Judy Collins, Walt Disney Concert Hall,  Saturday, Feb. 11

Known for her classic interpretations of “Both Sides Now,”  “Amazing Grace” and
“Send in the Clowns,” the Grammy winning singer songwriter has thrilled audiences worldwide for more than 40 years with her unique blend of interpretive folk and pop.  Accompanying herself on piano and guitar she performs music by her contemporaries and from her own classic songbook.
Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA

Roberta Flack and the Pacific Symphony at  Segerstrom Hall Feb 9-11

Valentine’s Special, Grammy Award winner Roberta Flack visits the Pacific Symphony bringing her Intoxicating ballads: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly with His Tongue,”  “Where is the Love” and more. Richard Kaufmann conducts. Segerstrom Hall, 715 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA.

Sex and the City Zoo Celebration,  Sunday, Feb. 12

The Greater LA Zoo Association invites you to  their annual lighthearted “celebration of animal dating, mating and cohabitating” for Valentine’s Day.  Zoo veteran Jason Jacobs will share insights about the pros and cons of relationships in the animal kingdom. Champagne and chocolate will be provided for the humans.   Witherbee Auditorium at the LA Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA

Watson Adventures’ Naked at the Getty Scavenger Hunt, Saturday, Feb. 11

Celebrate Valentine’s Day at 5 p.m. on Saturday evening with Watson Adventures on a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt for nudity in art.  Teams of two to six people will discover secrets hidden in works of art involving nudity while tackling witty, tricky questions. No knowledge of art – or nudity – is needed to succeed. Advance reservations required.  Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center, Los Angeles.

18^th Annual Valentine’s Celebration: Men in Blaque & UCI A Capella, UCI ArtCenter, Feb. 14

Bring your date or a friend and enjoy some wonderful music, at 8 p.m. on the 14^th., conducted by Joseph Huszti. Join them for a post-concert reception. UCI Arts Center Winifred Smith Hall, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA

 Venice Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt, Feb. 11 and 12

This biking scavenger hunt through Venice Beach is designed for teams of two to get to know each other’s intellectual side while enjoying a day out exploring. There are prizes for the top 3 teams. Bikes are available for rent, or you can bring your own.  A portion of ticket proceeds goes to the Boys and Girls Club of Venice.  Scavenger Hunt, 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice.

Four Course Valentine’s Dinner, Laguna Canyon Winery, Feb. 11 & Feb. 14

Enjoy fine epicurean creations paired with artisan boutique wines while listening to live music. The Valentine’s WineMaker’s Dinner is $125 per person, plus 21% service charge plus tax. Members receive a 10% discount.  Laguna Canyon Winery, 2133 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach.

Zeppelin Air Tour over Los Angeles  Take an air tour over LA in the only airship in the US licensed for commercial passenger transport, Airship Ventures’ Zeppelin Eureka. It’s not private, but there are only 12 passengers per flight, with plenty of room to move around and enjoy the views out the large picture windows.  Opt for the sunset flight.     Airship Ventures, 250 Airflite Way, Long Beach, CA

Valentine Sunset Cruise with Dana Wharf Whale Watching Tours

Sail aboard the 95′ Dana Pride at sunset and search for whales, dolphin and other marine life set against the beautiful Orange County coastline. Chocolates and Valentine’s Day treats are included, as well as a glass of champagne.  Dana Wharf Whale Watching Tours, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA

Valentine’s Day Dinner benefits ‘Save Our Beach, at McKenna’s in Long Beach

Fundraiser  Valentine’s Day dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. at McKenna’s. For $100 per person, which goes to Save Our Beach, diners will get dinner, champagne and a guaranteed raffle prize.  McKenna’s, 190 N. Marina Drive, Long Beach, CA

Queen Mary Red Hot Singles Mix and Mingle on Valentine’s Day

The party’s on from 8 p.m. to midnight complete with live music, dancing and a sweet treat candy station. Tickets are $19.95 per person and include parking.

The Queen Mary is at 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach.

Valentine’s Day Dinner with a View, Orange County Mining Company

Floor to ceiling picture windows offer your table a stunning view of Orange County, and the saloon takes you back to the mining era.

Orange County  Mining Co., 10000 Crawford Canyon Rd., Orange, CA

Waterfront Beach Resort Anti- Valentine Day party  in Huntington

On the flip side if you are really not into prescribed holidays, but still want to party, you can join with others and celebrate your censoring at the Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington.  The Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Cst.  Highway, Huntington Beach, CA

Clybourne Park, Mark Taper Forum, Center Theater, now thru Feb. 26

Winner 2011 Pulitzer Prize.  Headed for Broadway in April, the LA Times called it, “Biting satiric comedy, damnably enjoyable.”  By Bruce Norris. Directed by Pam MacKinnon. Jokes fly and hidden agendas unfold as two vastly different generations of characters tip-toe the delicate dance of social politics, pitting race against real estate at the crux of two seminal events — 50 years apart — in the same north Chicago house.  Mark Taper Forum, Center Theater, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.

Placido Domingo in Verdi Masterpiece Simon Boccanegra LA Opera, Music Center, Feb. 11, 15, 19,21, Mar. 1

Thrust into power, undone by a sordid past. Conducted by James Conlan with projected Engish Translations . The unrivaled Placido Domingo brings his celebrated interpretation of one of opera’s most complex characters to his home company.  LA Opera is located at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and is part of the Music Center of Los Angeles, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA

Cinderella Les Ballets De  Monte Carlo at Segerstrom Hall, Feb. 9 – 12

Sophisticated interpretation of this classic  fairy tale romance , choreographed by Jean-Christopher Maillot.  Exclusive West Coast engagement and Center premiere.  Segerstrom Hall, 715 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

West Coast Premiere: Elemono Pea, South Coast Repertory,  Now thru  Feb. 26 Playwright, Molly Smith Metzler, and Director, Marc Masterson, give you this keenly observed comedy about class, family and the choices that shape who we are. Unfolding in real time,  the sisters of an absurdly rich New York ad man and a visiting blue collar family  from Buffalo collide.   South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa,CA

Star Wars, Where Science Meets Imagination, Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana,  Runs now through April 15

Imagine humanoid robots translating languages, land speeders zooming down highways, and X-wing Starfighters guarding  the skies. Could these  Star Wars™ technologies  become  reality?  Find out in Discovery Science Center’s out-of-this-world exhibit, by Bose Corporation. Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main, Santa Ana, CA

Bowers  Museum’s  Warriors, Tombs and Temples, China’s Enduring Legacy, runs now through March 4.  Following the extraordinary 2008 Exhibition, Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana partners with Houston Museum of Natural Science to show 200 newly discovered treasures from ancient Chinese tombs.   Debuting now in the U.S.,  these  ancient works of art come from  three dynasties of Chinese civilization.   Bowers Museum,   2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA

Newport Beach Jazz Party at the Newport Mariott, Feb. 16-19

President’s Day Weekend  is a four-day festival of “Right Down the Middle and Straight Ahead” jazz  with  big bands and duos, playing everything from Ellington to Sinatra. Stars include John Pizzarelli (Thursday) and Frank Sinatra, Jr. (Sunday). The Newport Mariott Hotel and Spa, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport, CA

Come Fly Away, Twyla Tharp/Frank Sinatra, Segerstrom Hall, Jan. 31-Feb. 5

Surfcity USA Marathon, Huntington Beach, Feb. 5

California’s Classic Oceanfront Marathon runs on Pacific Coast Highway past the Huntington Beach pier and through  legendary surfing beaches. The Surf City USA® Marathon includes the Free Wheelchair Mission 7th annual Run for Mobility as runners raise funds to send wheelchairs to people in need around the world.. Retro surf bands entertain with a Finish Line Festival  beach side beer garden.

