Win GREAT Giveaways at the Mixed Remixed Festival 2017

June 4, 2017 by admin

We have some amazing giveaways this year at the Mixed Remixed Festival on June 10, 2017 that you don’t want to miss. Giveaways include gift certificates for the popular scriptwriting software Final Draft, Mixed Chicks hair products gift baskets, a $50 Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill gift certificate, AMC Theater tickets, and amusement park tickets too! How could you win some of these things? Well, all you have to do is be present with the winning ticket to win. Each attendee will get three tickets when they get a name badge. (No cost to you at all!) You can see the schedule of giveaways below.

If you haven’t registered yet, REGISTER NOW! Spaces are filling up in many programs.

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The First 100 Attendees Receive a Special Goodie Bag at Mixed Remixed Festival 6/10 FREE!

May 29, 2017 by admin

We’re doing it again! This year we’re excited to offer a special goodie bag for the first 100 attendees! Want one of these awesome Mixed Remixed Festival water bottles? Then get there when the doors open at 9:30am and be one of the first 100 people at Mixed Remixed this year! You’ll also have a chance to receive Festival stickers and special discounts from our sponsors! Be there and claim your goodie bag first thing on June 10! See you soon!

The first 100 attendees at Mixed Remixed get a goodie bag w/Festival swag 6/10! FREE! #mixedrace #multiracial

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FREE Family Fun at the Mixed Remixed Festival June 10, 2017!

May 29, 2017 by admin

We’re excited to provide several family activities at the Mixed Remixed Festival June 10, 2017. FREE! Registration is strongly encouraged. Join us for this amazing annual celebration of stories of mixed-race and multiracial families and people. We will have FACE PAINTERS, CRAFT ACTIVITIES, and STORYTELLING TIME FOR KIDS of all ages to enjoy. Oh, yeah, and yes, it’s all FREE!

STORYTIME 10:30am

STORYTIME MUSICAL with Miss Kyla 1:30pm

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Boooks and Cookies We are very lucky to have beloved Santa Monica bookstore, Books and Cookies at the Festival this year. Books and Cookies will present an interactive storytime at 10:30 and 1:30. You don’t want to miss this!

MIXED REMIXED FESTIVAL STORYTELLER’S PRIZE PRESENTATION HONORS MULTIPLE GOLDEN GLOBE AND EMMY-NOMINATED ACTOR AND PRODUCER DAVID OYELOWO

May 28, 2017 by admin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Heidi Durrow

Phone: 213-293-7077

Email: heidi@mixedremixed.org

Website: www.mixedremixed.org

MIXED REMIXED FESTIVAL

STORYTELLER’S PRIZE PRESENTATION HONORS

MULTIPLE GOLDEN GLOBE AND EMMY-NOMINATED ACTOR AND PRODUCER

DAVID OYELOWO

(Los Angeles, CA) The Mixed Remixed Festival will present the annual Storyteller’s Prize to multiple Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor and producer David Oyelowo on June 10, 2017 at 6:30pm at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles, 514 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

The Festival—now in its 4^th year–celebrates stories of the Mixed racial and cultural experience and stories of multiracial Americans, the fastest growing demographic in America. This year the Festival also celebrates the 50^th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Loving v. Virginia decision, which allowed people of different races to marry nationwide. A free public event, the Festival—which is the largest nationwide gathering of mixed-race and multiracial families and people–brings together film and book lovers, innovative and emerging artists, and multiracial families and individuals for workshops, readings, and film screenings for a full day of programming and family activities.

“We are ecstatic to honor David Oyelowo,” says Festival Founder and Executive Director Heidi Durrow who calls herself an Afro-Viking because she is African-American and Danish. “We applaud the work Mr. Oyelowo has done as an artist-activist committed to social justice and for bringing heart to stories about racial and cultural connectedness in films such as A United Kingdom and Selma among others. His openness about talking about interracial families will help so many young people who are mixed and have struggled to find a place in the world, to find strength in their difference, and most importantly to connect their own struggles with the struggle for justice for all.”

The Storyteller’s Prizes are awarded each year to artists, scholars, and community leaders who have shown a dedication to celebrating and illuminating the Mixed experience. Past honorees include Emmy award-winning actors Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, TV and film star Taye Diggs, The Daily Show’s Al Madrigal, New York Times bestselling writer Jamie Ford and Cheerios.

