Life After Death...

It was a perfect night for Zombies to be dancing in the street.  Fourth Street that is....

Junipero to Cherry was shut down in order that ghouls, goblins, and dogs celebrating The Day of the Dead could mix in with the living and the 'living dead' for the MondoCelluloid sponsored Zombie Walk.  The stores along Fourth Street were open and festive, offering everything from creepy cupcakes and zombie face painting to photo booths for the costumed in the front window of a "recycled" furniture store.  Everyone seemed up for the ride, although maybe not in the pimped out hearse which was the only vehicle (other than the zombie killing tank, of course) that was allowed on Fourth Street.  Spirits were high, Lola's was dishing out food, and Zombies met their Paparazzi with glee.

Thar definitely be Zombies:

Couple Zombies

Veggie Zombies

Crawling Zombies

Rubber Ducky Zombies

Fez'd Zombies

Protest Zombies:  Everyone has a beef....

But, have no fear.... there were also Zombie Hunters:

I wasn't sure if this pair of 'living dead' had dressed specifically for the double feature:

The Art Theater is really hitting its stride these days with fantastic programming.  It was, I'm sure, a sold out house for SHAUN OF THE DEAD:

Oh, and there was "Crazy Cindy".  We can't forget her.  Ummm, him.  Ummm .....  :

But, despite all the zombies, zombie hunters, and zombie mashes, this being Southern California there were lots of wonderful tributes to Día de los Muertos.  And I think I loved those best.

Carlos Ramsey

Last night I had the good fortune of attending the latest art opening of Carlos Ramsey, my friend and fellow 1st and Elm gardener (1standelm.blogspot.com).  Held at Sipology on a night of torrential downpour, it is a testament to Carlos' art that so many people attended.  The Steve Harris Trio offered up classic jazz tunes while people sipped wine, drank hot chocolate and took in the work.

Carlos had three series working at the same time.  In the main coffee shop area, he had a series entitled:  Ensemble.  I'll leave the fancy art critic words to someone more schooled in it than I, but all the canvases featured beautiful and mysterious women entangled/overcome/sensually connected with their instruments.

 

The artist: Carlos Ramsey

Moving into the long gallery space one could find his newest series:  Of Loss, Discovery, Indignation and Hope

The work was deeply personal about loss, love, and (re)birth.  With a running commentary written along the walls that linked the large and stunning canvases, it was an emotional journey.  The canvases featured a stylized man, woman, and eventually a child encased in a belly balloon.  The "hope" perhaps?

 

Finally, upstairs in the balcony, Carlos had a brand new artistic venture.  I'm not sure how to explain them other than they were botanicals painted on vellum in romantic blends of earthtones and mounted on a wood frame which was hung away from the wall.  Imagine a squat, narrow coffee table with cool legs.  They are meant to have sunshine illuminate them from behind.  These spoke to me.... And these photos, alas, don't do them or the rest of his artwork justice.

It was a wonderful night of art and music.  I do hope you'll go check out his work (and maybe buy a piece or two!)  The show will be at Sipology for a month.  Sipology is located at 448 E. Broadway Long Beach 90802 in the "arts district" at the corner of Broadway and Linden.  Carlos can be reached through his website:  www.carlosramsey.com 

   Support your local artists, musicians, and businesses!

Welcome to the blog....

A beach town with no real beach.  A seaside marina without throngs of tourists.  A community of artists without the pretension.  A port city with a really Green attitude.  A huge, international, urban sprawl that feels like a small town.  This is part of the mystery of Long Beach; it defies definition.

Before I moved here from LA, I wasn't really even sure where it was...  Someplace South.  Someplace with a lot of crime (or so the LA local news liked to tell me).  I had come to The Queen Mary and (the now gone) Spruce Goose on a "what do I do with my grandmother while she visits?" sort of outing.  It's a bit of a blur.  But, love has a way of making us go blindly into adventure and so a year ago I admitted defeat in trying to get a long time LBCer to move up to me.   And here we sit: in a beautiful loft in a slowly revitalizing Downtown Long Beach.

I've spent the year finding my way around and more often than not I've done it through the lens of my camera.  I've found out it's really not soooo South.  And there really isn't that much crime.  No more than LA, at least. I look forward to posting many of the images that I've made in and around LBC. 

And, so, a year later I've settled in with an organic community garden plot, started biking more (not a beach cruiser, but soon!), made new friends, and have the continued desire to explore the city and the people who live here.   I hope you'll join me.