Welcome To Our Guestbook To Visitors From www.medicinebowgallery.com
and www.venicebeachdrumcircle.com
Opinions And Thoughts About
The Venice
Beach Video And Drumcircles
This ongoing collection of people's opinions is registered directly
over the internet as well as through transcribed
recordings of live interviews taken at Venice Beach Drum Circles and
various other events.
Opinions and thoughts expressed in this forum do not necessarily reflect
the opinion of Medicine Bow Gallery.
This is a free public forum and thereby vulnerable to language abuse.
We're sorry for any uncivilized outbursts
in this forum you may be offended by. Nevertheless, it is the true
reflection of real people that makes it interesting.
Welcome to our ARCHIVE
page of Guestbook entries from 2000-2005. This page is now a read-only
page and does not permit any new entries. There are a lot of interesting
and important thoughts memorialized here from our visitors who have left
us with their views about the Venice Beach Drumcircle, the boardwalk, and
other important worldly subjects such as war and peace. If you have bookmarked
this page as one of your favorites on your computer this page will continue
to be available at the same address. Our new Guestbook page which is now
available to both read and place entries in is available at this address;
http://www.medicinebowgallery.com/34b44yt2.html
Please visit this new page and share your thoughts
as well as bookmark it for future visits.
We thank everyone who has taken the time to
write about their views and share them with the many people who visit this
Guestbook.
Marc
Lake Oswego, OR - Thursday, February 17, 2005
A refreshing new source for alternative
news and opinions which are rarely
found in the dominant media.... www.earthblog.net
<brokencamera@yellowhammer.com>
Lake Oswego OR -January 23, 2005 Pacific Evening
Monitoring the Presidential Inauguration
this
morning on my extensive satellite channel selection I have to say 2
thumbs up to CBS. They showed american freedom fighters and peace
activists being arrested while Bush was talking in the background about
Liberty and Freedom. I never seen anything like it and I'm impressed at
the awesome camera-pans, following arrested citizens with style as they
were deprived of their rights. At last, there is a 2watt glimmering light-bulb
on the end of the Freedom Tunnel.
PS.: Sadly, Free Speech TV broadcasted the usual boring BullShit
about the Columbia Milk Conspiracy etc.
HANSi F. Nufer, Leona Valley, CA USA - Presidential Inauguration Day
2005
HELP SAVE VENICE BEACH To
get the whole story about the problems with the city about the venice beach
boardwalk got to http://cwaughart.com see footage to get the Documentary
called the Battle for the Boardwalk-a venice
beach story . www.cwaughart.com/film
aaronwaugh71@hotmail.com
aaron waugh <aaronwaugh@hotmail.com>
santa monica, CA United States - January 18, 2005, on a clear night
I am a native Cuban and have been playing drums since
I was seven years old. I have seen and heard the Venice drum circle, and
its awesome! I feel if you can't play in your home, than why not at the
beach? If they don't like it, they can always go somewhere else. Music
is an art form, and should always be expressed as much as humanly possible.
I don't to get out there as much as I would like to, but I am right there
with all of the Venice Beach Drummers, and I will drum until I am six feet
under.
Omar Castrezana <omarqbn@cox.net>
Aliso Viejo, CA USA - January 11, 2005, 23.00.03 (PST)
I would like to share the following article I recently read on the
web....Thank YOU Co-Creating World Peace Effort With Oprah World Peace
& Harmony Begins With One Person...You. What does this simple statement
really mean? Is it possible that World Peace really does begin with each
of us as individuals? Is it really possible that World Peace is not up
to our leaders, politicians and those holding the riches of our world?
Yes. (PRWEB) December 29, 2004 -- This season the Oprah Winfrey Show is
running a series called "Oprah's Wildest Dreams Come True"...The University
of Light & Creativity/Universal Voices.org has recently submitted a
collective dream to Oprah...The dream - to post billboards on every major
highway in the United States that say... "World Peace & Harmony Begins
With One Person.....You." Imagine the potential of this message being portrayed
all across our country .... Imagine how this simple message could ripple
out to touch our entire global community...World Peace IS possible...We
have the ability to make this dream a reality! We know that many voices
coming together make One powerful voice - We are many and We are One. Peace
is not a concept that can be mandated or enforced. Fighting for Peace is
self-defeating and is what builds walls between people and nations. To
experience Peace is to BE Peace. When we as individuals are expressing
Peace within ourselves, there is no desire or need to create conflict in
our outer world. The conflicts we experience in our outer world are a mirror
of humanityís collective internal conflict. World Peace cannot be achieved
through challenging or finger pointing. We have the right ~ We have the
ability to CHOOSE Peace in every moment! When we choose Peace within our
own lives, we become a Ripple of Peace, we become a Voice of Peace, breathing
our inspiration into the heart of humanity, gently encouraging reflection
and right action. We ALL want to feel secure. We ALL want to feel accepted.
We ALL want to feel loved. No one, nothing can make us feel this way. To
feel loved is to love ourselves, unconditionally. To feel accepted is to
accept ourselves, unconditionally. To feel secure is to remember who we
truly are, to embrace the natural state of our being ~ Unconditional Love,
Peace & HarmonyÖFor this is what lives within the hearts of allÖ Join
us in supporting Global Harmony and World Peace! Add your voice to this
dream and empower the experience of a dream we ALL hold in our hearts.
Sign our guestbook to show your support, show Oprah that this is a real
vehicle for graceful change ...Please follow your Heart, reflect on what
the statement means to you and pass this information on to others you know.
The link below will take you to our page with further details of our submission
to Oprah. We believe this submission has the potential to ripple across
our global community and be a HUGE catalyst for further global peace initiatives.
http://www.universalvoices.org/DreamsCanBecomeReality.html Thank You for
your time and energy! Be In Joy. ~Kristin & Mark Jennings Reese
Robert Shawn <shawnbob@gmail.com>
ABQ, NM USA - January 4, 2005 middle of the night
In my opinion, the Venice Beach
Drum Circle and community is a fervant enlightened group of very cool cats!
I
thuroughly enjoyed myself while mixing with the local artists who gathered
on the beach Saturday afternoon, well on into the evening. I am blessed!
peace -jaime http://www.jaimesite.homestead.com/jaimeray.html
jaime <jaimenote@earthlink.net>
San Francisco, CA USA - January 3, 2005 Evening
the LongestWintersNight leads us to 'Harmonious' "Greetings
Tribe ? We stand @ the precipice of the longest night on this Eve of the
Winter Solstice In the Vast & Holy DarkÖ What will the Kwanzaa Full
Moon Bring ~ As our rhythms build & arcÖ The Eternal Fire in our hearth
burningÖ In community our intentions spark ~ A living light that rings
in the New Years greeting & laughs at Winterís bark 'Harmonious New
Year's Eve' Friday, Dec 31st 2004.....At Holmes Place 355 E. Grand (2 blks
west of Navy Pier) For more info. & tickets: www.iwomp.com
"To transform life into celebration is the only authentic science of religion."
--Osho
Hazel <shedrums@earthlink.net>
IL USA - December 20, 2004
The dirty deed is almost done. The Boardwalk will soon
become the "boardwalk", a place of licenses and regulations. A licensed,
lotterized, and well-regulated "free speech" zone where Big Brother shall
assign through a lottery and license scheme spaces along the former free-spirited
Boardwalk. The new more-regulated, small "b" boardwalk, controlled by government
will join the rest of "Occupied America" and come under full control of
the same kind of folks who have recently improved life in Baghdad. Get
used to the idea that "war is peace" in 2005. What do you think they have
in mind for the Venice Beach Drumcircle? There are a lot of people who
think the party is over sometime in January. Things like permits to have
a drum circle at all with specific numbers of people allowed to "attend".
What are they going to do when some tourists decide to walk up to the licensed-in-advance
drum circle and commit the perhaps about to become illegal act of listening
or even dancing and causing the number of drummers and dancers to excede
the "legal limit"? The unanimous vote of the L.A. City Council is the proximate
cause of all of what's about to happen. Perhaps Venice should just become
its own city separate from Los Angeles. How much of this are you all going
to take? Do you like living in a world where you get drug tested to get
a job tossing burgers and fries but to be a City Councilperson you not
only don't get drug tested but you can get photographed snorting cocaine
in a city van and not get removed from your job as councilperson. In fact
you can become President of the United States and control the nuclear doomsday
box and never get drug tested. What's about to happen to our Drumcircle
is a crime. Where's the rage? Will we befriend the media about our plight?
Will we organize and have thousands of visitors sign petitions expressing
our solidiarity on the issue? Will we do anything at all or will we just
let someone else worry about it? The 100th anniversary of Venice Beach
is about to kick off next year. Will it be a celebration of free spirit
or a funeral? We need to all get off our collective butts and do something
now.
Marc <brokencamera@yellowhammer.com>
Lake Oswego, OR Occupied America - December 17, 2004
Article in Berea College Paper. All Things Loud and
Wonderful-By Joseph Tiu When I moved here to Berea from Los Angeles, I
knew I would have to make some sacrifices. Iâve always daydreamed
of changing my lifestyle to embark on a personal adventure of some kind,
not knowing in what form it might take. But I felt I needed a change, or
in actuality, I moved here to be with my fianc* and her family, and take
life just a little bit slower to allow ãthe rest of meä - my
shadow, to catch up so I can get grounded again. I quit my job of eight
years, left behind friends and my fractured but still close family, overpriced
restaurants and monthly parking fees (and the occasional parking ticket),
gridlock, smog, and the always taken-for-granted-year-round perfectly dry
sunny days. But one of the things I missed most about Los Angeles is the
free spirited communal gathering of drummers and dancers on the weekends
at Venice Beach Drum Circle. I had hoped that in Berea, there would be
something similar to pacify my need to drum. Little did I realize that
this need is not a mere luxury or a hobby, but a real physical and mental
essential part of my psyche and well-being. Thatâs where being a
part of the African-Latin Berea College Percussion Ensemble has been a
saving grace for me. As soon as the semester started, my fianc* and I signed
up. The troop is headed by Tripp Bratton, a UK alumni and a long time African-trained
drum teacher who has somehow surrounded himself with all things loud and
wonderful. Tripp certainly has the energy, passion, patience, and of course,
skill, to teach even the greenest of novices, on the art, techniques, and
idiosyncrasies of drumming. What does a drum teacher do for kicks in his
off time? More drumming of course. He teaches drumming in an after-school
program of 1st and 2nd graders as well, along with performing in various
groups playing various musical styles and other instruments like keyboards
too. Tripp is one of those rare individuals who have made his passion his
whole life. Something most of us secretly wish and stride for. Donât
be misled into thinking that a drum class is an easy grade. The lessons
can get very technical. It can be quite testing on your mettle when you
try to incorporate something that tasks your motor skills, eye to hand
coordination, and to interject passion and spirit, and meld it into that
amorphous release of artful energy. All of this of course equals fun, and
thatâs the bottom line, with a net profit of having participated
in something that has been a primal tradition of humans even before recorded
history. Upon watching the ensemble perform last year, Mark Nigro, a BC
staff now a member of the ensemble said, ãThey (the drummers) were
having more fun than the audience!ä So donât be surprised if
the drumming bug gets you too. The Berea Drum Ensemble is open to everybody
willing to learn and have fun. Leave your stage fright behind because the
troop performs at special events such as the BSU Pageant last Friday, November
19 and the BME Concert last Saturday November 20th. Even with back to back
gigs, the ensemble performed with conviction and enthusiasm ö each
beat reverberating in the hearts of the audience long after the performance
has finished. Itâs truly amazing how in just a couple of months,
Tripp has managed to put a band of young eager people together to produce
such professionalism and zeal rivaling other groups who have performed
for years. Being a part of a drum ensemble has added a certain legitimacy
to a longtime passion, but I still do occasionally miss the chaos of an
all out anarchistic rave of an open drum circle, especially when it is
out in the open beach, with five hundred individuals times two hands equals
a thousand hands and ten thousand fingers, all making music, and even more
amazing still ö in harmony! And when the sun sets, everyone turns
with genuine revelry, towards the diminishing light, which in turn crescendos
the volume into what can only be described as the sound of life itself.
Some of us are thinking of putting together an open drum circle on weekends
near the college starting next spring. Stay tuned.
Sirus the big toe
KY - December 16, 2004 at 11:59:22 (PST)
Hi Everyone, Don't forget this great class starts this Monday at
7pm: West African Drumming Class Series With
Fred Jones Mondays 7:00pm-9:00pm 9 Week Series (Nov 15 - Jan 17, no class
Dec 27) Cost $125 for 8 classes & recital on 9th week. Limited to 15
Students In this class you will learn traditional West African rhythms
on the Djembe and Dunun (bass drums) as taught by Mamady Keita of Guinea,
West Africa. The instructor, Fred Jones, has been playing for over 30 years.
He is the Musical Director for Abalaye African Dance Ensemble of Los Angeles
and former Musical Director and dancer for Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago.
He is a great teacher and is skilled at getting a group of beginners playing
quickly. This is a fun class with lots of learning! Over the course of
8 weeks each student will learn all dunun, djembe, and bell parts for four
WestAfrican rhythms. Classes are held at Bang a Drum - Hand Drum Store:
1255 S. La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019 (between Olympic & Pico).
Spaces are available. Call (323) 936-3274 to register. Drums provided.
See you there! Best, Chris Chris Reid Bang a Drum 1255 S. La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90019 USA www.bangadrum.com Tel (800)495-1109, (323)
936-3274
Chris <chris@bangadrum.com>
Los Angeles, CA Planet Earth , November 23, 2004 at 11:55:07 (PST)
Thanksgiving Full Moon Stuffing
Drum Circle
Well, the cowboys gave thanks on November 3. Now it's our turn.
