Music

Classical Music World: Musical Taste

By ANN MCLAUGHLIN, Artistic Director
Los Alamos Concert Association

I don’t like sushi. Growing up near fishing boat and cannery aromas conditioned me to avoid eating anything raw from the sea and there is something about that chewy seaweed wrap that sets my teeth on edge. My husband and children love the stuff.

Musical taste, like culinary taste, is a very personal matter.

Several years ago, I heard from two friends after a concert. One described the experience as “transcendent.” The other referred to “that horrible, horrible pianist.” And guess what? They were both right. 

In matters Read More

¡Fiesta Los Alamos! Fundraiser Schedule Announced

Baile Español. Courtesy/Rotary STARS

ROTARY STARS News:

Tomorrow evening, the Los Alamos Rotary STARS will hold its first annual ¡Fiesta Los Alamos! fundraiser 6-10 p.m. at Fuller Lodge. All proceeds raised throughout the evening will support a shelter for the parents of children receiving treatment in Juarez, Mexico who are forced by poverty to sleep on the street while their children are in the hospital.

The schedule has just been announced for the evening (subject to change):

  • 6 p.m. Doors open/Cash bar opens
  • 6-7 p.m. Mariachi Mestizo plays
  • 6:30 p.m.  Dinner buffet opens
  • 7 p.m. – Flamenco
Read More

Get Some ‘Satisfaction’ At The Pond Tonight

Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Show. Courtesy photo

CONCERT SERIES News:

Satisfaction: The International Rolling Stones Show is the international touring tribute show. It’s coming to Ashley Pond at 7 p.m. today as part of the Summer Concert Series.

This Billboard and Pollstar highly rated show is entering its 15th year in production with over 2,500 performances listed to their credit.

Their client list includes the nation’s top casinos, performing arts centers, music halls and corporate clients.

Performing up to 150 shows a year, this highly acclaimed production Read More

Salome: The Princess And Her Worst Nightmare

Brian Jagde (Narraboth) and Ensemble in ‘Salome.’ Photo © Ken Howard/Santa Fe Opera, 2015 

Ryan McKinny (Jochanaan) and Alex Penda (Salome) in ‘Salome.’ Photo © Ken Howard/Santa Fe Opera, 2015
 
 
Review by ROGER SNODGRASS with CARL NEWTON
Los Alamos Daily Post

A new production of one of Richard Strauss’s most popular operas, Salome, opened Saturday night at the Santa Fe Opera. An excruciating portrait of a homicidal family, the opera conceivably takes place in real time in less than two hours in a single act. It goes down in a gasp.

This is a story about a very bad dream

Read More

Tuesdays At The Pond Features Opera

LACDC News:

Tuesdays at the Pond this week features Opera at the Pond, 7 p.m. at Ashley Pond. Tuesdays at the Pond, a summer entertainment series, runs through Aug. 11. It brings a variety of entertainment acts to the Ashley Pond stage in downtown Los Alamos every Tuesday evening.

Singers Christina Martos (soprano), Carlos Archuleta (baritone), and Olivia Hakel (mezzo soprano) will be joined by award winning pianist John Rangel for an evening of opera and musical theater favorites. The performance will include selections from Carmen, The Barber of Seville, Porgy and Bess, Les Miserables Read More

Stooges Takes Audience Captive At Summer Concert

The crowd dances to the Stooges Brass Band from New Orleans Friday evening at Ashley Pond Park. Photo by Rowan T. Lumb/ladailypost.com

Los Alamos County Summer Concert Series promoter Russ Gordon dazzles the crowd. Photo by Rowan T. Lumb/ladailypost.com

 

By ROWAN THOMAS LUMB
Los Alamos Daily Post

The Stooges took the audience captive Friday night at Ashley Pond Park.

An exciting, and jazzy show kept concert goers engaged and awake with booming tuba parts, shrilling mellophone, and a slew of solos from keyboard, percussion, guitar, and trombone.

Anyone with an affinity for brass was Read More

Stooges Brass Band Plays Ashley Pond Park Tonight

The Stooges Brass Band from New Orleans is playing at 7 p.m. today at Ashley Pond Park. Courtesy photo

 

By RUSS GORDON, Producer
Summer Concert Series

The Stooges Brass Band from New Orleans plays at 7 p.m. today at Ashley Pond Park in downtown Los Alamos. They will play and the crowd will party.

This is going to be an amazing, high energy show from Treme. Those of you who dug the TV show “Treme” or have been to Mardi Gras or any of the almost weekly parades in N.O. know you’re in for an incredible night. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, you’re probably Read More

Culturally Rich Fiestas de Taos July 17-19

Kids in period costumes at a previous Fistas de Taos. Courtesy photo

TAOS News:

As one of the most culturally rich towns in the U.S.,Taos is celebrating its annual Fiestas de Taos July 17-19, featuring three full days of festive events in honor of the feast days of Taos’ Catholic patron saints, St. Anne and St. James (Santa Ana y Santiago).

Fiestas de Taos features live music – much of it, donated by local talent – traditional dances, parades, and special presentations along with food and crafts vendors and activities for children. A Fiesta Queen is traditionally selected among local contenders Read More

Sangre de Cristo Chorale Selects New Music Director

Andrew Schmidt. Courtesy photo

MUSIC News:

The Sangre de Cristo Chorale announces the selection of Andrew Schmidt as its new Music Director.

The Chorale, soon to begin in its 38th season, has been continually offering concerts to Santa Fe and Los Alamos audiences since 1978. Schmidt is only the fourth individual to lead the group in those 36 years, including 25 years under the baton of original director Sheldon Kalberg.

Schmidt was selected following a rigorous search process. Candidates were evaluated based on their ability to attract diverse singers and audiences while enhancing choral Read More

African Dance Group Performance Canceled

His Royal Highness Prince Jongisilo Pokwana ka Menziwa

SCIENCEFEST News:

Los Alamos County has announced that the South African band Dizu Plaatjies Ibuyambo have had to cancel their performance scheduled for today and Saturday in Los Alamos because of problems obtaining visas to travel to the United States.

However, Ibuyambo’s cultural entertainment representative and Xhosa tribe member Prince “Zuko” Jongisilo Pokwana ka Menziwa and his wife Nosizwe, are still planning a visit to Los Alamos to participate in “Culture on Tap” at 5 p.m. July 15 at Unquarked Wine Room.

At “Culture on Tap,” Read More