Sorted by date Results 201 - 225 of 299
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter There was a surprise at The Fabulous Forum on Saturday night at the Chicago/Earth, Wind & Fire – Heart & Soul concert. Both bands took the stage together for the first 20 minutes of the show and for the finale to wow the crowd. Having both lead singers – Philip Bailey (EWF) and Robert Lamm (Chicago) – sharing vocals on “Beginnings” was a real treat. Both highly distinctive voices. I’m sure the fans wished that both bands, 20 total musicians, would have...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Several people have approached me recently complaining about the Dodgers’ slump and poor performance. They blame manager Don Mattingly, pitcher Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers failure to produce runs, among many other complaints. In my mind, veteran third-baseman Juan Uribe, traded to the Atlanta Braves on May 27, is one of the key variables in the equation of the Dodgers downslide. He was beloved in the Dodgers’ clubhouse and on the field for four sea...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Cardinals made a stop at Chavez Ravine for a four-game series against the Dodgers and continue to dominate them as the Redbirds, now with the best record in the major leagues at 38-19, took the series, 3-1. Their rivalry has become one of the best and most exciting in professional sports and this series did not disappoint, providing the fans with playoff-atmosphere action. The only bright spot for the Dodgers was their pitching ace Clayton Kershaw (5-3)...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter After the moving pre-game tribute to the soldiers and veterans at the Memorial Day game, which was a highlight of the event, it was time to play ball. The Dodgers and Braves both took the field with special uniforms that had camouflage colors on the lettering, numbers and bill of the cap, to honor those men that sacrificed for the betterment of our country. What started as a pitching battle between Braves hurler William Perez and Dodgers starter Brett Anders...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter It was the Scott Van Slyke show at Dodger Stadium on Monday as he crushed a three-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Miami Marlins 5-3. Van Slyke also wowed the crowd when he fired a strike from right field to home plate after catching Adeiny Hechavarria’s fly-ball and nailing Christian Yelich at the plate for the double-play to end a bases-loaded seventh inning. “When I let it go, I knew it was going to be on line, but I was not sur...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Verdi Chorus pulled out all of their “Hidden Gems” for their Spring performances at the acoustically-sound First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica. In their 32nd year, the chorus continues to be one of the jewels of the Los Angeles opera scene and showed the audience why as they presented two flawless performances. Over the years the chorus has grown and developed to a level of professionalism led by Music Director Anne Marie Ketchum and her acc...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Dodgers’ first baseman Adrian Gonzalez had his 13-game hitting streak halted on Sunday against the Rockies, but the Dodgers improved their win-streak to seven games with a 7-0 shutout, thanks to starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy. They moved into sole possession of first place in the NL West. The win gave the Dodgers a record of 9-3 (8-1 at home) and many variables have contributed to their success, especially the performance of Gonzalez. Gonzalez, the left-h...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter It was the final regular season game for the Los Angeles Kings, a team that was eliminated from playoff contention, but they came out and ended the season with a bang by beating the San Jose Sharks, 4-1, in front of a sold-out Staples Center at noon on Saturday...the NBC nationally-televised game-of-the-week. The Kings became the first defending Cup champion to fail to qualify for the playoffs since the 2006-07 Carolina Hurricanes. And the Sharks ended its...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Former Dodger Matt Kemp drove in all three of the Padres runs, but it was the former Philly, Jimmy Rollins, and his three-run blast in the eighth that would out-shadow Kemp and help the Dodgers to victory, 6-3, in the home-opener Monday. Howie Kendrick, former Angels great, also contributed for the Dodgers with two hits, one run and one RBI, while mainstay Adrian Gonzalez hit a solo blast in the fourth. Putting the icing on the cake was pitcher Chris...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Music Director Jeffrey Kahane served as musical “tour guide” for LACO’s annual “Discover” program, which this season featured a special one-night-only exploration of Mozart’s incomparable and deeply moving Requiem in D minor at the Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena. For this performance, Kahane enlisted the services of four very capable soloists: Alison King, soprano; Emily Fons, alto; Nicholas Phan, tenor; Aubrey Allicock, b...
