Azteca Theater

Fresno Chinatown's Underground Tunnels

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:18:00 +0000

Fresno Chinatown's Underground Tunnels:
A maze and sometimes amazing

By David Owens

Every big city has an active underground network and Fresno is no exception.   Over the past 20 years that I've wandered around Chinatown I have met and talked to a number of older residents who grew up in Chinatown Their observations are the source for much of this report. As a child I explored the mythic Chinese tunnels in Boise, Idaho and later visited older cities of the West and learned a little about the underground architecture and networks created as cities develop.

Fresno's urban legends about underground criminals, brothels, opium dens and stories of ghosts wandering underground persist, especially among new comers to the area. Old timers just laugh. Usually it was not so exciting. But the truth is fascinating and there is a lot of history underneath our feet. Just about every good or bad vice you can imagine has happened at least once in Fresno's underground. Each basement and passage had a purpose, and after 135 years most are long forgotten.

The first Chinese who came to the Fresno area came looking for Gold Mountain, mining the rivers and dry creeks for loose gold to take home to China. They came before the railroads and they had settlements along the "sinks of Dry Creek" when the railroad came through and named a new stop "Fresno."

As the gold dreams played out, Chinese workers came to work on railroads and created other businesses such as laundries, saloons, stores and a small community grew. In Fresno the community was on the West Side, the area west of the Southern Pacific railroad tracks. The first buildings were made of wood. It was customary to dig cellars and basements to store things and to escape the dry heat of Fresno. Outside steps to them were built. Sometimes passageways were dug between them in the hard-pan dirt of Fresno to afford easy access to the neighbors. Sometimes a business expanded and wanted easy passage, and sometimes they were built for a quick escape from assailants.

The Chinese were not embraced as citizens when they first arrived and there are many recorded instances of abusive treatment and false accusations. The ability to duck into a basement and come out in the alley was a matter of survival.

Fresno's Chinatown before World War II sported the most vibrant nightlife in Fresno. If you wanted a night out on the town, a drink, a meal, a gamble, a dance or to meet a girl, you went to Chinatown. Restaurants operated 24 hours a day, as did the gambling houses. China Alley, behind modern day Central Fish, was particularly active. There was a business doorway every 12 feet and often more businesses behind or below them. Numbers and lottery games were available at many establishments. This lasted until the late 1950s as "anti-suspender laws" and the redevelopment of the 1960s took hold and displaced long-time residents and businesses.

One of the persistent notions in Chinatown during its boom was that if someone was murdered in Chinatown, there would be no investigation. What happened in Chinatown stayed in Chinatown. The mayor, city councilors, policemen and respectable business people could enjoy a little vice before going home on the other side of the tracks. Respectable North Fresno came to Chinatown to play on the West Side.

And yes, anything could and probably did happen underground and out of sight. Competing Tongs, Chinese labor organizations, often fought over work for their members and underground access points became ways to escape. Tong antagonisms existed in China and overflowed into the new communities. There are several newspaper reports about Tong conflicts in the 1920s in Chinatown, but even the newspaper reported very little on the activities of Chinatown.

Wood buildings of the 1800s slowly gave way to permanent brick buildings. The first water works in Fresno was in Chinatown and business flourished.   Many existing brick buildings were built 1905-1920. Records of the previous wood buildings is sketchy. Even more so for tents. Most burned or fell down.
Brick buildings needed concrete foundations. The wood buildings had none. Concrete was poured, window wells formed, concrete steps replaced wooden steps. Wooden cellar hatches and sidewalks were replaced with concrete and rectangles of glass (Sodium glass that turned purple in the sun) were embedded in the concrete over the stairways to let sunlight into the basements. Over the years it was cheaper to throw out the purple glass in favor of cheap concrete and the old steps and window sills were hidden. Electric lights replaced the advantage of filtered sunlight in the basements.

Every 20-30 years the City of Fresno would have to dig up sidewalks and pour new concrete. Old window sills often became sink holes in the sidewalks. The sills were bricked over in the basements and they were gone for good. The same for many stairwells. Some basements were even floored over as air conditioners replaced the need to hide from the heat.

The first building to get centralized air conditioning in the Fresno area was the Peacock Department Store on F Street. It still exists behind the old shoe shine shop of the owner has not hauled it away.   Amazingly, I was able to put it into service fora while in the 1990s. It used a coil of cool water as part of the engineering and it actually wasted quite a bit of water.

What is left to see on the sidewalks are service elevators or access points, usually metal hatches in the sidewalk locked from underneath.. They can be opened to lower supplies into the basement. One of the basement freight elevators under the sidewalk may still be in place in front of the former Komoto's Dept. Store.

Some of the basements were filled with dirt and rocks encapsulating stairwells and connecting passages only to be discovered decades later during excavations. The city of Fresno put in storm sewers and underground Fresno was laced with tunnels and pipes for various utilities. Drawings don't exist for the earliest water works created in Fresno's Chinatown, which adds to the surprises each time an area is excavated. Roads have been moved, widened, buildings have come and gone. All leaving traces below the surface.

Many of the older basements were constructed with red bricks and after 50 years or so the mortar started to sugar. The buildings would actually start to sink. Some tried to pour concrete on the inside to shore them up, but the better solution was to fill in the basement. As you walk around Chinatown you can look for buildings that may have sunk, indicating that they once had dirt or brick-lined basements.

Old architectural drawings of the Security bank Building show a rather large tunnel all the way under the railroad tracks to Chinatown. Water, sewage and storm sewers have all bisected and altered the underground scene.

Some local businesses needed underground access for very practical reasons.. The Del Monte Packing House dug a diagonal tunnel South across G Street so they could run a conveyor belt for their operation underground rather than cart products above ground.

What is left to discover today is mostly remnants of unused basements with a few passages, sealed window sills, sealed stairways that look like passages. And always the mysterious promise that maybe one of those sealed foundations covers one of the mysterious passages to an old gambling den or the escape route for the notorious characters of Chinatown.

Video: For the past few years there has been a resurgence of talk of the mysterious tunnels and efforts have been made to find the signs of the life underground of the past. This video some of the buildings in Chinatown and sheds some light on the walled up stairs, passages and window sills. The commentary is a bit exaggerated from my perspective, but fun to let the imagination run a bit.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cAZCYBe-UI

USA Today had a pretty good article:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-10-14-fresno-tunnels_N.htm

For a collection of articles and posts about Freno's Chinatown, see the Chinatown Fresno group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chinatownfresno/

David Owens loves old buildings and once owned the D'Italia Hotel, The Oberti building, and The Peacock building in Fresno's Chinatown. He now haunts the Azteca Theater and spends too much time along Fagan and China Alleys. He is always looking for oral stories from Chinatown and especially the Azteca Theater.

Lively scene at the Azteca Theater

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 11:41:00 +0000

Weekend Nights at the Azteca Theater

Azteca Theater, 1:30 a.m., September, 2011

By David Owens

Every weekend finds an atmosphere of festivity at the Azteca Theater. Friday and Saturday nights remind one of the vibrant life at the Azteca in the 1950's. The whole country was exuberant, fresh from the ending of WWII, and exploding with activity. Chinatown was buzzing 24-hours a day.

Now, from sundown until 2 a.m., that atmosphere continues for a few festive weekend nights.

Next door the La Fiesta draws a crowd with live Spanish-language music and cold beers. Under new management for about a year, there is a different atmosphere around the club. Out on the street are a mixture of people out for the night.

Fresh hot tacos! They keep the crowd gathered and satiated. Two women are busy serving up taco plates to order. People gather, talking, eating, waiting for friends. Some a waiting in hopes to meet there friends, some are hoping to make new friends. Taxis constantly come and go, dropping fresh patrons, picking up a few spent ones. By car, bicycle and on foot, it is a fluid mix of people out on the town.

Along with the animated crowds, festive sounds fill the air. Sub-sonic bass lines from the live band at La Fiesta underscore the K-Jewel Radio Classics from the Azteca ticket booth followed by a quadrasonic Latin beat when you reach over for your taco and hear the Spanish music from the taco trailer.

