Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 287
International Diva soprano sensation Renee Fleming made a special appearance supported by acclaimed pianist Inon Barnatan at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion which closed out the LA Opera season. Because Fleming is passionate about saving our environment, the first half was titled Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene which included a beautiful and colorful film about nature by National Geographic which displayed on a screen behind Fleming. The film included forest scenes, mountains, wild animals, among...
It took 30 years, but Giacomo Puccini's Turandot finally made another successful and phantasmagorical splash-down at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for Los Angeles Opera. The production was boosted by artist David Hockney's scenery brilliance and Ian Falconer's lush costume design. Hockney hit a home run with his color choices, paintings and shapes as it relates to Chinese-themed designs. And leading the way was conductor James Conlon who is a veteran of Puccini operas. Turandot is his 200th...
Brilliant Montenegrin classical guitarist Goran Krivokapic made a special appearance in solo recital at the home of Greg Castelnuovo-Tedesco, grandson of the late Italian famous composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco in West Los Angeles, a Mother’s Day treat. Krivokapic was invited to perform as part of William Jenks’ U.S. Classic Guitar Series that he founded 20 years ago. Krivokapic, the virtuoso, is the winner of 19 international classical guitar competitions and is known to create his own tra...
American Contemporary Ballet (ACB) performed the world premiere called "Sapphires," a ballet that is spearheaded by ACB's founder and choreographer Lincoln Jones. In 1967, George Balanchine created a plotless ballet titled "Jewels," but never staged its fourth act which is "Sapphires." It is danced to the music of Arnold Schoenberg's "Suite for Strings in G Major" with a live sixteen-piece orchestra, all accomplished classical musicians. This is a special composition for Schoenberg because he co...
Girl From the North Country" is now being performed at the Pantages Theatre featuring 22 songs of the Nobel Prize-winning poet-songwriter-singer Bob Dylan. Conor McPherson is the director and playwright who was wise to choose Dylan's music to convey the message of the production. The setting is the Laine family boarding house during the Great Depression (1934) in Duluth, Minnesota, the birthplace of Dylan. The boarding house is facing foreclosure but is still buzzing with guests from all walks...
In Game 4, of the First Round of the Western Conference Stanley Cup playoffs between the L.A. Kings and Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena, the highlight was the outstanding goaltending of Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner. The Oilers dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl typically get all the attention, but it was Skinner's night. Skinner saved all 33 shots, giving the Oilers a 1-0 shutout and a 3-1 lead in the seven game series heading back to Edmonton on Wednesday where the Oilers...
At Zipper Hall, Camerata Pacifica presented their second Baroque Series concert curated by 18th century master baroque and Avery Fisher Career Grant flautist Emi Ferguson titled "The French Dispatch." Joining her were some of the country's leading Baroque experts playing period instruments: Rachel Ellen Wong (violin), the first violinist to receive a prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant; Doug Balliet (viola da gamba), a professor of Baroque bass at The Juilliard School; Michael Sponseller...
IIn Game 4, of the First Round of the Western Conference Stanley Cup playoffs between the L.A. Kings and Edmonton Oilers at Crypto.com Arena, the highlight was the outstanding goaltending of Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner. The Oilers dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl typically get all the attention, but it was Skinner's night. Skinner saved all 33 shots, giving the Oilers a 1-0 shoutout and a 3-1 lead in the seven game series heading back to Edmonton on Wednesday where the Oilers...
Classical piano titan Yefim Bronfman made an appearance at Walt Disney Concert Hall as part of the Colburn Celebrity Recital series. The impressively capable pianist showcased his immensely brilliant talent for all of his adoring fans that he has been doing for many years. His trademark is the remarkable way in which he interprets each piece that he plays and his boundless range. Bronfman and his passion literally rockets the score to the next dimension. Former LA Philharmonic conductor Esa-Pekk...
Dodgers Japanese superstar designated hitting-pitcher Shohei Ohtani continues to stay above the fray, putting behind him the issues with his former gambling-addicted interpreter Ippei Mizuhara and the recent teams struggles to get wins, to continue performing as expected. He reminds me of the late, great "Mr. Padre" Tony Gwynn, also left-handed hitting. Ohtani, like Gwynn, is one of the best and most consistent hitters who has the ability to create a hit with any pitch thrown anywhere in the...
By LA Opera was successful in its presentation and restaging of the 2022 San Francisco production of La Traviata, one of opera's most enduring tragedies, directed by Shawna Lucey with scenery and costumes by Robert Innes Hopkins. Verdi master James Conlon is always the perfect choice to conduct this composers body of work. Conlon is in such reverence of Verdi's greatness that this reporter once saw him stop and bow to Verdi's statue on the Founders Circle level at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion....
The Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) presented a concert titled Spem In Alium at Walt Disney Concert Hall. It was a program of much diversity as LAMC sang 12 extraordinary pieces led by the very capable and passionate associate music director/conductor Jenny Wong. All of the awe-inspiring works performed showcased music reflecting the spirit of hope, devotion, and deliverance. Out of all of the pieces, the three that were most remarkable were two monumental masterpieces - Thomas Tallis'...
On Saturday, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) presented a concert as part of their special Baroque series at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Veteran LACO violinist, concertmaster and Director of Chamber Music, Margaret Batjer, led the charge as they presented an all-Bach program. LACO's Baroque series features smaller groups of the Orchestra's musicians and guest artists on chamber masterworks from the Baroque Era (1600 to 1750). And Bach, the architect of the...
