Native Intelligence: December 2014 archive

25 highlights of LA theater in 2014

Don Shirley | December 31, 2014 8:49 PM

The ephemeral art of theater deserves an annual recap of the year's highlights. Of the 225 productions in greater LA I saw this year, here are 25 of the best.

Ringing out with music: The Philharmonic, LA Opera, cabaret and film

Donna Perlmutter | December 31, 2014 8:41 PM

Donna Perlmutter's year-end roundup of some of the notable performances she saw in 2014.

Hipster Replacements

Gary Leonard | December 31, 2014 7:19 PM

Take My Picture Gary Leonard is a regular weekly feature of LA Observed.

How are we doing?

Jon Christensen and Mark Gold | December 27, 2014 11:16 AM

At the beginning of 2014, we took "a sober look at the environment" in LA and California, made 10 predictions, and promised to hold ourselves accountable to you, our readers, at the end of the year. So here we go: what really happened in 2014 and what we can look forward to in 2015 and beyond.

An uncomfortable visit to Mariachi Plaza

Visiting Blogger | December 23, 2014 8:45 AM

The plaza, like Boyle Heights itself, is in a fragile moment in time. Was the shopkeeper being rude, or did she just not understand?

What will you pack for 2015?

Jon Christensen and Mark Gold | December 21, 2014 1:08 PM

On the 40th anniversary of Heyday--an independent, nonprofit publisher dedicated to promoting California's many cultures, landscapes, and boundary-breaking ideas--Jon Christensen asks publisher Malcolm Margolin what he would pack for the future of California.

Die in

Gary Leonard | December 18, 2014 11:23 AM

Take My Picture Gary Leonard is a regular weekly feature of LA Observed.

Chapter 21. Waiting

Jenny Burman | December 17, 2014 6:01 PM

He was lucky to be white.

Only in LA: The jailhouse edition

Steve Harvey | December 15, 2014 12:40 AM

Steve Harvey collects signs and observations from around Southern California.

A rally for the 'California 12'

Iris Schneider | December 14, 2014 10:45 PM

Outside City Hall, friends and family of California inmates identified as innocent by the California Innocence Project pleaded for Governor Brown to commute their sentences for the holidays.

CTG grapples with branding, the British and a baby

Don Shirley | December 14, 2014 9:51 PM

More than once, I've asked publicly how Center Theatre Group can possibly justify branding itself as 'LA's Theatre Company.' So I was fascinated when Diane Rodriguez, one of CTG's three associate artistic directors, raised the subject in an interview. Plus: Current stage reviews.

Do #blacklivesmatter to greens?

Jon Christensen and Mark Gold | December 14, 2014 2:32 PM

A dramatic, wrenching, and potentially pivotal story is unfolding in the environmental movement right now. It came to a head last week after Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, posted messages in solidarity with #blacklivesmatter.

A Nutcracker homecoming for ballerinas Joy Womack and Lyrica Blankfein

Judy Graeme | December 12, 2014 9:33 PM

Two of the Sugar Plum Fairies in Westside Ballet's production of The Nutcracker have traveled very different paths to the iconic role.

Kemp traded; McCarthy signed; Dodgers flurry continues

Phil Wallace | December 11, 2014 9:20 AM

The Dodgers makeover continues as Andrew Friedman makes more bold transactions that should setup the team well for the future.

Los Angeles Mission

Gary Leonard | December 11, 2014 9:19 AM

Take My Picture Gary Leonard is a regular weekly feature at LA Observed.

Dodgers roster shakeup begins

Phil Wallace | December 10, 2014 9:00 PM

The Dodgers made two bold trades today that helped them get younger and deeper. While the trades may confuse fans, they can trust Andrew Friedman has the organization on the right path, says Phil Wallace.

Chapter 20. On the gravel path

Jenny Burman | December 10, 2014 6:42 PM

There was something she knew, a certain kind of information.

Reclaiming lost lives at the LA County cemetery

Ellen Alperstein | December 10, 2014 4:25 PM

The LA County memorial for unclaimed human remains makes a powerful civic statement.

Need a harpsichord? Visit Curtis Berak's basement

Karen Wada | December 10, 2014 9:50 AM

Deep in the bottom of a dreary building in L.A.'s industrial district, Berak has created a haven for harpsichords and other early keyboard instruments he made, rescued or restored for both his own pleasure and use by the region's major ensembles.

Cinefamily honors Robert Downey, Sr.

Iris Schneider | December 7, 2014 10:21 PM

United Artists Theater at the Ace Hotel downtown was the home for a screening of "Putney Swope" to honor director Robert Downey, Sr. and raise money for Cinefamily.

'Yuck! Look what the storm dragged in.'

Jon Christensen and Mark Gold | December 7, 2014 10:05 AM

Our first major rain of the year was a mixed blessing. For most Angelenos, the rain brought a sense of renewal and a reminder that inexorable desiccation isn't the only state of our Mediterranean climate. For Mark Gold, the first major rain of the season will always be "the first flush."

Samaritan Jazz Lab

Gary Leonard | December 3, 2014 11:08 PM

Take My Picture Gary Leonard is a regular weekly feature at LA Observed.

Native Intelligence archivefor December 2014

Native Intelligence archive
for December 2014