It's been a long time since Chinatown had this much buzz in the air. Walk a block and see the crowd outside Chris's Meats serving up famous burritos, or the other direction to the Full Circle Brewery. A better vibe in Chinatown. Finally!

Azteca Theater as a photographer's model

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 20:26:00 +0000

By David Owens

It always fascinates me when I do a google image search on Azteca Theater and see how many different people have made images of the Azteca Theater and it's decorations.

Here are a couple from Thomas Hawk, http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/

Here is Ticket taker Maria in her Tower District Mardi Gras beads and Chinese hat. Nice treatment.

And the very visible tower ... with some texture offered by pigeons.

The phone still works, by the way.

See what else Thomas is turning his lens to!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomashawk/

Chinatown Temple for sale

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Tue, 24 May 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Fresno Buddhist Betsuin Temple - For sale or lease

Fresno Buddhist Temple

By David Owens

There are a few landmark buildings that define the character of Fresno's Chinatown: the Bow On and Bing Kong , the Azteca Theater, The Basque Hotel, Di'Italia Hotel, Mexican Baptist Church, and most notably, The Fresno Buddhist Betsuin Temple. It is definitely the most beautiful.

Since 1901 it has been the Buddhist center in the San Joaquin Valley. The outdoor Obon Festival, was the largest outdoor event in downtown Fresno with 3,000 to 5,000 people participatiing.
The last Obon was held there in 2009.

Now, for more than a month, the 11,000 sq ft building is listed for sale with Colliers. The Buddhist temple altar is still upstairs, but most likely will be removed and the building re purposed for offices.
http://www.colliers.com

The Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple

1340 Kern Street
Fresno, CA 93706-3320
(559) 442-4054

Why? the members of the church have moved North and East and find a Clovis venue more in line with their needs for the foreseeable future. Sale of the building will help pay for the temple in the new facility.

The Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple belongs to the Jodo Shinshu (Pure Land) denomination of Buddhism.

Founded by Shinran Shonin (1173-1262), a Japanese priest who lived during the medieval Kamakura period of Japan. The title "Shonin" is give to honor a Japanese priest. His statue stands in the front garden of the temple.

For more than 100 years the Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple was the center for the Japanese Buddhism community in the Valley.

The last major Obon festival was held in Chinatown in 2009. Now it is held in North Clovis on Alluvial. It is not the same.

The Business Journal has a story about the building sale.

http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/real-estate/8649-chinatowns-buddhist-landmark-up-for-sale-

The Story of the Fresno Buddhist Temple, from their site

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fresno-Buddhist-Temple/116914008345303

"The history of the Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple begins with the first "Howakai", or religious gathering, held in mid-November of 1899. The Rev. Kakuryo Nishijima of the San Francisco Bukkyo Seinenkai conducted the service. Later, through the efforts of Dr. Katsugoro Haida of San Francisco, a Bukkyo Seinenkai was established in Fresno as a branch of the San Francisco Young Men's Buddhist Association. In January of 1900 it was officially recognized by the San Francisco headquarters and later went on to become the Fresno Hompa Hongwanji, the official title of the Fresno Betsuin Buddhist Temple.

Members gathered for their meetings at 825 "F" Street. The average age of the members then was only twenty-four years old. In January of 1901 the first resident minister, the Rev. Fukyo Asaeda, was assigned from the mother temple Hompa Hongwanji of Kyoto, Japan, ant the first service was held on January 27, 1901. Not long afterwards a three-story temple building was completed on April 8, 1902, it was dedicated. Fifteen years later in January of 1917 the name was changed and the Fresno Buddhist Church was born.

Unfortunately, in May of 1919, a fire destroyed the wooden building, leaving nothing but the adjacent dormitory standing. The members were disheartened but not defeated, soon gathered enough funds to replace the wooden structure with a concrete building. This building was dedicated in November of 1920. It is the same structure that is currently standing at the 1340 Kern Street site.

On November 4, 1936, the Fresno Buddhist Church was elevated to the status of "Betsuin" by the mother temple Hompa Hongwanji of Kyoto Japan. A "Betsuin" temple indicates direct branch status with the tmother temple and is a great honor. This new status confers the title of "Rimban" to the head minister, who is said to serve as the representative of the "Abbot", or Monshu who is the religious head of the the denomination. The Rev. Enryo Shigefuji was the first minister to be granted the title of Rimban of Fresno Buddhist Temple."

Currently, Rev. Nobuo Miyaji is the Rimban. He is assisted by Rev. Hidetaka Yoshii. The membership consists of over 1,400 people stretching around the San Joaquin Valley.

http://www.fresnobuddhisttemple.org/

Currently the group meets in North Clovis.at the

Fresno Buddhist Temple Dharma Center, 2720 E. Alluvial, Clovis 93611 Dharma Center.

The First Obon Festival in the new Clovis center was held in 2010 and you can visit their Facebook page to see pictures.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fresno-Buddhist-Temple/116914008345303

Obon Festival 2010 held in North Fresno.

It is sad when it is easier to raise money for Japanese tsunami victims than to preserve the Japanese Buddhist Temple in our own city.

A nice photo essay from The Fresno Bee:
http://www.fresnobee.com/2011/03/04/2296793/historic-buddhist-temple-for-sale.html

Talented Van Ness Village

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 03:51:00 +0000

Since 1920, The Van Ness Village has been a pocket of creativity in Fresno's Tower District. Founded as a commercial district between Home and Floradora Streets to service the State University, it is one of the oldest commercial districts.
I haven't met everyone around The Village, but everyone I've met seems to be a creative talent. Here are just a few of the talents carrying The Village forward.

David Hull - Deha Music - Mozart a la bass guitar - 700,000 views ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sptkTmF8Jgk

Patrick Contreras - Purple Haze

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzAMVM8wDmM

Contreras - Nare - Cotillion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDKHTdjenMY

Nare - Contreras - Amor Distante

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B72zax6ezTc

Omare Nare - El Rey

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ryDfxSUeRg

KP - Acting Coach - KP Actors Gym - developing talents

http://www.youtube.com/user/KpActorsGym

Joe Osejo - Photographer - Warning Signs-
http://josejo.tumblr.com/

City Arts Gallery - Joe Osejo

http://joeosejo.blogspot.com/

Brandey Steiner - director -The Broken Leg Stage - The Godling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIdLBih3tcw

Jasmin La Caris - Dance Studio

Finding Hope Now - Worthy Fresno movie with some Van Ness talents

http://aztecatheater.blogspot.com/2011/03/finding-hope-now.html

David Hull - Deha Music - grooving with us

I hope to see more of the talents of Van Ness Village!

Please point out some more Van Ness Village creatives and if they have a photo or video, maybe I can add to the list!

- David Owens

Kitka and the Rogue World Ensemble in concert

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 19:03:00 +0000

Bringing worldly music to us - Kitka and the Rogue World Ensemble

By David Owens

One of the joys of traveling is the chance to hear music of all flavors from distant places. If it wasn't so expensive I'd travel all the time! I do have the good fortune to spend quite a bit of time in Russia and be exposed to all kinds of folk and regional music. Sometimes impromptu concerts as in the strains of voices rising from the subway from grandmothers singing songs from their childhood.

Or organized as on the "Day of Russian Birch Tree" to hear some traditional music from visiting folks from small villages. And the music is often accompanied with some moves or folk dances. The vocal tradition is rich in Russia and extends in influence all the way from Europe to China. Even the Orthodox Church only allows voices, no instruments to interrupt the voice of true faith. A concert in St. Issac's Cathedral is not to be forgotten. And Russian folk music is just the beginning.

Kitka

Fortunately, a few groups in the USA have traveled for us and brought a large selection of exotic from traditional and folk traditions from Eastern Europe for our enjoyment.
It is an ancient music that hearkens back to the earliest musical experiences that traveled our of Africa to Siberia and the whole of Europe and Asia.

It is an innate music very mother knows and is passed on for generations. I can't help but feeling very spiritual when listening to this music and feel a few waves of goosebumps as the emotion of expression makes itself known.

