Music – The Music Center

JONI 75: A Joyous Celebration

Header Photo: Joni Mitchell (Courtesy Henry Diltz/Morrison Hotel Gallery)

A Message from Rachel Moore, The Music Center’s president and CEO

What an incredible honor and privilege it is to celebrate one of the world’s most remarkable artists live at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on November 6 & 7, 2018 with two extraordinary concerts by an amazing array of singers and musicians, all of whom have been inspired by Joni’s masterful music. This is a birthday party only Los Angeles can throw! I am so proud that we at The Music Center could make it happen.

As an artist, Joni pushed the boundaries; she challenged the narrative, quite evident in the 1960s, that a woman couldn’t be in charge of her own destiny. She took control of her professional journey and made choices based on what she wanted, not what those in the music industry tried to dictate. She moved the field forward, something I truly respect, making music her own and reframing what songwriting and vocal music could be.

For those reasons and so much more, we are thrilled to celebrate Joni’s 75th birthday. During our gala on the second night of these concerts, we will bestow her with The Music Center’s Excellence in the Performing Arts Award, acknowledging her pioneering spirit and timeless art and music.

Thank you, Joni, for all you have given us, for this incredible chance to produce these concerts and to show incredibly grateful we are. And thank you to our wonderful audiences for your support.

Rachel Moore
President and CEO
The Music Center

The Music Center’s Excellence in the Performing Arts Award / 2018

Presented to Joni Mitchell

The Music Center honors Joni Mitchell with The Music Center’s Excellence in Performing Arts Award, recognizing her pioneering spirit and timeless art and music. The Music Center first bestowed this award, which salutes individuals who are innovators in the creative and performing arts, upon another great artist – actress, dancer and singer Rita Moreno – in 2016. Joni continues to be an inspiration to the artists of today and tomorrow. Her many talents and artistic contributions epitomize The Music Center’s belief in the power of the arts to deepen the cultural lives of all.

JONI 75: A Birthday Celebration
Live at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

November 6, 2018 | 7:30 p.m.
November 7, 2018 | 6:30 p.m.

Learn more about JONI 75.

Limited view balcony seats are available for $50. Please call (213) 972-0711 to purchase.

The Nutcracker: A Cherished Holiday Tradition Returns to The Music Center

A Message from Rachel Moore, The Music Center’s president and CEO

With this 16^th season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, we are presenting companies who are dancing physically challenging choreography across multiple genres, from contemporary to story ballet. The engagement of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® by Miami City Ballet is no exception. We’re thrilled to bring the grandest Nutcracker back to Los Angeles from November 30 – December 2, 2018.

While many consider The Nutcracker ballet to be simply magical, which indeed it is, the George Balanchine version features stunningly powerful and complex choreography, which is much more than a mere spectacle. These are beautiful yet highly-technical performances, made even more magical with the fanciful costume and set designs of fashion and artistic power-couple Ruben and Isabel Toledo, who have reimagined the production. How fortunate we are to be able to bring this company and this rich choreography back to The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage for what I hope is becoming a cherished holiday tradition for all in Los Angeles County.

mcb_new_nut_la-993-by_iziliaev — *George Balanchine’s* *The Nutcracker® by Miami City Ballet*

Many of us grew up loving Tchaikovsky’s score for The Nutcracker ballet, which we are presenting in this engagement with live orchestra. Yet, with Mr. Balanchine’s choreography, the ballet itself plays a central role as it is the visual expression of the music. He advises both the audience and the dancers to, “See the music, hear the dance.” That is indeed the case with his The Nutcracker as the choreography gives a voice to the dance, which itself is incredibly musical. All who grace the stage for this presentation must dance, even the youngest performers, and none of the steps are easy. In fact, it takes 97 hours of rehearsal for each child to learn his or her role! So, as we sit in the audience and “hear” the dance, we are guaranteed an incomparable experience, transported to another world where the timeless “Dance of the Sugarplum Fairy” becomes a visual and aural treat.

mcb_new_nut_la-606-by_iziliaev — *George Balanchine’s* *The Nutcracker® by Miami City Ballet*

After our presentation of The Nutcracker, we take a short break in our dance series until April 2019 when Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater_®returns to The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The Ailey company, which is celebrating its 60^th anniversary, will perform three different programs of mixed repertory with classic Ailey works, contemporary masterworks and west coast premieres, along with the American masterpiece Revelations. This celebratory performance, which runs from April 3-7, 2019, is not to be missed!

mcb_new_nut_la-235-by_iziliaev — *George Balanchine’s* *The Nutcracker® by Miami City Ballet*

I hope you will also join us for more holiday experiences as we light up the night with Grand Park’s Winter Glow, a new month-long, 12-acre immersive nighttime art experience, taking place each night from now through December 25, 2018; the L.A. County Holiday Celebration live at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on December 24, 2018, from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.; and Grand Park + The Music Center’s N.Y.E.L.A. on New Year’s Eve. You can find more information about these free events at MusicCenter.org and GrandParkLA.org

My warmest wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year.

