Hotflash: ‘Menopause The Musical’ Coming to Glendale

The international hit show “Menopause The Musical” has selected Glendale as a ‘hot’ national market and will play the Alex Theatre for three performances only, Feb. 26 – 27. It doesn’t necessarily mean women in The Golden State are more prone to symptoms of “The Change.”  It does mean they will find joy in sharing […]

California Contemporary Ballet’s Presents ‘The Snow
Queen’

California Contemporary Ballet (www.CalBallet.com and www.SnowQueenBallet.com) will present the 15th anniversary performance of the original ballet “The Snow Queen,” with three shows in Glendale on Dec. 21, Dec. 22 and Dec. 23. The ballet is based on the classic tale by Hans Christian Andersen. For 15 years, Aerin Holt has served as artistic director of […]

‘Musical Americana’ Closes 2012 for LACO

By Ted AYALA One often hears the phrase “Christmas in July” – but “July in Christmas?”     Specifically what the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) offered its Alex Theatre audience on Saturday night was a glimpse of a bright July 4th in the midst of a chilly December night. Three of the composers that comprised […]

Revisiting the Humble Roots of the Video Game

Revisiting the Humble Roots of the Video Game

By Ted AYALA “Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America” By Jeff Ryan Portfolio Books | 320 pp. | SRP $16 “History of Nintendo, Volume 1 (1889 – 1980); Volume 2 (Game & Watch series: 1980 – 1991)” By Florent Gorges (in collaboration with Isao Yamazaki) Pix ‘N Love Publishing | 242 pp.; 200 pp. | […]

Life of Spencer Tracy: Topic of Tea

The life and career of the legendary actor Spencer Tracy will be the topic for discussion at a literary tea that is taking place in Beverly Hills on Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. Critically acclaimed author James Curtis will appear as the guest speaker at the Westside Center for Independent Living’s Associates’ (WCIL) Annual Literary […]

GCC Orchestra Performance on Sunday

By Michael J. ARVIZU The Glendale Community College Orchestra presents its annual fall concert in the college auditorium on Dec. 9 at 3 p.m. In honor of the college’s 85th anniversary, the orchestra will be performing pieces from around the time of GCC’s founding in 1927. The orchestra’s featured work will be George Gershwin’s “American […]

Santa Cecilia celebrates 20th anniversary with Beethoven and Brahms

By Ted AYALA It was fitting that the Santa Cecilia Orchestra chose to crown its 20th anniversary concert with a symphony that cost its composer some 20 years to compose. Johannes Brahms’ gruff Symphony No. 1 capped a program which intended to depict triumph. Not just for their respective composers, but for the orchestra, which […]

Wallfisch’s LACO debut hot and cold

By Ted AYALA Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) Music Director Jeffrey Kahane stepped aside for the ensemble’s November 10 concert at the Alex Theatre. In his place was the LACO debut of 33-year-old guest conductor Benjamin Wallfisch, the scion of one of Britain’s most distinguished musical families. His work has garnered praise not only for […]

Rich History Detailed in Lakers Book

Think you know everything about the Lakers? Steve Springer’s book may surprise you. By Brandon HENSLEY If only Steve Springer had waited a little bit longer to release his new Lakers book, he could have included the recent coaching hysteria that has engulfed the team on this young season. As it is, the story of […]