Free Music Concerts in Pasadena: 15-19 July

More free concerts! For another week of cool music, head down to Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena. It’s a great family evening, a romantic and inexpensive evening or a date with your favorite canine.

15 July 2009 (Wednesday) 7 p.m.

Children’s Night
Sarah Hickman is a opt children’s singer-songwriter from Texas.

16 July 2009 (Thursday) 8 p.m.

America Music

Spring Standards

A dynamic indie-folk trio with great harmony from Brooklyn, NY.

17 July 2009 (Friday) 8 p.m.

World Music

West African Highlife Band

Tribute to the highlife dance classics with rich African melodies

18 July 2009 (Saturday) 8 p.m.

Latin Music

Louie Beltran Cruz

Latin jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms.

Do we really know about Cinco de Mayo? Their Web site will tell you and give you some cool tunes.

19 July 2009 (Sunday) 7 p.m.

Jazz

Harper Evans Project

Combining R & B vocals and stylish jazz standards.

For more info: Go to the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena Web site.

Free Music Concerts in Pasadena: 8-12 July

More free concerts! For another week of cool music, head down to Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena. It’s a great family evening, a romantic and inexpensive evening or a date with your favorite canine.

8 July 2009 (Wednesday) 7 p.m.

Children’s Night
Vagabond Puppets Presents: Ferdinand the Bull

The classic tale told with life-size puppets about the bull from Spain, based on the classic tale by Munro Leaf and illustrations by Robert Lawson. The story of the bull who wouldn’t fight will be told in a narrated ballet with a larger-than-life bull, masked dancers, and specialized mechanical figures. Each scene brings to life one of the pages of the book, and the puppets and scenery are based as closely as possible on the illustrations in the book. After the program, students will get involved in an on-stage demonstration of conflict resolution techniques without violence. This is the year of the Ox with a Year of the Ox-born president.

9 July 2009 (Thursday) 8 p.m.

America Music

Lovell Sisters
Georgia based mix of country, bluegrass and contemporary acoustics.

10 July 2009 (Friday) 8 p.m.

World Music

Viver Brasil
Bringing the music and dance of Brazil to life. If this music doesn’t make you’re hips move, you need to see a doctor!

11 July 2009 (Saturday) 8 p.m.

Latin Music

Boogaloo Assassins

Bringing the boogaloo sounds of Spanish Harlem to the West Coast. From what I’ve heard on their Web site, this will make you want to dance and I have to admit…I just love saying their name.

12 July 2009 (Sunday) 7 p.m.

Jazz

Pan African Peoples Arkestra

Veteran and rising musicians representing all forms of jazz.

For more info: Go to the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena Web site.

Levitt Pavilion Pasadena: Free Concerts 28 June-5 July

Levitt Pavilion Pasadena free summer concerts continue. The pavilion will be dark (no concert) on Independence Day (Saturday, July 4).

28 June 2009 (Sunday) 7 p.m.

Cross Hart Jazz Experience

Jazz standards with high-energy swing arrangements and hybrid grooves. This group is lead by bassist composter Ryan Cross and drummer Lorca Hart (son of Billy Hart). This group performs every Monday at the Bel Age Hotel in West Hollywood. They were featured in an episode of “West Wing” and ER.
standards with high-energy swing arrangements and hybrid grooves.

1 July 2009 (Wednesday) 7 p.m.

Children’s Night

Aaron Nigel Smith and the FUNdamentals Band

An uptempo and exciting approach to music and movement. How cool is Aaron Nigel Smith? He’s been asked to join PBS’ “Between the Lions.” I’ve never seen this program, but if you a parent who’s in the know on that one, then that should tell you how good this guy is.

2 July 2009 (Thursday) 8 p.m.

America Music

Delgado Brothers- Monrovia based

Latin blues band with plenty of soul and funk. Sponsored by Darrell G. Brooke, Attorney at Law. Isn’t it cool that a some local boys can hang together and make music? Ian and I weren’t invited to their new album release party in June, but you can sample some tracks on their Web site. The new album is called “Let’s Learn to Fly.”

3 July 2009 (Friday) 8 p.m.

World Music

Emilie Simon

Artful music from French artist, mixing acoustic and electronic.

4 July 2009 DARK! No Performance.

Musica Latina. OK this might be bad, but remember, the Delgado Brothers play on 2 July. Some Latino music is so American.

