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Musical America routinely updates the list of scholarships and grants in an effort to keep current and ensure opportunities for musicians. If you know of a scholarship or grant not mentioned in our lists, please send us a message.
INDUSTRY EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
Trade shows, seminars, events and conferences about the business of the performing arts
July 16-29, 2023 Arlington, VA Piano Technicians Guild Convention
July 31 - August 3, 2023 Pittsburgh, PA International Association of Venue Managers Conference
August 16-18, 2023 Riverside, CA Association of California Symphony Orchestras Conference
August 20-23, 2023 Tokyo, Japan InterNoise Conference 2023
August 23-25, 2023 Huddersfield, United Kingdom Audio Engineering Society International Conference (Spacial & Immersive Audio)
September 5-8, 2023 Seattle, WA Western Arts Alliance Conference
September 6-8, 2023 Hasselt, Belgium Audio Engineering Society International Conference (Audio Education)
September 18-21, 2023 Quito, Ecuador Audio Engineering Society Latin American Conference
October 12-14, 2023 Charleston, SC National Association for Campus Activities Convention
October 16-19, 2023 Beaverton, OR Arts Northwest Annual Conference
October 19-21, 2023 Little Rock, AR National Association for Campus Activities Convention
October 19-22, 2023 Ottowa, ON Society for Ethnomusicology Conference
October 25-26, 2023 New York, NY National Association of Broadcasters Show
October 25-27, 2023 New York, NY Audio Engineering Society 155th Convention
October 26-28, 2023 Miami, FL College Music Society National Conference
October 26-28, 2023 Syracuse, NY National Association for Campus Activities Convention
November 3-5, 2023 Raleigh, NC National Council of Acoustical Consultants Conference
November 4-8, 2023 Ottowa, ON Canadian Arts Presenting Association
November 9-12, 2023 Denver, CO American Musicological Society Annual Conference
November 9-12, 2023 Denver, CO Society for Music Theory Annual Meeting
November 16-18, 2023 Riverside, CA National Association for Campus Activities Convention
November 17-21, 2023 Scottsdale, AZ National Association of Schools of Music Annual Meeting
December 4-8, 2023 Sydney, Australia Acoustical Society of America 185th Meeting
January 3-6, 2024 Phoenix, AZ National Opera Association Annual Convention
January 4-6, 2024 New York, NY International Conductors Guild
January 9-11, 2024 New York, NY International Society for the Performing Arts
January 12-16, 2024 New York, NY Arts Presenters Conference
January 18-21, 2024 New York, NY Chamber Music America
January 24-27, 2024 Spokane, WA American Choral Directors Association Northwestern Region Conference
January 25-28, 2024 Anaheim, CA National Association of Music Merchants Show
January 29 - February 1, 2024 Las Vegas, NV International Ticketing Association Annual Conference
February 7-10, 2024 Omaha, NE American Choral Directors Association Midwestern Region Conference
February 21-24, 2024 Louisville, KY American Choral Directors Association Southern Region Conference
February 27 - March 2, 2024 Denver, CO American Choral Directors Association Southwestern Region Conference
February 28 - March 2, 2024 Providence, RI American Choral Directors Association Eastern Region Conference
February 28 - March 2, 2024 Cincinnati, OH Music Library Association Annual Meeting
March 6-9, 2024 Pasadena, CA American Choral Directors Association Western Region Conference
March 6-10, 2024 Washington, DC American Bandmasters Association Annual Convention
March 16-20, 2024 Atlanta, GA Music Teachers National Association National Conference
March 20-23, 2024 Louisville, KY Suzuki Association of the Americas Conference
March 20-23, 2024 Louisville, KY American String Teachers Association National Conference
March 20-23, 2024 Seattle, WA US Institute for Theatre Technology Annual Conference
April 4-6, 2024 Des Moines, IA National Association for Campus Activities National Convention
April 13-17, 2024 Las Vegas, NV National Association of Broadcasters Show
April 30 - May 3, 2024 Perth, Australia International Society for the Performing Arts
May 13-17, 2024 Ottowa, ON Acoustical Society of America 186th Meeting
June 3-8, 2024 Los Angeles, CA Opera America
June 6-8, 2024 Atlanta, GA Chorus America Conference
June 16-19, 2024 Orlando, FL American Harp Society Conference
June 17-22, 2024 Fullerton, CA Guitar Foundation of America Convention
June 20-22, 2024 Chicago, IL Theatre Communications Group National Conference
June 28 - July 2, 2024 Knoxville, TN National Association of Teachers of Singing Conference
June 30 - July 4, 2024 San Francisco, CA American Guild of Organists
July 21-25, 2024 Flagstaff, AZ International Double Reed Society Annual Conference
July 31 - August 4, 2024 Dublin, Ireland ClarinetFest Conference 2024
August 1-4, 2024 San Antonio, TX National Flute Association Conference
October 17-26, 2024 Virtual Society for Ethnomusicology Conference
November 7-9, 2024 Washington, DC College Music Society National Conference
November 7-10, 2024 Jacksonville, FL Society for Music Theory Annual Meeting
November 11-16, 2024 Montréal, QC CINARS (International Exchange for the Performing Arts) 
November 14-17, 2024 Chicago, IL American Musicological Society Annual Conference
November 22-26, 2024 Chicago, IL National Association of Schools of Music Annual Meeting
February 26 - March 2, 2025 Chattanooga, TN American Bandmasters Association Annual Convention
March 5-8, 2025 Columbus, OH US Institute for Theatre Technology Annual Conference
March 15-19, 2025 Minneapolis, MN Music Teachers National Association National Conference
May 19-23, 2025 New Orleans, LA Acoustical Society of America 188th Meeting
June 17-20, 2025 Chicago, IL Dance/USA Annual Conference
August 7-10, 2025 Atlanta, GA National Flute Association Conference
October 23-26, 2025 Atlanta, GA Society for Ethnomusicology Conference
October 30 - November 1, 2025 Spokane, WA College Music Society National Conference
November 4-9, 2025 Minneapolis, MN American Musicological Society Annual Conference
November 6-9, 2025 Minneapolis, MN Society for Music Theory Annual Meeting
March 18-21, 2026 Long Beach, CA US Institute for Theatre Technology Annual Conference

