Cirque Berzerk’s “Beneath” Opens June 18

Want to run away with the circus? Want to leave this life behind?

Following a completely sold-out and held-over engagement in the summer of 2008, Los Angeles’ only established circus troupe Cirque Berzerk returns for the 2009 run of “Beneath”, a decadent and demented descent into the underworld.

Opening on June 18th in downtown Los Angeles, the world “Beneath” features fiery burlesque dancers, jaw dropping acrobatics, stunning aerialists, punk rock clowns, gothic stilt-walkers, and psychedelic vaudevillian tomfoolery. Come early to dine picnic-style around the tent, and stay late for a nightly party in the Berzerk Lounge with the Cirque Berzerk circus troupe and enjoy a live performance by Vaud & the Villains.

In Ticketing: http://cirqueberzerk.inticketing.com/events

Both the Myspace profile page and Facebook group page have been updated with 2009 show info, photos and video. We will continue to add to this as the situation develops. If you are on either of these social networking sites, please add us if you aren’t yet a friend. Links below:

• Cirque Berzerk Myspace page
• Cirque Berzerk Facebook Group

Visit the Cirque’s Flickr photostream. More photos will be added from a recent shoot soon:

• http://www.flickr.com/photos/cirqueberzerk/

Cirque Berzerk 2009 Press Release

The Cirque Berzerk Site is currently in the process of being redesigned. In the short-term, we have thrown up a splash page with 2009 show info. You can also navigate to the online ticketing via the CB site. When the new site is up (soon!), we’ll let you know.

How to Survive the Apocalypse: A Burning Opera Road Show

THE BURNING ROADSHOW IS ON THE MOVE -
GET INVOLVED!

OK, so these folks created an opera.?? About Burning Man.?? Yeah, that’s what we said too when they first brought us the idea: “What?… there’s no WAY you can hope to pull this off, describing the indescribable … in an OPERA of all things. Please.”

Well, we sent out our most cynical, jaded scouts to watch the show when it premiered.?? And, well, we were astounded when those highly cynical, hard-to-please emissaries were completely blown away by what they saw.

This show??? Is awesome.?? Funny, intelligent, poignant, thoughtful, and thoroughly representative of our little shindig in the desert.?? OK, so lucky for you, they’re taking it on the road.?? And not only that, but you can get involved, too!

Excerpted from the JRS

Dana tells you how:

In January, San Francisco???s Stage Werx Theater hosted a sold-out run (6 shows in 4 nights) of “How to Survive the Apocalypse: A Burning Opera.”

Though we were presenting a humble workshop performance with no budget, the event was wildly successful, with Burning Man virgins and grizzled old timers registering great enthusiasm.

[The show] is both engrossing musical theater in its own right and a piece of art that truly captures the feel of the [Burning Man] event and the Zeitgeist of its attendees.

Steve Jones of the
San Francisco Bay Guardian

West Coast Tour Planned

Now we are planning a Fall Tour of the West Coast in September and October, with a more ambitious national roadshow on the horizon of 2010, featuring east coast venues. To get more information about the show and our mission, check out the Burning Opera website.

Currently, we are in negotiations with Teatro Zinzanni to use their gorgeous and historic Spiegeltents in San Francisco and Seattle as anchors for our fall tour. Because we would play the Zinzanni tents on Monday through Wednesday, the weekends would remain open, allowing us to present the show at other West Coast locations.

The current plan is to begin some rehearsals and design in the Bay Area in late August, and to have a small presence in Black Rock City, where we will shoot some video and connect with new performers and collaborators. The main block of rehearsals would begin after Burning Man in San Francisco, where the show would open on Sept 22 & 23. We are currently looking for an appropriate venue between SF and Seattle for the weekend of 9/25 & 26. The show would then run at Zinzanni in Seattle 9/29 & 30. We hopefully will find another ‘midway’ venue 10/2&3, and then close our run in SF 10/5,6& 7. Finally, we aim to travel to L.A. 10/9 & 10. Are you on the East coast? We want to talk to YOU!

*NOW!*

We’re assembling the production staff to begin working on this tour NOW. During the next month, we will be holding auditions and meetings with interested collaborators (either to join the tour or to help us bring it to your city) in the following places:

• NYC – Sunday April 5th
  • auditions by appointment in the afternoon;
  • meet & greet/cocktails 5-7pm; location TBA

• Washington DC – Wednesday April 8th
  • meet & greet/cocktails evening; exact time and location TBA

We’re looking for volunteers in the NYC, DC, and Virginia area to help run these events, as well as to host fund raising events throughout the summer.