There is a special opportunity to hear two wonderful groups, Kitka, of international reputation and a fledgling group rapidly rising in stature, the Rogue World Ensemble. And even a voice workshop the next day to continue the experience.

Getting to this concert is a lot easier than traveling to Eastern Europe and wandering for days with ears wide open. They are bringing this spirit right to us!

More music videos from Kitka
http://www.youtube.com/kitka

“Kitka’s music: Beautiful, primal women's songs steeped in ancient traditions and inspiration that ring fresh like Spring air after a long Winter.” - David Owens

Kitka vocal arts ensemble

Kitka and their beautiful Eastern European vocal music

http://www.kitka.org

In their words, "Kitka is an American women's vocal arts ensemble inspired by traditional songs and vocal techniques from Eastern Europe. Dedicated to developing new audiences for music rooted in Balkan, Slavic, and Caucasian women's vocal traditions, Kitka also strives to expand the boundaries of folk song as a living and evolving expressive art form. "

Kitka's activities include an Oakland-based series of concerts and vocal workshops; regional, national, and international touring; programs in the schools; recording, publication, and broadcast projects; master artist residencies.

Kitka: Cradle Songs

Kitka has released eleven critically acclaimed recordings, nine on its own Diaphonica label.

Cradle Songs has been named "One of the Top Ten CDs of 2009" by NPR, and one of the "Most Memorable Internationally-Flavored CDs of 2009" by the Los Angeles Times.

The World of Eastern European Lullabies

Kitka’s Cradle Songs

The mother, the cradle, the voice, and the universe. Melodies born on dry slopes and in deep boreal forests to the joys and sorrows of families from villages in the Russian Far North to Armenia and Greece.

Rogue World Ensemble

http://www.rogueworldensemble.org

A fairly new group in the Rogue Valley, the Rogue World Ensemble is gaining a lot of fans as their repertoire grows. They have an infectious good spirit and a strong vocal harmony that would make them a great concert all by themselves.

Rusalka - Rogue World Ensemble

Rogue World Ensemble celebrates the folk singing traditions of cultures from throughout the globe. The unique vocal qualities and intricate harmonies of the world’s many diverse cultures conveys the complexity of the human heart as uniquely expressed through music.

"We believe that music is a universal language that transcends borders. Sharing the folk singing traditions of our world brings forth the potential for transformation, connection, and peace."

Rusalka is a women's vocal quartet related to the rogue World Ensemble that celebrates the musical traditions of Eastern Europe, Israel, Russia and its neighbors.

To have Kitka and the Rogue World Ensemble together is a real treat!

Kitka and Rogue World Ensemble

In Concert April 8, 2011 in Ashland, OR

Friday, April 8, 2011 • 8pm
Tickets: $20/advance, $22/door, $10/teens 12-17,
children under 12 are free with paying adult.
Unitarian Fellowship, 4th and C Streets, Ashland

Tickets
http://www.stclairevents.com/tickets_20110408.htm

Finding Hope Now

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 19:26:00 +0000

By David Owens

Finding Hope Now is a new movie creating quite a buzz. And it was filmed in Fresno!
The movie, from Skin Mead's screenplay, is based on Pastor Roger Minassian's book, "Gangs to Jobs" published in 2003.

It's a true story about how a local Pastor started a program to take gang kids off the streets of Fresno and prepare them for real jobs. It focuses on Santos, a 16-year-old kid torn between joining a gang to survive and support his pregnant 14-year-old girlfriend -- and joining Reverend Minassian's program to change his life.

Writer Skin Mead wrote the screenplay and is producer
for the movie directed by Jennifer Tadlock

Skin Mead's screenplay has already won a number of awards
Now the film is showing at film festivals and is sure to gain some notice.
Watch for wide distribution to come soon!

Movie Cast

Director:

Jennifer Tadlock

Writer:

Skin Mead (screenplay)

Featured Stars:

Avan Jogia, Christopher Maleki Tia Texada and

Michael Badalucco

More Finding Hope Now Staff and Cast on IMDB

The book

"Gangs to Jobs” tells how a program helped transform the auto theft capital of California into a 2000 All-America City.
Inspired to action by the 1992 Los Angeles riots, the Rev. Roger Minassian began a journey from middle class pulpit to “the other America.”

What the author discovered led to the founding of Hope Now For Youth, an award-winning solution to gang crime and violence that since 1993 has placed nearly 1,700 gang members into jobs at 400 businesses, with an amazing 85% success and only 8% recidivism.

Helping us conquer fear most people have of gang members, the author allows the us to understand the causes of negative gang behavior. Minassian is instructive as he integrates stories of successful ex-gang members with practical steps citizens can follow in their own communities.

This book offers hope and a practical method of gang intervention. the book finishes explaining how this highly successful program was started and how it can be implemented elsewhere.

http://www.hopenow.org/history/history.htm

The movie is getting a good buzz and is popping up all over. Look for a screening near your soon!

A few places to find out more:

Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljzXtLMo9PM

Skin Mead

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDhqKp6gJw4

The beginning of the project

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnlnery1iEk&feature=related

Belly Dancers on F Street, Fresno Chinatown

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 01:37:00 +0000

Rogue Festival in Full Swing

Rogue Festival Belly Dancers in Chinatown

Burlesque and belly dancers bring to life the Full Circle Brewing Company on F Street near the Azteca Theater in Fresno's Chinatown. Ninety-seven performances during the 10-day festivities which includes Art Hop and Mardi Gras.

The Full Circle Brewing Company is a great venue for live acts, almost like a Rogue Festival Year-round. Belly dancers and musicians make regular appearances on F Street.

http://bit.ly/f3wKKa

- David Owens

Twitter for Saxophone lovers

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 23:02:00 +0000

No Twitter for Bill Clinton on the Sax,
maybe he is following these guys ...!

Saxophones that Tweet

Fans of Saxophone music and sax players alike can keep up to the minute with their favorites on Twitter:

JustKoz, : David Koz
David Binney: Modern straight-ahead alto David Binney
ericdarius: Funky Eric Darius
jaleelshaw: Contemporary straight -- Jaleel Shaw
kirkwhalum: Kirk Whalum
myronwalden: Innovator Myron Walden
kennethwhalum: Soulful Kenneth Whalum
GAAlbright: Smooth Gerald Albright
RonBlakeMusic: Modern jazz man Ron Blake
SonnyRollins: Sonny Rollins
JoeLovano: Jazz sax Joe Lovano

Twitter makes it easy to feel the crush of musical talent and get inspired.

Anyone have some more Tweeters to suggest for inspiration?

-David Owens

Azteca Theater Trailer - Infernal Vampires & Mummy

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 22:01:00 +0000

Azteca Theater Trailer

King of the Infernal Vampires and

The Mummy With Three Bad Faces

Two features in one!

Teatro Azteca trailer -
EL REY DE LOS VAMPIROS INFERNALES
(King of the Infernal Vampires) and
TRIANGULO LA MOMIA CON

TRES CARAS DE MAL

(Triangulus The Mummy With Three Bad Faces).

Retro Mexican horror film trailer by Michael S. Deak

- David Owens

The Menza Credenza and Ghost Pedals

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 00:19:00 +0000

Ghost Phantom

Peeler and Ramsey

The Galloping Ghost

By David Owens

Back when I was supporting myself as a starving artist and university student I worked for a company called Ghost Pedal Company. It was owned by Bob Ramsey in Springfield, Oregon. I got on my 10-speed and fast-pedaled from Eugene down the busy Franklin Boulevard to the facility. I got to roll springs and machine metal parts and assemble metal bass drum pedals.

Not just any pedals, but the fastest bass pedals in the world. They were invented by Bob Ramsey back in WWII when he served on the USS Enterprise, "The Gallopin' Ghost of Oahu," thus the future name of his drum pedal. Bob played drums and there was not a fast-acting bass pedal to his liking on the market. Most pedals were not smooth inaction and were constantly breaking. He figured out an opposing-spring movement and sturdy construction and patented it after the war. Ghost was a small company with less than a dozen people including Bob and his wife.