Ask Edna
Edna Landau’s blog
Edna LandauEdna Landau—doyenne of the music business, long-time managing director of IMG Artists and director of career development at the Colburn Conservatory of Music in Los Angeles—writes Ask Edna exclusively for MusicalAmerica.com to provide invaluable advice to music students and young professional artists. Read more about Edna’s impact on the performing arts.

Send your questions to Edna Landau at AskEdna@MusicalAmerica.com and she’ll answer through Ask Edna. Click the links below to read Edna’s recent columns on the critical aspects of launching and managing and professional music career.

Arts Administration

Career Etiquette

Communicating with Your Audience

Finding a Manager

For Chamber Music Ensembles

Listening to Your Inner Voice

Managing Your Own Career

Publicity and Promotion

The Orchestral World

When It Comes to Recording

During Edna’s 23 years as managing director of IMG Artists, she personally looked after the career of violinist, Itzhak Perlman and launched the careers of musicians such as pianists Evgeny Kissin and Lang Lang, violinist Hilary Hahn, and conductors Franz Welser-Mõst and Alan Gilbert.

Edna believes young musicians can grow their own careers, with “hard work, blind faith, passion for the cause, incessant networking and a vision that refuse[s] to be tarnished by naysayers.”

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All material found in the Press Releases section is provided by parties entirely independent of Musical America, which is not responsible for content.

Press Releases

Sierra Madre Playhouse Announces a Diverse Slate of Programs for Fall 2024

April 23, 2024 | By Libby Huebner
Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse (SMP), a dynamic and intimate Southern California cultural hub, announces a broad and compelling slate of programs for fall 2024. Among numerous highlights revealed by Artistic & Executive Director Matthew Cook, the performing arts center presents the world premiere of a new theatrical production with deep local Latinx roots and adds a dance series to its varied offerings for the first time. It also launches two new significant artistic partnerships, one with Retroformat Films, an organization renowned for its dedication to the preservation and celebration of silent cinema, the other with the celebrated contemporary music ensemble Wild Up, which intends make the venue its new East Los Angeles home beginning next fall. In all, the Playhouse presents nearly two dozen theater, music, film, cinema, jazz, and family-friendly programs between August and December 2024. The Playhouse, a local landmark, continues its year-long centennial celebration since opening as a silent movie theater in 1924.

