ENCORE! ENCORE!
All around California, performance is a passion
Performance is the lifeblood of the arts, especially in California. From the Barbary Coast docks to the Paramount studio lots, drama, dance and music have always been an indelible part of the “Left Coast” spirit. The state’s scores of concert halls, symphony orchestras, theaters, jazz clubs, dance companies, comedy troupes, cabarets, operas and fringe festivals lay waste to the notion of spending a quiet evening (or even an afternoon) at home. A full accounting is impossible, but here are some suggestions to consider.
Regional Theaters
Los Angeles, not surprisingly, supports dozens of outstanding theater companies— such as Open Fist, Actors Co-op, diverse Cornerstone and Blank Theatre (which hosts the annual Young Playwrights Festival). The city’s star attraction is the Center Theatre Group, with everything from topshelf classics to cutting-edge solo performances on three stages: the Mark Taper Forum, the Kirk Douglas Theatre and the Ahmanson Theatre.
San Francisco’s legendary American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), Magic Theatre and Z Space are just a few of the city’s beloved native companies—not to mention the politically charged San Francisco Mime Troupe. For solo performance, check out both Intersection for the Arts and The Marsh, which has locations in San Francisco and Berkeley. A terrific addition to the Bay Area theater scene is We Players, “connecting people with place through site-integrated theatre.”
Across the Bay Bridge, Berkeley Repertory Theatre continues its tradition of inspired experimentation. And don’t overlook “Cal Shakes”—the California Shakespeare Company—with its gorgeous open-air venue in the Orinda hills.
San Diego’s venerable La Jolla Playhouse has seen 33 of its productions move to Broadway, earning 38 Tony Awards. The Old Globe Theatre presents the plays of Shakespeare (of course), as well as works by acclaimed national playwrights and an annual Christmas production penned by a late-local resident: Dr. Seuss.
Other excellent California theaters include the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa and the Sacramento Theatre Company. Finally, the state hosts at least five major Fringe Festivals.
Symphonies, Opera & Ballet
Frank Owen Gehry designed the Walt Disney Concert Hall, home of the renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic, to be one of the most acoustically perfect performance spaces on Earth. California’s other preeminent orchestra is the San Francisco Symphony, directed by the legendary Esa-pekka Salonen, at home in Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. San Diego, Sacramento, Oakland, Santa Cruz and Santa Barbara all support superb orchestras as well.
Opera still maintains a huge following in California, with many companies across the state. The San Francisco Opera and Los Angeles Opera are two of the largest in North America, with global reputations. Kudos as well to the Long Beach Opera, now in its fourth decade.
Ballet in the Golden State has an equally impressive pedigree. The San Francisco Ballet, founded in 1933, was the first professional ballet company in the country. The California Ballet Company in San Diego, largest in the region, has a stellar international reputation. Founded in 2004, the Los Angeles Ballet is a relative newcomer to the scene, while the reinvigorated Oakland Ballet is now in its 55th season.
Jazz & Blues
Here’s a quick sampler of the state’s best jazz and blues clubs. Oakland offers the legendary Yoshi’s in Jack London Square and Geoffrey’s Inner Circle downtown. In San Francisco, don’t miss the SFJAZZ Center and, for blues, try The Saloon and Club Deluxe. In Santa Cruz, it’s all happening at the Kuumbwa Jazz Center, and in Sacramento (for blues), Torch Club. In LA, find hot offerings at the Jazz Bakery, along with The Baked Potato and the Catalina Jazz Club.
Rock ’n’ Roll ’n’ More
From the Doors to the Dead, California has long been Ground Zero for great live music. In San Francisco, check out what’s on at The Fillmore, The Warfield, The Independent and Great American Music Hall. Some of the best venues in the East Bay include the Fox Theatre and the glorious Paramount Theatre in Oakland, as well as Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage and The Greek Theatre. In Marin County, the reincarnated Sweetwater Music Hall often hosts wellknown artists.
Looking to rock it in LA? Check out the Troubadour, the Roxy and Whisky a Go Go, an LA institution since 1964. Some other legendary California venues include the Catalyst in Santa Cruz, the Casbah and Brick by Brick in San Diego.