(June 8, 2007) -- In a sensory overload of over sixty events and performances packed into ten hours this Saturday -- in the words of the East Village website connecting artistic highlights along the shoreline with those Downtown and in the adjacent East Village Arts District -- LB's Tour des Artistes rolls out on June 9.
The multi-site event runs from noon and continues until 10:00 p.m. with many of the events taking place between 2:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
The event is easily accessible by free LB Transit Passport bus from just about anywhere Downtown, Shore Books in Belmont Shore or LB Museum of Art. For an all-day Tour ticket (can be purchased online, link below) for just $10 (less for over three tickets...and teachers, nurses, police, fire, armed services and city employees get in for free), Tour-takers can experience a "complete tour of Downtown's exciting Culture, Businesses and Venues," says www.eastvillageartsdistrict.com.
Ticket holders can navigate the Tour, stretching from the Shore to the East Village Arts District, via a Big Red 1960's double-decker London bus.
[All photos on this page, source; Tour des Artistes.]
The Tour des Artistes is the East Village's signature event says a release...and this year includes "an art block party in the East Village, unprecedented access to Lofts and historical building tours and auctions, live music, interactive theatrical performances on the buses and at Tour sites, interactive art-making, a SPIN bike sculptures last look and art displays from world-famous and classical artists."
The East Village will be the scene of "art-making stations, an 'Artist Olympics' competition, over 20 gallery openings and over forty performances."
Performers include the Fallopian Artopians (a female paint troupe) at the Cooper Arms Building (3:00-6:00 p.m.)...and we're told that 2nd district Councilwoman Suja Lowenthal will host the Fallopians at the East Village's La Muse Café at 3:30 p.m.
As night falls, the Siren Serpentina Fire Dancers will perform in the East Village at 8 p.m.
Tour des Artistes organizer Ryan Smolar (unoffically dubbed an "East Village Arts honcho" by Tim Grobaty in the June 8 Press-Telegram) has brewed up multiple hands-on (i.e. do-able, not just watchable) events and venues, which include:
"Capture Downtown" Art Competition: Buy a genuine Downtown LB street sign and paint a portrait of a Downtown scene on the back. "Every street sign is eligible for a cash prize and display in public venues for months after," says the eastvillageartsdistrict.com.
The Arts Council’s SPIN Bikes Auction - Live Component: "The public art components of February’s AMGEN Tour, the SPIN bikes, will be represented at Tour as part of a month-long campaign to sell the bikes and raise money for the arts.
The Long Beach Boys & Girls' Clubs Children’s Festival at Koo's Art Space: "Over 300 children participated in last year’s Arts Park festival which includes performances and activities."
The Artists Olympics in the East Village Arts Park: "A series of challenges, workshops and creative opportunities with prizes and presents for participants."
Wine Label Making at the La Muse Garden Cafe: "Participants are provided with a blank wine bottle & art supplies to adorn with their own creative design."
Exclusive Wine Tastings at Vin de Pays: "Tour participants receieve discounts and tastings at one of the best distributors of high-ranking, low-cost wines in the City."
LBMA Picnic Lunch & Museum Visit: "All Tour tickets get you into the Long Beach Museum of Art which is displaying several exhibits including a showcase of Long Beach art and artists. Also, bring your picnic blanket for lunch at Claire's and enjoy live painting" There'll also be blanket part at the LB Museum of Art "featuring local artists doing live painting while visitors picnic with five Claire’s menu items specifically designed for them. Twenty elaborate bike sculptures (unveiled during the recent LB Amgen Bike Tour) will be on display for the final time before they're auctioned off to private collectors.
Loft Tour: "Ticketholders will be transported via Double-Decker bus to the most beautiful lofts Downtown which will be showing artwork from the CSULB students of the Art Community Development Association"
The District Weekly Music Stage: "Music Editor Chris Zeigler reached deep into the LA/OC music scene to foster an outstanding selection of the best known and unknown local music."
2nd Saturday ArtWalk: "Over 50 booths for art, crafts and jewelry made by local artists and generally using found or rare objects"
Band Showcase at Acres of Books: "The Last Bookstore on Earth" will be presenting its usual fare of spoken word and musical hijinks in Hobo Alley."
Bryce Chesser will also have his first gallery display in the East Village Arts Park, accompanied by some "crafty" pirates who'll "help kids make their own buttons and throwing a non-alcoholic grog party before they pretend to board and rob the Big Red Bus," says Mr. Smolar.
Tickets ($10 each for the full day with a price break if you buy more than three, so bring friends) can be purchased online on www.eastvillageartsdistrict.com's (ticket page, ckick here).
Tickets (plus bus vouchers, admission bracelets and event materials) are also available at Shore Books at 4817 E. 2nd St. in Belmont Shore.
And teachers, nurses, police, fire, armed services and city employees get in free.
Ticketholders can park at 3rd St./Pine Ave. in the City Place lot with access on 3rd St. "Visitors are encouraged to bring their ticket confirmation information if they have purchased tickets online or you may purchase tickets in the parking lot and park for free."
Anyone arriving via LB Transit Passport Bus will get a free return ticket.
And those driving to the East Village "can park for free within a minute’s walk of most Tour activities in the East Village.
For info and updates, see www.eastvillageartisdistrict.com.