“This is an exciting time of growth for Sierra Madre Playhouse as we forge new cultural paths through innovative and meaningful artistic collaborations, premiere new work, and showcase an expanding range of art forms,” says Cook. “We also continue to champion rising and established artists whose world-class work inspires, delights, challenges, and moves audiences of all ages.”

Building upon its reputation for presenting thought provoking theatrical works, this season Sierra Madre Playhouse produces the world premiere production of the musical ¡Pasaje!, a riveting coming-of-age story. The book is by J. Quiroz, a first-generation Salvadoran American raised in the San Gabriel Valley, with music by multi-GRAMMY-winner Asdru Sierra, co-founder of Ozomatli, the genre-blurring rock band formed in LA. The two-act tour-de-force, directed by Montebello-native Benjamin Perez, explores through the eyes of 18-year-old Andy themes of identity, belonging, and the essence of community.

The 2024-25 season also marks the launch of Dance @ The Playhouse, the first time a dance series has been offered by Sierra Madre Playhouse. The inaugural presentation features Viver Brasil, celebrated for telling stories through bold and engaging contemporary work rooted in the rich history of Afro-Brazilian dance, movement, music, and culture. The Los Angeles based dance ensemble, founded in 1997, is under the artistic direction of Linda Yudin and Luiz Badaró.

A new partnership with Retroformat Films, a leader in the silent film presentation and preservation arena, cements Sierra Madre Playhouse’s commitment to honoring its century-old silent movie house roots. The organizations co-present three major silent film programs this fall, each featuring cinematic gems from 1917 - 1927. Among the offerings are the iconic silent film comedies The Butcher Boy, starring Buster Keaton and Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle, and Charlie Chaplin’s The Floorwalker; Chicago, providing a fascinating glimpse into the Roaring Twenties; and Charlie Chaplin’s The Immigrant, a poignant exploration of the hopes and hardships of the immigrant experience in America. Each program, curated by Retroformat Films, harkens back to the golden age of cinema, celebrating the art of silent film, complemented by the emotive power of live piano accompaniment, just as it did when the doors of the Sierra Madre Playhouse first opened on February 2, 1924. The Playhouse also recently added new state-of-the-art projection equipment to better enhance cinematic artistry.

Sierra Madre Playhouse, in another noteworthy partnership, becomes the new long-term Los Angeles-area home for Wild Up, one of the country’s leading contemporary music groups. Co-founded by Christopher Rountree and hailed for playing “with astounding musical unanimity, as if they were one giant instrument with one beating heart” (San Francisco Classical Voice), Wild Up presents two concerts with cutting-edge works by LA-based composers during its inaugural season on the Music @ The Playhouse series.

Music @ The Playhouse features seven other distinctive programs, filling the venue with extraordinary music from around globe. Vicki Ray, one of the country’s foremost pianists, and soprano Elissa Johnston explore liminal states of consciousness through music contemporary composers ranging from John Cage to Rachel Beetz. Lauded Hindustani vocalist and composer Gaayatri Kaundinya, accompanied by tabla virtuoso Neelamjit Dhillon, presents a captivating selection of India’s distinctive Maihar gharana vocal compositions, while experimental pop artist Jett Kwong, inspired by her Chinese and American heritage, combines her virtuosic skills on the Chinese guzheng with striking vocals and electronics, creating dreamy soundscapes. TAIKOPROJECT, which recently drew a sold-out crowd to Sierra Madre Playhouse, returns with special guest Gamelan Merdu Kumala, a celebrated Southern California-based gamelan ensemble, to present a fascinating cross-cultural program fusing the rhythmic power of Japanese Taiko drumming with the unique timber of traditional Indonesian gongs, drums, kettles, bamboo flutes, and metallophones. Blurring cultural lines as well, The Raga Trio, featuring premier Indian classical violinist Indradeep Ghosh, American cellist Chris Votek, and tabla virtuoso Neelamjit Dhillon, merges richly nuanced string traditions from the East and West. Also returning to the Playhouse are Tesserae Baroque Ensemble, which offers an all-Baroque program, and singer/actress Kim Eberhardt, who this season presents Holly Dolly Christmas, a special holiday edition of her acclaimed show Love, Dolly, a heartfelt musical tribute to country legend Dolly Parton that showcases such muti-platinum Yuletide hits from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer as "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!"

