Arts Briefs: Guitarist Pat Donohue to perform at the Coffee Gallery Backstage
For 20 years, guitarist Pat Donohue was heard by millions of listeners across the country as a member of the Guys All-Star Shoe Band on Minnesota Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” hosted by Garrison Keillor, who is retiring from hosting the show. Fans of the energetic finger-picking style of Donohue can catch up with the musician on Thursday, May 26, at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Altadena.
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Influenced by the folk and blues players who came before him, Donohue’s current tour is bringing him to small venues and halls across the country. In 2005, he won a Grammy for his role on “Pink Guitar,” an acoustic guitar tribute to the music of Henry Mancini. His original songs have been recorded by the likes of Chet Atkins, Suzy Bogguss and Kenny Rogers.
His new album is “Blue Yonder” (Blue Sky Records), which has Donohue accompanied once again by members of the Prairie All Stars.
The show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20. The Coffee Gallery Backstage is located at 2029 Lake Ave. in Altadena. More information at coffeegallery.com and (626) 798-6236.
Indian Affairs
Author and UCLA Professor Benjamin Madley will sign copies of his book, “An American Genocide: The United States and the California Indian Catastrophe,” at a talk on Saturday, May 21, at the Autry in Griffith Park.
The book explores the lesser-known plight of Native Americans in California, where the Indian population dropped from 150,000 to 30,000 between the years 1846 and 1873. Madley will discuss the motives behind the massacre, the resistance, and the involvement of state and federal officials.
The talk begins at 11 a.m. The lecture is free with museum admission. Reservations recommended. More information at (323) 667-2000 and theautry.org.
Dancing ‘Beauty’
A live afternoon performance of the ballet “The Sleeping Beauty,” with music by Tchaikovsky, is set for June 19 at the Lanterman Auditorium in La Cañada. The ballet will be performed by students of various age groups studying at Vonder Haar Studio. They will also be joined by child performers from the Vault in Pasadena.
Leading the adult performers is instructor Leigh Purtill. “The Sleeping Beauty” will be presented in an abbreviated 45-minute version. Following a short intermission, dancers from the Vault will demonstrate jazz, hip-hop, and acrobatic moves.
Lanterman Auditorium is at 4491 Cornishon Ave. in La Cañada. Tickets are $18. More information at (818) 472-6466.
Illuminated Lecture
Curator Dr. Elizabeth Morrison of the J. Paul Getty Museum will lead a talk on medieval Armenian manuscript illumination on May 26 at the Brand Library in Glendale. The program, “Curator in the Spotlight: Illuminating the Armenian Middle Ages,” begins at 7 p.m.
Morrison will discuss the ancient handmade relics and speak on the work of T’oros Roslin, an important Armenian artist of the Middle Ages. Morrison is Senior Curator of Manuscripts at the Getty, where she has been based since 1996. She has curated many exhibitions at the influential museum, and has served on the board of directors of the International Center of Medieval Art.
The lecture is in connection with “Armenia: An Open Wound” at the Brand, where it will remain through June 11. Admission is free. The Brand Library is at 1601 W. Mountain St. in Glendale. More information at (818) 548-2051, www.ArmenianAmericanMuseum.org and www.brandlibrary.org.
Marquee staff