‘Waiting for Godot,’ ‘Star Wars’ in concert, Usher and more LA arts
The crowd was jubilant on the opening night of “Waiting for Godot” at the Geffen Playhouse last Thursday. Starring Aasif Mandvi and Rainn Wilson, Samuel…
‘Kiss Me, Kate’ screenings and more L.A. arts events this weekend
This weekend’s Essential Arts events are all about big screens and bold ideas. I’m staff writer Ashley Lee, here with my colleague Jessica Gelt to…
3 wins for L.A. Opera, Pacific Opera Project, Independent Opera
If Los Angeles has a reputation for opera, it is as an outlier, a city freed from encrusted tradition and eager to invent. Long Beach…
How the costumes on ‘Elsbeth’ are used to disarm the unsuspecting
Given her fondness for hot pink outerwear, it is unlikely that Elsbeth Tascioni (Carrie Preston) has garments in her closet bearing any resemblance to Lt.…
Where to watch the John Williams documentary in Dolby Atmos
Happy November, Essential Arts readers! This weekend’s top picks for things to do are all about the music. I’m staff writer Ashley Lee, here with…
L.A. Opera’s ‘Spanish Dracula’ and more Los Angeles arts events
While the weekend is once again upon us, I can’t stop thinking about an intimate, site-specific, one-night-only performance I experienced last weekend. Before I jump…
Gustavo Santaolalla gives Spanish ‘Dracula’ new life for L.A. Opera
When L.A. Opera invited Gustavo Santaolalla to write a new score for the Spanish version of the 1931 film “Dracula” to be performed live with…
Goth opera ‘Black Lodge’ invokes David Lynch, William S. Burroughs
“Black Lodge” is maybe a lot of things or maybe not. It calls itself an opera and was a finalist for a Grammy this year…
Stroll through history at Caltech for PST Art: L.A. arts and culture this week
PST Art presents city dwellers with the opportunity to head to places they haven’t been, particularly when it comes to exhibits staged at organizations not…
The best arts events in Los Angeles this weekend
“Warriors,” Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis’ concept album inspired by the 1979 cult hit movie and Sol Yurick’s 1965 novel of the same name, debuts…
American Contemporary Ballet and more Los Angeles arts events
It’s time for another edition of Essential Arts, the newsletter for readers who take the arts seriously (unfortunately, not everyone does). I’m staff writer Ashley…
Henry Winkler helps Hammer Museum throws an art party for kids
The Hammer Museum raised $230,000 in support of its free Hammer Kids programs through the 15th Kids Art Museum Project (K.A.M.P.), held in the museum’s…
Luminex 3.0 and more Los Angeles arts events this weekend
It’s October, which means it’s officially the start of spooky season. I’m arts and culture writer Ashley Lee, here with my colleague Jessica Gelt to…
The best weekend arts events in Los Angeles, September 27-29
It’s Friday, which means it’s time to pause those Moo Deng videos — just for a moment! — and explore our city’s expansive arts offerings.…
The best of L.A. arts this weekend, Sept. 20-22, 2024
Happy Friday, culture vultures. I’m staff writer Ashley Lee, here with another edition of Essential Arts with my colleague Jessica Gelt, recapping the arts chatter…
‘Hamilton,’ Gustavo Dudamel and LACMA’s updated timeline
“Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story?” is not only one of the best songs in the hit musical, “Hamilton,” it’s also the core…
Arts events in Los Angeles this weekend, starting Sept. 13
Temperatures have finally cooled, but the local arts scene is just heating up. I’m arts and culture writer Ashley Lee, here with a new weekend…
A curated guide to PST Art and all the museums open on Labor Day
It’s a new day for Essential Arts — or make that days, actually. I’m arts and culture writer Jessica Gelt, and starting today my colleague…
Shakespeare at New Swan Theater, Pink Martini among L.A. culture
Hello and welcome to another edition of the Essential Arts Newsletter, a place where we deliver you the best arts and culture news and events…
Intuit Dome, the Dude, ‘Lords of Dogtown’ and the best L.A. culture
Arlene Mejorado’s “Caricias” series on view at Metro’s Hollywood/Highland station. (Metro Art (Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority)) Hello and welcome to a new edition…