Here are your highlights for December 1-3 in Los Angeles:
LIZZ WRIGHT – Catalina Bar & Grill
December 1-3
Vocalist Lizz Wright burst on the music scene in 2003 with her album Salt. 14 years later she has released only her sixth album, Grace. During her performances this weekend at Catalina Bar & Grill she will no doubt be showcasing her new work. The album, produced by Joe Henry, explores the music of and about the South. Songs written by Bob Dylan, k.d. lang and Allen Toussaint are amongst those performed on Grace. Wright is a terrific song stylist and these shows will be a great opportunity to hear her perform live.
Photo Credit: Jesse Kit
HILLARY HAHN PLAYS BERNSTEIN – Walt Disney Concert Hall
December 1-3
During this year-long worldwide celebration of Leonard Bernstein, the Los Angeles Philharmonic features violinist Hilary Hahn performing his Serenade (After Plato’s Symposium.) Bernstein wrote the piece in honor of Serge & Natalie Koussevitzky. In the early 1940s, Bernstein studied with Serge Koussevitzky at Tanglewood. The program also features Stravinksky’s Firebird Suite and Glinka’s Ruslan & Ludmilla Overture.
Photo Credit: Michael Patrick O’Leary
SHEETLEJUICE – The Montalban Theatre
December 2
If you haven’t already checked out my interview with Bianca Del Rio, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 6, then you should. She talks about this drag queen parody of Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice, here named Sheeltejuice. Created by SF Drag Icon Peaches Christ, the show has only on performance on Saturday at The Montalban Theatre in Hollywood.
THAT BAD DONATO: THE L.A. BRAZIL CONNECTION – Royce Hall
December 2
As part of the citywide Pacific Standard Time series, Josh Kun examines the seminal work by João Donato, A Bad Donato. This work was a highly influential hybrid of Brazilian instrumental/jazz/funk. And it was recorded here in Los Angeles. This one night only event will include a discussion of the work and performances by Donato of his work. He will be joined by Bixiga 70, Mateus Aleluia and L.A.-based Brazilian singer Thalma de Freitas. You know Jobim. You know Mendes. You need to know Donato. This is an amazing album. And if you like samba, there is a samba dance party before the show.
JAM SESSION WITH THELONIOUS MONK INSTITUTE ENSEMBLE – bluewhale
December 3
If you’ve ever seen the Thelonious Monk Institute Ensemble perform at the Playboy Jazz Festival, you know how inspiring and spontaneous this group can be. They are the kind of ensemble that gives you faith in the future of jazz. On Sunday night, they will have a jam session at the bluewhale in Little Tokyo. Whether you are new to jazz or wanting to explore it, this is a great show to see.