*PRODUCTION TEAM:*

To take this project to the next level, we need to create a strong core Production Team ASAP. We’re looking to fill key roles within the next few weeks. We have had a great response from our production meetings in SF Los Angeles. Now we’d like to round out the cast and staff positions with participants from the other coast, in true Burner fashion. For a list of all roles and details, please see:

http://www.burningopera.com/production_team.htm

*CAST & CREW:*

As this is a Burning Man-style show, the stars will help with the setup and the roadies will be onstage. We love double, triple, and quadruple threats. We especially love riveting singers and dancers that can also play a marching band instrument and have a great attitude while working hard behind the scenes???or perhaps a professional gaffer who really loves to sing!?? We are reopening all roles and understudies and creating new characters for the new version of the show.?? For more details of the roles see:

http://www.burningopera.com/cast_of_characters.htm

We are also excited to collaborate with some of the many spectacular artists, ensembles, and DJs that have been so essential to the Burning Man experience, either as ‘guest stars’ or as separate acts before or after the show. Please send resumes, photos, videos, links to production@burningopera.com.

*TO OFFER IDEAS, SUGGESTIONS, ASSISTANCE:* Please contact Executive Producer Dana Harrison

*TO SEE WHAT WE’RE UP TO:*

Sign up for our mailing list from the website: http://www.burningopera.com
Read our blog: http://h2sta.wordpress.com/
Become a fan of the Burning Opera Facebook page

Space Island & Trinity: Post L.A. Decom Event

SPACE ISLAND & TRINITY

Present
“BEYOND THE BOUNDARY”
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4th

IMPORTANT! – This event is not at Space Island. Please do not go to Space Island’s residence.

SPACE ISLAND AND TRINITY PRESENT

BEYOND THE BOUNDARY

SATURDAY – OCTOBER 4

9PM to 4AM

Come celebrate the 5th Annual downtown event AfterParty.
A journey away from the island. Keep the endless dream alive.

3 STAGES OF SOUND

BREAKS – HOUSE – AND DOWNTEMPO

BREAKS STAGE

• Lawgiverz/Trigger UK

• BARTEK
  Clean Binger

• BRIAN SEED
  Moontribe

• NORTH STAR
  Seattle
  Street Ritual – Space Island

• BRION T
  Space Island

HOUSE STAGE

• BRADEN
  Space Island / 16Bit Beyond / Family Affair – Los Angeles

• JESSE BROOKS
  Yoshitoshi / Fresh Produce – Los Angeles
• THE IANATOR
  Space Island – The Do Lab – Los Angeles
• MR CAPARRO
  16Bit Beyond / Family Affair – Los Angeles

DOWNTEMPO STAGE

• POD
  Space Island
• HENRY STRANGE
  Los Angeles
• DJUN -DJUN
  Pure Tone / Lucky Cats – Los Angeles
• KRISTO
  SF

FASHION COUTURE BY:

Indhi Couture & Ikharos

ALSO

T-evolution & Blue Star

Pre-sale tickets available:

Avoid waiting in line with pre-sale tickets
$20 Pre-Sale
$25 at the door (cash only)
Click to purchase pre-sale tickets

THIS EVENT IS NOT AT SPACE ISLAND

There will be NO shuttles running from the L.A. Burning Man Decompression event to the Afterhours. There will be plenty of street parking at the afterhours. Please know we expect to reach capacity early as we have in the past 5 years.

Food will be available with plenty of vegetarian choices.

Pre-sale tickets will end on October 3 at 12:00am

For pre-sale tickets bring a print out of your receipt and valid photo ID
ages 21 and over

No ID, no entry

9pm to 4am

3 stages of sound: Breaks – House and Downtempo

Avoid waiting in line with pre-sale tickets:
$20 Pre-sale
$25 at the door (cash only)

Event Location:
613 Imperial St.
Los Angeles, CA 90021

CLICK LINK BELOW TO GET DIRECTIONS

View Larger Map

This is a permitted event and will sell out.
If you don’t pre-sale tickets get there early!

CLICK HERE TO BUY PRE-SALE TICKETS

6th Annual L.A. Burning Man Decompression

6TH ANNUAL LOS ANGELES BURNING MAN DECOM

SATURDAY OCTOBER 4TH:

The following is an abridged version, since all this info has been repeated on other lists. For FULL INFORMATION, artist and performance lineups, set times, and recent updates visit the Los Angeles Burning Man website.

RAIN or SHINE.

Decompression is in a new location! Huge thanks to the Planning Team for pulling this off; we’re gathering at
the Los Angeles State Historical Park, AKA the Cornfield, this year. It’s still downtown, and the directions are below.

No more partying on the streets, now we have acres of beautiful lawn all with the amazing view of downtown we have always had. Be prepared to get your shoes dusty! The Cornfield is really a field, and the dust definitely kicks up while dancing.

One important note: The Decompression parking lot will be closing after the event, around midnight, so park mindfully, and make sure to read the parking notes if you are planning to attend an afterparty.

