Los Angeles’ CLUB NOKIA and radio station 93.5 KDAY has announced a Saturday, December 26 “KDAY Nutcracker” performance by SALT-N-PEPA with special guests RODNEY-O, DOMINO and CANDYMAN. Tickets are on sale now.
Salt-N-Pepa were the first all-female rap crew, emerging in the late 1980s with “Show Stopper,” an answer to Dougie Fresh’s smash hit, “The Show.” They weren’t just the first, Salt-N-Pepa were pioneers who showed the industry that women were more than just window dressing or a gimmick. Cheryl James (Salt) and Sandy Denton (Pepa) established a standard with their string of hits, including “Push It,” “Shake Your Thang,” “Shoop,” “Whatta Man” and a social responsibility that paved the way for the likes of TLC, En Vogue, and others. Their first album, Hot, Cool & Vicious, had three hits, including “Push It,” which sold more than a million copies and became the first rap song to be nominated for a Grammy. The group has sold over 15 million albums and singles worldwide. Subsequent hits included “Shake Your Thang,” “Expression,” “Let’s Talk About Sex,” ‘Shoop,” “Whatta Man” and the Grammy-winning “None Of Your Business.” The group went their separate ways in 2002 but have recently teamed up for the VH-1 reality program “The Salt-N-Pepa Show.”
Club Nokia is a concert venue in the LA Live Nokia Plaza at 800 West Olympic Blvd. Suite A335, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Here’s an early Thanksgiving video featuring Tenacious D band member Jason Reed. The video’s a hip-hop music video spoof of the first Thanksgiving in 1621 called “The Sexy Pilgrim,”
Aw girl, it's the world's first Thanksgiving R&B jam. You're welcome.
Performance by Moorpark College Music and Dance of The Melodies Before Me by Sean Arenas
Melodies Before Me photos by Sean Arenas
The Moorpark College Music and Dance Department performed the 2009 Dance Concert "Speaking Movement," directed by Beth Megill, November 19-22, 2009.
Showcasing works by faculty and student choreographers with featured guests the CSUCI Dance Ensemble, the production performed for an audience of friends and fans alike.
This number, "The Melodies Before Me," features choreography by the show's director, Beth Megill.
Melodies Before Me photos by Sean Arenas
From the show's program, we see these notes:
This piece is dedicated to three fantastic women who worked together to build the foundation for the Moorpark Dance Program we know now. Without them, we would not be here in this theater sharing our art and vision with you tonight. So in celebration of the Year or Service, I dedicate, this piece to the service of Margaret Hyun, Rene Baum, and Stella Matsuda. Thank you for paving the way. I am honored to continue the melody you have played before me.
Lighting Design: Lauren Cardenas
Music: Chopin's Prelude in E Minor, Chopin's Prelude in A Major, Salve Regina, Justorum
Pianist: Talin Ohannessian
Melodies Before Me photos by Sean Arenas
Moorpark College Vocal Ensemble Directed by Vail Keck
Poems and Spoken Words written by the student performers
Dancers: Christina Abbatellio, Kelsey Alexander, Gina Chirichella, Brynn Cook, Sierra Cook, Geneva De Palma, Alexandra Eldridge, Luis Estrada, Angela Garcia, Helen Gutierrez, Stephen Guyette, Andrew Hernandez, Heather Johnson, Tray Kennedy, Kelsey Kleinman, Evangelina Lopez, Elisse Mendez, Kathryn Mix, Talin Ohannessian, Michael James Peterson, Kristine Purcell, Nicolas Angel Reid, Korinne Wilkening
All photos and video by Sean Arenas. Sean Arenas is the band photographer for Arenas Promotions.
DJ Quik performed at Club Nokia on November 19, 2009.
DJ Quik and Nipsey Hussle opened for Snoop Dogg, playing to a packed club.
With his smooth style and a full house, Quik and his crew lit the stage in more ways than one. Energy flowed across the stage while Quik sang with his unique box style, rolling his mix of funk and soul.
All photos and video by Sean Arenas. Sean Arenas is the band photographer for Arenas Promotions. Club Nokia is a concert venue in the LA Live Nokia Plaza at 800 West Olympic Blvd. Suite A335, Los Angeles, CA 90015
All photos and video by Sean Arenas. Sean Arenas is the band photographer for Arenas Promotions. Club Nokia is a concert venue in the LA Live Nokia Plaza at 800 West Olympic Blvd. Suite A335, Los Angeles, CA 90015
All photos and video by Sean Arenas. Sean Arenas is the band photographer for Arenas Promotions. Club Nokia is a concert venue in the LA Live Nokia Plaza at 800 West Olympic Blvd. Suite A335, Los Angeles, CA 90015
They Might Be Giants, the geek rock band from Brooklyn, New York, brought a full crowd to Royce Hall on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California.
John and John (John Flansburgh and John Linnell) led TMBG through the entirety of their 1990 hit album Flood (mostly in order) and a selection of music from their other albums.
The entire audience seemed to know all of the lyrics, and sang and danced to every song.
They Might Be Giants performed with enthusiasm and energy; the bassist bounced around, the drummer gave focused facial expressions while playing frantically, and the Johns poured forth their knowledge and proved that they truly are scientist rockers.