USS Enterprise, The Galloping Ghost

Word spread from drummer to drummer about the fast smooth Ghost pedal. Jazz drummers such as Buddy Rich and Louie Bellson got on board. When they toured near the area they would stop by and try out pedals and take a few away. Bob enjoyed meeting these extraordinary drummers.. Their autographed pictures and letters were on the office wall.

Bob figured out how to mount two beaters on his pedal. that meant a drummer could play two beats with one tap of the foot. A fast drum roll on the bass drum was now possible.
That got the rock drummers excited. Some wanted four beaters on their pedals and played two pedals, one for each foot. The driving roar of thunder blasted from the bass drums equipped with Bob Ramsey's Ghost Drum Pedal.

Ludwig Ghost

It was a privilege to know Bob and his niche in the musical world. Apparently Ludwig of Chicago was jealous of the smooth action and reputation of Bob's pedals and they introduced their own Speed King pedal with smaller opposing springs. Bob had to go to court to defend his patent against the industry gorillas. In the end Ludwig decided to buy out Bob and his patents and he retired. Roy Peeler, the plant manager moved to Chicago with the tools and I never worked on a Ghost Pedal again.

There was quite an art to torching spring steel and rolling springs on a lathe. I like to think the Ghosts I worked on in the 70's were the best ever made. Steel, zinc and aluminum. The key to a quiet smooth action was a well-formed spring.

The Ludwig Ghost was an iconic bass drum pedal manufactured by the Ludwig company from 1975 to 1981 based on the design by Bob Ramsey from1942. The Ghost has become a much-sought-after pedal. They are still in use today and there is even an online Ghost Pedal museum by Billy Rhythm at http://www.billyrhythm.com/drums/ghost/index.html

It's funny how things get connected in life. I was lead to Ghost Drum Pedals by interest in Buddy Rich, and that was driven by an interest in Don Menza, and that was driven by interest in jazz and horns ...

This story was begun to spread some admiration for Don Menza and especially his work with Buddy Rich. I have digressed to tell about a forgotten chapter in drummer history -- without regret!

Don Menza 2010

Menza Credenza!

How about Don Menza? He is quite an amazing jazz player. The first time I heard the Channel One Suite I was in high school. Jazz greats were experimenting with many different rhythms and time signatures. 5 beats, 7 beats alternating 3/4 beats .. I listened as Walt Wilson, the high school jazz band instructor, told us we would learn this tune and take it on tour to Canada! That was scary and exciting at the same time. I studied with "Dr. John" Metcaf and Steve Wolf, two sax talents woodshedding with Gene Aitken's Lab Bands at LCC, the best jazz bands in the region. That was cool!

One of the my fondest musical memories.was emulating the amazing Saxophone player Don Menza. His credenza on Channel One Suite with the Buddy Rich Band is on of the great moments in contemporary saxophone jazz and the peice was wildly popular among jazz educators. It is fondly called "The Menza Credenza" by sax players. The long driving drum solos of Buddy Rich are legendary.

There is nothing like having the band simmer down and open up the musical stage for your entrance... spine tingling and inspirational. Do or die, you are alive and it is your moment. We had a feedback-prone Shure PA sytem and it blasted my notes in auditoriums up and down the coast. In my memory -- somewhat romanticized over time -- we were good, very good, and I held my own with my version of the Menza Credenza. I have never heard a recording to temper or expand those memories, though I am sure one exists somewhere. Jazz is meant to be live and in the moment, then it is gone, but a field of notes and staccato drifting by. A memory riding on a breeze and though our soul. Mmm. Allow me my sweet memories.

What do you think? Listen to the Channel One Suite from Buddy Rich's 1968 album, "Mercy, Mercy!" There are many creative musical innovations in those years and their work remains inspirational.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK_xMCsYtBI

Nice! Don't you love how Jazz players don't watch the clock and they play as long as they have something to say and stop when they are finished! No two-minute commercial radio tunes here!

I believe this is the recording with Paul Keen on the Bass Trombone playing a soli ... those low "blats" are a treat to hear. Paul is a fine musician now teaching low brass in Michigan. Paul was also a musical director for Disney on Ice and later we worked together launching the Fresno Bee online, of all places!

Life does move in undulating waves and circles. I love it!

If you'd like to see what these guys looked like, here is another version in three parts from the Berlin Jazz Festival in 1984.
Buddy does some incredible drum work. Can you see a Ghost Drum Pedal?

Buddy Rich Channel One Suite part 1
Berlin Jazz Festival 1984

Buddy Rich Channel One Suite part 2
Berlin Jazz Festival 1984

Buddy Rich Channel One Suite part 3
Berlin Jazz Festival 1984

Keep those old Jazz vinyls! They keep going up in value!

Lost Zombies Movie Social Network

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 23:39:00 +0000

Making a Zombie movie the social way ...

By David Owens

Lost Zombies is a zombie theme social network whose goal is to create a community generated zombie movie. Zombies working together for the common ungood!

Though the Zombies were evicted at the Azteca Theater they have been heard about town!

Members of Lost Zombies, have their own profile page, can submit photos and videos, as well as take part in chat discussions, and submit content to be used in the movie. Ooooh!

What kind of zombies do you believe in?

Call the Lost Zombies hotline!

Help write and photograph the movie ...
Everyone calls me Johnny so I will just go by that. I am an 18 year old kid from rural Michigan who just recently moved to Ireland. Unfortunately, after living in Dublin for 2 weeks all hell breaks loose. Mr. McCormic, a former IRA member, made teings interesting. Plus his small arsenal of shotguns, rifles, pistols, and pipe bombs means we can hold the inn for quite some time.
Right now there are seven of us in the inn.
There is myself, Mr.McKormik, His grandson Isaac who is 6'4 and full of muscle, Ms. Delaney, she is a year older than me but isn't handling this whole situation very well.

And, well, if we don't do something soon we'll perish.
They are out there... Moaning, foraging and looking for fresher meat...
Zombies!

http://www.lostzombies.com/

The best show we couldn't see: The Lunar Eclipse

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:24:00 +0000

Like much of California, December 21, 2010 found us under cloudy skies. A rare lunar eclipse eluded us, even from the roof.
Fortunately William Castleman in Florida captured it and gives us
The Best view of the December 21 Lunar Eclipse 2010!

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse 2010 from William Castleman.
Time lapse video of Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse on December 21, 2010 from 1:10 AM EST (6:10 GMT) to 5:03 AM EST (10:03 GMT) from Gainesville Florida. The music is Claude Debussy’s Nocturnes: Sirènes.

Photographs were taken every 20 seconds with a dslr camera Photos were assembled in Quicktime Pro software to make the time lapse video and stabilized in After Effects CS5.

- David Owens

Jingle Bell Rocking from the Azteca Theater

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 21:39:00 +0000

Happy Holidays from
the Azteca Theater!

Jingle Rock Sax by David Owens.

Soprano Saxophone rocks popular holiday tune, Jingle Bell Rock. Enjoy Winter holiday scenes from Russia for a warm California to enjoy!

Happy Holidays from David's Jingle Rockin' Sax from the Azteca Theater! Unfortunately, the performance was a private party, but you can enjoy the video!

http://vimeo.com/17801487

-David Owens

La Momia Azteca: Mummy Movies for Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 19:36:00 +0000

The Azteca Mummy Popoca!

By David Owens

For fans of classic horror movies, the "La Momia Azteca" series deliver that good old, "I-want-to-be-scared-bu-its-just-so-goofy!" Halloween fun.

La Momia Azteca

The Mexican cinema of the 1950s discovered monsters, mad scientists, space ships, robots and shapely space-women. Masked, “lucha libre” wrestlers became the heroes of working class entertainment.
Multiple cult heroes were often thrown together in a campy romp as funny as it was titillating.

And none more exciting than the Azteca Mummy trilogy!
All released in 1957-8! How could Director Rafael Portillo create all this excitement in just over a year? You have to watch to believe it!

The Azteca Mummy

The original!

