

Zap Masters
Robert Crumb, Rick Griffin, S. Clay Wilson & Robert Williams
Copra Nason Gallery
Opening Saturday Night

No matter what you might dub this art form, it's ridden a hot Harley hog directly from the 60's skipping all those New Millenium celebrations and arrived in galleries today with an even harder edge and a pinch of sugar to sweeten the pot. This Saturday from 8:00-11:30 pm will open the soon-to-be legendary exhibition with original art from the Zap-Masters Robert Crumb , Rick Griffin, S. Clay Wilson and Robert Williams. Much of it will be original art from early issues of Zap-Comix and other extremely rare art from the underground masters that started it all. There hasn't been an exhibition like this in Los Angeles for as long as I can remember and there might not be another so don't miss it!!

Beau Jest
Morgan Wixson Theatre
Opens Friday

What's a Jewish girl to do when she's dating a guy named Chris Cringle but wants to make her parents happy? Create a Jewish doctor boyfriend and hire an actor to play him, of course! And the hilarity that ensues as the plot unfolds is enough to make you say "oy!" Buy your tickets online here or call the box office at (310) 828-7519. 

Santa Monica Scavenger Hunt
Watson Adventures
Saturday at 2:00 pm

So, just how well do you think you know the Santa Monica Pier and the Third Street Promenade? Do you know where you might find a friend of Harry Potter's on the Promenade? How about the spot where despairing actors will learn that no matter how many prayers, the heavens are not going to get you a part in a movie? Find the answers to these questions and many more at the Watson Adventures Santa Monica Scavenger Hunt on Saturday at 2:00. Teams are encouraged and reservations are a must! Reserve your spot for this totally fun afternoon adventure online here or phone 877/9GOHUNT.

Jona Frank
Right
Sherry Frumkin Gallery
Opening Saturday, January 17

This exciting Santa Monica-based photographer and filmmaker has just come out with a new book about life at an ultra-evangelical college in Virginia recently selected as one of the top ten photo books for 2008 by American Photo magazine. Selected images from the book make up this exhibition which takes a look into a completely different world from the one we experience here in Santa Monica.

Under the Radar: Electronica & Dance

Daedalus Meets Dance Under the Radar The Edye Second Space The Broad Stage Sunday at 7:30  As a child Alfred Darlington (born Alfred Weisberg-Roberts in Santa Monica) wanted to be an inventor.  This sentiment no doubt led to him choose Daedalus as his artistic moniker since in Greek mythology Daedalus was known as an inventor.  Or maybe the inspiration for the name came from the character Stephan Daedelus in James Joyce's A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Or perhaps it was prompted by the ship in the Japanese cartoon Robotech.   Maybe it was all three?  Whatever the motivation, Daedelus has been creating a style of live performance which includes intricate live-sequencing of original sounds, thick layering of sampled loops from diverse sources, and a bit of spice and magic all piped through a custom-built magic box called the Monome.  On Sunday night he brings dance into the picture and mixes it all up for what promises to be a highly coordinated and highly improvised experience – one you could expect only from one of the most respected new voices of laptop electronica.  For more information, check the links up above or call 310/434.3200

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
SGI-USA 
World Peace Ikeda Auditorium
Sunday and Monday

The City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College Associates, City TV, RAND Corporation, SGI-USA and the Westside Martin Luther King, Jr Coalition all join forces to present one of the largest and most diverse MLK Day events in Southern California.

Santa Monica Symhony
Free Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Concert
Sunday at 3:30

The Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra will perform their 3rd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Concert, under the baton of Allen Robert Gross and featuring pianist Jovanni De Pedro, performing Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 2 and Hailstork's Symphony No. 1. This free concert takes place at the SGI-USA World Peace Ikeda Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Boulevard.  Call 310/453.5511 or 310/434.4303 for more information.

24th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration
Monday
Beginning at 9:30 am 

Then on Monday, enjoy a multiethnic interfaith program that includes inspirational readings, music, a performance by Angel City Chorale, and presentations of scholarships. This event also takes place at the SGI-USA World Peace Ikeda Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Boulevard and is also free. The celebration is followed by a Community Involvement Fair, from 11 a.m. to noon at 606 Wilshire Blvd. Free parking is available on 7th Street, behind the 7-11 store on Wilshire Boulevard.