On Friday, November 26 we'll do what
the Indians always did before the Pilgrims made them wear clothes, drink
booze, and become casino operators: drum. You'll need to work off that
dry-ass turkey anyway (and purge the family drama). The
full moon's on a Friday - and a holiday to boot. So put this in
your PDA and let's boogie. Don't worry about the cold - we'll have a blazing
fire.
Friday November 26 7-10pm
Bring instruments, seating, beverages and wood!
Aliso Drum Circle, Saturday, November 20, 2004 at 16:32:02 (PST)
WORLD FESTIVAL OF SACRED MUSIC
-- LOS ANGELES Sept 17 - Oct 2, 2005
16 days, 35 events with music, dance,
visual arts, & theatre, classical, traditional, & contemporary
--- Dedicated to peace, cultural understanding, and the need for universal
responsibility, The World Festival of Sacred Music -- Los Angeles is thrilled
to announce that in one-year a third citywide festival will be hosted in
Los Angeles. The 16-day intercultural, interfaith
and multidisciplinary Festival will share music and movement in
places large and small, sacred and secular, public and private -- crossing
neighborhoods, cultural, religious, and ideological boundaries. The Festival
is designed as a forum for people to consider spiritual, ethical, and ecological
questions of our time. For meeting details or to download an application,
visit www.festivalofsacredmusic.orgApplications
must be received in the Festival office by December 1, 2004
Planet Earth, <info@festivalofsacredmusic.org>
Tuesday, November 16, 2004 at 18:56:10 (PST)
THE LAW IS THE LAW So
if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words
"under God" to be on our money, then, so be it. And if that same government
decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government
installation, then, so be it. And since they already have prohibited any
prayer in the schools, on which they deem their authority, then so be it.
I say, "so be it," because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen.
I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than
I are in positions to make good decisions. I would like to think that those
people have the American Publics' best interests at heart. BUT, YOU KNOW
WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE? Since we can't pray to God, can't Trust in God and
cannot Post His Commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the
Government and it's employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas
celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from
many facets of American life. I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas,
Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter. After all, it's just another day.
I'd like the US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday,
Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays. After all, it's just another
day. I'd l ike the Senate and the House of Representatives to not have
to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break." After all ~ it's
just another day. I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could
be saved, if all government offices & services would work on Christmas,
Good Friday & Easter. It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would
be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to
be "politically correct". In fact.... I think that our government should
work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshipping God...) because, after
all, our government says that it should be just another day.... What do
you all think???? If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected
officials will stop giving in to the minority opinions and begin, once
again, to represent the 'majority' of ALL of the American people. SO BE
IT........... Please Dear Lord, Give us the help needed to keep you in
our country! 'Amen' and 'Amen' Touche! These are definitely things I never
thought about but from now on, I will! and I will be sure to question those,
in government, who support these changes .
THE LAW IS THE LAW
USA -
Some marriages are made in heaven -- but so are thunder
and lightning. cialis online order cialis online The biggest problem with
communication is the illusion that it has occurred. cialis buy cialis"There
is no statute of limitations on stupidity." -- Randomly produced by a computer
program called Markov3.
cialis online <Machinetop@bmw.com>
San Diego, Ca USA -
I think a boycott is in order. This must be looked at as a long
term battle. I would love to hear opinions on the following idea: Let's
say we get 1000 people to sign up for the $25 permits. Each lottery day,
those 1000 put their ID cards into the hopper. Whoever gets a spot on the
boardwalk is then asked to boycott the ordinance. Instead of setting up
their typical art/performance booth, they can exercise their right to free
speech by putting up a poster in their alotted space, stating the reason
they are not there (boycott the ordinance). Will the tourists continue
to flock to Venice if all they see upon arrival is a wall of posters asking
everyone to boycott the new ordinance. The city has rammed this ordinance
down everyones throats, why not ram back? What do you think?
local <local@local.com>
venice, ca USA -
I think we'll live to regret this ordinance.
Venice Beach Boardwalk Ordinance
Venice Beach, CA USA - Thursday, October 28, 2004 at 12:41:24 (PDT)
It's unfortunate that opinion on this issue was so polarized, since
I think there were valid arguments to be made both pro and con. However,
it was obvious early on that Miscikowski's office was actively supporting
the ordinance, which made a unanimous council vote a foregone conclusion
and any protest an exercise in futility. As for the statement by Dennis
Zine about the incivility of audience members, I applaud all calls for
civility and respect, but I'm more than a little amused by the councilman's
outrage. I've had the distinctly unpleasant experience (as have many others)
of speaking before the city council while council members chatted among
themselves, paying absolutely no attention. What's good for the goose,
I'd say to Mr. Zine, is good for the gander.
Venice Beach Boardwalk Ordinance
Venice Beach, CA USA - Thursday, October 28, 2004 at 12:39:56 (PDT)
To everyone who responded to emails to support the Venice Boardwalk
Ordinance, A GREAT BIG THANK YOU! The Ordinance sailed through the City
Council today, which voted unanimously (13-0) in favor of the Ordinance.
In short, all the letters, emails and phone calls made to the City made
a tremendous difference in today's outcome. They were just overwhelmed
by the support. So even though the City Council Chambers were packed by
GRVNC Board members claiming to represent the "entire" Venice community
and the transient commercial vendors they bussed in to vocally opposed
the Boardwalk Ordinance, the City Council knew that this Ordinance had
broad support from all over our community because all of you were willing
to get involved and make your voice heard. Know that your help went a long
way towards making sure our Boardwalk won't turn into a swap-meet by the
sea, but will instead remain a world class tourist destination, open to
the artists, performers and free speech advocates that make Venice so unique.
And now for a few entertaining highlights: GRVNC President Suzanne Thompson
and her merry band of about 30 Boardwalk protesters were allowed 20 minutes
to give their side of the story. Suzanne started by demanding more time
for GRVNC to speak, but was denied by the Council President. She then complained
that GRVNC's Community Impact Statement wasn't on the agenda and she should,
again, be allowed extra time to speak. Again, she was denied. By this time
she had used up about 5 minutes of the opposition's time. Finally, she
got to the point and basically just demanded that the Ordinance be stopped
and that "professional mediation", supervised by GRVNC, be used instead
to solve the Boardwalk's problems. As each vendor got up and spoke, other
vendors in the audience hooted and hollered their approval, bringing the
proceeds to a grinding halt every time a new person got up to the podium.
When the opposition suddenly found themselves with no time left, they of
course demanded even more and were granted an extra 10 minutes by the Council
President. Jerry "Peace Activist" Rubin presented a 100 foot scroll of
signatures to the Council. As he threatened the City Council with a lawsuit,
he let it slip he no longer lived in Venice because of a "greedy landlord"
that forced him and his wife to move to Santa Monica (no, I'm not making
this up), but still laid claim to the Venice Boardwalk as his "home away
from home." GRVNC Board member Peggy Kennedy, fetching in Army Surplus
attire and a Panama camo hat, got up and did her very best "Rainman" imitation,
" I know you guys are being paid. I was also elected. June. 2003. Elected
to the neighborhood council in a landslide. Neighborhood council election.
Landslide. One of the biggest turnouts. I was one of the biggest counts
on the votes." She then made a very good pouty-face and said, "Also, I
want to say, why is the City even considering this? And you guys are sitting
here talking among yourself and stuff and not even listening to me and
I put a lot into this! And I don't think that's right and I'm a neighborhood
council person and I wouldn't do that to you." While the Boardwalk Ordinance
supporters patiently waited their turn, GRVNC Boardwalk Committee Chairman
(and Boardwalk vendor) Ibrahim "Larry" Butler walked up to their small
group, stood over them with a crude voodoo doll in hand, pointed to it,
pointed to them, made a cutting gesture with his free hand, then very calming
walked away, leaving the group to wonder what the hell just happened. As
the Ordinance supporters took their turn at the mike, voicing many of the
concerns you expressed in your own letters to the City Council, the Ordinance
opponents jeered and talked over them to the point where several police
officers had to remind them to have "a little respect,please". But the
best moment had to have been at the end, when both sides were done presenting
their case and it was Cindy Miscikowski's turn. All of the Boardwalk vendors,
along with some of the GRVNC Board Members, stood up in unison and turned
their back on her when she started to speak. This action so surprised and
enraged Council Member Dennis Zine that he actually took the time to admonish
the crowd, "I must comment on this. In my tenure here of almost four years,
we've had a lot of debates, a lot of issues. And I've never seen a group
turn their back on a Council Member who's addressing a particular issue.
And I noticed that with this group. And what that tells me is; you talk
about respect, you talk about freedom, you talk about liberty, but the
Council Member worked very, very hard on this, along with members of the
police department and the department of recs and parks. And perception
is reality. And when you folks stood up and turned your backs on Council
Member Miscikowski, that showed lack of respect. Total lack of respect.
We're here to listen to this. We're here to make a decision regarding this
particular area in a very civil fashion and I thought that your actions
were outrageous. Absolutely outrageous. I will be a strong supporter of
this measure. And for the members of the LAPD, you've tolerated these negative
activities for too long a time. Hopefully this ordinance will bring about
a solution that will make your job a lot easier." Evidently, Mr. Zine wasn't
the only one who felt this way because, as was said before, the Ordinance
passed. Unanimously.
Venice Beach Boardwalk Ordinance
Venice Beach, CA USA - Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at 17:48:26 (PDT)
It would suck the life out of Venice," said Rishikavi "Ra" Raghudas,
a goateed yoga teacher, Tarot card reader, astrologer and ÷ this
being Los Angeles ÷ screenwriter. "This may be the freest place
in America. Nobody wants to see artists in captivity." Opponents of the
ordinance contend that it is an unnecessary intrusion on 1st Amendment
rights in what is a designated free-speech zone known worldwide for its
eclectic denizens, freewheeling performers and unfettered public expression.
City officials counter that the ordinance aims to improve a situation that
has gotten out of hand. Their goal, they say, is to cut down on the complaints
from disgruntled residents and merchants who say the west side has deteriorated
into a swap meet where vendors show up as early as 4 a.m. during summer
months and fight, often noisily, for space. Even among some of the west-side
vendors, verbal disputes and physical altercations have prompted a few
individuals to seek restraining orders against their al fresco neighbors.
"There has to be some fair and balanced way to give people spaces," said
Gita Isagholian, the city attorney's neighborhood prosecutor assigned to
the Pacific Division. "We have to control it in some way." At stake, both
sides say, is the future of one of Southern California's most popular tourist
attractions. On holiday weekends, this carnival without rides can easily
attract more than 1 million visitors. When skies are sunny, hundreds of
vendors jam the beach side of the boardwalk, offering henna tattoos and
items as varied as framed photos of the Hollywood sign, Rastafarian-inspired
beach towels, artfully squashed soda cans with beach landscapes painted
on the bottoms, leather masks ÷ not to mention puppies and kittens.
Tourists and locals have been drawn to Venice Beach's boardwalk since developer
Abbot Kinney created the community a century ago out of a degraded marshland.
The wealthy tobacco mogul and world traveler, envisioning a "Coney Island
of the Pacific," launched his dream with a pier, the saltwater Ocean Park
Plunge and, of course, canals and architecture patterned after the Renaissance
Italian city. The community had its grand opening July 4, 1905, and quickly
became a hit. "There were always vendors · but most sold postcards,
popcorn and hot dogs," said Elayne Alexander, the Venice Historical Society's
historian and archivist. "There wasn't the weirdness that we have now."
One woman's weird, of course, is another's wonderfully wacky. But it's
safe to say that those early 20th century visitors would be agog at much
of what the boardwalk offers these days. City officials, vendors and property
owners have struggled for years to develop a system that works for everyone,
and devotees can recount a history of ordinances, lawsuits and debate.
The Wizard of Venice says he believes the current arrangement works. What
would happen to his livelihood, French asked, if he were to be aced out
of a lottery spot for months on end? "It's unconstitutional, and we'll
fight it tooth and nail," French said of the ordinance. "The 1st Amendment
does not give you a right to have a permanent space on the boardwalk,"
countered Sandy Kievman, senior field deputy for City Councilwoman Cindy
Miscikowski, who has helped lead the ordinance effort. Kievman said the
ordinance would aid police in their effort to enforce existing rules that
prohibit the sale of commercial merchandise on the boardwalk's west side.
On the boardwalk's east side, property owners charge vendors steep rents
for space. But the west side is controlled by the city, and until now vendors
have been free to peddle their wares on a first-come, first-served basis.
The rules allow the west-side vendors to sell products if a philosophical
or religious belief is "inextricably intertwined" with the goods for sale.
The current code "has a lot of ambiguity to it," said Sgt. David Burrus,
the L.A. police officer in charge of the Venice Beach detail. And vendors
have spotted loopholes, he said, citing those who make candles and "melt
a small gold cross in the bottom." In recent years, the sale of such merchandise
has angered east-side merchants. "I'm getting hurt really badly," said
Vicky Shanan, owner of Venice Crystals. "People come in and say, 'Ah, he's
selling it for less on the other side.' " Vivianne Robinson, a 10-year
boardwalk veteran, can see the situation from both sides. As a free artist
on the west side, she paints patrons' names on grains of rice in a 30-foot-long
space that also features two space alien figures and her artwork. On the
east side, she pays more than $3,000 in monthly rent ($4,500 in summer)
for two stalls, where she sells socks and other commercial goods. At one
point, she added etched crystal figures to her east-side inventory, but
then began spotting the same merchandise in the free spaces on the beach
side, where it sold for much less. "It seems impossible to organize," Robinson
said. "It's just a war zone, so in some ways it would be good to regulate."