Pacific Symphony’s Family Musical Mornings, Segerstrom Hall, Feb. 4  Blast off as the Pacific Symphony travels through our solar system! Real footage from NASA will accompany music from Holst’s “The Planets,” as well as selections from “Star Wars.” Featuring the gifted young musicians of Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra, these 45 minute concerts are especially designed for children 5-11. During the added Musical Carnival, enjoy free hands-on activities for children, who can meet Symphony musicians, sing, dance, play, color, try musical instruments and enjoy themselves in thematic activities related to the concert. (9 a.m. for 10 a.m. concertgoers; 12:15 p.m. for 11:30 a.m. concertgoers).  Segerstrom Hall, 714 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

Laguna Art  Museum Annual  Auction 2012  – Saturday, Feb. 4

From 6 to 9 p.m., a fast paced live auction will offer over 100 premier California artists’ works in an exciting silent auction. Sampling of cuisine from known local restaurants such as French 75 and Pelican Hill, select wines,  a live DJ with live art performances and an afterparty of desserts and cocktails will complete this major museum fundraiser.

South Coast Repetory,  Now thru  Feb. 26 Playwright, Molly Smith Metzler, and Director, Marc Masterson, give you this keenly observed comedy about class, family and the choices that shape who we are. This runaway  hit is fast, furious and funny. Unfolding in real time, just after Labor Day  Martha’s Vineyard is emptying out, but you can still smell the expensive sun lotion, when the sisters of an absurdly rich New York ad man and a visiting blue collar family  from Buffalo collide.  Low price Previews Jan. 27 – Feb. 2. Opening night, Feb. 3. Reg. performances Feb. 4-26.  (Note – profanity and adult situations included.) Photos courtesy of South Coast Repertory.   South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa,CA

 Star Wars, Where Science Meets Imagination, Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana,  Runs now through April 15

Imagine humanoid robots translating languages, land speeders zooming down highways, and X-wing Starfighters guarding  the skies. Could these  Star Wars™ technologies  become  reality?  Find out in Discovery Science Center’s out-of-this-world exhibit, by Bose Corporation. Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main, Santa Ana, CA

Lonesome Traveler at Laguna Playhouse   Playing now thru Feb. 5

The Rubicon Theatre  Premiere Concert  is sparked with  “Tom Dooley,” “Goodnight Irene,” “Puff, the Magic Dragon” “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “This Land is Your Land.” .Lonesome Traveler  traces our roots   from the backwoods of Appalachia to the nightclubs of New York and San Francisco; from the mid 1920s to the mid 1960s. Among forty classics you will find your favorites. From “Michael Row the Boat Ashore,” to “Mr. Tamborine Man” to “Barbara Allen,”  come to enjoy.  Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach

Bowers  Museum’s  Warriors, Tombs and Temples, China’s Enduring Legacy, runs now through March 4.  Following the extraordinary 2008 Exhibition, Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana partners with Houston Museum of Natural Science to show 200 newly discovered treasures from ancient Chinese tombs.   Debuting now in the U.S.,  these  ancient works of art come from  three dynasties of Chinese civilization. A priceless collection from  tombs that were built like homes for the daily rituals of the royal family and secrets of the silk road.   Bowers Museum,   2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA

Roberta Flack and the Pacific Symphony at  Segerstrom Hall 2/9 – 2/11

Valentine’s Special, Grammy Award winner Roberta Flack visits the Pacific Symphony bring her Intoxicating ballads with: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly with His Tongue,” and “Where is the Love” and more. Richard Kaufmann conducts. Segerstrom Hall, 715 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA.

Tokyo String Quartet at Sokia Performing Arts Center, Aliso Viejo,  Feb. 9.

Known as one of the supreme chamber ensembles of the world, the Tokyo Strong Quartet was founded 40 years ago and has an international following.  They perform over a 100 concerts per season and are known for their critically acclaimed recordings and teaching record. Sokia Performing Arts Theater, University Drive, Aliso Viejo.

Monster Trucks  Hit Angel Stadium Sat.,  Sat. Feb. 11

Monster trucks will roar into Angel Stadium Saturday, Feb. 11. The total access pass activities go from 2 to 3 pm. The Party in the Pits starts after that and at 7 pm the high energy competition begins. Angel Stadium, 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA.

Newport Beach Jazz Party at the Newport Mariott, Feb. 16-19

President’s Day Weekend  is a four-day festival of “Right Down the Middle and Straight Ahead” jazz  with  big bands and duos, playing everything from Ellington to Sinatra. Stars include John Pizzarelli (Thursday) and Frank Sinatra, Jr. (Sunday). The Newport Mariott Hotel and Spa, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport, CA

Cinderella Les Ballets De  Monte Carlo at Segerstrom Hall, Feb. 9 – 12

Sophisticated interpretation of this classic  fairy tale romance , choreographed by Jean-Christopher Maillot.  Exclusive West Coast engagement and Center premiere.  Segerstrom Hall, 715 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

Welcome to Travelin’ Local’s Orange County round up of  Music, Arts, Sports, Children’s Programs, Community Events and more.

West Coast Premiere: Elemono Pea, South Coast Repertory,  Jan. 27 – Feb. 26  Playwright, Molly Smith Metzler, and Director, Marc Masterson, give you this keenly observed comedy about class, family and the choices that shape who we are. This runaway  hit is fast, furious and funny. Unfolding in real time, just after Labor Day  Martha’s Vineyard is emptying out, but you can still smell the expensive sun lotion, when the sisters of an absurdly rich New York ad man and a visiting blue collar family  from Buffalo collide.  Low price Previews Jan. 27 – Feb. 2. Opening night, Feb. 3. Reg. performances Feb. 4-26.  (Note – profanity and adult situations included.) Photos courtesy of South Coast Repertory.   South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa,CA

Come Fly Away, Twyla Tharp/Frank Sinatra, Segerstrom Hall, Jan. 31-Feb. 5
A new Broadway musical that brings together the legendary music of Frank Sinatra and the creative vision of Tony Award-winner Twyla Tharp (Movin’ Out). The seductive vocals of “Ol’ Blue Eyes” sizzle with the sound of a live 14-piece big band and the visceral thrill of Tharp’s choreography. As 15 of the world’s best dancers tell the story of four couples falling in and out of love, you will experience the exhilaration of a first kiss, the excitement of a first dance, and the bittersweet moments of a first good-bye.  Featuring  Sinatra classics: “Summer Wind,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “My Way,” “New York, New York” and “I’ve Got the World on a String.” Segerstrom Hall, 715 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

Monster Trucks  Hit Angel Stadium Sat., Jan. 28 and Sat. Feb. 11

Monster trucks will roar into Angel Stadium this Saturday. The total access pass activities go from 2to 3 pm. The Party in the Pits starts after that and at 7 pmthe high energy competition begins.  Angel Stadium, 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA.

Top Dog Underdog at the South Coast Repertory, runs through  Jan. 29.

