L.A. musicians travel to ‘totality zone’ to experience full force of our nation’s first total eclipse in nearly 100 years
Marcy Vaj and Pam Gates
North America experienced its first total solar eclipse in nearly 100 years on Aug. 21, 2017. Its trajectory crossed the nation from the Pacific to the Atlantic, closely mirroring that of one in June 8, 1918, the last time North America experienced an eclipse in totality. Continue reading
California Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon addresses the crowd at the AFM “Keeping the Score in California,” with (from left) RMA’s Marc Sazer, RMALA’s Steve Dress, AFM Local 47’s John Acosta, LA County Federation of Labor’s Rusty Hicks, and Local UNITE HERE Local 11’s Jordan Fein. (Photo: Paula Parisi / MaxTheTrax)
– Published by Max The Trax, Aug. 28, 2017
With three top California assemblyman singing their tune at the American Federation of Musicians’ “Keeping the Score in California” event, it appears as if the tax incentive designed to keep recording work in the state is destined for passage. “I don’t see it as a question of if it’s going to happen, I see it as a question of when it’s going to happen,” said Assembly Majority Leader Ian Calderon, who in April introduced the measure, AB 1300. Continue reading
Hannoah Entertainment announces a free film screening of “Cello” for members of Local 47. The new 17-minute short dramatic film about one man’s battle with ALS and the choices he faces, stars renowned soloist and cellist Lynn Harrell in his acting debut. Continue reading
Today we join with the California Nurses Association to launch the second in a series of “Schoolhouse Rock!” inspired music videos created by Los Angeles musician Clifford Tasner in support of the Healthy California Act- SB 562, which establishes a Medicare-for-all type healthcare system in California. Continue reading
Congratulations to the following Los Angeles AFM Local 47 musicians & composers who received 69th Annual Emmy Awards nominations, and who performed on series, commercials & TV specials earning 170 nominations overall! Winners will be announced Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 on CBS. Continue reading
by Paul Castillo, President
Theater Musicians Association, SoCal
Whenever musical theater musicians meet the discussion of audience awareness inevitably comes up. Many audience members just are not aware that live orchestras are being used for musical theater. It’s an ongoing problem and discussions often end with “What can we do about it?” To fix any problem, it is necessary to follow a plan of action. The title of this article is a quote often attributed to the 20th century writer and journalist Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, and accurately describes what often happens without a plan. So, here’s the plan:
1. Requirement to list musicians in the program: This should be a requirement in the contract or collective bargaining agreement for the production. This is usually quite specific. Example: “The names of the musicians in the orchestra shall be published in the program for the production on the page immediately following the listing of the cast members.” Continue reading
It’s quite extraordinary when a composer writes music for two of the biggest motion picture releases of the summer — and even more extraordinary when they are recorded within just a few weeks of each other! Continue reading
For his upcoming album “It’s Christmas Time Again,” Charles Billingsley flew in from Virginia specifically to use L.A. union musicians and singers, and a great L.A. studio to record full big band, orchestra and choir. Continue reading
Representatives from AFM Local 47 and the Recording Musicians Association wore white in honor of the suffragist movement at the LAANE “No Turning Back” luncheon. From left: Organizing Coordinator Jefferson Kemper, President John Acosta, RMALA President Steve Dress, Communications Director Linda Rapka, RMALA 2nd Vice President Elizabeth Hedman, RMA International President Marc Sazer, Local 47 & RMALA Director Bill Reichenbach. (Not pictured: Local 47 Director Pam Gates.)
Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy honored SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris and Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Chief of Staff, Ana Guerrero, at the annual Women for a New Los Angeles luncheon on May 12, 2017. Continue reading
Professional Musicians, Local 47 and Employers’ Health & Welfare Fund
Reconstructive Surgery Fully Covered After Mastectomy
WOMEN’S HEALTH AND CANCER RIGHTS ACT OF 1998
The Professional Musicians Local 47 and Employers Health and Welfare Fund (“the Fund”) purchases health insurance benefits through Health Net of California and provides you with this notice as required by the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act of 1988 (WHCRA).
In compliance with WHCRA, Health Net provides benefits for mastectomy-related services, including all stages of reconstruction and surgery to achieve symmetry between the breasts, prostheses, and for complications resulting from a mastectomy, including lymph edemas. Continue reading