1994
The 1994 Celebrations! series begins in June with a show each Wednesday, with our Wednesday and Friday schedule beginning on July 1 continuing through August 31. All Celebrations! concerts begin at noon and last one glorious hour.
June
Wednesday, June 1 - Watercourt
SUNSET BOULEVARD BEGINS DOWNTOWN
Sign language Interpreter Provided The cast of Andrew Lloyd-Webber's newest smash hit kicks off the series with it's first ever free performance. Bursting out of their nightly Shubert Theatre roles, this talented cast presents everything from classic show tunes to original compositions.
Wednesday, June 8 - Watercourt
THE CAST OF FALSETTOS
Sign language Interpreter Included
Cast members of the Tony Award-win- ning musical story of friends, lovers and families join their voices in a special program just for us. Falsettos is currently in production at the Doolittle.
Wednesday, June 15 - Spiral Court
THE UCSB CONTEMPORARY MUSIC ENSEMBLE
"New Music" aficionados will be thrilled to hear this en- semble play 20th century compositions under the di- rection of William Kraft.
Wednesday, June 22 - Watercourt
LINDA HOPKINS
Sign language Interpreter Provided
"Linda Hopkins is magnificent", The New York Times. This legendary vocalist, Tony Award- winner, and star of stage and screen brings her band to teach us all about the blues.
Wednesday, June 29 - Spiral Court
AL-BILAD ENSEMBLE
Contemporary Arabic music blends centuries- old traditional instrumentations and vocals while exploring the range of typical rhythms, musical modes and styles.
July
Friday, July 1 - Watercourt
CIRO HURTADO GROUP
Peruvian born guitarist/ composer brings his re- markable mix of modern and ancient, original Andean-based music to us for the fifth consecutive year.
Wednesday, July 6 - Watercourt
MIKE MANN and the NIGHT RIDERS
Wrangle yourself a prime seat for the music that's been branded "cowboy soul", dedicated to sharing Black cow-
boy lore and reminding us that many had a hand in building the West.
Friday, July 8 - Watercourt
FORMULA ONE
The Haitian pop music compas makes up the core of this world music group's sound with reggae, socas and salsa blended in.
Wednesday, July 13 - Watercourt
ARTISTS FROM THE INNER CITY CULTURAL CENTER
ICCC curates a program featuring an artist who has been affiliated with this community treasure. Watch the Downtown News or call (213) 687-2159 for specific show details.
Friday, July 15 - Watercourt
EL VEZ and The MEMPHIS MARIACHIS
The message of truth, justice and the Mexican-American way is delivered with a combinacion of social com- mentary, costume changes, satire, dancing and Mexican history.
Wednesday, July 20 - Spiral Court
LOS ANGELES DANCES
Local choreogra- phers and dancers stretch imagination and muscle to strengthen awareness of Dance Ka- leidoscope, presented an- nually at CSULA and the Ford Theatre.
Friday, July 22 - Watercourt
MZWAKHE MBULI and the EQUALS
This South African artist is known as The People's Poet, as he gives voice to township concerns by singing and reciting his powerful poetry.
Saturday, July 23 - 8:00 - Watercourt
SPECIAL ARTIST TO BE ANNOUNCED
Highlight this date because we're booking a high energy hit that will make this evening something really special. Watch the Down- town News or call the Concertline for the "411".
Sunday, July 24 2:00- Spiral Court
CALIFORNIA E.A.R. UNIT with guest appearance by the Lula Washington Contemporary Dance Co.
One of the nation's finest contemporary music ensembles collaborates with the local leader- ship Black dance company to create truly exceptional art.
Wednesday, July 27 - Watercourt
BLUE PALM Pregnancy: "Tell Me About It"
Sign language Interpreter Provided
This "performance art" duo chronicles the de- lights and terrors of parenthood with intelligent adult humor and wit.
Friday, July 29 - Spiral Court
L.A. MUSIC CENTER OPERA
The lyrical voices of LAMCO's resident artists Daniel Ebbers, Tod Fitzpatrick, Michele Henderson and Diana Tash as they present arias and duets.
Friday, July 29 - Watercourt
EL VEZ and the MEMPHIS MARIACHIS
Sign language Interpreter Provided
El Vez 'translates' The King into a new and improved version by spicing the Presley clas- sics with his own chile picante. Don't miss this new Mexican-American tradition with the beat and energy of the original model.
Saturday, July 30 - 8:00 - Watercourt
THE PERSUASIONS and THE WATTS PROPHETS
"The venerable a cappella quartet, the Persuasions were brilliant, with incredible, octave skipping street corner harmonies", The Washington Post"...the Watts Prophets mix poetry that speaks of the Afro-American experience in the era of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X with influences of Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry and Billy Higgins", Urb Magazine
Sunday, July 31 - 2:00 - Spiral Court
INCA, THE PERUVIAN ENSEMBLE and SILAYAN DANCE COMPANY
Instruments dating back to pre-Colombian times are featured in Inca's music and forms the setting for ritual and contem- porary folk dances. The Silayan Dance Company presents "Juan and the Crocodile", a fable telling of Filipino values featuring a cast that includes a crocodile, banana trees, monkeys, a hat and more.