Joel Shields, who rents an apartment on the east side of Ocean Front Walk,
has long complained about the clatter. During the summer, he said, vendors
begin congregating at 5 a.m. or earlier, with metal chairs, carts and supplies
÷ often staking out spots by laying down pipes and other paraphernalia
along the east side. A few minutes before 9, he said, there is a mad rush
to the free side. The ordinance would eliminate the need for the predawn
jockeying, he said. Under rules drafted by the city's Department of Recreation
and Parks, the number of spaces along the west side would be limited to
106. "I don't want a sterile environment," Shields said. "But I don't want
to wake up to a flea market at 5 a.m."
LA Times Article cont.
Venice Beach, CA USA - Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at 09:43:17 (PDT)
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-me-boardwalk26oct26,1,2890837.story?coll=la-headlines-frontpage
Sore Spots on a Split Venice Boardwalk L.A. ordinance would require vendors
on the 'free' side to pay for privilege of peddling. By Martha Groves Times
Staff Writer October 26, 2004 The Venice Beach boardwalk has a split personality.
On the east side, merchants in stalls and shops pay rent, wages and taxes
for the privilege of selling sunglasses, flip-flops, T-shirts and incense.
On the west side, pretty much anything goes ÷ and nobody pays a
dime to set up shop or put on a show. Take Shabba, the Robot Man, who one
recent afternoon sported feathery white angel wings and flexed his oiled
chest and biceps as he posed with grinning tourists. Or Louis Garza, the
self-styled Mayor of Venice, who early on Saturday mornings can be seen
in dark pants, vest and fedora, holding aloft a golf club as he trots alongside
runners training for the marathon. Or George French, 72, also known as
Mad George, the Wizard of Venice, whose Gandalfian locks and beard flutter
in the breeze as he zooms along in his wheelchair to where Horizon Avenue
meets the boardwalk. He has read palms on the boardwalk for 26 years, 19
of them at that same spot. These days, however, French fears for his bare-bones
existence. The Los Angeles City Council plans to vote Wednesday on an ordinance
that would require the painters, free speakers, musicians and others who
peddle their talents and wares on the west side of the boardwalk to buy
a $25 lifetime permit and participate in a monthly lottery that would determine
who would get space, and where.
LA Times Article
Venice Beach, CA USA - Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at 09:39:20 (PDT)
Fellow Venetians, I hope this message finds you warm and cozy as
you huddle in front of your computers on this cold and rainy night. It
is tempting to assume that the proposed revisions governing free speech
on the Venice Boardwalk will only limit one's free speech rights. However,
consider the consequences should we allow the situation to go on unchecked.
The current situation on the Boardwalk has produced a vacuum. The 1st amendment
rights in regard to of those who seek access to the Boardwalk have been
violated. Whether you choose to accept it or not, the current lack of governance
and ambiguity on the Boardwalk has degraded the 1st amendment rights of
artist and activists across Los Angeles ' and the globe. Case in point:
the lack of an orderly system already has the potential to discriminate
against the elderly, handicapped, single parents, handicapped persons,
folks who rely on public transportation ' in short, any person who is unable
to arrive as early as 5 AM to vie for exhibit space. Like it or not, the
proposed ordinance allows everyone an equal opportunity to exhibit on the
Boardwalk regardless of age, race, geographic location, familial status,
income or any other factor. The lack of exhibit space on the west side
of the Venice Boardwalk has grown scarce and infringes upon the rights
of others to express themselves. Fact #1: The sale of commercially-produced
goods is rampant due to ambiguities in the current ordinance. It not uncommon
to see several parties hawking mass-produced goods (from overseas sweatshops)
under the guise of "freedom of religious expression." Law enforcement and
fellow artists are powerless to clearly define what can and cannot be sold
on the Boardwalk for fear of legal reprisals. This lack of space means
that talented artists lose their chance at personal expression. Under the
revised ordinance only artists may hold permits; thus allowing law enforcement
to easily monitor the Boardwalk to ensure that available space is allocated
equitably. Fact #2: Certain artists are known to sell the same items in
multiple locations along the Boardwalk. Under the revised ordinance, only
one permit per person will be issued thus allowing for a greater diversity
of artists on the Boardwalk ÷ and equal access to all. Fact #3:
Certain parties are "brokering" exhibit spaces on the Boardwalk in exchange
for money. Once again, under the revised ordinance, only one permit per
person will be issued. Permits and vending spaces are not transferable.
In addition to the lack of available space, ambiguity in the current ordinance
causes numerous physical and verbal altercations as interested parties
must literally fight for exhibit space in the predawn hours; this requires
police intervention in both the predawn and post-sunset hours. Based on
the sheer number of visitors to the Boardwalk, police resources could be
better invested in preserving the safety of crowds at peak hours rather
than supervising the behavior a select few individuals at otherwise peaceful
times of the day (please see the Venice Community Impact Statement for
specifics regarding visitor traffic) . Like it not, these facts can be
proven. They have been discussed by the artists themselves and recorded
at various artists at GRVNC Boardwalk Committee meetings where members
of the city have been in attendance. I am tremendously disheartened to
know that these statements have been overlooked in a GRVNC community impact
statement which has been written by GRVNC board members who aren't even
official Boardwalk Committee members. Additionally, under the silent watch
of GRVNC board members I have watched as Venice stakeholders in support
of the ordinance have been called "racists" and "enemies of the people."
GRVNC has failed its own bylaws. By virtue of the shenanigans at its own
one-sided Boardwalk committee meetings it has failed to engage the "broad
spectrum of Venice stakeholders. No amount of signatures on a petition
will right GRVNC's refusal to completely understand and acknowledge the
issues behind the proposed Boardwalk ordinance. So as you stand in front
of city council tomorrow, I hope you understand the ramifications (and
contradictions) of your words; they are a tremendous disservice to your
own artists as well as artists in other parts of the city. The Boardwalk
should be should be a springboard where the talents of artists from across
the city (and the globe) are discovered and celebrated. Instead it has
become "Club Venice" and the Swap-Meet-by-the-Sea. How sad is that the
folks who cry the loudest to preserve free speech are actually the ones
who are excluding broad participation in this basic human right. Joseph
Mack Resident Venice, CA
Joseph Mack
Venice Beach, CA USA - Wednesday, October 27, 2004 at 07:25:51 (PDT)
A lottery is needed for venice, Calif. board walk. Free speach is
not at the exspence of outher people's free speach. The bully system is
in full force at this time for space. It is a public place and should be
fare for all to use the space. City fathers let's get it together and do
the right thing by puting a lottery together for space. LET'S STOP THE
BULLIES !. Escape Artist Tim Eric http://www.TimEric.com smartpeople@timeric.com
Escape Artist Tim Eri <smartpeople@timeric.com>
Las Vegas, NV US - Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at 17:09:33 (PDT)
Greetings and Salutations, It is clear that each side of the boardwalk
ordinance issue sees this from their own perspective. I have often strolled
along the beach in the minutes before 9 am and witnessed the "free speech"
of the westside merchants. Their "free speech" is typically argumentative
and foul mouthed. I personally witnessed a gentleman take issue with "arhata"
(the dry erase board king) and the resulting free speech was a slurry of
profanity in both directions. I think concessions are in order from both
sides of this argument. The problem is you have the highly organized city
government versus the completely unorganized boardwalk populace. If people
are worried about the welfare of boardwalk merchants who are unable to
follow the newly imposed guidelines, I suggest they make an effort to help
these people, not just complain about it. Sitting by and blaming the city
government for their potential future downfall, is, in my opinion, as bad
or worse than the legislation. Personally, I think the lottery is an interesting
concept, and if embraced, it might bring an higher level of diversity to
the boardwalk. Under current conditions, you must have an "in" with the
boardwalk mafia to secure a decent spot. I can't remember a morning on
the boardwalk that hasn't produced an argument concerning "right to space".
I know it is important for the people of the world to get their cell phones
painted, but I just don't see how that has anything to do with free speech.
Kind regards, Joe Wilson joe wilson <joe@jwils.com>
venice, ca usa - Tuesday, October 26, 2004 at 10:01:25 (PDT)
Beloved Rhythm Sister ? ãIt was the best of
times, it was the worst of times·ä Yes, these words still ring
true. We have been blessed as well as cursed with living in these Îinterestingâ
times· Just this month alone weâve had a solar eclipse on
the New Moon,+ & this Wed. Oct. 27th, the Full Hunterâs Moon
will challenge us with a Lunar eclipse *· Of course The biggest
election in history is a week away·!!! & the cherry on the cake
is that itâs right after Halloween, a milestone in the wheel of the
year· Called by some, Celtic New Yearâs eve· a time
to dress-up as what you want to Become in the new year· So come
out to She Drums as we honor the ancestors with Aztec Shaman Regina Rowe;
Dance with Baba Yaga as the Chantrees Rowan teaches us her tale·
Experience the transformative power of divination with Priestess Catherine
Willows·& take a journey into the depths of the underworld to
learn the secrets of our Highest Selves in our closing meditation with
H.A.G. & oh yeah Drum· She drums ·The womenâs community
drum circle FRIDAY OCTOBER 29th 2004 7:30 ? 9:30 PM LAKE STREET CHURCH
Rooted, Connected, Transformed 607 LAKE ST./CHICAGO AVE. EVANSTON IL. THE
PARLOR ROOM map to SHE DRUMS @ LSC>>BRING YOUR DRUMS & SHAKERS RATTLES
& MUSIC MAKERS PICTURES OF YOUR BELOVED ANCESTORS ANYTHING THAT SYMBOLIZES
WHAT YOU NEED TO LET GO OF, OR TRANSFORM (something to throw into the fire
perhaps) A GENEROUS LOVE DONATION !!! A ÎCOSTUMEâ THAT SYMBOLIZES
WHO YOU WANT TO BECOME click : my unpublished interview for Conscious Choice
on Halloween click: my ancestors called it Shadow Fest For more info. contact
Hazel shedrums@earthlink.net www.shedrums.com I AM TAKING A SABBATICAL
SO THIS WILL BE THE LAST SHE DRUMS @ LSC UNTIL SPRING !!! XOXO H.A.G. XOXO
(we will do a short closing ceremony for the Womenâs Resource Fair
in Oak Park on Sat. Nov. 6 ) *Full Moon in Taurus Wednesday, October 27,
8:08 pm PDT >>This Full Moon is a lunar eclipse, reminding us to close
a chapter on habits that no longer serve our needs. Taurus loves comfort,
but the Sun opposite it in Scorpio shows that struggle may be necessary
to attain fulfillment. What we think we need is outmoded, especially when
it comes to financial matters. Consider a shift in basic values the way
to move forward, rather than an abandonment of principles or a waste of
time and effort. Venus in Libra Thursday, October 28, 5:39 pm PDT. The
love planet returning to her airy home sign brings a sense of graciousness
and opens doors to new social experiences. A sense of fairness and justice
helps negotiations and relationships of all kinds. Beauty within and without
is a gift for ourselves and for others, as well. Two eclipses + suggest
a significant degree of change during this lunar cycle. Rather than the
sweet reassurances of Venus-ruled Libra (New Moon) and Taurus (Full Moon)
that all is well, we are reminded that comfort does not endure without
effort. What worked in the past may be less than satisfactory now, perhaps
disturbing the peace, but necessary to awaken us from the slumber of old
dreams. Opening ourselves to new tastes and values is not easy, but is
sure to be rewarding this lunar month. + New Moon in Libra Wednesday, October
13, 7:48 pm PDT New Moons are about beginnings, but this one is a solar
eclipse, so there's old business to finish before moving forward. Libra's
the sign of relationships, the primary area where letting go is to be expected
now. Stressful squares from Saturn and Chiron to the New Moon indicate
that old wounds may resurface. The purpose, though, is not to relive the
past, but to learn from it, making internal repairs and readjustments to
fulfill needs for partnership and to help make new connections. COME AS
YOU ARE ~ COME AS WHO YOU WANT TO BE ~ FOR THIS IS THE TIME TO HEAL THE
SCAR ~ FOR WOMAN IN RHYTHM HOLD THE KEY ~ THAT OPENS THE WAY TO THE STARS
~ UNLOCKING THE SECRETS TO SET US FREE ~ OUR HEART-BEAT DRUMMING OUT THE
CZAR ~ OUR VOICES RAISED IN DECREE· ~ YOU HAVE PUSHED US TOO FAR
~ WE WILL TAKE BACK OUR PRESIDENCY ~ & CREATE A NEW REALITY ~ IN TRUE
RED, WHITE & BLUE HARMONY ·VOTE·Peace
Hazel <shedrums@earthlink.net>
Evanston, CA USA - Monday, October 25, 2004 at 14:44:01 (PDT)
COME TO LA CITY HALL TO PROTEST THE PROPOSED
BOARDWALK ORDINANCE!!! ? BRING YOUR PROTEST SIGNS, DANCE, SING,
TELL FORTUNES ? PLEASE JUST COME!!! ~ date: Wednesday, 27-October-2004
~ time: 8:30am meet in front of City Hall ~ place: 200 N Spring St, Downtown
Los AngelesÖÖ..to reserve a seat on a bus leaving from Venice Beach, call
310-822-2771 and leave your name and your phone number or contact information.
(if we do not get enough people for a bus, we will still be arranging car
pools! ALL YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED AND VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, PLEASE COME
AND BE COUNTED AMONG THOSE WHO APPOSE THIS PROPOSED BOARDWALK ORDINANCE!!!
Ibraham Venice Beach, CA USA - Sunday, October 24,
2004 at 10:51:00 (PDT)
full moon halloween drum circle this
Thursday ==> Just 5 days away - the
rootin tootin demon purging costume drum circle. ~ Come on all you
trolls, witches, vampires, banshees, warlocks, cyclops, hags, shrews, ogres,
gargoyles, sorcerers, shamans, and vixens, LET"S DRUM Thursday,
October 29 7 - 10pm Aliso Beach ..Bring
wood, chairs, and drums * CAN ANYONE GO THERE IN THE MORNING AND RESERVE
A FIRE PIT PLEEEESE? WRITE ME BACK ASAP!
