About
One Imagination was formed in 2007 as an expansion of Break the Silence!, a monthly open mic that takes place in Long Beach, CA. The original goal of One Imagination echoes today: the need to bridge gaps between community members of different backgrounds, cultures, and generations.
Since 2007, One Imagination has continued Break the Silence!, a monthly artist showcase that promotes a shared performance space for young adults, students, and various artists. In addition, One Imagination has volunteered performances for community events, spaces, and venues across the greater Los Angeles area, produced and performed a spoken word musical, "Saturn Returns," facilitated creative writing workshops for youth groups and schools, and produced “PacMan of Eminent Domain,” a short documentary on gentrification in downtown Long Beach.
In January 2012, One Imagination gained recognition and support by Long Beach Parks and Recreation/Homeland Cultural Center. We are now conducting our monthly open mics at their new facility, Manazar Gamboa Community Theater.
Manazar Gamboa Community Theater also offers the following:
Wednesdays:
Creative Writing and Performance Workshops from 6PM-8:00PM
email Linda Delmar for details for details.
Thursdays:
Open mic nights from 7PM-9PM
(Last Thursdays are organized by One Imagination)
Saturdays:
DUENDE! Youth writing & Performance workshops (ages 13-19) from 2PM-5PM
Manazar Gamboa Community Theater also offers the following:
Wednesdays:
Creative Writing and Performance Workshops from 6PM-8:00PM
email Linda Delmar for details for details.
Thursdays:
Open mic nights from 7PM-9PM
(Last Thursdays are organized by One Imagination)
Saturdays:
DUENDE! Youth writing & Performance workshops (ages 13-19) from 2PM-5PM
Past Organizers/Participants:
Manifesting the concept that anything we imagine is possible and can be created out of unified action.
Sumiko Braun
Born and raised in Carson, Sumiko Braun is a spoken word artist whose creative work is largely influenced by libertarian socialist ideas and her experiences as a working single mother queer mixed race woman of color. She released her first poetry chapbook, BECOMING: A Journey to Complete Samsara, earlier this year, which is available for purchase on Blacklava.
Sumiko has featured at several southern California events and venues, including Tuesday Night Cafe, Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) Generations Stage, Models of Pride LGBTIQ Youth Conference at Occidental College, Queer People of Color Conference at UC San Diego, GenderQueer Revolution's Cabaret Performance and Visual Art Exhibit, Trans/Giving, Trans/Giving Express, and the Long Beach Women's Music, Art, and Dance Festival. With a background in grassroots community organizing, Sumiko also works with One Imagination and helps coordinate programs for youth where young people empower themselves to create positive social change through conscious art making and strategic organizing.
Sumiko has featured at several southern California events and venues, including Tuesday Night Cafe, Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) Generations Stage, Models of Pride LGBTIQ Youth Conference at Occidental College, Queer People of Color Conference at UC San Diego, GenderQueer Revolution's Cabaret Performance and Visual Art Exhibit, Trans/Giving, Trans/Giving Express, and the Long Beach Women's Music, Art, and Dance Festival. With a background in grassroots community organizing, Sumiko also works with One Imagination and helps coordinate programs for youth where young people empower themselves to create positive social change through conscious art making and strategic organizing.
Timothy "Big Brother" Cheung
Born and raised in Long Beach, Timothy Cheung, also known by his stage name Big Brother, is a local poet, activist, educator, and mentor. With just about a decade of writing under his belt, he utilizes the written word as a way to speak for those who have yet to find their voice. He actively encourages and supports those still looking for their voice by hosting writing sessions throughout Long Beach as well as an online writing group. He is a part of the organization One Imagination and stays busy promoting awareness in the community. He also helps put on "Break the SIlence," a monthly open mic in Long Beach that for the last 3 years has been a unique and rootsy alternative to the mainstream. He will continue to grow and lead writers and activists into "the know" for years to come.
Arie Dunkelberger
Born in Illinois and raised in the 562, Arie Dunkelberger had the privilege of growing up in a multi-racial Filipino and Caucasian family. Known by the alias Kalamari (call-him-Arie), Arie specializes in music and visual production, including DJing, beatmaking, and photography, and has been involved in the hip hop community since 2002. A man of fath and a lover of music, Arie currently works in Los Angeles but continues to live in Long Beach. He recently became involved with community organizing in 2010 with One Imagination and is an advocate for social and civil justice. A cycling enthusiast and advocate, Arie spends his time spreading positive vibes and believes in making impact through not only words but action as well.
Check out his soundcloud!
Check out his soundcloud!
Violet Guardado
Violet Guardado, a queer youth from Southeast Los Angeles, has been involved with One Imagination since the creation of YA BASTA (A Summer Youth Organizing Institute). Violet does work within her community to unite and motivate her peers, and to bring forth positive change. She founded her school’s Teenagers Helping Everyone, which engages students in community organizing, social justice, and activism. Violet will be attending The Evergreen State College in the fall and looks forward to meeting new people and exploring new places.
During her spare time Violet loves to play Dungeons & Dragons Online, spend time with her ‘Femily’ (Feminist Family), and watch re-runs of Captain Planet. She is an introverted, kind-hearted individual, but can be outgoing when the mood strikes or when there is a promise of vegan food.
During her spare time Violet loves to play Dungeons & Dragons Online, spend time with her ‘Femily’ (Feminist Family), and watch re-runs of Captain Planet. She is an introverted, kind-hearted individual, but can be outgoing when the mood strikes or when there is a promise of vegan food.
John-Edward Guevarra
John Guevarra is a student, researcher, educator, and urban planner. In his past life, he was an actor, aspiring hip-hop artist, and spoken word poet. Currently, he is a graduate student in Los Angeles.
Cree Lee
Cree Lee is a proud African American poet hailing from Compton. A recent graduate from the California Academy of Math and Science, she now attends USC as a Biology major. She enjoys playing rugby, considers Mint and chip ice cream her heroine and finds inspiration through her Granny. Having first come to One Imagination through a youth writing workshop she has now come to join us on a variety of projects.
Nelson Matthew Nailat
Nelson Matthew Nailat Junior, aka DJ nPrevail, is a record collector, disc jockey, educator, life long community volunteer and supporter, and a strong enthusiast for film and photography. Through DJing and photography, Nelson continues to support various local communities by providing technical and leadership assistance.
Ryan Danger Tong
-- under construction--
Jumakae Yodraj
JUMAKAE is a Siamese-American artist weaving cultural differences into a common thread through lyrical storytelling and improvisation, accompanied by various sounds from acoustic melodies to fresh beats. Her words speak for the silenced people of the world, from the sex workers in Southeast Asia to the 9-5 worker with broken dreams. She hopes to awaken the lost child that sleeps within every individual so that they can realize the beauty that exists through shared goals and creative expression.
Music Page: www.myspace.com/siamesemeerkat
Wordpress: www.jumakae.wordpress.com
Music Page: www.myspace.com/siamesemeerkat
Wordpress: www.jumakae.wordpress.com
What does the future hold for One Imagination? Get involved and make the future now!