Meet the six performing artists who won WeHo grants

The City of West Hollywood has awarded six resident artists $5,000 grants for the City’s 2021 WeHo Artist Performance Grant program: Aleksandr Lukanov, Alula Yohanes Tsadik, Bvffalo, K Ryan Henisey, Leopold Nunan Soares, and Natti Vogel.

During the upcoming weeks, performances will take place outdoors in the City of West Hollywood and anyone attending is encouraged to wear a mask and practice social distancing of at least six feet regardless of vaccination status. The City of West Hollywood follows health and safety guidelines established by the Los Angeles County Department of Health.

“I encourage everyone to search out and experience our summer performances,” said City of West Hollywood Councilmember John D’Amico. “There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sharing a moment with a performing artist. Enjoy!”

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to reshape the reality of life in the City of West Hollywood and communities around the world, performing artists are among those who have been severely impacted. The WeHo Artist Performance Grant, initiated on May 3, 2021, is a direct response to resident performing artists who have been detrimentally affected by the pandemic. As an extension of the WeHo Artist Grant program, this temporary category provides direct support for individual performing artists living in the City of West Hollywood.

The WeHo Artist Performance Grant will help to financially support resident performing artists while offering them the opportunity to share their talents with the community in an easily accessible way. WeHo Artist Performance Grant funding is recommended by the Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission and approved by the City Council of the City of West Hollywood

Alula Yohanes Tsadik

Alula Yohanes Tsadik is a multi-talented, self-taught musician, composer, arranger, lyricist, singer, and performer with more than seven CDs and 10 videos. Alula has toured the world, performing his original songs in more than 10 languages, while simultaneously accompanying himself on various musical instruments. His music is an expression of the pursuit of freedom, life, liberty, happiness, and social justice issues. Alula will present, “Giving Love, Peace, Unity and Diversity Through World Music,” a set of diverse musical performances to take place on Sunday, August 1, 2021 and Sunday, August 8, 2021 on the hour between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. in Plummer Park, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.

K. Ryan Henisey

K. Ryan Henisey is heavily influenced by the people, culture, and landscape of the local community and Golden State. His work is unique in its ability to elevate the Queer experience using historic and spiritual references often barred to LGBTQIA+ peoples. Jesus 3.0 reflects Henisey’s values by highlighting secular messages of advocacy in a provocative, pop-art format. K. Ryan will present, “Jesus 3.0: Resurrecting WeHo Jesus,” with the artist grantee appearing as a pop-art ‘resurrection’ of “WeHo Jesus” (renamed Jesus 3.0) in one two-hour performance art walks each Saturday and Sunday between August 1, 2021 and September 1, 2021 at various times of day and night on West Hollywood’s streets (Santa Monica Boulevard, Sunset Boulevard, and Melrose Avenue) and through public parks.

Bvffalo

Bvffalo, a multimedia artist, creates uplifting art with recycled and upcycled materials. Even though they delve into dark themes, the goal is to uplift, always. Bvffalo intends to use every platform to lighten the heavy spirits of the people. Bvffalo will present “Crystalline,” a multimedia showcase to be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021, at 3 p.m. at West Hollywood Park, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

Natti Vogel

Natti Vogel is a West Hollywood resident artist. As a musical artist, he has toured internationally, working with musicians of every genre and demographic and writing and performing daily. He works to retain authenticity and fulfill his potential to build upon the genre-crossing, international performer-composer-activist lineage of David Bowie, Tori Amos, and Nina Simone. Natti will present “Natti Vogel & the Homoromantics LIVE at Plummer Park,” on Saturday, September 11, 2021 and Saturday, October 16, 2021 at 7 p.m. in Plummer Park, located at 7377 Santa Monica Boulevard.

Leopold Nunan Soares

Leopold Nunan Soares is a Brazilian-American multi-disciplinary artist (singer, dancer, actor), Los Angeles community leader, and queer activist. He was classically trained in theatre and ballet in Rio de Janeiro. At 18, he recorded his first international hit single “I’ve Got It,” which aired on MTV and played worldwide. Leopold is known as the first house music singer in Brazil and will present “Leo from Rio Sound Machine” – a two-hour dance music show extravaganza. This interactive pop-up dance event on wheels will showcase Carnaval Parade Costumes, dancers, live drums, capoeira acrobats, drag queens and a DJ on a sound truck. This fabulous carnaval event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, September 26, 2021 in West Hollywood Park, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

Aleksandr Lukanov

Aleksandr Lukanov is a dance-pop singer/songwriter and a cirque aerial performer. As an artist, Aleksandr lives with one core belief that nothing is impossible. Through Cirque, he discovered a new world of possibilities that helped him express his creative and emotional passions. Aleksandr will present, “Alx Luke presented by Leggy Riggs,” free performances of original songs with the circus cabaret Leggy Riggs to be held Saturday, October 16, 2021, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. in West Hollywood Park, located at 647 N. San Vicente Boulevard.

The City of West Hollywood is committed to providing accessible arts programming for residents and visitors. The City delivers a broad array of arts programs through its Arts Division including: Art on the Outside (temporary public art), Urban Art Program (permanent public art), Summer Sounds, Winter Sounds, WeHo Reads, Free Theatre in the Parks, Arts Grants for Artists and Nonprofit Arts Organizations, Library Exhibits and Programming, the City Poet Laureate Program, Human Rights Speakers Series, and the One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival.

For more information about the City of West Hollywood’s Arts Grant Program, please visit www.weho.org/arts