Catingub, Glendale Pops dazzle in “Premiere”

By Ted AYALA A veritable cornucopia of musical delights – spanning everything from classical and jazz to rock and bossa-nova – were served to the hungry audience attending the Glendale Pops Orchestra’s (GPO) “The Premiere” concert last Friday night, May 13. Matt Catingub, the GPO’s new artistic director, emceed the concert with a sly charm […]

Santa Cecilia Orchestra Pays Tribute

By Ted AYALA The Santa Cecilia Orchestra (SCO), which finds its home in Occidental College’s Thorne Hall, closes out its 2010-2011 in a spectacular fashion on Sunday, May 22 at Occidental College’s Thorne Hall at 4 p.m. with a concert honoring two of Mexico’s – and the American continent’s – very greatest composers: Silvestre Revueltas […]

Thor Hammers One Home

Thor Hammers One Home

By Susan JAMES Actor/director Kenneth Branagh is generally known for his take on Shakespearian epics, “Henry V,” “Hamlet,” “Much Ado About Nothing,” so it is no wonder that when faced with directing the thunderous saga of comic book hero/god Thor he frames his epic as a quasi-Henry V. Like the rebel prince who defeated the […]

PSO Closes Season Awash in the Glow of Romanticism

PSO Closes Season Awash in the Glow of Romanticism

By Ted AYALA The fire and sparkle of Franz Liszt and the mellow sheen of Sergei Rachmaninoff swept over audiences last Saturday at Pasadena’s Ambassador Auditorium. The Pasadena Symphony Orchestra (PSO), under the baton of guest conductor Maximiano Valdes, was joined by pianist Chu-Fang Huang in a concert that programmed Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 […]

Pasadena Symphony Ends 2010-2011 with High Romantic Flourish

By Ted AYALA The music of Sergei Rachmaninoff and Franz Liszt: two more sure-fire crowd pleasing composers could scarcely be found. Rachmaninoff’s luscious melodies and Liszt’s glittery virtuosity have been packing houses again and again since the lifetimes of both composers – and look certain to continue doing so well beyond our own lifetimes. No […]

In the Wake of Japan Are We Ready?

In the Wake of Japan Are We Ready? Crescenta Valley CERT Presents A Community Forum Come Find Out How Your Community is Preparing! Saturday May 7th 2011 Rosemont Middle School Auditorium 8:30am.-12:30p.m. Featured Speakers Captain David Silversparre   L.A.S.D Sheriff Readiness Sergeant John Hargraves   L.A.S.D Lessons of the Oakland Fire Erik Pounders    U.S.G.S. Earthquake Hazards Team Paul […]