This Pulitzer Prize drama  is an electrifying view of the gritty lives of two street savvy hustlers, Lincoln and Booth.  The New York Times calls it, “a thrilling comic drama….dazzlingly written!”  Bearing names of white men given to them by their father as a joke before he walked away,  the brothers never stop conning  suckers on the street and, ultimately, each other in this darkly funny drama of family grief and recovery.  South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa,CA

 Star Wars, Where Science Meets Imagination, Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana,  Runs now through April 15

Imagine humanoid robots translating languages, land speeders zooming down highways, and X-wing Starfighters guarding  the skies. Could these  Star Wars™ technologies  become  reality?  Find out in Discovery Science Center’s out-of-this-world exhibit, by Bose Corporation. Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main, Santa Ana, CA

Lonesome Traveler at Laguna Playhouse   Playing now thru Feb. 5

The Rubicon Theatre  Premiere Concert  is sparked with  “Tom Dooley,” “Goodnight Irene,” “Puff, the Magic Dragon” “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “This Land is Your Land.” .Lonesome Traveler  traces our roots   from the backwoods of Appalachia to the nightclubs of New York and San Francisco; from the mid 1920s to the mid 1960s. Among forty classics you will find your favorites. From “Michael Row the Boat Ashore,” to “Mr. Tamborine Man” to “Barbara Allen,”  come to enjoy.  Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach

Bowers  Museum’s  Warriors, Tombs and Temples, China’s Enduring Legacy, runs now through March 4.  Following the extraordinary 2008 Exhibition, Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana partners with Houston Museum of Natural Science to show 200 newly discovered treasures from ancient Chinese tombs.   Debuting now in the U.S.,  these  ancient works of art come from  three dynasties of Chinese civilization. A priceless collection from  tombs that were built like homes for the daily rituals of the royal family and secrets of the silk road.   Bowers Museum,   2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA

Roberta Flack and the Pacific Symphony at  Segerstrom Hall 2/9 – 2/11

Valentine’s Special, Grammy Award winner Roberta Flack visits the Pacific Symphony bring her Intoxicating ballads with: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Killing Me Softly with His Tongue,” and “Where is the Love” and more. Richard Kaufmann conducts. Segerstrom Hall, 715 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA.

Tokyo String Quartet at Sokia Performing Arts Center,  Aliso Viejo,  Feb. 9.

Known as one of the supreme chamber ensembles of the world, the Tokyo Strong Quartet was founded 40 years ago and has an international following.  They perform over a 100 concerts per season and are known for their critically acclaimed recordings and teaching record.  Sokia Performing Arts Theater, University Drive, Aliso Viejo.

Newport Beach Jazz Party at the Newport Mariott, Feb. 16-19

President’s Day Weekend  is a four-day festival of “Right Down the Middle and Straight Ahead” jazz  with  big bands and duos, playing everything from Ellington to Sinatra. Stars include John Pizzarelli (Thursday) and Frank Sinatra, Jr. (Sunday). The Newport Mariott Hotel and Spa, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport, CA

Surfcity USA Marathon, Huntington Beach, Feb. 5

California’s Classic Oceanfront Marathon runs on Pacific Coast Highwaypast the Huntington Beach pier and through  legendary surfing beaches. The Surf City USA® Marathon includes the Free Wheelchair Mission 7th annual Run for Mobility, as runners raise funds to send wheelchairs to people in need around the world. Retro surf bands entertain with a Finish Line Festival  beach side beer garden.

Cinderella Les Ballets De  Monte Carlo at Segerstrom Hall, Feb. 9 – 12

Sophisticated interpretation of this classic  fairy tale romance , choreographed by Jean-Christopher Maillot.  Exclusive West Coast engagement and Center premiere.  Segerstrom Hall, 715 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

Laguna Art  Museum Annual  Auction 2012  – Feb. 4

From 6 to 9 p.m., a fast paced live auction will offer over 100 premier California artists’ works in an exciting silent auction. Sampling of cuisine from known local restaurants such as French 75 and Pelican Hill, select wines,  a live DJ with live art performances and an afterparty of desserts and cocktails will complete this major museum fundraiser.

Plenty! And you’ll find it all right here,  plus new February events.   Welcome to Travelin’ Local’s round up of  Music, Arts, Sports, Children’s Programs, Community Events and more.

Lonesome Traveler at Laguna Playhouse   Playing now thru Feb. 5

The Rubicon Theatre  Premiere Concert  is sparked with  “Tom Dooley,” “Goodnight Irene,” “Puff, the Magic Dragon” “Blowin’ in the Wind” and “This Land is Your Land.” .Lonesome Traveler  traces our roots   from the backwoods of Appalachia to the nightclubs of New York and San Francisco; from the mid 1920s to the mid 1960s. Among forty classics you will find your favorites. From “Michael Row the Boat Ashore,” to “Mr. Tamborine Man” to “Barbara Allen,”  come to enjoy.  Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach

Bill Maher, Irvine Improv, Sunday, January 22

Known for his political satire, Bill Maher is an American stand-up comedian, TV host, social critic an author. He targets religion, politics, bureaucracies, mass media, greed and people in positions of power.  Don’t miss  this evening with Maher.  Irvine Improv, 71 Fortune Drive, #841, Irvine.

LaLaLa Human Steps Irvine Barclay, Thursday Jan. 26

The U.S. premiere of a new work from Montreal, Canada. Edouard Lock’s latest major work, The New Work, is inspired by classic love stories, Dido and Agneas, and Orfeo and Eurydice, re-envisioned with lightning fast spins in hyper dynamic choreography. The Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA

Bowers  Museum’s  Warriors, Tombs and Temples, China’s Enduring Legacy, runs now through March 4. 

Following the extraordinary 2008 Exhibition, Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana partners with Houston Museum of Natural Science to show 200 newly discovered treasures from ancient Chinese tombs.   Debuting now in the U.S.,  these  ancient works of art come from  three dynasties of Chinese civilization. A priceless collection from  tombs that were built like homes for the daily rituals of the royal family and secrets of the silk road.   Bowers Museum,   2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA

Top Dog Underdog at the South Coast Repertory, runs through  Jan. 29.

This Pulitzer Prize drama  is an electrifying view of the gritty lives of two street savvy hustlers, Lincoln and Booth.  The New York Times calls it, “a thrilling comic drama….dazzlingly written!”  Bearing names of white men given to them by their father as a joke before he walked away,  the brothers never stop conning  suckers on the street and, ultimately, each other in this darkly funny drama of family grief and recovery.  South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa,CA

Tokyo String Quartet at Sokia Performing Arts Center, Aliso Viejo,  Feb. 9.

Known as one of the supreme chamber ensembles of the world, the Tokyo Strong Quartet was founded 40 years ago and has an international following.  They perform over a 100 concerts per season and are known for their critically acclaimed recordings and teaching record. Sokia Performing Arts Theater, University Drive, Aliso Viejo.

Newport Beach Jazz Party at the Newport Mariott, Feb. 16-19

President’s Day Weekend  is a four-day festival of “Right Down the Middle and Straight Ahead” jazz  with  big bands and duos, playing everything from Ellington to Sinatra. Stars include John Pizzarelli (Thursday) and Frank Sinatra, Jr. (Sunday). The Newport Mariott Hotel and Spa, 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport, CA

Star Wars, Where Science Meets Imagination, Discovery Science Center, Santa Ana,  Runs through April 15

Imagine humanoid robots translating languages, land speeders zooming down highways, and X-wing Starfighters guarding  the skies. Could these  Star Wars™ technologies  become  reality?  Find out in Discovery Science Center’s out-of-this-world exhibit, by Bose Corporation.

