The Corazón Story
Corazon is home to the best musicians, wordsmiths and artists in the world, where Cuban, Gypsy, Jazz, Middle Eastern, African and Asian artists merge ideas & cultures…fusing together music & art from another realm. There is no place quite like Corazon. And you feel a strong sense of “I am home” when you arrive. Because you ARE home. So…welcome!
Just 3 1/2 years old, Corazon was NOT created as a profit focused space. It was designed to offer a potent, curated environment in support of Master living breathing musicians, artists, social justice activists whose work realigns the architecture of our life, individually & collectively.It was also built to serve as a community hub. Got a fundraiser? We donate our space ALWAYS toward worthy non-profit fundraising efforts in which 100% of the donations go to the receiving organization.
Corazon is in the process of partnering with a not-for-profit organization to establish stronger community & international focused creative/performing arts programs to serve visionaries. We’re talking bone marrow. That deep. The programs are in addition to the flourishing current curated multicultural music offerings. This requires money to put into motion. It will allow us to seek grants and other forms of tax deductible donations and benefits. And…PAY THE RENT. So, stay tuned.
EVERYTHING Corazon offers has been created through the hearts & minds (and pocketbooks) of precious beings carrying the Love that represents sacred space. The beautiful vintage textiles that adorn Corazon were donated by Karim, owner of Santa Kilim in Santa Fe and long time friend of our family (the rugs are for sale by the way). The sprung hickory floor was donated graciously by Philippo Franchini, god father of Hanu, and dear friend of Giovanna (Hanuman’s mama and proprietress of Corazon). The Mirror installation was through the donation of some super good hearted hard working dudes in the film industry. The chairs are permanently kept at Corazon and belong to The Topanga Peace Alliance. All the sound equipment, lighting, video cameras, laser printers & printer supplies have been installed & donated by Allen Branson (not to mention countless months of Corazon rent and numerous other financial demands along with personal total dedication to every concert’s needs). The Corazon secret garden realm was designed and created by Hasya Anais, daughter of Gio…
Death. Death birthed Corazon. Grief manifested Corazon. That’s it. If anyone is struggling with loss…Corazon IS the product of great loss…and powerful new beginnings. The owner of Corazόn, Giovanna Brandi (Gio), is no stranger to the arts. She’s also no stranger to seeing the incredible struggle and sacrifice is takes to survive in the world as an artist—especially if one’s creative process has been rooted in the days before technology, before one could, through the use of a plethora of online options, reinvent one’s identity overnight. Daughter of poet/painter John Brandi and flamenco singer/dancer Gioia Tama Gianni, Giovanna (& her brother Joaquin Coyote) was raised in the high mountains of New Mexico in a hand- built cabin with no electricity or plumbing, propelled by a very creative and non-conformist “counter culture” upbringing. Reflecting on watching her parents build a house out of locally milled wood (most was reject wood with the bark on one side) she remembers pounding used nails straight to build with. A cast-iron wood-burning stove provided warmth and heat for cooking and bathing. A spring bubbled with fresh drinking water. And to get to this place, one had to drive a pretty bumpy “road”. It was OFF THE BEATEN PATH and dirt roads were without names. Growing up, she often watched her father produce limited- edition hand-painted and sewn publications poetry books on his 1907 Rotary mimeograph machine for his Tooth of Time Press, part of the small press revolution. Or perhaps her mother needed help with one of her stuffed sculptures or sewing a costume on the treadle sewing machine. After many years, their family moved into what she calls the “other world”, where her parents parted ways. Eventually her father married the poet Renee Gregorio and her mother partnered with master flamenco guitarist Carlos Lomas.
In 2012 Giovanna’s mother Gioia Tama Gianni passed away suddenly. The journey through grieving created a sense of urgency to continue her mother’s work (and her father’s) by celebrating the work of living artists.
Corazόn Performing Arts aim is to provide a centrally located space in Topanga Canyon for those seeking to nurture all things expressive through supporting the works of those living & breathing their creative work.
There is nothing watered down in the space.
