Autry Museum of the American West Partners with Universal TV’s ‘Rutherford Falls’ to Celebrate Native Storytelling

Peacock and Universal TV have contributed to Los Angeles’ Autry Museum to help underwrite a robust, year-round programming that develops Native talent and provides more access to Native communities, including the Museum’s Native Voices program, which is the only Equity theater company dedicated to presenting stories from Native American playwrights with an entirely Native American ensemble.

As a part of the announcement, the Peacock series “Rutherford Falls” offered complimentary admission on Saturday to the Autry.

The comedy, which represents a breakthrough in Native representation in comedy television, stars Jana Schmieding (Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux) and Michael Greyeyes ([Nêhiyaw (Plains Cree) from Muskeg Lake Cree Nation – Treaty Six Territory in Saskatchewan]), alongside “The Office’s” Ed Helms. There are five Native writers staffed on “Rutherford Falls,” one of the largest Indigenous writer’s rooms on television, including co-creator and executive producer Sierra Teller Ornelas (Navajo).

Above, members of cast and crew at the Autry included (from left) Dustin Milligan (“Josh Carter”), Ed Helms (co-creator, executive producer and “Nathan Rutherford”), Sierra Teller Ornelas (co-creator, executive producer and showrunner; Navajo), Jesse Leigh (“Bobbie Yang”), Tai Leclaire (writer; Kanien’kehá:ka [Mohawk Nation]/Mi’kmaq) and Kimberly Guerrero (“Renée Thomas”; Colville (Enrolled) and Salish-Kootenai).

Free L.A.: Museums Free-For-All Returns This Weekend

Los Angeles' "Museums Free-For-All" promotion is back this weekend, Jan. 28 and 29 -- and although several major museums don't participate, this is your chance to stop by MOCA or the Autry for free. MuseumsLA.org has the roundup:

The Annenberg Space for Photography - Both Days
The Autry National Center - Both Days
California African American Museum - Both Days
California Science Center - Both Days
Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles - Both Days
Fowler Museum at UCLA - Both Days
The Hammer Museum - Both Days
The Getty Center - Both Days
The Getty Villa - Both Days
Laguna Art Museum- Both Days
Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial (Both Hollywood & San Pedro Locations)- Saturday, January 28th Only
The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (MOCA) - Saturday, January 28th Only
Museum of Tolerance - Sunday, January 29th Only
Museum of Latin American Art - Both Days
Pasadena Museum of California Art - Both Days
Santa Monica Museum of Art - Saturday, January 28th Only
Skirball Cultural Center - Saturday, January 28th Only
Zimmer Children's Museum - Sunday, January 29th Only

Of course, if you can't make it this weekend, there are plenty of L.A. museums that are always free -- check out lists here and here.

Autry Celebrates Michael Jackson in "How the West Was Worn"

Michael Jackson at the Autry National Center? Not the first museum you would seek out for an exhibit about the late King of Pop. But the Autry is currently home to "How the West Was Worn by . . . Michael Jackson," an ongoing exhibit that "shows how Jackson’s use of Western wear evolved over the years, reflecting his ability to use classic Western styles in distinctive ways."



Among the items on display, from the private collection of designers Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush: Jackson's red bib-front shirt with black trim; Black 501 Levi’s jeans; Black fedora hat; Aviator sunglasses; and, of course, one of his signature single white gloves. Some background from the Autry's blog:

Tompkins and Bush, who designed for Jackson for 25 years, spent several months working with Jeffrey Richardson, the Autry’s associate curator for film and pop culture, choosing items from the wardrobe of the King of Pop that were inspired by western themes. The costumes all went into a case in the Imagination gallery, which focuses on Hollywood’s interpretation of the West.

“The idea is to show people that Michael used western influences,” Richardson said. “That influence continues even if people don’t realize where the ultimate inspiration came from. It didn’t come from Michael. Michael was taking from other things.”

And here's a 2010 ABC "Good Morning America" story on the installation:



We recently visited the Autry during a free museum weekend (which the Autry frequently participates in -- take advantage of it). The Blogger Kid particularly enjoys the make-believe mid-20th century Chinese restaurant housed in the kids' area, while I enjoy the Hollywood western memorabilia (including a vintage TV Guide). A few more pics:

Free Museum Day This Saturday

Several L.A.-area museums are taking part in Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day this Saturday, Sept. 24.

The catch: You have to print out a museum pass at the website above -- and it's only good for you and a guest, one per household. (So if you're coming with the whole family, I guess you'll have to go through the extra step of typing in a fake address and then entering separately and pretend you don't know each other.)

