February 7, 2025 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Santa Monica Symphony Presents Free MLK Concert This Saturday, Jan. 18:

The Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with its annual Martin Luther King Day weekend concert this Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7:30 pm.

The “jazz extravaganza” takes place at the SGI Auditorium, 525 Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica.

“We are honored to be able to host the Santa Monica Symphony and welcome the community to come to the concert and celebrate Dr. King’s life and his relevance to our lives today” said Ian McIlraith, Director of Peace and Community Relations at SGI.

The concert features the Harlem Symphony of African American jazz legend, William Price Johnson.

The piece, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s, is Johnson’s musical exploration of the African American experience in America.

Written during the Prohibition Era and premiered at Carnegie Hall, Harlem Symphony was almost lost until the Baltimore Symphony’s Marin Alsop took an interest, tracked down Johnson’s surviving relatives and found the music to Harlem Symphony stashed in an attic.

“I’m thrilled to be able to introduce the audience to this historic piece of music,” said Guido Lamell, music director and conductor of the Santa Monica Symphony. “It’s a great work that probably no one here has heard before… a true buried treasure.”

Keeping with the jazz theme is George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

From the opening clarinet glissando, Rhapsody displays how masterfully Gershwin brought American jazz idioms to the orchestral repertoire. Gershwin was at the piano when the work premiered in 1924.

Sitting at the keyboard on Saturday will be Los Angeles pianist and recording artist Bryan Pezzone.

Pezzone is a crossover classical/jazz artist who is equally at home with classical repertoire and improvisational jazz.

The concert concludes with the civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome.”

The audience will be asked to join in and sing along as the orchestra plays and improvises with the song popularized by the Civil Rights movement and Dr. King.

“Unity in Community” is the theme of this year’s weekend of events hosted by SGI and the MLK Westside coalition.

Festivities begin with a Prayer Breakfast on Friday morning, continuing with the Symphony concert Saturday evening and conclude with commemorative events on Monday, January 20.

The MLK Westside Coalition was founded in 1985 and now has more than 40 community partners including the City of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College, the Westside Interfaith Council, and the Santa Monica-Venice branch of the NAACP.

Darlene Evans, President of the MLK Westside Coalition, said she was excited for the weekend.

“We hope the community attends the concert as well as the other events that are a part of our 29th Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King,” Evans said.

As with all Santa Monica Symphony concerts, admission is free.

Free parking is available in the structure at 1212 7th behind the 7 Eleven. Additional parking is available in City Parking Structures on 4th Street.

The Symphony’s final two concerts of the 2013-2014 season will be Sunday, March 9 at 7 pm and Saturday, May 24 at 7:30 pm. Both concerts will take place in Barnum Hall on the campus of Santa Monica High School.

For more information, visit www.smsymphony.org or call 310.395.6330.

in News
<>Related Posts

Student Protest Over Immigration Policies Leads to Walkouts Across the Westside

February 7, 2025

February 7, 2025

Walkout Turns Tense as Counter-Protester Confronts Teen in Video From Venice Students from Santa Monica High School (SAMOHI), Culver City...

10-Year-Old Palisades Girl Wins Martial Arts Medals Weeks After Losing Home to Fire

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Savoian, a green belt in Yoshukai karate, trained at Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center in Pacific Palisades Just weeks after...

Open Arms Art Show Runs Through Mar. 22 in Burbank

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Opening Exhibition Saturday Feb. 8 from 12 to 8p.m. More than an art show, the Open Arms Exhibition is an...

Quiet Luxury: What’s Inside the New Regent Boutique and Sweet July

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

The Regent Santa Monica Beach, known for its perfect Santa Monica getaways, or local dining at its Mediterranean-based restaurant Orla...

Santa Monica Waives Outdoor Dining Fees After Wildfires

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

101 businesses participate in Santa Monica’s outdoor dining programs, which began as a temporary measure during COVID-19 In an effort...

(Photos) Kamala Harris Visits Destruction of Palisades Fire

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Harris spoke with first responders, service providers, and evacuees about recovery efforts and resources Former Vice President Kamala Harris joined...

Film Review: Companion

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

FILM REVIEWCOMPANIONRated R97 MinutesReleased January 31st Companion is like an O. Henry short story, moving at a breezy clip, with...

Best Spots to Celebrate Valentines, Galentines, or Have a Super Bowl Party on the Westside

February 6, 2025

February 6, 2025

Cocktails, Game Day Grub, Valentine’s Pasta, and a Lonely Heart’s Tea Service You will find many excellent ways to celebrate...

Dead Body Found on Sands of Venice Beach, Investigation Underway

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

A death investigation is underway By Zach Armstrong A death investigation is underway after local officials discovered a dead body...

Will Rogers State Beach to Become Temporary Hazardous Waste Site

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

The site, located on flat, open land near the burn zone, will serve as a staging area where materials will...

FDA Issues High-Risk Recall for Pre-Packaged Broccoli Florets Sold at Walmart

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Recall Is Now Classified as Class I Due to Seriousness Of Contamination The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has classified...

Matū Kai Brings Its Signature Wagyu and Famous Cheesesteak to Brentwood

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Team Behind Beverly Hills’ Acclaimed Matū Is Opening a Second Location One of Beverly Hills’s newest and most popular restaurants,...

SaMoHi Science Teacher Arrested for Alleged Student Relationship

February 5, 2025

February 5, 2025

Ingo Gaida Faces Misdemeanor Charges After Investigation into Inappropriate Conduct A Santa Monica High School science teacher was arrested Wednesday,...

Supermarket Reopens in Palisades Following Wildfire Damage

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

The store is currently operating on a generator until power is fully restored The Vons supermarket at 17380 W Sunset...

State Farm Seeks Emergency Rate Hike, Citing Wildfire Losses—Consumer Advocates Push Back

February 4, 2025

February 4, 2025

Insurer Requests up to a 38% Rate Increase, but Critics Call It an Unjustified Cash Grab In a press release...