Don Palabraz

The Publication of the Origin of Species

Back in the day on November 24th, 1859, the first edition of “The Origin of Species” by Charles Darwin was published. Only 1,250 copies went into circulation one-hundred and fifty years ago, but the work quickly became supremely influential for its major contribution to evolutionary theory. Darwin, considered the father of modern biology for his text, put forth the notion that the transmutation of species was principally powered by the machinations of ‘natural selection.’ The scientific revelations contained in “The Origin of Species” continues to spark religious debates among literalists who, a century and a half later, refuse to accept its most basic tenets. Darwin himself, cognizant of the ramifications of his work, delayed publication for twenty long years.

To mark the 150th anniversary of ‘The Origin of Species,’ a rare first edition copy will be put up for sale. It was recently discovered in a home in England resting on a toilet bookshelf — where humanity has always done its deepest and most profound thinking!

SolArt Radio brings to you this week the music of one of LA’s best buzz bands of the year; La Santa Cecilia! The group joined the crew for laughs and songs following their performance at Santa Ana’s international music festival on Sunday night. Tune in to hear an interview with LSC as well as an unplugged performance! See them live at Breath of Fire’s annual “Noche de Milagros” fundraiser on December 5th and tell the band members you heard them on SolArt Radio!

Von Ossietzky’s Peace Prize

Back in the day on November 23rd, 1936, the Nobel Committee chose to award its Peace Prize for the previous year to pacifist and journalist Carl von Ossietzky. The honor was announced at a time when the German anti-fascist was hospitalized and kept under constant surveillance by Gestapo forces.Von Ossietzky’s health had seriously declined in the Nazi concentration camps due to hard labor, torture and inadaquate medical attention paid to his bout with tuberculosis. From his sickbed, he was disallowed from traveling to Oslo to recieve his Peace Prize though Nazi propaganda officially stated otherwise. In fact, the German government wanted von Ossietzky to decline the distinction, but in his final act of defiance, he accepted it as a sign of ‘understanding between peoples.’ Seeing it differently, Adolf Hitler decreed shortly thereafter that no German was eligible to be awarded by the Nobel Committee. The irony of von Ossietzky’s Peace Prize was that it was decided five years to the day that he was sentenced to prison under the Weimar Republic for publishing an expose on its rearmament in violation of the Treaty of Versailles. Pardoned in 1932, he was put back in prison after the Reichstag Fire and never saw another free day in his life before passing in 1938.

Blessed and imprisoned are the peacemakers.

It has taken me far too long to discover the treasure trove of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s music. The first nations indigenous woman from Canada has recorded some of the best ballads and protest songs I’ve ever heard. Whether it’s “Cod’ine” “Unknown Soldier,” or “Until it’s Time for You to Go,” Sainte-Marie potent lyricism and her sweet tremulous vibrato make their presence known to the listener in a powerful way. She continues with her career to this very day touring with a new cd/dvd, but such as task has been formidable. As mentioned in an interview ten years ago, the powerful, right up to the office of the presidency itself, considered her music too dangerous. As Sainte-Marie recalls:

“I found out 10 years later, in the 1980s, that President Lyndon B. Johnson had been writing letters on White House stationery praising radio stations for suppressing my music”

Latino LA writer Liza Zion begins her latest theater review of a Breath of Fire Theater production by writing:

I drove into Orange County and took the exit that leads me straight through downtown Santa Ana. I saw mi gente pushing baby strollers, waiting for a bus, ordering food at Mexican restaurants. I drove past the bookstore and the bridal shops and found a parking spot right on the corner of Broadway & 5th Streets. I climbed the stairs to the second floor and reached my destination, the Breath of Fire Latina theater.

Will this be the last time that Zion will have the opportunity to climb up those stairs to visit the humble theater space for the purpose of writing about this one-of-a-kind grassroots arts institution nestled in the bustling city of Santa Ana? The title of the article about the current staging of the “Medea Complex,” ominously warns, “Final Play May Be the Last for Breath of Fire Latina Theater.” It doesn’t have to be. As Zion’s subtitle rallies, “Now is the time to help our own if we are to survive.”

Read the rest of her article and help save Breath of Fire:

http://latinola.com/story.php?story=8049