{"id":250205,"date":"2026-04-03T15:30:20","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:30:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/250205\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T15:30:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T15:30:20","slug":"segerstrom-center-for-the-arts-turns-40-launches-hispanic-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/250205\/","title":{"rendered":"Segerstrom Center for the Arts turns 40, launches Hispanic initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During a time of great anti-immigrant turmoil, with ICE in our airports and the Supreme Court hearing the Trump administration\u2019s argument against birthright citizenship, it gives me great joy to write that Segerstrom Center for the Arts is celebrating its 40th anniversary season with a new Hispanic initiative that aims to expand the organization\u2019s commitment to Latino arts and culture across all of its stages, as well as in its education and community programs.<\/p>\n

The initiative is anchored by the appointment of Grammy Award-winning composer and bandleader Arturo O\u2019Farrill as the center\u2019s inaugural artist in residence. There is also a new slate of programming called \u201c\u00a1VIVA! The Spenuzza Series\u201d featuring O\u2019Farrill in a variety of jazz performances, including with the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, and concerts with enticing names like \u201cRumba para Monk Revisited\u201d and \u201cCopacabana Nights.\u201d Dance is also part of the series, with special performances by troupes such as Ballet Folkl\u00f3rico de M\u00e9xico de Amalia Hern\u00e1ndez and Ballet Hisp\u00e1nico. There is also a new commission featuring the Lowrider Symphony with Pacific Symphony.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we celebrate our 40th anniversary and honor the extraordinary legacy built by Henry Segerstrom, we are equally focused on the future, embracing bold artistic voices and expanding the ways we engage the diverse communities that call Orange County home,\u201d wrote Segerstrom president and chief executive Casey Reitz in an email, adding that the \u00a1VIVA! series helps \u201cbring a wide range of Hispanic and Latino artists and traditions to our stages and classrooms. Welcoming Arturo O\u2019Farrill as our inaugural Artist in Residence is another exciting part of this work, and his artistry and leadership will help deepen the cultural dialogue at the heart of this growing initiative.\u201d<\/p>\n

Additional 40th anniversary season programming includes the Tak\u00e1cs Quartet performing its interpretations of Beethoven; an international dance series including performances by Houston Ballet with pianist George Li; American Ballet Theatre with \u201cThe Nutcracker\u201d and later with \u201cThe Sleeping Beauty\u201d; the Stuttgart Ballet performing Pushkin\u2019s \u201cOnegin\u201d; and a cabaret series featuring actor and singer Krista Rodriguez, Broadway star Joaquina Kalukango; Tituss Burgess and Conrad Ricamora.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis season centers on a group of visionary artists who reflect both the depth of tradition and the urgency of the present moment,\u201d wrote Limor Tomer, vice president of programming and production, of her first season of shows, which she called \u201ca conversation between past and future, across cultures, and between artists and audiences. I\u2019ve sought out voices that are not only exceptional in their craft, but distinct in perspective, artists who honor legacy while actively expanding it.\u201d<\/p>\n

I\u2019m Arts editor Jessica Gelt giving a giant thumbs up to Segerstrom for moving into the next 40 years with a bold and expansive vision.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re reading Essential Arts <\/p>\n

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The week ahead: A curated calendar<\/p>\n

FRIDAY
Ring of Fire: Music From Around the Pacific Rim
The Brightwork Ensemble musically traverses the vast region with a program of contemporary chamber works from Asia, South America and the U.S.
8 p.m. Friday. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. brightworknewmusic.com<\/a> <\/p>\n

Noir City: Hollywood 2026
The American Cinematheque has 20 films, special guests and live music lined up for the return of this fan favorite. Opening night features a double bill of \u201cBlack Angel\u201d (1946) and \u201cBlues in the Night\u201d (1941), a performance by singer Laura Ellis and the Nick Rossi Trio and introductions by Eddie Muller, Alan K. Rode and Nick Rossi.
7 p.m. Friday; the festival continues through April 12. Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. americancinematheque.com<\/a> <\/p>\n

SATURDAY<\/p>\n

\"Pooya <\/p>\n

Pooya Mohseni, from left, Ava Lalezarzadeh, Tala Ashe and Marjan Neshat in \u201cEnglish\u201d by Sanaz Toossi.<\/p>\n

(Joan Marcus)<\/p>\n

English
On the heels of Rogue Machine\u2019s production of \u201cFairview\u201d by Jackie Sibblies Drury, local theatergoers are fortunate to get another L.A. premiere of a Pulitzer Prize-winning drama: Sanaz Toossi\u2019s play about a group of Iranians learning English in 2008 Karaj. This is the Atlantic Theater Company & Roundabout Theatre Company production directed by Knud Adams that was nominated for four Tony Awards last year, including best play.
Through April 26. The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org<\/a> <\/p>\n

