Strange and amazing, unlikely and enviable, the life of Alexander Hamilton could be a blueprint for the evolution of Washington, DC. This is a man who started off an orphan and ended up a lawyer, banker and founding father before dying famously in a duel with the Vice President of the United States. First built to house the federal government, DC is now a city where polish and sophistication have been charmed by a bohemian spirit yielding a new, thriving, artistic underground. Located just two blocks from the White House, the District’s newest destination for envelope-pushing, visionary music and talent defies convention, much like Hamilton himself. Visit thehamiltondc.com for more information.
Tag Archives: performances
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center
The David Rubenstein Atrium, a vibrant public visitors’ and ticketing facility on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets is open daily with an array of services for local residents, the general public, and the thousands of people who visit Lincoln Center and the surrounding community every day.
Come to the David Rubenstein Atrium on Broadway between 62nd and 63rd Streets and explore:
* A vibrant community gathering place to linger in and enjoy, with plenty of places to sit
* A venue for free weekly performances as part of Target Free Thursdays
* A resource for day-of discount tickets to available Lincoln Center performances
* Food service from Chef Tom Colicchio’s ‘wichcraft café
* A staffed Information Desk
* Restrooms
* A destination for free Wi-Fi access
Rose Parade
Bring in the New Year with the locals at the annual Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. Originating in 1890, the parade was started to show off California’s beautiful climate and it will still be sunny this year. They’ll be elaborate floral floats, musical performances, marching bands and even a Rose Queen. After the parade the fun continues with the Rose Bowl football game.
http://www.tournamentofroses.com/
Shakespeare Free for All Aug. 19—Sept. 5
The Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Free For All is a much-loved Washington tradition, offering free performances of a Shakespearean classic to the general public. For further info visit www.shakespearetheatre.org
The Norton Simon Museum: Picture Perfect in Pasadena
The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena is truly noteworthy when it comes to its artwork and exhibits.
Featuring Asian Art, European Art, and anything that is remotely Modern or contemporary, is featured in this hideaway. Current exhibitions at the Norton Simon include Hiroshige: Visions of Japan, while future exhibitions will be Raphael’s “The Small Cowper”.
The vast amount of exhibitions and collections keeps tours and memberships alive. The Norton Simon, known for relatively inexpensive admission rates, has multiple levels of membership for active visitors as well as same-day admission for $8.00.
Tours are also encouraged from those at Norton Simon who administer guided tours as well as spotlight talks featuring twenty minute discussions free to visitors.
Along with guided tours and visits to the Museum, Norton Simon frequently features adult drawing and art history classes as well as lectures and dance performances.
With multiple ways to enjoy the exhibits and collections, Norton Simon makes it easy for anyone to become fascinated by the works around them.
2. Free Concerts Galore in Central Park July 1-31
Anyone who lives in NYC knows that Central Park is the place to go for amazing free concerts in the summer. From SummerStage to GMA’s Summer Concert Series, there’s a plethora of options both day and night in Central Park.
In July, the SummerStage will feature the highly anticipated performances The Metropolitan Opera: Summer Recital Series as well as the critically acclaimed Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Company. The SummerStage also plays host to Comedy Central’s The Daily Show in July as world music like Istanbulive II.
GMA’s star-studded stage lives up to its reputation this month with performances from Mary J. Blige, The GO-GO’s, Sheryl Crow and the Black Eyed Peas. All these concerts are free and open to the public, but there is always a long, long wait, so plan to get there early… very early.
3. Theatre Reigns at Capital Fringe Festival July 8-25
The international festival for independent and experimental theatre artists is arriving in Washington DC for its fifth year. Enjoy some of the best theatre – outside the mainstream – from around the world for cheap prices. Featuring a variety of venues like abandoned warehouses and stores, you won’t want to miss out on these controversial, unconventional and interactive performances. You can even meet the artists in workshops that range from basic theatre to an intro to beatboxing. Whatever your interest is, you are bound to find something you like, with over 140 performances in two weeks. Local restaurants and bars are also taking part in this celebration with discounts on meals and drinks before and after shows. Check the website for participating locations.
3. Berklee Summer Concert Series Takes Over Boston July 1-31
Berklee is one of the most prestigious music schools in the country, with famous alumni like John Mayer. This summer, at basically every major juncture in Boston there is a Berklee musician scheduled to perform. From downtown’s Prudential Center to Cambridge’s Kendall Square to the ICA and even Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor, you can hear up-and-coming artists and bands performing everything from Latin to blues to jazz to acoustic guitar. Most performances are free, so make sure to look at the website for times and locations.
1. Madama Butterfly Kicks Off Summer Opera Series June 26-30
Puccini’s classic Madama Butterfly kicks off Central City Opera’s Colorado Summer Musical Festival. It has a reputation as one of the premiere summer musical festivals in the state, which is a reputation that’s well deserved. Showing performances amongst Colorado’s beautiful mountain setting, Central City Opera still keeps the quality of its performances with internationally acclaimed artists, visually stimulating sets, decadent costumes and a professional live orchestra. Other summer headliners include Orpheus in the Underworld and Three Decembers, along with many other short festival extras and events.
