PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Program activities will begin with the grand opening of the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center (CMYAC), a new DCA facility in the Watts Community on September 28, 2008.  Additional program activities will follow over the next nine months, and have been conceived as a “Musical Caravan” extending the celebration of the facility’s opening at various other DCA venues.

Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center Grand Opening
The Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center Grand Opening features A Tribute to Charles Mingus: Past, Present, and Future with world renowned musicians.  Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Councilmember Janice Hahn, Olga Garay, Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, Sue Mingus, his widow, and other family members will participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.  The Grand Opening will be part of the prestigious Annual 27th Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival and the 32nd Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival.
Date:  September 28, 2008

Concerts
In addition to the Watts Towers Drum and Jazz Festivals, there will be three major Jazz concerts focusing on the music of Charles Mingus.  Two concerts, one at the Madrid Theater in the San Fernando Valley, and the other at the Warner Grand Theater in San Pedro in the southern tip of the City, will feature the music of the Charles Mingus Big Band.  The final concert is envisioned as a gala tribute and will take place at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in the Mid City/Leimert Park community.  It will feature LA-based, nationally recognized musicians who played with, or were deeply influenced by, Mr. Mingus. 
Dates:  Mingus Big Band Concerts: 
Madrid Theatre - October 3, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Warner Grand Theatre - October 4, 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Gala Night Tribute to Mingus Concert:  Nate Holden Performing Arts Center - May 1, 2009

General tickets prices are $25 and $15 for senior citizens and students with ID.

Tickets for the Warner Grand Theater may be purchased online at www.itsmyseat.com or www.warnergrand.org.

Tickets for the Madrid Theater concert are available for purchase at 818.347.9419.

Tickets for the Gala Night Tribute to Mingus Concert are available for purchase at 323.964.9768. Tickets may also be purchased online via www.itsmyseat.com

Tickets for the three concerts may also be purchase at the Theater Box Offices, up to one hour prior to each performance.

Visual Arts Exhibitions
An exhibition of Charles Mingus photographs and visual materials will be presented at the William Grant Still Arts Center, the Canoga Park Youth Arts Center, and the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center.  The Watts Towers Arts Center will also feature the works of three prominent artists, Carlos Spivey, Kevin Tidmore, and Ramsess in the 1+1+1 exhibition at the Watts Towers Arts Center which pays tribute to music and Charles Mingus. The Summer Arts Camp Showcase will be exhibited in the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center.
Dates:  WattsTowersArtsCenter:
August 17 - October 12, 2008
CharlesMingusYouthArtsCenter:
August 17 – October 12, 2008
CanogaParkYouthArtsCenter:
January 1 - 31, 2009
WilliamGrantStillArtsCenter:
March 7 - April 27, 2009
Nate Holden Performing Arts Center:
Opening May 1, 2009

Music LA Classes for Youth
Music LA is DCA’s citywide music education initiative that coordinates resources to provide students with high quality music education in areas of the City where few or no arts education programs exist.  DCA’s unique model is to partner with nonprofit arts organizations to connect young people with music education, while also creating a strong base of support for Los Angeles’ vital community of musicians, music education organizations, teaching artists, and young musicians of tomorrow.  Music LA provides young people with sequential, quality music training in a challenging and creative environment where discipline, focus, and learning are cultivated.  Students receive instruction in instrumental and vocal technique and participate in culminating recitals to perform for their local community.  The Music LA experience also assists advanced music students in the process of preparing to audition for academic and professional opportunities in music, musical theater productions, orchestras, and bands.  DCA is proud to partner with Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa and The Walt Disney Company, Title Sponsor of Music LA and the City’s Heritage Month Celebrations, to offer free music classes focusing on the repertoire of Charles Mingus to students aged 6 to 18.  Classes will be held during African American Heritage Month at the Musician’s Union, Art in the Park, and the William Grant Still Arts Center.
Dates:  February 1 - April 24, 2009

Jazz Mentorship Program
The Jazz Mentorship Program (JMP), now in its eighteenth year, teams professional master musicians with young people interested in this original form of American music and presents a combined academic and concert forum.  One of only a handful of jazz education programs nationally, it provides aspiring young musicians with an opportunity to interact and play with seasoned jazz professionals.  The program's outreach efforts include going into communities to bridge the gap between older and younger generations, and joining people of diverse cultures together with one common goal, the appreciation of music.  The JMP is produced by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.  Founding mentors are Buddy Collette, Patrice Rushen, Ndugu Chancler, Sharon Hirata, Nedra Wheeler, Bobby Rodriguez, Danellen Joseph, Rick Moss, Estella Holeman, and Rosie Lee Hooks.  Currently, JMP co-sponsors the music classes taught year-round.
Date: Year-round

Symposium
Working with LA's popular Zócalo Public Square Lecture Series, which features thinkers and doers speaking on some of the most pressing topics of the day, DCA will present a symposium that will take place at the Barnsdall Gallery Theater in Hollywood’s Barnsdall Park.  The symposium will focus on the work and continued influence of Charles Mingus.  Panel discussions will include scholars, biographers, musicians, family members, and friends, and will be punctuated with film clips documenting Mr. Mingus’ career. 
Date:  Saturday, April 18, 2009

Charles Mingus left a rich artistic and cultural legacy that continues to have a profound effect on this nation and throughout the world.  This program will enhance the appreciation of his work, promote a deeper understanding of his roots in the multicultural neighborhood of Watts and throughout
Los Angeles, and continue his legacy through the future programming at the Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center.

CITY OF LOS ANGELES
DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) generates and supports high quality arts and cultural experiences for Los Angeles residents and visitors.  DCA advances the social and economic impact of the arts and assures access to arts and cultural experiences through grant making, marketing, public and community arts programming, arts education, and creating partnerships with artists and arts and cultural organizations in every community in the City of Los Angeles. 

DCA grants $3.4 million annually to over 300 artists and nonprofit arts organizations and awards the Artist-in-Residence (A.I.R.) and City of Los Angeles (C.O.L.A.) Individual Artist Fellowships.  The Department provides arts and cultural programming in its numerous Neighborhood Arts and Cultural Centers, theaters, and historic sites, and manages several arts and education programs for young people.  It directs public art projects and manages the City’s Arts Development Fee and Percent for Arts Programs, and the Art Collection and Murals Programs.  DCA markets the City’s cultural events through development and collaboration with strategic partners, design and production of creative promotional materials, and management of the culturela.org website.

CHARLES MINGUS
YOUTH ARTS CENTER

The Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center presents a full range of programs to young Watts residents by expanding the diverse array of cultural programs offered through the Department of Cultural Affairs.  The center will provide a safe and creative atmosphere for individual expression under the guidance and direction of professional artists dedicated to continuing the work provided by the Watts Towers Arts Center since 1965.