Videos
2020 - Present
20th Annual TARFEST at Pan Pacific Park
Saturday, June 10, 2023 | 2pm - 7pm
“TARFEST has been part of the LA community for twenty years, remaining an annual free event through massive changes that have transformed the city,” says LAUNCH LA founder James Panozzo. “This festival is about holding a mirror to our large, diverse community, by honoring what’s best about our city and its institutions in the Creative Core of Los Angeles.”
TARFEST 2023 supporters include the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs, The Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, CD 5, the California Arts Council, The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles, and more. Tax Deductible contributions supporting LAUNCH LA’s free cultural events can be made at: https://gofund.me/3fe080ea
TARFEST and LAUNCH LA provide important performance and exhibition opportunities to some of the region’s finest emerging artists, performers, and cultural innovators on the historic Miracle Mile of Los Angeles and beyond. LAUNCH LA is a 501(3)(c) not-for-profit social enterprise that believes exposure to the arts enhances quality of life and strengthens community. Passionate about promoting all contemporary art forms and their hybrids, LAUNCH LA recognizes the need for exemplary productions that create important cultural happenings with the assistance of commercial partners, cultural institutions and like-minded individuals and organizations.
Photos shot & edited by Bryan "Birdman" Mier https://www.birdmanphotos.com/
Paul Nelson’s Big Ol’ Band
Justice (feat. UNSPOKENVIEWS)
Composed, arranged and conducted by Paul Nelson
Vocals/Rap - UNSPOKENVIEWS
Alto Saxophone - Phillip Whack
Tenor Sax - Garrett Becker
Baritone Sax - Caesar Martinez
Trumpet - Scott Bell
Trumpet - Joel Schnaper
Trombone - Garrett Smith
Trombone - Nick Crane
Bass Trombone - Khristian Foreman
Guitar - David Ellis
Keyboard - Marco Apicella
Bass - Logan Kane
Drums - Lauren Ellis
My original music features wonderful musicians from LA and music for big band, electronics and various singers and rappers.
The music that I write is really a reflection of my experiences. I have recently collaborated with lyricists and rappers to assemble new music that draw on my observations of lopsided injustice of the US incarceration system, finding our place in the world and learning to overcome what is thrown at us in life that we cannot control.
While not the most beautiful story, I spent ten days in jail in the state of Georgia while I was in college and learned a lot about myself and the US justice system in that time. This piece, titled 'Justice,' is my reflection on this experience and one I would like to share to increase awareness of the failures of our systems in place as well as the importance of mental health for each of us as individuals.
John Robert - Love Wont You Stay
John-Robert’s quietly thrilling, intimately earnest songs reflect the young artist’s most salient qualities: He’s reverent, humble and—at the same time—ambitious. His heart-on-sleeve lyrics reflect his journey from small-town boy to big-city singer, songwriter, and producer. And his music, effortlessly flowing from sparse bedroom folk to sweeping modern pop, captures all the vivid emotions that popped up on that road from his tiny Shenandoah Valley, Virginia hometown to his current homebase of Los Angeles. Honesty and vulnerability have kept John-Robert grounded even as his star has risen out west, where he was signed at the age of 19 by the taste-making Ricky Reed, the Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter known for aiding Lizzo’s rise.
John Robert - Come Pick Me Up
“I admire people who are way above my level,” says John-Robert in a characteristic mix of deference and drive. “I’m just trying to hop onto that tier and be one of their contemporaries.”
Jessica Childress - Questions
Jessica Childress is a singer, songwriter, pianist and composer based out of Los Angeles. As an artist, her powerful voice, intimate lyrics and charismatic personality have kept her as a mainstay in the LA music scene since 2013.
Jessica Childress - High Hopes
Since her national debut on Season 4 of NBC’s The Voice, she’s opened for Charles Bradley, The Family Stone, Patti LaBelle, Allen Stone and performed at SXSW, Sunset Strip Music Festival, Long Beach NYE, and Bottlerock Napa. Jessica’s credits as a session singer include Disney’s Mulan, Trolls World Tour and Bob’s Burgers. Her original music has been featured on Hulu’s “Good Trouble” and “Shrill” and Netflix’s “Selling Sunset” as well as several Hallmark movies. She is a composer for Apple TV+ “Central Park” and is a frequent character singer on the show.
