THIS WEEKEND: How Women Made The West

Hello All,

This weekend I'm going to check out an exhibit at The Autry Museum in Griffith Park - "How Women Made The West".  I'm generally pretty hesitant about exhibits that seem like arts and crafts displays, but I'm hoping the Autry can go a little deeper. I've been to several of their exhibits, and have been pleased to see them paint a rather diverse picture of How The West Was... Something. Hopefully this exhibit will be intellectually stimulating - and not make me wanna take up crocheting again.

Here's a little blurb from the fine folks at the Autry Museum:
"From ancient pueblos to modern suburbs, women have shaped the Western landscape through choices about how to sustain home, family, and community. Home Lands: How Women Made the West brings together women's history, Western history, and environmental history to show how women have been at the heart of the Western enterprise across cultures and over time. Historical artifacts, art, photographs, and biographies of individual women will lead visitors through three distinctive Western environments created and inhabited by women."



I think this sounds interesting. Worth checking out.

Here's the Info:
The Autry Museum - Griffith Park
4700 Western Heritage Way
Los Angeles, CA 90027-1462
T: 323.667.2000
F: 323.660.5721

Hours:
Tuesday–Friday, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Saturday–Sunday, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Closed on Mondays.

Admission:
Autry Members: free
Adults: $9.00
Students with current ID and Seniors (60+): $5.00
Children (3-12): $3.00
Children under 3: free
Free for active military personnel and veterans, peace officers, and park rangers, with current ID.
Free to the public on the second Tuesday of every month


Xoxo
L.A.F.

*REVIEW* The Kids Are Alright

In an attempt to beat the glorious heat last week, I ducked in to the cool air conditioned walls of The Archlight theater in Hollywood to catch an afternoon showing of Lisa Cholodenko's new High Femme film, "The Kids Are Alright".

Los Angelinas, this movie is so f*cking good. It is so refreshing to see a film written and directed by a woman (feminist, lesbian) about a family helmed by women (feminist, lesbians) starring women (feminists, tbd ;).  The themes in this movie - family, love, sex, growing up - are highlighted by some of the best performances I've seen in a while.

Annette Bening (Nic) and Julianne Moore (Jules) play partners who have been together for going on 20 years. They've raised two teenage children, played spot-on by Mia Wasikowska (Joni) and Josh Hutcherson (Laser). When Joni turns 18, she and Laser make the decision to track down and contact the sperm donor that their mothers used to fertilize their family.

Enter the salacious Mark Ruffalo (Paul). He wears leather, rides a bike, owns an organic restaurant and scores with chicks. He's sexy, so sue me. ANYway... Paul develops a relationship with the clan and the wheel of family discourse is set in motion.

Perhaps the thing that impressed me most about this film was the easy yet indefinable family dynamic. I come from a family that many would have trouble categorizing, so I am always pleased to find films with alternative family constructs that actually work.  The fact that these two women happen to be lesbians does not define their characters or their relationships within the family. This is not a "Gay" movie, not a "Chick Flick". No, I would call this movie Human. Hilarious, heartbreaking, hopeful.

I left the theater thinking hard about the seeming random associations of my own family. And a few hours later, I called my mom.

Watch the iTunes trailer HERE

XoXo
La Femmedia

THIS WEEK: Le Tigre Doc at OUTFEST!

Hi Ladies,

So sorry I've been M.I.A. again!  I've been tied up working at the OUTFEST Film Festival, and I can only assume that you all have been enjoying your fair share of Cherry Bombs and Bears at our fab screenings.

I've definitely caught a few films, but the one I'm most excited for has yet to premiere. "Le Tigre: On Tour". Holy. F*ck. I'm so excited! Le Tigre was certainly a gateway in to feminism for me in the early years. I remember seeing them in concert while I was still in high school and wondering why there were so many girls there... and why they all kind of looked and acted like me. So badass.  I've followed Le Tigre closely over the years, and I'm stoked to see this behind-the-scenes doc. These girls always come back in to my life at very specific times, and I'm ready to re-visit them. I hope you guys/gals/ other can all come too!

The screening is going to be this Thursday, July 15th at The Ford Ampitheater. Under the stars, and totally picnic style. Your ticket will also get you in to the after party (Location still TBD) where Johanna will be DJing. Whaaaaaat?!? I'm def not gonna miss it. Here's the Info..

Le Tigre: On Tour

Documentary Features

(USA, 2010, 75 mins)

Directed By: Kerthy Fix (IMDB)
Tickets HERE!

Thursday, July 15th
Ford Theater
2580 Cahuenga Blvd East
Hollywood, CA 90068