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Changes ahead
After a lot of thought, I have decided to conclude publishing new content to Diaspora California. Over the next few months, I will be moving these articles and interview Q&As over to Apsara, where I will be able to share … Continue reading
Posted in Visual Art
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California summer postcards: Dancing at twilight on the Santa Monica Pier
A tradition continues in Los Angeles. With a dance floor large enough for five thousand people, the La Monica Ballroom once glittered atop the Santa Monica Pier like a crown jewel. It nurtured the early swing music and dance scene … Continue reading
Posted in Dance, Music, Organizations
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California summer postcards: Samba in the middle of a redwood forest?
Oh, yes—at the annual California Brazil Camp! Dear Friends, It has been a busy yet utterly fulfilling spring with the launch of Apsara in April. I am just getting started with my summer writing projects, but undoubtedly June through September … Continue reading
Posted in Dance, Education, Music, Organizations
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In memory of a hero: A conversation with Moh Alileche
While incredible numbers of people have taken to the streets across North Africa and the Middle East since January to protest in the name of democracy and freedom, Amazigh (Berber) musician Moh Alileche has been conveying this message through his … Continue reading
Posted in Music
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Our new sister
Diaspora California is proud to announce the arrival of our sister blog Apsara,which highlights innovative, genre- and tradition-crossing music from around the world through insightful interviews, articles, and reviews. Please join us for our inaugural article: an interview with Ian Widgery, … Continue reading
Posted in Visual Art
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In the Mood for Food: Music and food unite for a remarkable evening
On a Friday evening in March in an Oakland loft, chef Philip Gelb is mixing ingredients and welcoming dinner guests as they trickle in. A poster for Hong Kong director Wong Kar-wai’s lush, elegant masterpiece In the Mood for Love—Gelb’s … Continue reading
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Soul Majestic: California roots reggae at its strongest
Roots reggae is alive and well in California in the creative hands of Soul Majestic, a Santa Barbara-based band that shines among California’s startling number of reggae and reggae-inspired groups. Soul Majestic’s core members Eric Iverson (vocals and melodica), Oriana … Continue reading
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Yuri Liberzon: Masterful guitar technique, richly emotive sound
A sheer love of playing the guitar led Yuri Liberzon to become a professional musician. “It is directly connected with who I am,” he says. Originally from Novosibirsk, Russia’s third largest city, Liberzon received both his first guitar and his … Continue reading
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Ashwin Batish: Music, family, Santa Cruz and “sitar power”
I think that we are very lucky to be in such a beautiful place, [and] to have such tolerance and such interest and depth of understanding . . . I find that people over here have this special connection with … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Music, Organizations
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Wang Fei: Guqin artist and educator
The guqin is an example of how a traditional art form can survive in a globalized environment. Sometimes globalization is a good thing, such as in the case of economics—in China especially the economy has grown very fast. But it … Continue reading