Hurry to The 54th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration at The Music Center This Christmas Eve!

The clock is winding up and ticking fast in tandem! You don’t want to miss the incredible experience of the 54th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion this Christmas Eve! I had the sheer pleasure of sneaking a peek of what is to come this season at The Music Center. And, it will absolutely blow your mind! Dancers will be leaping and bounding into the air, coordinating moves that will dynamically, rhythmically stretch across the stage! Musicians will be harmonizing, syncopating, and taking their melodic voices to highs and lows with variance of style and constant grace! In one afternoon, albeit in a rehearsal hall, I was moved to get up and dance and sing and jam myself. My inner artist was unleashed within me. Yours just might be too!

Given to us with heart by the LA County Arts Commission and produced by the vastly accomplished and talented Laura Zucker (executive producer), Adam Davis (producer) and Kenneth Shapiro (television producer/director), the LA County Holiday Celebration will capture the essence of the arts and culture in all of LA by showcasing the best of the best in the performing arts; spanning tradition, style and age. And, don’t let the young fool you. I found that the youngest artists were the most prepared and professional of them all. This is a show riddled with all sorts of unique talents and expressions. And under the direction of the dynamic trio producing the show, it will certainly be a one you do not want to miss, either live or when aired on our Public Television Station, KCET.

Ate9 dANCEcOMPANY particularly moved me with their dynamism. To the active music of the Gypsy Kings, this eclectic group of dancers moved individually, in small groups, as one, in layers upon layers of rhythm, speed, direction and modalities. Visually theatric, the dancers created story and exuded pure emotion with their incredible moves that uniquely expressed the musical phrases and building instrumentation. Upon hearing that many of dancers followed artistic director, Danielle Agami, from Seattle to LA as well as flocked to her from across the states, I wanted very much to talk with her. She said they did this “because they recognized her power as a teacher and choreographer.” With a resume that has landed her from Batsheva Dance Company in Israel to Julliard, Alvin Ailey and beyond, it is no wonder that they would follow her to LA. But after speaking with her, I understand why they would want to spend as much time with her as possible. To me, Danielle spoke as a pure artist. When asked why she came to LA from Israel, New York and Seattle, she expressed how open the city is to varied expression. She said, “It generates so many different opportunities, places, circles, and is attractive for the company because it’s wide open enough to become what you want to become.” This push to express and morph and be moved by the moments before you as an artist, resonates strongly. She says that her choreography comes from within and meets each artist that she works with individually, for they are an artistic entity in themselves that host past experience, expression and strengths. She says, “Without them, there is no me. Without me, there is no them.” This symbiotic dynamism will be brought to life on stage through dance this Christmas Eve, along with a myriad of other amazing performers. Catch it if you can!