The four evening event – which launches Saturday at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, with subsequent performances scheduled through Dec. 8 – is an exploration of the distinct musical culture of California.
The opening show, dubbed “Eureka!,” celebrates the moment of discovery and features four diverse California artists – minimalist composer Terry Riley, L.A. Phil ensemble-in-residence Kronos Quartet, electronic duo Matmos and Incubus guitarist/co-founder Michael Einziger.
On Dec. 4, hometown heroes The Airborne Toxic Event will make their debut on the Walt Disney Concert Hall stage to celebrate the distinct sound of East L.A. Joining the band for the evening are the Calder Quartet – the unique musical collaboration inspired by American visual artist Alexander Calder that continues to expand the boundaries of chamber music – and an array of special surprise guests.
Two of California’s favorite musical sons will share the stage Dec. 6 for “Songs of The Sun,” with legendary pop genius Brian Wilson performing a stripped down set and roots-rock icon Dave Alvin taking a tour through blues and modern Americana. Also on hand for the evening’s exploration of the sun-soaked musical influence of The Golden State is supergroup The Living Sisters (featuring native Angelinos Inara George, Becky Stark and Eleni Mandell) and up-and-coming singer/songwriter Harper Simon (son of Paul Simon).
The series comes to a grand close Dec. 8 with “A Night of the Beats,” a celebration of the poetry of the Beat Generation and the bebop of jazz featuring the Charles Lloyd New Quartet, Exene Cervenka, Michael McClure, David Meltzer, Alan Broadbent, Peter Erskine, Kurt Elling, Joshua Redman, Christian McBride and a selection of poet performers. The first half of the evening will examine beat generation poetry by Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs and Jack Kerouac and the second half will feature original poetry by McClure.
Tickets for all four shows, which are priced as low as $17 for select events, are available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office or online at LAPhil.com.
A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the box office two hours prior to each performance.