THE DUDE RETURNS TO DISNEY
Summer’s over and that means the Los Angeles Philharmonic is making the move to Disney Hall for a new season of music and even dance.
The Los Angeles Phil begins its 2012/13 season with an evening honoring the rich tradition of dance rhythms in orchestral music with the Opening Night Concert and Gala, “The Philharmonic Dances,” led by Music Director Gustavo Dudamel. The festivities begin on Thurs., Sept. 27 and promise to be as splashy as ever.
The concert program is presented in collaboration with Glorya Kaufman and Dance at the Music Center. It includes musical selections from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, which will be performed by American Ballet Theatre stars Roberto Bolle and Veronika Part. But that’s jut the warm-up. There’s also world premiere choreography to John Adams’ The Chairman Dances by Barak Marshall. This part of the program will feature the Body Traffic dance company. Other highlights include a suite from Leonard Bernstein’s “On the Town,” danced by a troop of Broadway’s finest dancers.
The Philharmonic Dances opens with a pre-concert cocktail reception, at 6 p.m., followed by the 7 p.m. concert, with dinner and dancing to follow.
Proceeds will support the LA Phil and its community and education programs, including YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles).
Other highlights of the season include classic favorites like Ravel’s “Bolero,” Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” and Mahler’s “Symphony No. 5.”
Music lovers can also look forward to plenty of star power with an all-star list. Zubin Metha, Renee Fleming, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Bobby McFarrin and Herbie Hancock all plan to work their magic during an exciting season.
KEEP ON DANCING
Malibu has had its share of stars on the popular program “Dancing with the Stars,” which returns for season 15 this month. Local Brooke Burke moved from winner to host and Jane Seymour gave it her all during a difficult year.
This year, dance fans can look forward to an all-stars edition. Returning alumni include local bombshell Pamela Anderson, as well as Kirstie Alley, Helio Castoroneves, Joey Fatone, Shawn Johnson, Drew Lachey, Giles Marini, Kelly Monaco, Apolo Anton Ohno, Bristol Palin, Melissa Rycroft and Emmitt Smith.
It’s not like a few of these celebrity hoofers need any more exposure. “Baywatch” babe Pamela has graced the cover of Playboy more than a dozen times. Bristol Palin gained nationwide notoriety as the daughter of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Emmit Smith is the winner of a Superbowl MVP, NFL MVP and NFL Rushing Crown, all in the same season. But it looks like these stars just want to keep on dancing, so let the moves begin.