Respected New York-based Rattlestick Playwrights Theater is coming to LA!  Its first Los Angeles production, Slipping, will start previews on Thursday, April 4th and run through Sunday, May 5th at Elephant Stage’s Lillian Theatre.  Written and directed by Daniel Talbott, Slipping follows the emotional trajectory of 17-year old Eli (Seth Numrich [Golden Boy, War Horse]), after the violent suicide of his beloved father.  Seeking a fresh start, he and his mother move from San Francisco to Iowa, where a new relationship with a boy at school exposes Eli again to the possibility of closeness and the danger of being swallowed by it.  The New York production of Slipping was named one of the top ten plays of 2009 by The Advocate. Read the rest of this entry »

Theatre Raymond Kabbaz (TRK) presents A Journey Through Advertising, the second installment of TRK’s short film series, a presentation of thought-provoking, stylish and humorous ads from France and beyond, on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 7:30pm.  The presentation features a selection of advertisements, in French, English, and Spanish (with subtitles in English as needed), including shockvertisements, prevention ads, advertisements related to the environment, spots on junk consumption, as well as ads which fuel the obsession for a perfect body.  Complimentary wine and cheese will be served at intermission.  The program is not suitable for children under the age of 12.  This event is made possible by La Maison de la Pub and the Film and TV Office of the Consulate General of France in Los Angeles.  Read the rest of this entry »

Theatre Raymond Kabbaz presents Traverse, an inventive dance, live music and theatre mash-up from the French performance company Arcosm, on Friday, February 1, 2013 at 7:30pm.  The physical and musical production takes one man’s boring daily household routine and explodes it into a magnificent spectacle of choreography and percussion, suitable for audiences of all ages.  Traverse was created in 2011 by Thomas Guerry, a dancer and choreographer, in collaboration with Camille Rocailleux, a percussionist, pianist, and composer.  All ages are welcome.  The event is supported by FLAX (France Los Angeles Exchange). Read the rest of this entry »

After a year of culinary experimentation and an award-winning design makeover, Beachwood Cafe Owner Patti Peck (Millie’s Cafe & Edendale Grill) and Chef Minh Phan (Echo Park Artisanal) will celebrate the milestone with a Grand Opening/One-Year Anniversary party on Friday, March 1, 2013.  The event will feature an open house from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with free passed appetizers, mocktails and cocktails, followed from 8:00pm to 10:00pm with a $30 tasting menu debuting the cafe’s new spring menu.  Beachwood Cafe serves fresh farm-to-table fare in the historic Beachwood Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles (internationally recognizable for the iconic Hollywood sign).  The whimsical redesign of the restaurant (formerly the Village Coffee Shop), by Architect Barbara Bestor, earned the cafe a 2012 AIA Restaurant Design Award.  Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served.  The Grand Opening party is open to the public. Read the rest of this entry »

Two of the world’s best guitar ensembles will share the stage when Theatre Raymond Kabbaz presents California Guitar Trio (CGT) and Montréal Guitare Trio (MG3) performing together on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 7:30pm.  When these two ensembles join forces, audiences will be treated to a “six by six-string” set of eclectic music, including Baroque fugues, Spaghetti Western movie themes, arena rock, world and surf music, and intricate original compositions.  Featuring six virtuoso guitarists from four countries (Japan, Canada, Belgium, and the U.S.), CGT, on steel-stringed guitars, and MG3, on nylon-stringed guitars, fuse over 40 years of combined performing experience into one unique ‘phenomensemble.’  The event is the Los Angeles stop of a 20+ city tour in the U.S. and Canada and will be the first time the two trios will perform together in the City of Angels. The event is supported by the Quebec Government Office in Los Angeles.  Read the rest of this entry »

Theatre Raymond Kabbaz, in association with The Jazz Bakery, presents the powerful Ibrahim Maalouf Quintet on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 7:30pm.  The event is the Los Angeles stop of the quintet’s international tour for its new album, Wind, released in November 2012.  French-Lebanese Ibrahim Maalouf, on trumpet, will be joined on-stage by Frank Woeste on piano, Ira Coleman on double bass, Walter Smith on saxophone, and Clarence Penn on drums.  Wind is an original score, composed by Maalouf, for the René Clair silent film The Prey of the Wind.  The event is supported by the French Embassy/Cultural Services.  Read the rest of this entry »

American Masters Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance, premiering nationally Friday, December 28, 2012 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS (check local listings), tells the story of the first quintessentially American dance company, the Joffrey Ballet. Founders Robert Joffrey (12/24/1930 – 3/25/1988) and Gerald Arpino (1/14/1923 – 10/29/2008) revolutionized American dance by combining modern with traditional ballet to create a new and daring art form. Narrated by Tony® and Emmy® Award-winner Mandy Patinkin (Homeland), the 90-minute documentary is the first to chronicle the Joffrey Ballet’s pioneering dance philosophy. Award-winning filmmaker Bob Hercules traces the company’s struggles and triumphs: from its humble beginnings in 1956, touring the United States in a borrowed station wagon, to becoming one of the world’s most exciting and prominent ballet companies.  Read the rest of this entry »

Dance label Halocyan Records will take over Medusa Lounge with relentlessly inventive UK producer Untold, with support by John Tejada (LA), Sumsun (FL), and WMX (LA) on Thursday, November 29, 2012 starting at 9:00pm.  The evening’s vibe will span from lush and melodic to dark, dubby and grimy.  Solid Gold Dancer will provide the visuals for the evening.  Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend. The entrance fee is $10.  Venue capacity is limited and early arrival is strongly suggested.  Medusa Lounge is located at 3211 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90057.

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Tears of Joy Theatre will perform The Ugliest Duckling, a puppet theatre version of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale, at Theatre Raymond Kabbaz at Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles, on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 7:30pm.  Set in Australia and starring a cast of colorful creatures in tabletop rod puppet form, The Ugliest Duckling adds a new twist to the beloved story.  Written by playwright Marc Dunworth, The Ugliest Duckling features a baby platypus that will never grow into a graceful swan. The story is one of self-acceptance and will be performed by Tears of Joy Theatre, known internationally for bringing amazing puppet theatre to audiences young and old.  Read the rest of this entry »

Angel City Chorale (ACC), whose annual holiday concert has been a favorite with Los Angeles audiences since 1993, kicks off the season this year with Making Spirits Bright on Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, 2012.  Both performances start at 7:00pm.  ACC is Making Spirits Bright at Wilshire United Methodist Church with the broadest selection of holiday music offered in the City of Angels.  From traditional carols to rousing gospel numbers, from humorous takes on familiar Christmas songs to music celebrating the joy of Chanukah, ACC offers something for everyone.  This season’s selections range from a beautiful new Christmas work published just this year to the now-classic work of an American master, with selections from Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms.  However you celebrate, Angel City Chorale’s uplifting, jubilant concerts will brighten your spirits and lighten your hearts this holiday season.  Read the rest of this entry »