All photos and video by Sean Arenas. Sean Arenas is the band photographer for Arenas Promotions.
Royce Hall can be found on the UCLA campus: 340 Royce Drive, PO Box 951529, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (310) 825-4401
Kenny Aronoff shares pearls of rock 'n' roll wisdom at Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp on November 13, 2009.
This article contains a video of Kenny Aronoff jamming with Rudy Sarzo, Howard Leese, and Sandy Gennaro, two videos of questions and answers and instruction from Kenny Aronoff, and a photo slideshow of Kenny working with bands at Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp.
Article by Diana Diaz. Photos and videos by Sean Arenas.
Kenny Aronoff has the aura of a 25-year-old. The drummer's well-defined biceps, slender build, and seemingly boundless energy belie his years of experience playing for John Mellencamp, Jon Bon Jovi, John Fogerty, and many others. His affable personality makes for a pleasant afternoon of observation at Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp or RRFC.
Kenny Aronoff is a busy man: most rock legends might want to relax for an afternoon before a gig later in the evening; not Aronoff.
He visited rooms with RRFC “rock star” campers to coach them as they prepare for a showcase only a few days away. Each room has a band that has been working with a camp counselor to learn covers, write original songs, and come up with a name for their group.
Kenny Aronoff, Howard Leese photo by Sean Arenas
At the Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp, one can find camp counselors who work as music producers like Ron Nevison or engineers like Eddie Kramer. They have worked with rock 'n' roll greats like Bad Company, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Ozzy Osbourne, Heart, and the Doors.
Aronoff listens intently to each band before he gives glorious pearls of wisdom from his big heart and years of experience. He sits behind the drum kit and shows the groups how to lead a band by drumming. A moment of listening reveals an obvious difference between a working professional as opposed to people who have a dream to fulfill, dreamers come to RRFC to learn from industry veterans. Aronoff very obviously enjoys helping them.
When asked, he said, “I love teaching. I was a music professor. I used to teach at IU - Indiana University. Every year they do a really big opera and I would be in the pit.” A rock star who is also a bona fide musician stands out from the crowd. Did those students even appreciate whom they had?
Kenny Aronoff photos by Sean Arenas
The camp founder, David Fishof, beaming like a proud father, also visits each room. He listens intently to what the bands have produced thus far. Counselor David Nevinson warns his band not to play or sing full out, but to conserve their energy for the next few days until the concert at Whiskey A Go-Go. Over a catered lunch, the bands all announce what name they have chosen and the songs they will perform at the concert.
In addition to coaching each of the bands, Aronoff fitted in a question and answer session where he talked about how he keeps up with all of his engagements. He said he transcribes all of the songs with all of the different groups he works with so that he does not forget anything.
Aronoff finds it easy, with today's digital technology, to record music and send it without traveling. He can lay down a drum track and post it to his website with "key" that a band can use to open it and listen to his work - once they have paid their fee, of course. This comment elicits a chuckle from the audience.
Kenny Aronoff photos by Sean Arenas
He regaled the campers with stories about working with AC/DC and that they were more specific about what they wanted than most of the bands he has worked with. He talked more about how he leads from the drums - these valuable secrets from his many years of experience helped to educate all of the camp members.
Aronoff played and sang examples of how sometimes Jon Fogerty will start a song in a tempo, and that Kenny must decide how best to support him - whether by adjusting the tempo, or going with Fogerty's original lead. He also talked about how the drums work as a unit with the bass.
Once Aronoff left for his gig that evening, the bands went back to jamming and master classes. Campers dream about the rock legends who might come to visit the camp and don't know the meaning of the word stop unless it follows never - Meatloaf, Ace Frehley of Kiss, and Robby Krieger of the Doors, just to name a few.
Kenny Aronoff photos by Sean Arenas
Campers will remember the wonderful afternoon Question and Answer session they had with Kenny Aronoff. They will wonder at how Kenny Aronoff, Sandy Gennaro, Rudy Sarzo, and Howard Leese could just jam together and make it almost magically sound good. Music is a language, and these masters are all fluent in many dialects. Not only do we find them masters at music, but also an infectious spirit of generosity. The professionals there want to share what they know.
After this busy Friday session, campers have an action packed weekend. Saturday they record at Capitol Records. Sunday they play a showcase at the legendary Whiskey A Go-Go on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood where many music legends have graced the stage. They will leave the event still talking about the great time they had gigging and recording with their band mates. They will have DVDs to show their friends and family and a CD to enjoy. This is the stuff of dreams and Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp.
Kenny Aronoff question and answer 1 of 2
Kenny Aronoff question and answer 2 of 2
Kenny Aronoff, Rudy Sarzo, Howard Leese, Sandy Gennaro jam
Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy Camp returns to Los Angeles February 23-28, 2010. London/Abbey Road Camp May 25-30 2010. All levels of musicians are welcome. For more information visit www.RockCamp.com
Article by Diana Diaz. Photos and videos by Sean Arenas.
All photos and video by Sean Arenas. Sean Arenas is the band photographer for Arenas Promotions.
