Arts Are Essential | May 7 – 14

PHOTO: The Music Center | South Pasadena News | South African Dancer/Choreographer Dada Masilo.

The Music Center has partnered with Dance Magazine to present an in-depth conversation between American Ballet Theatre (ABT) Principal Dancer Misty Copeland and South African dancer/choreographer Dada Masilo in INSIDE LOOK: misty copeland & dada masilo—changing narratives in dance. The program is available on-demand at musiccenter.org via The Music Center Offstage virtual platform starting Monday, May 10, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. The 30-minute conversation will share the personal anecdotes from two strong women of color who have navigated and conquered the complicated world of dance, breaking down barriers and misconceptions about dancer body types and repertoire storylines.

PHOTO: Gregg Delman | South Pasadena News | American Ballet Theatre Principal Dancer Misty Copelnad

“Even as our country looks toward the return of live performances in a post-COVID world, digital presentations will remain a vibrant part of our programming. The Music Center is a presenter and producer of programming that speaks to the needs, passions and interests of all—the tough topics openly discussed between these two world-class artists are conversations we need to hear and act upon to ensure the world of ballet eliminates the stereotypical trope of who and what a ballet dancer is,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “We are absolutely thrilled to work with Dance Media and one of its flagship publications, Dance Magazine, to present this amazing conversation and are grateful to Misty and Dada for their magnificent artistry on the stage and serene grace off the stage.”

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The Blue Guitar’s soothing Wine & Song Podcast is here for South Pasadenans to offer some respite from the world with featured singer/songwriters that harken back to our days of enjoying food and libations down at the Arroyo with host Brad Colerick. So pull up a chair or couch, sit back, relax and “Brad? Take us away!” Podcast #49 features Dana Cooper, Robinson & Rohe, Sam Amidon, Claire Holley, Chauncey Bowers, Tony Lucca, and Helen Rose. Tune in at BlueGuitar.club

Image: The Soroya | South Pasadena News | Étienne Gara, violinist, and founder and artistic director of Delirium Musicum

The Soroya announces one of the most promising new stars of classical music, Étienne Gara, violinist, and founder and artistic director of Delirium Musicum, has been named Soraya’s next Artist in Residence. To commence the two-year residency, The Soraya embarks on an epic journey by presenting MusiKaravan, a series of short films beginning May 6 at thesoraya.org, that follow Gara and fellow violinist YuEun Gemma Kim on a pandemic road trip as they safely spread music and joy, and celebrate the people who are “working hard to feed us physically and emotionally with quality products.” Each film highlights a different part of California where Gara and Kim performed pop-up and outdoor performances. California itself will continue to be a point of exploration for Gara during his residency.“MusiKaravan brings the energy of a concert hall into the intimacy of a special musical bonding experience. It creates a musical safe-zone that offers a humanness that is crucial in our society, sharing a true and liberating moment of life,” said Gara. “This experience has proved itself to be a life-changing extension of my artistic values, and will continue to shine brighter than ever as I join Thor and the dream team of The Soraya.”