On Sunday at The Soraya, American international dancing sensation Tiler Peck performed her outstanding "Turn It Out with Tiler Peck and Friends" project to the thrill of all of her adoring fans. Hailing from Bakersfield, and now living in New York as a principal dancer with New York City Ballet (NYCB), Peck brought with her a highly accomplished cast of dancers and singers. She is filled with love and joy for her craft and that is evident on stage through her passionate body movements and...
By Last night at Zipper Hall, Camerata Pacifica debuted their new Baroque Series curated by 18th century master baroque flautist Emi Ferguson titled "From Bach to Bolivia." Joining her were highly accomplished musicians: Katie Hyun (violin), Coleman Itzkoff (cello), and Mikael Darmanie (harpsichord). The repertoire for the inaugural concert included five major Bach chamber works: Prelude and Fugue; Trio Sonata No. 5; Prelude; Trio Sonata No. 2; and Toccata and Fugue. They were set against six...
On Sunday at The Soraya, American international dancing sensation Tiler Peck performed her outstanding "Turn It Out with Tiler Peck and Friends" project to the thrill of all of her adoring fans. Hailing from Bakersfield, and now living in New York as a principal dancer with New York City Ballet (NYCB), Peck brought with her a highly accomplished cast of dancers and singers. She is filled with love and joy for her craft and that is evident on stage through her passionate body movements and...
The LA Kings season home opener was played on Wednesday with a 5-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, but the upside is that the fans got to see newly acquired left-winger Pierre-Luc Dubois, a young player whose star is rising that the Kings have high hopes to help resurrect the team, and restore them to playoff contenders. The Kings administration must have confidence By in him blossoming into an elite player. They traded Gabriel Vilardi, Alex Iafallo, Rasmus Kupari and a second-round draft pick...
The Zombies tour landed in Glendale at the vintage Alex Theatre on Friday, much to the delight of the 1,400 admiring fans in attendance. The British rockers and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Famers have been at it since being formed by founding members Colin Blunstone (lead vocals) and Rod Argent (keys and vocals) in 1961. They are both still the foundation of the band, now joined by Tom Toomey (guitar), Soren Koch (bass), and Steve Rodford (drums), all very accomplished musicians. The band exhibited gr...
By On Saturday at the YouTube Theater, America, founded by musicians Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley, treated their adoring fans to the hits they've been performing for 53 years, and 100 concerts consistently every year. Dan Peek, also a founding member who passed away in 2011, I know is smiling down from the heavens as Bunnell and Beckley carry the torch for him. The three were barely out of high school when they first made a splash in the British folk-rock scene as America. Not only did they...
There was non-stop laughter after the Genie, famously played by Marcus M. Martin, appeared on stage singing "Arabian Nights" (along with ensemble) to introduce Disney's Aladdin musical on opening night at the Pantages Theater on September 12. Using creative set and lighting design to generate an enchanting atmosphere, the audience is magically transported to Agrabah where the story unfolds featuring Aladdin, Jasmine, Genie, Sultan, Aladdin's new "street rat" friends Kassim, Babkak, and Omar,...
On Sunday, at Dodger Stadium, Dodger veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman joined the 2000-hit club, adding to his other achievements - six-time All Star and three-time Silver Slugger. And appropriately versus their archenemy Astros. Even though the Dodgers lost, 6-5, in eleven innings, Freeman was delighted that he was able to accomplish that feat at home so that his family could be in attendance. In the stands were his dad, who lives in SoCal, his wife and three kids. Just five of the...
Get ready to go "Rockin' at the Beach" with Frankie Avalon and Dean Torrence (Jan & Dean) at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on April 15. All-time favorite entertainer and living legend Avalon charmed generations of fans with a litany of hits including "Venus," "Why," "Bobby Sox," and "DeDe Dinah," among others. Avalon is famous for appearing in the "Beach Party" movies alongside Annette Funicello, and is also famous for his cameo appearance in the movie "Grease" singing "Beauty School...
The British Invasion is coming to The Canyon in Montclair on April 14 and Agoura Hills on April 15, featuring Herman's Hermits - starring original lead singer Peter Noone. At the age of 15, Noone achieved international fame as the lead singer of the legendary sixties pop band, singing hits like "I'm Into Something Good," "Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely Daughter," "There's a Kind of Hush," "Listen People," and his anthem "I'm Henry VIII, I Am," among many others. Ultimately, Herman's Hermits...
The Traveling Wilburys never performed live, but now is your chance to see The Traveling Wilburys Revue bringing the supergroups music to the stage at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills on March 3. Seasoned professionals - Tom Finch (George Harrison), Mark Burgess (Tom Petty), Chris Sanborn (Roy Orbison), Steve Love (Jeff lynne), Jeff Kaplan (Bob Dylan), and on drums Chris Lockheed will be re-creating the magical music from those brief moments when the band originally united. At the invitation of...
Two big concerts are coming to the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. Internationally-famous singer/songwriter Paul Anka will need no introduction when he takes the stage on February 4th to sing all of his greatest hits. In 1957, when Anka was a 16 year old teenager, his first number one hit, "Diana," made him a star. Soon after, he hopped on the "Cavalcade of Stars" bus with top names of the day in the era of segregation, performing at the Copa Cabana, the youngest entertainer ever to do so, and...
