The best of DEI is alive and showcased in Downtown LA; a folkloric seasonal fete in Northridge; encore ballet scare in Venice; peak Nutcracker season throughout SoCal; and a peek at next week (still more Nutcrackers?)
Live This Week
Live or Stream?
The show is free! The parking is free! And it also is live-streamed. So many ways to see the 66th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration. Sponsored by the LA County Board of Supervisors, the yearly performance showcases dance, music, and choral groups from diverse performance ecosystems throughout LA’s sprawl. Dance groups include Ballet Folklórico de Esperanza, Bob Barker Marionette Theater, Carousel Dance Company, Kim Eung Hwa & Korean Dance Company, Le Ballet Dembaya, and Reverb Tap Company. A full list of performers is at the website but as of press time, no information on the performance schedule. Livestream on PBS SoCal or on the pbssocal.org website. The Music Center, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown LA; Wed., Dec. 24, 3 to 6 pm, free, ticketing, info, and updates at LA County Holiday Celebration
Le Ballet Dembaya at LA County Holiday Celebration. Photo by Timothy Norris
Seasonal swirlings
Marking its tenth year, the popular seasonal event Nochebuena – A Christmas Spectacular returns with extended performances. Lots of dance from Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles led by Kareli Montoya. The dancers get help from Mariachi Pueblo Viejo. This year’s special guest is Mexican actress and multi-nominated Grammy and Latin Grammy vocalist Ximena Sariñana. The Soraya, Cal State University Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge; Sat., Dec. 20 2 & 7pm, Sun. Dec. 21, 2 pm, Mon. Dec. 22, 2 pm, $54-$79. Nochebuena
Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles. Photo courtesy of the artists
A different seasoning
For those who want a bit of fright to spice their seasonal eggnog, The Realm Company returns with artistic director Chasen Greenwood’s Krampus. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice; Sat., Dec. 20 & 27, 7 pm, Sun., Dec. 21 & 28, 3 pm, $58.90-$106.17. The Realm Company-Krampus
The Realm Company in rehearsal for “Krampus” choreography by Chasen Greenwood – Photo by Hannah Cox Photography.
How he came here
Joined by Fanny Perez, Miralva Swaby, and Penpa Tsering, multi-disciplinary artist creator Guadalupe Maravilla brings the autobiographical A Performance to the stage in a free performance. REDCAT, Disney Hall, 631 W. Second St., Downtown LA; Fri., Dec. 19, 8 pm, free w/reservation at Guadalupe Maravilla
Guadalupe Maravilla. Photo courtesy of the artist
Find this week’s bumper season of Nutcrackers here: Link to Nutcrackers 2025
A Peek at Next Week (December 26 to January 1)
Lula Washington Dance Theatre – 45th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration and Umoja Circle. Lula Washington Dance Theatre, 3773 Crenshaw Blvd., Baldwin Hills; Umoja Circle – Sat., Dec. 27, 5 pm, $250+, LWDT-Umoja Circle. Also 45th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration – Sun., Dec. 28, 3 & 6 pm, $49.87, $39.19 students/seniors, $17.85 children under 12 years. 45th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration
Lula Washington Dance Theatre – Photo courtesy of the artists.
Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert with dancers from San Diego Ballet at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown LA; Sun., Dec. 28, 2:30 pm, $61-$171. Salute to Vienna Los Angeles Also at Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Tues., Dec. 30, 8 pm, $55.37 – $157.07. San Diego Ballet-Salute to Vienna
Grand Kyiv Ballet – Nutcracker at Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 743 S. Lucerne, Hancock Park; Tues., Dec. 30, 7 pm, $44-$79. Grand Kyiv Nutcracker
And more Nutcrackers! Link to Nutcrackers 2025
Ballet Folklorico de Los Angeles in Noche Buena – photo by Luque Photography
Ann Haskins’ Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
