Arts Briefs: Country music at the L.A. Zoo during ‘Roaring Nights’
Humans and other beasts will get an earful of country music at the Los Angeles Zoo July 29 during a special edition of the ongoing “Roaring Nights” music series. Performances by Highway Starr, Rocky Neck Bluegrass Band and Grant Langston and the Supermodels, will be accompanied by line-dancing lessons, games, animal feedings and more.
The music performed by Highway Star will be a mix of old and new songs, including cover versions of modern country hits by the likes of Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban and Eric Church. The gathering is for music and zoo fans age 18 and above, with a full-service bar and various food trucks. Zookeeper talks onsite will introduce visitors to the zoo’s permanent residents.
Other upcoming “Roaring Nights” feature indie rock on Aug. 26, and tributes to David Bowie and Prince on Sept. 16. Tickets are $25 ($22 for GLAZA members). The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is at 5333 Zoo Drive, in Griffith Park. More information at (323) 644-6001 and www.lazoo.org/roaringnights.
Millions in Arts
The California Arts Council is awarding $8,726,168 in grants to California nonprofit organizations in support of arts for education, economic development, communities, veterans and more. The competitive grant programs are administered through an open call for applications. The end result was 712 grants.
The grants follow a significant one-time state arts funding increase for 2016-17, and the project continues with more grant opportunities. The public, arts groups, community leaders and others can find more information on grants by subscribing to the California Arts Council’s weekly e-newsletter at arts.ca.gov/news/artbeat.php.
Musical American
The Pasadena Playhouse continues its long tradition of rich musical productions with “Hershey Felder As Irving Berlin,” opening July 21 at the historic theater. The show will tell the story of the American composer’s life through his classic songs, songs from “God Bless America” and “Always” to “White Christmas.”
Directing the show is Trevor Hay, a previous collaborator with Felder on “An American Story,” “Abe Lincoln’s Piano,” “Hershey Felder as Franz Liszt” and “The Pianist of Willesden Lane.” Most recently, “Hershey Felder As Irving Berlin” has already been a hit at New York’s Town Hall. The Pasadena show will play through Aug. 7.
The Pasadena Playhouse is at 39 S. El Molino Ave. More information at (626) 356-7529 and www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.
Colors of ‘Passion’
Paintings by Bonnie Lambert will be celebrated in “Twilight Passion,” an exhibition at the Creative Arts Center Gallery in Burbank through July 28. The expressionist works depict various neighborhoods and cityscapes in Southern California, and have previously been shown locally at the Pasadena Museum of California History and Forest Lawn Museum.
The Creative Arts Center Gallery is at 1100 W. Clark Ave., in Burbank. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information at (818) 238-5397.
Inventing ‘Tennessee’
The Impro theatre company creates full-length, completely improvised plays around various themes. In the past, the company has tackled the likes of Shakespeare, Chekhov and Jane Austen to hilarious results. The group’s current production is “Tennessee Williams Unscripted,” now playing through July 31at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank.
Directed by Brian Lohmann, “Tennessee Williams Unscripted,” the group will dive into the Southern culture and particular qualities of the great playwright Tennessee Williams, author of “Cat On a Hot Tin Roof” and “The Menagerie,” among other Broadway classics.
The Falcon Theatre is at 4252 Riverside Drive, in Burbank. More information at (818) 955-8004 and falcontheatre.com.