Providing additional musical élan are six eclectic Jazz @ The Playhouse concerts with a range of eminent world-class artists, among them pianist and prolific five-time GRAMMY-winning composer Billy Childs, who seamlessly spans jazz and classical genres; Cuban percussion legend Luis Conte and his Super Bien Septet renowned for their sizzling Latin jazz; and drummer Clayton Cameron’s Rhythmos Quintet, pairing sophisticated jazz standards with original compositions. Sierra Madre Playhouse also presents funk/soul/jazz guitarist Greg Porée, who curates the popular jazz series and launched his career as the musical director for Sonny & Cher; the Dave Tull Trio, featuring drummer/vocalist Dave Tull, who has toured and recorded with Barbra Streisand; and pianist/composer Yuko Mabuchi, delivering jazz classics and traditional Japanese music through a jazz lens.

Family @ The Playhouse is anchored by the Sierra Madre Playhouse debut of Bob Baker’s Nutcracker, Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s delightful and spellbinding original 1969 marionette adaptation of the beloved ballet classic featuring more than 100 handcrafted puppets. With 50 performances slated, included morning, matinee and evening shows, this perennial holiday favorite sparks wonder and joy in people of all ages.

ADDRESS/TICKETS/INFORMATION:
Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024. For tickets and information, visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.

 

SIERRA MADRE PLAYHOUSE FALL 2024 PROGRAM DETAILS (listed by category)

DRAMA @ THE PLAYHOUSE

Drama @ The Playhouse: ¡Pasaje! (World Premiere)

OCTOBER 4 – NOVEMBER 3, 2024

Sierra Madre Playhouse presents the world premiere production of the captivating musical ¡Pasaje!, a riveting coming-of-age journey embracing self-discovery and family bonds. The two-act tour-de-force explores through the eyes of 18-year-old Andy themes of identity, belonging, and the essence of community. As he ventures from Flagstaff to South El Monte in search of his father, Andy unravels family secrets, forges deep connections, and discovers his Latinx heritage, culminating in a celebration of cultural legacy and the power of unity. Written by J. Quiroz, a first-generation Salvadoran American raised in the San Gabriel Valley, and featuring music from multi-GRAMMY-winner Asdru Sierra, co-founder of the famed multicultural band Ozomatli, the production is directed by Montebello-native Benjamin Perez. The world premiere of this musical – born out of and of the community – began its grass-roots evolution in 2008 as a South El Monte High School English project and has, along the way, been championed by Lin Manuel Miranda, among others. Quiroz distills the essence of the play, “This script taught me the meaning of culture and how that culture will be passed on to future generations, but the experience of family has to be appreciated now.”

TICKETS: $12-45

 

FILM @ THE PLAYHOUSE

Film @ The Playhouse: Silent Comedy All-Stars

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2024, 7 PM
Step into a world where the flicker of the silver screen brings stories to life without a single spoken word when Sierra Madre Playhouse, in partnership with Retroformat Films, presents a pair of iconic silent film comedies featuring some of the era’s comedy giants. The double bill features the laugh-out-loud antics of Buster Keaton and Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle in The Butcher Boy (1917) and Charlie Chaplin in The Floorwalker (1917). This unique evening harkens back to the golden age of cinema, celebrating the art of silent film, complemented by the emotive power of live piano accompaniment, just as it did when the doors of the Sierra Madre Playhouse first opened on February 2, 1924. It's a journey through time, an exploration of the roots of cinematic storytelling, and a celebration of the art that continues to shape our imaginations today.

For nearly a century, the Sierra Madre Playhouse has been a beacon of storytelling and entertainment. This collaboration with Retroformat Films pays homage to the venue’s origins as a silent film theater, offering a rare opportunity to experience film as early audiences did, immersed in the drama and comedy of the silent era. This partnership is not merely a nod to nostalgia but a declaration that the art of silent film is timeless, capable of captivating hearts and sparking imaginations across generations.

