Nicole is back. One time only, so don’t miss it. Offering a younger but very well informed opinion on what great shows to see this week.
Nicole Recommends...
Book of Mountains and Seas — LA Opera presents Huang Ro’s modern day adaptation of Chinese myths from the 4th century BC, as seen through the eyes of our current relationship with the natural world. The performance features 12 singers, two percussionists, six puppet masters, and what looks to be a pretty amazing and poetic stage production... but don’t take my word for it, watch the trailer here. Fri, Sat, 8pm, Sun 2pm, The Ely and Edythe Broad Stage, Santa Monica, $59-169.
Gimme Shelter Screening — American Cinematheque writes: Called the greatest rock film ever made, this landmark documentary follows the Rolling Stones on their notorious 1969 US tour. When three hundred thousand members of the Love Generation collided with a few dozen Hells Angels at San Francisco’s Altamont Speedway, David and Albert Maysles and Charlotte Zwerin were there to immortalize the bloody clash that transformed a decade’s dreams into disillusionment. Sat 10pm, Egyptian Theatre, $15.
Library Girl — Although I don’t make it over to the west side as often as I’d like for these, I’ve been to a few Library Girls by now, and every one of them has been memorable. Hand to my heart, the program for January’s event I Was a Late Bloomer, A Tribute to Sharon Olds is still sitting on my bedside table, which serves as a nice reminder for the great time I had that night. This month: poetry, music and conversation with poet Matt Sedillo and singer-songwriter Dan Navarro, moderated by poet and publisher David A. Romero. Special guests TBA. Sun 7pm, Ruskin Group Theatre, Santa Monica Airport, $20 (includes free parking and dessert).
Coaxial Arts Foundation 9th Anniversary Fundraiser — It can be hard to find a consistently trustworthy space for experimental music in LA that hosts not only bigger acts but also countless new artists. Coaxial Arts Foundation has been a home for experimental music and performance art for nearly a decade now. I’ve been turned on to so many outrageous, creative and talented artists through Coaxial, the least I could do would be to promote their anniversary fundraiser show. Headlining will be LA-based Maral, blending Iranian folk, electronic sampling, dub influences (she’s collabored with Lee "Scratch" Perry) and more to create a sound difficult to describe in one sentence. Also headlining are LA-based experimental horror hip-hop group clipping, which one might similarly have to see/listen to fully understand, but I will say I have heard great things about their live performances. Get your freak on. Sun 8pm, Zebulon, LA. $32.
"Ryuichi Sakamoto | Opus" film — LA Premier. American Cinematheque writes: A celebration of an artist’s life in the purest sense, this film is the definitive swan song of one of the world’s greatest musicians. In late 2022, as a parting gift, Sakamoto mustered all of his energy to leave us with one final performance: a concert film featuring just him and his piano. Curated and sequenced by Sakamoto himself, the 20 pieces wordlessly narrate his life through his wide-ranging oeuvre. The selection spans his entire career, from his pop-star period with Yellow Magic Orchestra and his magnificent scores for filmmaker Bernardo Bertolucci to his meditative final album. Sun 5pm, Egyptian Theatre, $15.
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck film — Screening plus Q&A with filmmaker Brett Morgen. Last Friday marked 30 years since grunge god Kurt Cobain’s tragic death, and from what I’ve read of the reviews for this film, Montage of Heck seems to leave a lasting impression on the viewer as an incredibly intimate, sensitive and stimulating portrait of one of the most influential musicians in recent history. The film features never before seen home movies, animations, and interviews from his family and closest friends. What better way to remember this talented, complicated icon than with a film like this? Mon 7:30pm, Aero Theatre, Santa Monica, $15.
Coming Attractions (all Recommended By Nicole): She Past Away, The Vermont Hollywood, 4/30; John Doe, Exene Cervenka and Sunny War, The Belasco, 5/12; Acetone and North Americans, Garibaldina MB Society, 5/17; Swamp Dogg, Zebulon
Nicole Andrews has listened to a lot of music of all kinds, including thousands of live shows. She was raised in Santa Monica, lives in Highland Park and wouldn’t have it any other way. Really.
Highly Recommended
Saint-Saens, Organ Symphony, LA Phil — I know nothing about anything else that Camille Saint-Saëns wrote, but this, his last symphony, is so well known it is almost always referred to as the "Organ Symphony" rather than the 3rd Symphony. Everyone should experience this at least once in their life, and thundering forth from the mighty french fries pipes at Disney Hall will likely be something you tell your grandchildren about. Fri 8pm, Sat, Sun 2pm, Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA, $20-216.
La Traviata, LA Opera — This is one of the most enduring tragedies, a new production, with star soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen. What’s Violetta to do, when she wants to settle down but her following won’t let her, even for True Love. This is one of those operas everyone has heard of, for a reason. Sun 2pm, next Thurs 7:30pm, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, LA, $54-399.
Hot Club of Los Angeles — You can go to the Cinema Bar any Monday, 9pm–11:30pm, for more than a decade now, and hear these hot players run through Django Reinhart-style ‘30s jazz. This amazing ensemble is a treasure, just over the border from SM. Mon 9pm, Cinema Bar, Culver City, no cover.
Next Thurs: Mavis Staples 85th Birthday Celebration — She’s a legend, yes, of music and civil rights history, but she is also still a riveting, transcendent performer, and she will be performing this concert with a jaw-dropping roster of musicians, many legends in their own right. YouTube Theater, Inglewood, $29-2,719.
Recommended
Toledo Diamond — Unique, riveting, first class act. There’s nothing like it, it is high performance art and great decadent fun. Degeneracy is rarely so well disciplined. And the band is smokin’! Don’t. Miss. Toledo Diamond. Sun 9:30pm, Harvelle’s, Santa Monica, $12.
Coming Attractions (all Recommended): Toledo Diamond, Harvelle’s, 4/14, 21, 28; Hot Club of Los Angeles, Cinema Bar, 4/15, 22, 29; La Traviata, LA Opera, 4/14, 18, 21, 24, 27; Saint-Saens, Organ Symphony, LA Phil, Disney Hall, 4/12, 13, 14; Library Girl, Ruskin Theatre, 4/14; Mavis Staples 85th Bd, Youtube Theater, 4/18; Albert Lee, McCabe’s, 4/19; Herbie Hancock, Disney Hall, 4/20; Academy of St. Martin in The Fields, The Soraya, 4/21; Rhiannon Giddens, Theatre at Ace Hotel, 4/25; Jacky Terrasson Trio, Jazz Bakery, 5/5; Kraftwerk, Disney Hall, 5/21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30; John McEuen, McCabe’s, 5/24; Chris Stapleton, Hollywood Bowl, 6/26, 27; Rolling Stones, Sofi Stadium, 7/10, 13.
Charles Andrews has listened to a lot of music of all kinds, including more than 3,000 live shows. He has lived in Santa Monica for 38 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world. Really.
