SoCal music & dance, Dec. 16-23: Tres Souls, Sweet Honey in the Rock, ‘The Nutcracker’ and more
Classical, opera, jazz, folk, pop, rock, ballet, tap, flamenco, contemporary dance and more for LA & OC
Welcome to the latest TV or Not TV newsletter spotlighting music and dance performances all around Southern California this coming week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the LA Times’ Calendar section.
Classical & opera
‘Carols on the Plaza’ Members of Los Angeles Master Chorale lead a holiday sing-along; the chorale’s new Youth Chorus LA also performs. The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16. Free. (213) 972-7282. lamasterchorale.org
‘Messiah Sing-Along’ Audience members are invited to raise their voices alongside Los Angeles Master Chorale and guest artists. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16. $49 and up. (213) 972-7282. lamasterchorale.org
Chanticleer The San Francisco-based all-male vocal ensemble sings in the season. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17. $49-$154. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
‘Festival of Carols’ The aforementioned Los Angeles Master Chorale presents a program of sacred and secular seasonal favorites. Musco Center, 415 N. Glassell St., Orange. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17. $53 and up. (714) 997-6812. muscocenter.org
‘Holiday Organ Spectacular’ Organist Todd Wilson and members of Pacific Symphony perform. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17. $33-$94. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
Christmas Joy Concert The Chancel Choir and instrumental ensembles perform in this entry in the Third@First concert series. First United Methodist Church, 500. E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. Free; donations accepted. thirdatfirst.org
Jazz, blues, rock, folk, pop, world music & more
‘The Platters’ Very Merry Christmas Show’ The current iteration of the iconic vocal group performs. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. 7 p.m. Monday, 2 and 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16-17. $69.50. (805) 667-2900. rubicontheatre.org
‘Both: A Hard Day’s Silent Night’ A choir and a live band put a gospel spin on classic Beatles tunes in Open Fist Theatre Company’s annual holiday benefit. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 and 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18-22. $30. (323) 882-6912. openfist.org
‘Jennifer Hudson: The Gift of Love’ The EGOT winner with the powerhouse pipes performs selections from her latest album. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18. Sold out. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
‘Voctave: It Feels Like Christmas’ The inspirational a cappella group performs. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18. $26 and up. (949) 553-2422. philharmonicsociety.org
Girl Named Tom The sibling vocal trio — as seen on “The Voice” — performs holiday favorites and more. City National Grove of Anaheim, 2200 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19. $25-$67. girlnamedtom.com
‘A Johnny Mathis Christmas’ The veteran crooner lends his velvety voice to holiday favorites and more. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19. $95 and up. (562) 916-8500. ccpa.cerritos.gov
‘Sweet Honey in the Rock 50th Anniversary Tour — Celebrating the HolyDays ’ The storied all-Black, all-women a cappella group puts a jazz-and-gospel spin on Christmas classics. The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19. $43-$95. (818) 677-3000. thesoraya.org
‘Dave Koz and Friends Christmas Tour 2024’ The sax man is joined by guitarist Jonathan Butler, singer Rebecca Jade, et al. Cerritos Center, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 20-21. $60 and up. (562) 916-8500. ccpa.cerritos.gov
‘Joss Stone: Merry Christmas, Love’ The Grammy-winning singer-songwriter performs accompanied by Pacific Symphony. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 20-21. $50-$240. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
‘Tower of Power: Holidays & Hits Tour’ The veteran R&B group brings the funk. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20. $26-$136. (562) 944-9801. lamiradatheatre.com
‘Home Alone in Concert’ A youngster battles a pair of dimwitted burglars as David Newman and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra perform John Williams’ score live-to-picture to accompany four screenings of the 1990 holiday comedy; ages 2 and up permitted. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 21-22. $55-$239. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
Marshall Charloff & Purple Xperience Prince is gone but his music lives on in this tribute show. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. $55. (562) 985-7000. carpenterarts.org
‘Tres Souls: Boleros de Navidad — The Los Angeles Farewell Concert’ The beloved local trio that specializes in classic Latin American ballads of the 1940s-60s goes out on a high note. The Broad Stage’s Music Hall and Plaza, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. $30-$50. (310) 434-3200. broadstage.org
‘Terry Steele Holiday’ The veteran vocalist performs. Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. $42.50-$48. (323) 964-9766. ebonyrep.org
‘Arturo Sandoval Swinging Holiday’ The Grammy-winning trumpet player and Latin jazz legend performs. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23. $45-$160. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
The 65th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration The Afro Peruvian Experience, Bob Baker Marionette Theater, Ballet Folklórico de Esperanza and the all-female oompah band Ladyhosen are among the myriad local arts groups taking part in this year’s edition of the free, family-friendly and multicultural celebration. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 3 to 6 p.m. next Tuesday, Dec. 24. Free; advance tickets required; standby line available. holidaycelebration.org
Dance
‘The Missing Mountain’ L.A. Dance Project presents this new evening-length work from artists-in-residence Bobbi Jene Smith and Or Schraiber. 2245, 2245 E. Washington Blvd., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Dec. 19-20. $30, $45. ladanceproject.org
‘The Nutcracker’ American Ballet Theatre, backed by Pacific Symphony, brings its spectacular staging of the Tchaikovsky classic to SoCal for another season. Segerstrom Center’s Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18-22. $33 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘The Nutcracker’ Pasadena Dance Theatre performs. San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, 320 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20-22. 24-$105. pasadenadancetheatre.org
‘Long Beach Nutcracker’ Long Beach Ballet performs the holiday favorite accompanied by a live orchestra. Terrace Theater, 300 E. Ocean Ave., Long Beach. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20-22. (562) 426-4112. $38-$145. longbeachnutcracker.com
‘The Nutcracker Suite’ L.A.-based American Contemporary Ballet reprises artistic director Lincoln Jones’ intimate take on the Tchaikovsky classic. Bank of America Plaza, 333 S. Hope St., Suite C-150, downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, 8 p.m. next Monday, 1 p.m. next Tuesday, Dec. 19-24. Sold out. acbdances.com
‘The Nutcracker’ Los Angeles Ballet closes out its annual touring production of the holiday favorite backed by a live orchestra. Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19-22; 2 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24 and 26-28. $45-$138. losangelesballet.org
‘The Nutcracker’ Festival Ballet Theatre is joined by guest artists from noted companies around the country. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 6 p.m. Friday, 1 and 6 p.m. Saturday-next Monday, 11 a.m. next Tuesday, Dec. 20-24. $54-$74. festivalballet.org
‘Navidad in Mexico’ Ballet Folklórico Mexicano de Carlos Moreno performs with a live mariachi band. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. $18-$25. (562) 944-9801. lamiradatheatre.com
‘The Nutcracker’ Pacific Festival Ballet performs with New York City Ballet’s Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia. Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 21-22. $41-$68. (805) 449-2787. bapacthousandoaks.com
‘Noche en Triana: Holiday Edition’ Guitarist Antonio Triana and company perform with featured dancers Vanessa Acosta, Wendy Castellanos and Cristina Hall. The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22. $25-$50. (323) 663-1525. fountaintheatre.com
‘The Nutcracker’ Inland Pacific Ballet presents its annual staging of the holiday classic. Pomona College’s Bridges Auditorium, 450 N. College Way, Claremont. 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 21-22. $50 and up; discounts available. ipballet.org