LA MOMIA AZTECA
The Azteca Mummy! or Attack of the Azteca Mummy
Director; Rafael Portillo
México, 1957

Dr. Almada attempts to prove his theory that people can be regressed to past lives by hypnotizing his lover Flor. Only to find out that in a previous life Flor was the Aztec maiden Xochitl, who was killed and entombed for having an affair with the warrior Popoca!
Her lover Popoca was mummified -- but cursed to remain alive-- and guard the treasure.

With her newly understood memories, Flor is able to lead Almada, his wimpish assistant Pincate, and her father to the now-skeletal remains of the maiden.

But, oh no! To their horror, the party is intercepted by the mummified warrior, Popoca, and flee with the breastplate back to Mexico city. Popoca follows.

Meanwhile, the unscrupulous Professor Krupp recruits a gang of thugs, whom he leads from behind a mask and known only as "The Bat". Both Krupp and his gang, and the mummy, converge on Flor's house to retrieve the sacred breastplate, which is in her possession...

Video of the Azteca Mummy - La Momia Azteca. Click through to YouTube to see more scenes! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ubI9LTfJVg

Dr. Krupp -- The Bat

2nd in the series!

Curse of the Azteca Mummy

LA MALDICION DE LA MOMIA AZTECA
The Curse of the Azteca Mummy!
Director; Rafael Portillo
Mexico, 1957

The evil Dr. Krupp, once again tries to get possession of the Aztec princess Xochitl's jewels, and hypnotizes her current reincarnation, Flor, to get her to reveal the jewels' location - Xochitl's tomb!
Confusion reigns as Krupp and his thugs are opposed by Flor's lover, Dr. Almada, his assistant, and wrestling superhero, El Angel. Krupp finally meets his match, however, when he comes up against Popoca, the warrior mummy who guards Xochitl's tomb

The Robot Humano!

3rd in the La Momia Azteca Trilogy!

Azteca Mummy and Human Robot!

La Momia Azteca Contra el Roboto Humano
¡The Aztec Mummy vs. The Human Robot!
Mexico, 1958 USA, 1959

Invaders from Mars meet the Aztecan Mummy for sure-fire encounters.
Producer: Guillermo Calderón
Director: Rafael Portillo
Cast: Ramón Gay, Rosa Arenas, Ángel di Stefani, Crox Alvarado, Luis Aceves Castañeda

Flor is really an Azteca Princess!

Sinister Dr. Krupp desires the ancient treasure guarded for centuries by the dreaded Aztec mummy Popoca. Dr. Almada, a modern Mexican scientist, tells his incredulous colleagues about Dr. Krupp’s earlier attempts to hypnotize Almada’s beautiful fiancée Flor into stealing the treasure. The final confrontation in a cemetery between the mummy and Krupp’s metallic robot Can Krupp’s tin monstrosity finally rob Mexico of its ancient treasure, or will Popoca vanquish the evil invader?

There are quite a variety of English and Spanish DVDs and posters still on the market.

Don't be cursed! Watch and learn the secrets of survival!!

See Rosa Arenas in another life!

The Bat will be waiting for you!

The Godling - Exciting new theatre production

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 22:02:00 +0000

Now showing at the Broken Leg Stage, 1470 N. Van Ness, Fresno

The Godling (actress Christina Tellifson) showing at the The Broken Leg Studio

A Play wrtten by Mark Barkowski
Photo by Joe Osejo

The Godling,an elegant horror story by Mark Borkowski, a carnival ringmaster uses a nasty strategy to create his own sideshow attractions through the wonders of modern technology.
Winner of 2009 San Francisco Fringe/Critically acclaimed.
Starring Jay Parks, Travis Sheridan, Ron Blackwell, See Lee, and Christina Tellifson

Mark Borkowski is an award winning playwright whose work has been performed from coast to coast. Most recently, "Twilight's Child" at Playwrights Horizons and "The Daughters of Eve" at The Cherry Lane Theatre. Also a screenwriter, his dark thriller "The Perfect Witness" is available on DVD and is currently on SHOWTIME. Mark is a member of The Lark, The Actors Studio Playwright's Unit and the Dramatist Guild of America
NOTE: No one under 17 years old will be admitted.

Notes

There will be no late admittance. This is an adult show due to language and subject.

Open OCT.21-23 and OCT.28-30
Show starts @ 9pm No late entrances!

Starring. Jay Park, Travis Sheridian, Ron Blackwell, Christina Tellifson, See Lee

And KP (guest on opening night)

Rated NC-17
Leaning towards X

Directed by Brandey Steiner

RSVP now. (559) 492-0674

More Info: http://on.fb.me/bhag8t

Or you can get buy your tickets at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/132099

Review by Donald Munro at The Bee
http://fresnobeehive.com/2010/10/theater_review_145.html

At the Broken Leg Stage
http://brokenlegstage.com/

Affiliated with
http://kpactorsgym.com/

Fresno Fair Tacos!

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 20:09:00 +0000

A Valley Favorite

By David Owens

What does the Fresno Fair mean to you? One wise friend told me he could could get the fair experience any time and without spending all day getting worn out, "Eat a corn dog, step on some gum and lose $20." He said it with a smile, but there is some truth to that!

A counter to that cynical view is the Fresno Fair Taco. For many the warm rolled and tasty taco brings fond anticipation for the Big Fresno Fair.

For those not near the Azteca in Fresno or for the rest of the year you can make your own. Here is a Fresno grandmother's recipe that adds some festivity to any occasion:

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper

3-4 green onions, minced

3/4 cup chopped lettuce

1/2 cup mashed potatoes

12 (1 package) corn tortillas

Oil

Taco sauce

Instructions

In a skillet, slowly cook ground beef until lightly browned.

Add the minced garlic and salt and pepper to taste.

Drain off excess fat.

Add minced green onions, chopped lettuce and mashed potatoes;

simmer slowly for about 7 minutes.

In hot oil, heat tortillas, one at a time just until softened;

blot dry with paper towels; stack and keep warm.

Put about 1 tablespoon or more of the mix on each tortilla;

Add your favorite taco sauce.

Roll up and eat!

Thank you Jason Farris for sharing your recipe with us.

http://tastefresno.com/recipes/fresyes/fresno-fair-tacos

Anyone have a variation they like?

Anasazi help for the Azteca!

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:55:00 +0000

Ladders to the Alcove House

You never know when a past experience will come to your aid in the future. I remember some years how amazing it was to see the Anasazi villages in Chaco Canyon and Bandelier National Monument. The ancient ones, ancestors of the modern Pueblo Indians, that left their mark in the dwellings, pottery and rock art across New Mexico and the Southwest.

It's easy to lose yourself in time, walking in the footsteps of those who were here before and imagining what life would be like living in a circular village on the flats or a cliff dwelling built into the volcanic hillsides. Or entering spiritual life inside a Kiva and hearing music from flute and drums. Seems so enchanting but distant from modern American life.

One of the treats at Bandelier National Monument is to climb 140 feet of ladders up to the Alcove House. The ladders end and you find yourself on a ledge eroded into the mountain with some house ruins and a restored Kiva. The view across the valley and circular village is lovely and, notably, very inaccessible except from the ladders. In order to protect themselves the Anasazi could climb up the ladders, then pull the ladders up after them and no one could follow them to the house.

Putting such romantic ideas aside and getting back to daily life ...

A few weeks ago I was looking up at the Azteca Marquee and was shocked to see the letter "T" missing from the AZTECA sign. As I looked closer I realized the "T" was hanging out perpendicular to the wall. How could that happen? Were those pigeons making a balcony? Pesky critters. Looked like I'd have to investigate.

Using the Anasazi security technique to fix the sign

No matter, better correct it before it completely fell off. I scrounged up some various size metal screws and hand tools and considered the logistics. I need to get myself about 25 feet above the ground to upright the letter and reattach it to the wall. But I only had about 16-feet of ladder.

This would take some figuring. After considering hanging from ropes or getting a longer ladder, there was just one way. Inspired by the Anasazi!

I leaned the step ladder against the marquee and climbed up from m the sidewalk.
Once there I hauled the ladder up with me on the marquee. Just like the Anasazi, with ladder up and no one can reach me. Except the pesky pigeons!

There have been several times I have stepped off the top step of a ladder to do repairs and wondered if the street hooligans might steal it and trap me up there. But not this time!