The Festival is produced by New York Times best-selling author Heidi Durrow (The Girl Who Fell From the Sky, Algonquin Books) and a talented group of entertainment professionals.

The event is free and open to the public. This year’s honoree has confirmed his attendance for the prize presentation, which will be presented as part of the Festival’s dynamic live performance, featuring some of the best comedians and performers including Tehran, Sunda Croonquist, Joe Hernandez-Kolski, Joshua Silverstein and Kayla Briet. Registration is strongly encouraged. For more information and the complete festival schedule, visit www.mixedremixed.org.

Festival sponsors and funders include: 23andMe, Mixed Chicks, Buntoppers, Final Draft, My Heritage Book, Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, AMC Theatres, the Leo Buscaglia Foundation, and the Puffin West Foundation. This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of California Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The 2017 Storyteller’s Prize recipient:

David Oyelowo is a multiple Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated actor and producer who has quickly become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after talents.

Oyelowo can currently be seen in Amma Asante’s romantic drama, A United Kingdom, which he also produced. Based on a true story, the film follows Prince Seretse Khama of Botswana (Oyelowo) and Ruth Williams (Rosamund Pike) whom married in 1948 altered the course of African history in the face of fierce opposition from their families and the British and South African governments and a time when apartheid was being introduced. Upcoming, he will be seen in the third film in the Cloverfield series, produced by J.J. Abrams and released by Paramount Pictures on October 27th, 2017; as well as the lead in the as-yet untitled Nash Edgerton film, co-starring Charlize Theron, Joel Edgerton, Thandie Newton and Amanda Seyfried.

On stage, Oyelowo recently appeared in the New York Theatre Workshop Off-Broadway production of Othello. Directed by Sam Gold and starring opposite Daniel Craig as the title character, Oyelowo earned stellar reviews for his performance.

Oyelowo gained international acclaim in 2014 starring as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Ava DuVernay’s Selma. Additional film and television credits include: Mira Nair’s Queen of Katwe; Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar; J.C Chandor’s A Most Violent Year; Lee Daniels’ The Butler; Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln; Christopher McQuarrie’s Jack Reacher; George Lucas and Anthony Hemingway’s Red Tails; Tate Taylor’s The Help; Kevin MacDonald’s The Last King of Scotland; and HBO’s Nightingale.

Mixed Remixed Festival 2017 Presenter Highlight: Elizabeth Hudson, physician and mom

May 24, 2017 by admin

I had the pleasure of meeting Elizabeth when she came to the Mixed Remixed Festival. I also knew her as a listener of the podcast, The Mixed Experience. She’s even been a guest host of the program a couple of times. Her warmth and wisdom is abundant. We are very glad to have her serve on a panel this year called On Bullying and the Race Talk: How to Support Your Mixed Kid. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

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What are you?

I’m a mixed-race physician mom with a love for travel, music and politics. My background is quite diverse with West Africa, British Isles, Eastern, Europe and even some Southern European and Scandinavian heritage mixed in for good measure.

What is your mixed experience?

I am a mixed-race woman married to a white man and am raising a multiracial son

What is the most important thing you want people to know about the mixed experience?

For me, it’s important for others to understand that the mixed experience is different for all. We are not a monolith, as mixed persons, but we all share the knowledge of being a part and separate at he same time. Having a place where we are understood, fundamentally, as we are at the Mixed Remixed Festival, is a wonderful respite.

Do you remember when you first started thinking about the mixed experience? Was it because of a certain moment or event?

When I was a kid, I remember being asked ‘what are you?’ This struck me such an odd question as I knew who I was: Elizabeth. As time went on, I realized that our society likes to be able to pigeonhole people into categories immediately, and when you are more than one thing, it creates a cognitive dissonance for those who encounter you. As there are now more mixed people, and these images have spread across the country and world,
the idea of being more than one ethnicity is not as hard for most to grasp. This doesn’t mean I am still not ( on a daily basis) misidentified, but it is real progress that I have seen in my 45 years on this planet.

What was your experience when you attended the Mixed Remixed Festival? Why did you want to come back?

I first visited this festival three years ago. When I entered the door, I was struck by a few things. First, I’ve never been around so many people who look like me! All the women, with curls just like mine: it was amazing. Second, I never felt like I had to explain who I was, or that I was going to be misidentified. Everyone was like me: it’s a mixed-race wonderland!