Retroformat Films, renowned for its dedication to the preservation and celebration of silent cinema, asserts that these films are not relics of the past but vibrant, compelling stories that stand the test of time. With a history that laid the groundwork for modern filmmaking, silent films offer a unique window into the dawn of cinematic artistry. Retroformat's mission is to ignite a passion for this formative era of film in audiences everywhere, ensuring that the legacy of silent cinema continues to enchant and enlighten.

This event is more than a screening; it's an experience, a tribute, and an educational journey all in one. Together, Sierra Madre Playhouse and Retroformat Films are keeping the magic of silent film alive for new generations to discover and cherish.

TICKETS: $20


Film @ The Playhouse: Chicago (1927)

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024, 7 PM,

For the second collaboration between Sierra Madre Playhouse and Retroformat Films, they co-present the captivating 1927 silent film Chicago. This early cinematic gem, known for its sharp wit and engaging narrative, delves into themes of celebrity, scandal, and the American justice system through the tale of Roxie Hart, a woman who manipulates the media and public opinion to escape a murder charge. Providing a fascinating glimpse into the Roaring Twenties, it is a must-watch for fans of classic cinema and historical narratives. This unique evening harkens back to the golden age of cinema, celebrating the art of silent film, complemented by the emotive power of live piano accompaniment, just like it did when the doors of the Sierra Madre Playhouse first opened on February 2, 1924.

TICKETS: $20

 

Film @ The Playhouse: "The Immigrant” (1917) and a selection of short comedies

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2024, 7 PM
Marking their third and final collaboration this fall, Sierra Madre Playhouse and Retroformat Films co-present The Immigrant, the poignant 1917 silent film directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin that gracefully explores the hopes and hardships of the immigrant experience in America. Through Chaplin's iconic blend of humor and heart, the film tells the story of a newcomer's journey to find a better life, capturing the universal themes of struggle, compassion, and the pursuit of happiness. This timeless classic not only showcases Chaplin's genius but also offers a tender reflection on the human condition, making it an essential piece of cinematic history. Also featured on the program are a selection of short silent film comedies. This unique evening harkens back to the golden age of cinema, celebrating the art of silent film, complemented by the emotive power of live piano accompaniment, just as it did when the doors of the Sierra Madre Playhouse first opened on February 2, 1924.

TICKETS: $20

 

DANCE @ THE PLAYHOUSE

Dance @ The Playhouse: Viver Brasil Dance Company

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024, 11 AM

Sierra Madre Playhouse proudly expands its slate of live performances with the introduction of Dance @ The Playhouse. Its inaugural dance presentation features Viver Brasil, celebrated for telling stories through bold and engaging contemporary work rooted in the rich history of Afro-Brazilian dance, movement, music, and culture. A “world class” company (KCRW), Viver Brasil showcases dancers with live musical accompaniment to unveil history, ignite the present, and imagine the future. The Los Angeles based dance ensemble, founded in 1997 under the artistic direction of Linda Yudin and Luiz Badaró, engages audiences of all-ages with its dazzling performances.

TICKETS: $12


MUSIC @ THE PLAYHOUSE

Music @ The Playhouse: Vicki Ray "Nacht und Träume"
Pianist Vicki Ray presents “Nacht und Träume,” a program that explores liminal states of consciousness through the music of John Cage, Franz Schubert, Frederic Rzewski, and Alban Berg alongside new works by Rachel Beetz, Andrew McIntosh, Noah Meites, and Bill Alves. Using different keyboards, Ray – with guest soprano Elissa Johnston – will probe the territories of night and dreams using prepared piano, synthesizer (with video), and an acoustic instrument.
TICKETS: $12-35

Music @ The Playhouse: Gaayatri Kaundinya

SATURDAY, AUGUST 31, 2024, 2 PM

Gaayatri Kaundinya, a renowned composer and Hindustani vocalist from Maihar, India, presents a selection of songs once performed by esteemed instrumentalists Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan. This remarkable showcase includes Maihar Gharana compositions that have helped increase the popularity of Hindustani classical music in the west. Kaundinya, who is based in Santa Monica and has contributed original Indian-influenced music scores for film, television, and digital media, is accompanied by tabla virtuoso Neelamjit Dhillon.

