Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Santa Ana's top news & views blog

Category Archives: Arts and Culture

5th OC Film Fiesta kicks off Thurs., Sept. 18 at the Bowers Museum

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5th OC Film Fiesta

5th OC Film Fiesta Kicks Off Thurs., Sept. 18 at Bowers Museum

Fest Opens With Volando Bajo, Homage to Mexican Musica Romantica of the ‘80s

(Santa Ana) The 5th Annual OC Film Fiesta opens Thurs., Sept. 18 at 7 pm at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana with a free screening of Volando Bajo, acclaimed Mexican director Beto Gomez’s hilarious homage to musica romantica of the 1980s. The Bowers Museum is located at 2002 Main St. in Santa Ana. The OC Film Fiesta, which features three weekends of films, documentaries and workshops, runs through Sunday, Oct. 5.

Presented by the City of Santa Ana PRCSA and produced by Pocharte, the OC Film Fiesta is a free cinematic celebration of Orange County’s diversity and multicultural heritage. The OC Film Fiesta continues on Friday, Sept. 19 at the Bowers with a special 1:30 pm screening of Fernando de Fuentes’ 1936 classic Vamonos con Pancho Villa with a discussion about the film’s legendary composer, Silvestre Revueltas. Continue reading→

2014 Konsept Arts and Music Festival set for Sep. 6-7 in DTSA

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Konsept Arts and Music Festival 2014

The Konsept Arts and Music Festival is coming to Downtown Santa Ana (DTSA) on Sep. 6 – 7, 2014, from 2 pm to 2 am.  Here are details from the event promoter:

Art, Music, Fashion, Photography, Culture all colliding for another day in the Historic Downtown Santa Ana, The last few years we’ve been putting together shows in this wonderful city to help push the arts. This year Konsept decided to do it even bigger, thanks to our sponsors we were able to put together 12 hours and 6 stages worth of music for you guys.

The team decided to do something different to give back to our community, so we teamed up with Locally Grown Collective to help a non profit by the name of Waste Not OC, an organization that works with low income families and homeless people start a new culinary program for troubled teens on probation. So with that said we’ve decided to donate all of the profits to this organization. Continue reading→

DTSA can’t compete with the MainPlace Mall

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MainPlace Mall

Santa Ana is a city of families – with more people under the age of 18 than any other city in Orange County.  The transition in Downtown Santa Ana to a hipster paradise of bars, high-end restaurants and nightclubs has predictably chased families out of the heart of the city.  Where have they gone?  To the Westfield MainPlace Mall.

You see the majority of Santa Ana’s residents don’t want to pay $20 for raw hamburgers at the Playground.  They don’t want to drink until 2 am.  They don’t have an interest in the arts.  They are just trying to raise their kids, get them educated and live a good life.  What DTSA has turned into has no appeal to most of us – although it does attract the insecure folks who want to feel like they are hip. Continue reading→

Free Caribbean Family Festival at the Bowers Museum on Sep. 7

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Caribbean Family Festival at the Bowers Museum

The Bowers Museum is hosting a free Caribbean Family Festival on Sunday, September 7, 2014, from 11 am – 4 pm, at the Margaret and Cleo Key Courtyard.  This event is sponsored by The Nicholas Endowment.

This event will include:

  • Face painting, Jelly Fish and Wood Fan art projects
  • Free frozen tropical fruit bars

The Caribbean Jems will wow the audience with their vibrant costumes and unique high energy dances. They will perform to popular Caribbean music played by Upstream. Continue reading→

15th Annual Summer Talent Show set for 8/16 at the Salgado Rec Center

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Santa Ana 15th Annual Summer Talent Show

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: CLOSE TO 200 STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN “AN ENDLESS SUMMER” THE CITY OF SANTA ANA’S 15TH ANNUAL SUMMER TALENT SHOW

SANTA ANA, CA – The public is invited to join the City Council as the City of Santa Ana’s youth program celebrates the end of summer with the City’s 15th Annual Summer Talent Show. Close to 200 young people from the Citywide summer recreation program will showcase their talents and perform on Saturday, August 16, 2014 at the Salgado Recreation Center, from 1 to 3:30 pm. Continue reading→

