2016 05 04 web

MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 VOL. 1 -

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No.

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www.TheEdgeLB.com The Edge Long Beach @EdgeLongBeach

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an B l a p in ci u M h c a e B g n o L e th , s e i t l u c i diff

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mother’s day

19 THINGS TO DO FOR MOTHER’S DAY

Mother’s day is Sunday and –we know – you procrastinated and aren’t sure what to do for the special lady in your life. Don’t fret; we’ve prepared a list of 19 things for you to do here in Long Beach.

hot n’ sour soup or Asian style ribs.

Salad and carving stations available as well.

Hours: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Price: $59.95 per adult, $19.95 for children 12 and under (Tax and gratuity is additional.)

Parking: $7 with validation (up to 6 hours) and includes valet parking.

Reservations: Strongly recommended – (562) 499-1606

4. The Reef Show Mom your appreciation with great food at The Reef’s Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch. Breakfast specialties include: - Eggs Benedict - Made-to-order omelets - Crispy bacon - Specialty sausages and more.

Additional brunch offerings feature: - Prime rib, lamb and ham carving station - Oysters - Crab legs - Sushi Roll Station - Osso bucco and more Plus a photo booth for photos with Mom.

Aquarium of the Pacific - Courtesy of Flickr

Adults $52.95 | Children $21.95

1. The Skyroom Celebrate the special lady in your life with an entertaining Mother’s Day Brunch. Featuring a live piano player, fresh, breakfast-inspired cocktails, special kids menu, and a delicious three course gourmet meal.

Time: 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Price: $59 per person* / $25 per child* Reservations: (562) 983-2703 (required) 40 South Locust Ave.

2. Aquarium of the Pacific Take the special women of your life out for a day at the Aquarium. Brunch and otters – what can beat that? All day Aquarium admission is included. ●- Market Style Fresh Fruit & Berries Display ●- Watermelon, Arugula and Feta Salad tossed with Balsamic vinaigrette ●- Quiche Lorraine with spinach and caramelized onions ●- Tea Sandwiches: Egg salad; Herb Cream Cheese & Cucumber and Peanut Butter & California Orange Blossom Honey ●- Farm Fresh Scrambled Eggs ●- Apple Chicken Sausage Links 2/

●- Cottage Breakfast Potatoes with Chive & Red Bell Pepper ○- A variety of Breakfast Breads and Pastries $59 per adult; $25 per child (3-11).

Includes general admission. $49 per Aquarium member; $15 for member children Reservations: online at aquariumofpacific.org INFO: (562) 590-3100, ext. 0

5. Restauration

3. Mother’s Day aboard the Queen Mary

6. Long Beach Museum of Art

Bring the entire family aboard the Queen Mary and treat Mom to a day full of her favorite things. Creative cuisine, spa packages, music and a unique atmosphere. There’s perhaps no better place to make a memory with Mom and the whole family.

Brunch A local favorite, the Queen Mary Champagne Sunday Brunch features over 50 unique dishes from around the globe. Traditional western breakfast fare like made-to-order omelets, pancakes, eggs benedict and homemade hash, Southwestern style foods with Albondigas soup and carne asada tacos, or spice things up with

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

Check out a newer, dog-friendly local place with your loved ones. $24 adults, $12 child (5-12), live music 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., gift for mom, three course meal. Reservations for all size groups available.

Special brunch menu 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Regular dinner menu available 4 p.m.9 p.m

Mother’s Day Champagne Brunch at Claire’s.

Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

2300 E. Ocean Blvd.

Phone: (562) 439-2119 Get cultured and enjoy the day at the Museum at a brunch that will include incredible food, fantastic ocean-view patio seating, and live music.

Reservations are required.

Three brunch seatings available 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Limited to 2 hours per party

7. BO-beau Long Beach Celebrate Mother’s Day at this California-French eatery. Regular menu from 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. Mom

can try favorites such as BO-beau’s Coq Au Vin and Pan Roasted Branzino.

For reservations call (562) 983-0056.

8. Cafe Sevilla Time: 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

140 Pine Ave. Treat mom to a nine-course Mother’s Day Tapas brunch menu from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. while listening to live Spanish guitar for $29.50 per adult, which includes one glass of sparkling wine or sangria. All moms dining on Mother’s Day will receive flowers and a “Sounds of Sevilla” music CD. Kids 12 and under can enjoy four courses from the nine course Tapas brunch menu for $14.95. After 2 o’clock, Cafe Sevilla will be offering its dinner menu with live entertainment in the tapas bar. For reservations, call (562) 495-1111.

9. Parker’s Lighthouse Queensview Steakhouse Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

435 Shoreline Village Drive Show mom she’s special by bringing her to Parkers’ Lighthouse for its annual Mother’s Day brunch overlooking the water.

Brunch will be served from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. for Parkers’ Lighthouse and 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Queensview Steakhouse. Both brunches will be identical and will feature traditional breakfast items along with favorites such as crab cakes, oysters on the half shell, shrimp cocktail and more. Complimentary Champagne, mimosas, fresh squeezed orange juice and coffee will top off the morning.

Price for adults is $55 per person, Children 6 years – 12 years is be $20 per person.

If brunch is not Mom’s thing, dinner service will begin at 3 p.m. until 10 p.m.

10. Battleship Iowa It isn’t brunch, but it is entertaining.

Take mom aboard a historic battleship for a historic occasion. For the first time, the USS Iowa will be host to a live theatrical production.

Mother’s Day Tea will be at 5 o’clock followed by a performance of Shakespeare’s “Cymbaline” by Theatrum Elysium at 6:30 p.m.

Time: 5 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro.

Tickets: $45 Phone: (877) 446-9261 continues on pg.11

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If you do not want to receive it or would like to discuss any issues, please contact us at 626-301-1010.

CONTENTS FOUNDER/PRESIDENT Von Raees CEO Jesse Dillon EDITORIAL editor@hlrmedia.com

THE EDGE-U-CATOR

Apparently, the city isn’t only known for its miles and miles of friendly bike paths. No way!

Long Beach was named the 10th most walkable city in the United States by a residential real estate company and is the only Southern California city to make the Top 10 this year.

MANAGING EDITOR Gary Metzker

“Recognizing Long Beach as the most walkable city in Southern California, and one of the most walkable in the entire country, is a testament to the hard work we’ve been doing to improve and expand pedestrian infrastructure and support safe and convenient travel for everyone,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement.