Dark

5 July 2009 (Sunday) 7 p.m.

Jazz Night

Barbara Morrison

Jazz and blues classics. I heard her sing at the Lindygroove. Go! This lady was born and raised in Michigan and her vocal talent has been on the “Tonight Show” with Jay Leno and was featured on the soundtrack of Denzel Washington’s “The Hurricane.” Need I say more?
For more info: Go to the Levitt Pavilion Pasadena Web site.

Free Concerts at Levitt Pavilion: 21-27 June 2009

Levitt Pavilion Pasadena: Free Summer Concerts

21 June 2009 (Sunday) Make Music Pasadena

1:00 PM
Asheba
Caribbean Music for Children.

2:30 PM
Chase Allen
R&B, Soul and Experimental.

3:30 PM
Eric John Kaiser (presented by the French Cultural Services)
French Troubadour who plays folk rock, classic rock and acoustic. He’s based in Portland, Oregon.

4:15 PM
Tete (presented by the French Cultural Services)
Is a folk, blues and soul musician from Paris, Ile de France.

5:15 PM
Red Molly
Is not one, but three women singing about love and other tragedies.

6:30 PM
Quetzal
From our own backyard of East Los Angeles, Quetzal play Latin, Rock and Alternative.

24 June 2009 (Wednesday)

Bob Baker Marionettes. Before dolls and puppets become the stuff of adolescent and adult nightmares thanks to the likes of Stephen King, kids like puppets. Bob Baker Marionette Theater is a happy place and was Los Angeles Magazines “Best Puppet Show in 2007 and “Best Place for a Kids’ Party” in 2003. He and his friends are on-stage free from 7 p.m.

25 June 2009

Amanda Shaw is a 17-year-old Cajun fiddler who produces traditional and pop sounds. Based in New Orleans, she’s playing at the Long Beach Convention Center on 24 June, but in Pasadena, the show is free. Show starts at 8 p.m.

26 June 2009
Element Band

If you like flamenco, how about with an Armenian twist? Element Band is described as Armenian folk with Mediterranean and flamenco fusion. I could imagine dancing a tango to “Hars em Genoom” and “Arabian Nights.” Starts at 8 p.m.

27 June 2009

Del Castillo

Pasadena loves flamenco! Del Castillo incorporates flamenco, Latin rock and blues. From their MySpace page, the “Anybody Wanna” (Dance with Me) , “Borcua del Cielo” and “Everlasting.” After Levitt, they will be going to Phoenix and Austin (the band is based in Austin, TX).

“The Birds” Worth the Flight to Downtown

You have to wonder about dusting off old, rarely produced classics in theater, opera or music. Sometimes, the presentation serves as nothing more than a historical footnote or curiosity. Not so in the case of Walter Braunfels’ 1920 “The Birds.”

Braunfels witnessed critical and popular acclaim for his work, but that was cut short by the intervention of the Third Reich. Although he had converted to Catholicism in 1917, Braunfels was half Jewish. By 1933, he was forced off of his positoin as the director of the Cologne conservatory and he soon fled to Switzerland for the duration of Hitler’s regime. Returning in 1945, he was unable to regain public attention. Much later, after his death in 1954, he word would be revived, produced in 1971 in Karlsruhe and in 1994 in Berlin.

The LA Opera’s production is the West Coast premiere and the opera sparkles with charm. The music is delightful and the staging winning. As for the costumes, I wondered what happens to them afterward. What dancer wouldn’t want those jewel-toned togs?

For a longer review, go to Examiner.com.

Free Christmas Concert at the Music Center

As you must know, my favorite four-lettered word is free!

And for the 49th year, we have free music concerts in downtown Los Angeles, 24 Dec., from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Not only is the program at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion free, parking is also free.

Is that cool or what?

Here are notes about the program:

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has
sponsored an admission-free show as a holiday gift
to the people of the County every December 24 since
1959. The late Kenneth Hahn, Supervisor of the Second
District from 1952 to 1992, was the father of the Holiday
Celebration. Kenneth Hahn cared deeply about the
accessibility of the arts to everyone. He personally
helmed the fundraising for the first celebration, which
was called the Christmas Program and took place at the
Sports Arena. When Dorothy “Buffy” Chandler sought
Hahn’s support for the proposed Music Center, he told
her that he would support it if he could be sure that the
Music Center would be open free to the residents of the
County at least one day each year. In 1964 the Holiday
Celebration moved to the just-opened Music Center
and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion continues to host the
Holiday Celebration to this day.

