Showing posts with label local events. Show all posts
Showing posts with label local events. Show all posts

Thursday, February 12, 2009

City From Below!



"The city has emerged in recent years as an indispensable concept for many of the struggles for social justice we are all engaged in - it's a place where theory meets practice, where the neighborhood organizes against global capitalism, where unequal divisions based on race and class can be mapped out block by block and contested, where the micropolitics of gender and sexual orientation are subject to metropolitan rearticulation, where every corner is a potential site of resistance and every vacant lot a commons to be reclaimed, and, most importantly, a place where all our diverse struggles and strategies have a chance of coming together into something greater. In cities everywhere, new social movements are coming into being, hidden histories and herstories are being uncovered, and unanticipated futures are being imagined and built - but so much of this knowledge remains, so to speak, at street-level. We need a space to gather and share our stories, our ideas and analysis, a space to come together and rethink the city from below."

THEMES TO BE CONSIDERED

* Gentrification/uneven development
* Policing and incarceration
* Tenants rights/housing as a right
* Public transit
* Urban worker's rights
* Foreclosures/financial crisis
* Public education
* Slots/casinos/regressive taxation
* Cultural gentrification
* Underground economies
* Reclaiming public space
* The right to the city
* Squatting/Contesting Property Rights
* Urban sustainability


Read more - get excited - submit proposals!

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Active in Oakland



Tuesday morning I went with my housemate Gabriel, the Campaign Director for Colorofchange.org, to the District Attorney's office in Oakland to hand in about 21,000 signatures demanding an explanation why not all offending officers in the Oscar Grant murder case have been charged (or at least investigated).

There was a great amount of media coverage, and those who participated in the action feel that it was very successful. Scope us these two videos:

ABC 7 KGO-TV

KTVU

I met some great people during this action (CAPE, Ella Baker), and I hope to become more involved with social justice organizations during my time in the Bay Area. I miss being out and about organizing and participating in actions - fighting the good fight. Hopefully some sort of internship could turn into some sort of paid job over time...

xo
Carla

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Mixed Bizness




I recently went to the Lusty Lady for the first time. $1 a minute to see real live naked ladies dance around. That's what I like to call a "North Beach Night Cap." Mix business with pleasure.

xo
'la

Friday, January 30, 2009

Click Them.

Things you should read today that others have found:

obey


there's probably no god...


will it blend?


peace, love, unity, punch in the face.


feel like smiling?


first ever lolcat


we'll conclude with an old hip hop favorite of mine...

Friday, January 23, 2009

Oh.



Being a New Englander, the natural disasters I'm used to fearing are Hurricanes and Giant Fucking Snowstorms.

Usually, by the time a Hurricane (that's been kicking the Caribbean's ass for a week) gets to us in Li'l Rhody, it's more fun than anything else. Minor damage from wind happens, but we're used to it. No biggie.

Blizzards hit northern NE more than down in The Wee State. We make a mad dash to the grocer and stock up on bread and milk (and scratch tickets) and wait it out. Kids go sledding after they are forced to shovel and drink cocoa. Grownups find other ways to stay warm and entertained...

But now I'm in California - specifically, the San Francisco Bay Area. Quake Country. The earth shakes from two of the biggest tectonic plates dancing around with each other. Tsunamis rage outward from our gnarly epicenter to screw up someone else's day. Gross.

So during tonight's bout of insomnia, I found this government website that has me quaking in my knickers. There is a 62% chance that at least one earthquake of magnitude 6.7 or greater will happen in the Bay Area by 2032. Yikes!

Remember when I said I was going to stay in the Bay for a few years, but not forever? Yeah, I'd rather play in 2 feet of snow with my kids every year than clutch them under the kitchen table while everything falls apart around us. Don't worry. I'm coming home eventually.



Love,
'la

Monday, January 19, 2009

The Fierce Urgency of Now!

"Now is the time to make real the promises of Democracy!"