SENIOR REPORTER Blake Pinto

Nine other cities made the list, including the most walkable, New York. The others in order are San Francisco, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Seattle and Oakland.

PHOTOGRAPHER Karen Sawyer REPORTERS Jesus Ambrosio Madison D’Ornellas Kevin Flores Olivia Otsuki Emily Rasmussen GRAPHICS/PRODUCTION Jorge Arroyo Katie Lowery Allison Rojas WEBSITE Jorge Arroyo SALES Jeffrey Vaughn Candace Klewer

In previous scoring, Long Beach had a score of 65.8; it has moved up to 69.0.

To calculate the rankings, Walk Score analyzed more than 10 million locations and computed more than 2 billion walking routes for 2,500 U.S. cities. Walk Score ranking uses the Street Smart Walk Score algorithm that incorporates walking routes, the number of nearby amenities (e.g. restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores), respective distance to those amenities, pedestrian friendliness, population and neighborhood boundary data.

Remember, if you want to write for The Edge, see the ad on this page. We have already one new reporter ready to go. Join us.

As always, if you love us or hate us or have a story idea, let us know with a comment on our Facebook page or our work-in-progress website www.theedgelb.com. Or send me an email at editor@hlrmedia.com

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How to give mom the special treatment

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ACCOUNTING Vera Shamon

May Day rally supporters bring awareness to issues like immigration rights and a platform to discuss issues like Black Lives Matter.

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HLR Media, LLC .All contents herein are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed in this paper are not necessarily that of the management and staff at HLR Media, LLC 525 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach, CA 90802 Phone: (626) 386-3457 Fax: (626) 600-4452

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Gary Metzker Managing editor

3400 E. Broadway Long Beach, CA 90803 (562) 438-4590

Happy Hour Mon - Fri: 6 - 11am & 3 - 7pm

Taco Tuesday 11am - 11pm

$3 Wells & Domestic Beers Super Happy Hour Mon - Fri 4 - 5pm $2 Wells & Domestic Beers

$3.50 House Margaritas & Modelo Pints $1.50 tacos Don Julio Specials For To-Go Orders Call 562-438-9381

06

Kevin Deam has gone from selling vinyl at swap meets to having his own store on Seventh Street.

cOVER: 08 Thanks to support from many friends, corporate included, there will be a 107th season and a sixth week of concerts for the Long Beach Municipal Band.

Contribute to The Edge!

Are you a passionate journalist who loves writing about arts, dining and entertainment? As the independent voice of Long Beach, The Edge is welcoming a hand full of contributors who are eager to cover the latest trends happening in LB. Selected writers will have the opportunity to showcase their work in our print and digital publications while building their port-

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folio with professional reporter experience. From investigative stories,

Dine LBC completes a successful third year.

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platform for writers with an array of interests. If you’re a Long Beach local who desires to take an endeavor into journalism, then contact us to see how we can help you!

Contact: editor@hlrmedia.com

The Long Beach Municipal Band performs last season at El Dorado Park, where the band averages more than 4,000 attendees. Photo by Laura Spino. www.theedgelb.com

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 |

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news

MARCHING IN SUPPORT OF WORKERS May Day Long Beach rally raises awareness about immigrant and workers rights

Protesters hold up signs and march in support of workers’ rights May - Photos by Karen Sawyer 1.

H

undreds of people marched to Long Beach City Hall on Sunday afternoon, holding signs and chanting in support of workers’ rights, while also highlighting other issues within the community.

The May Day Long Beach March and Rally was created to celebrate International Worker’s Day, while bringing awareness to issues in the city like immigrants rights, human rights and social justice. The rally also provided a platform to discuss police brutality, deportation, and wage theft.

“Behind every worker there is a family. Be-

by Emily Rasmussen

4/

hind every woman, toiling at the hotels, there is a family. Behind every warehouse worker, young and old, there is family behind them,” says Ernesto Rocha, community organizer of the May Day Long Beach Coalition.

The march was put together by the coalition, which is comprised of 19 different community organizations, including Black Lives Matter Long Beach, Long Beach Immigrants Rights Coalition, Filipino Migrants Center, and Stop Fracking Long Beach.

Rosa Casarrubias, a server at the Westin Hotel in Long Beach and a member of United Local 11, also spoke about workers rights.

“While the numbers of hotels and hotel

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

profits in Long Beach have gone up, the numbers of the hotel workers have decreased. This means the hotel workers now have increased work loads and often work through their legal meals and rest breaks. This is what happened at my place of employment,” she said.

Casarrubias explained that due to the lower number of employees, sometimes she has to deliver room service by herself. She says some of the guests are drunk, which can lead to harassment.

“I don’t feel safe delivering orders alone because it means I have to go into strange bedrooms. I want things to change. As a woman, it is frightening to go into this situation

because you know that something bad can happen to you,” says Casarrubias.

Infa and Victor Alvarez, the wife and son of José Alvarez, also spoke at the rally. José Alvarez was deported by immigration officials after being stopped by Cal State Long Beach police in February for a broken headlight.

They shared their story, holding signs in support to bring José home. Infa tried to hold back tears, as a Spanish-English translator spoke to the crowd for her.

After Rocha and other speakers introduced their causes for the rally and explained the rules of the march, the crowd began the march toward City Hall. As soon as people

news

Protesters hold up signs and march in support of workers’ rights May 1. The march was put together by the coalition, which is comprised of 19 different community organizations.

Protesters chant at The May Day Long Beach March and Rally May 1.

started the march, a police helicopter started circling and following the crowd.

Starting from MacArthur Park on Anaheim Street, people walked on the main streets toward Atlantic Avenue, then to Ocean Boulevard. Volunteers in orange vests kept traffic at bay, trying to keep the march organized.

Despite a total walking distance of over two miles, people of all age, size, and color made the trek.

“Once we started marching, folks just started joining. This was an amazing event, not just for our coalition but for other folks that actually couldn’t make it out,” said Rocha.

As the march reached the Westin on Ocean Boulevard, the crowds began chanting outside for hotel workers rights. An employee of the hotel who was standing in the driveway looked at the crowd, shaking his head in disapproval and gesturing that the protestors were crazy.

This made the crowd continue to chant even louder, but eventually the march continued down Ocean Boulevard.

“You know, it’s not surprising. The workers and Unite Here, the union that are having conversations with them, there’s a campaign there to ensure that workers rights are really protected. And so we expected that they would come out and tell us not to be there, but it’s important that they continue to have this conversation with us,” says Rocha.