I lay the ladder up against the sign and climbed up to fix the sign to the wall.
If I were more romantic I could report that I could hear the frustrated Apache people below, as I scampered up the ladder, but it was really antic-climactic to do the repair without further incidence.

My trash can was open by the street and did a little cleanup around the marquee. I took some 20-foot jump shots with trash and pigeon litter. Made some of them too :)

A few years ago I accidentally dropped pile of pigeon dung on a the shoulder of a passing street addict who was not paying attention to the fact that he walked under a ladder with a trash can. He was not very happy but he forgot about it right away. I thought he might bump my ladder.
I wondered if the Anasazi threw trash down on to their enemies.
More likely big rocks to avoid repercussions!

I lowered the ladder off the marquee, hoping I would not hit a passerby below or knock a bicyclist of his stead. No such circumstance and all went well.

Another repair completed at the Azteca. Thanks to inspiration from the Anasazi!

---

The Anasazi were located in the Four Corners region of the U.S.
( Northern New Mexico west of the Pecos River, southwestern Colorado, southern Utah, and northern Arizona south to the Little Colorado River).

They are thought to be the ancestors of modern Indian tribes like the Hopi, the Zuni and the Pueblo.
The earliest Anasazi probably settled in the plateau area because water was more available, which may also be why they disappeared when water was less available.

They disappeared about 800 years ago, long before the first europeans discovered their ruins in 1849.

Circular village in Bandelier National Monument

Alcove House Kiva, Bandelier National Monument

Cotillion Waltz from Fresno's own Patrick Contreras

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 22:14:00 +0000

Another great song from Patrick and Omar

Uninvited by Alanis Morisette,
performed by Patrick Contreras, violin
Omar Nare, Piano

Beautiful Waltz "Cotillion"

by Fresno's most versatile and popular violinist

Patrick Contreras with Omar Nare.

After our post about his rock violin following it is refreshing to hear a beautiful traditional piece.

And another great song from Patrick and Omar

Mad World
performed by Patrick Contreras, violin
Omar Nare, Piano

See more about Patrick on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pcviolin

Okay, a secret dream ... to get Patrick and Omar booked for a concert at the Azteca Theater...

Prerequisite Dream ... to get it open for lots of people :)

Classic Strings from Russia Grace the Azteca Theater with Friendship

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 22:06:00 +0000

Classics from Russia to the Azteca - musical friends we have made along the way.


Rimsky-Korsakov String Quartet

Part of the varied journey for the Azteca Theater have been the various roadblocks along the way that sometimes opens other doors. A few years ago the City of Fresno selected a master developer for all of Fresno's Chinatown. It placed a freeze on many of us in the neighborhood waiting to see how our plans would relate to the greater plan and if they would be blessed. We are still waiting. But for me it meant taking an opportunity to go to St. Petersburg, Russia and make some small projects. It also resulted in a website, Sennaya.com, with hundreds of tips for things to do in St. Petersburg, Russia, organized in a forum format. St. Petersburg is the cultural soul of Russia and the one must-see city to understand things Russian. Along with great museums, public art, authors and ballets, St. Petersburg is a great music center. Here are a few friends from St. Petersburg who now have enriched the voyage for the Azteca Theater.

The Rimsky-Korsakov String Quartet

Excerpt from the second movement and the beginning of the third movement Night Journey, by Katia Tiutiunnik and performed by the Rimsky Korsakov Quartet of St. Petersburg, June 24, 2006 at the Dom Kompozitorov organized by Dr. Elena Kostyuchenko.
The Rimsky-Korsakov String Quartet continues a long tradition of classical music in Russia that began in earnest with Rimsky-Korsakov. The list of students at the N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory is quite impressive.

One of the Quartet's CDs, is a collection of music based on the musical Friday afternoons Rimsky-Korsakov held with other musician friends to play their new works for each other and refine their compositions. It is a very pleasant CD of music not often heard. I have not seen it for sale here.

The Rinsky-Korsakov String Quartet performed in Ashland, Oregon in its first trip to the USA in 2003. They played in Fresno at a CSUF concert series during their second American concert tour in 2004. It was a pleasure to assist in the arrangements and meet them in the USA again after attending some of their performances in Russia.

Sergei Ilyin

Excerpt from the Russian premiere of "Tre Preghiere di Nabuccoduriussor" by Katia Tiutiunnik and performed by Sergei Ilyin on June 24 2006, at the Dom Kompozitorov, St. Petersburg, Russia organized by Dr. Elena Kostyuchenko. Sergei heads up the St. Petersburg guitarist group in St. Petersburg and has written quite a few pieces himself. He is very generous with his knowledge and wonderful performer.

Peter Dyson

Listen with Mother: A piano duet by Peter Dyson, composer residing in St. Petersburg, Russia
Aside from being a very interesting composer, Peter is also a personable person to know. To see him in his long beard one instantly thinks of the classic composers of Russia and Europe of the past. However, his music is progressive and stimulating.

Savely Shalman

Savely Shalman instructs student Jessica

Savely Shalman has conducted scores of virtuoso violin workshops in Europe, Russia and in recent years, the USA. I attended the recital of his students in St. Petersburg in the large Glinka Hall on Nevsky Prospect and it was standing room only occasion. They are that good! Building on a foundation of good technique, Savely has great skill at bringing out the passion and emotion of music from his students.

Savely visited the Azteca Theater on the occasional of his first Master Classes held in California. Sitting high above San Francisco on the headlands across from the Golden Gate Bridge I shared some moments with Savely upon his arrival. For someone raised under the Soviet government it never seemed possible to travel to America.
Savely has since made numerous trips here hold master classes and meet with students and instructors.

Savely Shalman is Professor at the Special School of Music in St Petersburg and distinguished Russian violin teacher. He is the author of a number of books on the subject. He is a member of the International Secretariat of ESTA, and Chairman of the board of ESTA-Russia.

- David Owens, Azteca Theater

Patrick Contreras: Fiery Bow that Rocks!

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:58:00 +0000

Patrick Contreras plays Purple Haze on the roof of Irene's Cafe in the Tower District

Patrick Contreras Band

A few years back Patrick was down here performing in Chinatown just down the street at the Full Circle Brewery. The audiences were small, but the venue was friendly and it is hard to find places that really support live music and the people who make it. Patrick has the talent. And he has gathered a large following. This past week (August 21, 2010) Patrick was at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas. They made the top 5 of the Hard Rock's national talent search! The big event was Sept. 4, 2010. They did well and will be back!

Way to go Patrick and the band!

Here Patrick plays a mean roof-rocking version of "Purple Haze." Video from the roof of Irene's Cafe with the Tower Theater in the background. It is from "the guys who like to eat."

Looks like a new series "Fresno City Limits," could be born :) It was on the occasion of Patrick's CD Release Block Party in Fresno's Tower District. This guy's going viral!
http://www.facebook.com/patrickcontrerasviolin?v=wall

Fiddling with locks in Chinatown

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:16:00 +0000

By David Owens

Many locksmiths will fiddle with your locks.

And some people can play the fiddle.

But Archie Wood can do both.

When Archie take a break you may hear him pick up his fiddle and pick out a tune.

He once played on the Grand ol' Opry.

He is part of the uniquer and rich tapestry of people that make Chinatown in Fresno a fascinating place.Security is his business and he has the experience of a master locksmith.

Archie Wood
Master Locksmith
840 F street
Fresno, CA 93706
559-790-7050

A Strange Hitchiker on the Journey to the Azteca

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 22:30:00 +0000

Snaking and braking my way down the Valley

Usually bringing a load of supplies down to the Azteca Theater is a dull affair. Load up the van, check the oil and gas and hit the road. And drive through the Valley heat until I get there.

This time it would be easier. I started early packing some tools and supplies, PVC pipe, an orange wig for Maria (the ticket booth manikin who lost her hair to a crazed druggie.) and loaded the van two days ahead. I could hit the road as soon as I finished a job in Oregon.

