Arts Briefs: ‘Gravitas’ comes to the Brand Library and Art Center; Feinstein stays West
Five Los Angeles-based artists are the subject of a new group exhibition, “Gravitas,” opening June 5 at the Brand Library and Art Center in Glendale. The show will include painting, drawing, sculpture and installation by Carlos Beltran-Arechiga, Nicholette Kominos, Melissa Manfull, Kristan Marvell and Sonja Schenk.
The concept behind the show is work that implies weight. Among the pieces is the painting “Container,” where Beltran-Arechiga creates a complex construction with oil, acrylic, enamel, spray paint and other elements. Kominos is a sculptor whose “Grid Within #1” is an otherworldly mingling of chenille stems, rubber and bronze.
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The opening reception is from 6 to 9 p.m., June 25. It closes Aug. 5. The Brand is located at 1601 W. Mountain St., in Glendale. Hours are Tuesdays noon to 8 p.m., Wednesdays noon to 6 p.m., Thursdays noon to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. More information at (818) 548-2051.
Chapel Jazz¿
“Jazz Vespers in the Chapel” returns to the La Cañada Presbyterian Church on Sunday, June 12, with a performance by the Jack Lantz Trio.
The music will be performed in the round inside the church’s Cook Prayer Chapel with Jack Lantz on piano, Nick Morabito on bass and Dave Marks on drums. Admission is free, and no reservations are necessary. The music begins at 5 p.m.
La Cañada Presbyterian Church is located at 626 Foothill Blvd. More information at jazz@lacanadapc.org.
Michael Feinstein stays with Pasadena Symphony and POPS
The Pasadena Symphony and POPS has announced Michael Feinstein will continue as principal Pops conductor through the 2019 season, continuing a successful collaboration that began in 2013. Chief among his goals has been to bring “the Great American Songbook” to new listeners.
“Under Michael Feinstein’s direction, the Pasadena POPS is now the preeminent symphonic voice of the Great American Songbook,” said Chief Executive Officer Lora Unger in a statement. “The orchestra is performing to audiences who treasure this unique concert experience that can’t be found anywhere else — the music is universally popular to every generation.”
Feinstein’s season begins June 18 with “First Ladies of Song: Music From Judy Garland, Rosemary Clooney & Peggy Lee.” Soloists Cady Huffman, Lynn Roberts and Madelyn Baillio will sing such songs as “Big Spender,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart” and “Fascinating Rhythm.”
That night is followed July 9 with “The Music of Billy Joel”; July 30 with “Sinatra Project Volume 2”; Aug. 20 with “Cole Porter Night”; and on Sept. 10, “A Salute to Warner Bros.”
Concerts are held at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden, at 301 N. Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia. Grounds are open for picnicking at 5:30 p.m. ahead of the performances at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25. More information at (626) 793-7172 or PasadenaSymphony-Pops.org.
Musical Pasadena
The annual free Make Music Pasadena festival on June 11 will feature more than 150 bands of various genres, including rock, folk, jazz, electronica, funk, and world music. Among the acts appearing are Atlas Genius, Bear Hands, the Mowgli’s, Small Black, Nahko and Medicine for the People, PAPA, James Supercave, Phantoms, the Dead Ships and many others on six main stages.
The music is spread across a wide area of downtown Pasadena, at stages from the Pasadena Playhouse to the 1930s band shell at Memorial Park. More information on the annual 12-hour festival is at www.makemusicpasadena.org.
Marquee staff