Hear Some ‘Unbuckled’ NoHo Poetry Saturday or Read Your Own
UNBUCKLED: NoHo POETRY takes over T.U. Studios the first Saturday of every month from 3:45-5:45PM and has so for the last four years. This poetry reading Open Mic event is free for performers and guests alike. Co-organizer Radomir Vojtech Luza gives the NoHo Arts District dot Com team the low down on this long-running North Hollywood event.
1. What is UNBUCKLED: NoHo POETRY ?
It is a safe haven away from the rest of the world where we can all go to unbuckle our poetic energies and talents for ourselves and others. Where we are not judged, but appreciated. Every race, religion and creed, young and old and in-between are not only wanted, but welcome at UNBUCKLED. The microphone sees no color or religion. UNBUCKLED: NoHo POETRY is a poetry reading/Open Mic that encompasses poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, music, comedy and monologues, etc. It has a featured poet/performer and an open mic sign-up list every first Saturday of the month from 3:45pm-5:45pm at T.U. Studios (10943 Camarillo) (intersection of Lankershim, Vineland and Camarillo). Co-organized by Radomir Vojtech Luza and Mary Anneeta Mann and primarily hosted by Luza, it is, at nearly four-and-a-half years, the longest running literary series in North Hollywood. (And it’s FREE.)
3. What’s Coming Up?
On Saturday, February 7th, the Featured Poet/Performer is singer/songwriter Zack Zephyr whose brilliance as a wordsmith and performer truly needs to be seen to be appreciated. Zephyr is spreading that talent all over town and the town is grateful. Check him out on Soundcloud>>
4. How do folks submit their work to UNBUCKLED: NoHo POETRY?
Work is not submitted to UNBUCKLED. It is performed or recited. The first 15 people to sign up on the sign up sheet are guaranteed a spot. After that it is as time allows.
5.What in particular are you looking for? Along with everyone else, we are looking for anyone with the “it” factor. Poets and performers that stand out and are self-motivated. We are also looking for work that jumps off the page, that you do not have to try to understand or comprehend.Y ou just do. I, in particular, look for work that shows and does not tell. I love energy and electricity from any performer. “It is my mission, especially, to communicate that Mary and I adore UNBUCKLED and share equally in its success, one no more than the other. We are both proud of what we have built and achieved and hope to see it last and prosper as long as it is doing the participants, presenters and community some good.” – Radomir Vojtech Luza
2. Who puts on UNBUCKLED: NoHo POETRY ?
UNBUCKLED is co-sponsored by Synthaxis Theatre Company, which is overseen by Mann and Luza’s Radman Productions.
Synthaxis, which was founded in 1972, has been around longer than the NoHo Arts District and is responsible for giving UNBUCKLED its 501c3 status. The longtime theatre company, after having been at the YMCA for over 14 years as the Vision Acting Workshop, now has a new contract offering the workshop, rehearsals and informative sessions on historical and current events under the new Vision Acting Studios banner from 3pm-6pm every Saturday. Radman Productions produced the short film “The Blood Will Murder Roses” (SAG Short Film Agreement) (written, produced, directed and acted by Luza) and shot solely in North Hollywood last year. In addition, the 15-year-old production company also produced the short film “Curious Tumor” (SAG Short Film Agreement) (written, produced, directed and acted by Luza) shot in North Hollywood in 2010 and various poetic, staged readings, comedy shows and improvisational performances in Los Angeles and the New York City area.
Born in Vienna, Austria, Luza owes his love of art and politics to his parents, Radomir Sr. and Libuse Podhraska Luza. The older Luza fought in the Czech Resistance in WWII alongside his father Vojtech, the leader of the Czech Underground, who was murdered by the Nazis in 1944.
At 15, Libuse was the youngest actress ever accepted into the Czech National Dramatic Conservatory where she studied until Adolph Hitler closed the doors in 1943.
The two escaped communism in their beloved Czechoslovakia in 1948, soon ending up in New York City via Paris in 1953. Radomir Sr. received a Ph.D from NYU soon thereafter and spent over 25 years teaching Eastern European History at Tulane University in New Orleans. Libuse never acted again before her death at the age of 72 to ovarian cancer in 2001. Radomir Sr. died of natural causes at the age of 87 in 2009.
Luza is the Poet Laureate of North Hollywood. a Pushcart Prize nominee and the author of 25 books including last year’s groundbreaking “New York Nadir” which received positive reviews from readers and critics alike.. His as of yet untitled new collection of poetry is due in the Spring from Edgar and Leonore’s Publishing House (Apryl Skies, Editor) in Sherman Oaks.
The President of the North Hollywood West Neighborhood Council and member of the Midtown North Hollywood Neighborhood Council has published poetry in over 60 literary journals, anthologies and websites such as KYSO Flash, Cultural Weekly, Askew, Poetic Diversity, Nerve Cowboy, Lummox Anthologies I-III, “No se Hable Espanol” anthology and roguescholars.com.
The 51-year-old veteran union actor (SAG-AFTRA, AEA), improvisor, comedian and freelance journalist (theatre critic for Nohoartsdistrict.com) has featured his poetry and comedy across the country and organized over a dozen readings in places such as New York City, New Jersey, Ft. Walton Beach, FLA and Los Angeles.
Radomir also has five featured readings coming up between now and June.
Mann is an artistic and political mainstay and whirlwind in North Hollywood. She has been with Synthaxis since 1978. She has toured and won numerous awards from the city with her plays, both for children and adults. The former MTNHNC board member has a Ph.D from USC and nine books to her credit in over 40 years of living in North Hollywood.
Her unique and emotional study of drama, “The Construction of Tragedy-Aristotle in the Theatre Today” and “There Are No Enemies,” a practical philosophy of life, both break ground in their respective fields, the former for what it offers, the latter for a very different approach to life that embraces peace, love and tranquility in a world that sorely yearns for them.
Mann’s two editions of the “Los Angeles Theatre Book” in 1978 and 1984 were the first of their kind in the city and showcased Mann’s growing flexibility and maturity as a writer.
The Australian writer/playwright/poet/philosopher is currently in the middle of producing and co-directing her magnum opus, the epic play, “Anzac,” with Justine Visone. “Anzac” which stands for Australia New Zealand Army Corps, was inspired by Mann’s father, an original Anzac, and will present those chapters about WWII as a staged reading sometime in the Spring. This is the fourth of five staged readings. The final reading takes place later in the year. A mini series may be on the horizon for this authentic and educational treatise.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: First Saturday of every month 3:45-5:45PM at T.U. Studios at 10943 Camarillo | NoHo Arts District (intersection of Lankershim, Vineland and Camarillo)
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