Tongue and Groove in March

Sunday, March 30, at the Hotel Café in Hollywood, Tongue and Groove continues it’s monthly series of music and spoken word with appearances by: Dana Johnson, author of the prize-winning short fiction collection, “Break Any Woman Down”; Kim Calder, whose first book of poems will be published this spring by Writ Large Press; Joshuah Bearman, contributor to McSweeney’s, Harper’s and This American Life; Gary Phillips, columnist for the Nation magazine’s website and editor of the forthcoming anthology, “Politics Noir” (Verso); and musical guest Izzy Cox, self-described voodoobilly jazz crooner whose most recent release is “Love Letters from the Electric Chair.” Host and Tongue and Groove founder Conrad Romo will also read something from his continuing series on his experiences as an ex-Scientologist.

Sunday, March 30, 6:00-7:30 pm

Hotel Café, 1623-1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA

Cover: $6.00

Upcoming: January's TONGUE AND GROOVE at the Hotel Cafe

The January 27 edition of Tongue and Groove--the monthly series of music and spoken word at Hollywood's Hotel Cafe--will feature: Aimee Bender, the author of three books, including "Willful Creatures" and "The Girl in the Flammable Skirt"; writer and translator Sasha Watson, author of the fortcoming novel, "Vidalia in Paris"; Milo Martin, veteran of the L.A. poetry scene and author of the soon-to-be-released "poems for the utopian nihilist..."; Doug Cordell, Emmy-nominated playwright and Marketplace radio commentator; and music by indie/alt country solo performer and songwriter Chuck Lee Bramlet, formerly of the Violets and Gingersol.

Sunday, January 27, 6:00-7:30pm
Hotel Cafe, 1623 & 1/2 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA
Cover: $5.00
Info: 323-937-0136

"Brown Christmas" at Tongue and Groove

Conrad Romo, Luis Rodriguez, Jose Montoya and Richard Montoya, the Hotel Cafe, Dec. 9

It's a "Brown Christmas" at Tongue and Groove

When: Sunday, December 9, 6:00-7:30 pm
Where: The Hotel Café, 1623 ½ N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA
Cover: $5.00 / 323-937-0136

Four compelling figures in contemporary Chicano culture will lend their voices to the December 9 installment of Tongue and Groove’s monthly reading series at the Hotel Café: poet Jose Montoya (co-founder of the Rebel Chicano Art Front), his son, Richard Montoya, of the comic troupe Culture Clash, writer Luis Rodriguez (“Always Running”), and Mario Rocha, subject of the documentary “Mario’s Story.”

The lives and work of each of these men testify not only to the power of an artist engaged in one’s community, but to the transforming power of the written word—whether it’s Jose Montoya, back in the Bay Area after the Korean War, drawn to the influence of the Beats; his son, Richard, using biting satire to stir up the cultural pot; Luis Rodriguez, saved from the ravages of la vida loca by a stroll into an East LA bookstore; or Mario Rocha, who enrolled in a writing program while serving nine years in prison on a wrongful conviction.

The December 9 evening presents a rare blend of voices from the Chicano community—voices that span generations and genres:

Poet Jose Montoya is one of the premier cultural activists in the Chicano movement. He co-founded the Rebel Chicano Art Front (later known as the Royal Chicano Air Force), an internationally recognized artists’ collective. His work helped lay the foundation for contemporary Chicano culture, through visual art, poetry and songwriting. He’s the author of three collections of poetry, including the highly acclaimed “In Formation: 20 Years of Joda.” He is also featured in over 40 anthologies.

His son, Richard Montoya, is a member of the planet’s leading Latino performance trio, Culture Clash, whose shows include “Radio Mambo,” “Anthem,” and “Zorro in Hell.” He is a mayoral appointee to the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Commission.

Luis Rodriguez is the author of 13 books, including “Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.” and is a recipient of the Carl Sandburg Literary Award. He is the founder of Tia Chucha Press and the Tia Chucha Cultural Center.

Mario Rocha is the subject of the award-winning documentary “Mario’s Story,” which portrays his struggle to overturn a wrongful conviction for murder and his emergence as a writer under the tutelage of a prison writing program.


Pound for pound and word for word, one of the best readings events in town! T&G is a word extravaganza offering short fiction, personal essays, poetry, spoken word and music. Hosted by Conrad Romo, a native Angelino and writer himself, this unique event usually happens at The Hotel Cafe in Hollywood.

Show up early because seating is limited and we’re starting on time!

Contact: conrad.romo@gmail.com, www.tongueandgroovela.com, www.hotelcafe.com

Let The Blogging Begin!

Spread the word!

You can play a significant part in growing Tongue & Groove. A couple of years ago, a not very good movie that had "fat" and "wedding" in the title was seen by a lot of people and became a big hit. Its run was aided largely by word of mouth. You, yes you can be very helpful and significant in stirring up a crowd and making T&G a big fat crowd-pleasing literary phenom. This unique event happens the last Sunday of every month. You can count on it to be word for word, note for note, and pound for pound a fine and cool experience.

Not so fast, where do I park?

It's Sunday so there is free street parking where available or use the secure lot for a few bucks just north and south of Hollywood Bl. on Cahuenga. The club is 1/3rd of a block just below Hollywood Blvd. across from The Beauty Bar. There is a back door entrance for the club that is down an alley. Don't be scared.

BUZZ!

I need you to help with the proverbial buzz and spread the word to others whenever you can. Treat this as good news that others are going to be grateful to hear. Print it and post it in your lunchroom, your local bookstore or hand it to a few people that could appreciate some LA culture.

Some of the past participants have included:

O-Lan Jones, Jesse Shepard, Taylor Negron, Salvador Plascencia, Glen David Gold,
Steve Abee, Bett Williams, Rachell Resnick, Samantha Dunn, Kathy Bates,
David Ulin, Leon Martel, Bruce Bauman, Lisa Jane Persky, Michael O’Keefe,
David O’Shea, Shihan, Maggie Rowe, Chloe Webb, Dan Fante, Luis Rodriguez,
Mike The Poet, Lynn Manning, Daniel Olivas, David Darmsteder, Pat Payne,
Larry Fondation, Michele Matheson, Mayda Del Valle, Andrea Abatte, Scott Wannberg,
Brad Listi, Lisa Teasley, Jeremy Deutchman, Mary Otis, Daniel Stessen, Chris Miller

A partial list of some past musical guests:
Louise Post, Julie Christensen, Garrett Morris, Lisa Germano, Randy Weeks
Quincy Coleman, Julie Christensen, Meiko, Ill Lit, Izzy Cox, Jimmy Camp,
Cooper Thompson, Jake La Botz