The Los Angeles County Arts Commission is executive
producer of the Holiday Celebration, both the live six-hour
show at the Music Center and the one-hour special
drawn from the live show and broadcast nationally on
PBS. The live presentation at the Music Center is one of
the largest holiday shows in the Country, featuring 1,000
to 1,500 performers. Attendance has become a seasonal
tradition for thousands of Angelenos. Since 1965 public
television station KCET has broadcast the six-hour
show live in Southern California. The first one-hour
“best of” compilation of the live show aired nationally
on PBS in 2002. The 2008 national show – broadcast in
high definition – is part of PBS’s holiday programming
package and is airing on more than 170 stations across
the country during the month of December.

Host: Susan Feniger
3:00 pm
Royal Crown Revue*
Mark Cally, Guitar
Mando Dorame, Tenor Saxophone
Daniel Glass, Drums
Jim Jedeikin, Baritone/Alto Saxophone
Dave Miler, Bass
Eddie Nichols, Vocals
Scott Steen, Trumpet
Jennifer Keith, Guest vocalist

HeY SAnTA Eddie Nichols
BLue CHRiSTMAS Billie Hayes and Jay Johnson
CooL YuLe

3:10 pm
Loyola High School of Los Angeles Choir*
Steven Speciale, Director
uP! GooD CHRiSTenS Traditional from Piae Cantiones 1582
arr. by Malcom Archer
MARY HAD A BABY Traditional Spiritual arr. Robert Shaw and Alice Parker
Soloist: Elliot Ward-Bowen

3:20 pm
Mariachi and Folklorico Cielo Nuevo
Juan Cuevas, Mariachi Co-director
Claudia Zuñiga, Mariachi Co-director
Felix Salcedo, Folklorico director
jARABe ii Hippolito Puentes, Nicholas Puentes

3:25 pm
Showtime Katusha
Larisa Carlson, Director, Choreographer
YABLoCHKo
Choreography: Larisa Carlson
“Yablochko” Music: Traditional
Dancers: Sophia Amir, Maria Chatzkih, Alexis Drabkin, Julia Kolenkina,
Anna Kravchenko, Annie Novikov, Gretchen Pickler, Anastacia Pimenov,
Dasha Pimenov, Anna Sharfman

3:30 pm
Burbank Chorale
Mikhail Shtangrud, Director
Pepron Pilibossian, Piano
iT’S THe MoST WonDeRFuL TiMe oF THe YeAR Eddie Pola,
George Wyle
A MeRRY CHRiSTMAS arr. Arthur Warrell

3:35 pm
Lisa Haley and the Zydekats*
Lisa Haley, Leader, Lead Vocals, Violin
Chuck Alvarez, Guitar
Andy Anders, Bass
Skip Edwards, Accordion
Maria Martinez, Drums
in A MAnGeR Lisa Haley
MARDi GRAS CHRiSTMAS PARTY Lisa Haley

3:45 pm
Los Angeles Master Chorale
Ariel Quintana, Assistant Conductor
Lisa Edwards, Piano
AnGeLS We HAVe HeARD on HiGH French Carol arr. McCullough
MY DAnCinG DAY English Traditional arr. Bob Chilcott
o HoLY niGHT French Carol arr. John Rutter
Host: Kajsa Alger

4:00 pm
Harmonic Bronze Handbell Ensemble
Lawrence Rowland, Director
CoSMiC DAnCe Sondra K. Tucker
Showtime Katusha Burbank Chorale Harmonic Bronze Handbell Ensemble
3 * FiRST TiMe on HoLiDAY CeLeBRATion

4:10 pm
Opera California Youth Choir
Hyung Kun Roh, Artistic Director
Sung Hei Roh, Executive Director
Jung Choi, Music Director, Conductor
Julie Kang, Assistant Music Director
Daniel Chung, Leadership & Spiritual Director
Esther Yoon, Choreographer
Sarah Paik, Conductor
Michelle Park, Anna Lee, Piano
Ashley Han, Anne Lee, Keyboard
Paul Paik, Bass Guitar
Michael Han, Drums
GLoRY To GoD George Frideric Handel, arr. Roger Emerson
HALLeLujAH To THe KinG George Frideric Handel, arr. Jung Choi
Soloist: Lisa Son

