SoCal music & dance, Nov. 26-Dec. 3: BodyTraffic, Cuatro Minimal, Handel’s Messiah and more
SoCal music & dance, Nov. 26-Dec. 3: BodyTraffic, Cuatro Minimal, Handel’s Messiah 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 live music and dance performances all around Southern California this coming week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the LA Times’ Calendar section.
And be sure to check out SoCal Holidays Shows 2023, our supersized roundup of “Christmas Carols,” “Nutcrackers,” Messiahs and other seasonal fare on offer in LA and OC in the coming days and weeks, updated regularly.
Classical & opera
‘El último sueño de Frida y Diego (The Last Dream of Frida and Diego)’ Los Angeles Opera presents Gabriela Lena Frank and librettist Nilo Cruz’s fantastical musical fable about iconic Mexican artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera; Lina González-Granados conducts; in Spanish with English and Spanish supertitles. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 26; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3; 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 9. $16 and up. (213) 972-8001. laopera.org
‘Dvořák and Kodály’ Members of the LA Phil perform chamber music by Dvořák, Kodály, Khachaturian and Martinů. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111. S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28. $20-$64. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
‘New World Symphony’ Guest conductor Alexander Shelley leads Pacific Symphony in Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9; program also includes Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 featuring pianist David Fray plus Sofia Gubaidulina’s “Fairytale Poem.” Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 30-Dec. 2. $25-$225. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
‘Esa-Pekka Salonen and Ravel’ The LA Phil’s conductor laureate leads the orchestra in Ravel’s symphonie chorégraphique “Daphnis and Chloé” and his own 2014 work “Karawane” featuring Los Angeles Master Chorale. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111. S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 1-2; 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. $50-$199. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
Alarm Will Sound The contemporary-classical chamber ensemble is joined by guests artists Nathalie Joachim and Alyssa Pyper in this CAP UCLA presentation. UCLA Nimoy Theater, 1262 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. $32. (310) 825-4401. cap.ucla.edu
‘Festival of Carols’ Sacred and secular favorites with Los Angeles Master Chorale. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. $55-$159. (213) 972-7282. lamasterchorale.org
‘Tango with the Globe’ Artes Vocales is joined by bandoneon player Hector Del Curto and a cohort of dancers for a salute to the Argentinean musical form that includes the U.S. premiere of Martin Palmeri’s “Tango Gloria.” The Globe Theatre, 740 S. Broadway, downtown L.A. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. $25-$45. artesvocales.com
‘Handel’s Glorious Messiah’ Pacific Symphony, joined by Pacific Chorale and guest vocalists, performs the composer’s beloved 1742 oratorio. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. $50-$215. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
Jazz, blues, rock, folk, world music & more
Artur Zakiyan The pianist and composer blends traditional Armenian folk music with contemporary classical and New Age music. Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29. $50; food and drink minimums apply. (323) 466-2210. catalinajazzclub.com
‘Diane Schuur at 70: An Evening of Songs and Stories’ The two-time Grammy-winning jazz vocalist looks back on her storied career. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. (949) 854-4646. $30-$105. thebarclay.org
Chiquis The Latin pop artist, daughter of the late, great banda star Jenni Rivera, graces the stage. Luckman Fine Arts Complex, 5151 State University Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. $45 and up. (323) 343-6600. luckmanarts.org
‘I Love the 90’s Tour’ Get down and get funky with this nostalgic revue featuring Vanilla Ice, Rob Base, Tone Lōc, Young MC and C+C Music Factory. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. $69-$139. (562) 916-8500. cerritoscenter.com
Matteo Bocelli The son of world-renowned Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli headlines his first-ever world tour. Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. $49.50-$149.50. (805) 449-2787. bapacthousandoaks.com
Audra McDonald The six-time Tony winner performs show tunes, standards and more backed by the LA Opera Orchestra and a small trio. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. $29 and up. (213) 972-8001. laopera.org
Stevie Nicks The witchiest woman in rock history graces the stage for an evening of solo hits and Fleetwood Mac favorites. With opening act, singer-songwriter Ingrid Andress. The Kia Forum, 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood. 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. $59 and up. thekiaforum.com
‘The Queen’s Cartoonists Holiday Hurrah: Yule Love It!’ The ensemble performs live to picture to accompany a selection of holiday-themed animated shorts. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. $25-$85. (949) 854-4646. thebarclay.org
Soundwaves Jazz clarinetist Ben Goldberg, bassist Todd Sickafoose and drummer Scott Amendola perform in the latest installment of the new music series. Santa Monica Public Martin Luther King Jr. Auditorium, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. Free. soundwavesnewmusic.com
‘Words of American Women: Woolf, Dickinson and Millay in American Song’ Pacific Opera Project’s inaugural Artist Recital Series continues with an exploration of 20th century American song featuring mezzo-soprano Erin Alford and pianist Clara Cheng Stosch. POP HQ, 125 S. Avenue 57, Highland Park. 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. $25; includes light refreshments. pacificoperaproject.com
‘Cuatro Minimal: Kumiroda — everything is dream’ The cross-cultural quartet melds the folk music and oral traditions of Mexico and Asia with contemporary sounds and improvisation. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown L.A. 8:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. $13-$25. (213) 237-2800. redcat.org
‘Jake Shimabukuro: Christmas in Hawaiʻi’ The ukulele virtuoso performs. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. Sold out. (949) 854-4646. thebarclay.org
‘Mannheim Steamroller Christmas’ Chip Davis’ chart-topping instrumental group returns in this multimedia-enhanced stage show. The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. $48-$107. (818) 677-3000. thesoraya.org
Dance
American Contemporary Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker Suite’ The L.A.-based company reprises its intimate take on the Tchaikovsky classic. Two California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., 28th Floor, downtown L.A. Various times, Nov. 25 thru Dec. 24. $65-$140. (213) 304-3408. acbdances.com
Westside Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ Tiler Peck and other alumni from the Santa Monica-based academy perform with the company, backed by a live orchestra. Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Various times, Nov. 25 thru Dec. 30. $60. westsideballet.com
Los Angeles Ballet’s ‘The Nutcracker’ The local company’s annual touring production returns. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Various times, Dec. 1-3, $38-$131. Also at Royce Hall, UCLA, 10745 Dickson Court, Westwood, Dec. 8-9, $38-$131; Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, Dec. 15-17, $38-$131; and the Dolby Theatre (with live orchestra), 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Dec. 21-24 & 26, $45-$138. (310) 998-7782. losangelesballet.org
‘BodyTraffic: In Pursuit of Community’ The L.A.-based contemporary dance company performs. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28. $20, $40. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org
Great job Mathew.
Love what you’ve done.
Thought about adding rock concerts?
Great. Adding big rock concerts will take more time… maybe not worth it.
You could look at Kevin Bronsons BUZzBands on Facebook. My sisters married to his brother. He’s also an LA Times Alum.
His focus is on newer bands, but you could pick a few winners from his posts.
Keep up the good work.
With so many streamers hard to keep track of good tv shows.
Currently watching lots of British Detective shows.