Free holiday presentation tomorrow





Choirs, music ensembles, and dance companies—more than 1,000 performers in all—will express the joy of the season in the 45th annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration from 3 to 9 p.m. Fri., Dec. 24 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.


Host of this year’s festivities is actor, producer and author Henry Winkler. The show, described as a holiday gift from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to the community at large, is free, as is the parking under the Music Center. Those who can’t attend the show in person can watch the live broadcast on KCET, Channel 28.


Holiday Celebration information is available by calling (213) 972-3099 or visiting the website at www.holidaycelebration.org.


"Through the arts, all of our county citizens from all cultures and faiths can come together in the spirit of the season," said Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. "Our L.A. County Holiday Celebration has delivered this universal message for 44 years now. Whether at the Music Center or at home watching on television, we invite everyone to join us for this year’s celebration."


A kaleidoscope of seasonal traditions, the 45th annual Los Angeles Holiday Celebration reflects the vibrant spectrum of cultures found in Southern California.


Highlights include: Yuval Ron Ensemble, whose music fuses sacred traditions of the Middle East; Orphean Circus, performance artists led by Ken Roht, whose segment is completely designed using products from the 99 Cent Only Stores; two "powerhouse" mariachi groups: the all-female Mariachi Divas under the direction of Cynthia Shea-Carballo, and Mariachi Sol de Mexico led by Jose Hernandez; the AC Timba Jazz Project, winners of the Long Beach Jazz Search Competition;the girls’ choir, Harmonies of St. Thomas, directed by Antonio Espinal, an apprentice of Esa-Pekka Salonen and director of the Spanish Choir at the Our Lady of Los Angeles Cathedral; American Chinese Dance Association, led by Angela Lai, performing an elegant court dance from the Tang Dynasty; The Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church Youth and Children’s Choir brings younger- generation gospel zeal to the show. The congregation’s adult Inspirational Choir has "wowed Holiday Celebration audiences with their artistry" for several seasons and returns in 2004.


Universal Dance Designs Kennedy Tap Company directed by master tapper Arlene Kennedy, whose school has produced more professional level and Broadway tap dancers than any other in Los Angeles; Lynn Dally’s Jazz Tap Ensemble and Monica Favand’s TRIP Dance Theatre, who are creating new works for Holiday Celebration; The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles with holiday music from French, Spanish and Jewish traditions; Pat Taylor’s JazzAntiqua Dance and Music Ensemble reprising their trilogy of dances to Duke Ellington ("Entre’Acte" from "The Nutcracker"), Mahalia Jackson ("Go, Tell It on the Mountain") and Ella Fitzgerald ("Let It Snow"), one of the hits of the 2003 show.


Doors open at 2:30 p.m. Patrons may come and go throughout the six-hour performance. Reservations for tickets to the show or parking are not necessary.


The Arts Commission also produces "L.A. Holiday Celebration," a one-hour television music and dance special highlighting the best performances from the live show.



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