The Bowers Museum’s August programs showcase the diversity of Latino culture

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Bowers Museum Latino Program for August

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 12, 2014

CONTACT
Victor Payan
Latino Audience Engagement Specialist
714-567-3645
vpayan@bowers.org

BOWERS MUSEUM FEATURES GREAT LATINO PROGRAMS IN AUGUST

Lineup includes Lecture about Buenos Aires, Spanish Masters Presentation and Lalo Guerrero Doc

The Bowers Museum is proud to present a number of wonderful Latino programs in August, which showcase the diversity of the Latino community. The Bowers Museum is located at 2002 N. Main St. in the heart of Santa Ana. All events take place in the Norma Kershaw Auditorium. Student tickets are only $5.

On Thursday, August 14, join award-winning lecturer Jacqueline Hahn for An Evening in Buenos Aires: The “Good Air,” the Paris of South America. Madame Hahn will take you on a delightful trip to Buenos Aires. Explore the rich history, geography, architecture, sprawling avenues, parks, museums, and cafés of this enchanting city. Attendees will receive a free, autographed textbook from Ms. Hahn. The presentation begins at 7pm. Continue reading→

Santa Ana’s Annual Fiestas Parade set for Sunday, September 14

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Fiestas patrias

City of Santa Ana

Community: Thousands Expected at City of Santa Ana’s Annual Fiestas Parade on Sunday, September 14

SANTA ANA, CA (August 12, 2014) – Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets of the City of Santa Ana to enjoy the annual Fiestas Parade on Sunday, September 14 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Over 100 parade entries will be showcased in this year’s special theme “Our Pride That Unites Us.” The Fiestas Parade will wind through Civic Center Drive and Main Street in Downtown Santa Ana and will be a celebration of art and culture for all ages. Continue reading→

City Council to honor Rep. Sanchez and Artists Village founders on 8/5

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Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez at the OC Labor Day event in Santa Ana

City of Santa Ana

Community Alert: Public Invited: Mayor & City Council to honor Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and others at Tuesday’s City Council Mtg.

SANTA ANA, CA (August 1, 2014) – The public is invited to attend the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, August 5, 2014 as the Mayor and City Council will recognize Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and the Founders of the Artists Village for their outstanding contributions to the City of Santa Ana.

Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez was born and raised in Orange County and in 1996 she became the first Hispanic woman ever elected to Congress from Orange County. Congresswoman Sanchez is the highest ranking female on the House Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security Committee. She is the leading voice in Congress for women in the military and is an active volunteer within her local community. Continue reading→

Tribute to Santa Ana art exhibit set for this Saturday night at Diego’s Downtown

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A Tribute to Santa Ana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact: Matt Southgate – 714.381.9136 – mattsouthgateart@sbcglobal.net

“A Tribute to Santa Ana” by Urban Realist Painter, Matthew Southgate will open THIS SATURDAY 8/2 during DTSA’s ArtWalk. Celebrate historic scenes & local movie legends from the “Golden City” such as Chaplin, Brando, Bebe Daniels and more!

Southgate was taught painting by the legendary Emigdio Vasquez and also studied art at Santa Ana College. He’s been active in the Santa Ana arts scene for over 20 years, exhibiting at the Caged Chameleon Gallery in the 80’s, which DIEGO’S chef Richard Espinachio used to run, as well as in the Bowers Museum, OCCCA, and his infamous Studio del Sotano gallery in the historic Santora basement. A skilled muralist, portrait painter and sign-maker, Matt has also been active in local politics, advocating for Artists with the Artists Village Association of Santa Ana (AVASA) and United Artists of Santa Ana (UASA). His guiding vision has been to preserve the historic Santora Arts Building, Artists Village and DTSA as cultural hubs by providing Artists and Arts Businesses with the support needed so they can continue showcasing Santa Ana’s unique history. Continue reading→

Could the One Broadway Plaza Tower save the DTSA food and arts scene?