Let the good Doctor move you...



remember: today is not a day off, it's a day on!

xoxo
carla

Monday, December 15, 2008

I Can Has Dee Jay Nite?!

Cozy Like Cats // Cats Like Cozy

Extra Special Holiday Season Interstate Travel Edition!

Thursday December 18th
@ Local 121's Tap Room
Free!

The 121 Puma Girls (Lara and Carla)
and Tim O'Keefe
Proudly Present:



Lara and I take requests, but it's best to let us know beforehand... Send me a message and I'll get your tracks on the setlist. Even better - I'll cue it up to play as you enter the glamorous Tap Room. Hottne$$.

xoxo
Puma Girl

P.S. Super special thank you to Storm Davis for yet another dope Cozy Like Cats flyer.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Updated: Providence Music

I miss it, and I want to share some of it with you...



CAROLINE COTTER
My best friend since childhood who is a world traveler and folk musician. Her music is raw, unadultered, and honest (trust me). Her voice is gorgeous. And she's super nice. Her CD makes a great holiday gift, if you're into supporting indie arts.



MAHI MAHI
Two foxy dudes who get everyone dancing. I love these men (for many reasons, including Julian's and Ziggy the cat) and I love these heavy electro tunes. Just enough creepy and dark to keep it standing apart from a lot of other electronic music.



VVLTVRE
These two former coworkers of mine lay it on with layers of filth / creep / dark. They would be paid to work on the soundtrack for my film (if I were ever to make one). Listen to it, and if you like it, come do scratch tickets with me and Anna Purna during my visit home.



HOWL
Three dudes and a badass chick who are blowing up step by step... They tour often (CA soon?) and party with the best of us. Catch them around PVD working in your local Grocery or Corporate Chain Eatery, or boozin' at the favorite spots.



SAINT JUDE
Self-described as "metalheads playing hardcore with a punk drummer." They throw a mean show (Vincent has a nice scar to prove it). Brendan just got a The Big Lebowski tattoo. Vegans and Athiests and Cyclists and Babe Magnets. I love these boys so much it hurts! Get in there and throw some loving punches.




WHAT CHEER MARCHING BRIGADE
Do you ever get the feeling that you just wanna jump into the street and start dancing? Thanks to the WCMB, summertime in Providence now means spontaneous parades, tree climbing musical merriment, gorilla costumed percussionists, and huge motherfuckin' dance parties in the city streets past midnight. Support their touring! Support the marching bands! (R.I.P. Decatur Lounge)




POORLY DRAWN PEOPLE
Independent hip hop collective. Tight as that rope on which the industry is walking. They don't perform as much as they used to, but don't miss the tunes which are well-produced and intelligently written. Delivered correctly. Fresh. My BFF Lara and I (and some spiced whiskey) did some of the back up on "Storm Davis Fucks Like a Puma," which has turned into a cult classic (of mine and Lara's). Catch them hanging at Providence's local taprooms and strippys.

Miss you / kiss you.

xoxo
la la la

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Providence People




Go to Local 121 tonight to see a documentary about the local food movement!

6:00 speakeasy doors open
6:30 optional dinner for $12 (made with local foods, silly goose!)
7:00 'Tableland' plays on the dope a/v system, discussion following

Tableland is a culinary expedition in search of the people, place and taste of North American small scale, sustainable food production. Director Chris Noble argues for the re-location of North American food systems and a return to fresher, healthier ways of feeding ourselves. From the orchards of British Columbia, the inner city gardens of Chicago to the Napa Highlands and everywhere in between, Tableland celebrates the successful production of tasty, local, and seasonal food from field to plate.
-PDD

Personally, I feel that a lot of unrest and displeasure in this society is caused by how we consume food instead of nourish ourselves. I lot of life change can happen when one begins to eat with (personal and global) mindfulness. When a lot of lives change, we get a community shift, and then a societal trend, no?

Forget having the status symbol of a pristine green lawn... Grow food in that plot of land and cook with the fruits of your labor!

Eat, drink, think local!

