Category: Events

  • It’s Christmas in Downey! December 16th

    It’s Christmas in Downey! December 16th

    Downey Theater
    December 16, 2018 at 4:00PM

    Buy Tickets

    It’s not every day that we get such a distinguished well known and respected Artistic Director like Chad Berlinghieri in the City of Downey to direct an unforgettable acoustic performance which will bring more joy and happiness in December during the Christmas holiday.

    Chad Berlinghieri brings “it’s Christmas in Downey” an event for all ages which will raise the spirits of those young and old to sing along with the Cathedral Productions Orchestra as they perform all of our favorite Christmas carols. This is just a sliver of an event which attendees Will not forget. During the first half, the All American Boys Chorus, a few new anthems from the one hundred voiced combined adult choir.

    Following intermission, it’s onto Handel’s masterpiece, The Messiah! This year we are pleased to have returning direct from Carnegie Hall, Metropolitan Opera star Baritone Christopher Job. From the Los Angeles Master Chorale at Disney Hall, Soprano Anna Schubert. We will introduce three new artists including Mezzo-Soprano Mary Beth Nelson from Florida Grand Opera and The Glimmerglass Festival in New York, Tenor Anthony Ciaramitaro from Arizona and Santa Fe Opera. Taking the podium of this concert will be Maestro Valery Ryvkin from The Metropolitan & San Francisco.

    And last but not least, an exceptional treat which will inspire many for years to come. Cooper Philip from Los Angeles, a small town girl Born in Russia to a family of classical musicians. With her beautiful voice and shining star appearance, she will perform live, and she is definitely a shining star you do not want to mess.

    In addition to the music, Downey Arts Coalition will present the group art exhibit “Love, Peace and Joy,” curated by Andrew Hernandez in the lobby of the theatre.

    It’s Christmas everyone, come and join us. For an unforgettable event which will turn out to be an experience children and adults will never forget.

    Buy Tickets

    To purchase your tickets over the phone please call the Box Office (562) 861-8211 or (714) 883-7987

  • 100K Poets for Change at the Green Salon Sept 22

    100K Poets for Change at the Green Salon Sept 22

    This month, The Green Salon merges with the annual, world-wide cultural event promoting peace, equal rights, and ecology, 100k Poets for Change.  As usual, the salon will include fine art, live music, poetry reading and an open mic… but this month also features political discourse on sustainability, poetry and prose writing workshops, a full-length feature film, and a small art fair.  Vintage political t-shirts will be available at the marketplace.

    The Green Salon

    Since its founding in 2011, 100k Poets for Change has been working with poets, artists, musicians, and other creatives to organize events around the world for serious social change.  The Green Salon has collaborated with 100k Poets from the beginning.

    Come meet the Mayor of Downey, Sean Ashton, and speak with him about the upcoming mid-term elections.  He is a staunch supporter of civil rights and will share his thoughts on the current political climate with us.

    The salon begins early, 5pm, with writing workshops hosted by ZZyZx WriterZ, Ivan Rios, and a poetry/craft workshop by Terry Walker and Frank Kearns.  There will also be the opportunity to have your writing critiqued.  Be inspired, hone your skills, and share your work at the open mic.

    The featured musician for the event is Richard Torres.  He is a composer of atmospheric, Zen-like music regularly performing at cultural events such as the Green Salonand the Lotus Festival, hosted by the City of Los Angeles.  He will perform throughout the day, often on rarely-known musical instruments.

    The featured poet is Sarah Thursday.  Her new book, Conversations with Gravel, is a highly-praised mosaic of love poems which she will perform.  Copies will be available for purchase and autographing.

    There will also be a table of vintage classic books for sale.  Most of those authors, however, will not be available to autograph their work.

    The evening will include a full-length feature film on world humanity projected under the stars.  It is an engaging story not to be missed.

    City of Downey Mayor Sean Ashton

    The Green Salon is the longest-running monthly cultural event in the Downey area.  It is the fourth Saturday of the month and it is always free.

    Because of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and the Winter Solstice, this is the last salon of the year –everyone will be occupied with parties in the following months.  Once again, The Green Salon will be held at the art studio of Roy Anthony Shabla.  He will display Halloween paintings for the event.

