“Warriors,” a concept album by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis, inspired by the 1979 cult classic film and Sol Yurick’s 1965 novel of the same name, is released today by Atlantic Records. The album showcases an impressive roster of vocal talent, featuring actors Billy Porter, Colman Domingo, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, and Utkarsh Ambudkar, alongside hip-hop legends such as Busta Rhymes, RZA, Ghostface Killah, and Nas. However, this iteration centers on a gang of women from New York City, portrayed by Amber Gray, Phillipa Soo, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Sasha Hutchings, and others.
I am Ashley Lee, a staff writer, taking a brief pause from my personal “Warriors” listening party — and my ongoing desire for a full production in the future — to present a new weekend edition of Essential Arts alongside my colleague, Jessica Gelt.
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Grand Ave Arts: All Access
Fifteen of the city’s arts and cultural institutions will occupy downtown’s Grand Avenue for the eighth annual open-air open house. Experience a painting inspired by Jasper Johns at the Broad, enjoy an L.A. Opera recital, tour the Walt Disney Concert Hall, learn to create sound effects with a Foley artist from L.A. Phil, or engage in a hands-on experience with musical instruments at the Colburn School’s Instrument Petting Zoo — all activities are family-friendly and free, with online RSVPs encouraged. The day’s programming also includes performances by DJ Kita, Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, harpist-composer Alfonso Rolando Ortiz, Peruvian dance troupe INCA, Chinese chamber ensemble Melody of China, and the a cappella doo-wop group the Alley Cats. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Grand Avenue, from Temple to 5th Street. grandavearts.org
‘Symphony of Rats’
“Two titans of the theatrical avant-garde come together in this Wooster Group deconstruction of a Richard Foreman play,” wrote Times theater critic Charles McNulty about this sold-out seven-show run, which involves a U.S. president receiving dubious messages from otherworldly entities. Directed by Elizabeth LeCompte and Kate Valk, “This surreal production reimagines the work of a playwright who established a distinctive aesthetic that is as audaciously unconventional as that of the Wooster Group.” Friday-Sunday and Tuesday-Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown L.A. redcat.org
Genevieve Gaignard’s solo exhibition “Thinking Out Loud” is currently on display at Vielmetter Los Angeles.
(Jeff McLane)
‘Genevieve Gaignard: Thinking Out Loud’
“Gaignard transforms cultural elements of race, religion, and gender into serious playthings,” noted Times contributor Leah Ollman in 2017. The biracial artist returns to Vielmetter with her third solo exhibition, featuring mixed-media collages displayed amid whimsically suspended clouds and altars positioned throughout the gallery. Gaignard will engage in a conversation with writer-producer Mara Brock Akil on Saturday at 2 p.m. The exhibition will be on view until Nov. 9. Vielmetter Los Angeles, 1700 S. Santa Fe Ave., #101. vielmetter.com
— Ashley Lee
The Week Ahead: A Curated Calendar
Kai A. Ealy, left, and Nija Okoro in August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” at A Noise Within.
