9/9-9/11/11

12pm-12am
The Vortex
2341 E. Olympic Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90021

Teach-ins | Workshops | Live Graffiti & Painting + ‘Peace’ Portraits | T-shirt Printing + Video Installations | Laser Graffiti + Community Peace Altar

$5 Suggested Donation

vswar.org
facebook.com/vswar
twitter.com/lavswar

For a sneak peek, list of artists and performers/curators

The growing roster of artists includes:
Abcnt
Adam Smith
Amitis Motevalli
Ando Pndlian
Army of One
Art Hazelwood
Azul 213
Brianna Lengel Bail
Byron Jose
Chaz Bojorquez
Chuck Sperry
Contra One
Cryptik
Dog Byte
Doug Minkler
Eddie Colla
Elizabeth Wood
Elle Burchill
Enik One
Eyeone
Favianna Rodriguez
Free Humanity
Garrison Buxton
Geraldine Lozano
Glen Brooks
Graphonic
Guillermo Bert
Gustavo Alberto Garcia Vaca
James Bentley
Jesus Barraza
Joel Schlemowitz
John Carlos De Luna
John Carr
John Fekner
Jon Paul Bail
Khadija Anderson
Kristy Lovich
Kyle Goen
Lalo Alcaraz
Leba
lilstickyrice
Lucky Bunny
Lydia Emily
Man One
Manuela Viera- Gallo
Mark of the Beast
Mark Torres
Max Neutra
Mear One
Melanie Cervantes
Michael Datcher
Nancy Popp
Not My Government
Nuclear Winter
Oremeh Bagheri
Oscar Magallanes
Paul Barron
Poli Marichal
Raquel Gutierrez
Raymundo Hernández-López
Rebecca Conroy
Ricardo Duffy
Robbie Conal
Ron Donovan
Septerhead
Shark Toof
Shepard Fairey
Slanguage Collective
Street Phantom
Two Rabbits
Vivian Wong
Vyal One
Werc
William Acedo
Winston Smith
Yem
Yuri Shimojo

Participating DJs curated by ArtDontSleep and Dublab.com:
Aaron Byrd
Adrian Younge
Al Jackson
Alfred Hawkins
Alter
Andrew Meza
Anthony Valadez
B+
Carlos Nino
Coleman
Destroyer
DJ Moni
DJ Shiva
Elephant & Castle
Expo
Frosty
GLK
Hawthorne Headhunters
Haycock
House Shoes
Jun
Kristi Lomax
Lady Sha
Lee Bannon
Marc deClive Lowe
Matthew David
Mike Fisher
Monalisa
Mr. NumberOnederful
Plann B.
Rani D.
Rhettmatic
Seano
Skott K
& special guests.

Featuring:
Video Installations Curated By Kelly Fancher
Performance Art By: Strange Peple’s Brigade, JoeButoh Sculptour
Live Art Curated By: Crewest Gallery and Mobile Mural Lab
Live T-shirt Printing By: Hit+Run featuring peace and antiwar graphics
Peace Altar By: Ofelia Esparza and ZAN
Laser Graffiti By: Buff Laser 2000
Peace Photo Project By: Azul 213
Stenciling Demonstrations & Workshops By: Oscar Magallanes and Leo Limón

The 2011 Rock the Bells Festival, sponsored by Boost Mobile and Blackberry, kicked off with a bang at the House of Blues this Tuesday night. Rock the Bells founder, Chang Weisberg, welcomed veterans and newbies to the stage to announce an airtight line up that rivals last year’s stellar offering. This year’s line-up boasts Lauryn Hill (Miseducation of Lauryn Hill), Nas (Illmatic), Erykah Badu, Black Star (Black Star), Raekwon + Ghostface (Only Built For Cuban Linx),  Mobb Deep (The Infamous), GZA (Liquid Swords), Souls of Mischief (93 to Infinity), Blu & Exile, Evidence, Childish Gambino and many more!

