Southern California Vocal Events thru February 26, 2025 | |
Finding peace... wherever | |
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It's already been an epic year. As the arts get back on track and local offerings stack up again, the calendar is showing a very interesting year to come. Whether you're still displaced and waiting to find home again, or safe and trying to help friends and relatives, the stress from disasters and politics and LIFE is a lot. I hope you're all being kind to yourselves, getting rest when you can, and feeding yourself in a way that also feeds your soul. (Remember, Cheetos can't do that once you get past the first handful.)
As for the arts, this week boasts quite a variety of happenings, from politically timely opera at Cal State Fullerton, opera-themed theater in Sierra Madre, a new work illustrating essential California history at the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo, classic musical theater from VOPA, to barbershop, an early music sing-along (that's new!), to compelling programs celebrating Black History in classical music. Don't stay home -- go find something that inspires you and nudges you closer to a very personal Zen.
Take care!
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Vocal-related events in Southern California | |
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8:00 pm
CSUF School of Music
Fullerton
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A modern tale of a Syrian refugee mother and her son trying to reach safety in America. Performed by graduate Opera Theatre Students.
Elisabeth Mehl Greene's new opera "Hajar" synthesizes the Jewish and Islamic stories of Hagar/Hajar into a modern tale of a Syrian refugee mother and her son trying to reach safety in America. Hajar confronts the immigration crisis in the United States and worldwide, challenging the acceptance of policies that resist compassion.
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8:00 pm
Sierra Madre Playhouse
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Terrence McNally's "Master Class" | |
Sierra Madre Playhouse presents the Tony Award-winning musical play celebrating the life and legacy of Maria Callas. Inspired by Callas’ legendary Juilliard masterclasses, this drama offers a glimpse into the life of one of opera’s greatest icons. Through sharp, humorous, and poignant exchanges with her students, Callas reflects on her storied career, sharing wisdom about artistry, sacrifice, and the pursuit of perfection. A diverse cast brings fresh energy to McNally’s exploration of passion and the price of greatness. | |
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9:00 am
Heidi Vass
Ventura
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Workshop: Choir & Cantors with Heidi Vass | |
FREE workshop for Choir Singers and Cantors at the Mission Basilica in Ventura this February. It’s a program designed for church singers and is FREE for anyone who is involved in music ministry ($60 fee for anyone NOT involved in a church music program). | |
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1:00 pm & 6:00 pm
VOPA
North Hollywood
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Come on out to the Old West with VOPA in their biggest production to date, performed at the historic El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood. Two incredible casts will alternate between 8 performances over two weekends. If you saw VOPA’s smash hit, Fiddler on the Roof, last June, you’ll recognize some favorites on stage, including Tevye himself, Dylan F. Thomas. This is a production not to be missed, so bring your family along and enjoy the ride! | | |
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Terrence McNally's "Master Class"
2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Sierra Madre
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7:00 pm
Creation Talent Academy
Arcadia
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Join us for a transformative experience starting with a healing Chakradance, followed by an uplifting chamber concert hosted by Sherry Wuu, Total Well-Being Coach, and Shirley Wang, International Opera Singer at Creation Talent Academy (Next to New Fusion Restaurant). This is a free event to help raise funds for Pasadena Firefighter Chein Yu, who lost his home while he was saving others. If you'd like to support this cause, or if you have suffered loss and looking for a respite, please come and join us. Discover the power of music and art to bring balance and peace to your life. Immerse yourself with creativity, inspiration, and connection. Let go of stress and negativity as you embrace the beauty of harmony. This in-person event is your chance to ignite your passion and fuel your soul while supporting our local hero. | |
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7:30 pm
Plain Woods Productions
Little Tokyo
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In 1942, during World War II, 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry—two-thirds of whom were American citizens—were unjustly incarcerated in concentration camps within the United States.
Created by librettist Lionelle Hamanaka, a descendant of camp survivors, and composer Daniel Kessner, this world premiere contemporary opera tells the moving story of the Shimono family, Japanese Americans forcibly removed from their suburban home in Southern California. After Mas, a fisherman and the head of the household, is arrested by the FBI on suspicion of espionage, the family is reunited in a desolate incarceration camp. As the family struggles to survive the emotional and physical toll of their wrongful imprisonment, this poignant, new opera illuminates the remarkable strength of familial bonds and the power of collective resistance in the face of injustice.
Performed in English, this captivating production directed by Diana Wyenn features an ensemble of eleven gifted singers including bass-baritone Roberto Perlas Gómez (Mas), mezzo Shu Tran (Haruko), and soprano Tiffany Ho (Suzy) performing with a twenty-two member orchestra conducted by Steven Hofer.
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Oklahoma!
1:00 pm & 6:00 pm
VOPA
North Hollywood
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The Camp
2:30 pm
Plain Woods Productions
Little Tokyo
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Terrence McNally's "Master Class"
4:00 pm
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Sierra Madre
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6:00 pm
Speakeasy Quartet
Santa Monica
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4our Friends: A concert of LA's best Barbershop Quartets | |
Performances by a handful of LA's premiere barbershop quartets. Hosted and featuring Speakeasy Barbershop Quartet, as well as performances by quartets: The Valkyries, Troubadour, and The Seventh Variety. | |
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7:00 pm
San Diego Early Music Society
San Diego
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San Diego Early Music Society Sing-a-long 2025
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Join maestro Dan Ratelle and organist Sarah Amos for a fun evening of musical exploration. We will sing through medieval, renaissance and baroque choral compositions by Alfonso X, John Dunstable, Antoine Brumel, John Farmer, Thomas Bateson, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Thomas Greaves and George Frideric Handel. | |
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12:00 pm
Repertory Opera Company
Pomona
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Patrick Blackwell. Music honoring African American heritage month. | |
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7:30 pm
Pasadena Chorale
Pasadena
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Sing America
Part One: I, Too
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The Pasadena Chorale starts the new year with Sing America Part One: I, Too—a powerful program celebrating the musical legacy of Black American composers and the future of choral music. 💙
Featuring stunning works by Florence Price and Margaret Bonds, alongside the newly commissioned “Wayfaring Stranger” by Jen Wang, this concert honors resilience, beauty, and innovation in American music.
As always, tickets are free!
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7:00 pm
LA Opera Connects
Los Angeles
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A Tribute to Black Legacy in Opera | |
In honor of Black History Month, join LA Opera Connects at the California African American Museum for a free recital on Thursday, February 27, at 7pm. Former LA Opera Young Artist Alaysha Fox takes the stage along with Ashley Faatoalia (the Emperor in last season's Turandot) and star of stage and screen Orson Van Gay II with a program of iconic songs by Black composers who helped build the foundation of American classical music, including H. Leslie Adams, Margaret Bonds, and H.T. Burleigh. | |
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...for more listings...
Click "Submit Event" at the top to submit your happening!
Events must be submitted by Wednesday evening of the appropriate newsletter week to be included on Friday's issue. Please do not submit auditions or deadlines to the calendar - contact us instead, and we'll help spread the word in other ways.
PLEASE NOTE: Things change, and we are not always notified.
Always check the presenter's own website or social media pages for availability, and get details and updates directly from the source.
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