Sam Kim

Since Los Angeles isn't much of a Winter wonderland, one way we try to get into the Christmas spirit is by watching some wonderful concerts by our local artists and establishments. First off is Handel's Messiah, a three hour long masterpiece (luckily they have an intermission) with the Los Angeles Master Chorale at the Disney Hall. Luckily if you can't make it tonight, there is a repeat of the program on the 15th. The...

The Nutcracker (seen here with the Kirov Ballet) is a popular ballet by Tchaikovsky, that people love to perform (and see) during the Christmas season. There are at least three different groups performing it this month in the LA area, starting this week with the Lewis Family Playhouse in San Gabriel. The South Bay Ballet and the Kirov Ballet also perform it this month, giving you plenty of options to choose from. There are...

Happy Thanksgiving!...

In the last few years, Los Angeles has taken a risk in hiring brilliant (but young) conductors who gained recognition due to their potential and their interpretations of the Mahler symphonies (see Salonen). This new conductor has a craze to call his own, "Dudamania" (chronicled by the LA Times ). The announcement of Gustavo Dudamel's appointment as the next music director of the LA Phil has created a phenomenon here and abroad, with comparisons...

Krzysztof Penderecki was born on this day in 1933. He burst onto the international scene with the piece shown here, Threnody to the Victims of Hiroshima. His music can be heard on films like The Shining, The Exorcist, Children of Men, and several David Lynch movies. This dedication to the victims of Hiroshima actually came several years after the premiere of this piece. In 1964, Penderecki wrote: "Let the Threnody express my firm belief...

Royce Hall has always been the spot for the classical concerts in the Westside. This week, they host two world class events, with performances by the Takács Quartet and the Guarneri String Quartet. The Takács celebrate the gypsy roots in Bartok's music, with legendary Hungarian vocalist Marta Sebestyén. Bartok, who also happened to be Hungarian, is best known for his Romanian Folk Dances, Concerto for Orchestra, and Music for Percussion, Strings, and Celeste (heard in...

If you're tired of Zac Efron or Vanessa Hudgens (I don't know how but then again I haven't seen the first two), here is one more reason to go see this movie if you already haven't. Thanks to Willis' appearance on the Late Show, we get a chance to see this clip without having to pay for the ticket stub. Disclaimer: I only saw HSM 3 because my girlfriend wanted to. Ok, how about...

You've probably heard an aria from George Bizet's Carmen, trust us. This video was said to be created by Jim Benson himself, Nokia phones had the annoying el toreador ring tone, Family Guy had the old lady who sang Habanera, and this old Tom and Jerry video are just a few examples. The LA Opera begins their production of Carmen this Saturday, with shows throughout the month of November. Viktoria Vizin makes her debut...

On the day after what many people deem to be a historical election, and a once in a lifetime event, no one seems to be talking about it. At least in California. It seems a little ironic to most people (ok probably 99% of our readers/writers) that many newspapers are talking about how race and discrimination are no longer issues since we elected Barack Obama and yet Proposition 8 passed. It's actually a little shocking,...

Stay safe tonight....