December 10, 2008
Arts in L.A. Quarterly Calendar: Cultural events through Feb. 2009
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FEBRUARYSun., Feb. 1
"Keshet for Life: 25 Years and Counting." Keshet Chaim Dance Ensemble has been presenting Israeli culture through dance for a quarter century and the American Israeli contemporary dance troupe is only beginning to spread its wings. Under the direction of Eytan Avisar and Genie Benson, the group -- which means rainbow of life -- will showcase their rich shades of talent in classic folk dances, as well as innovative pieces that reflect the current Israeli dance scene. Five new dances choreographed by Israeli Kobi Rozenfeld will be premiered, along with a retrospective of Keshet's favorites. The evening will also include the Middle Eastern sounds of drummers Naked Rhythm and the varied choreographic styles of Avisar, Tsion Marciano, Ilana Cohen and Erica Goldman. 7 p.m. $35-$75. Fred Kavli Theater, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. (818) 986-7332. http://www.kcdancers.org.
Thu., Feb. 5
"Divorce! The Musical." Just in time for Valentine's Day comes a musical that traces "one couple's hellish journey to un-tie the knot." Creator Erin Kamler -- writer of "The Jews of Calabasas," about Jewish women living in the suburbs of Los Angeles -- brings us the story of Penny and Rich, who learn that in the face of tragedy, sometimes it's just better to laugh your way to recovery. Set in present-day Los Angeles, the musical will strike a chord with singles and couples alike. 8 p.m. (preview). Opens Feb. 14 (Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.) $25-$34. Hudson Main Stage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 960-1056. http://www.divorcemusical.com.
Fri., Feb. 6
"The Trial of the Catonsville Nine." In 1968, the Rev. Daniel Berrigan, a Jesuit priest, led a nine-person protest during the Vietnam War by setting fire to 378 draft files in Catonsville, Md., and when convicted of destruction of U.S. property, said: "Our apologies, good friends, for the fracture of good order, the burning of paper instead of children.... " Berrigan later wrote a play about the trial in free verse, a style of poetry that doesn't use any of the common poetic devices, such as meter, rhythm or rhyme. A moving dramatization based on actual trial records, this production is directed by Jon Kellam. 8 p.m. (gala benefit). Thu.-Sat. at 8 p.m. Sun. at 2 p.m. Through March 14. $20-$50. Thursday night performances are pay-what-you-can. The Actors' Gang, Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. (310) 838-4264. http://www.theactorsgang.com.
Sat., Feb. 14
"The Myth of Venus: Alluring Seductress or Allegorical Muse." Do you go to museums, wander around for hours and still feel as if you've learned nothing about art? That's because the little placards next to the paintings only provide a sliver of the history behind each work of art. Spend Valentine's Day delving much deeper into the goddess of love, Venus, and the many paintings depicting her. The four-hour gallery course, one of several offered at the Getty, will take you from the Renaissance to present day, exploring themes of beauty, sexual love and the dichotomy of pure virgin and provocative femme fatale. 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. $20. Getty Museum lecture hall and galleries, 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles. (310) 440-7300. http://www.getty.edu/visit.
Wed., Feb. 18
"Betrayed." Winner of the 2008 Lucille Lortel Award for outstanding new play and based on journalist George Packer's piece for The New Yorker, L.A. Theatre Works (LATW) production of "Betrayed" is not to be missed. In vivid detail, Packer tells the story of three young Iraqi translators who risk everything for their country. The production will air on LATW's nationally syndicated radio theater series, "The Play's the Thing." 8 p.m. Through Feb. 22. $20-$48. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 827-0889. http://www.latw.org.
Fri., Feb. 20
"Werner Herzog: Requiem for a Dying Planet." In a UCLA Live exclusive, the German director renowned for such films as the 2005 documentary, "Grizzly Man," will discuss his work and his life with moderator Paul Holdengraeber, director of public programs at the New York Public Library. The evening will conclude with a performance of the cine-concert, "Requiem for a Dying Planet," a collaborative work that sets Herzog's documentaries, "The Wild Blue Yonder" and "The White Diamonds," to music by Dutch cellist Ernst Reijseger, Senegalese singer Mola Sylla and the Sardinian choir, Cuncordu e Tenore de Orosei. 8 p.m. $28-$48. UCLA Royce Hall, Westwood. (310) 825-2101. http://www.uclalive.org.
Sun., Feb. 22
Los Angeles Master Chorale Organ Blow-Out. Showcasing the choir and organ in unique ways, conductor Grant Gershon and the L.A. Master Chorale will premiere three new works at this winter concert, including "Dream Variations" by Andrea Clearfield, who was dubbed "the new guard" by The Philadelphia Inquirer and has written pieces for instrumental and vocal soloists, mixed chamber ensembles, chorus, orchestra, film and dance. Also featured will be smart and sassy young composer Nico Muhly's three-movement piece for organ and string quartet, "Expecting the Main Things From You." Director for one of the country's most prestigious choral programs, Steven Sametz, will debut a work dedicated to Gershon. 7 p.m. $19-$124. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown Los Angeles. (800) 787-5262. http://www.lamc.org.
Sat., Feb. 28
Batsheva Dance Company in "Max." Batsheva artistic director Ohad Naharin has his own language of movement called "gaga." The gifted dancer and choreographer has been leading Israel's most prestigious dance company since 1990 and crafting increasingly complex and unexpected dance routines. A recent review of "Max" in Australian Stage magazine described the company's newest show as "an abstract work, a sensory journey of no fixed destination" and "a challenging but hugely rewarding work." Last seen at UCLA in 2006, Batsheva Dance Company returns to UCLA Live with intense energy and a rich sensuality, accompanied by original music composed by Maxim Waratt (a pseudonym Naharin assumed for himself). 8 p.m. Also, Mar. 1 at 7 p.m. $28-$54. UCLA Royce Hall, Westwood. (310) 825-2101. http://www.uclalive.org.
Ongoing
"Sustainable Sundays: Different Shades of Green." The Natural History Museum is no longer simply in the business of collecting, conserving and studying artifacts; it is also educating the public about the environment. In a new ongoing series, the museum will dedicate Sundays to helping audiences find specific ways to help the planet. The event will include booths, interactive activities and representatives from environmental groups. Twice during the day, scientists from the museum, as well as guest researchers from Conservation International, will discuss environmental topics. Amphibian conservation officer Robin Moore, representatives from TreePeople and Dr. Lu Zhi, an expert on pandas, are some of the experts lined up for the series. Sundays. Through June 2009. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $6-$9. Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 763-3532. http://www.nhm.org.
