SoCal music & dance, Oct. 14-21: Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Rachael Worby’s Muse/Ique 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
‘Indivisible: The Glory of Lincoln’s Musical Soul’ Rachael Worby’s Muse/Ique Orchestra and guest performers explore the wide variety of music the 16th U.S. president might have listened to in trying times. The Huntington (outdoors), 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Oct 16-17. Also at Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. Included with Muse/Ique membership ($100, $225). muse-ique.com
‘Rob Kapilow’s What Makes It Great?’ The composer-conductor is joined by the Cal-State Fullerton Symphony Orchestra for an exploration of Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker” Suite. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16. $60. (562) 916-8500. ccpa.cerritosca.gov
‘Voice, Flute and Guitar’ Chamber Music Palisades opens its 28th season with works by Ravel and Villa-Lobos. Saint Matthew’s Parish, 1031 Bienveneda Ave., Pacific Palisades. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16. $35; full-time students, free. cmpalisades.org
‘Classical Spooktacular’ Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony present a program that includes Berlioz’ “Symphonie Fantastique” plus works by Kenji Bunch and John Williams. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 17-19. $30-$248. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
Black Violin The duo that blends classical music with hip-hop returns to SoCal for a pair of shows. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18. $54 and up. (562) 916-8500. ccpa.cerritosca.gov
Also at Kavli Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. $39-$69. (805) 449-2787. bapacthousandoaks.com
‘Cradle of Life’ The Long Beach Camerata Singers and Catalyst Chamber Ensemble open their 2024-25 season with this celebration of the planet we call home. Wilson High School Auditorium, 4400 E. 10th St., Long Beach. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. $30-$40. longbeachcameratasingers.org
‘Halloween Fandemonium!’ Kid-friendly concert features score selections from Disney animated films, the Marvel, “Star Wars” and “Harry Potter” franchises and more. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 10 and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. $21-$61. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
‘Trailblazers: Martín + Brahms + Bauer’ Conductor Jaime Martín and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra perform Brahms’ Symphony No. 2; Haydn’s Symphony No. 6, “Morning”; and Mahler’s “Songs of a Wayfarer” (arr. Schoenberg) featuring baritone Thomas Bauer. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Also at the Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20; and Granada Theatre, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21. $40-$164 ($41-$123 in Santa Barbara). (213) 221-3920. laco.org
Russell Thomas The acclaimed tenor and current LA Opera artist-in-residence performs in recital, accompanied by pianist Lucas Nogara. La Sierra University, Hole Memorial Auditorium, 4500 Riverwalk Pkwy., Riverside. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 (pre-concert lecture by KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen at 6 p.m.; performance by vocal ensemble Pro Musica at 6:30 p.m.). $20-$150; students, free. ticketbud.com
African Americans for LA Opera Michael Melton Memorial Fall Recital With soprano Alannah Garnier and pianist Charlie Kim. The Ebell of Los Angeles, 4400 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. $25, $35. ebellofla.org
Alina Duan The rising young pianist makes her U.S. debut with works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin and Dun Tan. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. $8-$23. (949) 854-4646. thebarclay.org
Angela Hewitt The acclaimed pianist plays works by Bach, Brahms, Mozart and Handel. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. $33-$88; discounts available. soka.edu
‘Fantastic Symphony’ Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony are joined by USC’s Thornton Symphony for a supersized take on Berlioz’ “Symphonie Fantastique.” Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. $30-$248. (714) 755-5799. pacificsymphony.org
‘Roger Wilkie & Friends’ The violinist leads a small ensemble in pieces by Beethoven and Carl Nielsen in this entry in the Restoration Concerts series. South Pasadena Public Library, Community Room, 1115 El Centro St., South Pasadena. 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. $25. friendsofsopaslibrary.org
Jazz, blues, rock, folk, pop, world music & more
Angel City Jazz Festival Running from Oct. 11 thru 27, this two-week city-wide showcase returns with multiple concerts spread across five separate venues — LACMA, REDCAT, 2220 Arts, Artshare LA and the World Stage — and features performers including the Otmaro Ruiz Quartet, pianist Iseul Kim, Electric Circus, and the Flat Earth Society Orchestra. Various days, dates, times and prices. angelcityjazz.com
PJ Harvey The iconoclastic British indie-rocker returns. The Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Griffith Park, L.A. 8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14. $51-$204. (800) 653-8000. lagreektheatre.com
