One year after devastating fires affected Pacific Palisades and Altadena, talented artists from the area will join with St. Matthew's Church and School for Community Prayer Services and Concerts of Remembrance, Healing and Renewal on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
The events will take place at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, 1031 Bienveneda Ave., Pacific Palisades, with concerts at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Community prayers will precede each concert at noon and 6 p.m.
Grammy Award-winning violinist Anne Akiko Meyers, a former Pacific Palisades resident who led the artistic planning for the concerts, will perform at both shows. The 1 p.m. concert features Meyers and members of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, conducted by Grant Gershon, with music by Bach, Morten Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre.
The 7 p.m. concert features Meyers with The Pacific Strings, conducted by Lucinda Carver, and music by J.S. Bach and Whitacre.
Both events consist of a prayer gathering led by the clergy of St. Matthew's, followed by refreshments on the patio and a concluding concert. Everyone is welcome to attend the concert, the service or both.
Gershon is currently in his 17th season as artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and also serves as resident conductor for LA Opera. Carver is a professor of piano, harpsichord and instrumental conducting at the USC Thornton School of Music.
Proceeds from the concerts will benefit four Palisades-based performing arts organizations impacted by the fires: Chamber Music Palisades, Palisades Symphony and Chorale, St. Matthew's Music Guild and Theatre Palisades.
Tickets are not required to attend. A donation of $45 is suggested for the concerts and may be made at the door or online at https://www.musicguildonline.org/event/special-event-2025/. All donations are fully tax deductible.
Free parking will be available at the church.
Edited by SMDP Staff