4:15 pm
South Bay Ballet*
Diane Lauridsen, Artistic Director
Candice Davis, Assistant Artistic Director
THe WALTZ oF THe FLoWeRS
Choreography: Charles Maple
“The Waltz of the Flowers” Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Dancers: Charlotte Munson, Paul Kirk, Janet Lin, Tessia G. Lane,
Saaya Anzai, Evyn Nicole Davis, Tess Sophia Goodrich, Ilaria Guerra,
Kylette Jaramillo, Rio Onuma, Elizabeth Simoens, Tess Weinberg

4:20 pm
Welsh Choir of Southern California
Dr. Hojun Lee, Director
Ellie Choate, Harp
THe SunSeT PRAYeR oF ReVeRenD eLi jenKinS Michael J. Lewis
DioLCH i Ti Traditional

4:30 pm
Dream Dance 2*
Ting-Ting Chang, Director, Choreographer
LADieS in THe SnoW
Choreography: Ting-Ting Chang
“The Sea of Seven Stars” Music: Ken Yang
Dancers: Ellen Lee, Ginger P. Liu, Diana Ng, Stephanie Ng, Jaclyn Wang,
Debbie L. Yeh, Celine Yueh

4:35 pm
Harmonies Girls Choir
Jose Antonio Espinal, Director, Founder
Joseph Julian Gonzalez, Teponaztli, Rain Stick
Erick Infantas, Huehuetl
xiCoCHi xiCoCHi ConeTZinTLe Gaspar Fernandes
Soloist: Nayely Ortega
Dancer: Melissa Vargas

4:40 pm
ARC Handbell Choir
Jane Sarture, Executive and Music Director, Keyboard
Mary Schallert, Co-Founder, Choir Director
DeCK THe HALLS Traditional
WHiTe CHRiSTMAS Irving Berlin
jinGLe BeLLS James Pierpont

4:45 pm
Salvation Army Tabernacle Children’s
Chorus
Barbara Allen, Director
Steve Allen, Piano
James Allen, Drums
Brandon Toy, Bass Guitar
PeRFeCT CHRiSTMAS niGHT Paul O’Neill, Robert Kinkel, Jon Oliva
HoT CHoCoLATe Andy Beck, Brian Fisher
Hosts: Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo

5:00 pm
Celtic Spring
Mary Wood, Director
Elizabeth Wood, Fiddle
Deirdre Wood, Fiddle
Sean Wood, Fiddle
Patrick Wood, Fiddle
Maire Wood, Fiddle
Aidan Wood, Dancer
Greg Wood, Irish Drum
Mary Wood, Keyboard
CeLTiC MeDLeY Traditional
Dream Dance 2 ARC Handbell Choir Celtic Spring

5:10 pm
I.E. Generation*
Tony Wilkins, Director
Jason Allen, Keyboard
Ted Bello, Bass Guitar
DeWayne Swan, Keyboard
Ron Lee, Drums
iT CAMe uPon A MiDniGHT CLeAR Edmund Hamilton Sears,
Richard S. Willis
Soloists: Tony Wilkins, Linda Willis

5:15 pm
blue13 dance company*
Achinta S. McDaniel, Director, Choreographer
DiYA AuR TooFAn (The Lamp and the Storm) World Premiere
Choreography: Achinta S. McDaniel
“Nightmare” and “Welcome to Dreamland” Music: Tej Gill
Dancers: Achinta S. McDaniel (Princess Chandini),
Arun Mathai (Prince Surya), Kory Keith (The Sugar Plum Fairy),
Marisa Cleghorn (The Empress Ravan), Daniel Valentine, Tammie
Johnston, Andrew Zutta, Jody Thigpen, Nicole Harris, Jeanine
Aberbook, Symone Harris, Natasha Neufeld

5:20 pm
Colburn Children’s Choir
Mikhail Shtangrud, Director
Pepron Pilibossian, Piano
SiYAHAMBA Henry Leck
SLeiGH RiDe Leroy Anderson

5:25 pm
Yeh Dede*
Lisa (Ariella) Forstein, Director, Vocals, Djembe Drum
Mariposa Oxenberg, Vocals, Djembe Drum
Donna Factor, Vocals, Flute
Kelsey Namara, Vocals, Percussion
Addie Lupert, Vocals, Djembe Drum
Traci Dinwiddie, Vocals, DunDun Drums
Kati Hernandez, Dancer
oMA AuLAReSSo arr. Annegret Baier