Local museums participating include:

Autry National Center

California Science Center

Chinese American Museum

Fowler Museum at UCLA

Hammer Museum

Laguna Art Museum

Los Angeles Art Association

Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust

Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)

Palos Verdes Art Center

Santa Monica Museum of Art

The GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE

The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles

Read more here.

The Autry Celebrates Michael Jackson's Western Style

This may be one of the more unusual stretches I've ever seen for a museum exhibit: "The Autry National Center presents an installation of Western fashion worn by one of the most successful and popular entertainers in history, pop icon Michael Jackson."

No lie: A new Autry installation "will reflect Jackson's ability to use classic Western styles in distinctive ways."

I know. I know.

Now, it's not unusual for the Autry to celebrate Hollywood stars -- hell, the entire institution is named after the Singing Cowboy himself, Gene Autry.

And yet, Michael Jackson was never synonymous in life with country music. In death, though, he apparently is now remembered as an influential player in the world of Western style:

His contributions to music, dance, and fashion made him a global icon for over four decades. In the world of style, his willingness to try different patterns and designs made Jackson truly unique. While many of his influences—from military jackets to aviator sunglasses—are readily apparent, his frequent use of Western wear has gone virtually unnoticed. The new installation at the Autry will reflect Jackson's ability to use classic Western styles in distinctive ways.

Surrounded by objects belonging to the likes of the Cisco Kid, the Lone Ranger, John Wayne, and Clint Eastwood in the Autry’s Imagination Gallery, a three-sided case with full-size mannequins will display outfits that Jackson wore in the 1970s and ’90s, as well as the famous white glove—all courtesy of his longtime costume designers Dennis Tompkins and Michael Bush.

Curated by Jeffrey Richardson, the Autry's Associate Curator of Film and Popular Culture, the exhibit will highlight Jackson's early career by featuring a sparkling trimmed and rhinestone cowboy outfit worn on the television variety show The Jacksons on March 2, 1977. The costume was clearly influenced by Western entertainers like Roy Rogers and Rex Allen. In a video accompanying the display, visitors will be able to see Jackson’s performance of the hit songs "Cisco Kid" and "I Shot the Sheriff" on a set decorated to look like a Western saloon.

The display case will also examine Jackson's use of Western wear in the latter part of his career. As a solo artist, Jackson often wore a classic bib-front shirt, just like John Wayne and many other screen cowboys throughout the twentieth century. Following in the tradition of flashier stars like Tom Mix and Gene Autry, Jackson had shirts adorned with intricate designs and opulent buttons.

The red bib-front shirt with black trim was worn by Jackson in 1996 while promoting his "HIStory" World Tour in Sydney, Australia.

The Autry Museum’s Celebration of Michael Jackson’s Birthday takes place on August 29.

A Family-Friendly May Day Weekend in Los Angeles

Think this weekend is booked, with the L.A. Book Fair and Conan's live shows at the Gibson Ampitheatre? Get ready for the first weekend of May. Here are a few kid-friendly events on tap:



Saturday, May 1: L.A. Conservancy/Modern Committee Picnic, at Vincent Lugo Park in San Gabriel

Event, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., costs $15 --or $10 for members and $5 for kids -- but includes lunch AND a Coolhaus ice cream (done).

Details:

La Laguna de San Gabriel is a sand-filled "lagoon" of whimsical sea creatures handcrafted in the mid-1960s by master concrete artist Benjamin Dominguez.

La Laguna is more than just an amazing place; it's a great preservation success story. The playground was threatened with demolition in 2006 as part of a park expansion plan. After successfully rallying to save the playground, the grassroots Friends of La Laguna commissioned a groundbreaking study and preservation plan for this unique architectural treasure.

The Friends won a 2009 Conservancy Preservation Award for their Historic Structures Report and Preservation Plan, and they just received a grant from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to complete some repairs to the playground, which is now an official City of San Gabriel landmark.

Reservations are required; go to the Conservancy site here for more info. (Photo of La Laguna by Eloy Zarate.)



Sunday, May 2: "¡Viva el Cinco!" at the Autry.

Event, which takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., celebrates Mexico's music, dance, and folk art. Info:

Outdoor performances include mariachis, Mexican regional band, a ballet folklórico, and charros. The Bañuelos Charro Team return with their high-flying roping skills; the Hermanos Herrera band play original songs; the Ballet Folklórico México Azteca features a cast of dancers; the Mariachi Master Apprentice Program from the City of San Fernando unites world-class mariachi masters with community youth.

Also: a colorful shopping bazaar featuring artists and vendors similar to those found in traditional Mexican mercados; and a variety of children’s activities and art demonstrations led by museum teachers and local artist Lalo Garcia.

"Charros" -- got excited there for a second. But that's not the same thing as a churro. Which are delicious. I'm sure the charros are cool too.