Plastic Alto with Mark Weiss

NANCY H. PACKER, 99

Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots versus manga Joe No Tomorrow

ahem:

Ashita no Joe (Japanese: あしたのジョー, Hepburn: Ashita no Jō; “Tomorrow’s Joe”), also known as Ashita no Joe: Fighting for Tomorrow, is a Japanese boxingmanga series written by Asao Takamori and illustrated by Tetsuya Chiba. It follows drifter Joe Yabuki, who discovers a passion for boxing in a juvenile prison, and his rise through Japan’s and the global boxing scene.

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edit to add:

Sunday, January 4 at Palo Alto Art Center

In a musical landscape that often leans on flash over substance, the JOHNNY A.TRiO stands out as a beacon of authenticity, artistry, and soul. Helmed by acclaimed Grammy Nominated guitarist Johnny A., the TRiO is a masterclass in musicianship, bringing  together three seasoned pros who share a deep reverence for the roots of rock,  blues, jazz, and soul—and a passion for pushing those boundaries into exciting  new territory. 

Live, the JOHNNY A.TRiO is nothing short of electrifying. The band’s chemistry  is palpable, forged through years of mutual respect, shared influences, and  countless hours of playing together. Their setlists weave through Johnny A.’s  acclaimed catalog, inventive covers, and jaw-dropping improvisational moments  that blur the lines between genres. 

Every show is a journey—one that nods to  the traditions of great instrumental music while forging a fresh path forward.  Whether it’s a soulful reimagining of a Beatles tune, a blues-drenched original, or  an off-the-cuff jam that catches fire, the trio plays with passion, precision, and a  sense of joy that’s utterly contagious. In a world where digital effects and  backing tracks often replace raw performance, the Johnny A.TRiO reminds us  of the power of real instruments, real interaction, and real soul. This is music  made by humans, for humans—vibrant, honest, and alive.

“Devotion to melodies, tight dynamics and succulent tones perfectly temper Johnny’s balance of fire and ice.” 

– Guitar World

“Johnny A. lets his guitar speak for him with eloquence and spirit.” – Washington Post    

“Johnny A. has eclectic musical vision and the skills to realize it… both accessible and sophisticated.” 

– JAZZIZ

“Johnny A. is a musician who resists easy categorization and that’s always cool by us.” 

– London Free Press

Best Regards,

JOHNNY A.

Apollo Music Ventures llc

Mia san mia: can you identify 10 soccer immortals?

Rose B. Simpson: Behold

January 17, 2026–ongoing 

Floor 4

Behold, the latest work by mixed-media artist Rose B. Simpson, is a colossal outdoor sculpture commissioned by SFMOMA for its Floor 4 terrace. Simpson, who resides in Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico, is one of our moment’s most important sculptors, working with clay and mixed materials in a matrilineal tradition that bridges past, present and future. At over 24 feet tall, the honey-colored bronze Behold will be visible from various locations in and around the museum, including Yerba Buena Gardens across the street.

The mother and child figures depicted in the sculpture are connected by beaded necklaces strung from their shoulders and a bending, ornamental ladder that arcs between their heads, illuminating a mental and emotional connection that flows between them. In the artist’s words, “Like branches of a tree, a child grows from the hip of a monumental parent.” The figures’ steady outward gazes also connect the sculpture, visitors and the museum itself to its surroundings.

Behold is a profoundly hopeful and vulnerable artwork. As Simpson says, “It asks us to be human with each other, to change our narrative through wonder, witness and a foundation in the soft warmth of our humanity.”

Rose has an installation featuring two art cars and a mural LEXICON at the DeYoung and is installing a sculpture at SF MOMA on January 17, three months from today.

Congratulations to Rose.

Rose is from Santa Clara pueblo but i met her in sf. Her mother is Roxanne Swentzell who made a bronze sculpture owned by my parents. Her cousin is Jody Naranjo who sold me a pot called The Pueblo Girls which depicts a rock band. Actually I tried to recruit Rose to be in that band. It doesn’t really exist beyond that pot, this blog and maybe the text thread.

O.N.I.B v. G.L.O.R.I.A

I’ve been a cultural broker for 30 years, but I had no idea until I read today’s times the impact of a play from 30 years ago and a album from 50 years ago.

bw we are 45 days from our pow wow with Janus:

coda