<3
Former Local 121 Employee

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Ugly Sweater Bike Ride Pub Crawl!

Yo Yo Yo !

Carla is turning 24 years old on October 24th and she's moving to Oakland, CA on November 6th!

The party is Saturday October 25th!

Ugly Sweater Bike Ride Pub Crawl!

Please wear a very ugly sweater.
Examples:
Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket



We will start at my parents house on the East Side for Armenian food and a few beers.
My mom and aunties are the best cooks in Providence.
Brace yo'self!
Here's a map of where they live:
View Larger Map

Then we will ride bikes to our favorite saloons, pubs, dives, and discos!
(Examples: Wild Colonial, Local 121, Wheels, AS220, Trinity, Julian's, Avery, E&O, Scurvy Dog...)

Can you handle it?

No gifts, please.
Well, maybe one of these...
I can't afford to ship a lot out to Cali.
And your presence alone is a gift!

If you choose not to bike, please don't drink and drive.
We can arrange for sober drivers!

I love you all very much!
Please let me know if you're coming so I can tell the Armenian Womenfolk to cook tons of food.

xoxo
<3
Carla

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Monday, September 1, 2008

Home Sweet Home


View Larger Map

November 6th is fast approaching.
I will be living here (second floor) with Lily, Gabe, and Kiernan.

Sooooooooooo excited!

Now all I need to do is secure a job out there.

and pack.

and move everything cross-country.

hmmmmmm

xoxo
Cali Lita

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Olneyville Needs You!


Every August I send an ask letter for donations to a specific cause. This year I am asking you to donate to English for Action, a 501(c)3 in the neighborhood of Olneyville in Providence, RI. My birthday is coming up, and I'm moving to California in November. If you were thinking of getting me a gift, please donate to EFA instead.

I have worked at EFA for two full years. I was hired as the coordinator of the arts-based child-care mentoring program (Nuestra Escuela / Our School) for the children of adult English learners. My weeknights for the past two years have been spent sharing wisdom, knowledge, and art with amazing youth in my community. I have never worked in a more peace-filled and imagination-inspired child-care program in my 12 years of experience. It's more than work - EFA is family to me now.

It was recently discovered that the organization was in a serious financial crisis. Federal and State budget cuts to education programs have dramatically affected our income, and the income of our major funders.

With the jarring news that EFA might have to lay off the entire staff and possibly close most or all services, the Staff, Board, and Learner community took immediate action. We did some rearranging of positions and roles. We cut our budget by 1/3. We created clearly defined financial goals for the next year. We rallied the support of our grassroots sister organizations in Providence. We have all been volunteering our free time to ensure that the few paid staff members remaining don't burn out. My new position at EFA is the Interim President of the Board of Directors, and my major duty is acting as a pro-bono Development Director to seek grant money.

While we are all busy working nights and weekends for the financial stability of EFA, we are simultaneously planning for another year of high-quality programming, including Participatory-based adult ESOL classes, arts-based child-care, native language literacy, health services, a food bank, free library, the action committee, and other blossoming partnerships with community organizations. The Action Committee (formally recognized by peer organizations as an outstanding group) recently had a very successful grassroots event to raise money, food, and basic supplies for the families of ICE detainees here in Rhode Island.

Our classes operate evenings at a nearby elementary school which has a beautiful saying painted along the entire exterior wall: "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child." We all know that nobody can truly succeed without love and support from a community of friends and family. The same is true for EFA. We cannot continue our necessary and passionate work without your financial support.

I have a personal goal of raising $1,000 through friends and family by September 9th. This money will go directly to the ESOL program expenses, including supplies, books, trainings, and ensuring that it is staffed. Staff members are dedicated lovers of education who come from all walks of life, and strive to apply the holistic mission of EFA to the ESOL program while constantly improving the measurable outcomes of the program.

Our methods are proven to be effective, and our mission is unique. We are a valued and valuable organization and we need your help!

Please donate via this link, or by mailing a check to the address below.

