Status Faction will reign…

It was hot as hell on Sunday, but nothing keeps us Latinos from attending Fiesta Broadway year after year. Although waiting in line to spin for the chance to win silly prizes in 110-degree weather sounds stupid to some people, for others the wait was worth samples of simple green and shampoo. The line for fresh cow’s head was my personal favorite. Mmmmmm…tacos de lengua!!!! And the kind firemen who attached a cool sprayer to the fire hydrant get mad props. Had us LA folks cooling off New York-style.

Word and pictures by Kamren Curiel

Face by Mike Gonzalez (Plastic bottles, Alum., Cans)

The First Street Studios was packed 2 Saturday nights back for the opening of the SALVAGE Art show, featuring works made with salvaged and recyclable materials. The show runs through April 26th and its closing reception will feature a Fashion Show. For more information, see flyer at the end of this small sampling of truly eclectic creations.

El Tatuaje by Hugo Martinez Tecloatl (Mixed Media on wood)

Insects by Al Sanchez - Cans, Jewelry, Wire and Paper (Detail)

Ofelia Esparza’s Mobile (detail)

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MEAR ONE

Los Angeles has a proud history of political protest art. I remember in my own early days being confronted with Robbie Conal’s prune-faced politicians and feeling their bite, even at 6 years old. It’s fitting that downtown Los Angeles was ground zero for L.A. Vs. War this past weekend, hosting a battalion of sharp and talented artistic minds who, like most of us in the last five years (and going and going…), are pissed off about the illegal invasion of Iraq and the endless charade that surrounds it. The art fired back cleverly and angrily, with satire, disgust, and occasional beauty. Like a barney, I went in the middle of the day on Friday and didn’t get back to check the party out at night. So, while I loved the intense art, I missed most of the fun.

A whole lot of killer people worked hard to make things happen, including John Carr of Yo! What Happened to Peace (who I bonded with shortly over a mutual enjoyment of the Texas/Bay Area band D.R.I.) and Azul with The Iraq Photo Project. Man One took time away from the C.B.S. show at his nearby Crewest Gallery to hang out in the stencil and live painting garden and a long list of different DJs spun through both days and nights. Hopefully, you got a chance to see it for yourself, if not here’s a look.

CHAZ BOJORQUEZ

A Universal Peace Altar by Ofelia Esparza, a memorial to lives lost in the war

Kicking shit into overdrive was an outdoor room for Brandy Flower and Mike C.’s Hit & Run Crew to print killer shirts live on the scene, the walls draped with over-sized canvases sporting dripper versions of some of Brandy’s Mark of the Beast work. I unfortunately was there too early to see H&R do their thing, but spied a sick Kill Bill O’Reilly design they must have been printing that night on people’s gear, while TOKS from Hit and Run got ready to rock the turntables.

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A view from the top! Spirit CC ~ Arizona

The last weekend in March was the J.R. Entertainment Together Car Club at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena. Even though there was some light rain, the show was jammed packed and there were so many vehicles there to show, they had to set some of them outside in the parking area. Congrats to all involved in putting on the show. Great meeting and talking with everyone today! Look for a feature in Lowrider Magazine later this year.

This guy was the star of the show!

Walking the show grounds there was something for everyone.

I have more photos on my Flickr page. Go to http://flickr.com/photos/nobueno/.

The Queen Mary ~ Long Beach

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The Man of the Hour himself signing posters: Estevan Oriol

This event celebrating the debut of 1979, the collaboration between Estevan Oriol, Undefeated, and Adidas went down in the Artist District of Los Angeles. It all went down at the recently acquired retail/gallery spot on 6th at Los Angeles Street that will hold the Los Angeles location of Upper Playground, plus Mister Cartoon and Mister Oriol’s retail boutique in the near future. There will also be gallery space for future events.

The outcome of this partnership is the 1979 Top Ten Sneaker, paired with a book of photos by Mr. Oriol. The shoes and the book are presented in a highly detailed box and have been produced in limited numbers. The set will be released today at the Undefeated boutiques and online store, plus some select retailers worldwide.

The gallery had photos from the book hanging throughout the location and some of the subject in the book were on hand to celebrate the release.

The space got packed quick with people from all walks of life who were ready to join Estevan, Adidas and Undefeated in the celebration.

DJ Muggs provided the sounds for the night and kept people moving to his beats.

We here at L.A. TACO would like to congratulate Adidas, Estevan Oriol, and Undefeated on their collaboration.