Skid Row: A Ray of Hope in Cultural Center’s Ashes

Despite the charred ruins, it seemed for a moment that life at Another Planet was back to normal. Eddie (Sundown) Brown tapped the piano keys lightly to the beat of Luanne Poindexter’s rendition of Errol Garner’s “Misty.”

“Music soothes a savage beast. It gives you hope,” Poindexter chimed in.

Hope was what many homeless people needed Monday after the latest blow to their plans to maintain a cultural center on Skid Row.

Clyde Casey, the Planet’s creator, told reporters that he would abide by an agreement with the lease-holder to vacate the fire-gutted building by Friday.

“For many (homeless people) it will be back to the cardboard condos, but I’m optimistic that that will only be for a while,” Casey said. “Another Planet is already rising out of the ashes.”

The New Orleans native’s optimism follows donations from the city, local artists and other benefactors who are interested in reviving the center that was burned last Wednesday in a suspected arson fire.

$1,500 Check

At a news conference outside the building, Ron Segal of Segal Fine Arts presented a $1,500 check to Casey. And over the piano music, Segal also announced that his Woodland Hills studio plans to raise $10,000 for the cultural center by selling prints of a Marco Massimo Sassone painting at the October Art Expo.

“We like the way Another Planet seeks to use art to give these homeless people a spark in life once again--some reason for being,” Segal said.

Segal’s support for Another Planet is part of an effort coordinated by the city’s Cultural Affairs Department to revive the shelter. Aldolfo Nodal, the department’s general manager, also announced that the City Council had approved $10,000 to assist Another Planet in finding another site.

‘Dire Need’

“There is a dire need here to help homeless people bridge the gap of homelessness through art and efforts like these,” he said.

Dozens of homeless people on Skid Row continue to use the burned-out structure to store their blankets, sleeping bags, clothes and other belongings even though a sign posted by the Fire Department prohibits people from entering the building. Before last week’s fire, the eccentrically decorated building was the site of poetry readings, video screenings, chess tournaments, jam sessions, games and live entertainment by Skid Row artists.

Casey said the $1,500 donation will be used to pay overdue utility bills. While he continues to look for another site for Another Planet, Casey said he was planning street corner performances to keep the artists active. “We refuse to buckle under,” he said. “We will continue to revolve in other Skid Row areas until we find a suitable place.”

Some of the regulars of Another Planet said they were not informed of the Friday deadline. Others criticized Casey for not telling them about the donations and other developments involving a new cultural center.

“Our fearless leaders sleep in hotels and bathe in bathtubs while we’re on the streets. They’re only here when the cameras show up,” said Earl Suggs. “We don’t even know what we’re gonna do after Friday.”

Replying to the criticism, Casey said: “A lot of us are disturbed and set back by the fire. We’re going to remember the good times and not allow this fire to ruin our relationships.”