Discovery Science Center, 2500 N. Main, Santa Ana, CA

Surfcity USA Marathon, Huntington Beach, Feb. 5

California’s Classic Oceanfront Marathon runs on Pacific Coast Highway past the Huntington Beach pier and through  legendary surfing beaches. The Surf City USA® Marathon includes the Free Wheelchair Mission 7th annual Run for Mobility as runners raise funds to send wheelchairs to people in need around the world.. Retro surf bands entertain with a Finish Line Festival  beach side beer garden.

Crystal Cove State Park’s January Tours.  Explore tide pools, learn about geology and gray whales and visit the 12 acre historic district of famed cottages.  The whole month is full of special guided tours. Crystal Cove State Park, 8471  N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach.

Cinderella Les Ballets De  Monte Carlo at Segerstrom Hall, Feb. 9 – 12

Sophisticated interpretation of this classic  fairy tale romance , choreographed by Jean-Christopher Maillot.  Exclusive West Coast engagement and Center premiere.  Segerstrom Hall, 715 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

Laguna Art  Museum Annual  Auction 2012  – Feb. 4

From 6 to 9 p.m., a fast paced live auction will offer over 100 premier California artists’ works in an exciting silent auction. Sampling of cuisine from known local restaurants such as French 75 and Pelican Hill, select wines,  a live DJ with live art performances and an afterparty of desserts and cocktails will complete this major museum fundraiser.

The SAG Awards also nominate and vote for outstanding performances by film and television stunt ensembles.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards include the Life Achievement Award is given annually to an established performer for nurturing the highest ideals of the acting profession and tributes to the varied talents within the Guild’s membership.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards are also distinctive in the size of its voting body. Two randomly selected panels of 2,100 SAG members each from across the United States choose the nominees for television and motion pictures.

The final ballot then goes out to the full guild membership — approximately 100,000 members — who select the outstanding performances of the year.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards is the only national network television show to recognize the work of union members; affiliated with the AFL-CIO through the Associated Actors and Artistes of America.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards also benefits the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, which provides a meaningful way for SAG members to contribute to the literacy of children in their respective communities via BookPals (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools), its online component, Storyline, and the We the Children family-heritage book-writing project.

Interestingly, the SAG Foundation programs provide emergency relief to members in economic distress, video and audio preservation of the creative legacy of SAG members, scholarships for performers and their children and emergency funds for members with catastrophic illnesses.

The 18^th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominees were announced on December 14, 2011 from the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, CA at 9am EST.

The awards season’s premier events, 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards will be simulcast live coast to-coast on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012, at 8 p.m. (ET), 7 p.m. (CT), 6 p.m. (MT) and 5 p.m. (PT)from the Shrine Exposition Center in Los Angeles. It will also air internationally as well.

Some incisive comments about the SAG 2012 Nominees, indicate that the SAG awards are timely and veritably interconnected with the Academy Award nominee process, along with the Golden Globe Nominees, The Los Angeles Film Critics choices, The New York Art Critics picks, The Foreign Press Association’s choices, The AFI Awards, The Spirit Awards, and the Emmy, Tony, and the Guild Awards:

“The ensemble prize at the SAG Awards is one of the most reliable prophets of Academy Award glory, and while Wednesday’s Screen Actors Guild nominations clarified the front-runners for the best picture Oscar race, they may have muddied the outlook for the second tier of movies.

The 2,100 nominating voters in the actors union picked "The Help," "The Artist," "The Descendants," "Midnight in Paris" and "Bridesmaids" for its cast award, SAG’s honor for the year’s top production. While "Bridesmaids," a raunchy comedy, was a mild surprise, the other four selections were favorites.

"I think actors understand how hard comedy is, and that’s why we were acknowledged," said Judd Apatow, who produced "Bridesmaids."

The civil rights drama "The Help" collected the most nominations, with four, while "The Artist" — a black-and-white silent film — was second with three. In including "Bridesmaids," SAG voters bypassed some year-end releases that have strong pedigrees and critical buzz. Not one cast member from Stephen Daldry’s 9/11 story "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close," Steven Spielberg’s World War I drama "War Horse" or Martin Scorsese’s 3-D family film "Hugo" received a nomination. Two of December’s most acclaimed performances — Michael Fassbender playing a sex addict in "Shame" and Gary Oldman as a master spy in "Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy" — also were not nominated.

Awards-watchers are now waiting to see how those films fare with Golden Globes nominations, which were announced on Thursday morning, December 15 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. A number of those movies, including "Extremely Loud," as well as David Fincher’s "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," are not in theaters yet and only recently started screening for critics and awards voters. It’s unclear how many people on SAG’s nominating panel saw those movies before ballots were due.

Last season, all five of SAG’s ensemble nominees earned nominations in the best picture Oscar race, with both SAG and the academy choosing "The King’s Speech" as the year’s top film. But while SAG selects five nominees for its ensemble award, there can be up to 10 nominees for the best picture Academy Award.

The nominating process creates a coalescing of varied interests and makes the political component of picking Motion Picture Film Awards along with Television Show winners more predictable and palpable for both our Industry Town and the general public throughout the world.

That being the case, the following is a list of nominees for the 18^th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards:

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES
Outstanding performance by a male actor in a leading role

DEMIÁN BICHIR / Carlos Galindo – "A BETTER LIFE"
GEORGE CLOONEY / Matt King – "THE DESCENDANTS"
LEONARDO DiCAPRIO / J. Edgar Hoover – "J. EDGAR"
JEAN DUJARDIN / George – "THE ARTIST"
BRAD PITT / Billy Beane – "MONEYBALL"
Outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role

GLENN CLOSE / Albert Nobbs – "ALBERT NOBBS"
VIOLA DAVIS / Aibileen Clark – "THE HELP"
MERYL STREEP / Margaret Thatcher – "THE IRON LADY"
TILDA SWINTON / Eva – "WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN"
MICHELLE WILLIAMS / Marilyn Monroe – "MY WEEK WITH MARILYN"
Outstanding performance by a male actor in a supporting role

KENNETH BRANAGH / Sir Laurence Olivier – "MY WEEK WITH MARILYN"
ARMIE HAMMER / Clyde Tolson – "J. EDGAR"
JONAH HILL / Peter Brand – "MONEYBALL"
NICK NOLTE / Paddy Conlon – "WARRIOR"
CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER / Hal – "BEGINNERS"
Outstanding performance by a female actor in a supporting role

BÉRÉNICE BEJO / Peppy – "THE ARTIST"
JESSICA CHASTAIN / Celia Foote – "THE HELP"
MELISSA McCARTHY / Megan – "BRIDESMAIDS"
JANET McTEER / Hubert Page – "ALBERT NOBBS"
OCTAVIA SPENCER / Minny Jackson – "THE HELP"
Outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture
"THE ARTIST"
"BRIDESMAIDS"
"THE DESCENDANTS"
"THE HELP"
"MIDNIGHT IN PARIS"
TELEVISION
Outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series

PATRICK J. ADAMS / Mike Ross – "SUITS"
STEVE BUSCEMI / Enoch "Nucky" Thomson – "BOARDWALK EMPIRE"
KYLE CHANDLER / Eric Taylor – "FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS"
BRYAN CRANSTON / Walter White – "BREAKING BAD"
MICHAEL C. HALL / Dexter Morgan – "DEXTER"
Outstanding performance by a female actor in a drama series

