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My friend, Dr. Roberto Vargas, who is a UCLA Medical Center Physician and Professor, came out and showed his support. Here Roberto helps Joshua, my fifth-born son, put on his watch. |
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Juilliard-trained violinist extraordinary, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, came for the event with his violin in hand. The 2009 film, "The Soloist," starring Oscar winner Jamie Fox, was based on Nathaniel's life. Nathaniel was a guest of Special K (right), HABLA Underground photographer whose work focuses on Skid Row life. |
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HABLA Underground artists Kevin T. Williams (2nd from left) and Wendell Wiggins (far right) with guests. The evening featured a solo performance on vocals and guitar by Kevin T. Williams, as well as performances by other HABLA Underground artists in celebration of the Chinese New Year. |
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A close-up of Rick at work |
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Poet William Jackson III (second from left) relaxes with a guest and with me and my son son, Uriel, before the show begins. |
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William Jackson III opens the event with a reading of his original poetry. |
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Next up is Jasmine Orpilla. Jasmine performs for the guests her new work, entitled "SPLOTCH© The Beauty of Skin Whitening." Jasmine, who majored in Opera at Berkeley University, . . . |
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. . . is an award-winning performer. She describes "SPLOTCH©" as "a live musical performance art piece with the video collaboration of filmmaker Najaa Young ( African Americans)."
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Contours Magazine describes Jasmine Orpilla's work as "...impressively original" |
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The art periodical, Citizen LA, describes Jasmine Orpilla as, "vocal destructionist/gangsta!" |
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Jasmine exchanges contact information with a journalist-photographer who was moved by Jasmine's performance. |
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Next up: bass guitarist Lobace (left) and guitarist Kevin T. Williams take their place on stage with Zion and the Ferguson Five who are my six young children. |
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The adult musicians and my children on percussion accompany me in my spoken word/performance art piece, "Song of Che Chango: Rendezvous en La Habana 2013." |
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At work as the fictitious graffiti artist, Che Chango. The poetry and performance are based on a related painting I made. |
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The children are joined on percussion by Kevin T. Williams' son and daughter, Nico and Isabella (far right). |
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Photo Credit: Lili Bernard and Wilki Tom
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