241.366 - 2016 project and The Last Sunday

every day in 2016, write a sentence or a paragraph or a poem that appreciates

The Last Sunday

let me let them speak for themselves.  "THE LAST SUNDAY is a monthly poetry and story telling event, where veterans and civilians come together to share their art at the USVAA theater in Culver City. It is produced by Joe Gardner and Jerry Della Salla and their production team -- Bobby Strahan, Robert Rodriguez, Jennifer Gardner and Sam Spade."  and let me let the USVAA tell about themselves.  "United States Veterans’ Artists Alliance (USVAA) is a 501 (c) 3, non-profit, multi-disciplinary arts organization composed of a diverse group of dynamic, extraordinarily talented military veterans and artists located across the United States."  the USVAA owns and operates the little house, chapel, theater in which The Last Sunday open mic is put on every month.  what is special about this repeating event?  oh gosh!  so much!  to begin somewhere, they are so damned hospitable!  the group of guys and gals who put this on - 4? 5? 7?  I've never been able to count them - dash about setting up the event, and taking time to greet each of us who shows up as a friend and contributor before we know we're anything but audience and tentative guests.  they're all veterans, not of show business, but of the U.S. military, and they put the show on with esprit and vigor and zest, but also with humor, generosity, and welcome.  while the poets and storytellers come up and read their pieces, an artist works on canvases!  somehow the two activities complement each other, maybe because the veterans welcome both as if they belonged together.  oh!  there are so many poetry events in Los Angeles (bless us!) that surely no one has sampled them all,  I have only been to a few.  but one special feature The Last Sunday has that I think may be unique among poetry events in Los Angeles:  the mothers of the guys and gals who put on the event put on a dinner for whomever shows up in the hour before the event!  it's wonderful!  so c'mon down!  feed your body, your mind, and your spirit with all that goes on in this event!  and you get to participate as a welcome guest!