Laprete - Ina
Aidan Laprete is a singer-songwriter, music producer and actor, originally from Honolulu, Hawaii. Aidan’s music career spans back to his pre-teen years where he has performed around the US, Tahiti, and Asia. He has previously opened for Matisyahu and toured with Grammy award-winning band, Train. Aidan began releasing and producing music under the artist project Laprete and released his first EP under the new name in 2019. The new artist project blends alternative pop music with electronic, ambient, and garage influences.
Laprete - Pulling Me Back
Aidan’s band is Matthew Sukert on drums and Will Easley on bass.
Aidan can be seen in the role of Henry Tanaka on the second season of The Wilds, premiering on Amazon Prime Video on May 6th.
George Sarah Ensemble - Min and Elsa
George Sarah is an electronic composer and multi-instrumentalist. He is a former member of electronic/industrial band Stereotaxic Device (1988-1992) and T.H.C. (Buffy The Vampire Slayer). Born in Seoul, South Korea, he moved to the US at the age of five. He has garnered critical acclaim for his unique brand of electronic/acoustic/industrial and classical music as well as for his TV and film scores and 11 album releases. Recent tours include a live score for the 1928 classic film 'The Passion of Joan of Arc’. His latest film titled Her Name Was Jo is out now on AmazonPrime and soundtrack called Vicissitudes is released on all formats.
Morgan Lee Gerstmar is a Los Angeles based violist/violinist, and educator from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. She holds an MFA in the Performer/Composer program from the California Institute of the Arts; a BA in Neuroscience, Musical Studies and East Asian Languages and Cultures from the University of Southern California and precollege training from the New England Conservatory in Boston, MA. Morgan's diverse career in Neuroscience and Music has provided her with unique tools for teaching her violin and viola students.
George Sarah Ensemble - Improv
Peter Jacobson is a cellist, chamber musician, teacher, and father. In 2013 he won a Grammy for Best Latin Rock Alternative or Urban Album as a member of the group Quetzal. Mr. Jacobson frequently plays in the San Diego Symphony. He has been a soloist with Kamasi Washington and the West Coast Get Down, and has toured the world with Rhye and as a freelance cellist.
Andrew Dalziell is an Australian virtuosic, multi-instrumentalist who specializes in cello, percussion, Taiko drums, guitar, vocals and piano. A graduate of Melbourne Conservatory of Music, he is a skilled orchestrator and an accomplished instrumentalist who has performed in multiple orchestras and ensembles and is a member of the band Night Tongue.
Jazmen Safina - Coolin
With her sweet & smoky voice, catchy hooks, and booming stage presence, Jazmen Safina will keep you on the edge of your seat, begging for more. The songbird left her home, Durham, NC to pursue her dreams in Los Angeles. Since spreading her wings, she's performed at shows and festivals throughout the country, and won the Carolina Music Award for Best Female R&B Artist in 2016.
Jazmen Safina - Red Cup
She is recording her next project, a live album featuring Aubrey Harris on bass, Dee Simone on drums and Olivia Jyemo on the keyboard. Find Jazmen’s music on all streaming platforms.
Frank Anthony - For You
Straight out of South Side, Jamaica Queens, Frank Anthony is starting to take the world by storm! His first single, Insecure put him on the R& B radar and his album QUESTIONS is definitely making an impression on the indie R&B scene.
Frank Anthony - Lie To Me
In addition to his album, he has produced a short film available for viewing on YouTube titled, QUESTIONS SHORT FILM.
Mash-Up Contemporary Dance Company
EMBODY | in•body
Music: SD001 by Machine Woman
Choreographer: Stephanie Heckert
Dancers: Shelby Davis, Joanna Pfeiffer, Abigail Ruz, Sandy Strangis
EMBODY | in•body seeks to concretize the true nature of inspiration by analyzing the qualities of who and what we are inspired by. It explores how we exhibit and express these elements, developing an awareness of what inspires us about others, and encourages the discovery of what is inherently present in ourselves. It is a reminder to ourselves of who we are and of what already exists inside of us.
MashUp Contemporary Dance Company is dedicated to the movement of female bodies and feminist ideas. Prioritizing innovation, collaboration, and inclusion, MashUp uplifts female-identifying artists and builds community through contemporary dance.
TARFEST 2020 : TRANSITION - A JURIED GROUP EXHIBITION RECAP (PART 1)
TARFEST 2020 : TRANSITION - A JURIED GROUP EXHIBITION RECAP (PART 2)
TARFEST 2020: BREATHE, A DRIVE-IN DANCE EVENT RECAP