Rachel Moore
President and CEO
The Music Center

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker® by Miami City Ballet

The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

Purchase tickets.

This Weekend at The Music Center: Valentine’s Day Edition

Happy Hump Day, everyone! Here is an early This Weekend at The Music Center for those of you who are in need of some last-minute Valentine’s Day plans.

Friday

Start the weekend off right with Center Theatre Group’s The Mystery of Love & Sex at the Mark Taper Forum. The play offers an explosive look at romance, race and our connections to each other in a world full of tangled and complicated differences. Or if you’re in a mood for theater that tickles the funny bone, catch An Act of God starring Emmy Award^® winner Sean Hayes at the Ahmanson.

At Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil is setting the mood with their CITY OF LIGHT: A Century of Music from Paris series. On Friday, come to CITY OF LIGHT: Mother Goose, with Installation or catch the world premier of The Wooster Group: The Room by Harold Pinter over at REDCAT.

Saturday & Sunday (Valentine’s Day!)

All of the shows from Friday have additional performances through the weekend so check the links above for dates and times.

Additionally, Saturday is the opening night of The Magic Flute at the LA Opera. Don’t miss this visually stunning production that is a celebration of true love conquering all. February 13 is the only day to catch the show this weekend, but it runs through March 6.

Over at Grand Park, love is in the air this Saturday at PROUD Love, celebrating the LGBTQ and ally community. Enjoy a sunny afternoon dance party with a photo booth, dance floor and square dance lessons bringing together love of all kinds.

Valentine’s Day Dining

Bonus dining tip: Patina Restaurant Group has a special Valentine’s Day: Love Bites & Potions menu available. View & Reserve.

No matter what you choose, we wish you a weekend full of love!

This Weekend @ The Music Center

Well Los Angeles, we finally made it through one of the hottest weeks of the summer and as a special treat, indulge in the many amazing things happening this weekend right here at The Music Center! Here’s the rundown…

Tonight

2015 American Composers Forum National Composition Concert at REDCAT

In conjunction with American Composers Forum’s largest board meeting of the year, the concert features wild Up performing pieces written for them by the winners of the 2015 American Composers Forum’s National Composition Contest: William Gardiner (Yale University), Alex Temple (Northwestern University) and Nina C. Young (Columbia University). wild Up is a modern music collective; an adventurous chamber orchestra; a Los Angeles-based group of musicians committed to creating visceral, thought-provoking happenings. The group believes that music is a catalyst for shared experiences, and that a concert venue is a place to challenge, excite and ignite a community of listeners. So in three words: super duper cool.

Saturday

LA Opera’s Season Opening Show & Gala

Schicchi/Pagliacci by Giacomo Puccini/Ruggero Leoncavallo
Starring Plácido Domingo

Two legendary directors combine forces for a sensational season-opener for our resident company, LA Opera. First, Plácido Domingo stars as Gianni Schicchi in Woody Allen’s riotous staging of Puccini’s comic masterpiece, conducted by Grant Gershon.

LA Opera - Schicchi Final Dress Rehearsal Photo by Craig T. Mathew/Mathew Imaging — LA Opera – Schicchi Final Dress Rehearsal
Photo by Craig T. Mathew/Mathew Imaging

After the intermission, Plácido Domingo conducts the conclusion of the double bill, Franco Zeffirelli’s epic production of Pagliacci starring Marco Berti, Ana María Martinez and George Gagnidze. Filling the stage with hair-raising drama, the action plays out in a breathtaking contemporary urban landscape.

In short, it’s going to be an amazing night at the opera!

Sunday

João Maria Gusmão and Pedro Paiva One month without filming Exhibition at REDCAT

The work of Portuguese artists João Maria Gusmão and Pedro Paiva, who have worked collaboratively since 2001, is characterized by the use of silent films and other analog forms of expression to portray poetic-philosophical narratives suspended in an indeterminate zone between reality and artifice. For the first major exhibition by the duo in Los Angeles, newly commissioned films are juxtaposed with past works to create a conceptual narrative and provide a larger glimpse at the duo’s extended practice. On going exhibit through September 20th.

Have a great weekend Los Angeles!!!

Tania Re-cap

It’s hard to believe that it’s nearly been a week since our Ahmanson Theatre was filled with the brilliantly surreal sets and movements of Tania Pérez-Salas Compañia de Danza! The company made a wonderful LA debut and we want to thank everyone who came out for our master classes, performances, and post show lounges! Here’s a quick photo recap of the company’s time here at The Music Center….

Dancers Sarah Matry-Guerre and Jairo Cruz made a quick sight-seeing stop at Dodger stadium after teaching a thrilling master class at EDGE Performing Arts Center in Hollywood…. You can see more pictures of the class on our Facebook page.