5:30 pm
Jubilant Voices of Holman
United Methodist Church
Melida Smith, Director
Ricardo Mowatt, Drums
Kevin Nickelson, Piano
John Steward, Bass Guitar
HALLeLujAH LoRD Carrie Harrington, Gary Hines
SiLenT niGHT Kirk Franklin

5:40 pm
New Universe Entertainment Academy*
Xin Yu Li, Director, Choreographer
enTeR inTo TiBeT
Choreography: Xin Yu Li
“Enter into Tibet” Music: Qan Yi Zhang
Dancers: Xin Yu Li, Carol Chang, Lulu Yuan, Nicole Liu, Shirley Fang,
Shih-Ying Chen, Charles J. Li, Fei Tzu Huang, Emma Chen, Jennifer Wang,
Jenny Choi, Susie Ma

5:45 pm
Celebration Entertainment Academy, Inc.
Lawrence Vondrake Fitz, Director
William Dickson, Electric Bass, Percussion
Daniel Gorden, Drums, Percussion
Kevin Holmes, Electric Guitar, Percussion
Anthony Jones, Piano, Percussion
BeTeLeHeMu M.B. Olatunji, W. Whalum, arr. Barrington Brooks
Soloist: Jeremiah Calhoun
Host: Akasha Richmond

6:00 pm
Klezmer Juice
Gustavo Bulgach, Director, Clarinet, Saxophone
Nicole Falzone, Drums
Ken Rosser, Electric Guitar
Antonio De Santanna, Bass
Dan Weinstein, Violin, Trombone
Marcelo Caceres, Nylon String Guitar
SonGS oF RejoiCinG Traditional
LATin MeeTS KLeZMeR HoLiDAY MeDLeY Traditional
Yeh Dede Jubilant Voices of Holman
United Methodist Church
Klezmer Juice

6:10 pm
Gwen Wyatt Chorale
Dr. Gwendolyn Wyatt, Director, Founder
Will Lopez, Trumpet
Paul Kubialc, Trumpet
Tom Fordham, Trombone
Alan Medak, French Horn
Peter Brown, Bass Trombone
Sandra Yu Hei Wu, Percussion
Karen Jackson, Percussion
THe GoSPeL PLoW Gwyneth Walker

6:15 pm
Retter’s Academy of Dance*
Darryl Retter, Co-Executive/Artistic Director
Linda Bernabei-Retter, Co-Executive/Artistic Director
Lilian Manansala, Choreographer
ARABiA
Choreography: Lilian Manansala
Music: “Harem” Frederico de Brito, “Sandstorm” James Newton Howard,
“Scheherazade” Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov,
“Ice Queen” Paul Dinletir
Dancers: Shalynne Armstrong, Nina Fisher, Courtni Gidish, Tessa Gidish,
Jessie Gold, Alex Imperato, Natalie Isbouts, Nicole Jones, Nicolette
Malinoff, Billi Marder, Chloe Martin, Chelsea Preisler, Dylan Ptacek,
Renata Retter, Khristina Shad, Sheridan Siegel, Cory Swatosh,
Makenzie Taguchi, Brittany Troxler

6:20 pm
JazzAntiqua Dance and Music Ensemble
Pat Taylor, Director, Choreographer
SLeiGHRiDe World Premiere
Choreography: Pat Taylor
“Sleighride” Music: Duke Pearson
Dancers: Terrica Banks, Keisha Clark-Booth, Tim Ford, Yvonne Johnson,
Meteka Patterson, John Santos Jr., Christopher Smith, Nick Spurling

6:25 pm
Inspirational Voices of Free!
Windy Barnes Farrell, Director, Founder
HeAVen RiGHT HeRe on eARTH Windy Barnes Farrell,
Clarence McDonald, Carol Mundy

6:30 pm
Stefani Valadez Ensemble
Stefani Valadez, Director, Guitar, Lead Vocals
Leo Chelyapov, Ethnic Clariet, Flute
Richard Hardy, Flute, Saxophone
Oliver Newell, Bass
Jamie Papish, Percussion
Melanie Papish, Dancer
Christo Pellani, Drums
MoSe SALio De MiSRAYiM Traditional
Hine Me ToV Traditional

6:35 pm
Namaste Women’s Choir
Diane Rose, Director
MA nAVu Yossi Spivak, Shira Cion
WinTeRFeST Andrejs Jansons