At the House of Blues, the stage was hot and spirits were high. Even Evidence began to circulate a joint for the press to share. Artists, such as RZA, B Real, and Supernatural, expressed their respect and affinity for Rock the Bells festival, fans and founder. Others also shared their apprehensions about debuting never performed songs from classic albums. “We’ll be doing songs that we’ve never ever performed before,” Tajai from Souls of Mischief shared.  Havoc, 1/2 of Mobb Deep, divulged “there are about 4 our 5 songs that I’m a bit nervous about.” It is that same respect for the craft and dedication to the fans that Weisberg hopes that every concert-goer experiences. “At the end of the day, this is all about the fans and I make sure that I communicate that to all of our artists who perform at Rock the Bells” Weisberg exclaimed. From the passion and excitement that emanated from Tuesday’s launch party, Rock the Bells 2011 will be one for the books.

Tickets for this year’s Rock The Bells go on sale 6/3. Stay tuned to Rock The Bell’s Twitter, Facebook and Website for updates on the line-up and exclusive content.

The line-up for Rock the Bells has been rock solid for the past couple of years. I’m looking forward to what’s in store for this year’s offering. I’m not afraid to admit that my favorite part of their launch parties are Supernatural’s line-up freestyle. Get with it.

House of Blues
8430 W. Sunset Blvd.
W. Hollywood, CA

18+ | $25
Doors open @ 9pm
Get tickets here

Steel Pulse has been added to the already stellar line up UCLA JazzReggae Fest. The festival is on its 25th year and has already welcomed artists such as  The Roots, Q-Tip, Nas, Damien Marley, Erykah Badu, Barrington Levy, and  Buju Banton among others. This year, for Jazz Day, Lupe Fiasco returns to the JazzReggaeFestival stage along with Little Dragon, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, and Quadron. Reggae Day boasts Steel Pulse, Tanya Stephens and Gyptian.  Tickets start at $29 and can be bought at Ticketmaster or at these retailers:

1) Soundsations: 8701 La Tijera Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
2) Headline Records: 7706 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, California
3) Stone’s Jamaican Restaurant & Market: 6700 S Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
4) Amoeba Music: 6400 West Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA

Get yours before its too late!

Nothing wrong with a musical re-up. Free for a limited time only. Get it here now.

If you’re in L.A. be sure to check them out at the Music Box on June 24. The Black Lips upcoming album, Arabia Mountain, is produced by Mark Ronson and will be dropping on June 7th!

What: DJ Quik’s “Quik’s Groove” – The Book of David Album Release Party
When: Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Where: The Key Club (9039 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028)
Door Opens: 8pm PST

Tickets: $25-28| $35 day of show

UCLA JazzReggae Fest  has annouced the full-line up for JazzReggae Fest 2011 this Memorial Day Weekend.  Tickets are on sale now! The Festivities take place on May 29 & 30th on UCLA’s Intramural Field from 12-7pm. There are VIP tickets too if you’re feeling fancy but they tend to sell out very quickly. In the words of Rafiki! Don’t dawdle!

Tickets:

One Day:
$29-Pre-Sale/$65 VIP Deluxe Ticket per day
$35-Day Of (I doubt VIP tickets will still be on sale on the day of)

Both Days:
$50 Pre-Sale/$65 VIP Deluxe Ticket per day
$60-Day Of

Zion I & The Grouch Heroes in the Healing of the Nation Tour 2011 behind the scenes from michael sato on Vimeo.

4/15/11 Madison, WI @ Majestic #$
4/16/11 Poeria, IL @ Crusens at War Memorial Dr. #$
4/17/11 Chicago, IL @ Abbey Theater #$
4/18/11 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop #$
4/19/11 Syracuse, NY @ Westcott Theater #$
4/20/11 Burlington, VT @ Higher Ground #$
4/21/11 Boston, MA @ Middle East Club #$
4/22/11 Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory #$
4/23/11 Baltimore, MD @ The Quarter #$
4/24/11 Philadelphia, PA @ The Blockley Poorhouse #$
4/25/11 Tempe, AZ @ The Club House #$
4/26/11 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre #
4/27/11 San Diego, CA @ House of Blues #
4/28/11 San Luis Obispo, CA @ SLO Brewing Co. #
4/29/11 Santa Clara, CA @ The Avalon #
4/30/11 Reno, NV @ Grand Theatre #*!
5/01/11 Santa Barbara, CA @ Velvet Jones #

* w/ The Jacka
! w/ Mistah F.A.B.
$ w/ One Be Lo
# w/ The Shotgun Wedding Quintet (Jazz Mafia)