BY KAREN YOUNG
The choir from the Colburn School will perform at the 53rd Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration at the Music Center on Monday.
FROM THE MDF HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS FILES: THROUGHOUT THE HOLIDAY SEASON
CLICK BELOW:
The MDF Guide to Festive Holiday Lights and Boat Parades
The MDF Guide to Outdoor Ice Skating Across Los Angeles
Shop Local: The MDF Holiday Gift Guide for the 818
FRIDAY
The Music Center’s Holiday Sing-Along: Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year and sing along to your holiday favorites under the stars. Live musical accompaniment and lyric sheets provided for songs like “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” “Carol of the Bells,” “The Christmas Song,” “Jingle Bells” and many more. No experience necessary, come prepared to sing. Free, tickets required and distributed on the day of the event beginning at 6 p.m. 6:30-8 p.m. Music Center Plaza, 135 North Grand Ave., downtown.musiccenter.org
Griffith Observatory: It’s not really “End of the World,” so says the Griffith Observatory which will stay open after midnight tonight with an 11:50 p.m. show. Other shows in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium at 9:45 and 10:45 p.m. 2800 East Observatory Rd., L.A. GriffithObservatory.org
SATURDAY
Canyon Birds at Franklin Canyon: Enjoy a leisurely morning stroll in the canyon while feasting your eyes on our feathered friends. Bring binoculars. Beginners welcome. Meet at the Sooky Goldman Nature Center, 8 a.m. 2 hours.
SUNDAY
The Tortoise and the Hare Make a Holiday Wish: The Limecat Family Theatre Company’s all-new holiday musical-comedy spectacular about friendship, teamwork, and holiday spirit. With a colorful supporting cast of animal friends, snowflakes, dancing matzo-balls and hum-bugs, Terri Tortoise and Harry Hare race through an adventurous terrain to Animal Land’s annual Holiday Hoop-La, hosted by the magical Princess Catnip! Showtimes are: 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. ZJU Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, Reservations: 818-202-4120. $10 Adults, $8 for Children 12 and under!
MONDAY
53rd Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration: Bring the whole family to L.A.’s biggest, Emmy-nominated holiday show at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Monday, December 24 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. More than 20 choirs, music ensembles and dance companies from the many neighborhoods and cultures of L.A. celebrate the season during this free three-hour extravaganza. Even the parking underneath the Music Center is free. Some highlights this year: Invertigo Dance Theatre, celebrating the sunny weather that characterizes the winter season in L.A.; Jouyssance Early Music Ensemble, weaving the ancient Aztec language of Nahuatl with Spanish in its choral presentation of a traditional Mexican Christmas song; Las Cafeteras, blending Mexican folk with Afro-Caribbean rhythms; Pacifico Dance Company, presenting folklorico dance from the region of La Costa Chica; Shakti Dance Company, celebrating the classical dance of southern India; Shin Dance Company, symbolizing the snowy mountains of Chang Bai with an ethnic Korean drum dance; and Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles, singing a capella, spiritual arrangements of holiday classics. Watch it live on KCET from 3-6 pm, and again from 8-11 pm. Hear it live on 90.7 KPFK. Stream it live at www.kcet.org. The L.A. County Holiday Celebration is a gift to the community from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Dec 24; Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, 90012; FREE; Information hotline: (213) 972-3099 or www.HolidayCelebration.org
HOLIDAY THEATER
Christmas My Way: A Sinatra Holiday Bash! at the El Portal: Broadway performers Jason Graae, Heather Lee and Beth Malone along with Sinatra-like crooner Luca Ellis to serve up cool versions of Sinatra mainstays. Joined by a swingin’ live band, they sing Sinatra Christmas hits like “Mistletoe and Holly,” “The Christmas Song,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Silver Bells” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” So, get set for a fresh, energetic groovy Sinatra Christmas, with 40 classic hits perfect for the holidays. Runs though New Years Eve (with a special celebration).
Rudolph the Red-Nose ReinDOORS at the Falcon Theatre: It’s another hilarious production by the Troubadour Theater Company when our favorite reindeer meets up with the music of The Doors. Rudolph the Red-Nose ReinDOORS, directed by Matt Walker, the third production of its 2012-2013 Subscription Season. Celebrate the Season with the Ovation Award-winning Troubies as they give a wild, stripped-down, bare bones, rock re-telling of the classic holiday tale of Rudolph, with a sexy, sultry, scary soundtrack of DOORS style music – and snow.
“Santasia – A Holiday Comedy”: This annual holiday romp has been a cult hit for 12 years is not for kids, but rather a blend of Yuletide snark and sentiment and has been compared to old time Vaudeville and to the likes of the Kids in the Hall and the Carol Burnett Show. This multi-media holiday special has it all including classic Rankin and Bass claymation inspired movies. Directed by Shaun Loeser, written and performed by alumni of ImprovOlympic, Second City, and Comedy Sportz. Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Through December 24. Tickets online $24. Pay at the door tix $35. or (818) 990-2324. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (Not for kids).
Find unique gifts and food at your local farmer’s market.
WEEKLY WEEKEND FARMERS MARKETS IN THE 818
Need a unique last minute gift or a great food item? Check out your neighbor Farmers Market this weekend!
Burbank Farmer’s Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Third Street and Orange Grove Avenue, Burbank.
Calabasas Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. is in Old Town, Calabasas on Calabasas Road., across the street from the Sagebrush Cantina.
Encino Farmers’ Market (ONEGeneration): Sundays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 17400 Victory Blvd. (between White Oak and Balboa).
NoHo Arts District Farmers Market: Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Bakman Avenue, between Magnolia Boulevard to the South and Weddington Street to the north.
Studio City Farmers’ Market: Sundays, 8 a.m – 1 p.m. – 12001 Ventura Pl, Studio City. (between Laurel Cyn and Radford. just north of Ventura).