Billy <billyfried@cox.net>
Laguna Beach, CA USA - Saturday, October 23, 2004 at 19:07:34 (PDT)
what time does the latin/cuban drum circle start on sundays in berkeley
behind sproul hall?
caid111 <caid111@cox.net>
Berkeley, CA USA - Saturday, October 23, 2004 at 11:24:32 (PDT)
Howling winds. Torrential rains. Summer days quickly turning to
night. Passions overflow as our divided nation approaches judgment day.
So many lies and distortions - so little selflessness. Autumn has arrived
with a vengeance. And they ask us why we drink! Note: psycho-demographers
who get paid to analyze consumer behavior (re: shopping patterns) call
this period "nose to the grindstone," where families burrow in with school
work, yard work, work work, the World "Serious," football and hell yes,
lots of Hormel chile. That good ole' Protestant ethic that introduced the
highly successful 60 hour work week to America. But those psycho-demographers
don't live in Laguna Beach! Or do they? Who cares. Time to drum. Next Thursday,
October 28. And as a precursor to the heavy heavy psychic toll we will
endure in the week to follow (halloween and then the elections), may I
suggest a bit of mirth that can perhaps elevate our drum circle to that
of transcendent asshole exorcism - whoever that asshole is in your life.
That's right, I'm talking a take-no-prisoners demon purging. Just wear
your finest costume or creepy mask, and drum like a banshee. Or just dress
normal and drum like a banshee. Come on. Suspend cynicism and lethargy
for a day. Wear something wild. Also, can someone volunteer to reserve
our pit by placing some wood and beach chairs around it sometime in the
morning? Our great circle facilitator Megan is off on her South African
sabbatical, and I can't get there either. Lemme know. Thanks, CJ PS: End
mad cowboy disease!
Billy Fried <billyfried@cox.net>
Laguna Beach, CA USA - Saturday, October 23, 2004 at 11:12:44 (PDT)
Are there any events planned for New Years Day or Eve 2004-2005?
venicewriter62@hotmail.com
Morgan Craft <venicewriter62@hotmail.com>
Venice, CA USA - Wednesday, October 20, 2004 at 12:22:47 (PDT)
My reply to Deputy Kievman; "Dear Deputy Kievman, Thank you for
your thoughtful response to my eMail to Councilwoman Miscikowski concerning
the amendment to the present ordinance controlling the Venice Boardwalk.
You refer to retail items being sold on the West side of the Boardwalk
which are duplicative of items offered for sale by rent-paying merchants
on the East side. Many of these items are already illegal to sell on the
West side but due to lax enforcement in the daytime people are encouraged
to sell them anyway. That is one of the reasons that there are so many
"merchants" on the West side. As far as the physical battles at 3am to
claim a space, it's my understanding that the Boardwalk is closed to people
period at that hour. How long would the police have to make it abundantly
clear that people will be removed from the Boardwalk when it is closed
before folks would get the message? The police already patrol to discourage
people from sleeping on the benches along the beach. It might be hard for
some lawmakers to understand that the allure of Venice Beach is the relative
freedom which still exists there. It doesn't have the most beautiful sand
or ocean. It doesn't have anything unique except its freedom and its tradition
of this freedom. People don't go there to see an orderly Santa Barbara,
Malibu or Belmont Shores type of experience. The allure for the ten-million
yearly visitors is the freedom, the craziness, the inexpensive food and
souvenirs, and the relative safety of this unique beachtown. I believe
that if you pass this amendment that many of the crazy, fun performers
and artisans will disappear because they are not hyper-organized people
who will be able to deal with the organizational skills required to deal
with the licensing and lottery system which you propose. They may also
not be able to go a month or more without selling on the boardwalk if they
are unlucky in the lottery one or two months. Some of them may even be
unfortunate enough to "lose" in the important December lottery or in either
the July or August lottery when the best business occurs. I'm not sure
where these folks will go but I hope that they don't end up either under
a bridge or on welfare. There are some very fine artists and craftspeople
out there who are just making it as it is. There are also people with a
whole spectrum of political and social ideas. It's hard to stand on a soapbox
anywhere in this country anymore without a government-granted permit. Even
librarians are being ordered by government to document who reads what books.
We need more free speech without licenses or lotteries not less or more
controlled and documented. I refer you to a critical time period about
three or four years ago when the Boardwalk was just being finished after
a period of major renovation. At this time the Drumcircle was under attack
for a variety of reasons. Many people attend the Drumcircle from around
the world. Venice Beach would be a lesser place without the healing rhythms
of the drummers and dancers. Somehow in the final analysis the police,
the drummers and the community found a way to allow the Drumcircle to continue
in its almost original form with a minimum of rules. Much more extreme
measures were suggested and fortunately they were not adopted. An elected
official such as a president can destroy a lot with the stroke of a pen
which can authorize a war that unleashes the fury of guns and missles.
A Councilperson can also destroy something with the flourish of a pen confirming
a vote. I hope that Councilwoman Miscikowski will search deep within herself
for the correct answer before adopting any measure which could destroy
the community of the Venice Beach Boardwalk. I couldn't ask you for any
more." Respectfully, Marc Madow, Creative Director Medicine Bow Gallery
Marc <brokencamera@yellowhammer.com>
Lake Oswego, OR - Sunday, October 17, 2004 at 19:33:02 (PDT)
The following is the response from Councilwoman Miscikowski's Deputy
Kievman to my eMail (which was previously posted in the Guestbook) about
the proposed amendment to the existing law governing the Venice Boardwalk;
"Thank you for your thoughts. There is a lot of misunderstanding surrounding
the amendment to the present ordinance. There is no attempt here to regulate
free speech but rather to resolve problems connected with the time that
self expressionists arrive at the Boardwalk to obtain a space. People are
coming down as early as 3am and getting into physical battles for space,
which necessitates officers having to be on duty to make sure that people
are safe. It would allocate space specifically for performers, as there
are very few of them on the Boardwalk at the present time. They have been
pushed out by people selling retail items and duplicating what is sold
on the east side of the Boardwalk to the extent that the free speech area
has become more of a swap meet than a place where people can express themselves."
Sandy Kievman, Chief Field Deputy West Los Angeles Councilwoman Cindy Miscikowski
Marc
Lake Oswego, OR - Sunday, October 17, 2004 at 19:28:24 (PDT)
COME DRUM & DANCE & SING AS WE
PART THE VEILS TO THE MYSTERIES OF THE DARK & IN A SACRED CIRCLE BRING
THE FIRE OF LIFE INWARD TO EMBARK ON A MYTHIC JOURNEY BRIDGING BACK TO
THE HEARTH THE ANCIENT SPARK WITH THE ANCESTORS WE CLOSE THE CIRCLE CHANTING
AS WE DANCE INTO THE DARK FRIDAY OCTOBER 29th 2004 7:30 ' 9:30 PM LAKE
STREET CHURCH Rooted, Connected, Transformed 607 LAKE ST./CHICAGO AVE.
EVANSTON IL. THE PARLOR ROOM map to SHE DRUMS @ LSC BRING YOUR DRUMS &
SHAKERS RATTLES & MUSIC MAKERS I AM TAKING A SABBATICAL SO THIS WILL
BE THE LAST SHE DRUMS @ LSC UNTIL SPRING !!! XOXO H.A.G. XOXO 3 OF MY VERY
CLOSE SISTERS WILL BE CO-FACILITATING THIS CIRCLE CLOSING ALL HALLOWS GATHERING...
Regina Rowe : Aztec Shaman Calling in La Caterina - The Spirit of Death
who has many names The Woman who knows All the Secrets, The Woman of Wealth,
Rowan : Priestess, Chantress, Elemental Channel, Herbalist Catherine Willows
RN, IBCLC : Priestess Freya in the Germanic/Romanian Tradition, Healer,
Aromatherapist, Herbalist Closing Meditation :THE Divine Descent - a pathworking
for Samhain by : Hazel LâAura G. click : unpublished interview for
Conscious Choice on Samhain For more info. contact Hazel shedrums@earthlink.net
www.shedrums.com click: my thoughts on Shadow Fest
Hazel <shedrums@earthlink.net>
Evanston, IL USA - Sunday, October 17, 2004 at 11:56:59 (PDT)
Thank you Nir! I can't wait for your
arrival this winter! The Boardwalk is NOT the same without you! You and
yours are missed! Hurry Back! & Thank you Dry Gulch Ranch Drumcircle!
I am a very luck lady to be soooo loved by all of you and more...Much love,
peace, hugs & drums back at you!
Sondra <malibudrummergirl@yahoo.com>
Mailibu/Venice, CA USA - Friday, October 15, 2004 at 13:57:44 (PDT)
hay....................50 i sepose to be there in your 50..........its
look real fun........its good to see threr is life in 50.................i
am kiding how are you.......its look like all the same and its good........you
smile alot ant this is more then good........smile now to the computer........becouse.......i
am going to meke many........or to criat...many new word un englih.........i
know you anderstant it i am in israel......and all fine........ many agg
ang hagg.......to your 50 i am caming in the wintter nir
Nir
Israel - Friday, October 15, 2004 at 13:55:27 (PDT)
Bang a Drum Chosen "Best of LA" Hi Everyone, Great News! Bang a
Drum has been chosen for this year's "Best of LA" edition of the LA Weekly!
Hooray! You will find the "Best of LA" guide at newsstands and your favorite
hot spots around town this week. Here is a link to the LA Weekly website.
We are the third one down on the page (Best Bongo Banging). http://www.laweekly.com/ink/26/01/anger2.php#bongo
Thank you to all our great customers, friends, and family for making it
possible for us to grow and improve what we do. We could not do it without
you. I consider it an honor for me to be associated with you and to be
involved with something so positive for the LA community. Thank you. And
there are so many great things yet to come! Best, Chris Chris Reid Bang
a Drum 1255 S. La Brea Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90019 USA www.bangadrum.com
Tel (800)495-1109, (323) 936-3274
Chris <chris@bangadrum.com>
Los Angeles, CA USA - Thursday, October 14, 2004 at 17:12:42 (PDT)
WHAT DO THE BIG PIGS ON THE CORNERS IN VENICE SIGNIFY? tHANKS
MARLO BORROWA <MARBRA@WEBTV.NET>
BRYAN, OHIO USA - Monday, October 11, 2004 at 17:12:47 (PDT)
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY SONDRA! YOU ARE VERY MUCH
LOVED!
DRY GULCH RANCH DRUMCIRCLE
Malibu, CA USA - Monday, October 11, 2004 at 17:07:41 (PDT)
In veniceCA@yahoogroups.com, "Human Rights" wrote: "new2venice"
suggests that "no" voters are cheating, but new2venice describes how s/he
has figured out how to cheat? Ahh, once again War is Peace. Maybe the "no"
voters just found out about the on-line poll and FYI any on-line polling
would have to account for people who are not represented due to economics
- the digital divide. But whoever thought this up may have no real concerns
for those on the bottom of the divide. Which brings me to...Who organized
this and who got a bunch of "yes" votes on the darn thing straight anyway?
Friends of the poor and the different? Thousands of signatures have been
gathered in opposition to this proposed ordinance. The Venice Boardwalk
is world tourist destination and not exactly like the City listening to
a small group of unhappy humans to harass the live-a-boards off Rose Ave
in order to improve property values!
Human Rights <Human Rights>
Venice Beach, CA USA - Monday, October 11, 2004 at 15:45:40 (PDT)
I saw the number of "no" votes go up by 150 in the space of less
than 10 minutes. It was obviously the work of an auto-script, and according
to the person I spoke with at the Argonaut, the votes came from a single
AOL account. If that isn't cheating, I don't know what is. Personally,
I don't care enough about this issue to sit there and manually clear out
my computer numerous times to cheat, but I guess some do.
veniceCA@yahoogroups.com <veniceCA@yahoogroups.com>
Venice Beach, CA USA - Monday, October 11, 2004 at 15:41:11 (PDT)
POINTS OF CONTENTION >>>Legislators and proponents reference disputes
between expressionists and occasional police involvement in such matters.
Police vow that they will save on overtime costs if vendors are restricted
to ordinance guidelines. HOWEVER, neither acknowledges law enforcement
costs related to tourists, locals and/or homeless. Expressionists have
had few disputes and have been overwhelmingly successful at self-regulating
for more than 40 years. Storeowners reference duplicate commercial merchandise
by sidewalk vendors when they themselves must pay rent and taxes. HOWEVER,
the current ordinance that addresses this very issue is often not enforced
by police - who have instead, offered suggestions on how questionable merchandise
may be altered using religious symbols to conform to ordinance guidelines.
Local residents reference noise levels, hours of operation and safety issues.
HOWEVER, no separation between the expressionists and Boardwalk bars or
stores fronts operating with loud music and evening business hours has
been made with regards to any of the sound or safety issues
Lef
Venice Beach, CA USA - Monday, October 11, 2004 at 15:36:03 (PDT)
POINTS OF FACT >>> Artists, entertainers, ideologists and politicos
have been gathering on Venice Boardwalk to exercise their First Amendment
rights for more than 40 (Some have been there since the 1960's.) Freedom
of Speech is a right afforded to every citizen, regardless of location
or credo. Venice Boardwalk not only has permitted such freedom and diversity,
it celebrates it in this unique area! Venice Boardwalk is an international
tourist attraction, second only to Disneyland in foot traffic in Southern
California. Visitors from countless countries come BECAUSE of the creative
expression found here. (Websites advertising Venice Beach ALL refer to
this!) Local Councilperson Cindy Miscokowski was appointed, not elected,
and is married to one of the major west side developers. The Grass Roots
Venice Neighborhood Council voted unanimously 16-0 to set aside this proposed
ordinance amendment, and hire a professional mediator to help identify
and address the concerns of ALL parties involved in this issue. Letters
were sent in March 2004 to Council office and Parks and Recreation.
