LA Observed on KCRW, every Tuesday at 4:44 p.m.
Our world can seem more simplistic and superficial, but not if you seek refuge in the right places.
Arts, music and culture
News, observations and links on the arts, music, theater, dance, photography and local institutions
Our world can seem more simplistic and superficial, but not if you seek refuge in the right places.
I'd like to propose a challenge to Center Theatre Group as it begins to consider which productions might make up the 2020 Block Party.
Two exhibits featuring art from separate but equally captivating worlds have taken up residence until summer.
Matthew Bourne's 'Cinderella' is the choreographer's show-dance extravaganza that everyone must see.
"Ragtime" at the Pasadena Playhouse is, among other distinctions, a great way to observe Black History Month.
Gary caught up with the curator at the West Los Angeles College Gallery.
As a finale to the packed LA Philharmonic centennial, Zubin Mehta and other celebrated virtuosos of an earlier era came to Disney Hall.
Gary and the band outside his studio in DTLA
Here are some of my personal favorites from 2018. But first my usual caveat. I've seen 155 productions in greater LA, fewer than half of those that were available.
Observing and enjoying some downtown shows.
The big finale featured Mitchell herself coming out on stage and receiving a birthday cake.
'Dear Evan Hansen' and 'Quack' show the power - and the problems -- of viral social media in two otherwise very different productions.
The art of NASA is music to our ears.
Verdi's words remain relevant in these political times. Plus: Refik Anadol's electronic kaleidoscope of Philharmonic moments.
Don Shirley recommends "Native Gardens" in Pasadena, "The Cake" in Westwood Village and "Gloria" in Atwater Village.
It's the season for outdoor productions that are worth the effort to go see.
Intimate big-screen close-ups and high-tech sonics at the Bowl, courtesy of the LA Philharmonic. Or the old-time glory of glittering Russian ballet downtown at the Chandler Pavilion.
For two weeks in May, two of CTG's three main stages were occupied by plays mostly set in or around the Los Angeles area.
Just how many hats can an unencumbered contender wear? Ask Matthew Aucoin, for his answer.
As a theater critic in a city famous for making movies, I sometimes meet new acquaintances who assume that I see a lot of movies and TV. Sorry, but no. Usually.
Performances from Tilson Thomas, Dudamel, LA Dance Project and more.
"82 Portraits and 1 Still-Life" opens at the museum this weekend. Some pics.
"Cambodian Rock Band," "Allegiance," "The New Colossus," "A Raisin in the Sun," "Sell/Buy/Date" and more.
Donna Perlmutter: Also "Fantastic Woman" on screen, "Betroffenheit" at the Broad Stage and Beethoven with the LA Phil.
Donna Perlmutter: We're in the throes of celebrating what would be the 100th birthday of America's most famous music man, Leonard Bernstein.
Awakening of local theater for the new year, and Donald Trump's first anniversary, are not entirely unrelated.
Known for "Cartonlandia," Serrano's new room-sized piece recalls her family's traditions in LA and Mexico.
Eduardo Carrillo a founding patriarch of the Chicano Art movement, as seen in an exhibition at the Pasadena Museum of California Art.
Looking back at a pivotal year, plus some recommendations to enjoy during the holiday season.
David Hockney at LACMA
The artist arrives to open his latest exhibit.
Visiting her old ballet costumes
Melissa Barak at LACMA Chagall exhibit with the artist's memorable designs.
Wilshire Grand Center lobby
Visitors check out the wall-mounted sculpture by artist Do Ho Suh.
Art Friday
The day after Thanksgiving was jumping at LACMA.
LA's Mariachi Manchester 
Chuck Berry and the Stones
One rocking Saturday night in the KHJ-TV studios in 1965. Video and backstory
Neutra and Schindler
Play imagines what happened after the estranged architects were reunited in a 1953 hospital room. Karen Wada
For your consideration
Two costume designers who should have received Emmy nominations in our blogger's judgment.
Iris Schneider takes in some chamber music with the Da Camera Society.
A tale of two Sugar Plum Fairies
Joy Womack comes to the Santa Monica Nutcracker from Moscow, Lyrica Blankfein from NYC. More
Baryshnikov springs onstage
After roughly 15 years of wandering in the theatrical desert, Mikhail Baryshnikov has finally found the most deserving spotlight of his post-dancing career. Donna Perlmutter
Artist's work goes from home
Made in America scene
Mayor Garcetti with Jay-Z, Beyonce and Steve Aoki at the music festival in Grand Park. Photo on Aoki's Instagram feed.
Advertisement
Selected arts and culture links
Cultural institutions
American YouthSymphony
Art Center
Autry National Center
Broad Arts Foundation
CalArts
California African
American Museum
California Philharmonic
California String
Quartet
Center for Land Use
Interpretation
Center Theatre Group
Cerritos Center for
Performing Arts
Collage Dance Theatre
Craft and Folk Art Museum
Ford Theatres
Fowler Museum
Griffith Observatory
Hollywood Bowl
Huntington Library
Getty Center
GRAMMY Museum
Italian Cultural Inst.
Japanese American
National Museum
LACMA
Long Beach MOA
L.A. Ballet
L.A. Chamber Orchestra
L.A. Children's Chorus
L.A. Master Chorale
L.A. Opera
L.A. Philharmonic
Municipal Art Gallery
MOCA
Mus. of Jurassic Technology
Museum of Latin
American Art
Music Center
Natural History Museum
Norton Simon Museum
OC Perf. Arts Center
Otis College
Pacific-Asia Museum
Pasadena Museum of
Calif. Art
REDCAT
Santa Monica MOA
Santa Monica Symphony
Skirball Cultural Center
UCLA Hammer Mus.
UCLA Live
USC Fisher Mus.
USC Thornton School
Watts Towers Center
Weisman Museum
West Coast Jewish
Theatre
Zipper Concert Hall
Calendars and events
ArtSlant LACulture Mob
Experience L.A.
Flavorpill L.A.
L.A. Art Openings
LA Brain Terrain
Out West Arts
UCLA Happenings
USC Arts and Events
Media and blogs
Richard AnkromArts for L.A.
Arts Journal
ArtsMeme
Artworkslive
Marshall Astor
Blur + Sharpen
Michael Buitron
Gregg Chadwick
City of the Angels
Coagula
Concerning Art
Erin Cosgrove
CultureGrrl
Culture Monster
Curatorialist
Da Camera Society
Diavolo
Downtown Art Walk
Gustavo Dudamel
Ensemble Green
Carol Es
Fine Arts L.A.
Frenchy but Chic
Dennis Hollingsworth
I call it Oranges
International Review
of Music
Jacaranda
KUSC blog
L.A. Art Girls
LACMA on Fire
LACMA Unframed
LA Contemporary
Dance
L.A. in Bloom
LA Mano Press
L.A. Modern Auctions
LA Stage
LA Stage Alliance
Machine Project
Man One World
Mayer Rus
Modern Art Notes
Monday Evening
Concerts
NoHo Arts District
Robert Olsen
Positive Ape Index
Recycle LACMA
Rembrandt in SoCal
Ruskin Art Club
Sundays Live
at LACMA
The Judson Studios
THE Magazine
The O.C. Art Blog
Rubén Ortiz Torres
Try Harder
Violinist.com
Zero Degrees Art
Additions, deletions, corrections or suggestions? Email the editor, please.