Casarrubias, who works with the Westin employee, said it made her angry.

“I think he doesn’t know what he was doing. And he doesn’t understand, the reason is because he doesn’t want to listen while women in the city are suffering,” she says.

Once the march reached City Hall, people gathered to listen to Black Lives Matter members speaking about police brutality and the Palestinian Youth Movement on Islamophobia. Cheering, clapping, and chanting echoed throughout the Civic Center.

Despite the helicopter hovering over the rally, or the occasional officer patrolling by car or bicycle, the police presence was minimal.

However, just as people were leaving the rally and crowds died down, Rocha did say a driver was pulled over for obstructing traffic and for littering. At the time, the driver was at the head of a procession of cars leaving the May Day rally at City Hall.

“We expect that this is a continuation of a momentum that we have already built here in Long Beach, in terms of the various issues that are coming together” Rocha said. “And I think that’s what May Day did, it brought together a lot of all these issues that are running around. These issues are conversations that folks are having.

Ariana Sawyer also contributed to this article.

City of Long Beach Current Job Opportunities Apply Online! http://www.longbeach.gov/civilservice Effective Friday April 29, 2016 Job Title

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September 8, 2016

Job opportunities change every Friday 24-Hour Job Recruitment Line (562) 570-6201 Equal Opportunity Employer

City of Long Beach Civil Service Department 333 W. Ocean Blvd., 7th Floor Long Beach, CA 90802 Ph: (562) 570-6202 Fax: (562) 570-5293 TDD: (562) 570-6638 www.theedgelb.com

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 |

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business

Kevin “Dyzzy” Deam is the ‘unofficial mayor of Seventh Street,’ the cool uncle that you never had, and the owner of record and collectable oasis Dyzzy on Vinyl.

‘80s vinyl, DVDs, a turntable and a CD player are but a few items behind the counter at Deam’s store on Seventh Street. - Photos by Madison D’Ornellas

“

Dreams” by Grace Slick. “The Best of Generation X” by Generation X. “Best of the Beach Boys” by the Beach Boys. “Blondes Have More Fun”

by Rod Stewart. They sit, arranged side-byside on a shelf, completely surrounded by an eclectic array of band posters, Rolling Stone clippings, and music knicknacks.

Kevin “Dyzzy” Deam is as weird and won-

by Madison D’Ornellas

6/

derful as the dusty records displayed behind the counter of his funkadelic mecca of records and music memorabilia, Dyzzy on Vinyl, Long Beach’s self-proclaimed “true record store.”

THE ROOTS: “There was a great baseball player back in the ’30s and ’40s named Dizzy Dean, so they used to call me ‘Dyzzy Deam,’ ” he said with a loose country drawl. “I hung out at the ballfield my whole childhood and somebody just started calling me that. I’m sure I probably did something stupid to add to

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

the whole thing. It just stuck.”

Dyzzy’s Pittsburgh roots were clearly exhibited by the faded black “Raise the Jolly Roger” T-shirt and Steelers hat. His accent, though, was a blatant proof of his time at KIOX-FM 96, a radio station in Edna, Texas.

After being at the helm of the station’s morning show for four hours, which included a fishing report by a man without legs, and the evening rock show that went from 7:30 to midnight, Dyzzy met a girl from Long

Beach.

In 1985 they moved to Santa Monica and married shortly after. In 1989, after the birth of their son, Dyzzy decided to put his jobs on radio on the “backburner.” Also, it was hot at the station he was working at in 29 Palms, and Dyzzy wanted a job to better support his new family.

So in 1992 he got a job in retail, then started working at the Lakewood Mall at a jewelery kiosk. He was there for seven years, during

business

that time separating from his wife. One day inside the 12 x 12 box, his coworker Sue offered him a seat in a traveling antique show across the U.S. She told him that he would just be security at first, but could eventually become a “vinyl expert.”

He thought, “Let’s do it.” That is until his swap-meet-connoisseur-sister Debbie visited.

She took him to a swap meet in Torrance where they stumbled upon a small record-selling pop-up and Dyzzy was hooked.

So, as one does, he bought a Chevy van, put “2,000 records into it,” comprised of his own collection and the radio days, selling records at L.A. County swap meets on Saturdays and Sundays, mostly at Cypress College and Golden West College.

One day in July of 1999 he saw an ad in the Recycler classifieds about a location for where the now 17-years running Dyzzy on Vinyl is located “Sure enough I walk in and I was here about 18 seconds and said ‘I’ll take it,’ ” he said. “I loved it. It was just, I don’t know, [this could be] a cool little record store.”

He was able to keep a part-time job at the Lakewood Mall while he started up Dyzzy on Vinyl, but eventually decided to quit his mall job and commit full time to the store.

THE MUSIC: Every band member had hair past their shoulders. These guys weren’t messing around and they certainty weren’t a psychedelic cover band. Plant Tribe didn’t just play at Dyzzy’s, they marked their territory with clear-cut groovy music that sent every squeezed sardine in the store that night back to Woodstock. The gig was insane, and Dyzzy closes his eyes with a smile and peaceful recollection with every mention of the show.

People respond to Dyzzy’s bottomless passion for music, digesting that joy through his classic, rock and roll filter. He records every record promotional show on analog tape, then converts the tape to CD for the band, a service he also offers to customers for $10. He also does Sharpie-drawn artwork on nearly every CD he makes.

Dyzzy credits the far-out feelings during a promotional show to the carpeted floors and the high ceilings. The performance space, which takes the place of the entire right side of the store, is situated with Dyzzy’s drum set and backdrop of black, white and red painted swirls on the record and poster-covered walls.

Dyzzy rarely, if ever, has problems with people during the shows. Everybody grooves.

Nobody, according to Dyzzy, has lost their shit during a show. He doesn’t have problems with his building neighbors and he always tries to pull the plug around 11 p.m.

Watching a promotional show is like watching a band through red-tinted sunglasses. For example, a few weeks ago, Dyzzy hosted Los Angeles’ Doggerels, Long Beach’s Halfcaf and Santa Ana’s Monsoon. Each band inundated themselves inside the small, Christmas lightlit space. It was smoky, it was steamy, and every band made the crowd move.

In the middle of each set, Dyzzy approached

“He gives everybody a fair shake. No matter what you look like, if other people think that you’re a weirdo, if you’re a guy that doesn’t live in a house, whatever,” Acosta said. “He doesn’t pass judgment on to you, unless you do something wrong, and that never really happens.

