August 29th is Ingrid Bergman’s birthday. In honor of this day, can you imagine her in Burbank and Van Nuys? “Casablanca” was filmed in those two locations: Warner Bros. Studio in Burbank (the principal location), and one sequence was filmed at good old Van Nuys Airport. Van Nuys airport has been re-configured since then. The old runway and hangars are no longer there. The film started production in May of 1942. Picture Ingrid Bergman hanging out in the Valley! http://museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/2011/10/ingrid-bergman-and-humphrey-bogart-with.html Here’s a great piece from the CBC in Canada with some interesting side bits on Bergman and this great film. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/blog/casablanca-at-75-fascinating-facts-about-one-of-the-most-famous-films-of-all-time-1.4413515
DON’T BE A JERK – EAT SOME JERK
Labor Day is coming up, why not celebrate Jerk culture? Did you know: the word “Jerk” comes from the word “Charqui” – a word used in the Andes culture for dried meat. That term morphed to our word for dried meat: “jerky.” The biggest Caribbean population outside of the Caribbean is in the US (#2 Canada, #3 Spain, and #4 UK). Jerk spice usually contains chiles, thyme, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg and garlic. It is a rub and can be a marinade or sauce. If scotch bonnet peppers are used – it is hot! Scotch bonnet peppers are Caribbean red chili peppers. At 350,000 Scoville Heat Units, they are hotter than the habanero (260,000 Scoville heat units). The more colorful word “jerk” came into our language in the 1880’s via steam locomotive slang for taking boiler water from a creek or “jerkwater.” It then got picked up in the carnival circuit and shortened to one of our favorite insults: “JERK!” Come on down to the UCLA Jerk Fest – Aug 31 & Sept 1 for some great music, food and culture. http://www.jerkfoodfest.com
SALSA – Make that a Party of Two
“Salsa” – it’s the chunky, spicy sauce that makes chips disappear out of the basket. It is also a dance that serves as the perfect way to work off those chips. So what is Salsa dancing? Here are a few quick things to know: Salsa, Spanish for “sauce,” takes the name of the dance from music and rhythms originating in Africa and Spain. It germinated in Cuba and Puerto Rico, and as soldiers, tourists, and jazz musicians visited and returned home to the US, they brought the dance with them. Later in the 1970’s, it hit the perfect beat with the disco era. Did you know there are at least 7 styles of Salsa? Best known are “NY style” (also known as “Mambo”) which hits the beat on 2 and 6. “LA Salsa” hits the beat on 1 and 5. There is also Casino /Salsa Cubano, Miami style, Colombian style, Rueda de Casino and Ballroom. Can you dance alone? Well, it is a partner dance and who doesn’t want to be spun around? Is it easy? All I can say is that it is fun, the dancers who know what they are doing are happy to show you the ropes, and I guarantee you will work off the chips and salsa after one dance! The Autry Museum has their Sizzling Summer Nights on Thursday nights through August 22 with live bands. Orquesta Son Mayor on Aug. 15, Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca on Aug. 22.
Skatepunks, Lowriders and Neon – Oh My!
What a great weekend Aug 10 and 11. From the beach in Venice to the Ventura coast, we can experience counterculture that made it to the mainstream. Venice goes back to Vans’ seminal skatepunk days of the late 70’s, Oxnard shows off their best in Lowriders. The neon beauties from the 40’s-60’s that dot the city will be shown off during the Glendale Neon Tour. Japanese culture will be celebrated across Little Tokyo during the Nisei Festival. For those who prefer plants over people – Westwood hosts Plantasia. See all details and more great things to do in the Events section.
Nisei Week – Celebrating The Past and Future
Nisei Week in August is a celebration of Japanese American culture. Two events are coming up this weekend August 10 and 11: Nisei Week in Little Tokyo http://www.niseiweek.org/events-festival/ and the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena’s Free Second Sunday “Art & Food”https://pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu/
“Issei” were the first generation immigrants from Japan, and their children are “Nisei” meaning second generation. Started in the Little Tokyo district of Los Angeles in 1934 by the Japanese American Citizens League, this year marks the 85th anniversary. The festival is the longest running Japanese festival in California. Only during the WWII years when Japanese and Japanese Americans were sadly sent to internment camps did the festival not happen. At the Nisei festival, you will find colorful streamers, traditional dancing, music, food, martial arts demonstrations, and a parade. The Pacific Asia Museum’s program is free. Discover how food inspires art and cultural identity.
The site of the Tuna Canyon Detention Center is here locally in the foothill community of Tujunga. Once a Tongva village, later the internment camp, then a golf course and now in limbo. Advocates continue to fight for historical designation. If you want to read more about Tuna Canyon Detention Center: http://www.tunacanyon.org/
LOWRIDER
LOWRIDER
The Lowrider was born out of Latino culture in Southern California back in the ’40s. It came into global consciousness in 1975 with War’s hit “Lowrider.” What defines a Lowrider is a car modified with air suspension shocks which raise and lower the car allowing it to “bounce.” The ethos is “low and slow” – the Lowrider was designed to slowly cruise and show off the magnificent body, paint and rims. Slow is cool. Each Lowrider is a work of automotive art. The creativity and ingenuity come from within the community, learned and passed down. The old Imapala rescued from the junkyard becomes the belle of the ball. Old skool music goes along with the cruise. El Monte, Whittier, Pomona, Compton and are Oxnard hubs for Lowriders. August 11 3rd Annual Lowrider Car Rally – La Gente Car Club – Oxnard. Free admission, car registration benefits the school. Fred Williams Elementary School, 4300 Anchorage St., Oxnard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDGz0Lqwr1U
The Camarillo White Horses
Camarillo is in Ventura county and named for founder Don Adolfo Camarillo. Originally one of the last of the Mexican land grants (Rancho Calleguas), the land was owned by the Camarillo family since 1875. Don Adolfo took it over in 1880. Don Adolfo loved horses and he purchased a Spanish blooded white stallion “Sultan” in 1920. Sultan was bred and that began the Camarillo White Horses. After nearly 100 years, the legacy of Sultan lives on. After Don Adolfo’s daughter Carmen passed away, the family sold the horses out of necessity. The current owners retain the “family” relationship and you can see the horses together at the Santa Barbara Fiesta Days parade, the Camarillo parade and the Rose Parade. They are a magnificent sight.
Around the World in SoCal Aug 3 & 4
Where else but SoCal can you go to India, time travel to Spanish California, see classic cars, and enjoy a clam chowder festival by the beach all in one weekend? Check out the full event listings in the SoCalCulture Events page.
Celebrating August 1 Anglo Saxon Style
In some parts of the world, August 1 is called “Lammas” or “loaf mass” day, an event dating back to the Anglo Saxon times to celebrate the first harvests and a time to bake that nice first loaf of bread. It’s a handy day in between the summer solstice and fall equinox. There is an ancient Celtic variation: “Lughnasadh” which similarly celebrates the beginning of the harvest season. So enjoy some fresh baked bread, pick a pretty flower or strawberry, and celebrate a beautiful day.
