Lotus Festival – Echo Park July 2012
April 3, 2012
Heritage Asian Pacific, Inc. (HAP, Inc.), presents the 34th celebration of the Lotus Festival Dragon Boat Races
THIS EVENT USUALLY OCCURS IN JULY PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR 2012 DATES
IMPORTANT UPDATED 2012 INFORMATION:
Lotus Festival has suffered without dragon-boat races, and the past few years without the lotus blossoms themselves – but a Lotus Festival with no lake?
Planned for July 14-15, the past couple of years have been “scaled back” versions of the festival (it was cancelled completely in 2009). It wasn’t expected to happen in 2011, until plans to start the Echo Park Lake rehabilitation project were pushed back until later that year and the fest went on.
This year’s Lotus Festival will not be held at the lake, which is currently empty and completely gated up during construction. Instead, the parking lots between Echo Park Avenue and Lemoyne, south of Sunset Boulevard, will serve as the grounds. This will definitely be a “scaled back” version of the event.
The details aren’t finalized, but one thing’s for sure – there won’t be any Dragon Boat races!
History of the Los Angeles Lotus Festival at Echo Park
The Lotus Festival at Echo Park originated in 1972, by the Department of Recreation and Parks and members of the Council of Oriental Organizations (COO). The two co-chairpersons for the first five years were volunteers from the Asian Community: Ella Quan and Helen Young. Hazel Young was co-chairperson until the mid 80’s and currently remains as an active member on the Lotus Festival advisory board and planning committee.
The Significance of the Los Angeles Lotus Festival
The lotus flower is significant to the Asian cultures as a symbol of rebirth, purity and life. The festival is held in July when the lotus flower blooms. Echo Park Lake was selected as the site for the event due to its central location of local Asian and Pacific Islander communities and because it houses the largest lotus bed in the United States. The festival was originally named “The Day of the Lotus”, and the purpose was to promote an awareness and understanding of the contributions by the Asian and Pacific Islander people to our culture and to the local and surrounding communities. The first two festivals were one-day affairs, which attracted approximately 15,000 people. Due to the success of the festival, it was expanded to a two-day event.
In 1989, the 12th Annual Day of the Lotus Festival added the island flower show. An annual press conference is held at Echo Park Lake to give media representatives a view of the location where the festival is held and a sampling of the various cultural presentations that would take place at the festival. In 1990, the festival was named “Lotus Festival” with the theme: “The People and Cultures of the Pacific Rim”. The lotus advisory board was developed in 1991, made up of representatives from various Asian and Pacific Islands communities, in order to promote and present the authenticity of their cultures. In 1992, the theme was changed to “The People and Cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands”. In 1993, the Lotus Festival added the Asian Youth Scholarship Program. In 1994, the festival expanded again by adding a “Pavilion” to focus on the current years highlighted culture. Since the 1991 festival, each year’s attendance is estimated to be well over 150,000 each day. Past participation involved many organizations from the communities in Southern California.
The Dragon Boat Races
The dragon boat races became part of the entertainment when the festival had a Chinese opening day ceremony. City budget cuts curtailed the festival from 1978-1979. In 1980 through 1985, the festival took place once again, due to the generosity of various sponsors.
The dragon boat race is an event full of color noise and excitement! The dragon boats will be racing down Echo Park Lake with drums beating and crowds cheering them on. Races are preceded by the Buddhist blessing of the dragon boats, by the International Buddhist Meditation Center, ensuring safe and successful races.
Echo Park – Los Angeles, CA
Echo Park is a district of Los Angeles, CA located on Park Avenue between Glendale Avenue and Echo Park Boulevard, just north of the Hollywood (101) and Pasadena (110) freeway junction, near Dodger Stadium. The district of Echo Park was originally named Edendale before the construction of the park itself.
We appreciate your participation in the annual Dragon Boat Races as proceeds support scholarships to graduating high school students in the Los Angeles community.
Aftermath: Occupy LA – October 16, 2011
October 25, 2011
I took my son last weekend to experience the movement in which different individuals/groups are organizing for various causes. We walked around, took pictures, spoke and listened to organizers and then had our own discussion about what was going on in our world today. It appears that the main point in all off this is that people are demanding change. Change, which is highly needed today… NOW. However, one needs to remember that you can’t be the force of everyone’s change if you yourself do not reflect that change. Walk the talk! Bring your beliefs to life… of moving beyond words to practice what you preach. “Do the right thing” and draw upon your character, your commitment, honesty, accountability, respect, courage, trust, ethics and responsibility.
Teach your children to be leaders not followers!!!!
Copyright © 2011 Love & Hate All Rights Reserved
Aftermath: Occupy LA – October 1, 2011
October 3, 2011
All images are copyrighted by Love & Hate and may only be used with written permission www.Love AndHateLA.com
Treats n Beats Bike Ride rolled through the protest for a bit before we headed to The Brewery Artwalk and The Eagle Rock Art & Music Festival.
Occupy LA began this Saturday Oct 1st in solidarity with Occupy Wall St. (A Peaceful Occupation). It started at 10:00am in Pershing Square, marching to City Hall.
Their goals are our goals, their message, our message. DEMOCRACY NOT CORPORATOCRACY.
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Street Heart ♥ Art Show – April 22, 2011
April 20, 2011
Street Heart Opening Night Event
April 22nd, 2011 / FREE! / 6pm-10pm / 18+
A street art show featuring the work of:
Destroy All Design, Zombie, Septerhed, Koffinz (Kophns One), Dog Byte, Alec Monopoly, Bamp, Cibass, Cyrcle, Desire Obtain Cherish, Porpoise, 2wenty
…Curated by Cibass.
Street Heart will be donating 25% of ALL art sales to the Red Cross’ Aid for Japan as well as 100% of all proceeds from the featured ’100% Wall’ special benefit installation featuring pieces from the street artists.
