Clear Channel Entertainment Productions presented an exclusive performance with Janelle Monáe as part of the iHeartRadio Live series at the iHeartRadio Theater in Burbank. We attended as guests of DTS Incorporated. The performance was by guest list. The intimate affair was streamed live on-air by McDonalds in celebration of Monáe’s sophomore album, The Electric Lady, which was released in September 2013. Monáe performed the upbeat dance song, “What is Love?” which is featured as the opening song in the animation film, Rio 2 along with cuts from her album like “Dance Apocalyptic”, “Q.U.E.E.N.”, “Electric Lady”, “Primetime” and “Tightrope”. The show was broadcast as a 30-minute special on Urban Adult Contemporary (AC), Urban Contemporary Hit Radio (CHR) and Rhythmic station sites on iHeartRadio.com.
Her energy captivated the audience as she brought them down to their knees. They looked around in hesitation and eventually giggled their ways to the floor as she waved them to lay low. At one point she ran into the audience and brought a few people on stage. As they danced on stage, she went back into the crowd and told us that we had to continue the fun outside. Yes! She ran into the street and started singing and dancing with the lucky few who knew what was going on. It was an unforgettable night.
Lesbians Who Tech (and friends) San Diego
March 27, Lesbians Who Tech (and friends) hosted the first LWT happy hour at Bamboo Lounge. Several ladies came out to mix and mingle about Tech from all over San Diego County. Several ladies expressed to us that their curiosity was peaked because they were over the club and typical bar scene. They wanted to meet other professional women that are interested in networking more so than just picking up other women. Several of the ladies were down to earth and we look forward to hosting another event soon. We hope to expand and include speakers that are in the industry who can share their knowledge with novices and experts in the field alike.
Fifth annual La Hermandad Show
The Centro Cultural de la Raza and Anakbayan San Diego held its fifth annual La
Hermandad Show: Honoring Accomplishments & Cultivating the Future March 29. The volunteer-run event commemorated the victories from the farm labor movement and the unprecedented unity of Chicano/a and Filipino/a farm workers. There were live performances by Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble, Jesus Mendez, Shining Sons, Union del Barrio, Mujeres en Resistencia, Caregivers Association for Rights and Empowerment (CARE SD), Power Struggle and AnakBayan San Diego.
The performances and speeches were moving and inspiring. Mujeres en Resistencia and Nomi the lead of the group Power Struggle had many stand to their feet.
Mujeres en Resistencia is an autonomous group of Mexicana and Xicana womyn who formed in March 2007. Rooted in traditional Mexican dance, their style is inspired by feminist and Zapatista movements. Their costumes include machetes and faces covered with red handkerchiefs echoing the sounds of a people’s resistance against systems of oppression. You can catch them next at the 44th annual Chicano Park Day celebration April 19 in Barrio Logan.
Nomi’s rap inspiration comes from his belief in social justice for workers. He also works as a community organizer at the Filipino Community Center in the Excelsior District of San Francisco. For instance, his song “Remittances” talks about the life and times of working class people and their struggle working in a system in which they can often have no control over. Their albums can be found on ITunes. https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/power-struggle/id127694603
Pedro Rios from American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) spoke about the border issues and the day of action April 5. There are more than 1,000 people being deported every day. NotOneMoreDeportation.com predicts that by April 2014, 2 million people will have been deported by the Obama administration. April 5, several groups are holding events across the country to say “2Million2Many! Not One More Deportation!”