That’s why [the store] lasts, really. Because everyone likes him. Everyone likes Dyzzy. It’s a special place. I’m appreciative of it all of the time. I never take it for granted. You never know when something can be gone.”

Don’t fret, Dyzzy doesn’t plan on going anywhere. He’s probably at the shop right now, cleaning someone’s newly-bought records with a cloth and cleaner, waiting to turn on a Penguins game on his “big-ass TV” or prepping for a gig with his improv psychedelic band Plastic Horseshoes.

“I can’t sing worth a lick,” he said. “But I can yell.”

Dyzzy’s 17th anniversary is on June 11.

Kevin “Dyzzy” Deam looks through some CDs that he has made of past record promotional shows.

the performance area from behind the counter and yelled, with fiery gumption, at the crowd to give up some noise.

THE VIBE: It was Brandon Baker’s first time at the store. A jazz musician by day and music teacher by night, his confident demeanor is a stark comparison to Dyzzy’s laid back flow, but they get along. Brandon starts preaching about ‘Steve Jobs taking the chips from our phones’ and how technology is controling us.

Dyzzy ends the tensely-growing conversation with laughs from everyone in the room saying, “That’s why I still have a rotary phone.”

The phone still works.

Mike Acosta strolls into the store and is greeted with a strong “What’s up buddy!” by

Dyzzy. Acosta has known Dyzzy for 13 years, and is a frequent member of the promotional show crowd.

Acosta gets it. He speaks of the history in Dyzzy’s like he’s remembering a glorious acid trip.

Yes, he says, the mood in Dyzzy’s has an indescribable radness. Yes, the shelves are always stocked with bargain classics, used and new. And of course, the record promotional shows are great for local and up-and-coming bands.

But what makes Dyzzy is Dyzzy. He runs a tight, yet laid back ship. And friends, seasoned and day-old, have come to respect that necessary aspect of him and his store.

why did the Chicken cross 4th st. ?

to get to Honduras Kitchen.

Come try the chicken that didn’t make it across the street.

Long Beach . Huntington Park www.HKHondurasKitchen.com www.theedgelb.com

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 |

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cover

WHO WILL SAVE THE MUNICIPAL BAND? They get by with a little help from their friends: the public, the city and sponsors

I

by Gary Metzker & Blake Pinto

t starts at the end of June.

Every Thursday.

Every year.

Sue Johnson and her friends go down to Marine Stadium between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. lugging chairs and blankets.

All these years.

“Early on Thursday morning we go down to Marine Stadium with our stuff and we save our spots right in front of the band,” Johnson says. “And the most interesting thing is when we get there, there are already spots saved with seats and blankets.”

And then, around 6 p.m., they all show up – families, couples, friends, singles – bringing their sandwiches and salads and drinks. Someone will set up a small table with appetizers for whoever wants a nibble in the general vicinity. And someone else will set up a table with desserts.

“We have a lot of drop-ins,” Johnson says.

“And we invite them over and we invite friends of friends over, too, because, you know, everyone wants to see the band.

The band.

The Long Beach Municipal Band, now in its 107th edition, is the oldest city-funded professional concert band in the country. And it is still going strong – not as strong as it used to – but it still performs 24 concerts in the summertime. That’s four concerts per week for six weeks. The season starts on June 28 and runs through August 5. If it’s Tuesday night, then the band is at Whaley Park; Wednesdays at Los Cerritos Park; Thursdays at Marine Stadium and Fridays at El Dorado West.

The band was founded in 1909 as a department of the city. Original members of the band were city employees. They called the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium home (now the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center) and were woven into the fabric of the community in a multitude of ways; playing for every naval ship that would leave or return to the Long Beach Naval Station, or voluntarily performing concerts after being laid off during the cash-strapped times of the Great Depression. Following the Long Beach earthquake of 1933, they even played free concerts in parks for families that had been displaced.

At one time, the band performed for eight weeks each summer. That schedule was reduced in 2009 to seven weeks after the start of the recession. In 2011 the season was cut to five weeks with funding coming from the Parks, Recreation and Marine Department, and support from the Partners of Parks campaigns.

“The band does a lot on its own,” says Jane Grobaty, superintendent for community information for the Parks, Recreation and Marine

8/

The band has 57 musicians on its payroll but only 40 play during a concert. - Photos by Laura Spino offices. “The city gives some, but the band is responsible for raising the funds.”

It’s expensive to put together a municipal band for six weeks. According to Laura Spino of the Friends of the Band, the cost is $15,000 per concert, or $60,000 a week. “Which is why the Friends of the Band are raising $30,000 and the city is matching at $30,000 to provide the addition of a sixth week this summer,” she writes in an email. “The band used to play eight weeks per summer, and more recently has been cut back to five weeks. So this is our group’s effort to move back in the direction of more concerts.”

Spino writes that the Friends group is more than halfway to its $30,000 goal.

Additionally, the Port of Long Beach is a sponsor at $50,000 which helps to pay for the other 20 concerts this season.

So where does the rest of the money come from? Well, for decades, the nonprofit Partners of Parks has raised money to help support the Municipal Band, primarily through the Pass the Can program at concerts. Drew Satariano

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

is the Partners of Parks executive director.

“We’ve been involved with the band for the last 20 years,” Satariano says, “but more intensely since the band was mercilessly cut out of the city budget in 2010. Ever since then, money has been raised in the community by those who love the Municipal Band. There was a time when the band was at its peak with 48 concerts, but that was before 2010.

That’s been cut in half and then some.”

“People love this band,” he says, with a lot of passion. “Those people who come early to save seats; they give and give and give. And they’re going to have to continue to give.

There hasn’t been any change in the city’s position and they have their bills to pay. They allocate the band as much as they can do, but they have made it clear, that the bulk of the money has to come from residents and people who love the band.”

Satariano says that the Partners are the custodians for the Pass the Bucket money that is collected at each concert site. Last year, about $70,000 was collected.

“The department of Parks, Recreation and Marine has been great,” he says. “They have maintained the venues, they didn’t cut the budget, they do the advertising. They understand how much the people love the band.” *** Larry Curtis is beginning his 24th year of conducting the Long Beach Municipal Band.

Curtis was the conductor of bands at Cal State Long Beach for 25 years. He has had guest conducting engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in Orange County, an Imagination Celebration concert in conjunction with New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, a live concert broadcast from Suisse Romane Studios in Geneva, Switzerland, a command performance for the Society for the Preservation of Film Music as well as conducting at the Hollywood Bowl. And even with all these accomplishments, he can’t wait to start another season with the theme being Summertime – Live.