Live painting by Septerhed and Destroy All Design / Three live Dj sets by: Amazon, Obtain, and DJ Michaelis / Photo booth by Photoboxi / Blue Rooster Art will be doing live printing of posters and t-shirts, all proceeds will go to The Red Cross / Tagging wall sponsored by TSUS* -The Site Unscene / Beer provided by Pabst
*First 100 people through the door receive a free limited edition screen print
Street Heart: http://streetheartshow.com/
Sponsored by:
The Site Unscene: http://thesiteunscene.com/
Blue Rooster Art: http://blueroosterartsupplies.com/
More location info here: The Fold — http://www.foldsilverlake.com/
Aftermath: Starbucks Community Service LA – April 9, 2011
April 18, 2011
I wanted to share some pictures from the community event I participated on 04/09/2011. Volunteers engaged in meaningful service projects, including gardening activities, greenhouse renovation, light construction, and painting murals and planters by giving Crenshaw High Schooland beloved local park Leimert a much-needed makeover. I was a part of the mural team so I didn’t get to take pictures of all the other projects.
This event was organized and sponsored by Starbucks, HandsOn Network and its local affiliate, the Volunteer Center of Los Angeles. Enjoy!
All images are copyrighted by Love & Hate and may only be used with written permission www.Love AndHateLA.com
Earth Day South LA 2011 – April 16, 2011
April 12, 2011
Earth Day South LA
Saturday, April 16, 2011
11am to 6pm
Normandie Avenue Elementary School
4505 S. Raymond Ave, LA, CA 90037
At the corner of Normandie and Vernon
This event is FREE! Suggested Donation $5+
*No one turned away for lack of funds
SOUTH LOS ANGELES ORGANIZATIONS, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY
MEMBERS ORGANIZE WITH EACH OTHER RESOURCEFULLY TO
SPARK THE POWER SHIFT
EARTH DAY SOUTH LA 2011 ENERGY CONSERVATION
On Saturday April 16th Community Services Unlimited and numerous partners and sponsors will hold the 3rd annual Earth Day South LA Festival, an educational, fun and safe event for the whole family. Join us as we celebrate our collective vision for a more vibrant and earth-friendly South Los Angeles with this years¹ theme, energy conservation, visible throughout the event. Participate in service projects, all day activities for kids, cooking demos and workshops including gardening with natives, recycled art and yoga. Enjoy an outstanding stage line-up including Eljai, The Caribbean Dynamics and Buyepongo. This growing grassroots movement demonstrates what people can do with limited resources and endless commitment once we organize with each other resourcefully to spark the power shift.
$5 suggested donation. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
In Partnership With: Normandie Avenue Elementary School, Women Organizing Resources Knowledge and Services, Los Angeles Conservation Corps, Hunger Action LA, City Year, Guerilla Food Not Bombs, The Center South LA, Food & Water Watch, Massive Productions.
Sponsored By: Steel Deck, Purity Organics, Council Offices of Jan Perry and Bernard Parks, Fountain Community Garden, Native Foods Restaurants, Cliff Bar, KPFK and more to be announced.
Workshops: seed planting, fruit tree pruning, composting, Capoeira, west African drumming, Son Jarocho dance, yoga, re-cycled art, gardening with natives
Booths and Vendors with information for sustainable living and local handcrafted products
All day food demos and tastings from: Jason Michaud of Local, Tanya of Native Foods, Ernest of The Farmers Market Kitchen, Sirena; Juicing and Sprouting, Mirabelle of HALA with a Spanish language demo
Other activities: Bike powered smoothie bar, Live graffiti art, interactive mural painting and all day kids activities, olive tree planting in solidarity with the Palestinian people
Full day stage program including: LA Samba Kids, Caribbean Dynamics, Eljai, Bharata Natyam Dancers, Buyepongo, Normandie Ave School Orchestra, Just Wanna Step, FUZE Dance Group, Homegrowne, Guerilla Queenz
Aftermath: Save Japan Benefit Race – March 27, 2011
March 28, 2011
Volunteering @ 826LA
September 1, 2010
I wanted to share a few pictures from Friday 8/6/2010 as I volunteered at 826LA. I assisted a brother (age 12) and sister (age 8.) duo. They did a few writing exercises including a letter to their future self and placed that letter into a time capsule. It was cute because everything the 8-year-old little girl wrote about included how much she wanted to be like her older brother. It was evident that she looked up to him. I pointed it out to the 12-year brother and with a smirk; I told him that he needed to set a good example for his little sister. He smiled back shyly.
There was a break in between writing exercises known as “dance party.” During dance party, everyone gets up shakes or dances to the music for about 10 minutes. I really enjoy spending time and helping 826LA and its students!
For more information or to participate with this awesome organization please visit http://www.826la.org/
FREE KUTMAH
May 12, 2010
FREE KUTMAH!!! Please support Justin “Kutmah” McNulty in his deportation defense. He was detained by US Immigration authorities on Wednesday morning and is now being held at an INS facility in New Mexico. He is facing immediate deportation unless we can reopen the case and show the authorities how vital Justin is to our lives. Kutmah is a vibrant artist, dj and producer. He is a beloved member of the Los Angeles creative community. Help Kutmah remain in the United States!
EARTH DAY 2010!
April 22, 2010
Today is EARTH DAY although every day we should remain conscious of how we live our daily life and what we are doing to contribute to a greener economy.
Some core issues include climate change, energy, sustainable development, food and agriculture, conservation and biodiversity, recycling and waste reduction.
Here’s a… resource if needed with tips that will assist you and your family in doing your part in going green! http://holidays.kaboose.com/earth-day/
“The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step” – Lau Tzu