TICKETS: $12-35

Music @ The Playhouse: Wild Up

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2024, 7:30PM

Contemporary music ensemble Wild Up, which has premiered hundreds of new works since its inception and engaged audiences across the country with its fresh take on classical music, presents the first of two programs at Sierra Madre Playhouse this fall celebrating new works by Los Angeles-based composers. Led by founder/artistic director Christopher Rountree, Wild Up is “a raucous, grungy, irresistibly exuberant … fun-loving, exceptionally virtuosic family” (The New York Times). This marks the ensemble’s first performance at Sierra Madre Playhouse, which, beginning this season, becomes Wild Up’s new long-term East Los Angeles-based home.

TICKETS: $12-35

Music @ The Playhouse: Jett Kwong

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2024, 7:30PM

Jett Kwong is an “experimental pop artist” (303 Magazine) whose music combines her virtuosic skills on the Chinese guzheng with striking vocal melodies and electronics, transporting listeners into dreamy soundscapes deemed a "balm to the spirit" (NPR). Her poetic melding of languages and cultures, largely inspired by her mixed Chinese and American heritage, is bolstered by a keen alt-pop sensibility. The recipient of the 2019 Kollaboration Award, bestowed on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in entertainment and media, Kwongcreates music that touches on themes that are both deeply personal and intrinsically universal” (303 Magazine). Her distinctive music has also been featured on various film and television projects.
TICKETS: $12-35

Music @ The Playhouse: TAIKOPROJECT Gamelan Merdu Kumala

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 4 PM and 7:30 PM
Los Angeles-based TAIKOPROJECT, the first American taiko group to win the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest, partners with Gamelan Merdu Kumala, a Southern California-based gamelan ensemble, for two back-to-back performances at Sierra Madre Playhouse. Blending cultural elements from Japan and Indonesia, the collaboration creates a musical bridge between these two rich traditions. TAIKOPROJECT, which captivates with its modern American twist on the exhilarating ancient Japanese art of taiko drumming, is celebrated for its electrifying energy, thunderous beats, and heart-pounding rhythms. The trailblazing group has been featured at the Academy Awards, the Grammy Awards, on numerous TV shows, and with pop stars Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, and Alicia Keys. Gamelan is the term for a traditional Indonesian ensemble featuring such percussion instruments as gongs, drums, kettles, bamboo flutes, and metallophones. As a musical ensemble, Gamelan Merdu Kumala remains respectful of the Balinese tradition of music making while also moving the artform forward, infusing its performances with rocket-fast melodies, instantaneous tempo changes, and delightful yet elegant performances.

TICKETS: $12-45

Music @ The Playhouse: Wild Up

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024, 4PM

Contemporary music ensemble Wild Up, which has premiered hundreds of new works since its inception and engaged audiences around the country with its fresh take on classical music, presents the second of two programs this fall celebrating new works by Los Angeles-based composers.

TICKETS: $12-35

Music @ The Playhouse: Raga Trio with Indradeep Ghosh

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2024, 2PM

The Raga Trio merges string traditions from the East and West, exploring the richly nuanced classical music style called Maihar Gharana that originated in North Indian and has become one of the most prominent Gharanas (schools) of the 20th century. The trio of trailblazing artists features premier Indian classical violinist Indradeep Ghosh, hailed as the “Prince of Violin, cellist Chris Votek, and tabla virtuoso Neelamjit Dhillon. These master performers share a remarkable vision and passion for intercultural music making that stems from a deep understanding of tradition and how it can be expanded, creating excitement and counterpoint not often heard in the Hindustani tradition. They create a fascinating confluence of traditions.

TICKETS: $12-35

Music @ The Playhouse: Tesserae

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2024, 7:30PM
Tesserae Baroque Ensemble takes a step back in time, presenting the rich textures of Baroque music through the harmonious blend of voice, harpsichord, and string instruments. Complimentary champagne enhances this exquisite musical journey.

