Calendar

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) offers music lovers an opportunity to enjoy five intimate, elegant and entertaining “LACO à la carte” fundraising events pairing delectable international cuisine and exclusive musical performances in the spectacular private homes of the consuls general of the Czech Republic, Armenia and Austria as well as at Pacific Palisades’ historic Villa Aurora and a magnificent private estate in Pasadena.

Adding a special flourish to the season and illustrating that music truly knows no boundaries, each event features a different style of cuisine complimented by a salon performance by LACO musicians and guest artists. “LACO à la carte” is chaired by LACO board member Mahnaz Newman. This season celebrates the milestone LACO anniversaries of Concertmaster Margaret Batjer, in her 15th year with the Orchestra, and Assistant Concertmaster Tereza Stanislav, in her 10th year with the Orchestra.

Czech Republic à la carte
Thursday, October 11, 7 pm
in Westwood at the Official Residence of Consul General of the Czech Republic

Experience the flavorful cuisine and world famous beer of the Czech Republic at LACO’s season opening à la carte fête hosted by the Czech Republic’s Consul General, the Honorable Michal Sedlacek, and Mrs. Veronika Sedlackova at their beautiful Westwood residence. Musical highlights include a sneak peak of a new violin concerto written by Emmy®-nominated composer Benjamin Wallfisch for LACO’s Assistant Concertmaster Tereza Stanislav on the occasion of her 10th anniversary with the Orchestra. Stanislav’s colleague – and husband – LACO viola Robert Brophy is featured in Brahms’s inimitable Sonata for Viola and Piano, No.1 in F minor.

Germany à la carte
Saturday, October 13, 6 pm
at Pacific Palisades’ Villa Aurora, Artists’ Residence and Historic Landmark

The celebration continues when Concertmaster Margaret Batjer is spotlighted on the occasion of her 15th anniversary with LACO at a cosmopolitan evening showcasing the culinary riches of Germany hosted by Villa Aurora in Pacific Palisades. This spectacular artists’ residence and historic landmark, set high on a hill overlooking the Santa Monica Bay, is described as a “true castle by the sea” by German novelist and 1929 Nobel Prize laureate Thomas Mann, who, along with playwright Bertolt Brecht and filmmaker Fritz Lang, is one of many famed émigrés to have socialized there with such icons as Charlie Chaplin. Batjer performs a selection of works tailored to the enchanted evening.

Armenia à la carte
Sunday, October 28, 6 pm
in Sherman Oaks at the Official Residence of Consul General of Armenia

The Honorable Grigor Hovhannissian, Consul General of Armenia, and Mrs. Victoria Hovhannissian host an à la carte event at their private home in Sherman Oaks. The evening offers the sumptuous cuisine and delicacies of this historically and culturally rich republic, located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Performing lively Armenian dances, LACO Associate Principal Cello Armen Ksajikian adds an exotic flavor to the festivities.

Austria à la carte
Friday, November 16, 7 pm
in Brentwood at the Austrian Residence of Karin Proidl, Consul General of Austria

Karin Proidl, Consul General of Austria, hosts an evening at the stately Austrian residence in Brentwood that illuminates the dazzling cultural and musical vibrancy of Vienna with a lively performance by LACO Principals Josefina Vergara, violin II, and Nico Abondolo, bass, who are also husband and wife. Vienna, with its delightful sidewalk cafes, pastry shops, prized beers and white wines and compelling art, music and architecture, is also celebrated as a haven for gourmands with the emergence of a sophisticated culinary movement, embracing fresh, seasonal and local produce.

China à la carte
Saturday, November 17, 7 pm
at a Private Pasadena Estate

East West Bank generously hosts China à la carte, LACO’s final à la carte fundraiser of the season, at a gorgeous private Pasadena estate. The China-inspired evening features a moving musical program and a feast of the distinctive Chinese cuisine.