“I am very excited to lead the band,” he says.

cover

The Long Beach Municipal Band is in its 107th season. When the band started in 1909 the musicians were all city employees.

“We have had our ups and downs in terms of funding, but we are moving toward more concerts; we are doing 24 concerts this season.”

Curtis concerns himself mostly with picking the music and the performers for the six-week season, but he is very aware of how tenuous the funding can be.

“I know we get our funding through various departments of the city,” he says. “As well as the Friends of the Long Beach Municipal Band, the Port of Long Beach is a great provider of monies and the Pass the Can program is great.

“I really appreciate the tenacity of the crowds,” Curtis says. “It’s remarkable that the band has lasted 107 years. People don’t want us to leave.”

“We get about 10,000 people a week at our concerts. So, if each person were able to put $5 in the can – and think about it, people aren’t paying any admission to see us play – then we could really improve our financial situation.”

Curtis says volunteers take the cans around to the crowds between breaks in the music, but the fact of the matter is there aren’t enough volunteers, for example, to try to reach 4,000 people on a Friday night at El Dorado Park.

Curtis says he keeps 57 musicians on the payroll but only 40 play per night. Everyone gets paid the same. All musicians bring their own instruments except for the percussionists.

“These musicians are highly-qualified professionals,” he says. “They come from everywhere; the Hollywood Bowl, the L.A. Philharmonic, Long Beach. About half are symphony players, and half jazz. It’s an enjoyable gig, and they can have their friends and family

come and see them for free.”

And if you think Curtis and the band has lots of time to rehearse, think again.

“I will see the musicians on Tuesday the 28th starting at 8:30 a.m.,” Curtis says. “I rehearse with the guest artist, then the rest of the group will rehearse until lunch. Then additional players show up after lunch and begin to practice. We will rehearse up until the time for the concert. Then we go to the park and play.”

In passing the 2016 city budget, one com-

plaint from Ninth District Councilman Rex Richardson and Seventh District Councilman Roberto Uranga was that the band does not play in their districts. Curtis acknowledged the problem.

“We have a great many people come from other areas of the city,” he says. “I think we do offer concerts to the city as a whole and my hope is to go into the various areas and play one special concert for them. That’s my desire.

For the first time, we are playing in the First District (in August). It isn’t because we aren’t

available. I am hoping we can go do more.” *** “I don’t remember how many years I’ve been coming,” Sue Johnson says. “But I do remember this curly-haired boy who was so cute right in front of our chairs. And then there was this little girl. They were right in front of us. And then we watched them every summer and how they grew up. I’m sure they have graduated college by now.

“But that’s what is so wonderful about the band concerts; they are so Americana. That’s why they can’t leave.” *** If you want to help out the band, donations by check can be mailed directly to the Long Beach Community Foundation, 400 Oceangate, Suite 800, Long Beach 90802. Checks should be made out to the foundation with Municipal Band written at the bottom.

Other options include credit card payment, automatic monthly credit card donation and an endowment. To set up the donation online, go to www.longbeachcf.org, choose the donate button and select the Friends of Long Beach Municipal Band icon.

Friends of the Municipal Band also has set up membership levels for individuals, families and businesses. An individual membership is $50; a family membership costs $100. There are corporate sponsor levels of $500, $1,000, $3,000 and $5,000.

Get Social With Us

#strollnsavor MAY 11&12 - JUN 22&23 - JUL 20&21 - AUG 17&18

$10 for 12 tickets

Pre-sale tickets available on the Friday before the event at: The Beach on 2nd St, Brix, Francesca’s, La Strada, Polly’s Gourmet Coffee, Salon Soma, Shore Business Center, Sweet Jill’s Bakery, Urban Table, Blue Windows, and on event day in front of Chase Bank Sponsored By

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| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 |

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entertainment

DEVELOPING A TASTE FOR LONG BEACH Terri Henry cooked up an idea for a restaurant week – Dine LBC – and it has been an overwhelming success

Diners Tess Shane and Hannah Mora enjoy the Dine LBC menu at Restauration.

Dine LBC co-founder Terri Henry with Chef Mitto Barriga owner of Aji Peruvian Cuisine on the last night of this year’s Dine LBC - Long Beach Restaurant Week. - Photos courtes of Terri Henry

T

erri Henry has always had a bit of a sweet tooth.

Her book “Biscotti, Bars, and Brownies” released in 1989, is a collection of more than 70 recipes of sweet treats. In recent years she has been asked to comment on food trends in restaurants and food magazines like Food Fanatics and Full Service Restaurant Magazine.

“Food has always been a passion,” Henry says.

“I never wanted to own a restaurant or work in a restaurant, but it’s a lot of fun marketing them that’s for sure.”

After over 25 years of experience in restaurant marketing with companies like Grill Con-

by Jesus Ambrosio

10 /

cepts, and marketing work for Chipotle during its introduction to the Pacific Northwest and California it was time for a change.

She may not dedicate as much time to create her own sweet culinary creations as she used to, but Terri Henry Marketing, which began in 2011, aims to put Long Beach on the map as a culinary destination.

With restaurant weeks in other cities like Los Angeles she said she began to wonder why Long Beach didn’t have an event like this.

Henry is the co-founder of Dine LBC – Long Beach Restaurant Week which just concluded its third year on Saturday.

“We are developing our very own culinary culture,” Henry says. “[Dine LBC] has grown

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

every year. The first year there were about 50 restaurants [participating] – now there are over 70 [restaurants]. It’s getting to the point where restaurants and diners look forward to it each year.”

For a fee, participating restaurants of Dine LBC receive advertising, public relations services and marketing leading up to the event.

Restaurants have a chance to offer a value oriented menu during this week that allows guest to try new local food as well as revisit old favorites according to Henry.

“During restaurant week the restaurants that are chef-driven gives the chefs the opportunity to be creative and create something new for a short time or see how it will be received,” Henry says.

It’s not just about marketing food to the city of Long Beach; there is more passion involved.

Henry said she makes the effort to eat out just about every single night of the week-long event usually trying new and obscure food options that Dine LBC has to offer. It is a bit of relief after organizing the event with her partners.

“We do it all from meeting with restaurants, the website, the graphic design, marketing and public relations,” Henry said. “It is getting easier every year and we are gaining the trust of restaurants.”

While it can be a lot of work, she said it has been rewarding to move away from the corporate side of the food business and transitioning into something that is a bit more community oriented.

In November of last year and on April 18,

Henry helped organized Chefs Serving Shelters in which five participating chefs prepared and served lunch at the Long Beach Rescue Mission.

“They had a true restaurant experience,” Henry says. “It’s not like a thing where they stand in line and put the food on a plate, but we brought them a plated serving of food just like a restaurant experience.”

This year’s participants included chefs from Polly’s Pies, Simmzy’s, Cesar’s Bistro, Panxa and James Republic.

Henry said she is rolling out a new restaurant marketing collaborative in July that will give restaurants marketing assistance all year long. She said she hopes this will create a more active Long Beach food community and allow her to hold various events that represent the city.

“Long Beach has always been considered a stepchild of Los Angeles,” Henry says. “But we just have so much more going for us here.”

top 20 continued will be available, as well as DJ Crash providing music.

spending time with your loved ones barefoot on the beach?

Details at http://www.shoploscerritos. com/Events/makeoverTakeover

17. El Dorado Nature Center

Friday, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Saturday 11 a.m.

- 6 p.m.

Take the misses on a nice hike, maybe plan a pretty picnic? Museum trip after? You can do it.

15. Allen’s Flower Market

7550 E. Spring St. Trails open: Sunday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Museum open: Sunday 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Admission: $7 Saturday and Sunday

Don’t disappoint the special lady in your life (again/as always) and forget to get her flowers. Allen’s has been voted the best florist in Long Beach for four years running so you know they can give you (and the ladies in your life) what you need.

Time: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Where: 330 Pine Ave. Sunday brunch with the Brunchettes!

All-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and bottomless mimosas, hosted by Jewels.

Make reservations as this event is know to sell out quickly.

Limited seating available on a first come-first served basis.

Doors open at 11a.m. Call (562) 4367900 for reservations and more information.

decorate, customize, and inscribe your work to create a personalized memento that will last a lifetime.

Mugs can be customized in any shape and size. Three sessions are scheduled for Mother’s Day but may add more over the weekend as demand increases. Each session will be guided by world class instructors.

Times: 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., 3 p.m.-5 p.m., 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Info at clayonfirst.com or call (562) 495-4362 $75 per person

13. Laugh Factory Sunday Funday Comedy Show Treat mom to some laughs at a factory that produces nothing but. $17 pre-sale general admission 151 S. Pine Ave. (562) 495-2844 Ext. 1

14. Los Cerritos Center Makeover Takeover

The Sky Room - Courtesy of Facebook

12 MUMS AND MUGS Clay Ceramics Studio 406 E. First St., Unit B This Mother’s Day, surprise Mom with something different. Bring your Mom and enjoy hand-building “Best Mom Ever” mugs while sipping on mimosas. During the two-hour sessions, you will learn how to

You Monster Self-explanatory

600 E. Willow St. (562) 981-9499

The Queen Mary - Courtesy of Facebook

11. Hamburger Mary’s

18. Visit Her at Home and Make Her Breakfast in Bed,

In celebration of the completion of the center’s makeover, Los Cerritos Center will hold Makeover Takeover on Friday and Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. The celebration will highlight the newest fashion and beauty retailers and unveil the newlook Los Cerritos Center.

Shoppers are invited to relax in lounges with beauty demonstrations and makeover stations. They’ll experience fresh spring styles and celebrate mom with giveaways, shopping incentives and more.

Chocolate tasting and a cotton candy soda bar are among the things that

19. Hooters

16. Walk Along the Beach

Two reasons to bring mom: Mother’s get 10 free boneless wings as well as top notch customer service.

It’s free, beautiful, and what’s better than catching up with mom or

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| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 |

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// MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 // Queen Mary // May 8 // Mother’s day abroad the queen mary The Queen Mary Champagne Sunday Brunch features over 50 unique dishes from around the globe. Traditional western breakfast fare like made-to-order omelets, pancakes, eggs benedict and homemade hash, Southwestern style foods with Albondigas soup and carne asada tacos, or spice things up with hot n’ sour soup or Asian style ribs. Salad and carving stations available as well.

Hours: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Price: $59.95 per adult, $19.95 for children 12 and under (Tax and gratuity is additional.)

Parking: $7 with validation (up to 6 hours) and includes valet parking.

Reservations: Strongly recommended – (562) 499-1606

Long Beach Museum of Art // March 11 - May 29 // Beyond the Frame: New Media Arts from Taiwan $7 Long Beach Museum of Art An innovative exhibition featuring new media artists who continually evolve their creative practice with rapid advances in media technology. For more information, visit lbma.org.

// March 11 - May 29 // TRANSFORMED BY FIRE $7 Richard Oelschlaege’s creations in clay are something you must see in person.

// April 7 - May 29 // High School Exhibition – Displacement: Where Do We Belong? $7 LBUSD High School students were create an original work of art that depicts their understanding of displacement.

12 /

Aquarium of the Pacific // Most Fridays // Shark lagoon nights 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

See a shark! Touch a shark! Free! Are you sold out yet?

// April 28 // HISTORY AT OUR DOORSTEPS 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Captain Patrick Smith will share his experiences documenting the many time capsules of maritime history hidden just offshore.

A class throws at Clay in downtown. [courtesy of Clay website: http://clayonfirst.com/ ]

// April 30 // URBAN OCEAN FESTIVAL

artists and musicians through extended operating hours.

9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Explore and celebrate Southern California’s coast during the Aquarium’s annual Urban Ocean Festival.

// Thursday – Sunday // Live Music in the Tapas Bar at Cafe Sevilla

MOLAA // April 1 - Oct. 27 // Black Gold Free 4640 Atlantic Ave. A photo exhibition called “Black Gold: Oil in the Neighborhood,” which explores the industry that helped shaped the Long Beach area. Hours: Tues., Wed., Fri. from 1-5 p.m.

Thur. from 1-7 p.m. and Sat. from 11 - 5 p.m.

For more information, visit hslb.org.

// April 3 - May 15 // Songwriting Workshop Free - $20 Suggested Donation Every other Sunday from 12 - 2 p.m.

Alamitos Beach Taught by Taylor Crawford, one of Long Beach’s treasured singer-songwriters. For more information or to sign up, email taylorcrawfordmusic@gmail.com

// First Friday each month // First Fridays at Bixby Knolls 6 - 10 p.m.

Atlantic Ave. between Bixby Road and San Antonio Drive.

Every first Friday night of the month, participating Bixby Knolls unite to promote local

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

7 - 9 p.m.

Cafe Sevilla 140 Pine Ave. Cafe Sevilla features live music in their tapas bar Thursday through Sunday. Check out their calendar at http://cafesevilla.com/lbevents/ to see who is playing live in the tapas bar.

// Every Second Thursday // Live After Five 5 p.m.

Downtown Long Beach Every second Thursday is party time in downtown. After 5 p.m. of course.

Brix at the Shore

SUN 5/8 Sunday Funday Comedy Show at The Laugh Factory 8 p.m.

The Laugh Factory 151 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach Tickets: www.laughfactory.com Clean comedy show from the Pike at Rainbow Harbor in Downtown Long Beach!

Sunday Brunch at the Queen Mary $49.95 per adult, $19.95 for children 12 and under Prices on holidays and special events are $59.95 Adults & $19.95 Kids. $7 parking with validation (up to 3 hours) $12 all-day valet parking with validation | 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach Hosted in the Grand Salon and featuring live entertainment, the weekly Champagne Sunday Brunch sets the standard for elegance so early in the morning.

Traditional Irish Music Session LIVE music Brix at the Shore, 5372 E. 2nd St. Wednesday : Luke Zell Thursday 7:30 p.m.: Johnny Lee Band Friday 8 - 11 p.m.: Mike Jacobi Saturday 8 - 11 p.m.: Emily Korievo Sunday 4 p.m.: Mother’s Day Jazz Jam

Wine tasting Brix at the Shore, 5372 E. 2nd St. Wednesday 6 - 8 p.m.: Special wine flight $8

4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The Auld Dubliner 71 South Pine Street, Long Beach Some good ol’ live traditional Irish themed music.

Mums & Mugs Must RSVP, $75, classes from 12:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Clay 406 E. First St., Long Beach Built your own “#1 Mom” ceramic while sipping on mimosas with the one person that’s obligated to love you.

LIVE music @brixshore

LIVE music @brixshore

4 p.m.

Mother’s Day Jazz Jam Brix at the Shore 5372 E. 2nd St.

8 - 11 p.m., Luke Zell Brix at the Shore 5372 E. 2nd St.

MON 5/9 Trivia Night at Willmore 7 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.

Wilmore Wine Bar, 3848 Atlantic Ave. Long Beach Competitive trivia and great wine will have you coming back again and again.

Graffiti Murals Workshop 6 p.m.

Homeland Cultural Center 1321 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach Get a taste for the culture of street art.

Motown on Mondays No cover, 9 p.m.

The Federal Bar 102 Pine Ave., Long Beach Happy hour lasts all night while djs spin originals, remixes, covers and close relatives of Motown hits.

TUE 5/10 Alex’s Bar Karaoke 9 p.m., 21+ Alex’s Bar 2913 E Anaheim Street, Long Beach Booze and drunk people singing classics, what’s not to like? Everything. And nothing at all.

WED 5/11

Alex’s Bar Karaoke 9 p.m., 21+ Alex’s Bar 2913 E Anaheim St., Long Beach Booze and drunk people singing classics, what’s not to like?

Salsa Dance Lessons Cover charge may apply , 8 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Sevilla Night Club Every Wednesday night they offer salsa dance lessons in their club taught by renowned local salsa dance instructors.

Open Mic Night at DRNK 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

DRNK Coffee + Tea 4245 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach Say what you mean, mean what you say. The perfect opportunity to speak your mind.

calendar or the 100-mile Cruz Gran Fondo route through Sunset, Huntington, Newport and Laguna Beach. Choose wisely. Bring extra padding.

BK Strollers

THU 5/12 Ken O Malley Live Irish Music 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.

The Auld Dubliner 71 S. Pine St., Long Beach Ken O Malley play an early evening set every Thursday.

Adult Art-making Workshop Must RSVP, $10 for members, $15 for non-members, 6:30 p.m.

Long Beach Museum of Art 2300 E. Ocean Blvd.

Take it a step beyond the adult-coloring book trend. To RSVP, email Michael León at michaell@lbma.org or call 562-439-2119, ext.

228. Space is limited.

LIVE music @brixshore 7:30 p.m.

Johnny Lee Band Brix at the Shore 5372 E. 2nd St.

FRI 5/13 Snapback Long Beach 10 p.m. - Free before 11 p.m., $5 After The Federal Underground 102 Pine Ave, Long Beach Throwback Hip Hop / R&B classics

Shark Lagoon Nights 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Aquarium of the Pacific Most Fridays, some exclusions apply See a shark! Touch a shark! Free! Are you sold yet?

LIVE music @brixshore

7 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf 4105 Atlantic Ave. A neighborhood walking club meeting every Saturday morning. Get you exercise on.

Backyard amateurs and Barbeque gods try their recipe for a $10,000 cash prize at the West Coast BBQ Classic. [Facebook]

Join the All-female lineup of local artists including DJ Sarah Green of Spare Parts for Broken Hearts, the Unit, JFP, Mickey Taelor and Blimes Brixton. .

Flamenco Dinner Show $59 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Café Sevilla 140 Pine Avenue, Long Beach Three course meal and a lesson in the art of Flamenco? Yes please.

SAT 5/14

5th Annual West Coast BBQ Classic 11 a.m.- 6 p.m., $25 - $40 Queen Mar 1128 Queens Highway, Long Beach The official California-State-Certified, KCBS-Sanctioned BBQ Championship, returns to award new and returning pit-masters for their labor of flavor.

Violent Femmes 12:30 p.m.

Fingerprints Music Store 420 E. Fourth St., Long Beach American With their first album in 15 years, “We Can Do Anything,” the acoustic-punk band is back at it again with their agitated, catchy sound.

Tour of Long Beach 6 a.m. - 4 p.m., $75 - $105 Starting line at Shoreline Drive and Linden Avenue Make sure to register before Thursday for either the 5-mile Free Family Fun Ride, 30mile course on the bike paths and streets of Long Beach, 62-mile trek to Newport Beach

Rocky Horror Picture Show Adults: $11; Senior/Child: $8 11:55 p.m.

2025 E. 4th St. Long Beach The tradition continues. Beware if it is your first time. You’ll be in for quite a surprise

Sole Saturdays 10 p.m.

The Federal Underground 102 Pine Ave, Long Beach Like you’re at a house party. Is that a good or bad thing? Up for you to decide.

Truck Squad food trucks 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

1632 Cherry Ave., Long Beach trucksquadevents.com Rotating food truck every Saturday afternoon!

LIVE music @brixshore 8 - 11 p.m.

