Sorted by date Results 705 - 729 of 1156
Kentwood Players presents Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" from July 10 through August 15 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester. The production is directed by Valerie Ruel, produced by Heather Barnett and Kathy Dershimer by special arrangement with Samuel French. Featured in the cast are Veronica Alicino, Harold Dershimer, Lori Kaye, Louis Politan, Katie Rodriguez, Matthew Van Oss and Laura Wiggins...
In an effort to identify and nurture new talent, Richard Clar recently announced a $1000 award to help support young artists who are striving to further their careers as professional jazz musicians. The Mimi Melnick Double M Award for Young Jazz Talent has been established to honor Clar’s sister. In 1996 Mimi began hosting intimate jazz salons at her Encino home to support L.A.’s jazz community. Since her passing, this tradition has continued at the Mayme Clayton Library & Museum in Culver City. Mr. Clar said, “Mimi loved jazz more than anyth...
With summer in full swing and the kids out of school and parents looking for some entertainment for not only the kids, but themselves and something they can do as a family, movies are a traditional respite. The problem becomes, however, finding that family friendly entertainment beyond the guaranteed awesomeness of Disney and Pixar which, by the way, is in top form this summer with “Inside Out.” (If you haven’t seen “Inside Out” yet, run to your nearest theatre as fast as you can). But this...
Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for Don Nigro's Gothic thriller "Ravenscroft" on Saturday, July 11 from 10 am to 3 pm and on Sunday, July 12 from 7 pm to 10. Callbacks will be held on Monday, July 13 at 7 pm. Auditions and performances will take place at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue in Westchester. Performance dates are September 11 to October 17 with performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm. This is a non-equity, non-paid production directed by S...
The world premiere production of "How to be a Rock Critic" opened Wednesday, June 17 at 8 p.m. and continues through June 28 in a limited engagement of 12 performances at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Based on the writing of Lester Bangs, the rock critic who reached iconic status in the 1970s with his passionate, intellectually honest writing, "How to be a Rock Critic" will be performed in the theatre's rehearsal space, Upstairs@KDT. Presented as part of...
Pixar Animation Studios has done it again. Not only have they delivered what should prove to be the indisputable Best Animated Feature Academy Award winner come February 28, 2016, but a hot contender as an overall Best Picture nominee with INSIDE OUT. Breaking new ground with storytelling and technology, while retaining the hallmarks of what makes Pixar great, director Pete Docter and the Pixar team boldly go where no one has gone before - into the mind of an 11-year old girl. To say that...
Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie has set the 12th season at the CTG/Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. "I am pleased to announce a season with the range and imagination and talent that have come to define the Kirk Douglas Theatre," said Ritchie. "In 2005, Center Theatre Group opened the Kirk Douglas Theatre with the promise of adventurous, boundary-pushing fare – tantalizing, thought-provoking, moving and witty work that is making its mark on the local and national t...
Hard to believe that LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL is entering its third decade as one of the crown jewels of film festivals but, officially running June 10th through 18th after a couple pre-fest sneak peaks at DOPE and Pixar's upcoming INSIDE OUT, that's exactly what's happening. And right along with LAFF, is my 21st year of bringing you opening day "Must See Festival Films" coverage. Kicking off the 21st LOS ANGELES FILM FESTIVAL is none other than Lily Tomlin and her latest film GRANDMA. Tomlin,...
There really is something for everyone this weekend at the movies with the release of some of the most anticipated films of the summer - INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3, LOVE & MERCY and SPY. SPY SPY is a balls-to-the-wall, mile a minute laugh fest starring Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, Rose Byrne, Jude Law and Bobby Cannavale. Setting SPY apart from other McCarthy comedies which, let's face it, have been less than funny of late, SPY is smart and smartly written with a tightly crafted story and comedy,...
While I never wish ill on anyone or anything (except perhaps an annoying sibling or two), if "the big one" hits California and the San Andreas earthquake fault splits wide open, I won't shed any tears if every print, Blu-ray, DVD, digital coding and anything else that could ever replicate SAN ANDREAS the movie, falls into the abyss. (Joining that can be everything related to the concurrent VOD release, "San Andreas Quake" which is almost a mirror film but with a mother seismologist predicting...
People often complain that today's generation is so "uninspired", or there is nothing in the world today to inspire us to move forward with global unity to better the world in which we live in today or boldly venture forth into new worlds of the future. We have the technology. We have the skills. But where are the dreamers? One need look no further than Brad Bird's TOMORROWLAND for all that is needed to inspire the dreamer in each of us. Inspiring and hopeful, as much a visionary wonder of the...
While my love and admiration for Joss Whedon and the World of Whedon (not to mention the "Avengers" and that irascible Tony Stark aka Robert Downey, Jr.) knows no bounds, when it comes to AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON, I have to admit that from a story standpoint and the execution thereof, the Russo Brothers still reign as the current kings in the Marvel world thanks to their inspired direction of "Captain America: Winter Soldier". I know, I know. Shocker to hear from this lover of Whedon and I can't...
Casting is set for "Girlfriend," which will begin previews at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City on July 12 with the opening slated for July 19. Featuring a book by Todd Almond and music and lyrics by Matthew Sweet, the rock musical about first love will continue through August 9. Reprising their roles from the 2013 Actors Theatre of Louisville production of "Girlfriend" will be Ryder Bach (Randy Newman's "Harps and Angels" at the Mark Taper Forum) and Curt Hansen...