The Lizard & El Sol
Pasadena Playhouse brings this free production aimed at children 5 years of age and younger to neighborhood parks. A brave little lizard goes on a sol-searching mission in this story adapted from Alma Flor Ada\u2019s Mexican folktale, originally developed and produced by the Alliance Theatre. Directed by Rub\u00e9n Gabriel Hern\u00e1ndez, the play is presented primarily in Spanish, but is designed to be enjoyed and understood by both Spanish and non-Spanish speakers.
9:30 and 11 a.m. Saturday, Sunday and April 11-12. Playhouse Village Park, 701 Union St., Pasadena; 9:30 and 11 a.m. April 18, 19, 25 and 26. Loma Alta Park, 3330 N. Lincoln Ave., Altadena; 9:30 and 11 a.m. May 3-4. Victory Park, 2575 N. Paloma St., Pasadena. pasadenaplayhouse.org<\/a> <\/p>\n

Looking Back, Looking Forward
The Los Angeles Children\u2019s Chorus, including the Apprentice Choir, Intermediate Choir, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, Young Men\u2019s Ensemble and Chorale, perform a program celebrating the group\u2019s 40th anniversary. The afternoon features works by Bach, Verdi, Rachmaninoff, Allister MacGillivray, Handel and Schubert, and international folk tunes. Part of the L.A. Phil\u2019s Sounds About Town series.
2 p.m. Saturday. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. lachildrenschorus.org<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"Beatriz <\/p>\n

Beatriz Cortez, \u201cThe Lakota Porch: A Time Traveler,\u201d 2017, Steel. Featured in the exhibition \u201cHeavy Metal.\u201d <\/p>\n

(Beatriz Cortez \/ Commonwealth and Council)<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery
The exhibition \u201cHeavy Metal\u201d takes a fresh approach to large-scale sculpture featuring 20 artists working various materials. Two solo exhibitions, \u201cIvan Bridges: Infinite Game\u201d and \u201cRachel Bridges: I\u2019m Not Your Filipina,\u201d focus on the independent practices of a pair of artists who happen to be married to each other.
All three exhibits run through June 20. Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, Barnsdall Art Park, 4800 Hollywood Blvd. lamag.org<\/a> <\/p>\n

Arun Ramamurthy with Nirmal Narayan and Vivek Chellappa
The three musicians perform a creative program of Hindustani music structured around classical ragas.
4 p.m. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. sierramadreplayhouse.org<\/a> <\/p>\n

SUNDAY
Several Eternities in a Day: Form in the Age of Living Materials
The exhibition features large-scale installations, paintings, works on paper, and mixed-media sculpture created from avocado, cacao, achiote, cochineal, stone, clay and natural dyes by 22 artists from across the Americas whose work is rooted in brown and Indigenous cultures.
Through Aug 23. UCLA Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. hammer.ucla.edu<\/a> <\/p>\n

MONDAY
California African American Museum
\u201cThe Sound of Gordon Parks\u201d examines the late photographer, filmmaker and writer\u2019s overlooked musical offerings. Parker composed both orchestral works, such as \u201cSymphonic Set for Piano and Orchestra\u201d (1953) and film scores, including for his directorial debut, \u201cThe Learning Tree\u201d (1969). \u201cFree and Queer: Black Californian Roots of Gay Liberation\u201d depicts Black Californians contributions to the fights for LGBTQ equality, civil rights and recognition. \u201cGordon Parks,\u201d through Sept. 13. \u201cFree and Queer,\u201d through Feb. 28, 2027. California African American Museum, 600 State Drive, Exposition Park. caamuseum.org<\/a> <\/p>\n

TUESDAY<\/p>\n

\"John <\/p>\n

John Kani performs in \u201c\u2018Master Harold\u2019 … and the Boys.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Geffen Playhouse)<\/p>\n

\u201cMaster Harold\u201d \u2026 and the Boys
Ben Beatty, Nyasha Hatendi and John Kani star in this revival of Athol Fugard\u2019s classic play set in 1950s apartheid South Africa. Directed by Emily Mann and Tarell Alvin McCraney.
Through May 10. Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Avenue, Westwood. geffenplayhouse.org<\/a> <\/p>\n