Lef
Venice Beach, CA USA - Monday, October 11, 2004 at 15:32:20 (PDT)
Please don't take free speech lightly. Once you empower government
to issue "licenses" for free speech you also empower them to revoke those
same licenses and thereby effectively control who says what. Government
fears free speech because they know that people are smart enough to know
a good idea when they hear one. Why else do you suppose they barred the
Libertarian and Green Party candidates from speaking in the so-called presidential
debates last week? Not only did they not let them speak, but they arrested
both candidates from these parties while they were trying to serve legal
papers on the officials who run the debates. Did you even hear about this
in the news? Two presidential candidates arrested at the debates three
weeks before an election and the media is mute? Free speech and the disemination
of information is important unless you want to live in what is becoming
a police state. The Libertarian candidate's party is on the ballot in 48
states and Washington DC and he can't be in the debate? He can't get Secret
Service protection? The Green Party candidate's party is on 37 state ballots
and he can't debate or get Secret Service protection? What do they have
to say? We'll never know as our dominant media has bought into this policy
of silence. Don't let the Venice Boardwalk become another part of "Occupied
America". You can read more about the specific Venice situation at; http://www.argonautnewspaper.com/articles/2004/10/11/news_-_features/venice/01grassroots.txt
Marc <brokencamera@yellowhammer.com>
Lake Oswego, OR USA - Monday, October 11, 2004 at 13:15:04 (PDT)
The Marina del Rey Argonaut is conducting an on-line poll on the
proposed Venice Boardwalk Ordinance that would require a permit in order
to conduct free speech activities. It would also "regiment" the OFW and
make it more like the Santa Monica Promenade and The Grove. Once the west
side of the Boardwalk is tamed, we can expect chain stores and other developments
on the east side. Both the artists and free speech activists on the west
side of Ocean Front Walk and the Venice Neighborhood Council are opposed
to the ordinance. Please go to the website: http://www.argonautnewspaper.com
(scroll down to the bottom of the page) and Vote NO to preserve our constitutional
right to free speech without having to apply for a government permit..
The L.A. City Council will vote on the ordinance on Oct. 27. A bus will
take concerned Venetians to the hearing. Call GRVNC at 821-6030 for more
information. Meanwhile, send an email to our appointed city councilperson,
Cindy Miscikowski, at miscikowski@council.lacity.org . Tell her not to
mess with our Boardwalk. Note: Miscikowski and the developers are in support
of the ordinance. You can also email the L.A. City Council. L.A. City Council:
>>>Antonio Villaraigosa, Council District #14 email ~ villaraigosa@council.lacity.org
>>>Ed Reyes, Council District #1 email ~ reyes@council.lacity.org >>>Bernard
Parks, Council District #8 email ~ parks@council.lacity.org >>>Wendy Greuel,
Council District #2 email ~ greuel@council.lacity.org >>>Jan Perry, Council
District #9 email ~ perry@council.lacity.org >>>Dennis P.Zine, Council
District #3 email ~ zine@council.lacity.org >>>Martin Ludlow, Council District
#10 email ~ ludlow@council.lacity.org >>>Tom LaBonge, Council District
#4 email ~ Labonge@council.lacity.org >>>Jack Weiss, Council district #5
email ~ weiss@council.lacity.org >>>Greig Smith, Council District #12 email
~ smith@council.lacity.org >>>Tony Cardenas, Council District #6 email
~ cardenas@council.lacity.org >>>Eric Garcetti, Council District #13 email
~ garcetti@council.lacity.org >>>Alex Padilla, Council District #7 email
~ padilla@council.lacity.org >>>Janice Hahn, Council District #15 email
~ hahn@council.lacity.org
SONDRA <webmaster@venicebeachdrumcircle.com>
Venice Beach, CA USA - Monday, October 11, 2004 at 11:33:25 (PDT)
If you wore a tux, business suit, or body paint, nobody would mind.
Come as you are, mainstreamers to hippies are ALL WELCOME, beginners, novice,
or experienced all drum together peacefully, just be nice ok?
Sirus
- Saturday, October 02, 2004 at 12:30:39 (PDT)
Upcoming Events at Bang a Drum >>Hi Everyone, There are great events
and classes happening in October at Bang a Drum. Come join in the fun:
DRUMMING UP THE VOTE At Bang a Drum, we want everyone to express himself
or herself - musically and otherwise. One great way to do that is to vote!
Now through October 18th, you can register to vote at Bang a Drum. 1255
S. La Brea Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90019(between Olympic & Pico)(800)495-1109
Hours: 11am-7pm Tues-Sat 12pm-6pm Sun, Closed Mon We have voter registration
forms in the store and it only takes a minute to sign up. If someone you
know is not registered, send them over and we'll help them register. This
is a completely non-partisan effort. From November 2 - 12, come into the
store with an "I voted today" sticker or other proof of voting and save
10% off everything in the store! Plus, your proof of voting entitles you
to enter our Drumming Up the Vote raffle. At the Community Drum Circle
on November 13, we will be giving away a $44.00 gift certificate, free
CD's, T-Shirts, and a special secret surprise! www.bangadrum.com
Chris <chris@bangadrum.com>
Los Angeles, CA USA - Saturday, October 02, 2004 at 10:37:55 (PDT)
Reporting back from last night's controversial
"dress request" for the filming of a drum circle: don't
worry, nobody listened.
Billy Fried <billyfried@cox.net>
Laguna Beach, CA United States - Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at 20:37:44
(PDT)
First Friday "Noise & Joys" Drum Circle - Montclair, CA - Oct
1 >Softly rising on the wind of rhythm > Our bodies moved by the beat >Circle
soars on the thermal of passion >Spirits lifted on the music so sweet·Special
Reminder: Some folks have let the day slide by when it fell on the first
day of the month, only later to utter an "oops" when the realize they missed
it. >>>First Friday Noise & Joys DrumCircle this Friday·You
are invited to join us this Friday for an experience of rhythmic excitement·It
is a time to refresh, recharge, have fun, and renew·Over the last
three and a half years the First Friday Drum Circle has emerged as one
of the most exciting monthly circles around. Lots of "Noise and Joy Toys"
provided. Got a drum, rattle, dig, crystal bowl, flute, or other etheric
instrument??? Bring it along. All percussion styles are welcome·We
invite the percussive geniuses and the rhythmically challenged to attend.
Even if you don't drum, come to feel the rhythm·Dancing encouraged!
>led by Chrystine Julian Held at the Monte Vista Unitarian Universalist
Congregation 9185 Monte Vista Avenue, Montclair, CA (909) 626-0520 ·It
is just east of the Los Angeles County line in Montclair/Between Claremont
and Ontario, adjacent to the Montclair Mall parking lot. ***I -10 to the
Monte Vista exit, block and a half north on the right·Doors open
at 7 P. M. No admission charge, (donations accepted) Friday night traffic
an issue? Yes, but hey ... itâs LA. That is part of everything we
do. Frustration from the road and the week quickly dissolve in the rhythm.
We'll keep drumming till you get here. Just remember you'll feel better
and the traffic will be much easier going home. Information at: _http://www.ChrystineDrums.com/FFDC.html_
Chrystine <ladylovesdrums@aol.com>
Montclair, CA USA - Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at 10:18:23 (PDT)
Somehow I believe that Marcus and Billy are trying to be constructive
despite their methods. What they aren't getting is the perception by many
people that you can't make drumming more inclusive by trying to tone down
or eliminate the "look" that hippies consider their normal attire for drumming.
If some people really believe that drumming is a hippie pursuit that excites
demons they probably need more than just a good experience at a drum circle
to get healthy again. The fact that hippies tend to do a lot of drumming
in "hippie attire" shouldn't trigger their removal from drum circles. Rather,
the inviting of other types of folks who look like whatever they tend to
look like would create a more inclusive looking scene. Marcus and Billy
are right that there would be less violence and other acts of hatred in
this world if the world's so-called leaders would drum together. This idea
that to infiltrate the mainstream you must appear mainstream so as not
to appear a fringe element is almost covert sounding. Does everyone at
the United Nations need to wear a western style business suit? I sure wouldn't
expect the leaders from Nigeria, Tibet, Saudi Arabia, or Papua New Guinea
to "conform their manner of dress" in order to address the world organization
about their concerns or opinions. Nobody said that hippies are defined
by their dress. What was said was that at a free spirited event where freedom
and commaradery are supposed to reign supreme as people drum into the same
rhythms, people who look different in terms of skin color, clothing, religions,
and age can become one without the usual separations that divide us from
experiencing each other. People who drive BMW's can drum with people who
arrived by bus. People who would never encounter each other at the golf
course can really jam together. I really disagree with the statement that
films are never a reflection of reality. When I made my film "Venice Beach"
(which is now available in DVD by the way) I saw at the Venice Beach Drumcircle
what Marcus and Billy are dreaming about and I captured it exactly as I
found it. My 39-minutes of the film which were devoted to the Venice Drumcircle
showed hippies AND all sorts of other "types" of people. Black drummers,
white drummers, hispanic drummers, asian drummers, old drummers, young
drummers, fat drummers, thin drummers, etcetera and the same with the dancers.
Not to review my own film, but I just want to say that the opening scene
of the drumcircle section shows a beautiful scene of a black lady dancing
with a hispanic-looking lady and a white guy giving them a signal of approval
with his hand gestures. To me this was the essence of what is happening
at the Venice Beach Drumcircle most of the time. I hope that somehow this
dialogue which seems to have just begun between peoples of somewhat different
theories can develop into something good in the end rather than a rift
between hippies and other types of drummers. We all fail our mission if
this ends with bad feelings. Hippies and others are living in rough times
where we are concerned about losing civil rights and other freedoms. We
don't want to see drum circles where we all get drug tested before we can
drum or where the police check us out against a list of terrorist suspects
to see if we are on a "do not drum" list compiled by Homeland Security.
I hope that more people will share their thoughts on all of this.
Marc <brokencamera@yellowhammer.com>
Lake Oswego, CA - Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 14:18:42 (PDT)
Marc mentioned drumming being important for the past 30 years in
Rainbow Gatherings. Actually archeologists have discovered percussion instruments
in the mammoth bone houses: http://www.hominids.com/donsmaps/mammothcamp.html
So, you see, drumming isn't exactly a hippy invention. Billy wants to make
a 2 minute movie to help introduce drum circles to the rest of the world
and he would like us to wear attire that does not expressly point to our
counter-culture worlds, so as to give "the other world" a chance to experience
it without thinking they would have to give up their rich and famous lifestyles
in order to experience it. Not a totally bad idea. Though it does rankle.
It's kinda like parents asking a counterculture woman to shave her armpits
and wear high heels and a dress for the family reunion so as not to freak
out the Republican mid-west relations. Doesn't go over big. But more importantly
that strategy doesn't necessarily even work. Because -- it's not just the
drumming. It's more than that. It's the freedom. You can't really jam with
others on drums without tuning in your free spirit. Without getting to
the place in your soul where everything is wild and spontaneous. That's
where our souls bond. That's where our drummings mesh. And make sense.
You know.... this is a harsh thing to say... but it's true: there are a
heck of a lot of very rich and fancy people out there who put bullets between
their own eyes because they are so wrapped up in their work and in their
image and in what they THINK others EXPECT them to be that they just simply
can't hack it anymore. We all KNOW some people like that who stumbled into
us and discovered just enough wildness and freedom and natural beauty to
change all those horrid plans they had, and find a whole new way of looking
at life. Many such people just walked out of their angst-redden lives and
never looked back, and now they practice yoga every day and live on beaches
and are thankful to eat simple healthy foods. A tye-dye shirt is more than
a hippy statement; it might be a flash of color in a rigid regimented world
that points a new direction to someone. There's nothing intrinsically wrong
with their money worlds, nothing intrinsically wrong with gold, nothing
intrinsically wrong with Laguna palaces. But sometimes those people get
so wrapped up in acquiring and protecting their assets that they become
nervous and rabid monsters. It will take more than a few drums to give
them a way out. They will need some wild colors, AND some petchuli oil
to break them free from the superglue that holds their noses to the grindstones.
RomTom
RomTom <romtombikebus@hotmail.com>
Eugene, OR - Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 14:11:26 (PDT)
I'm not hostel just honest. And I hope your film is all it is meant
to be. I have no problem posting this and if you had explained your focus
better it might be better understood.
Sondra
USA - Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 11:25:51 (PDT)
Wow - such hostility - and from a hippie! I thought you were more
about peace, love and UNDERSTANDING. I take full responsibility for the
dress code request. You see, we're trying to spread drumming outside the
world of hippies - because we know the power it has to move - and remove.
So Marcus and I are taking drum circles to the wellness community, to recreational
groups, and even to the corporate world. Because we believe drumming should
be inclusive, not exclusive. And unfortunately, to the uninitiated, drumming
still suffers the stigma of being a hippie pursuit that excites demons.
I'm a firm believer that if we could get the world's leaders to drum together
(including George W), there would be a lot less violence and hatred in
the world. But sometimes, to infiltrate the mainstream, you must appear
mainstream so as not to appear a fringe element. I guess what rankles me
the most is that you make the assertion that hippies are defined by their
dress, and that is so superficial. Are you suggesting that the drumming
will be sterile if people dress differently? Isn't that selling drumming
short? My words were simply wordplay and alliteration in order to create
a mental picture of how we'd like people to dress - a little nicer than
their usual Laguna beachwear. It was not an attack on your values. Discrimination?
Give me a break. It's a 2 minute film - and films are never a reflection
of reality. And it is being done BEFORE our regular drum circle so as not
to disrupt the purity of it. I hope this puts a different light on it for
you. Happy Drumming
Billy Fried <billyfried@cox.net>
Laguna Beach, CA United States - Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 10:48:33
(PDT)
Why would you want people to come if they can't be who they are?
