Mike Sonksen
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About Me:
Mike Sonksen, also known as, Mike the Poet, is a 3rd-generation LA native acclaimed for poetry performances, published articles & legendary city tours. Poet, journalist, historian, tour guide, teacher.
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My KCET.org Activities
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Music and poetry have been the ultimate mediums for expressing the wide range of human emotions since the dawn of man.
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For African American History Month, L.A. Letters features two important books that expand, as well as question, the canon of 20th Century African-American Poetry.
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This week L.A. Letters salutes the talented musicians that reflect the shifting range of California seasons.
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It's been two decades since three friends came together while attending UCLA.
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California, and Los Angeles specifically, has always been considered a laboratory of the future.
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Huell Howser was an emissary for "The Gospel of Beauty" as preached by poet Vachel Lindsay.
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Sing forevermore for the late piano prodigy from Venice.
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The burgeoning tide of Los Angeles literature grows bigger every year.
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Posted December to Remember: L.A.'s New Poet Laureate and 'Visions & Affiliations'
in Land of SunshineIf I've said it once, I've said it a million times -- there's a golden age of arts flourishing these days in L.A. -
Poets have always played the role of the voice of people since the dawn of man
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Myth making has always been a big part of the California dream.
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I know I am not alone when I say I am very thankful for the Los Angeles art community.
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Observing the changing Westside, the latest ebook technology, and preserved history in Boyle Heights.
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"I Am Alive in Los Angeles!" Words by Mike the PoeT Beats by DJ Dave Starring Mear One Shot by Motion Over the years I have collaborated with numerous artists like PhiLLHarmonic, DJ Dave, Blackbird and the Los Angeles...
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Here's a run-down of a few events and books that really helped me close out October with a strong dose of art and culture.
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Between fibbing politicians, fake memoirs, reality TV, cosmetic surgery, photoshop and botox, the truth can be elusive.
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The masterfully executed book is an invaluable source of little known or forgotten but very necessary L.A. history.
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Though the poem parodies the fashion world, many of the fashionistas are very progressive people. They are a big part of the city of Angels.
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October was recently declared Architecture month by the city of Los Angeles. In honor, this edition of LA Letters pays tribute to some of my favorite structures in our fair city. There are far too many to list them all, but here's a few to begin with.
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Whether it be in Wall Street, our presidential election or international politics, corruption is everywhere on both the micro and macro level.
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Times change, streets change, buildings change, some stay the same and the ever-changing landscape of the city presses forward.
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Our friends of poets, painters, DJs and musicians are the emerging superstars of the new American Avant-garde serenaded in this poem.
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Arizona's attempt to ban books on Chicano/a Studies has inspired legions of young activist writers and thinkers to take action, empowered and bent on social justice.
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L.A. based lyricist and musician Blackbird considers each track he produces a film score.
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For all the talk of rivalry and disdain between San Francisco and Los Angeles the two cities have far more in common than they do differences.
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The mix of rocky coast, dense forest and steep cliffs make the landscape around Big Sur especially picturesque and sometimes dangerous.
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The "dog days of summer" may be here, but Los Angeles is exploding with literary events, live concerts, art shows and city tours. Mike the Poet examines the writers, artists, musicians and venues keeping summer spirit alive in Los Angeles.
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Hollywood is a loaded word with many meanings. There's Hollywood the district of Los Angeles, Hollywood the movie industry, some use Hollywood to describe all of Southern California, some use the word to describe someone who's become too "Hollywood." I'm not the first to say this.
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Otomisan has served home-style Japanese food in Boyle Heights for more than five decades.
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At the newly opened Grand Park in downtown L.A., City Hall's architectural majesty is akin to the Washington Monument. Plus two great summer reads involving gangsters and hair metal.
Recent Actions from Mike Sonksen
No recommendations yet.
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Music and poetry have been the ultimate mediums for expressing the wide range of human emotions since the dawn of man.
-
For African American History Month, L.A. Letters features two important books that expand, as well as question, the canon of 20th Century African-American Poetry.
-
This week L.A. Letters salutes the talented musicians that reflect the shifting range of California seasons.
-
It's been two decades since three friends came together while attending UCLA.
-
California, and Los Angeles specifically, has always been considered a laboratory of the future.
-
Huell Howser was an emissary for "The Gospel of Beauty" as preached by poet Vachel Lindsay.
-
Sing forevermore for the late piano prodigy from Venice.
-
The burgeoning tide of Los Angeles literature grows bigger every year.
-
Posted December to Remember: L.A.'s New Poet Laureate and 'Visions & Affiliations'
in Land of SunshineIf I've said it once, I've said it a million times -- there's a golden age of arts flourishing these days in L.A. -
Poets have always played the role of the voice of people since the dawn of man