The drive through the Mt Shasta country is a pleasure. Tall mountains covered with Douglas fir and pine trees. Blue waters below. Blue sky above. This wonderful State of Jefferson ends at Redding as the road descends into the Great Valley of California all the way to Bakersfield.

About an hour above Sacramento, as the Valley heat intensifies, I catch a movement on the dash. Something brown and shiny seems to be glistening as it turns. I can't believe my eyes, but I swear there is the body of a snake about 1/2-inch wide turning on itself and disappearing into the defrosting vents on the dash.
I did a mental jump, but logic told me I must be mistaken. Nothing reptilian could be in the car.
And even if it was, it was now safely lodged in the air vents and I would not see it again.

So I thought.

Road sign warning of snakes going 20-mph.
I'm not paranoid!

I drove on with regularly glance across the dashboard to see if the illusion would repeat itself.
I never saw a snake in a car, how could they possibly get in a locked car? And a car that sat in the sun during the day. No animal, insect or reptile could possibly desire to get into my car. I mused on the impossibility of a snake getting into the car. But what if I brought the sank into the car without its permission? I remembered the boxes I had carefully prepared and left outside. Could a snake inadvertently hitchhiked a ride with me? And remained undetected until the heat and road vibration caused it to move?

It wasn't a pleasant thought, but it was feasible to think a snake might be camping in my vehicle. But no worries, it is curled up inside the air conditioning system, or probably already let itself out on the shoulder and was slithering happily away. I tried to allay my fearful thoughts of what would happen if it was not curled up in the ventilation or slithering away.

I have always had an irrational fear of snakes. The childhood stories about poisonous rattlesnakes and horrible painful death left its mark. My first acknowledge of a snake is to panic and jump out of my skin. Rationality returns momentarily, but that first impression is utter panic.
Needless to say, the thought of seeing a snake closeup while driving at 70-mph down the Interstate Freeway 5 did not appeal to me!

I was beginning to calm down a few miles past Williams when I felt something cross my right thigh. I knew instantly what it was and my body froze with hands gripping the steering wheel. I knew a 6-foot rattler has headed for who-knows-what sensitive region. Good thing the road was straight. My grip of iron would not have wanted to turn. Luckily, the snake crossed my lap and slid down the door to the floor and under my feet.

It is not very comfortable driving with your feet off the floor mats knowing that at any moment a snake could crawl up your pant legs. The last i saw of him he slide over to the passenger side on the floor. I stopped the van on the fight should gravel soon as I could and hopped out of the van. I opened all the doors, two in rear, four on the sides and circled it like John Wayne looking for varmints. I spotted its head almost in the middle as I looked in the side door. Great! I'll go in the back door with a stick and coax it out to the ground.

Well, the snake had its own idea. Soon as I looked in from the back he headed for a spot between the carpet and the plastic molding near the rear of the side door. No sooner than I could get close he had disappeared into a small gap by the wheel well. I pondered my options. I sure did not want to get into the car knowing he was holing up waitign for the raod noise and heat to start another snakepede. I tried tapping on the carpet to see if he would emerge. Nothing. So I pulled up the carpet and saw he had escaped into the sidewall inside the body of the car. Darn! I tried tapping on the body of the car from outside to see if he might find that unplesant and come out again. Nope.

Acceptance of an uneasy quiet

That snake was happy just to let me know he was on board and he would be staying a little longer.
Turns out he didn't have rattles. He was a shiny brown snake about 30" long and just over 1/2" in circumference. Its belly was a little yellowish. For all the world it looked like a Territorial Garter Snake first noted in the journals of Lewis and Clark back in 1805. Well, a distant relative perhaps.

I can't imagine what people driving by thought. A big white van with all the doors open. "Something sure must smell bad!" "Glad I didn't eat what he ate!" So off again towards Sacramento and on to Fresno. With a little trepidation about the passenger. The passenger that kept me alert. There was no possibility of getting sleepy on this drive!

The freeway noise and flows began to take on a normalcy and I began to imagine I would not see Mr. Snake again now that he was curled up happily in a secret cavity in the sidewall. Never mind that he is on the sunny west side and the sun is getting lower.

It wasn't long before I felt a nudge on my elbow. Am I getting edgy? There it was again! I glanced but could see nothing. But I knew it was there! I was on the outskirts of Sacramento and the freeway was gettign wider and busier. The snake was just letting me know it was there and not to be forgotten. I sat up on the edge of the driver seat with feet off the floor and looking very seriously alert to other drivers. The road rumbled and the sun got lower and hotter.

Through traffic takes the left lane through Sacramento, usually 70 miles and hour and the far left lane to avoid all the merging and exiting in the city. It is always a thrill to see the old town bridge and high-rise builings come into view. Made more so by appearance of the snake, this time fully coiled up in my lap and with no intent on leaving!

The van made a little dance as I overcame my panic. Shall we dance? I assumed the frozen now-what-do-I-do? position. The view was not as enjoyable as before.
I was passing the center of town and the freeway followed the Sacramento River. The river that flows like a snake through Sacramento...

Sacramento River snaking through the city

I began merging to the right lanes as safely as possible and by the time the Seamas exit came near I was poised to exit. Mr. Snake decided he could relax and dropped himself to the floor and slithered behind me. Did he know it was time to stop? Would he hide again and I must drive on and repeat the ride of terror all the way to Fresno? Would I make it to Fresno?

It just so happened I lived near this exit when I worked for the Sacramento Bee and it ran into an area called the "Little Pocket" along the river. There are beautiful parks and bike trails forever in this south area of Sacramento. And all kinds of insects, slugs and small varmints. Wouldn't this be a good place to live if you were a snake? I would soon find out.

I unlocked my arms and pulled off on Seamas, through a light and pulled up parallel to Bahnfled Park, a 6-acre sunken soccer field. It was shady there and the grass looked cool. Surely this is what the rogue snake wanted to find. I knew that California has all kinds of alien species rules, no insects, no fruits, no undocumented people, no non-native plants. But I didn't remember anything about migrating snakes. In fact, as i looed over the green park with no people anywhere to be seen, I thought this park needs a snake!

I knew the drill

Open all the doors, be quiet and see what the shy snake would do. Sure enough, as the cool breeze flowed through the van, the snake crawled to the middle of the van facing the main open side doors. Its little tongue tasted the air and he surveyed what was in front of him. Not leaving anything to chance, I went to the back door and pulled out a piece of plastic pipe and lowered it behind it. No more encouragement was needed. The snake dropped to the ground and started worming along the curb.

The rogue snake that could

I ran to grab a camera and got this one grab shot as he was moving at a fast walk. Soon he found the break in the curb that lead to some grass and bushes and he dissolved into nature. Whew!
I felt much lighter. I jumped in the van. My feet touched the floor, my grips was light and my arms hung down in a relaxed position. Life was good. There are no problems in front of me. Arriving at night to the curious stares of corner drug dealers, nosy transients and bar revelers. No problem.

Soon as I saw the lit ticket booth on Fresno's F Street with Maria smiling out it was okay!
And the rogue snake must be reveling in the mild California climate full of new bugs and wallows.

Life is good.
-----------------------------------------
Thamnophis Rogus?
Western Rogue Garter Snake from Rogue River?

The Northwestern Garter Snake was first noted by the Lewis and Clark Expedition on July 24, 1805 near present-day Townsend, Montana.

The story of the Azteca Theater

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 18:27:00 +0000

The Azteca Theater was built by Gustavo Acosta and opened Nov. 30, 1948. Acosta had several theaters and worked out of Los Angeles. It was the first Spanish-only theater in Fresno and served the whole San Joaquin valley.

The design was by Fresno firm Johnson Engineers. They had also been involved in some of the facade work on the Warnor's Theater in Fresno and designed the Biola Theater which was similar in design to the Azteca.

Azteca Theater, December 1982
showing Ahi Esta El Detalle and
Juan Gallo for 99-cents.
Photo Courtesy American Classic Images

The iron roof trusses came from Sanger Iron. Add a lot of concrete and well-laid red bricks and the theater has a long future ahead.

In 1956 Acosta leased the Azteca Theater to friend Arturo Tirado.who had managed a theater in Bakersfield 1944-1953. The Azteca Theater received Spanish language film distribution through Acosta in Los Angeles.