By Steven Lieberman Of The Observer Staff (Read by Shmuel Greenwald at U. City Shul on Shabbos 2/21/15 – I sponsored Kiddush) My mom loved the U. City Shul and looked forward to attending the Learner’s Service with Rabbi Greenwald every Shabbos. And she always looked forward to joining in on Shabbos dinners and lunches after services with the welcoming Jewish community that so kindly adopted her. She was a Friday night regular attendee at her next door neighbors on Gannon, Rabbi Yerucham and...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Buffalo Springfield and Poco legendary singer-songwriter Richie Furay made an appearance with his band on Wednesday at The Grammy Museum at L.A. Live for a Q & A and performance, and to kick-off his concert tour promoting his new solo album, “Hand In Hand.” The cover of “Hand In Hand” features the wedding photo of Furay, 70, and his wife of 48 years, Nancy. The two met at the Whisky-A-Go-Go in West Hollywood, where Nancy caught his eye and became the ins...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Since his debut release of "Crazy Life" in 1975, Gino Vanneli has remained one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music and is passionate and true to his art. His standing as a powerful and innovative live performer and his well-crafted musical skills as composer, poet, producer and arranger are sharper than ever, as many of his enthusiastic fans can attest. Vanelli has sold over 10 million records worldwide, with hits including "I Just Wanna...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter His name comes from the 19th century Austrian composer who wrote "Hansel & Gretel." His voice comes from heaven and he has been a legend in the international music industry for the last forty plus years, with over 150 million records sold. That singer is Engelbert Humperdinck and he will take the stage at Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on February 20. Some of his classic hits include: (Please) Release Me, After The Lovin', Spanish Eyes, The Last Waltz, Am I...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter “Raindrops ‘were’ fallin’ on my head” at the Grammy Museum when B.J. Thomas took the stage to speak about his singing career in a special Q & A and performance For six decades, Thomas, a five-time Grammy-winning artist, has been entertaining his fans with one of the most distinctive voices in American popular music. Along the way, he has made over 30 albums, He caught the singing bug at a very early age. His dad would play a Hank Williams album and Hank...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Neil Sedaka - singer, songwriter, composer, pianist, and author – will be performing at Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills as part of the KABC Legends Series on February 7. And living legend he is. There are just a few of the titles that can be used to describe Sedaka. His impressive 50-year career ranges from being one of the first teen pop sensations of the ‘50’s, a relevant songwriter who wrote songs for himself and other artists in the ‘60’s, to being a s...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter On January 23, Styx and their front-man, Tommy Shaw, along with James “JY” Young, Lawrence Gowan, Todd Sucherman and Ricky Phillips (along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo) will be making a stop on their current concert tour at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. Styx has performed more live shows since ’99 than all of the previous years of its career combined. Two Super Bowl appearances, Pollstar Box Office chart...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks met for the third time this season in the always much-anticipated “Freeway” rivalry at Staples Center on Saturday. But before the game, another much-anticipated ceremony took place. 2014 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Rob Blake, former great Kings defenseman and current assistant general manager, had his #4 jersey retired and raised to the rafters, joining Vachon, Robitaille, Dionne, Taylor, and Gretzky. Originally dra...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Clippers failed another mid-term exam on Friday. This time, the “professor” was league superstar LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers who ended up with 32 points and 11 rebounds to lead his team to victory, 126-121. LeBron’s “assistant professor” Kyrie Irving ended up with a team-best 37 points and also put on a show much to the dismay of the Clippers fans. This contest was again an indication of what the Clippers need to do to beat the top teams in...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Get ready for an afternoon of fun when Rockin’ at the Beach hits the shores of the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts (CCPA) on Sunday, January 18, 3 pm. Tickets, starting from $45, are available at the CCPA Ticket Office, by calling (562) 467-8818, or at cerritoscenter.com. You’ll be ROCKIN’ AT THE BEACH when Dean Torrence and his band the Surf City All Stars get the party started with Jan & Dean hits (such as The Little Old Lady From Pasadena and t...
On January 23, Styx and their front-man, Tommy Shaw, along with James “JY” Young, Lawrence Gowan, Todd Sucherman and Ricky Phillips (along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo) will be making a stop on their current concert tour at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. Styx has performed more live shows since ’99 than all of the previous years of its career combined. Two Super Bowl appearances, Pollstar Box Office chart-topping tours with Def Leppard, Journey,...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Clippers (23-12) failed their mid-term test on Monday by losing to the Atlanta Hawks (26-8), best record in the Eastern Conference, 107-98. The Hawks went 18-2 in the month of December. This contest was an indication of what the Clippers need to do to beat the top teams in the league, which has been their Achilles heel. They now have a 7-10 record against winning teams. Clippers team leader Chris Paul, gave praise to the Hawks after the game. "It is a...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) opened its “Baroque Conversations” series on Thursday at Zipper Concert Hall at The Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles. It was a special affair honoring James Arkatov, artistic founder of LACO and original member of the cello section. There was a champagne toast for him at the pre-concert reception attended by musical director/conductor Jeffrey Kahane and then Arkatov kicked things off by saying a few words of...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Grant Gershon, esteemed Artistic Director/Conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), filled the Walt Disney Concert Hall with his passion and joy as they presented their annual holiday concerts. He channeled his un-rivaled enthusiasm during the LAMC’s presentation of “Festival of Carols” on December 13 and Handel’s Messiah on December 21. The LAMC rung in the holiday season with a concert of favorite carols sung by one of the greatest chorale...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Yusuf, formerly known as the incomparable Cat Stevens, made a stop on his "Peace Train" on December 14 during his five-city swing of America to present his "U.S. Peace Train...Late Again Tour 2014." Late again because it's been 35 years since the British singer-songwriter has played a concert in front of a live audience due to a decision he made in 1979, after 10 years of pop-stardom, to exit the music business to raise a family and explore his conversion...
