The end of an era

This is the last version of LA Art Spot as you know it. I’m making some changes in my life and writing. Here’s what to expect.

Author

Steven Vargas
April 17, 2025

Concluding

I’ve done a lot of reflecting, questioning what in my career must take the backseat to get me out of this creative rut. I’ve been feeling stuck in a cycle of production. After spending time with myself in nature for the first time in a long time, I could finally sit and not think about the next thing. The pause made me evaluate what is serving me as a writer and creative. What fulfills my passion? What will take me to the next level? I got my answer. 

It is with a heavy heart that I have to pause/stop LA Art Spot. 

Thank you so much for going on this wonderful post-layoff journey with me. I’ve interviewed and met so many amazing artists. It’s unlocked a new writing channel and challenged me to step outside of my usual theater & dance reporting beat.

This does not mean I won’t send out a newsletter now and then. Last week’s essay on the denim wall is the direction I want to take my writing. I’ll still use this as an outlet for that, but it will definitely not be a weekly thing. I want to make time for more long-form writing and criticism, whether it be here or with an outside publication.

In the past month, I’ve also had the privilege of hosting and co-producing the Critical Minded Podcast. The project created in conjunction with the “Topdogs and Underdogs: Critics of Color and the Theatrical Landscape” report that I was a researcher for brought a lot of our findings to life, giving fellow critics of color a platform to reflect on their experiences and challenges in the industry. After completing the roundtable episode with critic and playwright Amanda L. Andrei, critic Martίn Hernández, Latino Theater Company artistic director José Luis Valenzuela, and playwright Larissa Fasthorse, I realized how exciting and fulfilling it was to work in the audio space.

In the vein of my work with Critical Minded, I feel like the following must be said. I’ve enjoyed this newsletter, but I also feel like I’ve been limiting myself. Arts journalism today is incredibly reliant on listicles and guides these days. It’s time-consuming, and it hasn’t been feeding my soul the way it had before. There’s nothing wrong with a good guide, but that is not all I am. I felt the need to continue what I created with the LA Times and make myself marketable for other publications. Truthfully, the desire to fit into what arts journalism (as a business) wants has eaten away at my creative spirit. I’ve tested the waters with more critical pieces over the year I’ve had this newsletter. I’ve felt free and expansive in the process. I want to keep exploring that, because that is how we advance this industry and art form (yes, it is an art form). 

To grow, I need to make space to explore these parts of my career I’ve put on the back-burner because “There is no time,” or “I don’t have enough experience,” or “It isn’t what the industry wants.” I’m in my era of doing. I’m going to show what we need, not what the industry wants.

Now for some logistics: There will no longer be a paid subscription since I’ll most likely write once a month. I’ll spend the next few days issuing those refunds/cancelling subscriptions. Still share the newsletter with people you think will like reading it. However, this won’t be a guide. It’ll be a space to write my reflections, essays, and sometimes my thoughts while creating my own dance, theater and music. I may even change the title of the newsletter… We’ll see. I’ll still be reporting for other publications, so keep me in the loop of all events happening in LA. 

I’m excited for this new chapter, and I hope you are too. Thank you for being with me on this journey. More soon :) 

Now, let’s get to the last roundup of events for LA Art Spot. 

This Week’s Top Spots

Ann Noble and JB Cullum in “Corktown’39” (Photo by Jeff Lorch)

‘Corktown‘39’ @ Matrix 

Rogue Machine’s latest mainstage run, “Corktown'39,” is a political thriller that follows the Irish Republican Army’s plot to assassinate the king of England. The work by Steven Robman is inspired by true events, documenting the political tensions and a tragic romance between the assassin and the woman sheltering the king. 

LOCATION: 7657 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046
DATES: April 12 - May 25
PRICE: $45 - $60
LINK: https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org/corktown39 

‘What Is War’ @ The Nimoy

Wen Hui grew up in China during the Cultural Revolution, and Eiko Otake grew up in post-war Japan. Together, the female performers and filmmakers collaborated in creating the feature-length documentary film “No Rule Is Out Rule” in 2020. In the process of this creation, they recognized how personal memories are held in the body. As a way to keep the dialogue going, the duo co-created a new performance work commissioned by the Walker Art Center and CAP UCLA titled “What Is War.” 

LOCATION: 1262 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024
DATES: April 17
TIME: 8 pm 
PRICE: $38.08
LINK: https://cap.ucla.edu/event/what-war 

L-R: Kacie Rogers and DeWanda Wise in rehearsal for Furlough's Paradise at Geffen Playhouse. (Photo by Jeff Lorch)

‘Furlough’s Paradise’ @ Geffen Playhouse

Sade and Mina only have three days. The two cousins return to their childhood town to attend the funeral of their mother and aunt. Sade is on a three-day furlough from prison and Mina is on a three-day vacation from her bustling life on the West Coast. Together, they must grapple with their conflicting memories of the past as their present realities collide. And this just in: playwright a.k. payne was awarded the 2025 Susa Smith Blackburn Prize for the play, so it’s a special celebratory production you won’t want to miss. 

LOCATION: 10886 Le Conte Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024
DATES: April 16 - May 18
PRICE: $45 - $139
LINK: https://www.geffenplayhouse.org/shows/furloughs-paradise/ 

Carlos Simon’s ‘Good News Mass’ with Dudamel @ Walt Disney Concert Hall

Gustavo Dudamel will lead the world premiere of Carlos Simon’s groundbreaking “Good News Mass.” The new work is a celebration of Black joy and spirituality. Simons takes inspiration from the sonic legacy of gospel, African American composers such as Mary Lou Williams and Florence Price, and the traditional Catholic Mass. Director Melina Matsoukas and spoken word artist Marc Bamuthi Joseph will also bring the music to life with layered visuals and multimedia artistry. 

LOCATION: 111 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
DATES: April 17 - 18
TIME: 8 pm 
PRICE: $70 - $169
LINK: https://www.laphil.com/events/performances/3113/2025-04-17/carlos-simons-good-news-mass-with-dudamel 

The cast and creative team of “The Last Play by Rickérby Hinds.” (Photo by Xavi Moreno)

‘The Last Play’ @ Los Angeles Theatre Center

AfroLatino playwright Rickérby Hinds is on a mission to capture the complexities of Latinidad. He turns to his characters for guidance out of his writer’s block, but as the characters collide, their antics change the trajectory of his creative process. Latino Theater Company’s latest presentation is a heartfelt and comedic look into heritage and legacy. 

LOCATION: 514 S. Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
DATES: April 17 - May 25
PRICE: $10 - $48
LINK: https://www.latinotheaterco.org/thelastplay 

Things: Books, Books, Wherever You Look

The sun is making her way out. The flowers are blooming. Let’s take some time away from the screens to relish in Spring. Here are a few events that’ll help you make that happen. 

Meme of the Week