Local ballet fund-raising for show at Alex Theatre
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Fund-raisers are in the works to produce the second ballet
production for Burbank’s Media City Ballet Company on May 18 at The
Alex Theatre in Glendale.
On the program will be the “Rach- maninov Sketches,” choreo-
graphed by Artistic Director Natasha Middleton and danced to
Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto #3, and the famous Armenian ballet,
“Gayane,” choreographed by Associate Director Ruben Tonoyan.
To raise money for the performance, the company is resuming the
Sunday Afternoon at the Ballet series. Also, a fashion show luncheon
is being introduced this year, Middleton said during a break from
classes.
“Modern and Contemporary Dance in America” is the title for the
first segment of the Sunday series scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at
the Media City Dance Centre, 237 E. Palm Ave., Burbank.
A special tribute will be given to the late Isadora Duncan, who
started the modern movement in dance during the early 1900s. There
will be a discussion on her life and the company will perform one of
her dances.
Also on the program are “The Conversation,” choreographed by
Middleton to music by Piazolla, and new works by new choreographers
with the company including “Bound,” by Jennifer Wilson, and “Grape,”
by Nancy Fichter and danced by company principals Ellen Rosa and
Jennifer Wilson.
Tickets are $15 and reservations, limited to 100, can be made by
calling 972-9692. Additional events are Rachmaninov Sketches workshop
March 30 and Peter and the Wolf on April 13. Peter and the Wolf also
has been selected for the company’s outreach program to tour schools
in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
A fashion-show luncheon with the theme “Romance in Dance” is
planned for April 6 at The Castaway in Burbank. Fashions will be from
Ann of Magnolia boutique in Burbank.
“Ann of Magnolia has very romantic fashions and they fit all
shapes, sizes and age groups,” Middleton said. “It’s going to be a
great event at The Castaway.”
Tickets are $50 and reservations can be made by calling the number
above.
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Romance and comedy take center stage this week at TasteBuds at
Ramseys, the restaurant tucked inside the Toluca Lake Tennis Club at
6711 Forest Lawn Drive in Toluca Lake.
Lisa Ann Orkin brings her rated-R comedy with songs “A Housewife
in Blue” to the restaurant at 8 tonight.
It’s about a teen disco queen who marries her high school
sweetheart, has children and experiences the Great American rite of
passage -- divorce.
Orkin disassembles a marriage bit by bit, song by song, sharing
silly and biting truths.
One reviewer called it “Donna Reed gone haywire...countless bursts
of laughter.”
The restaurant’s ambience changes to romantic on Valentine’s Day
when Chris Walden and his 21-piece big band entertains during a
special dinner beginning at 6:30 p.m. Couples, singles and groups are
welcome.
Walden has composed the scores for some 30 movies and recorded
more than 60 CDs. He has arranged for such greats as Nancy Wilson and
Olivia Newton-John.
Reservations are required for both events and can be made by
calling (323) 874-4006.
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Marilyn McCoo, Billy Davis Jr. and their group The Soldiers for
The Second Coming continue their free praise concerts beginning
Tuesday at Valley Baptist Church in Burbank.
This uplifting, spiritual presentation is from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
on the third Tuesday of the month. Everyone is invited to stay for
fellowship and refreshments after the praise service.
The church is at 2201 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank. For more
information, call 845-7871.
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And while we’re on the subject of spiritual uplifting, Glendale
Adventist Medical Center is sponsoring a free Christian concert by
contemporary inspirational vocalist Steve Green.
The event begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 in the Vallejo Drive Church,
300 Vallejo Drive in Glendale.
This family concert will have a special segment just for children.
People of all ages and denominations are invited. On the program are
songs such as “People Need the Lord,” “Find Us Faithful” as well as
selections from Green’s new album “Woven in Time.”
It traces the continuing story of God’s constant and glorious
presence in human history.
Green has had 13 No. 1 songs and received four Grammy nominations
and six Dove Awards, Christian music’s highest honor. With 24 re-
cordings to his credit, including children’s projects and
Spanish-language albums, he has sold more than 3 million albums
worldwide.
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All areas of the world are depicted in paintings of artists’
international travel destinations in an exhibit opening Saturday at
Tirage Gallery in Pasadena.
Glendale residents exhibiting are Donald Hildreth, Paulette Lee
and Tony Peters.
Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. Saturday. The show ends March 15.
For more information, call (626) 405-1020.
* JOYCE RUDOLPH’S column appears Wednesdays. For events happening
this weekend, read her 48 Hours column Saturdays. Reach her at
637-3241.