    The Green Salon / 100k Poets for Change 2018

    Saturday, September 22, 5pm

    11210 Greenstone Avenue

    Santa Fe Springs 90670

    (Near Bloomfield and Lakeland, off Florence or Imperial)

    FREE

  • GlennFest Announces 27 Films for 2018 Festival

    GlennFest Announces 27 Films for 2018 Festival

    The 7th annual GlennFest Film Festival is coming to Downey next month, September 30th through October 7th, with 27 films being presented at the Studio Movie Grill, The Epic Lounge, and the Downey Theatre.

    For a full list of films and details, visit www.glennfest.com.  You can RSVP for free on the website or by searching GlennFest at EventBrite.com.

    GlennFest screenings are FREE, an amazing opportunity to catch independent, foreign, and documentary films of special interest.

  • Metallic Reflections Exhibit at the Downey Symphony Concert April 7

    Metallic Reflections Exhibit at the Downey Symphony Concert April 7

    DOWNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONCLUDES 2017 – 2018 SEASON

    AND “METALLIC REFLECTIONS” DOWNEY ARTS COALITION

    ART EXHIBIT AT THE DOWNEY THEATRE

    SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2018

    DOWNEY – The Downey Symphonic Society, once again in collaboration with the Downey Arts Coalition, concludes the 2017 – 2018 Concert Series of the Downey Symphony Orchestra at the Downey Theatre by presenting an evening filled with classical music and and art exhibit with the theme “Metallic Reflections.”

    Music Director Sharon Lavery has another delightful evening of music planned to conclude the 59th season of the Downey Symphony Orchestra. “This concert is entitled “Russian Spectacular” and has some spectacular Russian flair: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. You won’t want to miss the return of international piano sensation Kevin Fitz-Patrick as he dazzles you with his exquisite and vibrant playing. As we do every year for our spring concert, the program will open with a piece conducted by our Baton Auction Winner. This year’s lucky recipient is Josh Beall and we look forward to watcing him shine as he conducts Slavonic Dance No. 1 by Dvorak.” After intermission at this concert, there will be the “Baton Auction” held to raise funds to support the Downey Symphony Orchestra and give the lucky winner the opportunity to lead the stage full of professional musicians in April of 2019.

    All of the above activity will take place within the auditorium of the Downey Theatre beginning at 8:00 PM. However, the doors to the Downey Theatre lobby will open at 6:30 PM for the Downey Arts Coalition ‘s art exhibit entitled “Metallic Reflections” overseen by Pat Gil a member of the Board of Directors of the Downey Symphonic Society and the president of the Downey Arts Coalition.

    Pat Gil explained, “DAC (Downey Arts Coalition) is very excited about this new exhibit; we’ve been wanting to do this for a while. Who does not enjoy the beauty of gold, silver, and bronze especially in art? We are very impressed by many of the art pieces in this exhibit, many of our returning artists have stepped it up, and we have some new talented artists exhibiting also.

    Artist Ricky Ostendi

    Our featured artist this month is Rick Ostendi. He is a Downey native who enjoys painting, sculpting, and his favorite of all – drawing. Inspired by cartoons like Looney Tunes and Tom & Jerry, Ricky thought to himself, “This is something I need to do.” He started at Griffiths Middle School and while teachers taught him of pharaohs and pyramids, Ricky would draw them rather than take conventional notes. He felt that art opened his mind and freed him to be as creative as he wanted. Today, you can find Ricky’s work in a number of restaurants, bars, and galleries. His original urban style art is easy to spot and even easier to enjoy. If you have a pen and blank paper, you can bet Ricky will create something that everyone in the world can appreciate. Ricky will be showcased in the outside courtyard/patio of the Downey Theatre during the event, displaying his work while he creates a new piece of art right before your very eyes!

    We welcome some new talented artists, like Susan Hawkins with her bronze and mixed media sculptures Double Helix, Double Helix 2, and 3 Figures. All three submissions depict different human figures that give a sense of movement almost as if they are dancing.  Each movement of the three pieces draws the viewers in, as if they are a drama that is nearing the climax.

    Erika Reynosa with her piece Submarine Window – an acrylic that incorporates metallic paints giving the viewer the appearance of looking out from a submarine. To achieve this the artist not only paints the darkness of the water as one dives deeper into it, but uses the metallic paint on the frame itself to give it the appearance of the ship’s hull allowing the viewer to become part of the art work. Other new artists include Andrew Ruano, Katayoon Alavin, Maxwell Coppla, Jasmine Hernandez, Charina Tanaka, Paula Prager and the exhibition curator Andrew Hernandez.

