Solidarity and Coalitions AND Paula Tomei Takes a Bow After 44 years at SCR

Today our guests are Dr. Jordie Davies, Assistant Professor of Political Science at UCI, and an affiliate faculty member of the UCI Culture & Theory Ph.D. Program. Of particular interest is her work on “Solidarity Processes in Multi-Racial Coalitions.” An additional portion of this interview is available in Part 2 of this pod. In the segment (minute 35:50) is Paula Tomei, managing director of South Coast Repertory. She’s stepping down this August after a 44-year career, building a lot of things of local, regional, and national significance. It’s SCR’s 26th Pacific Playwright Festival May 3-5. Wrapping their season are the productions “Prelude to a Kiss, The Musical” and “Galilee, 34” which were previously showcased in earlier festivals.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Casey Benjamin, “Your Recipe,” performed At Clement’s Place; “Ponteio,” Peppino D’Agostino, single.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/DaviesTomeiPod4-2-24.mp3

In this extended portion of Jordie Davies’ interview, we draw comparisons with Ukrainians coalescing in the Maidan Revolution in 2013-14 and American protest movements. http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/DaviesExt4-2-24.mp3

Refinery Workers Amidst Fossil Fuel Conversions AND “avaaz” at the South Coast Rep

Virginia Parks, UCI professor of Urban Planning and Public Policy and director of UCI’s Labor Center, presents her recent findings on how the closure of a Marathon refinery affected its displaced workers; a story of the challenge in transitioning to renewable. The full report is available at the U.C. Berkeley Labor Center.

In the second segment (approx minute 36), we continue coverage of South Coast Rep after their completion of last week’s Pacific Playwrights Festival, with playwright and performer Michael Shayan. He brings phenomenal story-telling in his world premiere of avaaz, running now through May 27 at the Segerstrom Stage in Costa Mesa, https://www.scr.org/plays/productions/22-23-season/avaaz/.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Laura Love, “If I Knew,” Octoroon – album; Jalal Hemati, “Baba Karam.”

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/ParksShayan5-9-23.mp3

OCCORD’s Grassroots Menu And South Coast Rep Celebrates 25th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival

Back in full swing, in their new Santa Ana location, is Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development with a whole roster of community activation building leaders, supporting labor, and guiding prospective citizens – all this under the helm of their executive director Ely Flores. Find out what’s the next event on their roster at: https://www.occord.org/. or call 714-621-0919 et 6. The National Day of Action will be celebrated this week 5-4-23.

In the second segment (approx. minute 34:26) is Andy Knight, co-director of the South Coast Repertory’s 25th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival, underway through May 7. SCR’s outsized role in dramatic arts comes through with this incubation of plays: from ideas to final production. Details about the May 5-7 events at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa are available at: https://www.scr.org/plays/plays-landing/pacific-playwrights-festival/2023-pacific-playwrights-festival/.

Music credits: Chimora, “Africano Americano,” Sounds of Africa – album; Hermanos Guitérrez, “Esperanza” single; The Musical Stage Company performing “Dr. Silver is Gone,” Dr. Silver a musical by Anika & Britt Johnson.

http://www.kuci.org/podcastfiles/984/FloresKnight5-2-23.mp3