SoCal music & dance, Nov. 18-25: Urban Bush Women, the Beach Boys, ‘Star Wars in Concert’ 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
‘Celebrating 30 Years with Martin Chalifour’ The Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist and principal concertmaster marks a milestone, and is joined by special guests for works by Beethoven, Piazolla, et al. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Spring St., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19. $31-$65. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
‘Romeo and Juliet’ Tenor Duke Kim and soprano Amina Edris sing the leads in LA Opera’s gorgeous staging of Gounod’s 1867 adaptation of Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy; sung in French with English supertitles. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday, Nov. 20 & 23. $33.50 and up. (213) 972-0777. laopera.org
‘Live in the Lounge: Lights, Camera, Music!’ The all-women ensemble Saltando Strings and pianist-composer Nathan Wang perform. The Ebell of Los Angeles, 4400 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. $20, $25. ebellofla.org
‘Star Wars in Concert’ The LA Phil, under the baton of guest conductor Sarah Hicks, presents clip-enhanced selections from John Williams’ scores for all nine films in George Lucas’ original space opera franchise; actor Anthony Daniels, a.k.a. C-3PO, hosts the proceedings. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Spring St., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 21-24. $73-$299. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
‘Alarm Will Sound and Liquid Music: Sun Dogs’ Contemporary classical ensemble Alarm Will Sound performs live-to-picture to accompany a selection of short films by noted filmmakers including Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Josephine Decker. Nimoy Theater, 1262 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. Sold out; wait list available. cap.ucla.edu
‘Conrad Tao & Friends: Rhapsody in Blue at 100!’ The pianist is joined by members of Pacific Symphony and tap dancer Caleb Teicher for a celebration of the Gershwin classic; program also includes other Gershwin favorites plus works by Ravel, Schoenberg and Tao himself. Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive,Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. $41 and up. (949) 553-2422. philharmonicsociety.org
‘Currents: Routes’ Acclaimed pianist Lara Downes makes her debut as Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra’s inaugural creative partner by curating this program that explores Black cowboy culture and the intersection of folk and classical music; Grammy-winning folk artist Dom Flemons is also featured. Autry Museum of the American West, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, L.A. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. $41. (213) 221-3920. laco.org
‘Happy Hour No. 127: Hidden Flame’ Salastina’s resident cellist Yoshika Masuda and resident pianist HyeJin Kim perform pieces by Reena Esmail, Amy Beach and Rita Strohll; a reception with light refreshments follows. The Colburn School’s Thayer Hall, 200 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. In person: $10, $25; livestream: $10. salastina.org
Restoration Concerts The New Hollywood String Quartet performs works by Wolf, Borodin and Walton. South Pasadena Public Library, Community Room, 1115 El Centro St., South Pasadena. 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. $25. friendsofsopaslibrary.org
‘Sarah Hennies: Motor Tapes’ ECHOI, Monday Evening Concert’s ensemble-in-residence, performs the West Coast premiere of the composer’s 2023 work; program also includes pianist Vicki Ray performing John Cage’s “In a Landscape.” 2220 Arts & Archives, 2220 Beverly Blvd., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. $10, $25. mondayeveningconcerts.org
Jazz, blues, rock, folk, pop, world music & more
The Beach Boys Hawthorne’s finest play a selection of their classic hits. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21. $64 and up. (562) 916-8500. ccpa.cerritosca.gov
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons The chart-topping 1960s-era vocal group also plays the hits. Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. $42-$172. (805) 449-2787. bapacthousandoaks.com
Spyro Gyra and Jazz Funk Soul The Grammy winning jazz veterans and the all-star trio featuring pianist Jeff Lorber, sax man Everette Harp and guitarist Paul Jackson Jr. share the stage. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24. $49 and up. (562) 916-8500. ccpa.cerritosca.gov
Dance
‘Little Women Ballet’ This immersive, site-specific, holiday-themed experience features selections from an upcoming full length-ballet, premiering next month and inspired by Louisa May Alcott’s beloved novel. Heritage Square Museum, 3800 Homer St., L.A. 6:30 p.m. Friday, 3 and 6:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 22-24. $60 (includes light refreshments). littlewomenballet.com
Urban Bush Women The acclaimed Brooklyn-based troupe has the honor of being the first-ever professional dance company to perform at the Taper with the West Coast premiere of the dance theater work “Scat!... The Complex Lives of Al & Dot, Dot & Al Zollar.” Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 7:30 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22-24. $41 and up. (213) 972-0711. musiccenter.org
Ballet BC The Vancouver-based company returns to continue its residency at the Soraya with new works from artistic director Medhi Walerski and choreographer Crystal Pite; performance contains partial nudity. The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23. $48-$118. (818) 677-3000. thesoraya.org