Best of 6 Weekend Picks: Tchaikovsky with fireworks and USC Marching Band at the Bowl
Keep calm and stay cultured with our picks, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s annual “Tchaikovsky Spectacular,” the last performances of “Ragtime: The Musical” at Chance Theater in Anaheim and the return of the Long Beach Jazz Festival. Kronos Quartet plays a free outdoor concert, Buddy Holly is remembered at the Laguna Playhouse and the Natsumatsuri Family Festival is in Little Tokyo.
Much bang for your buck
Guest conductor Bramwell Tovey returns to lead the L.A. Phil in the Hollywood Bowl’s annual “Tchaikovsky Spectacular With Fireworks.” The program includes selections from the great Russian composer’s beloved ballet “Swan Lake,” the opera “Eugene Onegin” — and, of course, the triumphant “1812” Overture featuring the USC Trojan Marching Band. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday. $14-$209. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com
It’s curtains for ‘Ragtime’
It’s your last weekend to catch Chance Theater’s staging of “Ragtime: The Musical.” Characters from different walks of life rub elbows with the famous and the infamous in early 20th century New York City in this adaptation of E.L. Doctorow’s sprawling novel. An L.A. Times Critics’ Choice. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. $25-$49; discounts available. (888) 455-4212. ChanceTheater.com
Breezin’ in the LBC
Jazz lovers, prepare to chill out at the 32nd annual Long Beach Jazz Festival. The lineup for this year’s outdoor celebration includes singer-songwriters Eric Benét and Angie Stone, conguero Poncho Sanchez, pianist-singer Patrice Rushen, trumpeters Arturo Sandoval and Terence Blanchard and the Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman. Rainbow Lagoon Park, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. 6-10 p.m. Friday, 1-10 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. $60-$233.34. longbeachjazzfestival.com
Some strings attached
The Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series continues with the venerable San Francisco-based contemporary-classical ensemble Kronos Quartet. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way. 7 p.m. Thursday. Free. Reservations at eventbrite.com.
Fun for the whole family
Bring the kids to Little Tokyo for the annual Natsumatsuri Family Festival. There will be hands-on arts and crafts such as hat-making and origami, a scavenger hunt, storytelling, face painting and a photo booth, plus traditional treats to sample. Performers include taiko drum group Kishin Daiko, gayageum player Joyce Kwon and dance-theater company Voices Carry. Japanese American National Museum, 100 N. Central Ave., downtown L.A. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Free. janm.org
This’ll be the day
Laguna Playhouse launches its “Sounds of Summer” series with “The Rave-Ons — The Music of Buddy Holly.” Todd Meredith and band salute the bespectacled rock ’n’ roll pioneer in this tribute show. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. $50-$75. (949) 497-2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
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