ABOUT…PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
ADOBE PUNK: THE CONCERT
PERFORMED BY NINA DIAZ (GIRL IN A COMA)
WITH LIVE BAND +
JESSICA SCHWARTZ/PUNKAST
CONDUCTS SIX INTERVIEWS LIVE ON STAGE
MARCH 15-16-17, 2024:
AT FRIDA KAHLO THEATER
MARCH 22-23-24, 2024:
AT LINEAGE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
January 18, 2024 (Los Angeles, California) – About…Productions presents
Adobe Punk: the concert and Jessica Schwartz conducting six live Punkast interviews. The concert and interviews take place at two venues over six nights: March 15-16-17, 2024 at Frida Kahlo Theater (MacArthur Park/Westlake) and March 22-23-24, 2024 at Lineage Performing Arts Center (Pasadena). Tickets available at aboutpd.org.
Adobe Punk: the concert is Nina Diaz (Girl in a Coma, Elvis Costello) and the
Adobe Punk band (D.X. Machina FKA Isaac Cruz on drums, vocals; Giselle Etessami on bass, vocals) performing songs co-written by Diaz and Theresa Chavez (About…Productions). Diaz and band members will weave in stories from the original
Adobe Punk 2022 theaterwork which was co-created by Gabriel Garza and Chavez. The setting is early 1980s working-class Bell Gardens where punk music finds life in one of L.A.’s oldest adobe homes. Inspired by the bands X, the Minutemen, and the Bags, a young punk trio builds its songbook as they define their artistic identity and find their place in the musical, and historic early California landscape of Los Angeles.
“Evoking stage musical, rock show, and performance art, [
Adobe Punk] promises something fresh for both theatre lovers and live music fans.” Lina Lecaro wrote in the
LA Weekly. And Miguel Costa (
Music Connection) said: "The musician-actors captured the essence of punk with impressive musicality and subtle nuances."
Each evening will open with Punkast’s Jessica Schwartz exploring the punk movement in live one-on-one conversations with punk trailblazers who still play a vital role in the scene. The Punkast mini-sessions, which will be recorded for Punkast broadcast and digital archives, will include notable punk creatives from L.A. and beyond. Sessions will delve into
Adobe Punk-related topics including the meaning and evolution of punk, punk ethos and artistic freedom, L.A. punk geography, punk feminism, and squatting.
“I’m looking forward to reconnecting and collaborating on
Adobe Punk,” says Nina Diaz. “Being part of the 2022 production was an inspiring experience that opened me up to my skills as a co-writer, and taught me so much about L.A. punk music in the early ‘80s. This concert version, inspired by the music of artists like X, The Minutemen, Los Plugz, Bags/Alice Bag Band, The Clash, The Slits, The Germs and others, is the creative fire I’ve been needing. Being a performer in this production will give me the experience to participate and be cast in other theater projects.”
Jessica Schwartz of
Punkast adds “I’m excited to bring the Punkast series to
Adobe Punk: the concert! Being part of the event’s energy, themes, and musical performances will help animate conversations about the complexities of early L.A. punk and its impact on the persistence of such a meaningful subculture. This Punkast miniseries will offer a special spotlight on the range of punk creativity— what goes into staging and composing DIY community. Extending the Punkast series’ reflections on the many iterations of punk and the people who kept (and keep) it alive for new generations. It will be wonderful for listeners to hear stories from renowned punks and be inspired to go out and create the world they want to live in.”
“I’m thrilled,” says Theresa Chavez (About…Productions co-founder and Producing Artistic Director) “to be creating and directing this concert version of
Adobe Punk and working with Nina again writing new material, and curating the Punkast mini-sessions with Jessica Schwartz. This iteration will allow all the collaborators to expand the production’s narrative and songs in anticipation of the 2025 full production run; and introduce new audiences to this unique project. Punkast interviews will also enlighten new and seasoned audiences in the punk movement’s historic and current impact on the cultural zeitgeist. We’re also excited to share this work with our Young Theaterworks public high school students from Los Angeles and Pasadena Unified School District. They’ll get to see the show, and share their own writing on the topic in special weekday morning matinees at each of the venues.”
EVENT TITLE:
Adobe Punk: the concert
Punkast Interviews With Host Jessica Schwartz
VENUES:
Frida Kahlo Theater
2332 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Lineage Performing Arts Center
920 E Mountain St, Pasadena, CA 91104
DATES:
March 15-16, 2024 Friday - Saturday at 8 pm
March 17, 2024 Sunday at 6:30 pm
at Frida Kahlo Theater (MacArthur Park/Westlake)
March 22-23, 2024 Friday - Saturday at 8 pm
March 24, 2024 Sunday at 6:30 pm
at Lineage Performing Arts Center (Pasadena)
TICKETS:
$20 general admission, $5 discount with coupon code for Seniors 60+, Students and Vets.
Available at aboutpd.org.
HIGH RESOLUTION PRESS PHOTOS AND PUBLICITY IMAGES:
Adobe Punk: the concert publicity materials and event graphics available HERE
ABOUT…PRODUCTIONS
Now in its 35th year, About…Productions creates original interdisciplinary theaterworks and educational programs that provoke new perspectives on history, humanity, and culture. The itinerant company is dedicated to generating new work through collaboration to create artistic and community dialogue; and believes in the power of theater to enlighten audiences, transform youth, and celebrate the lives of elders. The company has toured throughout the U.S. and in Canada. It is the only theater company to be featured on Austin City Limits, the venerable and longest running music series in television history, with its music-driven production
By the Hand of the Father (2000-2006) with songs written and performed by Alejandro Escovedo. Other music-driven productions include
Evangeline, the Queen of Make-Believe with songs by David Hidalgo and Louie Pérez of Los Lobos (2012, 2013, 2018-19); and They Shoot Mexicans, Don’t They? (2005-2006, 2017) with songs written and performed by Quetzal Flores and other members of the band Quetzal.
aboutpd.org
facebook.com/aboutpd
twitter.com/aboutpd
instagram.com/aboutpd
PHOTOS AND PRESS MATERIALS AVAILABLE HERE.
To request interviews or press materials for
Adobe Punk: the concert
please contact Fly PR
at flypr@flypr.net or buzz@flypr.net
or call Fly PR at T. (323) 667-1344.
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