The Rats are Languishing 🥴
February 15-February 29
My friends! This newsletter is shorter than usual today, had some health issues to deal with that made it tough to write. We’ll be back to regularly scheduled progratting next issue. And apologies for the late send.
The tone of this newsletter is silly. It’s goofy. It’s this, and for a reason: everything outside of producing some form of creativity feels like absolute garbage right now. Writing and sharing and joking provides some reprieve for me, and hopefully for you. I think a question a lot of makers (and let’s be honest, existers) are asking themselves is: do I acknowledge the ominous, heavy cloud that hovers over everything in the current state of the world, or do I keep try to keep certain spaces as sacred sources of refuge from the storm outside?
This rat is languishing under the heaviness of it all right now, and I feel that many of you may be, too. From realizing we’re on day 129 of this genocide in Gaza, to watching devastation of climate change in real time, to mass displacement and death in Sudan and Congo, to the 24 concurrent conflicts happening in other parts of the world, to a looming Trump presidency, to a looming Biden presidency, to trying to expand my awareness and empathy to all the innocent people suffering the effects of this while avoiding burnout…it’s a lot for the psyche. Realistically, there’s no way I can uphold such a division between creative expression and the world around me (nor do I think that serves you), and honestly, I’m not interested in creating something that lives in a separate, dissociated world. My fellow rats–creativity is a reflection of a life lived and experienced and considered, and it can serve as a point of connection as a result of our willingness to engage with our feelings about the world, both painful and joyous.
That’s all to say, I write this newsletter in response to what’s going on around us, not despite it. Amidst the silliness, Ratplay is about connection, and moments in time like these remind me that community and connection are more important than ever. We grieve, we heal, we repair, we strengthen, we become our most human– in community.
And so, as you go out into these next few weeks, consider the events and communities I share with you here not a distraction, but rather a meditation, a practice, a reminder of the importance of getting out into the world and connecting with people different from you; of finding the unique and beautiful conversations only you and and another can create; and of how each day gifts us the opportunity to get closer to our purpose: love and connection.
On that note ~ here’s what we’ve got coming up over the next couple weeks: soup night, trap chi (you heard me), collage making and a couple starkly different art shows.
Heart House Presents: Girl Crush
Thursday, 2/15 @7PM (add to cal)
Heavy Manners Library (Echo Park)
Tickets here ($15)
Flyer imagery by by @loserlair
Y’all may not know this, but this newsletter is run by a dyke ass bitch queer rat that’s had many a girl crush in her day! What you do certainly know, if you read my last newsletter, however, is that for me, Valentine’s Day isn’t just for crushes. It’s about loving on your people and prioritizing/inventing/investing in the forms of love that make your life rich, and for some KPOP lovers, that includes loving on feminist icon “Girl crush” groups. Curated by @hearthousebaby, 𝐆𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐂𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐡 is a video and software-based selection of work by twelve artists “engaging with themes of femininity, desire, and how admiration is mediated by our screens”. KPOP girlies, dust off your Freud books– it’s time to psychoanalyze 🫦
Thursday, 2/15 @ 7-9PM (add to cal)
Art and Minds Studios (Pico Union)
Tickets here ($20)
I’m seeing more and more events pop-up around town that offer a path to community via arts and crafts. In other words, the purpose is v overtly to foster/find community, and creativity is the vessel. It’s typically accessible activities like this one with simple yet pleasurable activities that allow people to chat and find release. Trend alert: we’re going to keep seeing events marketed as such, especially as people look for ways to mitigate feelings of loneliness and disconnection/try to find ways of going one hour without hearing about T****r S***t. You can check out the rest of Arts and Minds Studios’ classes here.
Wednesday, 2/21 @ 7-10PM (add to cal)
Tea at Shiloh (Highland Park)
Tickets here ($125)
Soup night!!!! I love soup so much– it’s basically just an edible hug. Who better to serve it up than Seedy, an LA-based duo sharing ~magical~ takes on nostalgic LA comfort foods, and where better to host such a dreamy night then at the most nourishing of locations, Tea at Shiloh (where else), the downtown LA teahouse and dreamscape. Expect a multi-course exploration of broths and stocks with a focus on full, bright, herbal & smoky flavors with a tinge of spice. Special s/o to Seedy’s flyers–Raquel does all the digital art for Seedy herself and it’s all spooky and witchy and playful–absolutely perfect.
p.s. the menu is dairy and nut free (heaven to some, hell to others 🤡 )
2/17 @ 5PM-3AM (add to cal)
129 South Bonnie Beach Place (East LA)
Tickets here ($55)
These are the kinds of events that remind me why I love LA so much–where else can you find a practice melding the ancient Chinese practice of Tai Chi with the Southern black roots of Trap music as a form of mind-body meditation??? Y’all truly have no excuses, there are healing options for all of you 🤗 And I will continue to share them 😚 (no this is not a replacement for therapy, we’re requiring both!!) Sunrise the Divine has been doing these meetups for 7 years, and he’s welcoming the community to share in celebrating with DJs, food, comedy, soundbaths, and of course, Trap Chi classes. If you can’t make it to the anniversary party, you can find Sunrise the Divine and his crew at Echo Park lake on Saturdays at 11am.
2/17 @ 7-11PM (add to cal)
1912 Raymond Avenue (Pico)
Free 🐀
This one’s interesting–Mile 44, a content studio for global sports brands, is putting on their annual group show with the works of 44 artists from around LA. They’re pulling up with 4 DJs so expect a vibe, and if you’re like me and having trouble making it out to the club these days, you’ll get the best of both worlds and be back in bed before midnight 😭✊🏽 The curation theme isn’t quite clear, but from what I can tell from a quick peek at the artists in the lineup, the art won’t just be sports/movement focused. Expect a diverse roster and a diverse crowd.
~Your favorite rat content~
rats on the road <3
LA’s going to need to step its game up…
submitted by Lorin B
If you’d like to further your commitment* to the mischief, honorary Aristocrat Atlas says South Bay Rodent Rescue is in desperate need of adopters for the nearing 1000 rats they’ve taken in…
*I realize this may be where you draw the line with the whole rat thing 😪
That’s it for now! This rat is looking for new places to play her new Djembe drum after receiving a tired two word text from her downstairs neighbor last night:
Go play,
CK
