Webbed Feet, Web Log

Cambodian New Year in Long Beach

Apr 24th, 2009 by Jinja

Here in the States, the party rolls on:

[From What's On] Tag: cambodian,khmer,new year,Long Beach

Posted in current events, dance, hip hop, music, news | No Comments »

‘Education’ – Train Art – Long Beach

Apr 22nd, 2009 by Jinja

A new series for the next few editions of Photo Wednesday:

Train signs in Spanish, English, Khmer in Long Beach.

Posted in lbctrainart, Photo Wednesday, photography, retroblogging, signs, visual art | No Comments »

I’m with the band: Smot Music in Long Beach

Apr 18th, 2009 by Jinja

After an intro by Prumsodun Ouk, Trent Walker walked us through a smot performance this evening, at the performance/rehearsal space of Khmer Arts Academy, just off of Anaheim Street (Long Beach California).

Trent quite obviously has a great affection for this music, and as one of the few foreigners to study and perform it, has a very unique niche straddling two worlds. http://ttwalker.blogspot.com/

Smot is a little scary to some people: it’s generally seen as funeral music, but it’s also considered theraputic for people in need of physical and spiritual healing. The words are taken directly from Buddhist scripture, and sung in Khmer. Some of the attendees were quite moved – you just don’t get a lot of live Smot in the States. I was really happy to see Khmer Arts Academy put this presentation together.

Trent took this one step further and sang an English song about his teacher (Prum Ut of Cambodian Living Arts), who is having some health problems. This was moving and intriguing – it shows Smot is a vernacular form and capable of ‘daily life’ relevance. I’ve urged Trent to record an MP3 of the song, if he webs it up I’ll pass on the link.

Khmer Hip Hop mogul Prach Ly made a guest appearance, appreciating the music for a spell, then ducking out to prepare for a mic check – not before leaving me a copy of his latest CD. A great day for music. Trent and a few of the local art contingent headed out to Denise Scott’s place for food and catching up.

Tags: cambodian,dance,khmer,smot

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Smot: Khmer Arts Academy, Long Beach

Apr 16th, 2009 by Jinja

KHMER ARTS SALON SERIES EVENTS

April 18: Khmer Mourning Music — Smot: Songs of Healing

All show times: 7 p.m.

Where: Khmer Arts Academy 1364 Obispo Ave., Long Beach

Admission: Free

Information: 562-472-0090

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Music past and present this Saturday: Smot scholar Trent Walker will be at the show – and apparently a show by Prach Ly is later the same night ! More info as it rolls in.

From 'What's On': Tags: cambodian,dance,khmer,smot

Posted in current events, dance, news | No Comments »

New Year, New Art: ‘ Transformation II ‘ in Long Beach

Apr 15th, 2009 by Jinja



The opening of Transformation II (April 11) was a fun and fascinating assemblage of pictures, publications and people in Long Beach. For now, some photos. (Click on any image for artist / show info.) Stay tuned for the upcoming publications presentation, and more general details.



‘Twilight of the Idols’- Aragna Ker	‘Reclaiming Khmer’ – Amy L. Sanford


Sopheak Chuop	Uprooted’ 1 & 2 - Linda Saphan


‘Golden Tree’ – Gina Han	’Melting Motion’ – Lorn Loem



“Skull” – Aragna Ker	‘Adrift’ – Installation, 2009 Denise Scott



‘Pithi Bon Kru’ – observance before performance	Dance performance – Prumsodun Ouk


Opening night crowd	Photo wonk Stephane Janin snaps away