Emily Korievo Brix at the Shore

8 - 11 p.m.

Mike Jacobi Brix at the Shore, 5372 E. 2nd St.

African Drum and Dance Session Free, 10 a.m.

Homeland Cultural Center, MacArthur Park 1321 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach Move to your own beat and get behind both the drum and footwork of a culture-filled morning.

Rap. Rock. Renaissance.

7 p.m., $7 DiPiazza’s 5205 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach www.theedgelb.com

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 |

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artist of the week

THERE ONCE WAS A MAN NAMED ERIC . . .

Now, he is known as Baba, a nationally-recognized American griot

Baba The Storyteller performing at Abrapalabra, a festival in Bucaramanga Colombia. - Photos courtesy of Baba the Storyteller

T

he man they call Baba The Storyteller was once – many years ago – named Eric Cyrs.

In those days, he was employed by the city of Los Angeles as a consultant and thought he had found true happiness, climbing the corporate ladder to what he believed was the epitome of success.

He was coming in early and leaving late. He wore a suit and tie, had a company parking spot and lived in a luxury condo.

Then one day, after a long holiday weekend, Baba and the other workers came back to the office to find one of the top executives dead on his desk. The man had been left undiscovered since the previous Friday. This deeply affected Baba and he reflected on it. “[The executive] was probably in his early 50s. He was what we were all striving to be,” says Baba.

At the time, Baba was also a volunteer at the Afrikan Cultural Center in Long Beach. He had been a co-founder of the Rites of Passage, a program that used drumming and dancing to help connect youth with their heritage. The program was created in response to the violence he and other men witnessed amongst young black males in areas like Compton and Lynwood during the late ’80s and early ’90s.

by Kevin Flores

14 /

Baba began to dedicate more and more of his time to projects like this, slowly leaving his old life behind.

It was while mentoring that he first began to be called Baba by the children, which means father in some African languages. He also began discovering that he was a natural storyteller. In fact, it was in his blood. As a boy, he remembers spending summers with his great grandfather, a minister who lived to be 110 years old, and who would tell him stories of family lore and parables from the bible.

“I just thought that was part of the way everyone spoke. I didn’t identify it as storytelling until I was in my late 20s, early 30s,” he says.

He came to use storytelling to get the youth he mentored interested in history. It was so effective, that community members began asking him to speak to different groups. But it wasn’t until around 1993 that Baba began thinking about storytelling as a profession.

Still, Baba’s metamorphosis was not complete. His storytelling method then was still simply memorizing, the way an actor approaches a script. This changed when he took a group of schoolchildren to watch a performance by the Guinean dance group Les Ballets Africains.

There he met Francois Koko du Burkina

| MAY 4 - MAY 10, 2016 | www.theedgelb.com

Faso from whom Baba learned about the West African oral storytelling tradition of the Griots. Baba says that since the 13th century, Griots have been the repositories of their people’s historical knowledge, which they tell through storytelling, song, music and dance. Members of the Les Ballets Africains began calling Baba the American Griot.

Baba – who was born in California – began researching the Griot tradition and even made trips to Africa to study the craft.

“The way a Griot does it is they inundate themselves with stories, words, and proverbs,” he says. Then when the moment for a story comes, it reveals itself, without any preparation.

Since learning the ways of the Griot, the master storyteller has traveled the world, from South America to Eastern Europe, collecting mythologies, folklores and parables spanning many different cultures. A polyglot, he speaks English, French, Spanish and Bambara, a West African language. He has spoken at museums all around Southern California and received commendations for his artistry from both chambers of Congress.

The Edge sat down with Baba The Storyteller to discuss the importance of storytelling and its connection to culture and identity.

What kind of research do you do to find the

stories you tell?

There are three ways. One, through oral conversation; whenever I travel somewhere, I always look for elders. Usually women, because they seem to be the ones who house the stories and the folklore more than the men do. I will sit and listen and listen. Another way is from libraries. I will live in a library if I can and absorb the knowledge through books. My third way is more spiritual. If I’m in another country or another place, I’ll go for a walk and I’ll just listen to what’s happening around me.

You find and see stories all the time. As a kid we would play a game where we look at people and guess who they were, what they were doing, what they were thinking? As an adult, I still play that game.

I notice that you accompany your storytelling with an instrument. Can you tell me a little bit about that?

The Kora. It’s a 21-string ancient harp. It’s made of calabash, wood, fishing line, and cowhide. It’s the traditional instrument of the Griots. It’s part of the oral tradition.

How did you learn to play it?

I had a Kora brought back for me by my children’s godmother a few years ago. It’s a beautiful instrument but you look at it and you don’t know what to do with it.

There was a man who moved here from

artist of the week

Baba The Storyteller performing at the Elves’ Faire in Pasadena in 2012.

Senegal, Papa Susso and he got me started. We met at a dance class. He plays Kora, performs and tours. Then I went to Africa and stayed with his family for four months and learned from his father.

What do you say to people who think the kind of oral storytelling you perform is meant primarily for children?

We human beings are hardwired for story and I think we’ve undervalued the impact stories can truly have in our personal growth and how they can help us and usually assign it to something for children. That’s part of our propensity to categorize things. Other cultures are a little more fluid.

How does oral storytelling differ from other types of storytelling such as film or literature?

Oral storytelling builds relationships. When I’m talking to you and telling you a story. I’m looking in your eyes. I’m feeling what you feel.

You’re having responses and I can go certain

as more people begin to engage in it, as more people begin to see themselves as storytellers and pass it on to their children and grandchildren.

Baba The Storyteller’s new memoir “Road of Ash and Dust: The Awakening of a Soul in Africa”

& BAR

Baba The Storyteller greeting an audience in Columbia.

relationships based on that. We think differently when we read, the mind restructures itself to accept what’s written. Oral storytelling is more organic and social.

In collecting stories from around the world, have you noticed a universality to them?

If you get down to the scaffolding of what stories are really about, they’re really just bones with different clothing on them. I was with a storyteller from Japan and he told a very colorful, sexual tale. The audience was falling apart laughing. When he came off the stage, I asked him where he learned the story.

He said in Japan it is a very famous story. I told him that among the African-American community it’s also a very famous story, its just told slightly differently.

Do you see oral storytelling as remaining relevant in the future?

I think the way that I do it will gain in popularity as more people become aware of it,

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Baba’s attempt to reconnect with his heritage during his first trip in Africa will be published next month under the pen name E.L Cyrs.

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