6:45 pm
TAIKOPROJECT*
Bryan Yamami, Director
Darren Endo, Tomomi Hongo, Joel Mankey, Brian Yamagata,
Yumi Saito, Kihy Yung, Courtney Deguchi, Byron Yamada,
Taiko Drums
exPAnDinG TAIKOPROJECT

6:50 pm
Palmdale High School Choral Union
Michael McCullough, Director
GLoRY To THe neW BoRn KinG Traditional
THe TWeLVe DAYS oF CHRiSTMAS Traditional
Host: Chef Jeff Henderson
7:00 pm
Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company
Jose Vences, Director, Choreographer
eL ToRo MAMBo
Choreography: Jose Vences
“El Toro Mambo” Music: Traditional
Inspirational Voices of Free! Stefani Valadez Ensemble TAIKOPROJECT

7:10 pm
Philippine Chamber Singers Los Angeles*
Gelo Francisco, Director
Paul Concepcion, Piano
A CHRiSTMAS CARoL Leslie Bricusse, Ryan Cayabyab
jinGLe BeLLS CALYPSo James Pierpont, arr. Leo M. Tellep

7:15 pm
Motion Tribe*
Marie de la Palme, Director, Choreographer
Le CoeuR iLLuMine
Choreography: Marie de la Palme
“Concerto in G Major, Adagio” Music: Maurice Ravel
Dancer: Melissa Sandvig

7:20 pm
United Children’s Chorus of Los Angeles
Willie Norwood, Conductor
Rayva Harrell, Director
MAGniFiCenT AnD HoLY Composer
Go TeLL THe neWS Nancy Price, Don Besig

7:30 pm
Dengue Fever*
Ethan Holtzman, Farfisa Organ
Zac Holtzman, Vocals, Guitar
Chhom Nimol, Lead Vocals
David Ralicke, Brass
Paul Smith, Drums
Senon Williams, Bass
neW YeAR’S eVe Ros Serey Sothea
YeGeLLe TeZeTA Mulatu Astatke

7:35 pm
Vox Femina Los Angeles
Iris Levine, Director
Janet Noll, Piano
Riu Riu CHiu M. Flecha
Soloist: Jeni Rodrigues
neRLi Charles Baker
MARY, MARY HAD BuT one CHiLD Jay Althouse

7:45 pm
Backhausdance*
Jennifer Backhaus, Director, Choreographer
SnoW DAY World Premiere
Choreography: Jennifer Backhaus
“Waltz of the Snowflakes” Music: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Dancers: Jennifer Bassage Bonfil, Andrea Brache, Tawny Chapman,
William Lu, Omar Olivas, Drea Sobke, Amanda Kay White

7:50 pm
Christian’s Community Center
Cathedral Choir*
Thom Washington, Director
Phil Corley, Electric Bass
Romel Veal, Electric Guitar
Terrell Collins, Drums
Ahjei Holieway, Keyboard
Rachelle Lewis, Piano
He HAS CoMe Norman Hutchins
eMMAnueL Norman Hutchins
Host: Chef Lala

8:00 pm
Los Pinguos
Jose Agote, Spanish Guitar, Vocals
Adrian Buono, Spanish Guitar, Vocals
Santiago Lee, Electric Bass Guitar, Vocals
Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Cajón, Vocals
Juan Manzur, Cuban Tres Guitar, Vocals
John Roberts, Trombone
Steve Gerardo, Trumpet
unA LuZ De eSPeRAnZA World Premiere Jose Agote, Adrian Buono,
Santiago Lee
TieRRA SAnTA Jose Agote, Adrian Buono

8:10 pm
Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers
Albert McNeil, Director
Go TeLL iT on THe MounTAin arr. Roland Carter
MARY HAD A LiTTLe BABY Margaret Bonds
eV’RY TiMe i FeeL THe SPiRiT arr. Moses Hogan
Dengue Fever Backhausdance Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers

8:15 pm
Antics Performance*
Amy Campion, Director, Choreographer
nuTCRACKeR BooGie World Premiere
Choreography: Amy “Catfox” Campion in collaboration with performers
“Xmas Funk” Music: Jairus Green
Dancers: Lauryn “L-Boogie” Speights (Clara), Peipei “Peppa” Yuan (Sugar
Plum BGirl), Jacob “Kujo” Lyons (Mouse King), Ray “Viscious” Ponder
(Drosselmeyer), Anthony “Slim Boogie” Armstrong (Christmas Tree),
Christa Lewis (Nutcracker)