“LACO à la carte” is generously sponsored by LACO president K. Eugene Shutler and board members Ann Moore Mulally, Mahnaz and David Newman; and Ned and Dana Newman.

Tickets are $250 per person. Multiple-event packages include Chef’s Table Trio tickets at $600 per person for three events.

“LACO à la carte” events are on sale now and may be purchased by calling 213 622 7001 x 3. Details are available at www.laco.org/events.

LOS ANGELES CHAMBER ORCHESTRA (LACO), proclaimed “America’s finest chamber orchestra” by Public Radio International, has established itself among the world’s top musical ensembles. Since 1997, LACO has performed under acclaimed conductor and pianist Jeffrey Kahane, hailed by critics as “visionary” and “a conductor of uncommon intellect, insight and musical integrity.” Under Kahane’s leadership, the Orchestra maintains its status as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks and a champion of contemporary composers. During its 44-year history, the Orchestra has made 30 recordings, toured Europe, South America and Japan, performed across North America and garnered seven ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming. LACO presents its Orchestral Series at both the Alex Theatre and Royce Hall, Baroque Conversations at Zipper Hall, Westside Connections chamber music series at The Broad Stage, and an annual Discover concert at Ambassador Auditorium. LACO also presents a Concert Gala, an annual Silent Film screening and several fundraising salons each year. Additionally, LACO’s outreach programs Meet the Music, Community Partners, Campus to Concert Hall and the LACO/USC Thornton Strings Mentorship Program reach thousands of young people annually.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

The acclaimed Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA), dedicated to promoting acceptance through music, turns the spotlight on leaders who use their own voices to affect and advance social change at its inaugural “Voice Awards” on Saturday, April 14, 2012, 5:30 pm, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Honorees include Geoff Kors, the former Executive Director of Equality California who was instrumental in helping to shepherd the 2011 California Fair Education Act that compels California public schools to include the contributions of persons with disabilities and LGBT people in educational textbooks and social studies curricula. Additionally, Wells Fargo, represented by Jonathan Weedman, Senior Vice President of Wells Fargo Foundation and Wells Fargo & Company, is being honored for its vital and on-going support of LGBT issues in California and beyond. Receiving the “Emerging Young Voice” award is 17-year-old Michigan high school student Katy Butler, who led a grass-roots campaign to change the rating of the documentary film “Bully” to from R-rated to PG-13-rated so more high school students, those most likely to benefit from its message, would be able to view it.

Adding an extremely poignant element to the benefit is special guest speaker James Clementi, whose 18-year-old brother Tyler, a college freshman at Rutgers University, was a victim of cyber bullying and committed suicide in 2010.

Co-Chairing the “Voice Awards” are GMCLA Chair John Duran and LGBT Rights Activist Diane Abbitt. Hosting the first-time GMCLA gala fundraiser is Miss Coco Peru, described by the Los Angeles Times as “a heavenly hoot…wry and uncensored” and by the LA Weekly as a “diva/icon/trannie/comedian.” The evening of inspiration and entertainment, which features a cocktail reception and three-course dinner capped by a dessert “after party” featuring noted DJ Colin Kim, also includes a special performance by select members the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, led by Artistic Director E. Jason Armstrong.

The Voice Award Gold Sponsors are Wells Fargo, State Farm, Hollywood Forever, The Advocate, BPJ Foundation, and Geoff Kors and James Williamson. Silver Sponsors include Zen Healing, Mansour, Combined Properties, First Investors, HOB, IAC, Mani Brothers, Cyclogram, Athens Services, JimmyWin.com, and Adam Press.

Among special guests slated to attend are recording artist Melissa Manchester and actors Charlotte Rae,
Loni Anderson, Bruce Vilanch, Sharon Lawrence, Marissa Winokur and Craig Ramsay.

Tickets are $300 and sponsor packages are also available. For tickets and information call (800) MEN-SING (800-636-7464) or visit www.gmcla.com. The Beverly Hilton Hotel is located at 9876 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California, 90210.

Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles