The 47th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival took place on Sunday, Sept.ember 29, welcoming visitors to the iconic Watts Towers Arts Center Campus.
The Civil Service Commission revoked Watts Towers Art Center Director Rosie Lee Hooks’ suspension recently, however Friends of Watts Towers members say they now want an apology from the city and they are asking community members to join them in petitioning for one. The Department of Cultural Affairs is leaving in authority the official who knowingly presented false testimony that caused Hooks’ suspension, they said. They are calling the situation “disrespectful” and “a slap in the face” to the Watts Community. “We feel disrespected,” said FOWT board member, Ed Lander who joined other members in composing the apology letter. “A
Community leaders and residents have come out recently in support of Watts Towers Art Center Director Rosie Lee Hooks, who was suspended last month for commissioning a mural of jazz great Charles Mingus on the youth art center named for him ten years ago.