(Daniel Reichert)
FRIDAY Ain’t Misbehavin’ Winner of three Tony Awards, this vibrant musical features the music of Fats Waller and the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and ’30s. Through Nov. 3. Musical Theatre West, 4350 E. 7th St., Long Beach.musical.org
Crump’s: The Lost Exhibition The Midcentury Modern artworks of Rolly Crump, the animator-turned-theme park designer who played a crucial role in the early design of Disneyland, will be on display, curated by his son, Christopher. 5-10 p.m. Friday; 1-9 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Song Word Art House, 8912 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.song-word.com
Humans 2.0 The next chapter of Circa’s internationally acclaimed “Humans” (first presented at the Wallis in 2019), featuring tightly woven choreography by circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz. 7:30 p.m. Friday. 2 p.m. Saturday. The Wallis, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills.thewallis.org
SATURDAY Art & Science Family Festival For those interested in PST, a free day-long event invites curious minds to make their own suncatchers, explore the medieval perspective of the cosmos, create personalized wearable art based on their astrological sign, enjoy music, engage with nature, and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A.getty.edu
Black Lodge CAP UCLA presents an unnervingly peculiar type of opera, brilliantly performed by Timur and the Dime Museum; preceded by the immersive experience “Bardo,” created and directed by Sandra Powers. 6:30 p.m. with the opera starting at 8 p.m. Saturday. The United Theater on Broadway, 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.cap.ucla.edu
Kooza Under the big top, Cirque du Soleil unveils a story penned and directed by David Shiner, revolving around a naïve clown, an enigmatic trickster, and a bizarre, exotic world. Through Jan. 5. Santa Monica Pier.cirquedusoleil.com
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Music director Jaime Martín launches the LACO season with “Morning,” known as Haydn’s Sixth Symphony, along with a mournful traveler in Schoenberg’s arrangement of Mahler’s “Songs of a Wayfarer” and Brahms’ lullaby-laden Second Symphony. 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; 4 p.m.Sunday.The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills.laco.org
Joni Mitchell and the Joni Jam The Canadian singer’s return to live performance (following a debilitating brain aneurysm in 2015) arrives in her adopted hometown with two shows where she will be joined by a host of esteemed local admirers. 7 p.m. Saturday; 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood.hollywoodbowl.com
The Piano Lesson Director Gregg T. Daniel continues to navigate August Wilson’s 20th-century cycle with one of its foundational pieces, set in 1930s Pittsburgh, which centers on a family heirloom dispute between siblings. Through Nov. 10. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena.anoisewithin.org
SUNDAY Mapping the Infinite: Cosmologies Across Cultures In collaboration with scientists from the Carnegie Observatories and Griffith Observatory, this exhibition poses the questions “Who are we and how did we get here?” while also reflecting upon the diverse ways artists, artisans, and scientists have sought answers. Through March 2. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Resnick Pavilion, 5905 Wilshire Blvd.lacma.org
Culture News and the SoCal Scene
Diane von Furstenberg at the Skirball Cultural Center, where an exhibition about her life and work will be displayed.
(Carlin Stiehl / For The Times)
The legendary designer Diane von Furstenberg, aged 77, is prioritizing her legacy while showing no signs of slowing down. She recently visited Los Angeles to support an exhibition titled “Diane von Furstenberg: Woman Before Fashion” at the Skirball Cultural Center. The show includes examples of Von Furstenberg’s iconic wrap dress across the years. “It’s always the young who rediscover it,” Von Furstenberg remarked in an interview with The Times.
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The Times art critic Christopher Knight is actively visiting various PST Art exhibitions throughout the city. He recently attended the Brick (formerly known as LAXArt) to experience “Life on Earth: Art & Ecofeminism.” Knight mentions that while the subject matter is more extensive than what the modest exhibition can encompass, there remains substantial content to digest. This is especially pertinent as climate change increasingly impacts our planet in unforeseen ways.
“The insistence on human supremacy over the natural world is cited as a primary source of environmental degradation. Furthermore, this mindset is closely linked to the persistent social marginalization of women. Do you remember Mother Nature?” Knight comments.
Tommy Bracco, center, and the company of Broadway Votes’ “Newsies” music video.
(Jenny Anderson)
Broadway is mobilizing theater enthusiasts to vote with a new short film titled “Newsies”, part of Broadway Votes, a nonpartisan initiative encouraging voter participation. The film is directed by Kenny Ortega, who also helmed the 1992 musical movie, and includes the songs “Carrying the Banner” and “Seize the Day,” both revised and updated by the original composer Alan Menken, lyricist Jack Feldman, and Harvey Fierstein, who wrote the book for the 2012 Broadway show. Ashley Lee from The Times provides exclusive insights from behind the scenes.
The National Gallery of Art is set to welcome a new president, Darren Walker, coming from a successful 11-year tenure at the Ford Foundation. Walker has served as a trustee at the National Gallery since 2019, succeeding Mitchell P. Rales.
