“You don’t feel like a realtor yet,” I said to a friend recently, and then I watched his whole face change. While he’d been licensed and practicing for six months, it was true: he hadn’t yet made the shift in his own mind. And it was getting in the way of his marketing. This happens … Read more
I was talking to a longtime colleague recently, when we both remembered a rehearsal day from many years ago that was truly unusual: Singing a large work with a world-class orchestra, the artistic director raised his baton after the break and shared with all of us an open letter signed by most of the members … Read more
An innovative choir based in Irvine and led by Brandon Elliott (pictured), Choral Arts Initiative (CAI) has been an org to watch for a few years now. Their programming is creative, they support new works and nurture their singers, and their PREMIERE|Project Festival (now accepting participant apps for 2023) is a celebration of what modern … Read more
I’ve spent most of the last few days trying to formulate a statement on last week’s news out of our nation’s capital. What keeps issuing forth from my keyboard is angry, garbled and very, very preachy. I’ll try to spare you from the worst of the tirades, and will instead address a behavioral imperative that … Read more
LA Master Chorale’s ‘Big Sing’ returns to Downtown Los Angeles this summer
Even as the season is winding down, the Listerhood is putting out intriguing, thought-provoking events! This week, we’re featuring one performance written, produced and starring a whole horde of Listers; a workshop hosted by a support org with a specific mission; and a benefit that spotlights music of the Near East. Tonight or tomorrow, catch … Read more
It’s a big week of season finales, with organizations all over the Southland bringing out fun and exciting programs that will welcome summer with gusto. Don’t miss the much-anticipated reboot of one of Mozart’s best operas, as Salastina brings Cosi into a more enlightened time. Be sure to check out your local community choir, and enjoy the wealth of choral music … Read more
In our turbulent political climate, it seems everything lives in conflict — even holidays. But Memorial Day should be different, as it honors those who have given so much. For those of us who come from military families, it is a poignant moment of pride (sending love to my cousin Matt!), great big hugs, and … Read more
From the dawn of civilization, creators have connected their work with things they believed in. Not all artists are political, and no one will support every cause or every work of art. But beauty does not exist in a vacuum, and the meaning it conveys can move mountains, change society and bring profound change to … Read more
I love buying things in bulk. Sifting through various types of beans or dried fruit or toys or candy or jewelry or whatever, it’s satisfying, somehow, to create a combination of just about anything that is unique to a mood, a particular need, or the tastes of the recipient. Creating a work of art with … Read more
