Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza”
October 16th- November 29th at the Santa Monica Pier

After seeing a performance of Cirque du Soleil’s newest spectacular, “Kooza”, I have decided that if at all possible, everyone should see one Cirque show before they die. Cirque du Soleil has been revered since it’s inception for their crème de la crème performers, brilliant visuals, and otherworldly musical arrangements, and “Kooza” gives new Cirque audience members a taste of what everybody has been raving about.

»continue reading The Cirque is in Town: Cirque du Soleil’s “Kooza” @ Santa Monica Pier (Review)

When you go to watch a performance at the Getty Villa, you don’t expect to see a mountain of garbage in the center of the stage, nor have the play opened by a man dressed in a mariachi costume with a giant foam Dodgers finger on one hand. Performances of Greek comedies are not usually filled with scatological humor or rapid-fire sexual innuendos that would make even the Bard blush. However, this is exactly the kind of experience the theater group Culture Clash wants you to have. You can see a traditional interpretation of Aristophanes’ play another time, so for now sit back and listen to some fart jokes.

The play’s title is Peace, but it might as well be Shit, Weed, and Peace, because that more accurately describes the major themes of the play in order of emphasis and importance. The story follows Ty Dye (John Fleck), a crazed pot farmer who, having grown sick of the constant wars plaguing the world, decides to travel to the top of Mount Olympus in search of the goddess Peace. Riding on the back of a gigantic dung beetle, Ty Dye reaches the heavens only to hear from the very flamboyant god, Hermes (or rather, Hermés), that Peace has been captured and is being kept away from humanity in a cave by Mars, the god of War. Enter Mars, looking not unlike an oversized Marvin the Martian wearing an Army officer’s uniform emblazoned with a swastika and sheriff’s badge. Now Ty Dye must free Peace from War’s evil clutches with the help of some Guatemalan gardeners (writers Montoya, Salinas, and Siguenza), a feisty Malibu housewife-cum-Greek chorus leader (Amy Hill), and a trio of Mariachi ladies (Las Colibrí).

»continue reading Stage Review: Aristophanes’ Peace

This week marks the 199th anniversary of “el grito de Dolores” or, as we norteamericanos like to call it, “the Mexican Independence Day that we thought was Cinco de Mayo”. On September 16, 1810, Mexico threw off the shackles of Spanish rule following a call to arms by one Padre Miguel Hidalgo and what was surely as inspirational a speech as Taylor Swift would have delivered at the MTV VMA’s if given the chance. Since another historic Hidalgo incident, the Treaty of Guadeloupe Hidalgo, gave our fair state to the USA three decades and change later, it seems only fitting that at least one day a year, Los Angelenos get a chance to remember the good old days…

»continue reading Festival Run-Down: The Best and the Worst of Fiestas Patrias de California

Fiestas Patrias California
Olvera Street Plaza, Downtown LA
10a-10p Saturday, Sept. 12
10a-9p Sunday, Sept. 13

September 12th is fast approaching. Are you stuck with no plans for Mexican Independence Day? Are you worried that once again all your friends will be celebrating with their cooler compadres and you’ll be crying into your flan alone… again? Fear not, friends, because you can be at the social gathering of the season and celebrate Mexican Independence Day with Los Angeles at the Fiestas Patrias California festival! This September 12-13th, come enjoy musical performances, food, rides, and family-friendly activities. Best of all: it’s free!

» Fiestas Patrias California (official site)