Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Carmageddon Be Damned! Weekend Dance Performance at Santa Monica Beach House
photo of Sheetal Gandhi courtesy of the artist
()
Carmageddon be damned! As the freeway event draws closer, artists are bonding together all over the metropolis and offering their take on the quasi-regional holiday. By the Santa Monica beach, performer/director Sheetal Gandhi is culminating her choreographer-in-residence period at the Annenberg Community Beach House with two afternoon performances of "I Am You," a Rumi-inspired, community-engaged, site-specific dance-theater work.
Having seen a few of the previous free cultural events at this landmark location (it used to be the home of silver screen actress Marion Davies and a gift from publishing tycoon William Randolf Hearst), we can attest to the spectacular setting for watching performances. The view of the ocean, the sand and the Santa Monica palisade looking eastward are glorious. Live performance—music, movement and text—adds to the splendor.
Promotional materials state that the premiere work features popular love songs of the 1930s, the timeless poetry of the Persian mystic poet, Rumi, and commentary on motivational talk shows and other self-help scenarios. As part of the performance, the artist is also initiating a unique collaboration with her local Los Angeles community by inviting them to participate in the performance.
Gandhi has just returned from Scandinavia, where she toured her one-woman show that explores her south Asian heritage. She's performed this work on many international stages, after having danced in the cast of Broadway musicals, Cirque de Soleil and much more.
Support for LAist comes from
Imagining that the freeways might even be quiet on these weekend afternoons, it looks like a great destination. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 29, and Sunday, Sept. 30, from 1-2:30 p.m.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach. -
Kimmel returned less than a week after ABC suspended his show over comments he made about the assassination of right wing activist Charlie Kirk. -
Southern California might see some light rain tonight into Wednesday morning. After that, cooler weather is on the way, but expect the humidity to remain. -
A gate tax at Disney? It's a possibility.
Best of LAist