Los Angeles is currently hosting the 17th annual Disability Art Exhibition, presented by the City of Los Angeles Department on Disability, in collaboration with Councilmembers Imelda Padilla and Kevin de León and the Department of Cultural Affairs. Running through Oct. 25 at the Henry P. Rio Bridge Gallery in L.A. City Hall, the exhibition features artwork by 50 artists with disabilities, thoughtfully presented with full inclusion. Museum labels include image descriptions in Braille, and a web component ensures access for those unable to attend in person.
And Last but Not Least
Kudos to Charli XCX, who recently revealed another brilliant reason behind her combination of fluorescent green and blurred lowercase text.
Italian Translation:
“Warriors,” un album concettuale di Lin-Manuel Miranda e Eisa Davis, ispirato dal cult movie del 1979 e dal romanzo omonimo di Sol Yurick del 1965, debutta oggi in Atlantic Records. L'album presenta un cast vocale stellare, tra cui gli attori Billy Porter, Colman Domingo, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez e Utkarsh Ambudkar, e leggende dell'hip-hop come Busta Rhymes, RZA, Ghostface Killah e Nas. In questa versione, però, il gruppo centrale del thriller di New York è costituito da donne, interpretate da Amber Gray, Phillipa Soo, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Sasha Hutchings e altre.
Sono Ashley Lee, una scrittrice dello staff, e mi prendo una pausa dalla mia personale festa di ascolto di "Warriors" — e dal mio continuo desiderio di una produzione completa in futuro — per presentarvi una nuova edizione del weekend di Essential Arts con la mia collega, Jessica Gelt.
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Grand Ave Arts: Accesso Completo
Quindici delle istituzioni artistiche e culturali della città prenderanno possesso della Grand Avenue di downtown per l'ottava annuale open house all'aperto. Crea un dipinto ispirato a Jasper Johns presso the Broad, assisti a un recital dell'L.A. Opera, visita Walt Disney Concert Hall, impara a creare effetti sonori da un artista Foley con L.A. Phil, o partecipa a un'esperienza pratica con gli strumenti musicali presso il Colburn School’s Instrument Petting Zoo — tutte le attività sono a misura di famiglia e gratuite, con registrazioni online consigliate. Il programma della giornata include anche performance di DJ Kita, Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, della arpista-compositrice Alfonso Rolando Ortiz, del gruppo di danza peruviano INCA, dell'ensemble cameristico cinese Melody of China e del gruppo vocale a cappella the Alley Cats. Sabato, dalle 11 alle 16. Grand Avenue, da Temple a 5th Street. grandavearts.org
‘Simfonia dei Ratti’
“Due titani dell'avanguardia teatrale si uniscono in questa decostruzione di un'opera di Richard Foreman da parte del Wooster Group,” ha scritto il critico teatrale del Times Charles McNulty riguardo a questa serie di sette spettacoli sold-out, che coinvolge un presidente degli Stati Uniti che riceve messaggi discutibili da entità ultraterrene. Diretto da Elizabeth LeCompte e Kate Valk, “Questa produzione surreale reinterpreta il lavoro di un drammaturgo che ha sviluppato un'estetica distintiva tanto audacemente anticonvenzionale quanto quella del Wooster Group.” Da venerdì a domenica e da martedì a mercoledì, 20:30. Sabato e domenica, 14:00. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., downtown L.A. redcat.org
La mostra personale di Genevieve Gaignard "Thinking Out Loud" è attualmente esposta presso il Vielmetter Los Angeles.
(Jeff McLane)
‘Genevieve Gaignard: Thinking Out Loud’
“Gaignard trasforma gli elementi culturali di razza, religione e genere in giocattoli seri,” ha scritto la collaboratrice del Times Leah Ollman nel 2017. L'artista birazziale torna al Vielmetter con la sua terza mostra personale, presentando collage misti esposti tra nuvole appese in modo fantasioso e altari situati in tutto lo spazio. Gaignard parteciperà a una conversazione con la scrittrice e produttrice Mara Brock Akil sabato alle 14:00. La mostra sarà visibile fino al 9 novembre. Vielmetter Los Angeles, 1700 S. Santa Fe Ave., #101. vielmetter.com
— Ashley Lee
La settimana che ci attende: Un calendario curato
Kai A. Ealy, a sinistra, e Nija Okoro in “The Piano Lesson” di August Wilson presso A Noise Within.