‘Live in the Lounge: A Night of Swing with The Grand Avenue Jazz Collective’ Trailblazing saxophonist Ann Patterson is featured. The Ebell of Los Angeles, 4400 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16. $20, $25. ebellofla.org
‘Some Enchanted Evening’ Vocalists Benny Benack III and Stella Katherine Cole put a jazzy spin on classic showtunes. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16. $25.50-$53. (310) 506-4522. arts.pepperdine.edu
‘Life Is a Carnival: A Musical Celebration of Robbie Robertson’ The Band’s lead guitarist and chief songwriter, who died in 2023, is celebrated by an all-star lineup that includes Eric Clapton, Elvis Costello, Van Morrison, Lucinda Williams, Mavis Staples and Taj Mahal. Kia Forum, 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood. 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17. $54 and up. (310) 862-6200. thekiaforum.com
William Basinski and Bethan Kellough The avant garde composer and the L.A.-based sound artist team up for a night of experimental music. Nimoy Theater, 1262 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17. $38. (310) 825-2101. cap.ucla.edu
Quantum Vibrations Part of the region-wide, multi-venue Getty initiative “PST ART: Art & Science Collide,” USC Annenberg’s free four-part concert series continues with “Quantum Preludes,” an evening of film and live music featuring Mexican artist Tania Candiani with experimental musician and sound artist Rogelio Soss. Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A. 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17. Free. RSVP at quantumvibrations.net
Brittany Howard & Michael Kiwanuka The Grammy-winning Americana artist and the bluesy British singer-songwriter share the stage. The Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Griffith Park, L.A. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18. $31-$88. (800) 653-8000. lagreektheatre.com
Jazz at LACMA Pianist Yuko Mabuchi performs. LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18. Free. (323) 857-6010. lacma.org
SMC Fall 2024 Jazz Series L.A.-based bass player Trevor Ware performs. SMC Performing Arts Center Music Hall, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18. $10; students with ID, free. smc.edu
‘Black Lodge’ CAP UCLA and Beth Morrison Projects co-present the West Coast premiere of this otherworldly immersive event/film screening/industrial rock opera featuring Timur & the Dime Museum and members of the Isaura String Quartet; costumes encouraged (some restrictions apply). The United Theater on Broadway, 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A. 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. $47-$72. (310) 825-2101. cap.ucla.edu
Cyro Baptista’s Chama The famed Brazilian percussionist is joined by Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Luciana Souza. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. (310) 434-3200. broadstage.org
Chris Botti The renowned trumpet player and one-time Sting sideman performs. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. $54 and up. (562) 916-8500. ccpa.cerritosca.gov
‘Forrest Robinson and Friends’ The Grammy-winning jazz/soul/R&B drummer helps open a new season of the Third @ First concert series. First United Methodist Church, 500. E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Free; donations accepted. (626) 796-0157. thirdatfirst.org
Jane Monheit The veteran jazz vocalist graces the stage. Catalina Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19-20. $41, $48; food and drink minimums apply. (323) 466-2210. catalinajazzclub.com
Joni Mitchell & The Joni Jam The beloved Canadian singer-songwriter holds court, accompanied by a cohort of her famous musician friends. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood. 7 p.m. Saturday, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 19-20. Various prices. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com
Na Leo Pilimehana The all-female Hawaiian vocal trio performs in a new edition of the Aloha Everywhere Concert Series. Downey Theatre, 8435 Firestone Blvd., Downey. 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. $40-$65. downeytheatre.org
Van Morrison It’s too late to stop now: the venerable Irish rocker returns to SoCal. Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, downtown L.A. 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 19-20. Various prices. laorpheum.com
Bob Eubanks’ ‘Backstage with The Beatles’ The legendary radio and TV host shares his memories of the Fab Four; with special guest, tribute band Ticket to Ride. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20. $25.50-$38. (310) 506-4522. arts.pepperdine.edu
Dance
‘Inferno, The Rite & Burlesque’ American Contemporary Ballet steps away from its digs in DTLA to reprise this trio of sexy and spooky company favorites (“Burlesque” will be performed at each show, paired with either “Inferno” or “The Rite” on alternating evenings). Television City, 200 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, Oct. 11 thru 31. $60-$140. acbdances.com
Alonzo King LINES Ballet The acclaimed San Francisco-based company presents “Deep River,” inspired by classic Black spirituals and set to music by jazz pianist, composer and MacArthur “Genius” grant recipient Jason Moran. Kavli Theatre, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17. $35-$65. (805) 449-2787. bapacthousandoaks.com