    Artist Wendy Hernandez

    We are very happy to see many of our favorite artists returning: Amelie Simmons with her piece Liquid Metal – a mixed media art work depicting an electric guitar that uses her “touch me” art style while incorporating metallic paints. This gives the overall composition vivid colors and motion as if the instrument is in the process of being played. Also, Wendy Hernandez with her piece Leap – an assemblage of art pieces that are made using various metal objects including gears, bike chains and bearings that take the appearance of frogs on lily pads. The piece adds a unique elegance to the overall composition using objects others would often be thrown away or seen as spare parts.  And popular returning artist Lindsay Yost with her ceramic mosaic piece He Is Hers which incorporates her ceramic art style to create a boat anchor in the middle of blue tiles that make the anchor appear as if it is floating amongst blue water. As with her previous art work, it is both beautiful and has a sense of tranquility. Other returning artists include Jorge Del Toro, Carolina Estrada- Del Toro, Aia White-Podue, Isabel Acosta, Linda Ikeda, Lisa Maffia-Reynoso, Stephanie Snee, and Katie McGuire.

    The Downey Theatre lobby doors open at 6:30 PM on Saturday night, April 7th. A pre-concert “talk” about the music being performed is given from the stage by Music Director/Conductor Sharon Lavery at 7:15 PM. The concert begins at 8:00 PM. Tickets are still available at the Downey Theatre Box Office, 8435 Firestone Blvd., open 11 AM to 5 PM Tuesday – Friday and one hour before the concert on Saturday. You may order tickets by telephone at (562) 861-8211 or online at www.downeysymphony.org.

  • Russian Spectacular: Downey Symphony, April 8th, 2018

    Russian Spectacular: Downey Symphony, April 8th, 2018

    Come join the Downey Symphony Orchestra for a Russian Spectacular!

    Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff!

    Piano Sensation Kevin Fitz-Gerald

    Art Exhibit “Metallic Reflections”

    April 7, 2018
    8:00pm
    Downey Theatre

    Pre-Concert Lecture – 7:15pm

    Purchase Tickets

    Message from the Music Director

    Picture

    “Join us as we conclude our 59th season with some spectacular Russian flair:  Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2.  You won’t want to miss the return of international piano sensation Kevin Fitz-Gerald as he dazzles you with his exquisite and vibrant playing.  As we do every year for our spring concert, the program will open with a piece conducted by our Baton Auction Winner.  This year’s lucky recipient is Josh Beall and he has chosen the impressive Slavonic Dance No. 1 in C major by Dvorak to kick-start this exciting evening.

    We hope you will come out and support us as we wrap up another successful season, and I look forward to seeing you at the concert!”

    ~Sharon Lavery

     

     

    Kevin Fitz-Gerald, pianist.

    Canadian pianist, Kevin Fitz-Gerald, enjoys a versatile performing career as recitalist, orchestra soloist and chamber musician. His performances have garnered international acclaim and he has been recognized for his “hypnotically powerful and precise” pianism and “dynamic and distinguished” interpretations. His concert tours and performances have taken place in major concert halls, universities and concert organizations throughout the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, Mexico, South America, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Notable venues include Carnegie Recital Hall (New York), The Mormon Tabernacle (Utah), Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles), National Arts Centre (Ottawa), Roy Thompson Hall (Toronto), Place des Arts (Montreal), Izumi Hall (Osaka), Suntori Hall (Tokyo), National Gallery (Kingston) and Town Hall (Melbourne). He has appeared with several Canadian and American orchestras including the Toronto Symphony, Montreal Symphony, Canadian Chamber Orchestra, CBC Radio Orchestra, Calgary Philharmonic, Los Angeles Camerata, Utah Chamber Orchestra and more.

  • Downey Theatre Presents: Sara Evans Sunday, April 22

    Downey Theatre Presents: Sara Evans Sunday, April 22

    DOWNEY, Calif. (March 27, 2018) – Downey Theatre closes its 2017-2018 Season  SARA EVANS on Sunday, April 22, at 7:00pm. The evening will feature special guests TEMECULA ROAD performing the opening set.