TICKETS: $35-45

Music @ The Playhouse: Holly Dolly Christmas - A Tribute to Dolly Parton

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2024 (various times)

Singer/actress Kim Eberhardt returns to Sierra Madre Playhouse with Holly Dolly Christmas, a special holiday edition of her acclaimed show Love, Dolly, a heartfelt musical tribute to country legend Dolly Parton that drew sold-out crowds and adoring fans to the Playhouse last year. This Yuletide version showcases the muti-platinum hits from the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer that have become beloved holiday classics, such as "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree,” "Jingle Bell Rock," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," and "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!" Eberhardt, who also shares inspiring stories about Dolly’s life and career, says, “It’s my love letter to Dolly.” Only six performances December 13-22.

TICKETS: $12-45

 

JAZZ @ THE PLAYHOUSE

Jazz @ The Playhouse: Clayton Cameron’s Rhythmos Quintet

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2024, 7:30 PM

Drummer Clayton Cameron, known as the “Brush Master” and hailed for playing “with circus performer-like dexterity and fluidity” (Billboard), brings his Rhythmos Quintet to Sierra Madre Playhouse. Rhythmos, Greek for rhythm, is driven by the Master’s sophisticated jazz and contemporary drum stylings, coupled with original compositions, and a unique treatment of jazz standards. Cameron’s playing is grounded in his five decades of performing with such legendary artists as Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Frank Sinatra, Kenny Burrell, and John Mayor. Bebop drum legend Max Roach called Clayton a “genius.” In addition to Cameron on drums, his quintet features pianist Andy Langham, bassist, Edwin Livingston, guitarist Larry Koonse, and saxophonist Jacob Scesney.

TICKETS: $12-35

Jazz @ The Playhouse: Greg Porée

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2024, 7:30 PM

Jazz @ The Playhouse features the return of jazz/funk/soul guitarist Greg Porée, whose soul-stirring melodies, influenced by a diverse range of music, from Bach to The Beatles, reflect the rich tapestry of his remarkable musical experiences. The virtuoso talent, who also serves as the lead curator of Jazz @ The Playhouse, showcases his boundless creativity on classical guitar, violin, accordion, vibraphone, and more. His career arc includes serving as musical director for Sonny & Cher, playing on landmark albums for Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Ozomatli, and working with legendary artists Gladys Knight & the Pips, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Diana Ross. Porée also hosts the "SonicTonic" podcast for the California Jazz Foundation, spotlighting local jazz artists and supporting the jazz community.
TICKETS: $12-35

Jazz @ The Playhouse: Dave Tull Trio

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 2024, 7:30 PM

Dave Tull, a premiere songwriter also considered among the leading jazz singers and drummers on the scene today, brings his exceptional talent to Sierra Madre Playhouse. His songs have been called both laugh out loud funny and deeply soul searching, propelling his most recent album, Texting and Driving, to #5 on the Billboard Jazz Chart, and #3 on the Billboard Comedy Chart in the same week, and 23 weeks on the JazzWeek chart. In 2016, Tull became the drummer for Barbra Streisand and has played five tours with her, including at Madison Square Garden, and on Streisand’s GRAMMY-nominated live Netflix concert video, “Barbra – The Music…The Mem’ries…The Magic!” Tull previously toured from 2000-2010 as drummer and lead vocalist for Chuck Mangione, and is the drummer on Pixar’s popular series “Forky Asks A Question” and Disney’s “Monsters At Work.” The Dave Tull Trio also features Josh Nelson on piano and Luther Hughes on bass.
TICKETS: $12-35

Jazz @ The Playhouse: Yuko Mabuchi

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2024, 7:30 PM

Pianist/composer Yuko Mabuchi pays tribute to jazz classics while embracing a broad spectrum of musical styles. The Japanese native is also known to include original tunes that dip into swing, blues, funk, and even classical. Among other works she’s known for, Mabuchi has also arranged a captivating medley of Japanese songs in which, she says, “I try to capture the soul of the music of my homeland.” Joining Mabuchi at Sierra Madre Playhouse are bassist Del Atkins, drummer Peter Buck, and guitarist Troy Dexter.
TICKETS: $12-35