The location is at:
Los Angeles State Historical Park
1245 N. Spring Street, 9001
(See map below)

Time: The festivities will start at Noon and end at Midnight.
Cost: Admission to the event may be gained thusly:

$10 in costume or with a Metro Rail pass!
$20 in street clothes.
(Children under 12 are FREE!)

We are very grateful to the State Park Rangers for allowing us to use their wonderful location. When you see them around, tell them thanks. They have been truly great to work with.

Please check the L.A. Burning Man website for extensive details. You’ll be impressed, excited and filled with anticipation!

See you in the dust!

View Larger Map

CIRQUE BERZERK: THE BIG-TOP IS UP!

THIS WEEKEND JUL. 26, 27:

CIRQUE BERZERK

The tent has been erected and we’ll be ready..

THE ORCHESTRA SECTION FOR SATURDAY’s SHOW IS SOLD OUT!

We’re working hard in the park. The Tent is up and the lighting is in place and the show will be ready. This show has been a FULL year in the making. We wrote a completely original score. We built a new set. We created brand new aerial apparatus.

We choreographed brand new ensemble dance pieces. We brought in one of the top lighting designers in the business, we pushed ourselves farther than we ever thought possible…

TO BRING THIS NEW EXTRAVAGANZA TO DOWNTOWN L.A.

The show, complete with the troupe???s own big top circus tent, runs for four nights from July 24th through Sunday, July 27th with nightly performances beginning at 8:30 p.m. Come early to enjoy picnicking ???Hollywood Bowl??? style before the show starting at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets available: InTicketing

Special Discount
Cirque Berzerk rewards you for leaving your car at home! If you’re an MTA pass holder OR you’re planning on arriving on MTA the day of the show use this discount code to get 10% off Bike Riders, we haven’t forgotten you! If you plan to arrive on your bike, one of our clowns will valet park it for you and you’re eligible for a 10% discount as well: Discounts apply to advance ticket purchases only ??? refunds or discount tickets will not be given the night of the show. Please note: you MUST present your MTA pass or ticket or bike valet ticket to receive this discount. Otherwise you will be directed to the box office to pay the difference.

Discount code for MTA passengers: MTA
and for bikes: BIKE

These discounts are CASE SENSITIVE so enter them exactly as seen here. So don???t worry if your travel plans change last minute and you need to take your car, you can just pay the difference at the ticket booth the night of the show. Regular Metro riders just need to present their pass. Thank you!

Los Angeles State Historic Park
1245 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012

Metro Stop
Chinatown stop on the Gold Line.

Opening Night! Please join us for a gala opening night with music after the show by special guests Rosin Coven!

Parking info
Event parking entrance is off of Baker Street

Wine & Beer Garden

We hope everyone will want to come early and have a picnic before the show! Please consider coming early and enjoy a warm summer night in the park. Our beautifully decorated wine and beer garden will be open for all of our 21 and over guests at 6pm on show nights and will stay open until the show begins. We are very proud to be pouring wine from Leona Valley Vineyards and serving New Belgium Beer.

Cirque Berzerk – Beneath! Don’t miss it!

Art Monastery in Italy Update

Cari Amici,

We’re writing with some WONDERFULLY good news!

First, the USA Fund Raising Tour was a resounding success! Not only did we exceed our goal of $20,000, but we added hundreds of members to Gli Amici dell’Art Monastery, and 5 brilliant experts to our fund raising and production teams! Thank you all so much for showing up at the events and helping us to make this dream a reality.

In May in Calvi, Christopher, the Alpha Team, and our first visiting artists participated in the medieval festival of San Pancrazio (patron saint of Calvi) with a Gregorian Chant Vespers for San Pancrazio in the church and “Tra Quercia e Ulivo” a Duncan dance and medieval music performance in the (rainy) piazza, much to the delight of the locals. Relations here have never been better.

On June 17, we moved from the Casa del Popolo to the Bio-Agriturismo Santa Brigida, a luxurious bed&breakfast on a working olive farm. It is a gorgeous place (in fact, it’s listed in the 2007 Michelin Guide) and we hope to take over the management in order to create another income stream for the Art Monastery. We plan to run workshops and seminars here–more info on that will come soon.

Meanwhile, you are all invited to come and visit us in our new digs!

Feeling spontaneous?…

We’re offering members of Gli Amici dell’Art Monastery 50% off market rate** from now until July 15! We will offer double rooms or two-double room suites that normally go for 90 or 125 euros per night (they’re the most luxurious rooms in Calvi) for 45 or 60 euros!

Don’t let high airline ticket prices be an excuse — United Airlines is having a European Summer Fare Sale starting at $385. It’s a great deal, but you have to book by this Friday, June 25. With gasoline at the price it is, heading to the next town is almost more expensive! Now is the time! Have an Italian vacation and support the Art Monastery at the same time!

See you soon…
A presto…

Betsy & The Alpha Team

**To book, please email mia@artmonastery.org

The ART MONASTERY Project