    Academy of Country Music’s Top Female Vocalist

    SARA EVANS has had five #1 singles, sold millions of records, won the Academy of Country Music’s Top Female Vocalist Award, and claimed a Country Music Association trophy for her signature song, “Born To Fly.” It’s tough to imagine many accomplishments she hasn’t already checked off her bucket list.

    And yet, with the release of her eighth studio album Words, SARA EVANS demonstrates that she’s still willing to leap into the unknown, taking greater control of her career and calling the shots in a way that’s unusual in country music – particularly unusual for a woman in the genre.

     Tickets are available at:

    The Downey Theatre Box Office

    By phone at 408-866-2700,

    or online at DowneyTheatre.org.

    The Downey Theatre
    8435 Firestone Blvd.
    Downey CA 90241.

    Also Featuring

    TEMECULA ROAD

    Called by The Huffington Post one of the top new country artists to watch, and named after the town they grew up in, TEMECULA ROAD is comprised of sisters Emma and Maddie Salute, and longtime friend Dawson Anderson. They are known for their trademark harmonies and covers, which have earned praise from Carrie Underwood, Brett Eldredge, Dan + Shay, and RaeLynn.

    These days, it’s their original songs that are putting them on the map. Their first two singles “What If I Kissed You” and “Hoping” already have over 1MM streams on Spotify, and the trio just released their new single “Everything Without You.” On the touring side, TEMECULA ROAD has opened for Martina McBride, Josh Turner, Joe Nichols, Easton Corbin, Lee Brice, Sara Evans, Kenny Rogers, and Eli Young Band.

     

     

     

     

    Sara Evans’ album Words released on her own label: Born To Fly Records

    Words is the first project on Evans’ own label: Born To Fly Records, appropriately named after that CMA-winning signature song, which celebrated risk and adventure. Much is familiar about Words.Evans’ voice is warm and strong, the songs are authentic and memorable, and the actual words themselves resonate with the realities of everyday life.

    But the album was an eye-opening experience for Evans as a creative force. As the head of her own small, flexible company, she was able to take a streamlined approach to building it. Instead of subjecting the music to multiple departments, each with their own view of one part of her career, Evans approached it with an instinctual, gut-level focus on making a project that represents the current version of Sara Evans.

    “The only thing I had on my mind with this album was just Grammy-level songs and the coolest music that I can find,” she says. “I didn’t really go about it in any other way. I wasn’t catering to any part of the business. There was never a thought in my head of, ‘Will this work on country radio?’ So what has happened with the music is that it is still very much Sara Evans music. It’s just a little bit deeper than I’ve gone in the past.” For a woman who always tackled the music her own way, the new album is 100% her own.

    “Songs are a combination of words and melodies, and it’s the words that matter most to me,” she says. “When we go into these pitch meetings, people always ask, ‘What are you looking for? Are you OK with doing something that’s a little more pop?’ I always tell them, ‘Just play me great lyrics.’ That’s what I’m looking for.”

    Evans co-wrote three of the album’s 14 songs, instinctively picking material along the way that matches her world view. Thirteen additional females racked up writing credits on the project, including Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott, Pistol Annies’ Ashley Monroe, The Isaacs’ Sonya Isaacs, Hillary Lindsey (“Blue Ain’t Your Color”), Caitlyn Smith (“Wasting All These Tears”), Heather Morgan (“Beat Of The Music”) and Liz Hengber (“For My Broken Heart”).

    “A Little Bit Stronger,” Evans’ pensive, heartbreak anthem that spent two weeks at #1 represents a look at the journey thus far, one that’s kept her firmly in the forefront of country music for a solid 20 years. Born and raised in Boonville, Missouri, Sara grew up listening – like much of her audience – to a mix of country, pop, and rock on the radio. She began singing with the family band when she was five and made her first attempts at recording as a teenager, committing to a creative path with her move to Nashville in 1991.

    SARA EVAN’s résumé now includes 14 Top 20 country hits, ranging from her reassuring first #1 – “No Place That Far,” featuring background vocals by Vince Gill – to the neo-traditional “Suds In The Bucket,” to the elegant, spiky pop feel of “Slow Me Down.”

    Evans wants to represent the full panorama of her artistic vision. By handpicking the team around her and making self-expression the priority of her work, she’s found songs that continue to connect her to the emotional core of her audience and that adhere to that Born To Fly embrace of risk and adventure.