Jazz @ The Playhouse: Luis Conte and his Super Bien Septet

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2024, 7:30 PM

Cuban percussionist Luis Conte and his Super Bien Septet transform Sierra Madre Playhouse to a jazz club straight out of Havana. The Latin jazz legend, known for his work with James Taylor, Phil Collins, Jackson Browne, Pat Metheny, and Madonna, has recorded with such superstars as Michael Jackson and Barbara Streisand. He was member of the Dancing with the Stars Orchestra for nine years and received the Henry Mancini Award for his work with the Neighborhood Music School. Bringing the heat, along with Conte on percussion, are his equally renowned bandmates Alberto Salas, keyboards; Leider Chapotin, trumpet; David Urquidi, saxophone/flute; Eddie Resto, bass; Kevin Ricard, tumbadoras; and lead vocalist Nando Perez.

TICKETS: $12-35

Jazz @ The Playhouse: Billy Childs

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2024, 7:30 PM

Pianist and five-time GRAMMY-winning composer Billy Childs, a maestro who has reshaped the American musical landscape, fuses jazz and classical music in an unforgettable evening at Sierra Madre Playhouse. One of the foremost composers of his era, Childs is celebrated for his virtuosic compositions and spirited performances with artists ranging from Yo-Yo-Ma to Chick Corea.
TICKETS: $12-35

 

FAMILY @ THE PLAYHOUSE

Family @ The Playhouse: Bob Baker’s Nutcracker

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2024 – SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2025

(full schedule for all 50 shows below)

Bob Baker’s Nutcracker, Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s (BBMT) delightful and spellbinding 1969 marionette adaptation of the beloved ballet classic, makes its highly anticipated Sierra Madre Playhouse debut with 50 performances from November 30, 2024, through January 5, 2025. A perennial holiday favorite, the show features more than 100 handcrafted puppets, including Clara and Fred, the Nutcracker, the Rat King, and the Suger Plum Fairy, alongside a number of other Bob Baker playful creations. NBC4 proclaims it “a panache-filled fantasia full of marionette-y merriment.” Bob’s original Nutcracker show was performed with hand-and-rod puppets, but over the years, BBMT’s talented team of artisans and craftspeople transformed the adaptation of the ballet into a fanciful dreamscape with large-scale marionettes and intricate sets. Broadway World decrees, “They are experts on creating shows that will mystify and captivate the attentions of infants while still delighting grown-ups. The performances are crafted with the audience so intrinsically in mind that the entire hour seems to fly by in an instant. The institution stands as a reminder that, even children who have access to iPads are hushed with awe when a puppet is manipulated with strings and overwhelmed with delight when a puppet waves at them.”

TICKETS: $25

Saturday, Nov 30 (10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

Sunday, Dec 1 (1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

Saturday, Dec 7 (10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

Sunday, Dec 8 (1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

Saturday, Dec 14 (10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

Sunday, Dec 15 (1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

Monday, Dec 16 (4:30 PM, 7:00 PM)

Tuesday, Dec 17 (4:30 PM, 7:00 PM)

Wednesday, Dec 18 (4:30 PM, 7:00 PM)

Thursday, Dec 19 (4:30 PM, 7:00 PM)

Friday, Dec 20 (4:30 PM, 7:00 PM)

Saturday, Dec 21 (10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

Sunday, Dec 22 (1:30 PM)

Monday, Dec 23 (1:30 PM, 4:30 PM, 7:00 PM)

Friday, Dec 27 (4:30 PM, 7:00 PM)

Saturday, Dec 28 (10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

Sunday, Dec 29 (1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

Monday, Dec 30 (4:30 PM, 7:00 PM)

Thursday, Jan 2 (4:30 PM, 7:00 PM)

Friday, Jan 3 (4:30 PM, 7:00 PM)

Saturday, Jan 4 (10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

Sunday, Jan 5 (1:30 PM, 4:30 PM)

 

ADDRESS/TICKETS/INFORMATION

Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024. For tickets and information, visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.

About Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions and captivating live performances. Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), the performing arts center has garnered tremendous accolades for its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from the heart.” As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts center presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-friendly productions featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics' Choice honors. It is nestled into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Retaining its distinctive movie theater façade and instantly recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theatre to the artistic institution that now stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit of shared understanding.

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