(Daniel Reichert)
VENERDÌ Ain’t Misbehavin’ Vincitore di tre Tony Awards, questo frizzante musical presenta la musica di Fats Waller e del Rinascimento di Harlem degli anni '20 e '30. Fino al 3 novembre. Musical Theatre West, 4350 E. 7th St., Long Beach.musical.org
Crump’s: The Lost Exhibition Le opere d'arte Midcentury Modern di Rolly Crump, l'animatore diventato designer di parchi a tema, che ha svolto un ruolo cruciale nel design iniziale di Disneyland, saranno esposte, curate da suo figlio, Christopher. 5-10 p.m. venerdì; 1-9 p.m. sabato; e 11 a.m.-4 p.m. domenica. Song Word Art House, 8912 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood.song-word.com
Humans 2.0 Il prossimo capitolo di “Humans” di Circa, acclamato a livello internazionale (presentato per la prima volta al Wallis nel 2019), con una coreografia strettamente tessuta di corpi creata dal visionario circense Yaron Lifschitz. 19:30 venerdì. 14:00 sabato. The Wallis, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills.thewallis.org
SABATO Art & Science Family Festival Non ti basta PST? Le menti curiose possono partecipare a questo evento gratuito della durata di una giornata, dove puoi creare il tuo suncatcher, scoprire la visione medievale del cosmo, creare un tuo pezzo di arte indossabile basato sul tuo segno astrologico, ascoltare musica, immergerti nella natura e altro ancora. 10:00-17:00 sabato e domenica.The Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A.getty.edu
Black Lodge CAP UCLA presenta un'opera di tipo ultra-strano e inquietante, brillantemente interpretata da Timur and the Dime Museum; preceduta dall'esperienza immersiva “Bardo,” creata e diretta da Sandra Powers. 18:30. L'opera inizia alle 20:00 di sabato. The United Theater on Broadway, 929 S. Broadway, downtown L.A.cap.ucla.edu
Kooza Sotto il tendone, Cirque du Soleil presenta una storia scritta e diretta da David Shiner, che coinvolge un clown ingenuo, un misterioso burlone e un mondo bizzarro ed esotico. Fino al 5 gennaio. Santa Monica Pier.cirquedusoleil.com
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Il direttore musicale Jaime Martín inaugura la stagione LACO con “Morning”, conosciuta come la Sesta Sinfonia di Haydn, oltre a un viaggiatore in lutto nell'arrangiamento di Schoenberg della “Songs of a Wayfarer” di Mahler e nella ricca Seconda Sinfonia di Brahms. 19:30 di sabato. L'Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; 16:00.Domenica.The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills.laco.org
Joni Mitchell e il Joni Jam Il ritorno della cantante canadese alle performance dal vivo (dopo aver subito un aneurisma cerebrale debilitante nel 2015) raggiunge la sua città adottiva con due spettacoli dove sarà affiancata da numerosi ammiratori locali famosi. 19:00 di sabato; 18:30 di domenica. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood.hollywoodbowl.com
The Piano Lesson Il direttore Gregg T. Daniel continua a esplorare il ciclo del ventesimo secolo di August Wilson con uno dei suoi pilastri, un dramma ambientato a Pittsburgh negli anni '30, che ruota attorno a una disputa tra un fratello e una sorella su un'eredità familiari. Fino al 10 novembre. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena.anoisewithin.org
Domenica Mapping the Infinite: Cosmologies Across Cultures Questa mostra, frutto di una collaborazione con gli scienziati del Carnegie Observatories e del Griffith Observatory, si pone le domande “Chi siamo e come siamo arrivati qui?” mentre esplora i modi in cui artisti, artigiani e scienziati hanno cercato risposte. Fino al 2 marzo. Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Resnick Pavilion, 5905 Wilshire Blvd.lacma.org