Isn't a Drumcircle about freedom of expression? And the freedom to be oneself
~ especially at the beach. When you try and gentrify a Drumcircle it looses
its spontaneity and it looses its appeal. I guess in OC you can only drum
at your gatherings if one passes your inspection, I am not for that. I
guess that as a hippie I am not welcome tonight in my everyday dress. Since
I am a hippie and dress sometimes in torn/tattered jeans or in long flowing
skirts, sarongs, tube tops, shawls, and hats. I wouldnât want to
mess up your filming. Sorry Marcus I will not attend something as sterile
and limiting as you portray this to be. I hope your fim turns out to be
everything you want it to be.
Sondra <sondra@venicebeachdrumcircle.com>
USA - Tuesday, September 28, 2004 at 10:38:00 (PDT)
Has anyone noticed that hippies, hippie attire, and to some degree
the hippie's creed is still often not welcome in this world? The previous
Guestbook entry for what will hopefully be a very nice film when it is
finished is basically excluding the "look" that many members of the worldwide
drum circle movement chose as their manner of dress. Perhaps this all goes
to the basic difference between facilitated and unfacilitated drum circles.
What I still like most about the Venice Beach Drumcircle is the freedom
of what rhythms you play, where you sit or dance, the clothes you wear
and what kind of drum, shaker or found object you make your music with.
This almost absolute freedom which occurs on the sands of Venice Beach
every weekend is what is to my taste missing and lacking in the orderly,
orchestrated and controlled facilitated drum circles in many other locations.
I suppose that is why I spell the Venice Beach Drumcircle as one word because
oftentimes this freedom is what merges everyone on the beach into one for
some time period. At many Rainbow gatherings for the past 30-years the
drum circles have been full of naked people dancing under the moon and
the stars well into the night or the next morning. As I see it, a true
documentary about the world drum circle movement would would need to address
this practice as well.
Marc <brokencamera@yellowhammer.com>
Lake Oswego, OR - Monday, September 27, 2004 at 10:39:15 (PDT)
Billy Fried and I are producing a drum circle video to be used to help
spread the word on the drum circle movement. We'd love all of you to be
involved in it. We're going to film between 5:30 and 7pm so as not to disrupt
our regular circle. And we will feed all of you with a catered dinner on
the beach immediately after filming. Can you help us? Dress is casual but
not hippie, preppie but not patchouli, tropical but not tattered. Can you
help us? Even if you can't make it right at 5:30, that's OK. But let us
know if you can come so we have a head count for the caterers. Thanks in
advance.> Where: Aliso State Beach > What to Bring: Chair, jacket, instrument,
beverage > Aliso Beach > 31131 S. Pacific Coast Hwy. > Laguna Beach, CA
92652 >(949)923-2280 > Aliso Creek Beach is a public beach SOUTH of the
Montage. Look to the bottom of this email for more information Locate Aliso
Beach with Map Quest Aliso Beach Park is located on Pacific Coast Highway
in South Laguna. Open: Daily 6:00a.m. - 10:00p.m. All vehicle parking by
meters - $1.00 per hour year around. An annual County day use parking pass,
valid at most County Beaches, is available. Please call for more information.
Marcus Tucker <marcust949@sbcglobal.net>
Laguna Beach, CA USA - Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 21:59:49
(PDT)
Anyone getting sick of this whole disgusting thing called war, two
presidential candidates who are pro-war, and our nation which is always
at war both abroad and at home will grasp this poem called "Back
From Ambush" by James Hopkins. <<<>>> Returning, we hear
the larks as we trudge home. The sun breaks morning, the sky breaks blue,
and the wildflowers, wet with dew will wash the blood from our boots, before
breakfast.
Marc <brokencamera@yellowhammer.com>
Lake Oswego, OR - Friday, September 24, 2004 at 15:13:37 (PDT)
Itâs the World's Largest Dance Party !!! ' & you are invited·
on SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2004, over 200,000 people in more than 150 cities
& 50 nations will come together for the 8th annual EARTHDANCE¨,
The Global Dance Festival For Peace. EarthDance has shown how the potent
combination of music, dance, drums & technology can be harnessed for
positive, humanitarian aims. For one night all around the globe, people
join together to dance as one global community, united with a common vision
for peace. Festival involvement requires that at least 50% of all proceeds
benefit an EarthDance approved charity involving The Welfare of Children,
Urban Youth, Indigenous Peoples; International Relief and Development;
Environmental Protection; or peace-related causes. Many promoters contribute
more, a pro-active ãthink globally, act locallyä model thatâs
helped Earthdanceâs core values flourish. And, while not a typicalÎpoliticalâ
event, during this key election year, Earthdance shines as a defining model
of the kind of grass roots activism thatâs redrawn the dynamics of
the campaign process. Our Chicagoland EarthDance event is sponsored by
SANCTUARY (the Funky Church of the Cosmic Rhythm) & will benefit The
Great Oaks School in Skokie. Showing us the connection between healthy
children & a healthy planet, Waldorf education provides a rich experience
that aims to prepare children to meet the challenges of our world &
the future· with clarity of thought, a caring heart & confidence
to initiate change·addressing the whole child: mind, body and spirit.
This synchronized music & lifestyle event will add an exciting new
feature this year, the DRUMS OF PEACE initiative, spearheaded by legendary
Grateful Dead percussionist Mickey Hart. >From a Northern California location,
Hart
will lead a global beat session, linked via Internet hook-up with Earthdance
cities everywhere. The goal is to break the Guinness Bookâs world
record for the largest-ever drumming circle, and unite over 3,300 Earthdance
drummers. The monumental explosion of this planetary legion of inspired
Earthdancers owes a great debt to the connective magic of the Internet.
Web casts stream in live from around the world, so you can dance &
drum with people from all parts of the Planet; Connecting us all. Broadcasting
this mega-eventâs mission, to unite world communities, & foster
an environment of peace and harmony around the globe. As with every Earthdance,
the 24-hour international fete is opened with the PRAYER FOR PEACE, a simultaneous
moment of music & meditation, which is 6pm sharp, Chicago time. So
come on out to the SANCTUARY EarthDance event SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2004
4:00 pm -9pm No partners necessary, All are Welcome· at LAKE STREET
CHURCH rooted, connected, transformed 607 LAKE / CHICAGO AVE. EVANSTON
IL. $15 per family-$10 PER PERSON-children under 12 FREE BRING YOUR DRUMS
& SHAKERS, RATTLES & MUSIC MAKERS Doors open 4:00pm Healthy Veg.
Food available Or Bring your own potluck to share 4 ö 5pm Live World-Roots
Music with Sophie Senard, Community Building, Food, a Craft Table for the
kids 5pm - a Harvest Circle - Lead by Waldorf Teacher Martha Cameron, Live
Indie/Alternative Music with Justin Trombly 6pm Sharp! - the ÎPRAYER
FOR PEACEâ, a simultaneous moment of music & meditation played
around the world! D.E.V.A Dance Collaborative (Divine Expressions of Vital
Alchemy) performs ÎGaia, Our Earth, Our motherâ ÎDrums
of Peaceâ Community Drum Circle Facilitated by John Yost of Rhythm
Revolution 7pm - Kirtan with Devi 2000 The Diva Herself : Laura Braun performing
Live 7:30pm ö 9ish An Eclectic Mix of World Beat Music a closing Ritual-Assimilation-Harvest-Meditation
by dj. Hazel L'Aura G. C.G. the SOLAR KING on Didgeridoo, David Nash -
Percussion MASSAGE THERAPY available TranZenDance to do the after Party
@ 8 Limbs Yoga 9pm - 2am Co-promoted by, The Collective HeartThroB·
SANCTUARY, TranceZenDance & EIGHT:18@UNITY Chicagoland's Conscious-Community
Sacred-Dance Events FOR MORE INFO. contact HAZEL shedrums@earthlink.net
or visit the web site www.shedrums.com
Hazel <shedrums@earthlink.net>
Evanston, IL USA - Monday, September 13, 2004 at 13:31:11 (PDT)
Where can I find a drum circle in or near Orange
County?
Rea <reactress@yahoo.com>
Y.Linda, CA USA - Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 01:27:23 (PDT)
"Where"? ~~ ORANGE COUNTY Santa Ana ,OLD DOWN TOWN 2nd & Broadway
, (that's where) Beautiful weather for drumming at the artist village open
house night ,this Saturday!
Higgy <higart@netzero.com>
Santa Ana, CA USA - Thursday, September 02, 2004 at 20:09:18 (PDT)
Beautiful weather for drumming at the artist village open house night
,this Saturday!4:00 to 7:00 and ever after hours. Bring a chair and your
instruments. The gathering will be held right on the promenade 2nd &
Broadway. you can unload in loading zone and park in one of many parking
lots. DRUMMING IS HEALING ,See you there!
Higgy <higgy@mundomurals.com>
Santa Monica, CA USA - Thursday, September 02, 2004 at 17:46:34
(PDT)
the venice beach drum circle was the first time i ever experienced
such love and understanding. i cant thank you folks enough. i will come
back as soon as i can. i love all of you. thank you so so much. love always
sheila
sheila <lovethisearth2003@yahoo.com>
rogers , ar us - Wednesday, September 01, 2004 at 18:34:41 (PDT)
JAH GUIDE! WWW.REGGAE-VIBES.COM " REGGAE DREAMS " I HAVE PLAYED MANY
TIMES IN THE CIRCLE & NOW! WE HAVE A NEW! CD! RELEASE! IN THE UK! &
HOLLAND! "REGGAE DREAMS" ONE LOVE! NUFF RESPECT! BIG! UPS! TO THE CIRCLEE............
SIR STEVEN T. EASTER <WWW.REGGAE-VIBES.COM>
VENICE, CA USA - Wednesday, August 25, 2004 at 09:27:41 (PDT)
The audio preface of Comporting Roadwiseblew
my mind. i was listening to it and when i needed to go to bed, i put on
the headphones so i could listen to the whole thing. i could not stop listening.
jayson dunlap
portland, or - Friday, August 20, 2004 at 14:04:57 (PDT)
A great friend of Venice Beach has passed on. Gypsy
Boots who was a hippie
thirty years before there were hippies passed away last weekend.
He was no
stranger to the Venice Beach Boardwalk and Muscle Beach. Check out
this very
nice website about him; http://www.gypsyboots.com
Marc <brokencamera@yellowhammer.com>
Lake Oswego, OR - Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at 00:00:31 (PDT)
Drumcircle Video! It's that time of summer again when lots of people
are going to the Drumcircle again. Some of the stores which sold our VENICE
BEACH video along the boardwalk have gone out of business. The easiest
way to get a copy now is to go straight to our order page online at; www.krazybeach.com
Marc <brokencamera@yellowhammer.com>
Lake Oswego, OR - Sunday, August 08, 2004 at 12:29:45 (PDT)
Hello, I am writing to you all the way from Turkey, ?stanbul. I have
spent 2 years in LA and enjoyed many weekends there coming and listening
to the drummers of the Drum Circle. Right now I am a masters student in
an Anthropology Department back in Turkey. I love LA very much and I am
planning to do my research there. I think there is a lot to learn about
the Venice Beach Drum Circle. When I searched and found your web page,
I was amazed. I was looking for topics of research and now I am definitely
thinking of coming and doing my fieldwork based upon the Venice Beach Drum
Circle. I hope to find contact persons in this community who would introduce
me to veteran drummers. Hande Turgut Okan
Hnade Turgut Okan <handeturgut@hotmail.com>
?stanbul, Turkey - Monday, July 26, 2004 at 01:18:15 (PDT)
The hippie era wasn't all nice and just about that experience which
Ken Kesey was talking about. Things like Island Pond were going on too.
For anyone interested read this piece; http://www.rickross.com/reference/tribes/tribes1.html
Janice <janice@netscape.com>
Mendocino, CA - Saturday, July 24, 2004 at 01:01:08 (PDT)
This is the whole hippie experience that Ken Kesey was talking about.
If you could only read one book from the hippie era, this would certainly
be the one... Comporting Roadwise by RomTom.
Paste this link into your browser and check out the cool
streaming audio of the preface performed by Carina Rhea.
http://gutterstar.net/aff/mbg/ck.php?action=go&to=romtom
Marc <brokencamera@yellowhammer.com>
Lake Oswego, OR - Tuesday, July 20, 2004 at 02:22:29 (PDT)
hi there. my name is rizi. i am a nigerian too and i am here in los
angeles as a singer. i sing house music also known as techno. its very
high energy music and goes well with heavy african drumming too. i have
a show on august the 19th and i would like a team of just 2-4 men to come
and drum for me while i do my performance. they will just drum however
it follows my existing songs that i will perform to. it will only be for
about 10 minutes at a night club. very short performance between 12-12:10
am only and we will be finished with the performance. please let me know
if you are available to help me, then i can bring you the cd of my 2 songs
for the night so you can hear what it sounds like and see how you want
to compliment it. i am just an independent singer, not on major label,
so
please give me a fair price. it's only 10 minutes and all of the drummers
will enter the club for free and have 1-2 drinks on me. please, i hope
you can assist your fellow sister. ok, please email me back with your response.
thanks in advance. ps: if you know some good african dancers that can really
do the very fast, energetic moves, jumping, flipping, acrobatic style african
dance, i also need 2-4 of them(prefer men).
Rizi <Riztam@aol.com>
Venice Beach, CA USA - Monday, July 19, 2004 at 18:58:35 (PDT)
I registered with the third party today because I believe, together
sensible people can bring this country to the place our fore fathers dreamed
it could be and lived and died to make it that way.
