CURRENT EVENTS
GOLD STANDARD 2023 | 04.22.23
a showcase featuring the GOLD STANDARD of talent within the Palms Up Academy community and beyond. part of the 7th Annual LA Getdown Festival co-directed by Arianna Lady Basco.
PAST PRODUCTIONS
04.09.22 GOLD STANDARD VOL . I
Featuring music, poetry and theatricality, this showcase made its first appearance in the LA Getdown Festival lineup in 2022. Hosted by founder Arianna Lady Basco, the show’s format echoes the kind of energy and artistry found every week at RECESS Mic - but allowed for an amplification of the lineup’s talent.
05.22.21 DRIVE AGAINST RACISM
An AAPI event that celebrated and amplified solidarity across cultures.
The community joined our car rally, enjoyed our food vendors, connected to our advocacy groups, and were inspired by our diverse BIPOC artist lineup.
Presented by PALMS UP ACADEMY | BASCOHOUSE
with Sunday Jump x ANSWER Coalition
@ Los Angeles College Prep Academy.
“GOLD” MUSIC VIDEO | Ella Jay Basco feat. Ruby Ibarra
The new Ella Jay Basco GOLD video, featuring Ruby Ibarra and music produced and co-written by Darryl Basco, feels like an anthem. Feels like your top down, hands waving, head bopping on your way to a place you always belonged. The controversial black and white commercial ‘Brown Be Gone’ coupled with this powerful celebration of skin is the perfect juxtaposition. An insight to the disturbing conditioning brown womxn have been subjected to, this project melodically screams— no more: “Head to toe I’m dipped in gold and I know and I know that I’ll break the mold.”
100% of the cast and crew were asian, 80% Filipino, 20% from the LGBTQ community— and 2⁄3 of the team were womxn. A fact that the Executive Producers— Alejandro Films (Leslie and Kevin Alejandro/ Dani De Jesus), Team Basco (Emily Cho and Derek Basco), Palms Up Academy (Arianna Lady Basco) are proud of.
For more Behind-The-Scenes facts, visit Alejandro Films.
Read press for “GOLD” on Refinery29 and MTV’s Bop Shop.
“GLIMMER” SHORT FILM | written & directed by Arianna Basco
GLIMMER (2019) is the short film directorial debut for PUA founder, Arianna Lady Basco. It is also the first film production developed in an Art Class for Creatives workshop.
Featuring the talents of Rosario Dawson and Féi Hernandez, this story centers on an immigrant, trans non-binary narrative. To date, GLIMMER has been accepted as an official selection from festivals such as LA Get Down, WRPN Women's International Film Festival, and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (2020).
NBC Asian America Journalist Agnes Constante has a full write-up for the film available here.
“HAPPY HOLIDRE” STAGE PRODUCTION | written & directed by Dre Magix
HAPPY HOLIDRE (2018-2019) is an annual Christmas variety show produced by 3 Sweet Productions and Palms Up Academy. The production weaves music, poetry, dance, comedy and magic into a cohesive narrative that is entertaining for all ages!
MYX News covered Happy Holidre 2: Stuck in L.A. on their digital platforms.
“THAT’LL SHOW EM: A SHOW OF POEMS” STAGE PRODUCTION | written by Ford Fanter
THAT’LL SHOW EM (2020) was a one-man show written and performed by playwright Ford Fanter, and was directed by Arianna Lady Basco. This production highlighted many characters (both real and imagined) Fanter was able to portray, and was executed in the style of great performers like Rudy Ray Moore.
You can watch clips of the show on Ford Fanter’s Instagram.
“HEARTSTORMS” STAGE PRODUCTION | written & directed by Arianna Basco
Showcased at LA Get Down from 2003-2019, HEARTSTORMS infused the environment of an open mic with the narrative of a singular protagonist.
This show explored the trappings women feel when fighting against the patriarchy in their everyday lives; and how a single moment can play out an entire life. The framework of this show as well as its content can be found throughout the coursework of Art Class for Creatives.
“THE TRAGIC ECSTASY OF GIRLHOOD” STAGE PRODUCTION | directed by Arianna Basco
THE TRAGIC ECSTASY OF GIRLHOOD (2018) was a stage production on the PUA roster directed by Arianna Lady Basco and co-produced with Third Culture Theatre. The production was partnered with HBO; and tackled issues such as abandonment, suicide, and the hardships and joys experienced by young people living in government housing.
A living playbill for the production can be found on Third Culture Theatre’s website.
