![[Intersections] Zumba boom in South LA’s concrete desert](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/zumbajump-slider-blog.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Intersections] Zumba boom in South LA’s concrete desert")
A new crop of Zumba studios have taken root in South LA, helping people lose weight and transform their lives. Continue reading
![[Annenberg Radio] Singing for detainees behind the walls](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/img_3380.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Annenberg Radio] Singing for detainees behind the walls")
The Day Laborers of the North and Ana Tijoux brought music to the doorstep of a federal prison in downtown L.A. in solidarity with detained immigrants. Continue reading
![[Annenberg Radio] Sonic City: The Satellite](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/paris-band.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Annenberg Radio] Sonic City: The Satellite")
Listen to Anthony Aguiar, lead singer for the band P A R I S, describe the mystique of The Satellite in Silver Lake, one of L.A.’s most storied concert venues. Continue reading
![[Neon Tommy] Israeli Musician David Broza Brings ‘East Jerusalem / West Jerusalem’ To L.A.](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/davidbroza-s-curverecords.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Neon Tommy] Israeli Musician David Broza Brings ‘East Jerusalem / West Jerusalem’ To L.A.")
Israeli musician David Broza hopes that bridging cultures through music can be one small step toward peaceful coexistence. Continue reading
![[Blog] Colburn School Dance Recital May 24: Danish “Flower Festival” to Cuban “Manteca” (+ Video)](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/manteca.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Blog] Colburn School Dance Recital May 24: Danish “Flower Festival” to Cuban “Manteca” (+ Video)")
My 15-year-long ballet “career” has introduced me to astounding music, from Tchaikovsky’s “Serenade for Strings in C major” (from George Balanchine’s “Serenade”) to Danny Elfman’s “Beetlejuice” score (from a funky piece by my amazing Westside Ballet teacher Veronica Apodaca). Now, I’m again adding to the list. In a recital this Friday at The Colburn School’s Zipper Hall, I’ll perform two pieces with Colburn’s adult ballet class – and our music ranges from 19th century classical to 20th century Latin jazz. Continue reading
![[Blog] “Music as Urbanism” at the Armory Center: Rural Music, Christopher Dorner Corridos, + L.A. Songlines](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/bpluscolombia-musicos.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Blog] “Music as Urbanism” at the Armory Center: Rural Music, Christopher Dorner Corridos, + L.A. Songlines")
Last week, creative thinkers Brian Cross, Eamon Ore-Giron, Josh Kun and Susannah Tantemsapya met up at Pasadena’s Armory Center for the Arts to discuss “Music as Urbanism.” Their presentations took us from the American southwest to Cali, Colombia, and home to Los Angeles. We heard (literally) about Peruvian processionals, Colombia’s “música pacífica,” and Mexican migrant music. And we contemplated the sonic landscapes of both our cities and our minds. Here are a few ideas that buzzed most loudly in my head. Continue reading
![[Blog] Masanga Marima Brings “Guantanamera” from L.A. to Zimbabwe and Back (+ Video)](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/016.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Blog] Masanga Marima Brings “Guantanamera” from L.A. to Zimbabwe and Back (+ Video)")
The simple tune and patriotic lyrics of “Guantanamera,” Cuba’s signature song, have traveled to numerous far-flung corners of the planet. Even unlikely ones, I learned last Friday at a concert by Masanga Marimba at MacArthur Park’s Levitt Pavilion. Masanga Marimba blends African and Latin American musical styles, mostly played on seven Zimbabwean marimbas ranging from … Continue reading
![[Blog] Watch This Now: Ana Tijoux + Manu Chao in Arizona](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/anatijoux.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[Blog] Watch This Now: Ana Tijoux + Manu Chao in Arizona")
The scene in the just-released music video by Alex Rivera looks calm and quaint, at first. Like a few friends camping in the desert who decide to sing a song at sunset, accompanied only by acoustic guitar and the taps of their toes in the dirt. But it’s not so simple. The place is Arizona, … Continue reading
![[LA Weekly] Jonny Edwards: Ax in the Box](https://dainabeth.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/jonnycoffincover.jpg?w=290&h=290&crop=1 "[LA Weekly] Jonny Edwards: Ax in the Box")
One of the fascinating Angelenos featured in L.A. Weekly’s People 2012 issue: When in character as his alter ego, Jonny Coffin, Jonny Edwards sports a black trench coat, gloves and a top hat. With his flowing dark hair, chiseled features and dramatic makeup, he exudes an aura of sinister mystery. Completing the look is his highly curious black guitar case, which is shaped like a coffin, made from wood and vinyl, and lined with plush velvet… Continue reading
On the cover of the latest Los Jornaleros del Norte album, Que No Pare la Lucha (May The Struggle Go On), a drawing portrays a mustachioed man wearing a cap stitched with the word “dignidad.” His right hand is clenched in a fist above his head. The stance depicts pride and defiance, the same attitude the group has taken in response to Arizona’s controversial immigration law, Senate Bill 1070, which shines through the band’s entire repertoire… Continue reading
Lotus land 