Since 1998, Cindy Bernard and The Society for the Activation of Social Space through Art and Sound (a.k.a. SASSAS) have been bringing experimental music to non-traditional Los Angeles venues. For this Sunday's performance, they've commissioned three pieces inspired by an under-appreciated public gem - the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook - from some of Los Angeles' most forward-looking musicians.
From the SASSAS website:
sound. at the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook features new compositions by percussionist Alex Cline, experimental collective Lady Noise and brass specialist William Roper. These new SASSAS commissions will be played by more than 30 Los Angeles area musicians arrayed in different locations across the historic topography of the Overlook. SASSAS invited each composer to make a field recording at the Overlook and respond to it with a new work focusing on percussion (Cline), electronics (Lady Noise) and lip reeds (Roper).
The Baldwin Park Scenic Overlook is unique in the greater Los Angeles area and California State Park system. A historically complex site, the Overlook offers 360 degree views of the Los Angeles Basin as it resides at the juncture of industry and parkland / preserve. Adjacent to the location of the 1963 Baldwin Hills Dam break and just north of an active oil field, the park was the site of a decade long development battle which was successful in fending off a 230-home development, but failed to stop the flat topping of the hill. Parts of the park have been regraded and "in certain ways the land still looks as though it's recovering from the earlier violence." (Christopher Hawthorne, Los Angeles Times).
Street parking is available along Jefferson Blvd., but come prepared for a steep climb up the Overlook stairs. Limited parking is available at the top of the hill for $6.00
Performance schedule:
3:00 P.M. / Overlook apex
William Roper, Fanfares and Arhoolies for Lip-Reed Instruments and Percussion - Players: Kevin Brown, Ray Burkhart, Clifford Childers, Dan Clucas, Steve Durnin, James Ford, Bruce Fowler, Darrell Leonard, Loren Marsteller, Joseph Mitchell, Phil Teele and Michael Vlatkovich
(Fanfares and Arhoolies is supported by a CCI / Durfee Artist Resource for Completion grant)
3:40 P.M. / Overlook garden amphitheater
Lady Noise, Untitled - Players: Lady Noise (Kelly Coats, flute; Kathleen Kim, violin; Gabie Strong, electric bass; and Sandy Yang, electric guitar) in addition to Jesse Appelhans, Aisling Cormack, James Hamblin, Julia Holter, Janet Kim, Stefan Scott Nelson, Ron Russell and Jonathan Silberman.
4:20 P.M. / Overlook pavilion
Alex Cline, Overlook - Players: Christopher Allis, Trevor Anderies, Erin Barnes, Joseph Berardi, Alex Cline, Germaine Franco, Dave Shaffer and Rich West.
More event details here.
Christopher Hawthorne on the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook.
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook main site.
William Roper
Lady Noise
Alex Cline
RSS: Full KCET Feed