KATHY BATES / Harriet Korn – "HARRY’S LAW"
GLENN CLOSE / Patty Hewes – "DAMAGES"
JESSICA LANGE / Constance – "AMERICAN HORROR STORY"
JULIANNA MARGULIES / Alicia Florrick – "THE GOOD WIFE"
KYRA SEDGWICK / Dept. Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson – "THE CLOSER"
Outstanding performance by a male actor in a comedy series

ALEC BALDWIN / Jack Donaghy – "30 ROCK"
TY BURRELL / Phil Dunphy – "MODERN FAMILY"
STEVE CARELL / Michael Scott – "THE OFFICE"
JON CRYER / Alan Harper – "TWO AND A HALF MEN"
ERIC STONESTREET / Cameron Tucker – "MODERN FAMILY"
Outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series

JULIE BOWEN / Claire Dunphy – "MODERN FAMILY"
EDIE FALCO / Jackie Peyton – "NURSE JACKIE"
TINA FEY / Liz Lemon – "30 ROCK"
SOFIA VERGARA / Gloria Delgado-Pritchett – "MODERN FAMILY"
BETTY WHITE / Elka Ostrovsky – "HOT IN CLEVELAND"
Outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series

"BOARDWALK EMPIRE"
"BREAKING BAD"
"DEXTER"
"GAME OF THRONES"
"THE GOOD WIFE"
Outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series
"30 ROCK"
"THE BIG BANG THEORY"
"GLEE"
"MODERN FAMILY"
"THE OFFICE"
Outstanding performance by a male actor in a television movie or miniseries

LAURENCE FISHBURNE / Thurgood Marshall – "THURGOOD"
PAUL GIAMATTI / Ben Bernanke – "TOO BIG TO FAIL"
GREG KINNEAR / Jack Kennedy – "THE KENNEDYS"
GUY PEARCE / Monty Beragon – "MILDRED PIERCE"
JAMES WOODS / Richard Fuld – "TOO BIG TO FAIL"
Outstanding performance by a female actor in a television movie or Miniseries

DIANE LANE / Pat Loud – "CINEMA VERITE"
MAGGIE SMITH / Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham – "DOWNTON ABBEY"
EMILY WATSON / Janet Leach – "APPROPRIATE ADULT"
BETTY WHITE / Caroline Thomas – "HALLMARK HALL OF FAME: THE LOST VALENTINE"
KATE WINSLET / Mildred Pierce – "MILDRED PIERCE"
HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU
COWBOYS & ALIENS
HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART 2
TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON
X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

DEXTER
GAME OF THRONES
SOUTHLAND
SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA
TRUE BLOOD
48TH LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
MARY TYLER MOORE

Ever since California and other states allowed for Indian owned lands to provide legal gambling—it’s been a boon for everyone—the people who enjoy gaming sensibly and responsibly; the State through the increase in tax revenues received; and of course, the Indians themselves, who are no longer viewed as being a Societal or sociological problem that needs constant government intervention.

Rather they’re now, once again, a proud and self-providing people and nation that they once were before.

People that are desirous for a real casino experience in Southern California, (and not in a secretive backroom location), have many legal gambling resort destinations located here to choose from among the many Indian casinos.

From first class resort accommodations, to exciting gambling and mega entertainment opportunities, visitors will find all the action of a trip to Las Vegas combined with the natural beauty of Southern California’s sun and surf, all rolled into one great adventure.

There’s no longer any need to go to Las Vegas for exciting gaming action. There are plenty of options and venues in Southern California to choose from, and many include entertainment, accommodations, and fine dining opportunities to go along for a weekend or a mini “staycation.”

Here’s a list of the Indian Casinos located in Southern California:

Imperial County

Quechan Casino Resort – Winterhaven
Red Earth Casino – Salton City

Riverside County

Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa – Rancho Mirage and Palm Springs
Augustine Casino – Coachella
Cahuilla Creek Casino – Anza
Fantasy Springs Casino – Indio
Morongo Casino Resort – Cabazon
Pechanga Resort & Casino – Temecula
Spa Resort Casino – Palm Springs
Soboba Casino – San Jacinto
Spotlight 29 Casino – Coachella

Santa Barbara County

Chumash Casino – Santa Ynez

San Bernardino County

Havasu Landing Casino – Havasu Lake
San Manuel Indian Casino – Highland

San Diego County

Barona Casino – Lakeside
Casino Pauma – Pauma Valley
Golden Acorn – Campo
Harrah’s Rincon Casino Resort – Valley Center
La Posta Casino – Boulevard
Pala Casino – Pala
Santa Ysabel Casino Resort – Santa Ysabel
Sycuan Casino & Resort – El Cajon
Valley View Casino – Valley Center
Viejas Casino – Alpine

And if you’re uncomfortable playing games at a casino due to lack of practice or you just don’t know all of the different game rules, Casino Games, is a great online resource. It has all the rules for each type of game, from Blackjack to Roulette, and provides you with different player strategies; plus, you can practice and play a myriad of their other different games that they provide on their virtual tables.

So based on all of this, it’s off to have some fun here in Beautiful Southern California.

Written by Tracy Letts, whose play, August: Osage County, was awarded the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2008 Tony Award for Best Play, Superior Donuts’ main protagonists is the shop’s proprietor, Arthur Prybyszewski, played by Gary Cole, a cynical shop owner whose life has been shattered and broken by his decision to evade the Vietnam War by going to Canada, causing a permanent rift with his now deceased father and mother.

Concurrently although he’s divorced, his wife recently passed, and his only daughter is estranged from him.

Cole’s thought provoking performance as Arthur, an aged hippie with his grungy pony tail and plain rumpled clothes, is at times stifling and claustrophobic, especially with the scenes of him reminiscing in his long diatribe drawling voice—one could say at times snarling—as this curmudgeon of a man has been beaten down by life.

He has no plans for the future, and simply runs the donut shop whenever the spirit moves him. But due to all that, he brings to the audience a sounding board for us to also examine our past vs. future and how we tend to stay trapped in what went before.

But, Arthur’s world is about to change, maybe for the better, when a flamboyant and charismatic young man applies for a job at Superior Donuts, and despite Arthur’s repeated refusal, the character, Franco Wicks, played exceptionally by actor Edi Gathegi, won’t take no for an answer.

Full of endless enthusiasm and lust for life, he convinces Arthur to hire him, and here the relationship between the two men—young and old—lay at heart the themes explored in this play of hope, sorrow, passion, past vs future, ambition, and friendship.

As the two character’s relationship grows, other neighborhood personalities and mini plots enter the picture.

Max Tarasor, played by Ron Bottitta, wants to live the American dream and purchase the entire building–beseeching Arthur to sell him Superior Donuts so he can develop it into something new in this changing environment; but Arthur won’t sell.

Also entering the donut shop are, Officer Randy Osteen, (Mary Beth Fisher), and Officer James Bailey (Damon Gupton). They’re Superior Donut regulars and almost make for Arthur’s ersatz family. Indeed, Fisher’s character, Osteen, likes Arthur and makes that readily apparent.

Nonetheless, Arthur is and remains an unmovable object in doing anything other than repress any of his desires to move forward with his life, so he does nothing to accept her advances for a relationship.

