Feeling the spirit of magic in the holiday season
By Hamp Simmons
Special to the Daily Press
In this magical time of the year, Santa Monica offers you the delightful fantasies of The Magic Flute, seductive tones of Sibelius, surreal adventures in forestry and theatrical minuets. We’ve got gallery exhibitions featuring many of Southern California’s most emblematic artists, and even if you’re just out shopping, there’s art to be found in the most commercial (and chic) environs.
The Magic Flute
Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16 at 8 p.m.
Dec. 10 and 17 at 4 p.m.
Miles Playhouse
1130 Lincoln Blvd.
(310) 396-4360
Gail Gordon and Opera Nova present Mozart’s perennial favorite this weekend and next at the Miles Playhouse. Set in imaginary Egypt, this operatic fairy tale is sure to appeal to all ages, with even the youngest audience members finding magic in the music and imagery. Protected by a magic flute, Prince Tamino and Princess Pamina travel through a world where good and evil are not what they seem. Filled with fantastic characters including a dragon, three little boy angels, charmed animals, a handsome hero, a beautiful princess and the evil Queen of the Night. Along with Papageno, the incredible bird creature, The Magic Flute is the perfect holiday treat.
Rachel Rosenthal’s Fauve Conspiracy
Arboretum
Dec. 8 – 10
Highways
At the 18th Street Arts Center
1639 Olympic Boulevard
(310) 315-1459
This weekend, the legendary performance/theatre/art diva Rachel Rosenthal brings her new company, Fauve Conspiracy, to Highways with a production that celebrates the power of nature in a surreal theatrical event. Rosenthal has been sharpening the cutting edge of art and performance for 50 years and any opportunity to see this amazing woman at work is not to be missed.
Openings at Bergamot!
Carrie Jenkins, La Vida Loca 2006
At the Patricia Faure Gallery
From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 9
(310) 449-1479
Copra Nason Gallery
Saturday, Dec. 9
From 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
2525 Michigan Ave.
(310) 829-2156
There’s two terrific group shows opening Saturday night at Bergamot Station.
Start the evening at the Patricia Faure Gallery’s exhibition, Second Home, featuring new work from seminal artists like Ray Pettibon, Michael McMillan and George Herms. These works are presented alongside new pieces by emerging talents who explore the theme of suburban pleasure and terror.
Then head on over to the other side of Bergamot to the Copra Nason Gallery. The gallery celebrates its 15th anniversary, starting at 8 p.m., with an exhibition that includes work by Kenny Scharf, Shag, Shepard Fairey and lots more. This place is without a doubt one of the coolest galleries in LA County. They’ve got a hip young crowd at every opening reception and I guarantee you the evening will be totally happening.
Sibelius, Lalo and Wagner at the Civic
Elizabeth Pitcairn
Santa Monica Symphony
7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006
The Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
1855 Main Street
Violin virtuoso Elizabeth Pitcairn will be the featured soloist with the Santa Monica Symphony on Sunday evening. Pitcairn will perform Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole in partnership with her rare 1720 “Mendelssohn” Stradivarius -- one of the world’s most legendary instruments. The concert is free to the public and the symphony provides a per-concert talk in the auditorium at 6:30 p.m.
More Artful Shopping
Luxehouse
1410 Montana Avenue
(310) 394-5200
www.luxehaus.com
If you’re holiday shopping plans include Montana Avenue, be sure to swing by Luxehaus for an sculpture exhibition by local artist Edd Hogan.
Honor Badges
Wall Works
Neighborhood Outreach Gallery
Santa Monica Place, Third Floor, South wing.
The Santa Monica Museum of Art’s Wall Works program allows hundreds of Southern California school students to participate in a site-specific installation project lead by a noted contemporary artist. For this exhibition, Kim Abeles has worked with young people to create a wearable mixed media badge that honors someone they think of as a hero. This program is funded, in part, by the City of Santa Monica Community Arts Grant program, so stop by and check it out.
The Palette goes on-line
This week, The Palette goes on-line on the City of Santa Monica’s Web site. Each week, we’ll be posting the latest edition so that anyone visiting the city’s site can learn about the cultural opportunities available every weekend in our community. So, next time someone tells you they can’t think of anything fun to do, just tell them to “Check The Palette!”
Hamp Simmons is the cultural affairs coordinator for the City of Santa Monica. Send comments or suggestions for the Palette to artpalette.mailbox@smgov.net.