Early Downtown L.A. performance art pioneer Cynthia Toronto is comfortable in hospice care but is sadly headed to the finish line. If you have any memories of Cynthia or just want to share your love with her, get hold of her on FaceBook soon, it would really brighten her mood.
Cynthia performed at many a loft party in the early to mid ’80s and at galleries and theatrical events too. She had one song that summed up living downtown back then: BED ON THE FLOOR – using the symbol of no box springs as indicative that one was still a bohemian no matter how talented as the talentless made millions… “My bed is still on the floor now baby, my bed is still on the floor”. I always took that song to heart with Bohemian pride.
One time Jett Jackson had an opening at the old Julie Rico gallery in DTLA with hundreds of paintings and Cynthia did a performance that was an homage to Jett and re-enacted the faces / contortions of nearly every artwork in the exhibit. Spotlit onstage in a giant second-story loft, she was that rare combination of mesmerizing and hilarious.
And she was kind of like that in person – in addition to being a warm soul she was one of the “fight the good fight for art” people in the world. I was 21 when I saw her first perform and I instantly felt less ashamed for being “weird”. She brightened up Downtown L.A. before most of the streetlights there now were even installed.
I know there is a box spring waiting for her in heaven.
Fly, be free.