As the well-written characters unfold throughout this 2 hour play, which is at times laconic, witty, funny, sad, poignant, and surprisingly relevant as its cast of regulars and misfits that are part of Superior Donuts–including the bag lady’s character, Lady Boyle, played by Kathryn Joosten–offer us a glimpse into the many ways and means of life; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Superior Donuts, presented by the Geffen Playhouse. Opens June 8. Ticket prices: $47 – $77. Tues.-Fri. 8 pm; Sat. 3 pm and 8 pm; Sun. 2 pm and 7 pm. Through July 10. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Westwood. Box office open daily or via phone at 310-208-5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com.

Although Hershey Felder, has done several other one-man shows, this was my first time watching him in action. Both writing the work and performing it, Felder is able to put the passion Bernstein felt for his music within reach of the audience. Starting from his days of youth until his death, Felder’s Bernstein continues to question himself, his work, and his ability to be a “true” composer.

It’s incredible to watch one person captivate an audience for 100 minutes, with a sparse 1960s set of a piano, a couple of chairs, a television camera, and a big screen backdrop. Opening with Somewhere, from Bernstein’s Westside Story, the play followed the course of the song. Bernstein was looking for his place in the world, where he fit in, and who to fit in there with.

With a mixture of music, humor, and a variety of accents, Felder transports the audience inside Bernstein’s head. At times, the big screen backdrop plays host to videos of the real Bernstein in action. At one point, Felder played the Liebestod from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde synchronized to a video performance a video of Bernstein playing. It was amazing to watch.

Bernstein led a glorious life, but filled with tragedies, too, and Felder brings each one to life. You almost feel as if it’s Bernstein himself.

Here’s are a few thoughts from Hershey Felder about the play:

Although, that description covers the gamut of mankind, what is particularly appealing about this play–is the highly personalized issue of women–without being politically correct or not being true to the writers and directors vision.

The last date to see it at the Geffen Playhouse, is November 19^th.

I highly recommend seeing this play–it’s funny, sad, true, and simultaneously will make you think, all at the same time and that is a fairly infrequent occurrence for most.

The final cast includes:

• Two-time Emmy Award winner Sally Struthers well-known for her longtime role on All in the Family
• Academy Award nominee Teri Garr recognized for her classic roles in Tootsie and Close Encounters of the Third Kind
• Veteran actress Mimi Rogers whose films range from Someone to Watch Over Me to Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
• LA-based radio personality, author and actress Sandra Tsing Loh
• Indie-film actress Marianna Palka, who recently appeared in the Sundance film Good Dick which she also wrote and directed

If you haven’t seen this play, make sure to go to the Geffen before November 19^th. It’s the perfect Girl’s Night Out!

The play is set amongst the devastation of war which raged and still rages in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The long and brutal conflict in the Congo has caused massive suffering for civilians, with estimates of millions dead either directly or indirectly as a result of the fighting.

It’s a story that’s as old as time—the struggle to survive. And in the case of Ruined, the struggle women go through during a war– any war for that matter, is particularly cruel and inhumane.

A co-production between the Geffen Playhouse and Seattle’s Intiman Theatre, Ruined is the most acclaimed play of 2009 garnering best play honors with a Lucille Lortel Award, Obie Award, New York Drama Critics Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award, and the inaugural Horton Foote Prize for Outstanding New American Play, in addition to the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Ruined has Mama Nadi, played by Portia, struggling to keep her business, a rundown nightclub where all the locals come to have a good time, open and profitable. Having the only pool table within 50 kilometers, Mama Nadi has no trouble filling her “house.”

As part of her “motherly” duties, Mama Nadi takes in girls who have nowhere else to go. As in all wars, women are the true victims—the loss of their husbands, children, and as the matriarch of their family’s that are destroyed, they lose themselves and their identity, by the brutality and horrors of men who suddenly think they are Gods.

Indeed, the film’s title is no accident. Ruined was five years in the making, with the original basis of the play planned around playwright Bertolt Brecht’s anti-war drama Mother Courage and her Children.

But Ruined’s writer Lynn Nottage, and its director Kate Whoriskey, discovered that not only were women and children being used as tools of war through mass rapes and sexual violence in the Congo; when they traveled to other African war ravaged nations including Sudan, Somalia, and Uganda interviewing many of the affected women refugees, they decided that another tale had to be told about what is happening now.

What became obvious to Nottage and Whoriskey, is that the women victims wanted to get their stories told, as well as their desire to have as many people as possible to know what’s happening in these war-torn nations as that’s what’s needed for intervention—their stories are the catalyst to reach the rest of the world, which set in motion the “proudly provocative” plays for the Geffen Playhouse’s 2010/2011 season.

Ruined’s opening scene finds Mama Nadi humorously conversing with Christian, played by Russell G. Jones, a merchant who brings needed supplies to Mama Nadi. But, on this day, he also brings two girls, Sophie, played by Condola Rashad, and his niece, Salima, played by Quincy Tyler Berstine.

As the drama unfolds, one wonders if Mama Nadi truly wants to help the girls or if they are just a means to an end. A staunch business woman, who always keeps her eye on her establishment’s bottom line, Mama Nadi keeps the audience guessing until the end about her true motivations. Perhaps it’s a combination of both—a means to an end; and her ability to keep the girls ensconced within the walls of Mama Nadi’s “house,” and the ominous, ever-present danger outside her always open door.

For the next two hours, the audience is transfixed as the stage and set have managed to bring the war and all the trials and tribulations that that entails–brutal soldiers, gunfire, hunger, but most of all fear–fear of living and fear of dying, to the Geffen Playhouse’s stage.

In the end, after all the devastation, hope prevails. Ruined at many moments, isn’t a happy play; and I felt sorry for the few people who left during intermission. For them, they only saw the sadness, but missed the struggles, the challenges, the will to live, and the heart behind the characters.

And indeed, the characters and intricate story are marvelously portrayed by this wonderful cast. Their portrayal of the main protagonists and characters, lead the viewers into the both the powerful story and its harsh realities.

I understand why, even in these economic times, people go to the theater and want to feel good; but the reasons are obvious as to why the acclaimed drama Ruined is such a critical success–it’s that in spite of the horrors that Nottage depicts, there’s an undeniable spirit of hope that emerges:

Ruined is Full of Life.

For more information about the different organizations involved in working with, assisting, and spreading the word about the Congo and other wars, the Geffen has assembled a series of Talk Back Tuesdays and International Groups to interact with its patrons.

For more information about these initiatives at the Geffen Playhouse click here.

For tickets, dates, prices, this year’s season, and other information contact the Geffen Playhouse.

The LA Opera performs their season performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and visiting the stage can be an experience unto itself. I particularly enjoy the giant hanging chandeliers. I always get in the mood for a high class experience when I walk inside and see them, and the elegant experience is complimented by its posh surroundings.

Although complimentary, the LA Opera is really the height of the experience, and it’s completely accessible to everyone– even if the idea of sitting through an Opera sounds about as fun as a root canal.

The first opera I saw was Carmen–I was in the 12th grade while on a Sunday field trip that lasted all day. We had the equivalent of nose-bleed seats. And we were unprepared for the beauty that the Opera emotes, (I may, or may not have passed out for approximately 20 minutes). But I’ve really progressed in my Opera appreciation, graduating to the next level this past weekend with Der Ring des Nibelungen. After seeing Wagner’s Das Rheingold on Friday night (2 hours 40 minutes with no intermission), and Die Walkurie on Sunday, I comprised a list of tips I wish someone had told me from day one.

