Let’s Go Solar

At the Popwagon ribbon cutting, we had the pleasure of working with solar-powered DJ Chris Gee of the Sycons (the DJs of the Sun). When he took a look at the loud, gas-drenched generator we were using to power our sound system, he immediately suggested a few ways we could outfit the Popwagon for a sustainable future.

The thought of using solar power had crossed my mind at one point a while back. However, as an unwitting victim of the massive anti-solar disinformation conspiracy, I had assumed that any alternative to fossil fuel consumption was a hippie pipe-dream affordable only to Ed Begley, Jr.

As it turns out, we’ll be able to power an events-worth of lights, sound, and media equipment using a couple of portable power packs charged by two solar panels. And it’ll only cost $2500. Pretty stellar. Now if we can just dig up $2500…

The Radically Open Museum

Arts blogger and museumist Sue Bell Yank wrote a great post about some strategies museums are using to keep up with the changing times.

The winds are shifting, and museums of all kinds are reacting—sometimes fundamentally shifting their missions and structures in response, calling into question what comprises the boundaries of the institution.

Later on, she mentions the Popwagon as an example of a “decentralized museum.” I never quite thought of it that way, but maybe it’s time to start.

Check out the article and other thought-provoking museum-musings at Social Practice – writings about the social in contemporary art.

On the Radio

Just as I was about to raise the stage after our grand opening downtown, I was approached by a jolly woman saying “Wait wait!” The woman turned out to be Shirley Jahad – KPCC reporter and host of Weekend Edition. She had heard about the Popwagon from board member Reza Safai and was intrigued enough to chase us down to get the story. She proceeded to ask some interesting questions about the Popwagon and its role in society, then went on her merry way.

A few weeks later, a friend called to tell us he heard us on the radio. You can play the audio here, or get the full story at the KPCC website.

On an odd side note , the story aired on the same day that Donna Summer died. All day, stations were playing her song “On the Radio.”

Photos from Free Cupcakes

Video from the Grand Opening

Here are some video highlights of the big unveiling, in case you missed it.

Next Stop for the Popwagon…

The culmination project for a college course on post-modern theatre.

Free Cupcakes!
May 2, 2012 at 7PM
8343 Creighton Avenue
Los Angeles 90045 (MAP)

A plethora of postmodern jargon all mixed up in one night of theatre, film, art, and song… There might even be cupcakes.

Featuring these artists:

Rainer Barrett
Michael Bernieri
Patrick Buchanan
Veronica Coe
Mara De La Rosa
Adam Dlugolecki
Julian Garcia
Jordanna Harris
Luc Hediger
Cale Honda
Steven Jones
Jenn Kirk
Julie Kocher
Joy Mamey
Melissa McIntosh
Nelia Miller
Vivian Miranda
Cha’nel Mitchell
Amanda Navarra
Nigel Neumeier
Tom Nieboer
Olivia O’Neill
Rachel Rosenstein
Molly Rotschild
Shayna Sorrentino
Arden Tse

Visit the Facebook Event Page for more info.

Join Us for Our Grand Opening!

We’re pleased to announce that the Popwagon will be having it’s grand opening on Saturday, April 28! We’ll be parked downtown at Figueroa and 7th street taking part in the opening festivities for the Metro Expo line.

Help us cut the ribbon, then stick around for some artistic surprises curated by long-time Trade City collaborator Paloma Parfrey.

A dance performance by Movement Movement -choreographed by Mecca Vazie Andrews
Some Low-Fi Disco Punk by Sister Mantos
Experimental percussion and environmental jazz by Corey Fogel
Rio Parfrey playing classic children’s folk music on appalachian dulcimer
Solar beats by SYCONS
Street Buddy – an Anti-Rock entity of shifting shapes and perspectives
Puppetry by Coral & Sherry
A Performance by Paloma Parfrey

Here’s the Facebook Event Page.

Popwagon Production Meeting

Last Sunday, a group of us met at the Popwagon to go over the details for our big grand opening. In honor of CicLAvia, (which was on the same day) curator Paloma Parfrey, musician Oscar Mantos and performance artist Lila de Magalhaes rode their bikes from Silverlake and covered the entirety of the Expo line.

The grand opening will take place on April 28,2012 as part of the inaugural celebration for the Metro Expo line. More details to come.

Thanks to The Metropolitan Industrial Power Company (Alexander Wiske) for the photos.

Hey Los Angeles artists!

We’ve started planning our first season of programming for the Popwagon. We really want to make this a community-driven project and a”vehicle” for all the great ideas zooming around in the minds of our fellow Angelenos. If you’ve got an idea for a project that would work well in a 20′x 8′ mobile space, fill out the submission form, and we’ll do our best to figure out a way to bring it to the public.

Hey volunteers!

We’re going to need some help getting the Popwagon rolling. If you’ve got some special skills, or if you’re an enthusiastic, helpful kind of person, we’d love your help. Introduce yourself by filling out the submission form.

No matter what, be sure to follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook to stay up to date.

Popwagon Fact Sheet

Everything you could ever want to know about our fancy new mobile stage…

LENGTH: 23′

STAGE LENGTH: 16′

WIDTH: 8.5′ closed / 17′ open

HEIGHT: 10′

WEIGHT: 3500 lbs

POWER: External generator (3500 watts max.)

EQUIPMENT: A full suite of lighting, sound and video equipment is available.

HOW IT WORKS: The side door is supported by two cables attached to winches and lowered using exterior winch controls. The door/floor can be used with the cables attached, or else three jacks can be placed in position to bear the weight when the cables are removed. The floor can also be lowered to ground level to act as a ramp.

SETUP TIME: Less than five minutes to park, detach the tow vehicle, and lower the stage.

BUILT: January 2012