Arturo Tirado was born in 1912 to a family of entertainers originally from Spain that moved to Los Angeles around 1918 and he acted in theaters and some cinema and even played violin in a music group.. His father Romualdo Tirado was quite famous in the theater as and actor and writer and the quintessential Cantinflas.

In addition to running the theater, Arturo organized tours in the US for many famous actors and musicians from Mexico. Many A-list performers passed through Fresno and the Azteca.

Mexican cinema had made great progress since the 1930s but was little known outside Latin America. The Spanish speaking community of Fresno strongly supported the Azteca Theater and several other Spanish language theaters that followed.

Tirado ran the Azteca until the mid-1980s. In its later years it became more of a social center for the Mexican-American community helping those in need, holding charitable food drives. Tirado even wrote some Spanish language brochures on legal citizenship to help the many workers from Mexico who populated the San Joaquin valley.

The theater was the center for music, vaudeville, comedy and theatricals as well as cinema for the Mexican-American community. All the top stars from Mexico came to Fresno and filled the theater. When Cesar Chavez made his famous march with farm workers from Delano to Sacramento he stopped at the Azteca and rallied his followers. The mayor, Tirado and somewhat notorius Fresno Police Chief Morton escorted the march through the area to show respect and guarantee safe passage.

In 1961 Tirado held a meeting in San Francisco that resulted in the formation of the Spanish Pictures Exhibitors Association. Elected President, Tirado represented almost 300 Spanish language movie houses nationwide in negotiations with distributors. It was the golden age for Mexican movies. Cantinflas, Pedro Infante, Maria Felix, Agustin Lara, Pedro Vargas, Miguel Aceves Mejia, Pedro Armendariz, Antonio Aguilar and Jose Alfredo Jimenez were among the luminaries seen at the Azteca Theater.

In the early 1980s the theater ran budget films in English and Spanish. Karate films and Bruce Lee were also popular. But the time had come for Tirado to retire and so did the theater. Single screen movie houses disappeared all over the country in favor of multi-screen theaters. (In the 1990s many multi-screen theaters closed in favor of 20-plus screen theaters.) Video tapes also appeared to lure customers away.

The theater fell into neglect in the late 1980s and by 1995 was in derelict condition with doors off, holes in the roof, and all seats and equipment removed. The seats were hauled of to Levy's for recycling. The Fresno police patrol saw them being removed and when they understood they were being recycled a few offices bought a few. The only seats from the Azteca remaining are those in the homes of a few police officers in Fresno!
There used to be 10 large murals of Mexican and Aztec life on the wall and many framed photos of stars of Mexico. Some were removed and only two few destroyed by water from the roof were left.

Several new owners got involved with ideas for a cotillion ballroom or other uses, but it did not materialize.
A roof repair job gone awry resulted in all rain water running into the building forming a pond. Bums ransacked the interior and occupied the place along with pigeons and cats. It had become a hazardous building by neglect.

Since 1999 it has been stabilized and has prospects for a good future. Fisk Construction did the crucial roof repairs and it is looking much better. Especially after some paint and patch from Lance Fry's crew. An art gallery is open occasionally and a master locksmith, Archie Wood, occupies the left commercial wing.

Watch for more chapters from the Azteca Theater as the story continues!

Manuel G. Gonzales wrote a great history of the Azteca Theater and Latino culture in Central California in the March 22, 2006 edition of California History Magazine titled, "Arturo Tirado and the Teatro Azteca: Mexican popular culture in the central San Joaquin Valley."
Find it in your library or it is available for purchase:
Arturo Tirado and the Teatro Azteca: Mexican popular culture in the central San Joaquin Valley.: An article from: California History

A friend we'd like to see at the Azteca

noreply@blogger.com (Sennaya David) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 23:09:00 +0000

American Voices and Gene Aitken: A dream concert

Gene is an amazing teacher and musician and truly a great humane ambassador. He seems to be all over the planet of late and the chance of finding him nearby is slim to none. I was honored to participate in a Jazz program under Gene Aitken in Oregon. It would be a personal dream to see him at the Azteca Theater coaching a new batch of musicians.

He currently spends most of his time teaching jazz and music education in Asia and the Middle East, and has recently retired as Director of the Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore. His activities as a conductor, performer, composer, adventurer, clinician, adjudicator, and producer of educational events have led him to all corners of the globe.
His recent travels to Lebanon, Afghanistan, and Iraq from June through August 2009 brought him to some of the most dangerous places in the world in which to teach music.

Since retiring from the University of Northern Colorado in 2002, he has worked extensively as a conductor and teacher in the Middle East and Asia. In addition to coordinating donations of music and musical instruments from the United States and Asia to musicians in the Middle East, he has conducted some of the top military bands and wind ensembles in Asia and the Middle East including the Peoples' Liberation Army Band of China (Beijing), the Pershmerga Army Band in Kurdistan (Erbil), the Lebanese Army Band (Beirut), the Sulaimaniyah Wind Ensemble (Iraq) and the Nepal Police Academy Band.

American Voices is engaged in cultural diplomacy through jazz, hip hop, country, Broadway, classical and other musical programs with over 80 countries around the world. They bring together out musicians with local traditional musicians and perform gala concerts, recordings from which are presented here. Please browse our videos of live performances in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kazakhstan and beyond! http://www.americanvoices.org

Dr. Gene Aitken,
DownBeat Jazz Educator Hall of Fame is just one of Gene's accolades.
http://www.geneaitken.com/biography/

Kurdish Jazz in Suleimaniya

Participants in the Unity Youth Performing Arts Academy in Iraq perform a jazz arrangement of a popular Kurdish song under the direction of Dr. Gene Aitken. They worked together for about 10 days.

Gene Aitken has the most sophisticated musical perception imaginable. He seems to hear every note in every unusual Jazz harmony. Just a quick flash of his eyes in your direction and you know he heard something unusual. If he has to stop the group he can tell you exactly where something unusual happened and what note should have been there. He never assumed the musician was wrong. He might ask what note is listed in the chart, where and please, to play it! Sometimes he would correct the score in favor of they musician's choice, whether intended or accidental.

In Jazz a note is never wrong, at least philosophically. But some certainly sound better than others in a group setting. Every once in a while gene would step the group through a song beat by beat and listen to the harmonic fabric.

One great joy of being in one of Gene's lab bands was the tremendous amount of sight reading. The start of every session put a couple of new charts in front of us play. We had just one chance to get it right. It got the blood pumping and a feeling of victory if we nailed it. Then the chart went away and work began on the current playlist.

There were some unspoken rules known among jazz musicians. One was about making mistakes. To miss a note once was a learning experience. To miss it twice was a cause for questioning looks. To miss it a third time was to risk being replaced.

In the fleeting moment of jazz performance, you are only as good as your last riff and you are never done getting it just right.

I could tell an embarrassing story about how Gene entrusted me with the lead alto spot in a lab band and how I brought the sax soli in two measures early during the command performance of the saxophone-right-of-passage, "Cottonmouth" but it would be too humbling. As a true master at leading musicians Gene gathered the bass and drums with a quick look of eyes and some deft body and arm work to bring everyone into the correct time frame. Gene saved it. Someone made a joke its good "as long as we start and finish on the same note!" Gene didn't have to say anything, it was understood in just a fleeting look and stance. I could do better.

It is so difficult to lead creative people to improve without crushing their delicate creative souls. Thank you Gene for knowing that. Strike one. I went back to the woodshed.

--- Musical note: Duke Ellington composed “Cotton Tail” in 1940 after returning from the band’s European tour. His famous 1940’s band with Jimmy Blanton on bass and Ben Webster on tenor sax recorded it on May 4, 1940. Webster arranged its celebrated saxophone section chorus and played the solo which became a famous standard. Later versions were nicknamed Cottonmouth, describing how the sax section felt when playing this piece. It was said that if you could play this piece, you could play any sax Jazz tune as it contained all the classic rhythms and riffs of modern Jazz. Hear a hot sax section playing this at high tempo and it leaves you breathless.