Mike <odindvatri@yahoo.com>
NY, NY USA - Sunday, July 18, 2004 at 14:24:48 (PDT)
Smoking is a ticket off this planet to be with Jesus. There are so
many heart aches like no health insurance for the poor which does more
harm than smoking. The Courts no longer provide jury trials before sending
someone to prison. Nicotine is used by persons with Schizophrenia and has
a calming effect. There are so many other problems that are not talked
about or discussed. If you are anti-smoking you should stay away from smokers
but to brand someone for engaging in their God given right to self destruction
as long as they don't hurt anyone is pure White Man control and an attempt
to judge others and make them slave. Should homosexuality be banned because
it is a dangerous life style choice and a danger to young boys. The new
State Religion is the law. Government of the law, for the law and by the
law. Screw the people! http://randolph.hypermart.net/revolution for more.
White Man Speaks with Forked Tongue.
Randy <Randy@Venicebeach.com>
Venice, CA USA - Sunday, July 11, 2004 at 07:59:46 (PDT)
Hi everybody. I just wanted to let you know about a new drum-carving
program in Ghana, West Africa. I'm from NY, and unfortunately can't get
out here to join the circle and tell you about it in person, so I figured
I'd tell you all about it here. This is a one-month program, where you
work one-on-one with skilled African drum-carvers and finish with a drum
you have carved yourself in the Ghanaian tradition. Accommodation, food,
and the completed drum are included. It is an amazing opportunity for anyone
who is interested in West African drumming and learning about West African
culture. We are looking for pioneering, adventurous souls who are willing
to be among the first to join up and help us inject life into this program.
Check out the site, http://www.accraartisansexchange.com. Thank you, Orly.
Orly <orly@accraartisansexchange.com>
NYC, NY USA - Saturday, July 10, 2004 at 18:09:39 (PDT)
Hey peoples, Just thought I'd let everybody know about the Ojai drum
circle. We meet every Sunday around one at Libbey Park at the fountain.
Namataste, Kayla
Kayla
Ojai, CA USA - Monday, June 21, 2004 at 17:08:49 (PDT)
It seems that everytime I read another sufferer's agonizing story,
I shed more tears and feel my heart aching more and more! The pain that
I feel physically with my respiratory condition and for the sorrow and
grief of losing half my sick family to lung cancer and the agonizing sorrow
for other sufferers who share my pain seems endless! I wonder when this
pain will end. There are no words to begin to describe the horrible ache
in my heart and soul for the incredible loss I've experienced from this
nasty smoking habit. There are no words and my heart goes out to all the
countless other sufferers who are sick from exposure to secondhand smoke
and from the grief of losing their own loved ones! Let's keep up the fight
and keep up the great important work! We MUST protect children from this
nasty heinous poison known as environmental tobacco smoke! Children should
be protected and loved, not hurt and poisoned! I love you all! Please visit
my web site http://www.notperfume.com and sign my guestbook and say a few
words!:) *hugs* Peace and Harmony, D.A.
D.A. <earthwriter@thetruth.com>
USA - Friday, June 18, 2004 at 10:16:57 (PDT)
Come Drum & Dance in Our SANCTUARY (the Funky Church of the Cosmic
Rhythm) YOUR-Communal-Free-Form-Sacred-Dance... & DRUM JAM COME DANCE
TO LIVE DRUMMERS... COME DRUM TO LIVE DANCERS...COME TO LIFE· COME
REVEL WITH THE SPRITES OF SUMMER TO CELEBRATE THE LONGEST DAY @ SANCTUARY's
3nd ANNUAL 'MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM' DANCE SATURDAY JUNE 26 2004 8 PM -
10 PM Our Last Indoor Dance of the Summer Season !!! Calling ALL Sylphs
& Sirens, Fays & Fairy- godmothers, Elves & Imps, Gnomes &
Trolls, Angels & Undines... Here's YOUR chance to be Whimsical &
Dress-up as Your favorite Force of Nature... Glitter - Shapeshifting &
Faerie-Wings Encouraged !!! (but optional) No partners necessary·
All are welcome· at LAKE STREET CHURCH rooted, connected, transformed
607 LAKE / CHICAGO AVE. EVANSTON IL. BRING YOUR DRUMS & SHAKERS RATTLES
& MUSIC MAKERS Map to LSC $10 PER PERSON $8 for LSC members, &
children under 12 FREE traveling on CTA...click here Experience Healing
Joy·As the Rhythms of World-Beat Music· Take Us on a Spiritual
Journey·a Spontaneous Ritual of Grace Invoking the Creative Dance
Expression of Our Authentic Self· Where Shared Sanctuary & the
Unity of Community· Create Peace & Passion·To enliven
the mind/body/spirit/& planet· 8 pm ' Tribal-Trance-Meditation-Grooves-of-Transformation
As We create Sacred Space Using the Heartbeat of Drums, Tibetan Singing
Bowls & C.G. the SOLAR KING on Didgeridoo, OPENING THE WAY FOR OUR
DANCE: An Eclectic Mix of World Beat Music by dj. L'Aura G. 10ish - Ritual-Trance-Assimilation-Meditation
Taking us into the Realm of the Elementals : Sylphs...Salamanders...Undines...Gnomes
ALLERGY FREE AromaTherapy in Alignment With the Planetary Forces; HEALTHY
SNACKS Ambiance assembly & Goddess Inspired Creations By +ROWAN+ MASSAGE
THERAPY $1 A MINUTE click: SUMMER SOLSTICE revealed FOR MORE INFO. contact
HAZEL shedrums@earthlink.net or visit the web site www.shedrums.com SUMMER
SOLSTICE MAGIC The Most Sacred Days by Barbara Schermer Imagine this. Its
midnight and you slip naked into a pool fed by restorative volcanic waters.
Surrounded by the mists and the sweet scent of night blooming flowers,
you float suspended gazing up at a magnificent night sky. Now imagine you
are in this place in Greece two thousand years ago. After soaking in the
hot waters, a temple priestess/physician comes for you. She escorts you
inside the Asclepion, the healing temple of dreams. You snuggle into this
safe, cozy place to sleep in order to dream of a healing encounter with
Asklepios, the god of dreams himself. For more than one thousand years,
Greek citizens who felt sick or soul tired practiced this tradition of
dream healing. This month we, too, have the opportunity when each of us
can potentially have a profound and meaningful dream encounter. The Greeks
call this magical moment the "Kairos." In essence it means "auspicious
moment" or "god's moment," the exact time when the veils between the worlds
are thin and when the gods can hear and speak to us. We approach one such
collective Kairos moment now -- at the summer solstice on June 20 at 7:57pm
Chicago time. Yet incredibly this influence is stretched over a period
of seven days! This is as a result of a rare sequence of cosmic influences
from June 17 that continues through June 26. These are the most sacred
days of 2004. The Kairos moment begins as the New Moon moves into the mystical
sign of Cancer on June 17 at 11:37PM and according to yogic, esoteric Christian,
and pagan traditions, we then enter one of the four "spiritual gates" of
the year. These four spiritual gates swing open at each winter and summer
solstice and the fall and spring equinox. During these times it is easier
to ascend and touch the higher, mystical planes while being washed with
a shower of fresh spiritual forces. How can you best use these sacred days?
Go to an environment you feel is sacred -- your bedroom, the "grandmother"
tree on your property, the lake, or make a pilgrimage to your special sacred
site. Participate in a purification ritual like a bath, sauna, or sweat
lodge. Quiet and center yourself. When the Kairos moment approaches, simply
ask, with intention, to be given a healing dream. Ask this repeatedly and
often, like a prayer, over these auspicious days. The god of dreams, Asklepios,
is willing to help you now if you will but listen to the messages of your
dreams. Sacred Times of the Summer Solstice (Chicago time) Begins: June
17 at 11:37pm New Moon In Cancer Ends: June 26 at 10:17 pm Sanctuary's
Mid-Summer Nights Dream-Dance Ways to Receive: * Ask for a dream in the
form of a prayer or a meditation. * Be receptive to what is given. * Record
your dream in all detail to remember and reflect upon. * Translate the
dream into a piece of art. * Use the flower essence calendula (available
at health food and holistic stores) in drinking water or in your bath.
Calendula is called "the listening essence" to bring greater awareness
and receptivity to what is being said. The Summer Solstice is also known
as: Alban Heflin, Alben Heruin, All-couples day, Feast of Epona, Feast
of St. John the Baptist, Feill-Sheathain, Gathering Day, Johannistag, Litha,
Midsummer, Sonnwend, Thing-Tide, Vestalia, etc. "Solstice" is derived from
two Latin words: "sol" meaning sun, and "sistere," to cause to stand still.
This is because, as the summer solstice approaches, the noonday sun rises
higher and higher in the sky on each successive day. On the day of the
solstice, the sun appears to stay at the apex. In this sense, it "stands
still." The Summer Solstice Dreams It is said that whatever is dreamed
this night will come to pass÷certainly Shakespeare acknowledged
the magic of this time in A Midsummer Night's Dream. With the warmth of
the season caressing the land, the celebration of the Summer Solstice brings
forth a truly joyous recognition that we can now enjoy the fruits of our
labors in the past season. It is not surprising that this same spirit of
pleasure and fun had carried over into our modern-day recognition of this,
the longest day of the year. The Summer Solstice is a time of light and
of fire. It is a time to reflect upon the growth of the season: the seeds
that were planted in the earth and the seeds planted in our souls. It is
a time of love and growth of the heart as well. The First Harvest This
is the time of the first harvest, which consisting of the herbs planted
during the Vernal Equinox. Used for food, medicines and ritual, these gifts
of the land clearly denote the importance of the harvest and the cycle
of growth to the body, mind and soul. A Grand Tribal Gathering Time...since
ancient days... The Goddess manifests as Mother Earth... pregnant with
the bounty of life...& the God...as the Sun King at his height...It
is a festival of community sharing & planetary service...A Sacred Fire
burns throughout the shortest night...All stay up...on Solstice Eve...
to welcome the rising Sun at dawn...Making a pledge to Mother Earth...something
that we will do to improve the environment...& then DOING IT !!!...
Let there be a magical gift exchange with friends... Share songs, chants,
and stories with others... Do ecstatic dancing...to drums...around the
blazing bonfire... Of the Heart· Blessings & Peace ' H.A.G.
shedrums@earthlink.net
Hazel <shedrums@earthlink.net>
Evanston, IL USA - Thursday, June 17, 2004 at 20:15:00 (PDT)
Hi, to all my Fellow Drumers I Jerry Gatlin have recently gotten back
into Bongo and Conga playing it has been very rewarding for my Spirit and
Creative Thinking toward becoming a Video Photo Artist. 6-4-04. Keep on
Drumming the Beat goes on.
Jerry Gatlin <jerrygatlin@hotmail.com>
Bellflower, Ca USA - Friday, June 04, 2004 at 19:38:22 (PDT)
SEXUAL DOMINATION IN UNIFORM: AN AMERICAN VALUE By Linda Burnham* Women
of Color Resource Center, www.coloredgirls.org The Abu Ghraib portraits
of sexual humiliation and submission have exposed the unbelievably tangled
strands of racism, misogyny, homophobia, national arrogance and hyper-masculinity
that characterize the U.S. military. Militarized sexual domination is neither
"contrary to American values" nor simply the work of a few "bad apples."
It is, rather, a daily practice. The "bad apples" defense is both unspeakably
inadequate and completely disingenuous. While narrowing the scope of inquiry
to individual transgression may provide a convenient protective shield
for the military, it also deflects attention away from very troubling realities.
The photos of Abu Ghraib reveal as much about our nation as they do about
the soldiers of the 372nd Military Police Company. As our president made
clear, the intent of the invasion and occupation of Iraq was to bring the
Iraqi opposition to its knees. Why then the surprise that soldiers would
be thrilled to comply so literally? The scenario in which an Iraqi man
kneels with the penis of another in or near his mouth shocked us all. But
our leaders' call for the naked humiliation of Arabs and Muslims was not
so muted that only a few stray soldiers heard. Iraqi prisoners made to
wear women's underwear. Those who battled for women's equal right to serve
should take heed. Degradation and weakness are still equated with the female
in this man's army. Much has been made of the role of Private Lynndie England,
the thumbs-up girl of prisoner abuse. Her culpability seems manifest and,
back on home turf, England will have to fight for her soul the best way
she knows how. But England is the second cover girl for the Iraq installment
of the U.S. military's sexual integration story. Jessica Lynch was the
first. Two fresh-faced, working-class, small-town girls eager to escape
the limitations of location and station. Escape they did, into the welcoming
arms of an institution that used one to rally the nation, spinning a narrative
of the endangered but plucky female, rescued from the dark barbarian hordes.
It will use the other as sacrifice to assuage the anxieties of a troubled
nation. In her role as dominatrix over Iraqi men England exposed the sexualization
of national conquest. As a participant in the militarized construction
of the masculine she inaugurated a brand new, frightening archetype: dominant-nation
female as joyful agent of sexual, national, racial and religious humiliation.
How's that for liberation? Lynndie England aside, the scenes at Abu Ghraib
depict sexual domination as a feature of military hyper-masculinity. The
horrific Denver Post revelations of the sexual assault and rape of multitudes
of servicewomen are a further indication that sexual domination in uniform
is hardly a rarity. Our military is built upon the daily subjugation of
the sexual lives of thousands upon thousands of women to the sexual appetites
of servicemen overseas. Subordinating the national interests of countries
the world over to the geo-political interests of the U.S. seemingly requires
the sexual sacrifice of some portion of these nations' women--poor women,
always. Military prostitution is viewed as rest and relaxation, entertainment
for the troops. While the purported "goal" of the sexual humiliation of
Abu Ghraib prisoners was to extract vital information, the photos tell
a more twisted story. The cheery faces tell us that dramatizing the metaphoric
rape of the Iraqi nation by acting out the sexual domination of Iraqi men
was big fun. Casting themselves as directors and actors in the drama of
sexual humiliation, the prison guards clearly believed that they could
do whatever they wished, and thoroughly enjoy themselves in the process.