Following the opening night performance, the company joined us for a special reception in the Ahmanson Theatre founder’s room…

And after each show, we had a post-show lounge with DJ’s from Mochilla and drinks at the Pinot Grill…. A fabulous time was had by all!

Be sure to check out our calendar for all our upcoming shows and performances and if you’ve been to any of our performances lately, see if you’ve made our best-dressed list on our Fashion Tumblr: Everyone Was Beautiful At The Ballet!

Gone Gamelan

We recently held our first ever Gamelan Workshop here at The Music Center – allowing Angelenos from all walks of life the chance to learn to play this beautifully unique instrument. What’s more, participants learned traditional Balinese songs and dances to accompany their music making, giving a full-spectrum into the art-form.

The sounds of gamelans and gongs echoing through the halls of our Dorothy Chandler Pavilion was truly magical and despite being newbies to the craft, everyone at our workshop totally rocked it!

Want to come to one of our workshops in the future?

H’Sao in Concert

Here at The Music Center, we present a wide-range of programs, artists and genres of the performing arts. From our dance programming to our community classes and events, from our educational outreach programs to our resident companies – There’s a little something for every taste and age group.

But this coming Saturday, January 17th, we’re offering up a very special 1 night concert that’s particularly exciting…

H’Sao is a four member musical group from Chad by way of Montreal, whose sound is a harmonious blend of genres that’s at once complicated and sophisticated, but also extremely catchy. In listening to it, it’s hard NOT to fall a little bit in love with this band.

Whether it is labeled Afro-fusion or Afro-jazz, H’Sao is defined by the strength of its voices and impressive a cappella harmonies. Brothers Caleb (guitar), Mossbass (bass), and Izra (keyboard), alongside childhood friend Dono (drums) have stayed true to their roots and draw from gospel, soul, R&B, reggae and Chadian music to deliver an unforgettable performance (one you don’t want to miss!)

Get into the groove by listening to their latest album ORIA, then snag a pair of tickets to see them in our Stern Grand Hall this Saturday night! It’s going to be a straight up party, with cash bars, a pre and post show set with DJ Rani de Leon, and a CD signing session with the band.

See you there!

K-Pop Prep List

This Friday’s Dance Downtown is K-Pop! That’s right friends, I said K-POP! The hallyu is heading to The Music Center plaza from 6:30-10pm this Friday and will feature dance moves taught by Aimee Lee Lucas, and sets by DJ Cy with all your favorite k-pop tunes.

Whether you’re big into K-Pop or new to the hallyu (which refers to the wave of Korean culture sweeping the globe) we’ve put together a quick prep-list to get you ready for the fun….

1. Start with the music

Obviously, K-Pop wouldn’t be K-Pop without some really catchy, poppy tunes, and trust us, there are plenty to go around. Listen to our K-Pop Playlist below to acquaint yourself with a few of the most popular songs of the moment!

2. Dress the part

One of the other things we can’t help but love with the hallyu craze is all the great fashion that comes with it! Bright colors, snazzy sneakers, cool tees, and fun accessories are all must haves for the full K-Pop effect. Here’s a fashion mood board to get your style wheels spinning…

3. Keep it fun

It’s hard not to smile when listening to K-Pop, but here’s just a reminder – Like all good pop music, this genre and dance style is all about having fun. So when you’re taking the dance floor on Friday with your friends, don’t be afraid to drop your guard and free-style! Pretty much anything goes, but we will have our instructor there to lead you through some of the most popular moves. The only pre-requisite is a smile on your face!

See you at K-Pop Night!

Throwback Thursday – We ❤ 1964

Today’s Throwback Thursday is especially close to our hearts because we’re throwing it all the way back to 1964 – The year The Music Center first opened! We’re celebrating the music of that momentous year (and it’s kind of incredible how many hits came out) this Friday at our Friday Night Sing-Along with Songs of 64 as the theme. It’s free, it’s a lot of fun, and we will be giving out some incredible prizes too. The fun starts at 6:30 in the W.M. Keck Amphitheater behind Walt Disney Concert Hall.

But in the meantime, we thought we’d share a short list of six things we love about 1964…

1. The Beatles made their Ed Sullivan Show debut.

2. Mary Poppins opened in theaters.

3. The 1964 Cadillac Prestige… So Pretty!

4. Dorothy Chandler was on the cover of Time Magazine in December.

5. Hello Dolly opened on Broadway.

6. Dresses like these were in fashion!

Still yearning for more 64? Well, here’s a playlist of some of our favorite songs to tide you over till our sing-along tomorrow! Enjoy and stay groovy!

How to Pronounce “Ukulele”

It’s the LAST day to register for our Ukule-Along classes…In fact, you really only have another few hours! You can register for 1, 2 or all 3 sessions this summer, and get the chance to improve your playing, jam with others and generally just have fun at The Music Center.

And remember, you don’t have to say it, you just have to play it… But just for fun, here are two of our Music Center regulars discussing how to pronounce “Ukulele.”