As a part of their new partnership PLAY LA, Center Theatre Group and Humanitas will be accepting submissions starting June 1 for the Humanitas/CTG Playwriting Prize, which supports Southern California playwrights. Submissions will be accepted until June 30. Three finalists will be notified in mid-December and the winner will be announced at the 41st Annual Humanitas Prize Awards Luncheon in February of 2016. This is the first year Humanitas and CTG are awarding this annual prize. The annual Humanitas/CTG Playwriting Prize will be awarded to...
Boulevard Music will present six free concerts on Thursday evenings at 7 pm from July 9 through August 13 in the palm-lined courtyard of Culver City City Hall. Curated by producer Gary Mandell of Culver City’s Boulevard Music, Culver City’s Boulevard Music Summer Festival offers something for everyone: Latin and Flamenco rhythms with pop/rock/funk and electronic elements from Calé plus salsa, cumbia, and Latin jazz from Conganas (July 9); Classic Jazz/Blues with a superb trio of vocalists fronting the George Kahn Jazz & Blues Revue plus the loo...
The Culver City Chamber Orchestra will present "Family Concert, on Sunday June 14 at 4 p.m. at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd, Culver City The concert will be presenting PETER AND THE WOLF" with special guest Alan Chapman, KUSC host as well as The Collenette School of Dancing, and Young Artist, Noelle Cho (15) who will be performing Vivaldi cello concerto. Tickets are now available through www.ccchamberorchestra.org or for information by calling (310) 397-2490. We accept...
Rehearsals began May 26 for the world premiere production of "How to be a Rock Critic," based on the writing of Lester Bangs, the rock critic who reached iconic status in the 1970s with his passionate, intellectually honest writing. Performances at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre begin June 17 and continue through June 28 in the theatre's rehearsal space, Upstairs@KDT. Presented as part of DouglasPlus, "How to be a Rock Critic" is a co-production with South Coast Repertory....
The 4th "Affair of The Arts" will take place on May 30 from 11 am to 7 pm and May 315 from 11 am to 6 pm in downtown Culver City at the intersection of Culver Blvd. and Main Street. The free outdoor festival showcases 60 of Southern California's premiere painters, photographers, sculptors, and glass, ceramics and jewelry artists. Visitors can shop the artists or just view. The Affair also features two days of live music, interactive activities for children, snacks and sweets. Downtown Culver City restaurants will be welcoming festival...
AVPA will present two music concerts this spring, giving all the ensembles a chance to perform a variety of music that has been rehearsed throughout the spring semester. Friday, May 22 – AVPA Showcase – features our smaller ensembles. The Jazz Combo, Sax Ensemble, and some of our chamber music ensembles will be on the program. The Jazz Combo has been making the rounds throughout the community, performing at several events this year. In addition to their annual entertaining gigs for the Cul...
A work-in-progress presentation of Lucy Alibar's "Throw Me On the Burnpile and Light Me Up" begins a limited engagement at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre on Thursday, May 21 as part of CTG's DouglasPlus programming. It will continue through May 31 with only 11 public performances. Written and performed by Oscar-nominated screenwriter ("Beasts of the Southern Wild") Alibar, "Throw Me On the Burnpile and Light Me Up" blends a lecherous goat, Pentecostals on the radio, Daddy's .38...
With more than 20 films opening this weekend or expanding wider in release, there’s something for everyone. From George Miller’s post-apocalyptic MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, the next chapter in the “Mad Max” franchise which originally catapulted Mel Gibson into the limelight and now elevates Tom Hardy even higher in the cinematic spectrum, to those fabulous acapella Bellas of Barden in PITCH PERFECT 2 to the Dolph Lundgren produced and written (and starring Lundgren and Tony Jaa) SKIN TRADE with a...
This week brings a stunning array of new releases, most in limited release, but all definitely worth more than a look. A particular standout is THE AGE OF ADALINE. Boasting exquisite tonal beauty, THE AGE OF ADALINE is gorgeously lensed by David Lanzenberg and stars Blake Lively in the title role, along with Michael Huisman, Ellen Burstyn, Kathy Baker and a powerhouse emotionally laden performance by Harrison Ford. Directed by Lee Toland Krieger from script by J. Mills Goodloe and Salvador...
Center Theatre Group, in collaboration with the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA, will present the West Coast premiere of Young Jean Lee's newest work, the acclaimed play "Straight White Men," November 20 to December 20 at CTG's Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. In his "Best Theater of 2014" list in The New York Times, Charles Isherwood wrote, "Is there anything Young Jean Lee cannot do?," and described Lee as a "remarkably versatile and inquisitive playwright." In "Straight White...
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...
"Wiley & the Hairy Man," a play for children and the child in everyone, takes the stage in West Los Angeles College's Black Bok Theater on May 7 and 8 at 7 pm and May 9 at 2 pm. Tickets are $2 for children and $5 for adults. The play is part of "WestFest" which will spotlight the theater, dance, film writing and production, art and music programs throughout May at the college. There will also be a celebration and information on Latin American Culture as well as a unique display of academic...