What are you looking forward to most at the Festival this year?

I am so happy to be a part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Lovin v. Virginia decision. I am also looking forward to seeing David Oyelowo as he receives the Storyteller’s Prize! His portrayal of MLK in Selma was spellbinding!

FESTIVAL CELEBRATING MIXED-RACE FAMILIES REVEALS 2017 SCHEDULE

May 16, 2017 by admin

mixed race, multiracial, biracial FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Heidi Durrow

Phone: 213-293-7077

Email: heidi@mixedremixed.org

Website: www.mixedremixed.org

Twitter: @mixedremixed

Instagram: mixedremixed

#mixedremixed

FESTIVAL CELEBRATING MIXED-RACE FAMILIES REVEALS 2017 SCHEDULE

LOS ANGELES, CA, May 08, 2017 — The Mixed Remixed Festival, the nation’s largest gathering of mixed-race and multiracial families and people, will take place at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles (514 S. Spring Street), June 10, 2017.

The Festival celebrates stories of multiracial Americans and families, the fastest growing demographic in the U.S. A free public event, the Festival brings together film and book lovers, innovative and emerging artists, and multiracial and multicultural families and individuals for workshops, readings, performances, and film screenings.

The Mixed Remixed Festival attracted close to 1,000 people from across the country last year and featured dozens of writers, scholars and performers including TV and film star Taye Diggs. This year the Festival–now in its fourth year–celebrates the 50th Anniversary of Loving v. Virginia, the Supreme Court decision that allowed people of different races to marry nationwide.

The Festival, a non-profit arts organization — is produced by The New York Times best-selling writer, Heidi Durrow, and a talented team of entertainment professionals and artists.

“It’s exciting to finally see mixed people and families in mainstream media and to connect with each other on-line,” says Durrow, who calls herself an Afro-Viking because she is African-American and Danish. “But the Festival is the only nationwide cultural arts event where we get to meet each other and share stories.”

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is now open. The complete Festival schedule can be found online at www.mixedremixed.org.

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:

The Festival hosts the largest West Coast Loving Day Celebration, Saturday, June 10, 2017, at 6:30 p.m. with the annual Storyteller’s Prize presentation and live show. The Festival will present the Storyteller’s Prize to film star David Oyelowo as part of a dynamic live show featuring comedians, musicians and spoken-word poets.

Families can enjoy interactive craft activities, free face-painting and storytelling events led by the beloved Santa Monica bookstore, Books and Cookies, as part of the family activities.

The Festival will feature a special program featuring a family for whom the Loving decision came too late. Recently, a young law student in Virginia, Katrina Callsen, uncovered her own side of the story, with the help of modern science – a genetic test from 23andMe. Katrina and her father share her discovery and the ripple effect it’s had on the family.

The Festival will present several notable short films including the award-winning Silences (dir. Octavio Warnock-Graham). Immediately following all the screenings there will be Q & A with the filmmakers and scholar-led discussions that connect a humanities perspective to contemporary storytellers’ work.

The Festival includes author readings by New York Times bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haims (How To Raise An Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap And Prepare Your Kid for Success, and the forthcoming memoir Real American) and award-winning writer May-lee Chai and many others.

More than a dozen esteemed panelists will speak on diverse topics related to the mixed-race and multicultural experience, including one of the youngest TED Fellows, musician/filmmaker Kayla Briet; and Tehran, comedian and host of the popular shows Comedy Bazaar and All-Star Comedy at The Laugh Factory.

Festival sponsors and funders include: 23andMe, Mixed Chicks, Buntoppers, Final Draft, Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, Six Flags, the Leo Buscaglia Foundation, and the Puffin West Foundation. This project was made possible with support from California Humanities, a non-profit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit www.calhum.org. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of California Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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Mixed Remixed Festival Team 2017: Meet Casey Fearn, Intern

May 16, 2017 by admin

We started a limited internship project last year in order to involve younger people with the Mixed Remixed Festival. This year we’re lucky to have Casey Fearn as part of our team helping out with social media.

What are you?
Being the only black girl in my grade at school it has been difficult for me to come out of my shell and embrace who I am and what I am. After many years of trying to find my place at school, I realized that I don’t necessarily need a place but rather a platform to express what I am and what my experience has been. I am half black and half white, I am a writer, I am determined, and I am ready to share my story.