    “I don’t use the word a lot, resilient, but I would say that’s the best way to define me as a person,” Evans says. “I feel so blessed, but at the same time, there’s blood, sweat, and tears in every single thing that I’ve gotten in this life. I have gone out and just really, really sold it, and I’m still doing that to this day.”

    Doing it her way. As a mom. As a record company entrepreneur. And, mostly, as a distinct artist still excited about her unique journey.

     

     

     

     

  • Recap: Live Love Art Winter 2018

    Recap: Live Love Art Winter 2018

    Downey Arts Coalition presented its first event of 2018, with a new series of events celebrating local art & culture: “Live Love Art,” on Sunday February 25th at The Epic Lounge.

    DAC President Pat Gil conceived of the events, four seasonal celebrations of artists doing great work in our city and nearby. In the winter edition, three artists were featured: Amelie Simmons, Erika Reynosa and Chris Param. Live music was provided by the El Dorado Collective and When Pigs Fly. The main event was the premiere screening of a new short film by writer/director Paul Tully, “Crossroads.” Tully was also able to introduce his father, Paul Tully Sr., who is promoting a new book of his dramatic life story in New York, “Born a Gangster.” After the screening, the cast and crew were invited to the stage to share their stories as well.

    Stay tuned for the next “Live Love Art” event coming this May, featuring a short film by Polaris Castillo, “El Luchador,” and more artists to be announced. Join our mailing list to stay informed.

  • Live Love Art – Downey Arts Coalition Event Feb 25th

    Live Love Art – Downey Arts Coalition Event Feb 25th

    This is the first of the LIVE LOVE ART events, they will come each season, this is our Winter 2018 edition, on February 25th at The Epic Lounge in Downey.

    Come celebrate the local arts with Downey Arts Coalition. Meet the new DAC team, and learn about all the exciting things happening in the Downey art community, all while you experience this art celebration of music, film, visual arts, and the written word.

    2pm – Doors open – Art exhitbit

    3pm – Showtime – Paul Tully Sr, Author of “Born a Gangster”

    3:30ish – Special Viewing of “Crossroads” by Paul Tully

    4ish -7pm – Live Music by Eldorado Collective and art show continues, with featured artiists: Wendy Hernandez, Erika Reynoza, and Amelie Simmons.

    There will be raffle and auction items, concession stand, and refreshments sold at the bar.

    Entrance Fee: Donation at the door.

    There will be opportunities for you to become a DAC member, for just $15 per person, or $20 for family, annual fee….ask us about it.

    More information about the featured artists will be released soon.

  • Downey Arts Coalition Year-End Membership Meeting

    Downey Arts Coalition Year-End Membership Meeting

    We are a community group for artists and arts advocates who want to make a difference in our city for the arts. Join us for our year-end membership meeting, where we’ll celebrate what was accomplished in 2017 and share ideas and goals for the future. We will be electing a board of directors for 2018, so it’s important that our members attend. Bring a finger food to share, if you are able. Thank you!

    Saturday December 2nd, 12PM

    The Epic Lounge – 8239 2nd Street, Downey, CA 90241

    2018 Board Nominees:

    President: Pat Gil
    Vice President: Carolina Estrada-Del Toro
    Secretary: Andrew J Wahlquist
    Treasurer: Art Montoya
    Directors: Alida Fernandez Chacon
    David Devis
    Ben Dickow
    Rudy Iniguez
    Patrizia Monica Pucciarelli (Monique)

    2018 Nominating Committee: Patrizia Monica Pucciarelli, Alistair Hunter, Lana Joy

  • ‘Czech Please’ Downey Symphony Concert Oct 21

    ‘Czech Please’ Downey Symphony Concert Oct 21

    The Downey Symphonic Society is pleased to present “Czech Please!” the fall concert for the Downey Symphony Orchestra, on Saturday October 21, 2017.  The evening begins with the opening of a new Downey Arts Coalition group art show, “Music: The Art of Sound,” doors opening at 6:30PM. A Pre-concert lecture with Music Director Sharon Lavery is at 7:15PM, followed by the concert at 8PM.  A special reception for subscribers will follow the concert.

    The music includes the Slavonic Dances Suite by Antonin Dvorak, as well as his Romance for Violin and Orchestra, and Symphony No. 8 Opus 88 in G Major. Violinist Carolyn Osborn is the featured soloist.

    Tickets are available now at the Downey Theatre box office, 8435 Firestone Blvd, Downey CA 90241, 562-861-8211.