Kimmel Center: All-Star on Avenue of the Arts
To witness the finer side of performing arts, the Kimmel Center is the place to be in Center City. The Kimmel is operating multiple venues (the Academy of Music and Merriam Theater, along with its namesake venue The Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts) on the Avenue of the Arts. There are not many places in the area where you could witness everything from Neko Case to Lyle Lovett to The Vienna Philharmonic.
The Academy of Music, one of Philadelphia’s oldest and most prestigious theaters, showcases one of the most robust Broadway series outside of New York City. With offerings like Dream Girls and the revival of South Pacific, there is a show for every taste. The Kimmel Center’s in-house presenter hosts a variety of programming every year with some of the most respected and revered musicians, dancers and performers in the world. And for those who don’t like the commitment, there are informal free performances in the beautiful, expansive lobby every Friday night.
If you enjoy the art of a building as opposed to a performance, the Kimmel Center is one of the most famous designs from architectural designer Rafael Viñoly. The building is an entire city block of vaulted glass roof and makes any first-time visitor gasp in amazement.
Putting the TRUE in The Troubadour
The Troubadour in West Hollywood is the truest definition of a LA live music venue. New bands, old bands and whatever falls in between seem to flock to The Troubadour for weekly performances that keep the tickets sold out and the lines long. With multiple acts and set lists, The Troubadour has seen some pretty impressive faces, from Neil Young to James Taylor. If you have made it in the music industry, you have most likely played here.
When it opened its doors in 1957, it probably wasn’t expecting to be the locale for a spontaneous performance seven years later by Bob Dylan himself. Thanks to people like Young and Dylan who have once taken the stage, the weekends are packed with bands hoping that this is the first day to the rest of their thriving careers.
Insider Tip: Due to the selection of up and coming bands with Los Angeles favorites, ticket prices tend to vary. The other bummer is the parking situation, whether it is parking in the structure across the street or valet parking. Situated in between clubs and bars, parking is nearly impossible so it may pay to walk or take whatever you saved on the ticket and hand it over to valet.
5. Asian American Film Festival March 11-21
Be sure to come down to the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival, the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian American and Asian films. The festival has 
been a launching point for Asian American independent filmmakers, and presents about 120 works in San Francisco, Berkeley and San Jose. Created in 1982, this festival has been a vital source of new Asian cinema.
There are plenty of events as well, like panels, talks and live performances. Be sure to attend the opening night gala, where all the stars and filmmakers will be to mix and mingle.
Reviews and Romance at the Palace of Fine Arts
Known for its natural beauty, the Palace of Fine Arts in The Presidio is even more famous for its performance lineup. Almost every name in history has come here to speak, dedicate, and inspire: Truman Capote, Francis Ford Coppola, Jay Leno, Joan Baez, and Jane Fonda, to name a few. With personalities such as these and over 1000 continental-style seats, you will be comfortable at every function.
Fortunately, you don’t have to book yourself a ticket to enjoy the venue. There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting by the Palace’s Corinthian columned rotunda and lagoon, brimming with bright flowers and peaceful swans. This setting has long been the symbol of the Palace of Fine Arts and draws thousands of people each year to its romantic backdrop. It is, after all, San Francisco’s top choice for outdoor weddings.
The Palace of Fine Arts is sure to charm you as you watch lovers stroll hand-in-hand and parents helping their toddlers throw breadcrumbs to the birds.
3. Transport Yourself at Art Deco Weekend 1/15 – 1/17/10
There’s just something about the open road that fills people with passion: top down, seats back, wind in your face, m
usic blaring, and no deadlines. This paints the picture of the American Dream: Freedom. The 33rd Annual Art Deco weekend invites you to participate in celebrating the technology of transportation, because without it, this fantasy could have never become reality.
Art Deco Weekend was started in ’76 to raise awareness and appreciation of the arts and culture of the Arts Deco Era (1925 – 1945). The events of this year’s weekend celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Antique Automobile Club of America will include, a film series, theatrical performances, dance performances, a Saturday morning parade, and many more.
Hubbard Street Dances Outside the Box
If you’ve seen the Nutcracker more times than you can count then try on a new dance for size. The Hubbard Street Dance Company is boasting their Winter Series at the Harris Theater in Millennium Park, which will blow your Nutcracker-Deja-vu-Blues away. Critically acclaimed for its innovative performances and top echelon of choreographers, when Hubbard Street announces a new series, you’ll want 
to snag your tickets asap. The billboards for this baby are already adorning all of Chi-town.
Dancing to the “haunting music” of Arvo Pärt by Ohad Naharin and rocking out to ‘Boléro’ by Maurice Ravel, the dancers will have you squirming in your seat awaiting your chance to move. Even if this means nothing to you, isn’t it enough that it’s:
- Inspiring? Yes.
- New? Yes.
- Leaves you with something to talk about? Yes.
So leave Clara and her sugar plum fairies to their ol’ routine this season and support a company that dares to push the envelope.
The Winter Series is from December 3-6, 2009 in Millennium Park, but make sure to check their website for their seasonal series.
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
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The Atlanta Contemporary Art Center is where to go to experience contemporary culture. You’ll find painting, sculpture, music and performances by local, national and international artists. Check their schedule—they’re famous for their artist talks and innovative presentations involving audience participation.
The Center is currently closed for renovation, but will be re-opening on October 19, 2013. Visit the website at thecontemporary.org for more information about events during the summer, and the grand re-opening!