August
Wednesday, August 3 - Watercourt
PONCHO SANCHEZ
El conguero supremo (the supreme conga player) rips loose hot jazz rhythms, blistering riffs and brass re-inforcement while cooking up a tasty inferno of salsas, cumbias y mas.
Friday, August 5- 8:00 - Watercourt
¡HOLLYWOOD OLVIDADO!
"Forgotten Hollywood" Director and choreographer Miguel Delgado brings a music/dance review of the glamorous but neglected Latino/Mexicano silver screen legends including luminaries Delores del Rio, Rita Hayworth, Gilbert Roland, and Desi Arnaz
Saturday, August 6 - 8:00 - Watercourt
CIRO HURTADO GROUP and WORD OF MOUTH
Two LA-based world beat ensembles play music strongly influenced by South American roots. Both are known both for quality musi- cianship and intriguing arrangements.
Sunday, August 7 -2:00 - Spiral Court
HAWAIIAN DANCE
One of our top local Hawaiian
cultural ensembles will bring tropical trade winds as they breeze through the Spiral Court performing the music and dance associated with and originated in the Aloha State.
Wednesday, August 10 - Spiral Court
DENNIS JAMES - GLASS MUSIC
The Glass Armonica (invented by Benjamin Franklin), Seraphim and Cristal produce rare, ethereal music.
Friday, August 12 - Watercourt
HO'AIKANE
It's Jawaiian mon! - a synthesis of island har- monies and reggae with strong urban/dance influences. They have won over the youth of Hawaii and now the mainland. This show will open with an ensemble of local dancers to show off the vibrancy and power of Hawaiian arts.
Saturday, August 13 - 8:00 - Watercourt
RONNIE LAWS
This self-taught jazz musician, member of Earth, Wind & Fire, and innovator of the jazz-fusion style enjoys explosive cross-over success in R&B and pop. His Pressure Sensitive is Blue Note's largest selling album in the label's 43 years
Sunday, August 14 - 2:00 Watercourt
KENNY ENDO - Taiko Master
Nisei Week brings this LA born percussionist who has studied/per- formed extensively in Japan, recorded and toured the world to perform tradi- tional Japanese drum styles and more!
Wednesday, August 17 - Watercourt
KENNY ENDO - Taiko Master
Nisei Week brings this LA born percussionist who has studied/performed extensively in Japan, recorded and toured the world to perform traditional Japanese drum styles and more!
Friday, August 19 - Spiral Court
AFRICAN MARKETPLACE SPECIAL
The African Marketplace (annual festival focusing on Africa, her people, traditions and cultures) brings talented artists "to lunch" for the fourth year. This one promises to be just as exciting as those in the past!
Friday, August 19 - 8:00 - Watercourt
THE BERNIE PEARL BAND
FEATURING HARMONICA FATS Great blues harp vir- tuoso, Harmonica Fats, returns to Cali- fornia Plaza with the Bernie Pearl Blues Band to get down with their bad selves and prove jump blues are alive and well in L.A.
Saturday, August 20,- 8:00 - Watercourt
FIRST IMPRESSIONS DANCE
Neil Barclay, one of southern California's premier curators of modern dance assembles a California dance 'corp' to perform pieces specifically adapted for the Watercourt.
Sunday, August 21-2:00 - Spiral Court
SAMBA NGO and CHATUYE
From Zaire comes the inspiring sounds of Samba Ngo and his band. From the Belizian community comes the energetic performance ensemble Chatuye. Both promise a fusion of traditional and contemporary sounds.
Wednesday, August 24 - Spiral Court
GLENN HORIUCHI SHAMISEN TRIO
Jazz piano returns to California Plaza with a focus on traditional Japanese instruments fea- turing Lillian Nakano (shamisen) and Francis Wong (flute and saxophone).
Friday, August 26 - Watercourt
LOS ANGELES CIRCUS
The L.A. Circus band, clowns, acrobats, jug- glers, and one "mild animal" returns for the third year with another crowd-pleasing reminder why many people ran away to join the circus, and the rest of us dreamed about it.
Saturday, August 27 - 8:00 - Watercourt
LOS ANGELES CIRCUS
The LA Circus band, clowns, acrobats, jugglers, and one "mild animal" returns for the third year with another crowd-pleasing reminder why many people ran away to join the circus, and the rest of us dreamed about it.
Sunday, August 28 - 2:00 - Spiral Court
DANZA FLORICANTO USA
Gema Sandoval's successful Mexican folkloric company shares their lyric approach to Mexico's performing arts with beautiful costumes, stirring music and talented dancers.
Wednesday, August 31 - Watercourt
THE BILL ELLIOTT SWING ORCHESTRA with VOCALWORKS and AMY WESTON
Sign language Interpreter Provided
Bill Elliott, the composer of original swing music for "North Exposure" and "Dick Tracy" leads a toe-tapping pro- gram of new vintage style swing as well as the classics we adore!