What is your mixed experience?

I have had a unique experience as a biracial girl for the past 3 years because I am the only black girl in my grade. Also, I have blonde hair and blue eyes so people often don’t take me seriously or believe me when I tell them that I am half black. It has been really difficult for me to share my story and be who I am at school because I feared that people wouldn’t take me seriously or that I wouldn’t be welcomed into the black or white communities. Hearing people say things like “oh but you’re not actually black, right?” as if being black is a bad thing or having to endure judgmental and confused stares whenever I go out with my dad, who is full black. Maybe people don’t have malicious intent when they act this way towards me and my family, but these words and actions have had a serious impact on me. Words do burn into my memory and have an emotional impact on me and confused stares make me want to shrink and hide. However, I have learned speak up and let people know when their actions are offensive. This has in return fueled my passion to speak out and let my voice be heard. I have a story and my experience has given me the passion to let my story be heard.

I am black AND white and that should never have to be a choice. #mixedrace #multiracial

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What is the most important thing you want people to know about the mixed experience?

The mixed experience isn’t a choice of two world’s or identities, although at times it can be quite the identify crisis. No mixed person should have to choose between being black or white, for example. I am black AND white and that should never have to be a choice.

Do you remember when you first started thinking about the mixed experience? Did it happen because of any particular moment or event?

I first started thinking about the mixed experience when I entered high school and felt isolated as one of the few black girls in my school. Sometimes I felt like I should ignore the fact that I am half black and reduce my self to only white to fit in. However, this was very miserable and hard for me to simply ignore who I am. The mixed experience has been a frequent conversation that I have had with both my mom and dad because I only have distant black relatives now and my close relatives are mostly white.
I started talking to my dad about my own desire to get more involved with the black community and how I could help future mixed or African American girls at school not feel like they have to change to fit into school. This conversation was one that I quickly became very passionate about. I started journaling about my experiences and talking to adults at my school about ways to get involved and share my story.

Why did you want to be a part of the Mixed Remixed Festival? How did you get involved?

When I first heard about Mixed Remixed Festival I knew it could really help me learn about the mixed experience. Immediately, I wanted to get involved and help because I had never heard of anything like it before. As someone who has struggled with my identity, I really appreciated that Mixed Remixed celebrates the mixed experience. I decided to reach out to Heidi to find a way for me to help. I talked to Heidi about my own experiences and desire to get involved and now I am an intern for Mixed Remixed.

What are you looking forward to most at the Festival this year?

I am really looking forward to hearing stories from people who I can identify with. This is a new experience for me and I have never been a part of anything like this before. This is such and exciting opportunity to spend time with people who have my shared experience. Mixed Remixed brings all of together to share our experience and learn from one another and that is really exciting. I look forward to being part of this wonderful event.

Join us June 10, 2017 at the Mixed Remixed Festival at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia. FREE!

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Mixed Remixed Festival 2017 Presenter Highlight: Kayla Briet, musician & filmmaker

May 12, 2017 by admin

Kayla Briet is a Festival fave! She first performed at Mixed Remixed Festival and brought the audience to its feet. Most recently she appeared as one of the youngest TED Fellows on the TED stage. This amazing and dynamic young woman will once again perform at the Storyteller’s Prize Live Event and speak on the very important roundtable talk The Mixed Race Conversation: Is It a Wrap? at 3:00pm. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

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What are you?
Prairie Band Potawatomi (Native American) + Chinese + Dutch-Indonesian

What is your mixed experience?

multiracial + multicultural

What is the most important thing you want people to know about the mixed experience?

Growing up mixed, it was hard to find my voice because I never felt I was a part of a single community. As a result, I sought to learn the stories of my heritage and culture, and connect them together to rediscover my own; and through art, film, and music, I found my voice.

Do you remember when you first started thinking about the mixed experience? Was it because of a certain moment or event? Please tell us about that.

As a kid, I grew up in a multi-generational home, meaning I lived under the same roof with my parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. My mother is Chinese and Dutch Indonesian with immigrant parents, and my father is Ojibwe and an enrolled tribal member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi tribe in northeastern Kansas. One weekend I’d be learning how to fold dumplings. The next weekend I’d be traditional style dancing at a pow wow – immersed in the powerful heartbeats of the drums and singers.

Being surrounded by many cultures was the norm but also a very confusing experience. It was hard to find my voice because I never felt I was enough — never Chinese, native, or Dutch-Indonesian enough. Because I never felt like I belonged to any community, I sought to learn the stories of my heritage and connect them together to rediscover my own. The first mediums I felt gave me a voice was music and film.

Because I never felt like I belonged to any community, I sought to learn the stories of my heritage and connect them together to rediscover my own. @kaylabriet

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What was your experience when you attended the Mixed Remixed Festival before? Why did you want to come back?

The Mixed Remixed Festival invited me to open up the 2015 awards ceremony, which was my first-ever live musical performance in Los Angeles. It was one of the warmest crowds I’ve ever experienced to this date, and I made meaningful and lasting relationships – a truly supportive and loving community. I felt so welcome and was honored to play music again at the 2016 festival. Seeing everyone’s creativity, drive, and honesty inspires me to keep going. Of course, I love coming back time and time again!

What are you looking forward to most at the Festival this year?

I’m looking forward to a day of meaningful discussion and a celebration of arts, culture, comedy during the evening ceremony. We’re gonna laugh, cry, and feel all sorts of emotions. I also can’t wait to reunite with friends and form new friendships!

Mixed Remixed Festival 2017 Presenter Highlight: Filmmaker Carrie Hawks

May 11, 2017 by admin

“You don’t need to know a person’s whole background before you have a conversation.”

We are extremely pleased to be able to screen Carrie Hawk’s film black enuf at the Mixed Remixed Festival June 10, 2017 as part of the 1:00pm film screenings. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged.

R E G I S T E R

What are you?
I’m an artist who’s come from a long line of creative folks.

What is your mixed experience?

My family has Irish, African, and Native American roots. Often friends thought either me or my brothers were adopted because our complexions are different. My parents taught us to love and respect all different people. I’ve been in a few interracial relationships, including the one with myself. After learning about my genetic make-up, I’m appreciative of my own diversity.

What is the most important thing you want people to know about the mixed experience?

Learn about other cultures and treat people with respect. You don’t need to know their whole background before you have a conversation.

“I’ve been in a few interracial relationships, including the one with myself.” @maroonhorizon #mixedrace #multiracial

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Do you remember when you first started thinking about the mixed experience? Was it because of a certain moment or event? Please tell us about that.

I’ve always thought about it because people have asked me if I was mixed since I was a kid. Looking at my family history and our diversity, it’s always been on my mind. When my father said he identified as mixed-race, that sparked more investigation.

Is this your first time attending the Mixed Remixed Festival?

Yes

Why did you want to be a part of the Mixed Remixed Festival? What do you hope to gain?

I’m looking forward to being in a room full of people who get asked similar questions as me and from whom I can learn a lot.

What are you looking forward to most at the Festival this year?

The films and the stories.

Mixed Remixed Festival Team 2017: Meet Kyla Kupferstein-Torres

May 11, 2017 by admin

We are lucky to have Kyla Kupfurstein-Torres on the Mixed Remixed Festival Board and as one of our go-to on-site volunteers at the Festival. Learn more about Kyla and her mixed experience! And make sure you register for the 2017 Festival now! Spaces are limited in many sessions.

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What are you?
I’m a Jamaican Jew.

What is your mixed experience?

I’m biracial – a Black Jamaican mom and Ashkenazi Jewish dad.

What is the most important thing you want people to know about the mixed experience?

The mixed experience is an American experience – almost more central to our story as a nation than any other.

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Do you remember when you first started thinking about the mixed experience? Did it happen because of any particular moment or event?

I’ve always been thinking about the mixed experience. I lived in a deeply multiracial, immigrant family, in a diverse city, and attended a diverse elementary school. Gradations of difference have been central to my life experience.

Why did you want to be a part of the Mixed Remixed Festival? How did you get involved?

I got involved with the Mixed Remixed Festival through the founder, Heidi Durrow. Her passion and commitment to making the mixed experience visible is infectious!

What are you looking forward to most at the Festival this year?

I’m looking forward to hearing the voices of young people living the mixed experience. I’m the mother of a four year old who is even more mixed than I am, and I’m eager to hear how young people are redefining what it means to be mixed in the United States.

Join us June 10, 2017 at the Mixed Remixed Festival at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in downtown Los Angeles for a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia. FREE!

“You don’t need to know a person’s whole background before you have a conversation.”

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