The Music Center has just announced an open call to Los Angeles-based artists who wish to audition for the 62nd L.A. County Annual Holiday Celebration scheduled to air on December 24, 2021, from 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. There is now an online portal available for local performing artists and cultural groups to apply now through August 1, 2021.
It was the late Kenneth Hahn, supervisor of the Second District of Los Angeles County for 40 years (1952-1992) who in 1959 founded the free three-hour annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration to present live performances of music, choral music and dance performances by LA artists. Hahn was an avid advocate for providing free access to the arts and for over 60 years, a diverse group of L.A.-based artists and community groups have had the opportunity to showcase their talent, artistry and traditions on The Music Center’s iconic Dorothy Chandler Pavilion stage. As a result of the pandemic and L.A. County’s “Safer at Work and in the Community” order issued in 2020, however, rather than cancel the traditional arts celebration, the decision was made for it to be pre-recorded and aired on PBS SoCal and KCET and streamed on PBSSocal.org and KCET.org. It still remains to be seen, of course, if this year’s performance will be performed live or pre-recorded.
Produced by The Music Center & PBS SoCal in association with CDK Productions, the L.A. County Annual Celebration has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, among them being the 60th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration was named the winner of a 2020 Los Angeles Emmy® Award for Live Special Events – Programming. The 59th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration was named the winner of a 2019 Gold Telly Award for Television Craft, Use of Live Video; a Silver Telly for Television Entertainment; and a Silver Telly for Television Craft/Directing. And the 58th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration was named the winner of a 2018 Silver Telly Award for Television / Live Event and a Bronze Telly for Television / Craft Director.
Here is just a sample of who has performed at the annual L.A County Holiday Celebration include: The Citrus Singers, Colburn Concert Choir & Young Men’s Chorus, Cuñao, Daniel Ho Trio & Friends, Infinite Flow, Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy, Kayamanan Ng Lahi Philippine Flok Arts, KAYPA, Las Colibri, Le Ballet Dembaya, Lorenzo Johnson & Praizum, Los Robles Master Chorale, Mt. SAC Chamber Singers, Pacifico Dance Company, and Palmdale High School Chamber Singers and Sunday Night Singers.
Requirements
Artists must belong to one of the following performance categories: vocal ensemble, music ensemble or dance, and performances must be suitable for an all-ages crowd.
Applicants must complete online application form.
Submit a high-quality three-minute video (max length). Video must: Show a continuous performance; no edited pieces or montages; Video must be a recent recording (within the past 2-3 years): If artists do not have a performance recording at this time, they can start the application and submit the video portion any time before the August 1, 2021 deadline.
Note: Recorded Zoom video calls (or similar program) will be accepted as performance video if existing material is not readily available before the deadline.
DEADLINE: Sunday, August 1, 2021 (at 11:59 p.m.)
VIDEO ADVICE: The Music Center provides applicants with a YouTube webinar explaining the application process. To watch the webinar, click HERE.
For more information, click HERE.
*Pending County public health guidelines, a live performance at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is TBD.
TO RECAP
WHAT: Local talent can now apply to perform in the 62nd annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration, presented by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and produced by The Music Center.
WHO: L.A. County-based cultural and performing arts groups interested in representing the talent and traditions found in communities across the region are encouraged to apply.
WHY: Selected artists will perform in this long-standing, multicultural tradition in Los Angeles, which will be broadcast on local television to a large audience. The three-hour televised production is a holiday celebration showcasing the best bands, orchestras, choirs and dance companies the County has to offer.*
WHEN: The performance is scheduled to air on December 24, 2021, from 3:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
APPLY: Click HERE.
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Ballet Folkorico de Los Angeles – 2020 LA County Holiday Celebration – Photo courtesy of The Music Center