Here are my 5 tips for first time Opera goers who thought they’d never see the Fat Lady sing:

1. Dress up. If there was ever a time and a place to dress up, it’s for the Opera. Wear high heels (you can always take them off during the show). Wear a tux. Wear all your finery. I may be of the next generation of Operaphiles, but I still believe in showing my due respect to the experience, the art, and the performers and performance. If someone can devote their entire life to this art, I can devote a Friday night to wearing heels and lip stick. You cannot be overdressed. I repeat, you cannot overdress for the Opera. Find amusement in wearing your prom dress for the 2nd time ever.

2. Choose your opera wisely. There are many different kinds of Operas. They all tell stories, some more popular (bloody, violent, comical, or tragic) than others, some in French, some in Italian, some in English (warning, even though the Opera is in English, you’ll still need the supertitles to understand). Some are 2 hours long, while some are a marathon 7 hours. Die Walkurie, the longest Opera I’ve ever been to (4 hours and 50 minutes with 2 intermissions), was extremely doable, because I knew exactly what I was getting myself into.

3. Bring snacks and even a bottle of wine. When I say snacks, I mean quiet snacks. Don’t show up with a bag full of cheerios and start crunching those 15 minutes into the performance. Bring a sandwich for half time (I mean, intermission).  Bring cash for Opera dogs, sandwiches, and wine. An opera seems a lot longer if you’re just focused on your dinner that’s not going to happen until 8:30 pm. You can open a bottle of wine in the Pavilion before the show, and enjoy it leisurely, or purchase cocktails during intermission. Fruit snacks are good (and quiet).  Please be conscientious and unwrap all plastic items before the curtain goes up though.

4. Take a chill pill (and I mean this figuratively). We live in a fast paced world. The opera has not caught up and has no desire to. It may take the characters half an hour to discuss something that seems trivial. Plots unfold at a snail’s pace. Plot is not the objective of each Act. Sure, there is plot, and often it is dramatic, but the point of the Opera is listening to the incredible elasticity of the voices being showcase accompanied with a full orchestra–lead by Music Director James Conlon, whom I’d be remiss not to mention his bad-ass-ness. On Sunday, a friend of mine timed how long it took an actor to walk from one side of the stage to the other. It was almost a whole minute. Patience is a virtue. At the end of each act, it’s expected for you to applaud; for a long time, for each singer, and the entire cast that performed that Act. Although the applauding cuts into your intermission, don’t be the jerk who rushes out without applauding. Just be patient, you’ll have enough time for a glass of wine, a bathroom break, and a snack.

5. Do your research. You’ll be glad you did. My tickets this weekend were $20. We sat in the Orchestra section. The people next to us paid $200. The opera isn’t out of your price range. Carpool, split parking, bring your own wine. Read up on the interpretation you’ll be seeing. For instance, Der Ring des Nibelungen is traditionally portrayed with Vikings. The LA Opera’s interpretation was somewhere between post modern Star Wars, and a Lord of the Rings trilogy. I heard people griping in the audience that it was not a traditional portrayal, but I was just fine–I knew what was coming. I read the entire plot online, learned the characters names. The LA Opera’s website walks you through all the costumes, the set, the singers, etc. All the time I spent learning enriched my experience.

Finally, here’s my last ditch effort for you to find enjoyment at the Opera. If you’ve done all of the above, and you still find yourself stuck in Opera hell, find one thing that makes you happy. For one unhappy friend of mine, it was the curtain. Maybe it’s Loge’s red high top Converse. Maybe you think Tosca is hot. Find one thing, and cling to it. Hopefully it’s not just the flask hidden in your bag. Opera isn’t for everyone, but I do believe everyone can have at least one happy experience with the LA Opera. Enjoy this piece of LA (and worldly) culture.

At the very least, your friends will be impressed and you’ll have a great pick-up line for a classy girl at the bar. 

Der Ring des Nibelungen marks the end of the LA Opera’s 24th season, but check out their 25th anniversary season here.

We’re a great city full of the arts, and that makes us just as unique as all our other outstanding worldly attributes—btw, I recommend any Opera that includes Placido Domingo.

With the first performance scheduled to start at Point Fermin Park in San Pedro on Thursday, June 10^th, now is the time to mark your calendar. If you don’t live in San Pedro, no problem.

After a four week schedule at Point Fermin Park, Shakespeare by the Sea will go on a six week tour at various locations around Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Depending on the location, you might need to bring beach chairs, blankets, warmer clothing (the nights close to the beach can get a little nippy), and even a picnic dinner. Click the links to find out more about each venue.

Here’s a list and description of all the 2010 performances, plus at the bottom, a map showing the location of each venue:

Point Fermin Park

Where: 807 Paseo del Mar, San Pedro

Day, Time, and Play: Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Twelfth Night: June 10, 11, 12, 24, 26, Jul 2, Aug 14, Julius Caesar: June 17, 18, 19, 25, Jul 1, 3, Aug 13

Terranea Resort

Where: Rancho Palos Verdes, 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes

Day, Time, and Play: Wednesday, July 7 – 8pm – Julius Caesar

Fort MacArthur LA Air Force Base

Where: S. Pacific & Meyler, San Pedro

This is a private performance for military families (not open to public)

Day, Time, and Play: Thursday, July 8 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Two-Strike Park

Where: 5107 Rosemont Ave, La Crescenta: Two-Strike Park

Day and Time: Friday, July 9 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Bonita Canyon Sports Park

Where: Bonita Canyon & Mesa View, Newport Beach

Day, Time, and Play: Saturday, July 10 – 7pm – Julius Caesar , Sunday, July 11 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Adventure Park

Where: 10130 Gunn Ave, Whittier, CA 90605

Day, Time, and Play: Wednesday, July 14 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Garfield Park

Where: 1000 Park Ave., South Pasadena, CA 91030

Day, Time, and Play: Thursday, July 15 – 7pm – Twelfth Night, Thursday, August 12 – 7pm – Julius Caesar

Polliwog Park

Where: 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Target Arts & Wonder Free Family Event: Friday, July 16 – 7pm – Julius Caesar, Saturday, July 17 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park

Where: 29301 Hawthorne Blvd, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Target Arts & Wonder Free Family Event: Sunday, July 18 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Valley Park

Where: Valley & Gould, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Day, Time, and Play: Wednesday, July 21 – 7pm – Julius Caesar , Thursday, July 22 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Wilson Park

Where: 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501

Day, Time, and Play: Friday, July 23 – 8pm – Julius Caesar , Saturday, July 24 – 8pm – Twelfth Night

Crown Valley Community Park

Where: 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

Day, Time, and Play: Sunday, July 25 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Brand Park

Where: 1601 W. Mountain Street, Glendale, CA 91201

Day, Time, and Play: Wednesday, July 28 – 7pm – Julius Caesar, Thursday, August 5 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Glenoaks Park

Where: 2531 E Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91206

Day, Time, and Play: Thursday, July 29 – 7pm – Julius Caesar , Wednesday, August 4 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Del Valle Park

Where: 5939 Henrilee St, Lakewood CA 90713

Day, Time, and Play: Friday, July 30 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Rush Park

Where: 3021 Blume Dr, Los Alamitos, CA 90720

Day, Time, and Play: Saturday, July 31 – 7pm – Julius Caesar, Sunday, August 1 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Long Beach Museum of Art

Where: 2300 E. Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90812

Day, Time, and Play: Friday, August 6 - 8pm - Julius Caesar

Roxbury Park

Where: 471 South Roxbury Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Day, Time, and Play: Saturday, August 7 – 7pm – Julius Caesar, Sunday, August 8 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

Anderson Park

Where: 19101 Wilmington Avenue, Carson, CA.  90746

Day, Time, and Play: Wednesday, August 11 – 7pm – Twelfth Night

View Shakespeare by the Sea in a larger map

A paper dress worn at the wrong time of the month. A shirt that was just perfect in color, size, fit, and style.  A sports bra that turned a nice set of breasts into a "Monoboob."

