By Hamp Simmons The Art Palette
ON THIS THIRD WEEKEND IN JANUARY, Santa Monica’s cultural scene continues its build to a spectacular crescendo. We’ve got a few old friends back in town, Photo LA at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, local artist Daniel Alonzo goes back to high school and “Pericles” returns to the Miles Playhouse, as do the Los Angeles Chamber Players. There’s also a few new faces in town with two new plays opening in local theatres and some splendid water colors at the Emeritus College Gallery. So, let’s all get out there this weekend and have a great time!
Whether you are a photographer yourself, a collector of fine art photos, or just one of the many people who find beauty in photographic works, PhotoLA is the place to be this weekend. More than 80 galleries and private dealers will be exhibiting the works of renowned contemporary artists such as Diane Arbus, Walker Evans, Ansel Adams, Henri Cartier-Bresson and vintage pieces by Man Ray, Josef Sudek, Edward Weston and Dorothea Lange.
Shakespeare Santa Monica returns to the Miles Playhouse for a special encore performance of “Pericles,” which premiered this summer to rave reviews. It’s a limited run of only four performances, so call for tickets as soon as you can or make your reservations electronically by e-mailing See you there.
Roberts Art Gallery, Santa Monica’s oldest extant gallery, will host an exhibition by Samo alumni and second-generation Santa Monica native Daniel Alonzo. Best known for his 1982 “Whale of a Mural,” located on Fourth Street and Ocean Park Boulevard, his works depict the landscapes of the place he calls home — Santa Monica.
The Los Angeles Theatre Ensemble & The Powerhouse Theatre Company present two one-acts in repertory — “Ran Wild” and “Never Swim Alone.” This weekend’s premiere performance of “Ran Wild” tells the story of two boys lost in the night when their distant father drags them along on “guys’ night out,” only to abandon them in the bathroom of his favorite night club.
OPENING AT MORGAN WIXSON “Flyin’ West” Friday, Jan. 19 through Saturday, Feb. 17 Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Santa Monica Theatre Guild Morgan-Wixson Theatre 2627 Pico Boulevard (310) 828-7519 “Flyin’ West” is the true story of the women who settled Nicodemus, Kansas — the first all-black town in America. Commissioned by The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, this incredible story centers on the small group of women who overcome tremendous odds to build a town that stands today as a national landmark.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 19, 2007. Read the original PDF.