8:25 pm
Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles
Bruce Mayhall, Artistic Director
Scott Lavender, Piano
SAnTA CLAuS LLeGo A LA CiuDAD J. Fred Coots, Haven Gillespie,
arr. Bob Krogstag
ARe You BuRninG, LiTTLe CAnDLe? Eric Lane Barnes, Jane Siberry,
arr. Stephen Smith

8:30 pm
Louie Cruz Beltran Latin Jazz Ensemble*
Louie Cruz Beltran, Leader, Vocals, Timbales, Congas
JC Lara, Bongos
Ralph Guzman, Bass
David Amper, Piano
Antoine Dearborn, Congas
Frank Cano, Trumpet
Ariel Campos, Vibraphone
Robert Kyle, Sax
Keiko Okamoto, Flute
LiTTLe DRuMMeR BoY Katherine K Davis, Henry Onorati, Harry Simeone
joY To THe WoRLD Isaac Watts, George Frederick Handel

8:40 pm
Mt. Rubidoux Seventh Day Adventist
Church Choir*
Dr. Alan Woodson, Director
Frank Calvin, Bass
Gary Pickens Jr., Drums
Alden Clarke and Dewayne Swann, Keyboard
THe PReSenCe oF THe LoRD iS HeRe Kurt Carr
Soloist: Tonja Turk, Alan Woodson

8:45 pm
Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez
Jose Hernandez, Director, Trumpet
Jorge Contreras, Trumpet
Roberto Diaz, Trumpet
Jessie Hernandez, Guitar
Mario Hernandez, Guitarrón
Anthony Zuniga, Vihuela
Fernando Moreno, Violin
Cristobal Contreras, Violin
Roberto Lopez, Violin
Erick Hernandez, Violin
Willie Acuna, Harp
AVe MARiA Franz Schubert, arr. Jose Hernandez
Soloist: Jessie Hernandez
LA BoDA De LuiS ALonSo Traditional

The audience is invited to sing along
on Silent Night.
.

For Fabulous Entertainment: The Gay Men’s Choir of Los Angeles

My friend has been singing with the Gay Men’s Choir for a while, but I’ve never heard him sing or seen a concert.

This afternoon, I laughed, I sniffled and I smiled during two hours of “It’s a Fabulous Life: Holiday Songs in the Key of Life,” the opening concert of the Gay Men’s Choir’s 30th season, performing this weekend at the Alex Theater in Glendale.

Besides seeing men dressed up in black suits with ties, they had some funny skits about cowboys and dreydls, classic waltz versus Xanadu and wishing one was a Rockette. Most touching was the inclusion of personal stories culled from the 104 members–stories about coming out, stories about learning about Christmas in Belgium when one is Buddhist and about love and fellowship.

If you’ve lost the meaning of Christmas and the holy days, even if you’re not Christian (and I’m not), you can appreciate the humor and joy these men have despite the bitter passing of Prop. 8.

Think of it as an older, wiser and yet still family friendly way of giving the true meaning of the holy days than the Peanuts Christmas animated special.

California Phil: Our Neighborhood Philharmonic

The California Philharmonic is based in San Marino and performs regularly in Arcadia and downtown.

This isn’t free, but not everything in life can be free, right?

I did miss the Broadway musicals night in July and it seems like they played all my favorites: Rodgers & Hammerstein Songbook.

You get two chances to see them: Saturday evening at the Los Angeles Arboretum as part of the Festival on the Green (picnic concerts under the stars) at 7:30 p.m. (dining from 5:30 p.m.) or at the Walt Disney Concert Hall at 2 p.m.

August 9 &10, 2008
MOVIE MAGIC
Lights, camera, music!

Titanic
The Godfather
Schindler’s List
An American In Paris
Rocky

Cal Phil brings the silver screen to our orchestra stage…only, this time, it’s not Sly Stallone or Gene Kelly who play the leads, but the music itself. Hear the Oscar-winning scores that made these films classics. Our stars include violinist/pianist Ayke Agus, Phil Smith, and composers like John Williams and George Gershwin. Leading this exceptional cast is Cal Phil’s superstar, Maestro Victor Vener!

August 23&24 , 2008
BEETHOVEN, BERNSTEIN & BOLERO

The world’s most passionate music! [I'd say that would be Argentine tango, but you know I'm prejudiced!]