"Love, Loss, and What I Wore," the play, which is subtitled, “an intimate collection of stories,” currently being presented at the Geffen Playhouse, takes a look at women, their clothes, and what it all means.  Using humor and wit, the play, based on the book by Ilene Beckerman, and embellished by sisters Nora and Delia Ephron, brings together a cast of five engaging women, each with a story or stories to tell.  Clothes maybe just fabric on our backs–but they tell about who we are, what stage of life we’re in, and can either give us self-confidence or take it away.

From our purses, in which you can find a tissue, but you don’t know whether it’s been used or not, to our dressing room experiences where clothes almost never fit right, "Love, Loss, and What I Wore" is staged and presented to the audience with five storytellers, all dressed in black and wearing “painful” high heels.

Carol Kane, whose character, Gingy, the narrator of the play, starts the evening off by telling her life story through “outfits” worn at pivotal moments.  From her first two store-bought dresses her father purchased after her mother’s passing at the age of 12, to her flowered maternity smock worn during each of her pregnancies, Kane’s wit and charm shine through.

Caroline Aaron tells a tale of a married woman who finds true love with a criminal, thus leaving her current husband, and in 20 years, becomes a still, happily married State Senator. And even though her criminal husband is in prisions for the first seven years of this challenging marriage, she keeps the marriage alive via a pair of pants with a provocative hole in them.

Taking a witty look at breast cancer and reconstructive surgery, one of the stories Rita Wilson narrates tells a tale of a character, who before breast cancer was an A cup, but after her mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, becomes a C cup and how her new lace bra gifted from a friend helps her through the whole process.  Point being is that, Clothes can do that!

The perfect shirt story is brought to life by Tracee Ellis Ross. We come to learn seven new shirts couldn’t replace her perfect shirt and although men may come and go, a perfect shirt is irreplaceable. Ross also did a masterful performance as a Puerto Rican gang member who has a story to tell about a very cool sweater.

In one of the many stories of the night, Natasha Lyonne compares her two prom experiences, her junior prom wearing an uncomfortable powder blue with her nerdy date, who actually wears a matching tux, and her senior prom, where she wears a sexy black mini accompanied by a sexy, hot escort:

Here’s the thing — I’ve never really known for sure which of those two people I am — the girl who almost doesn’t get asked to the prom at all or the girl who gets to go with the really cute guy. Every time I thought I knew which one I was, I turned out to be the other. Which is one reason I think I got married, to, like, end the confusion.

Humor is often hard to pull off, but the Ephron sisters, the cast, and director, Jenny Sullivan, kept me laughing all night, and thinking back now, I’m still smiling, and I don’t think I’ll ever look at my purse in the same way again.

Now showing in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse

Rotating Cast Includes: Caroline Aaron, Carol Kane, Natasha Lyonne, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Rita Wilson

Performers for June 8 – July 4 dates to be announced!

With a title like Nightmare Alley, it conjures up the obvious–both a nightmare and an alley; the combined imagery abounds of danger and violence in thinly lit back streets of cities where no one finds their way out. 

In the case of the current musical at the Geffen Playhouse with the title “Nightmare Alley,” you’d be incorrect, kind of. “In the end, one character does find himself on a dead-end street, but for several others, life just keep getting better and better.  It’s all about the choices we make in life, which Nightmare Alley demonstrates. Starting with the opening scene, Madam Zeena transports you to a different time and place as she’s a foreboding character in the world of the ‘carnies.’”

But I’m way ahead of myself–the Geffen Playhouse on the outside is tranquil and indeed, a bit misleading of what is in the inside.

Once you enter the Geffen Playhouse through its intimate courtyard and beautiful tiled inlay fountain in its middle, inside is the lobby, of course; however the Geffen Playhouse’s auditorium is large enough to give sway to a large audience, but has the intimacy of smaller venues without a decrease in the experience. Having attended many a play at the Kennedy Center, I can confirm this viewpoint by firsthand experience.

Think Kennedy Center, less a few hundred thousand feet! Nonetheless, the Geffen Playhouse’s sound, amplification, acoustics, stage, and seats are all to die for–and I’d much prefer to see a play on a bit of a smaller set but with all the big-set trappings. The history of how the Geffen Playhouse came to be, and how it was transformed into such a modern and state-of-the-art facility can be read directly from the Geffen Playhouse website.

The Geffen Playhouse does not disappoint in its musical adaption and play of Nightmare Alley.

“Broadway veteran James Barbour (A Tale of Two Cities, Assassins, Urinetown) leads a colorful cast of characters in the world premiere musical Nightmare Alley which opened at the Geffen Playhouse on April 21^st, 2010. With music, books and lyrics by New York-based composer Jonathan Brielle and helmed by Geffen Playhouse Producing Director Gilbert Cates, Nightmare Alley is a dark musical set against the shadowy world of the traveling carnivals and tented churches that dominated the Dust Bowl era.”

“Based on the eponymous novel by William Lindsay Gresham (which was later turned into a film with Tyrone Power and Joan Blondell), Nightmare Alley plays upon fate, free-will and the consequences that await when you make the wrong choice. James Barbour stars as Stan, the con turned carnie and back again, who falls in love with Molly, the dark darling of the traveling carnival (the role of Molly is yet to be cast and will be announced shortly).”

“But there are many other side shows to this story: Zeena and Pete, the vaudeville stars now relegated to side show cons – played by Mary Gordon Murray (Broadway’s Footloose, Into the Woods, Coastal Disturbances) and LA theater favorite Larry Cedar (The Colony’s Celadine, Reprise’s She Loves Me [Ovation Award Winner], HBO’s Deadwood), respectively. The gruffly compassionate carnival boss Clem, played by musical theater maven Michael McCarty (Broadway’s To Be or Not to Be, Mary Poppins, Oklahoma); and, with fate and fortune at the center of this gritty tale, four uniquely charming tarot ladies – played by Melody Butiu, Leslie Stevens, Anise E. Ritchie and Alet Taylor – act as the musical’s chorus.”

And from Nightmare Alley’s composer Jonathan Brielle:

When I first read the novel, I was so struck by the question of how someone sinks so low as to become part of a carnival freak show that I felt the need to put this story to music. After working closely with the Gresham estate and in recent years collaborating with Gil, I feel like we are truly ready to raise the big top and watch these fantastic characters come to life in all their revelry and tragedy on the Geffen stage.

Sources: The Geffen Playhouse

Nightmare Alley plays on the Geffen Playhouse’s main stage from April 21^st to May 23^rd.  so it’s not a long running show. To purchase tickets as soon as possible you can do so online directly from the Geffen Playhouse.

As with most stories, there are highs and lows of how and why you feel the emotions projected toward you, the excitement and thrill of seeing reality through a different time and place, and the actors and orchestra climax into the passion play replete with its lighting, sound, and acting. In this, Nightmare Alley succeeds on all levels.

Without a doubt, the darkness which Nightmare Alley is able to act as a fulcrum and challenge our collective consciousness, paradoxically also helps us to create a lightness of being that we feel after watching such a gripping, and well thought out story that its Producer and Director intended.

Photos courtesy of the Geffen Playhouse