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Bars, Development, Mike Harrah, Planning, Real Estate, Redevelopment, Restaurants, Santa Ana 25 Comments

OBP

The Calacas Cafe recently relaunched after changing from a coffee shop to a Mexican cafeteria to compete in the changing downtown atmosphere, labeled by some as one of the hippest scenes in Orange County, according to the O.C. Register.

With a new bar or restaurant opening downtown just about every other month, the owner of Calacas, Rudy Cordova, said he felt he just couldn’t keep up.

No one can keep up.  There are only so many hipsters around and the only way that Downtown Santa Ana’s hipster food and drinking – and arts – scene is going to survive is with a massive influx of new customers.   Continue reading→

Lalo Guerrero documentary to screen at the Bowers on August 21

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Lalo Guerrero

MARK YOUR CALENDAR – BOWERS SUMMER NIGHTS MOVIE NIGHT ON THURSDAY| August 21

Lalo Guerrero: The Original Chicano, With Special Guest introduction and post-screening discussion

The career and songbook of the legendary “Father of Chicano Music” guide the viewer through seven decades of Mexican-American / Chicano history from Repatriation, the Zoot Suit riots and the UFW to the minifalda/mini-skirt and Chicano pride and prejudice. Guerrero captured it all in a dazzling array of musical genres including rancheras, boogie, tropical, norteño, cha-chas, mambos and beautiful boleros. Learn about the life and legacy of this multi-talented national musical treasure through rare photographs, historic footage and musical performances. Interviews with Linda Ronstadt, Ry Cooder, Dolores Huerta, Cheech Marin, Luis Valdez, Edward James Olmos and Los Lobos’ Louie Perez and Dave Hidalgo help bring Lalo Guerrero’s eclectic cultural tapestry to life! Continue reading→

Santa Ana based woman owned company hires a comic book artist to redo their logo

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New Transit Air Cargo Logo

For Immediate Release

Contact: Janet Amaya 714-380-5614 (pictures available upon request)

Local, woman-owned tradeshow shipping company commissions Marvel comic book artist for their 25th anniversary logo and commemorative comic book page

Just in time for Comic-Con San Diego, Transit Air Cargo partners with non-profit organization Hero Initiative, which supports comic book creators in need

Transit Air Cargo ships trade show freight all over the world, and the San Diego Comic-Con was no exception. 73,803 pounds of freight was delivered by Transit Air Cargo to this popular event. With their 25th anniversary around the corner the shipping experts (and major comic book fanatics) decided that a souped-up logo and comic page depicting Transit Air Cargo’s mission, along with the real life employees cartooned into the comic page would be a unique gift for their hard work. It would boost employee spirit and morale, since the owner’s passing five years ago. His wife has taken over since then and the company still maintains their commitment to first class trade show shipping services. Continue reading→

Free Shakespear play at Santa Ana’s Birch Park set for July 31

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A Midsummer Night's Dream at Birch Park

Join the City of Santa Ana in partnership with Shakespeare by the Sea for the 3rd Annual, Shakespeare in the Park event.  They will present “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare on Thursday, July 31, 2014 at  7 p.m., at Birch Park, located at  210 N. Birch in Santa Ana.

Admission is FREE and for the whole family!

Bring your picnics, blankets and beach chairs along with your friends and family to settle in under the stars for a night of classic entertainment in the City of Santa Ana.. Continue reading→

Santa Ana artist arrested after he tried to beautify our downtown

Posted on by Posted in Arts and Culture, Crime, Santa Ana 11 Comments

Tony Pedraza Utility Art Box work

Local Santa Ana artist Tony Pedraza was arrested and charged with a felony for merely painting a utility box mural that he felt would enrich and beautify the city, according to an online petition page that is asking that all charges against him be dropped.

The OC Weekly reported the details of what happened to Tony:

Tony Pedraza, a young muralist and painter from SanTana, painted the gunmetal gray caja after noticing other utility boxes in the city’s downtown were being decorated through a city-commissioned art beautification program. Three days into his own project, a police officer approached Pedraza and asked if he had a permit; Pedraza answered no. Continue reading→