THURSDAY<\/p>\n

\"Sylvia <\/p>\n

The American Ballet Theatre\u2019s production of \u201cSylvia\u201d comes to the Segerstom Center for the Arts April 9-12.<\/p>\n

(Marty Sohl \/ American Ballet Theatre)<\/p>\n

Sylvia
American Ballet Theatre brings this classic piece to Orange County as part of the Ashton Worldwide 2024\u20132028 festival, a salute to the 20th century choreography master Frederick Ashton, whose 1952 revival of \u201cSylvia\u201d set the standard for future productions. The ballet, about the romance between a regal huntress and a simple shepherd in ancient Greece, features L\u00e9o Delibes\u2019 memorable score.
7:30 p.m. Thursday and April 10; 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 11; 1 p.m. April 12 Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. scfta.org\/events<\/a> <\/p>\n

Arts everywhere<\/p>\n

New releases of arts-related media.<\/p>\n

Casa Kahlo: Frida Kahlo\u2019s Home and Sanctuary
An intimate look inside the house that the artist bought in 1930 and her family has occupied ever since. The book contains detailed descriptions of the interiors, a wealth of personal items, drawings and paintings, her jewelry and clothing, as well as key documents and keepsakes. Written by Mara Romeo Kahlo, Mara de Anda Romeo and Frida Hentschel Romeo, the great nieces of Kahlo. Rizzoli Electa (out Tuesday): 256 pages, $55.<\/a> <\/p>\n

Live at The Met: Lise Davidsen\/James Baillieu
One of the youngest singers ever to give a solo recital at the Metropolitan Opera, the Norwegian soprano, accompanied by pianist James Baillieu, performs highlights from her Met roles, plus lighter pieces of operetta and musical theater. Decca: CD ($17).<\/a> <\/p>\n

\"Swiss <\/p>\n

Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, who designed LACMA\u2019s new Geffen Galleries, received the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2009.<\/p>\n

(Natacha Pisarenko \/ Associated Press)<\/p>\n

The Practice of Architecture: Visiting Peter Zumthor
The Geffen Galleries, the long-awaited addition to LACMA, finally opens this month, so maybe it\u2019s time we got to know its architect a little better. In this 2012 documentary directed by Michael Blackwood, the Swiss-born Zumthor, winner of the Pritzker Prize in 2009, is visited in his studio by critic Kenneth Frampton. The two men discuss the importance of landscape, light and material, and the architectural theory behind Zumthor\u2019s distinctive style. Watch for free on Kanopy<\/a>; or rent ($4) or buy ($34) on Prime Video<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2013 Kevin Crust<\/p>\n

Culture news and the SoCal scene \"Three <\/p>\n

Artists Sheila Pinkel, from left, Judith Dancoff, and elin o\u2019Hara slavick of the Slow War Against the Nuclear State collective at their \u201cAtomic Dragons\u201d exhibit at Pizter College, open through April 4.<\/p>\n

(Chloe Shrager)<\/p>\n

You\u2019ve got one more day to head to Pitzer College in Claremont to catch the end of the anti-nuclear \u201cAtomic Dragons\u201d art show <\/a>featuring art by SWANS, which stands for Slow War Against the Nuclear State. Freelancer Chloe Shrager writes, \u201cThe group is made up of artists, activists and academics with ties to the nuclear industry, including children and spouses of nuclear industrial complex workers \u2014 putting a new spin on the \u2018nuclear family.\u2019 The show examines the environmental and human cost of the atomic era through an artistic lens, tracing present day nuclear risk back to its Cold War roots.\u201d Saturday features a closing-day symposium<\/a> of nuclear experts.<\/p>\n

Times theater critic Charles McNulty caught opening night of \u201cKim\u2019s Convenience\u201d at the Ahmanson<\/a>. The show, about a Korean family that owns, well, a convenience store, comes with baked-in familiarity after its success as a Netflix sitcom. \u201c\u2018Kim\u2019s Convenience\u2019 has an eager-to-please TV sensibility that can seem formulaic at times,\u201d writes McNulty. \u201cBut representation, particularly these days, can be a radical act, and there\u2019s something heartening at the sight of the Kim family enjoying their turn in the mainstream spotlight.\u201d<\/p>\n

McNulty also weighed in on two very different local Arthur Miller plays<\/a>: \u201ca small, exquisitely acted\u201d production of \u201cThe Price\u201d at Pacific Resident Theatre; and \u201cDeath of a Salesman\u201d at Pasadena\u2019s A Noise Within, by which McNulty was \u201cdismally disappointed.\u201d Read on to find out why.<\/p>\n

