From “The Nutcracker” to Smothers Theatre to special concerts at the Malibu Jewish Center, there have been lots of ways to get in the spirit.
On Dec. 15, they’ll be getting in the holiday groove at Pepperdine with “An Al Jarreau Christmas.” With his unique vocal style, AJ has become one of the world’s musical treasures. The critically acclaimed performer has picked up seven Grammy Awards and a playlist of accolades along the way.
Disney Hall is getting ready to ring in the season with a whole host of extravaganzas. The festivities begin Dec. 19 and now’s your time to hear that amazing one-of-a-kind organ. It’s all part of the “Holiday Organ Spectacular.”
If it’s a jazzy Christmas you are in for, there’s the “Manhattan Transfer Christmas Show,” which is sure to get your toes tapping. On Dec. 22 The Klezmatics bring you a “Happy Joyous Hanukkah” followed by a “Chanticleer Christmas.”
If you want to warm up those pipes and be part of the action, check out the “Holiday Sing-A-Long,” with David Prather serving as host. But not everything has to be holiday related and if you want to give yourself an eyeful of art this season, check out someone who has had more than his 15 minutes of fame.
Leslie Sacks Contemporary, located at the Bergamot Station Arts Center in Santa Monica, will be showing “Andy Warhol: Drawings and Editions 1956-1986.” Locals Michael and Kim McCarty are longtime gallery fans. There’s always something to discover at Bergamot, but this one is a treat.
From his iconic celebrity portraits to Chairman Mao and the Campbell’s soup can, the Warhol collection will be on display throughout the holidays.
The exhibition spans three decades and includes unique graphite drawings acquired from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts as well as classic screen-prints.
Warhol’s work was a direct reflection of his obsession with commercialism and objectification. He transformed the seemingly mundane object or brand into art by elevating packaging and trademarks to iconic status. This is seen in such well-known works as “Hot Dog Bean from Campbell’s Soup II,” “Mobil Gas” and “Paramount” from the Ads series, and “S & H Green Stamps” — all featured in the exhibition. Warhol virtually invented the cult of celebrity as we know it and made celebrity into a brand.
There is a screen-print portrait of Santa Claus and, of course, the famous Chairman Mao, whose totalitarian power is captured in a rainbow of vivid colors that echoes the conflict between communism and capitalism.
So if you want a peek into the driving force behind Warhol’s commercial artistic genius, take a break from holiday shopping and remember the man who made commercialism one for the ages.
IT’S THE BIG 5-0
The iconic Music Center is marking a major milestone. It has been keeping us entertained for 50 years. That was reason to celebrate and celebrate they did. In an unprecedented event, four of the Center’s world-class resident companies — Center Theatre Group, L.A. Phil, L.A. Opera and the Los Angeles Master Chorale — along with its renowned dance series, Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, joined together for one unforgettable night.
The splashy show featured productions by all four companies and the dance series with several unique collaborations. Support for the Music Center has fans all over Malibu from the Blue Ribbon organization’s Carla Sands to L.A. Opera CEO Marc Stern. So cut the cake and step up for a slice.
There was no better way to say happy birthday to one of the world’s premier performing arts destinations.