On Friday, July 19, 2019, Mount Wilson Observatory inaugurates its Cosmic Sounds series, combining sound installation art with observing of the night sky. Sound artist Jeff Talman creates work at the intersection of art and science. Mt. Wilson Observatory premieres his latest work, Of Sound Before the Stars, in 8-channel surround sound inside the magnificent dome of the 100-inch telescope with its singular acoustics. Of Sound was made in collaboration with astrophysicists Daniel Huber and Mark Whittle. Talman will make a presentation at the opening of the evening. The event runs from 7:30pm until midnight. As dark falls, the piece will play in its entirety. And on into the night tuning the sonic with the visual experience as the audience observes celestial objects through the same telescope that determined the expansion of the universe, an epochal moment in science. Read the rest of this entry »

Mount Wilson Observatory—the scientific marvel above Pasadena, atop Mount Wilson—is pleased to announce the third date in its Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome six-month series, to take place on Sunday, July 7, 2019. The performances are presented inside the iconic vaulted dome of the 100-inch telescope. A season of musical adventures thoughtfully curated by Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan are offered on the first Sunday of each month through October with two shows per date. The July concert program, entitled Songs of The Spheres, feature all vocal compositions, each one a World Premiere, by composers Bruce Babcock, Anthony Constantino, Todd Mason, Mark McEncroe and Danaë Vlasse. Performers for the two vocal concert include Hila Plitmann, soprano, Sangeeta Kaur, soprano, Marcia Dickstein, harp, Reina Inui, violin,  Rachel Mellis, flute, and Shea Welsh, guitar. Also performing is a special guest chamber choir, the Sterling Ensemble, directed by Michelle Jensen. Read the rest of this entry »

Mount Wilson Observatory – the scientific marvel above Pasadena, atop Mount Wilson – is pleased to announce the second date in its Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome six-month series, to take place on Sunday, June 2, 2019. The performances are presented inside the iconic vaulted dome of the 100-inch telescope. A season of musical adventures thoughtfully curated by Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan are offered on the first Sunday of each month through October. The June concert program will feature oboe quartets by Mozart and Britten plus a string trio by Beethoven with Leslie Reed on oboe, Roger Wilkie on violin, Alma Fernandez on viola, and Ms. Tsan on cello. Read the rest of this entry »

Pasadena Arts Council (PAC) is proud to announce AxS Festival 2014 | Curiosity, in diverse venues throughout the greater Pasadena area from Friday, September 19, 2014, through Sunday, October 5, 2014. AxS [ak-sis], produced by Pasadena Arts Council in partnership with numerous Pasadena arts and science institutions, is a two-week+ citywide festival spanning three weekends that explores the nexus of artistic and scientific inquiry, promoting experimentation and cross-fertilization between these disciplines. Programming is saturated with innovative visual art, theatre, dance, music, photography, history, science, literature, film, and architecture. The 2014 theme, Curiosity, was inspired by the NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)-built Mars Rover, “Curiosity,” which is currently exploring the Martian surface some 50 million miles above us. The goal for the festival is to create audience experiences that bridge the boundary between art and science. Many events are free.  Read the rest of this entry »

The Theatre @ Boston Court presents O-Lan Jones: 20 Years of Theatre and Music, for one night only, on Saturday, October 20, 2012 in Pasadena, CA.  Nine songs by O-Lan Jones have been selected for the performance from the following five productions: After Stardrive, Katy Cruel, The Dybbuk, The Woman Who Forgot Her Sweater, and The Woman in the Wall.  Selections include Appalachian duets, operatic solos, and tribal pieces, which will be performed by recurring cast members from Overtone Industries, Jones’ experimental production company that creates original music theater and opera.  As a special treat, the evening will also feature the first public performance of Jones’ improvisational group, The Spontaneous Combustion Choir.

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In response to the impending Carmageddon II, a growing alliance of LA-based artists and arts organizations have united with community leaders to create ARTmageddon, a two-day citywide celebration of the prolific and inspiring art happening all over Los Angeles on Saturday, September 29 and Sunday, September 30, 2012. ARTmageddon centers on a simple idea… Encourage all of Los Angeles to walk, bike and Metro to art in their neighborhoods!  In order to offer Los Angeles residents a user-friendly resource where they can discover all the great events happening on September 29th & 30th, the team behind ARTmageddon created www.ARTmageddonLA.com.

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Shakespeare by the Sea’s 2008 production of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream;" photo credit: Marilyn Edwards

Shakespeare by the Sea (SBTS) announces its 14th season of bringing free Shakespeare performances to the masses in Southern California, opening with the romantic comedy Much Ado About Nothing on June 9, 2011 followed one week later, on June 16, with the opening of the ultimate family drama The Tragedy of King Lear. SBTS performances run for 10 weeks throughout Los Angeles and Orange County – over 40 performances in all – beginning with shows in San Pedro at Point Fermin Park from June 9th through July 2nd.  Starting July 6th the troupe hits the road on a tour that will reach a total of 21 public parks in 19 towns – from Pasadena to Laguna Niguel – into August.  The production wraps up back in San Pedro for two grand finale performances on August 12 and 13, 2011.  All performances are in the evening starting at either 7:00pm or 8:00pm.  Audiences are encouraged to gather with friends and family early to dine picnic-style under the stars to make the most of this classic entertainment experience.  Admission is always free!

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