Times classical music critic Mark Swed caught a Los Angeles Philharmonic Green Umbrella Series U.S. premiere of opera composer Gerald Barry\u2019s \u201cSalome\u201d at Walt Disney Concert Hall<\/a>. The show featured the L.A. Phil New Music Group and, \u201ca cast of extraordinary singers,\u201d Swed wrote, adding that Barry is, \u201ctoday\u2019s rare opera composer with a drought-dry wit.\u201d The \u201clavishly lovable\u201d performance did not disappoint.<\/p>\n

Malia Mendez got the scoop on Center Theatre Group\u2019s new season<\/a>, which includes a new production of August Wilson\u2019s \u201cFences\u201d along with Karen Zacar\u00edas\u2019 \u201cDestiny of Desire,\u201d Cole Escola\u2019s \u201cOh, Mary!\u201d as well as \u201cDog Man: The Musical,\u201d \u201cJohn Proctor Is the Villain\u201d and \u201cBoop! The Musical.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Two <\/p>\n

Jordan, right, and Eden Lim of the YouTube Channel \u201cBallet Reign\u201d in Carrollton, Texas, on Feb. 24, 2026. <\/p>\n

(Larsen & Talbert \/ For The Times)<\/p>\n

Freelancer Scot Paltrow traveled to Texas to interview two Gen Z YouTubers named Jordan and Eden Lim who run the popular YouTube Channel \u201cBallet Reign,\u201d<\/a> in which they break down the exciting minutiae of classic ballets. The channel has 67,000 international subscribers and counting, including fans of all ages.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Shepard Fairey DJs an opening night party at High Desert Art Fair in Pioneertown.<\/p>\n

(Jessica Gelt \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n

I spent my weekend in Pioneertown for the High Desert Art Fair,<\/a> where I moderated a panel on desert institutions featuring Desert Test Sites, Desert X and the Palm Springs Art Museum. I also caught a panel moderated by Harper Simon featuring Devo frontman Mark Mothersbaugh and street artist Shepard Fairey. I was caught off guard when Fairey declared that he was not afraid of AI art, but taken in context, his point makes sense. AI can be used for good and bad \u2014 you just need to bend the tool to your will, not allow it to happen the reverse direction.<\/p>\n

Enjoying this newsletter? Consider subscribing to the Los Angeles Times<\/p>\n

Your support helps us deliver the news that matters most. Become a subscriber.<\/a><\/p>\n

Art heists appear to be happening with more frequency these days<\/a>. In October thieves stole a variety of precious royal jewels from the Louvre in Paris in broad daylight; and earlier this week thieves stole three priceless paintings by Renoir, C\u00e9zanne and Matisse, valued at nearly $10 million, from the Magnani-Rocca Foundation near Parma, Italy. The overnight sneak attack reportedly took less than three minutes.<\/a> <\/p>\n

The Getty Museum made two recent acquisitions by artists not yet held in its collection: The first is \u201cGlass Vase With Flowers and Fruit\u201d by Jan Davidsz. de Heem (1606-about 1684), who is, according to a news release, \u201cthe preeminent master of floral still life painting in the \u2018golden age\u201d of Dutch art. The other is \u201cStill Life With Assorted Fruit\u201d by Pieter Claesz (1597\/98-1660). The De Heem is on view in the Getty Center\u2019s West Pavilion and the Claesz painting will go up at a later date. <\/p>\n

\u2014 Jessica Gelt<\/p>\n

And last but not least<\/p>\n

This writer walked about 15 miles from Silver Lake to Santa Monica Beach<\/a> with 30 other people and apparently had a lot of fun.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"During a time of great anti-immigrant turmoil, with ICE in our airports and the Supreme Court hearing the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":250206,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[10242,10246,10247,10243,48,52,51,47,50,49,63,10244,10239,10241,1406,10245,10240,1860,3044,430,1968],"class_list":{"0":"post-250205","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-los-angeles","8":"tag-design-columnist-carolina-a-miranda","9":"tag-existential-questions","10":"tag-group-show","11":"tag-l-a-museum","12":"tag-la","13":"tag-la-headlines","14":"tag-la-news","15":"tag-los-angeles","16":"tag-los-angeles-headlines","17":"tag-los-angeles-news","18":"tag-los-angeles-times","19":"tag-matthew-lopez","20":"tag-opera","21":"tag-pauline","22":"tag-performance","23":"tag-private-jet","24":"tag-schindler-house","25":"tag-show","26":"tag-story","27":"tag-week","28":"tag-work"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250205","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=250205"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/250205\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/250206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=250205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=250205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=250205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}