SoCal music & dance, Dec. 23-31: L.A. County Holiday Celebration, ‘Salute to Vienna,’ New Year’s Eve 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
‘Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert’ The Strauss Symphony of America is joined by guest vocalists and dancers for a festive program of waltzes and operetta selections by 19th century Austrian composer Johann Strauss II and his contemporaries. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. $55 and up. scfta.org
Also at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29. $55-$155. salutetovienna.com
Jazz, blues, rock, folk, pop, world music & more
The 65th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration “SNL’s” Melissa Villaseñor is your hostess with the mostest and 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 and family-friendly multicultural celebration. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24. Free; advance tickets required; standby line available. holidaycelebration.org
‘Chester Gregory Holidays’ The veteran vocalist celebrates the season. Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. $42.50-$48. (323) 964-9766. ebonyrep.org
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band Goodwin and company swing through town for a pair of pre-New Year’s Eve shows. Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 28-29. $45, $55; food and drink minimums apply. (323) 466-2210. catalinajazzclub.com
‘A Mid-Winter Mandolin Celebration’ Mandolin virtuosos Ashley Hoyer and Mike Mullins perform traditional and contemporary mandolin music from around the world. Santa Paula Theater Center, 125 S. 7th St., Santa Paula. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 28. $25. santapaulatheatercenter.org
Morrissey The temperamental former Smiths frontman is back in town. The United Theater on Broadway, 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A. 8:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 28-29. Sold out. theunitedtheater.com
Also at the Hollywood Palladium, 6215 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. next Tuesday, Dec. 31. Sold out. axs.com
‘Gloria Molina Grand Park’s NYELA Countdown to 2025’ Brooklyn-based Afrobeat band Antibalas, Puerto Rican artist Pachyman and Anaheim’s own Weapons of Mass Creation perform as part of the annual free, alcohol-free and family-friendly celebration. Also featured: live DJ sets, food trucks and a dazzling 3-D light show projected onto the historic Los Angeles City Hall. Grand Park, 200 N. Spring St., L.A. 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. Free. grandparkla.org
‘Listen to the Seventies’ The songs of Carole King, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Fleetwood Mac, et al. ring out in a special NYE matinee of this musical revue. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. $44, $54. (949) 497-2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
‘New Year’s Eve with D-Nice & Friends’ The legendary artist and DJ shares the stage with hip hop and R&B greats including Lady London, Johnny Gill and Big Daddy Kane, while actress Tisha Campbell serves as mistress of ceremonies for this NYE bash. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. $74-$229. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band The legendary conguero and ensemble are back to groove you into the New Year. Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 8:30 and 11 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. $65-$125; food and drink minimums apply. (323) 466-2210. catalinajazzclub.com
Dance
‘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. 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. 1 and 6 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23-24. $54-$74. festivalballet.org
‘Dita Von Teese’s New Year’s Eve Gala’ If you’re after something more naughty than nice, you’re in luck: The biggest name in modern burlesque rings in the new in this saucy stage spectacular. For ages 18 and up only. 10 p.m. next Tuesday, Dec. 31. Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, downtown L.A. $80-$307. laorpheum.com