African folklore has been around as long as humankind, and the African diaspora in America has added new dimensions to its rich history. African American folk stories teach about culture, the mysteries of life, and the survival of a race of people bought and sold who continue to thrive in an unjust society.
“RETOLD: African American Art and Folklore” focuses on four themes: Remembering, Religion, Racialization, and Resistance. These themes provide a comprehensive retelling of the works featured in the exhibition. In many of the pieces, the artist’s muse connects closely with stories that have been told generation after generation. Folklore texts are featured throughout the space as a means to retell a richer, deeper story of African American culture.
There are more than forty artists represented in this exhibition, all holding one similar truth: their story of joy and struggle in the African American experience.
In addition to the artwork, there is also an educational video produced by Josh Toussaint-Strauss of The Guardian that explores the misconceptions about Haitian Voudou that is worth a watch.
Artist Hannah Black is giving a free lecture at Hammer Museum
PDC Design Gallery’s inaugural exhibition, SUPERSHOW, featuring the work of Los Angeles-based artists Fallen Fruit (David Allen Burns and Austin Young) is having a reception tonight from 5-10pm
For The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA’s third installment of the Return to Exile series it will celebrate Amiri Baraka’s Jihad Records and The Black Arts Repertory Theatre with a pop-up presentation featuring an audio and ephemera archive of jazz poetics LPs, original prints, and rare books, and culminating in a live read of Baraka’s 1964 play The Slave.
Mercury Rev and Beth Orton will be performing Bobbie Gentry’s The Delta Sweete at the Palace Theatre
Adia Victoria is opening for Tank and the Bangas at the Fonda Theatre
Iron and Wine are performing with Calexico at the Orpheum Theater
Constitution Happy Hour returns to Hammer Museum with a discussion of the Treason Clause with Loyola law school professor David Glazier and drinks available for purchase
Metro Art is hosting a free screening in Union Station of Song of the Sea with an introduction by artist, animation director and filmmaker, Lyndon J Barrois.
Vivian Girls are playing with Great Grandpa and Reckling at The Regent Theater
Ruby Haunt are playing a free show at Zebulon with LFZ
Tangerine and Krost are playing along with Kid Hastings at Non Plus Ultra
Seven Saturdays are playing a free show at Gold Diggers with Layton
Saturday
Artist and filmmaker Rhys Ernst will be in conversation with LGBTQ film historian Jenni Olson after a screening of Something Special (aka Willy/Milly) 1986- “a whimsical teen comedy about a teenage girl who wants to be a boy” at Hammer Museum’s Billy Wilder Theater ($9)
Michael Jang will be signing his photography book Enter the Jang at Arcana Books
There’s an opening party at Fowler Museum for Through Positive Eyes, “a large-scale photography and storytelling project created in collaboration with more than 130 people living with HIV/AIDS”. The celebration includes a discussion with co-curator David Gere followed by drinks and a DJ set. (free)
Cat Scan are having an album release party at The Hi Hat with Traps PS and Susan
Blanck Mass is performing at Zebulon with Helm and Steve Hauschildt
Sunday
CicLAvia returns with Heart of LA, shutting streets to car traffic in Westlake, Chinatown, DTLA, and Boyle Heights.
If you are downtown for CicLAvia grab some mole at La Feria de los Moles in Grand Park
Odd Ark in Highland Park is having an Artist’s Swap Meet in their parking lot
Los Angeles-based artist Analia Saban will be discussing her work with the Founder and Executive Director of The Mistake Room, Cesar Garcia, and her latest edition made in collaboration with Mixografia where the talk is taking place
The “surrealist variety show” The Butterfly Cabinet, curated by Guy Blakeslee is free and happening at Zebulon
The Egyptian Theater has several Oscar Themed events including a screening of the nominated documentary shorts, live action shorts, and animated shorts. There are also two free events- one a conversation with the Oscar nominated film editors, the other a panel discussion with nominated production designers and set decorators- http://www.americancinemathequecalendar.com/egyptian_theatre_events
Saturday
Gong Xi Fa Cai! Happy Chinese New Year! The Annual Golden Dragon Parade takes place in Chinatown to celebrate the year of the sheep/ram- http://lagoldendragonparade.com/
Kendrick Lamar is headlining the Air+Style music and sports festival at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Other acts include Steve Aoki, Cults, Phantogram, Tennis System, Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and more. Sports will include snowboarding and skiing competitions – http://www.air-style.com/en/events/air-style-los-angeles/tickets