Was it un-American for them to think so? Not when the core message of their
commander-in-chief to the Iraqi people has been, "You will bow down to
our capacity to dominate, and we will exercise that capacity despite global
opposition." The struggle over assigning culpability has taken on the character
of a high-stakes political tango. That struggle will intensify. Although
there's no question but that everyone responsible, from the immediate perpetrators
on up, must be held to account, culpability runs far deeper. It may be
hard to get up in the morning and face this fact, but we are, collectively,
as guilty as hell. We elect representatives who feed the military monster.
We honor sadistic hyper-masculinity, awarding those who portray it best
with governorships (e.g. Arnold Schwarzenneger). We devote vast resources
to bondage and discipline in our criminal justice system. And we lie to
ourselves unceasingly. The world is weary of, and profoundly angered by,
America's tattered claim of innocence. The soldiers at Abu Ghraib pulled
back the curtain on their perverse enactments so that we may see who we
are. Do we have the courage to look? Do we have the will to change?
Jung Hee Choi <jchoi@coloredgirls.org>
Oakland, CA USA - Sunday, May 23, 2004 at 14:16:17 (PDT)
To: Police Chief Bratton Also solution to California State Budget Crisis.
Crisis Solved easily and completely. It is time for the Wallmart Solution.
www.RandySolutions.com www.NakedPicassos.com get it on the ballot. I am
a Native Californian and was born and raised in Fresno, Ca. The arm pit
of California. Viva Caesar Chavez and Viva La Rasa. My biggest problem
is trying to heat a tortilla in the micro wave. I was a Hippie in the 60âs
and smoked allot of marijuana but never got into any other drugs and respect
the Native American and Mexican cultures as the Mexicans use marijuana
for medicine and it is good medicine. Well Iâve never heard of anyone
becoming physically addicted to marijuana and having withdrawals and all
that stuff you hear about if all they do is smoke some marijuana. #1 History
will prove that those who prosecuted, convicted and sent to prison people
for possession or use of just marijuana have violated those persons civil
rights and should be convicted and sent to a Federal Penitentiary for abuse
of God given rights and also rights guaranteed by the Constitution which
it looks more and more like has been thrown in the trash by Government
and Police agencies. Especially the part about cruel and un-usual punishment.
I do not use marijuana and only point this out because you have serious
problems and I mean your job not you personally have some serious issues
of resources and duties to carry out and provide for the citizens of L.A.
I am trying to help and educate you a little. I also have an ear on the
street and because I am in Venice and have no desire to venture out of
Venice or California for that matter I think I can express some realities
and some common sense. The issue of crime and your passion to eliminate
it, is where we have common ground. I would suggest that you instruct your
police officers who do duty at Venice Beach to quit writing tickets for
awhile and relax a bit and enjoy the beach. You know giving someone a ticket
on Speedway where you can barely crawl along at 10 to 15 mph is like issuing
tickets on the 405 during rush hour traffic. You donât even need
a vehicle you can just place police officers on the freeway on foot pulling
people over to write them up. Like shooting ducks in a barrel. The people
on the street see a police officer writing someone a ticket and automatically
assume just another mugging by LAPD. Yes LAPD in Venice are considered
Muggers. How else do you explain someone carrying a gun and stopping someone
minding their own business and doing no one any harm being made to hand
over bucks to the City of L.A. #2 If you want to stop traffic violators
from causing serious injury and harm to their fellow drivers you simply
need to get some thrashed out old under cover cars and place officers in
them with a video camera and dress them like ordinary or un-ordinary people
and let them drive out into traffic on the highways and by ways and find
the bad drivers who disregard traffic laws and the other citizens and video
them and haul their asses into court and provide a jury and hang em high.
Not
literally of course but why in the world do you set up traffic traps to
write tickets and let the bad drivers get away. It is easy to spot them
almost everywhere you drive. This solves the traffic issue and everyone
would be looking over their shoulder when they drive and they should cause
their fellow citizens are out there driving as well. #3 The no smoking
ban on the Venice Beach has crossed the line because you are now messing
with Native American ritual and tobacco no matter how bad one may perceive
it is a Native American ritual that is still practiced today on the beach
with drums pounding. This was done long before Columbus was even born and
goes back many thousands of years now here on the beach here in Venice.
The world famous Venice Beach drum circle is sacred ground and now you
have placed yourselves in a battle that has been going on since the White
Man first arrived on our shores. We are Americans and defending our Constitution
and you are acting like the Taliban and Naziâs. Oh by the way the
lack of health insurance at affordable prices is far more a travesty and
does more harm to our society than smoking does. In fact it is now our
duty to see to it that your health insurance is taken away so you can feel
our pain. Yes cut backs are a huge priority and the citizens not only want
to cut you down but in many cases make you feel our pain. Yes eliminate
all health care for government workers because they make enough to buy
their own. Yes this is a great campaign. Budget Crisis solved just like
Wallmart! Also we are spending Billions in South America to kill Native
South Americans when if this money were put into health care and people
with drug problems could go to a local hospital and get their drugs for
free and some treatment then the drug crime would stop over night and crime
would go down to almost nothing because there would be no profit in drugs.
I would suggest that you tear down all your dumb signs on the beach and
put on some shorts, maybe bring a drum and smoke a peace pipe with us drummers
down on Venice Beach. NO TALK and there will be no talk with white man
ever again cause white man speaks with forked tongue so if you come there
will be no talk but if you smoke a peace pipe or play a drum with us we
will understand that you understand.
Randy <Randy@VeniceBeach.com>
Venice, Ca USA - Wednesday, May 12, 2004 at 14:53:20 (PDT)
Every Day IS Mother's Day @ SHE DRUMS The Women's Community Drum Circle
COME DRUM & DANCE & SING LET HER RHYTHM SHOW THE WAY THE MAIDEN,
MOTHER, CRONE MUSING AS WE BECOME THE QUEEN OF THE MAY SPINNING LIGHT INTO
THE WELLSPRING MAKING EVERYDAY MOTHERS-DAY THE START OF SUMMER WHISPERING
IN THE LUSTY MONTH OF MAY BRING YOUR DRUMS & SHAKERS RATTLES &
MUSIC MAKERS FRIDAY MAY 14 2004 7:30 ö 9:30 PM LAKE STREET CHURCH
Rooted, Connected, Transformed 607 LAKE ST./CHICAGO AVE. EVANSTON IL. Josephine's
PARLOR ROOM You donât need to have given birth to be the mother of
your own creation· let your labor of love be filled with nurturing
joy in the company of SHE who DRUMS· hope to see you there·
Peace- Hazel LâAura G. www.shedrums.com FOR MORE INFO. CALL HAZEL
773-549-3026 shedrums@earthlink.net The earliest motherâs day celebrations,
can be traced back to the spring festivals of the ancients, honoring the
mother of the gods...much later·in the 1600's, England celebrated
a day called Îmothering Sundayâ, honoring the matriarchy...the
Queens of England.../as Christianity spread throughout Europe the celebration
changed to honor the ÎMother Churchâ...in the U.S. motherâs
day was 1st suggested as a day dedicated to peace; this was the brain child
of Julia Ward Howe, the woman that actually wrote the words to the battle
hymn of the republic...later Ana Jarvis, inspired to pay homage to her
ancestors, began a campaign to establish a national mothers day on the
2nd Sunday of may...the anniversary of her motherâs death...which
just happened to be 40 days after Easter...president Woodrow Wilson eventually
made it official.../but what does it mean to us today...you know Iâm
not taking about the commercialized happy-faced take-your-mother-to-brunch-clicha's...hallmark
may not be talking·but this is heavy stuff·the concept of
Îmotherâ is highly charged for most of us...we all have or
had a mother...good or bad or in-between·We may be a mother ourselves...what
does that bring up· plenty· right·thereâs a
lot there I know·So for our next circle gathering lets try to access
some of these impressions & feelings & memories to pound out the
pain...rattle the wonder...to sing our story...to dance in the healing
process...to mother ourselves·so choose your weapon of peace...your
surgical tool...your pruning shears or hammer or monkey wrench...A drum
or shaker·these will do...as we explore & experience our motherâs
day song...H.A.G.
Hazel <shedrums@earthlink.net>
Evanston, IL USA - Monday, May 10, 2004 at 18:25:07 (PDT)
Better explanation. Gulp! The first thing that must be done is to tear
down LAPD signs. Can someone pay a homeless person to do it. Gulp! Let's
stay non-violent and Remember Martin Luther King Jr. God bless him a great
American and probably one of the Greatest. We can so close to a civil war
and he brought peace. Raven RedBone of Rebone "Come and get your Love"
a great Native American told me they are messing with Ceremony (tobacco
is used in Native American ceremony with drums on the beach) Can we organize
protests against the City of L.A. and LAPD and they are banning smoking
on the Beach here in Venice and we will see the will of Venice and see
if it is still Bohemian and smokey or has become simply a place like most
others with no heavos. We are saying and claiming this is un-Constitutional
and this is White Supremacy and Anti Native American Culture also their
attack on the Drum Circle is un-constitutional as drummers must practice
their art and culture as it has been this way since the beginning of time.
I talked to a cop and he said everyone at the drum circle is smoking marijuana.
I'm not and like I told him the drum circle is a reflection of what you
find everywhere in Society and that they LAPD are Taliban Nazi's just following
the orders of the White European prejudice and White supremacists who hate
the Native American Culture and are threatened by it. Another attempt at
cultural genocide. The Rasta's smoke weed as a service to our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ. The Mexicans use marijuana for medicine and it is
good medicine. I buy aspirin. Copy this and pass it on and letâs
see what we can get done. Stopping the Drum Circle in the evening is Un-Constitutional
and because of our tolerance they have gone further and have abused us
drummers and Venetians as well as the tourists to far now. The drum circle
must march now. White man speaks with fork tongue so you can't believe
anything they say. We must march. They LAPD and government officials won't
communicate by email because this would provide transparency and true democracy
and expose their insanity, greed, and corruption. I have talked to the
Cops on the Beach and they say the City Attorney has told them it is legal
to pull out your penis and piss in public without being arrested but if
you smoke or play your drums they will arrest you. They the Taliban L.A.
government and LAPD are insane and have lost their minds. They trash the
constitution and forget that anyone whether ordered by the government or
not that abuse someoneâs Civil Rights must be prosecuted and serve
time in a Federal Penitentiary. They are using the same defense as the
Naziâs used and say it is the law and they are following orders.
The Constitution is the supreme law of the land not their puny little prejudicial
ordinances. In fact it is our duty as Americans to defend the Constitution
and if someone like the puny L.A. corrupt government can trash the Constitution
this opens all kinds of avenues for them to continue to abuse civil liberties
and use their tyranny to mug law abiding citizens to collect money from
them and make peoples lives hell. Someone needs to post the Ten Commandments
on the court house door and start a non-violent revolution. Are we going
to take it any more? www.RandySolutions.com www.NakedPicassos.com if Venice
becomes a place not to go they will lose money and be seen for what they
are, ignorant. We donât care if the tourists donât come anymore.
We have to live here or is this really what they want for greedy land owners.
I wonder. If a public official communicates with you please tell them to
send an email and do not talk to them unless it is by email. Otherwise
they will do to you what they did to Crazy Horse. They will stab you to
death after inviting you to a meeting. Years of dis-regarding the Constitution
has built them a kingdom of money and ease and they have lost their minds
with power, lust and greed. Do any of them have to live without health
insurance, pensions and other Government, Corporate welfare at our expense?
We need to find legal assistance and please pass this on and it is time
to fight non-violently with boycotts, stop traffic without causing any
serious harm, public dis-obedience, verbal abuse for the police to make
them think and be un-comfortable and we need public citizen patrols to
follow the Police and nail them when they break the law and everyone breaks
the law because the law seems to be a vehicle for control not the common
good. Is it time for Class Warfare? If we donât do something we deserve
to be slaves and we will deserve a Saddam or an Arnold to rule over us.
Citizen patrols to follow the police are quit effective in an oppressive
Police State environment. Any Volunteers? especially legal students and
anyone who loves America and Native American Culture and the Arts. Any
ideas? Heaven forbid LAPD over react and cause Venice to become violent
and un-safe.
Randy <Randy@VeniceBeach.com>
Venice, Ca Los Angeles - Monday, May 10, 2004 at 15:38:24 (PDT)
EVERYONE, I am in need of help. I realize that this may sound a bit
odd, but I am determined to speak from my heart. I have a Native American
Woman from Michigan. I have been on a sacred journey of over a decade now.
I have come to a place along my journey where I must travel to Venice Beach.
Since I am from the "bush" and have lived on the Rez most of my life, you
will understand when I say that when I researched the Venice Beach area
I became all too aware that I will indeed be a fish out of water. I have
to find a particular person while I am in that area who is to help me in
the gathering of 13 Sacred Medicine Bundle Carriers. Your site is the closest
thing I could find to a "Native" community that I could seek help from.
I am asking for a plaace or places to stay during my stay there. I am not
a wealthy person and certanly could not afford the money for a hotel, and
I am not sure a Hostel is the place where I can cultivate that spiritual
atmosphere that I will need for meditation and ceremony. I am willing to
pay by the week if I was to find a "SAFE HAVEN" for my duration there in
your land. I am hoping that I will not be there longer than a few weeks.
If anyone has any information I would be humbly grateful. Also, if you
would care to read about my sacred journey thus far (and it is far from
over) you may do so at: www.niimki.com Scroll down to the bottom of the
page and click on Aagii's Journey (story, or adventure) Enter on the next
window and then find Aagii's journey again and there you may read. Don't
forget to go back to the main page and click on "Updates" as the rest of
the story after Australia is there as well. Does anyone feel led to be
a part of this great journey of peace and the ushering in of my peoples
prophecies.. pleace email me. I will respond to all emails regarding this.
I thank you all from my heart. Megwech (thank you) and Bekaadendang ( feel
peaceful inside