Ode To Joy
Candide
Bolero
West Side Story

Prepare to be seduced! After all, whose pulse doesn’t pound and heart leap in delight as they hear the opening strains to Beethoven’s immortal Ode to Joy with full orchestra and chorus or Leonard Bernstein’s irresistible West Side Story and Candide? As for Bolero, there’s good reason it earned “shouts and cheers from the audience” at its debut in 1929 and has continued to do so forever after…as Cal Phil will once again prove.

Beethoven, Bernstein & Bolero: individually they’re brilliant; together, bedazzling…

September 6&7, 2008
GOTTA DANCE

Feel the beat!

The Blue Danube
Glenn Miller
The Beatles
Firebird Suite
The Mamas & The Papas
Dance Of The Seven Veils

The Glenn Miller Orchestra is not the only orchestra you’ll want to dance to!

Just try and stay seated as Cal Phil presents an eclectic medley of works inspired by the world of dance, ranging from perennial favorites from the classical music repertoire to Top Ten hits.

Wear comfortable shoes: we’ll have you up and waltzing, jitterbugging and doing the twist like a pro before you know it!

Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
The Arboretum
301 N. Baldwin Ave.
Arcadia, CA 91007

Sundays at 2:00 pm

Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S. Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA

Call TicketMaster at 213.365.3500 or purchase online.

Free Swing! @ Paseo Colorado 11-29 July (Fridays)

I never get there in time to save a table for my friends and usually don’t even get to sit down. But when the music’s playing, why sit! Get up and dance.

Fridays, 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Garfield Plaza. Go see a movie and cool off afterward.

Friday, July 11: Pete Jacobs Quintet

Friday, July 18: Mora’s Modern Swingtet

Friday, July 25: Eddie Nichols and his Rockin’ Revue

Friday, August 1: Flat Top Tom

Friday, August 8: Stompy Jones

Friday, August 15 Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys

Friday, August 22 Jonathon Stout and his Campus Five

Friday, August 29 Jumpin’ Joz

Destination Burbank: Free Swing 10-31 July

I know that Burbank isn’t really San Gabriel Valley, but Pasadena’s own Francisco and Stacey, owners of The Dance Family Studio, will be leading the free dance lessons at 6 p.m. on the AMC Walkway (at Palm Ave. and San Fernando Blvd. in downtown Burbank starting on July 10 (Thursday).

I’ve had classes with them when they lead the One Colorado free lessons and their lessons are low-key and fun.

From 7:00 p.m., the two-hour concert begins. Live music and dancing with no cover charge. What could be better than that? Presented by Downtown Burbank Partnership. The series is sponsored in part by the Burbank Collection.

SWING AND SWAY IN JULY

July 10 High Street

A high-energy 10-piece show band, High Street’s repertoire includes cover songs and originals in a mixture of swing, blues, R & B, Latin and ballads. The band’s high-voltage shows and interaction with audiences have made them favorites wherever they go. Whether it’s for 50 or 50,000 people, a High Street performance is always a party…and you’re invited!

July 17 Barbara Morrison

Often compared with Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James, Barbara Morrison has a way of making every song her own with her consummate style and infectious personality. She’s a red-hot vocalist with a delicious sense of swing. When she gets up before her quintet, you’ll leap to your feet and head for the dance floor.

July 24 The Wise Guys

This East LA-based big band features a screamin’ horn line, two talented vocalists and a roaring rhythm section. Their repertoire includes the swinging vocal tunes of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darrin and Peggy Lee, big band favorites from Glenn Miller, Perez Prado, Count Basie and Buddy Rich as well as classic mambos and cumbias.

July 31 Swing Syndicate

With vintage instruments and wardrobe, this seven-piece band fuses stompin’ swing, jump blues and jazz styles with rockabilly. You’ll love their original compositions as well as their cover tunes of Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, Brian Setzer and Duke Ellington.

Downtown Burbank comprises 34 blocks of retail, office, residential and entertainment destinations and includes more than 200 shops and 80 restaurants such as Macy’s, IKEA, PF Chang’s, Urban Outfitters, AMC-16 and Burbank Town Center. The area is bounded by Verdugo Avenue, Glenoaks, Burbank Boulevard and the I-5 in Burbank, Calif., and contains more than 9,000 parking spaces. Dubbed “one of Southern California’s most appealing urban centers” by Sunset Magazine, the district is managed by Downtown Burbank Partnership, a California nonprofit mutual benefit corporation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:the public is asked to please call 818.238.5180.