English for Action
PO Box 29405
Providence, RI
02909

Sunday, July 20, 2008

It's Official



I just bought my one-way plane ticket to Oakland, CA.

I'm going to live with my best friend ( and future baby mama ) Lily.

So in between now and then, I'm going to be getting rid of a lot of my stuff and trying to have the most memorable and fun summer / fall in Providence (the city in which I was born and raised).

Your help is needed with all that fun-making!

I'm also planning a giant going away / birthday party for myself with food and drinks and djs and whatnot. It'll be in between my birthday (October 24th) and my departure date (November 6th). You're invited.

I am so full of adrenaline right now!

xoxo
'la

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

INOPERAbLE in NYC

My very good friend Nick is hosting this dope event:



I might take a rideshare to NYC after work tomorrow and stay up all night with the Austrians and then catch a train back to PVD to be back at work at 11am.

here's some more info:

„INOPERAbLE in NĂ¼ York"
July 10th, 6pm-1am, ONE NIGHT ONLY
Alphabeta, 70 Greenpoint ave. Brooklyn
(Greenpoint Stop on G, or Short walk from Bedford Stop on L)

We are going to welcome our clever foreign friends (can pockets on lederhosen?) with a bang, so we're giving them the good ol' hot dog and beer suckerpunch.

What you can expect:


* An art show and installation of work by street and graffiti artists you've never seen on this side of the pond.

* Live painting in the huge outdoor back area 6pm to 11pm, featuring Nychos, Maggot, Knochen, Holy Sin, DNM, I Love Ally, & Franke

* Ultra cheap hot dogs (til Midnight) and BEER (forever), like we promised.

* GRL (yes, graffiti research lab has an Austrian contingent) killin it live with their 'Drip Sessions' at 11:30pm.

* DJ Stereotyp and Boundless' own Tes Uno on the decks, ALL NIGHT LONG.

* Room to dance if you wanna, because you will.

* A silent auction on the artwork.

* Photos by the infamous Texas from the New Pop.

* The flyer image was made into hand screenprinted, numbered posters by Atzgerei, and you can buy one at the party for cheap if the art is too spensi for you.

* It's walking distance from Bedford, really...


Whats not to love? Come chill with the paint splattered family, discover new art and see Brooklyn's only spot to buy cans.

All you gotta do is RSVP here and show up. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door, but you get a ticket good for a beer or a hot dog FREE if you throw down, and it's an optional show of support.

21 and over get a wristband and can drink. 21 and under get dogs and hugs. We'll be there all night kids.

Spray paint sponsored by Plutonium G. Special thanks to Anonymous gallery.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Monday, June 16, 2008

These Beats Are So Fresh!


For Father's Day, I'm taking my dad to a concert:

The Silver Beats
Lupo's
Downtown Providence
August 6th
$15

This Japanese Beatles tribute band is guaranteed to kick ass.

Check out the NPR review.

And for the real thing

xoxo
la la la

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Rideshare Wanted





I'm going to NYC Saturday to see a bunch of cats, including:

Jesse (he's hosting arts and crafts on Saturday),

Howl (Providence Metal band),


Christiane
(college roommate),

Sip Sak (bomb diggity Armenian-Turkish restaurant),

and quite possibly Nick (old friend visiting from Austria).



I was going to take Amtrak (I love trains), but I thought I'd post a rideshare about it.

Is anyone going to NYC this weekend?
Would you like to have company?

I will bake snacks and pay for gas.
I'm also a kick-ass co-pilot.

Holler atcha girl
Lady Rideshare

Monday, June 2, 2008

bee. b. e. e. bee.




Tonight 8pm!

There is a spelling bee at AS220!

$5 to enter the competition, but free to watch.

There will be snacks.

I am a huge nerd and I love spelling. I don't know if I'll have the courage to enter. It's been a while since I've been in a spelling bee (I was in the final round in my school-wide bee in middle school when I was in 6th grade).

So I get out of work in Olneyville around 8:15, and then I will ride my bike straight to AS220. I hope to see you there!

love,
poindextress