Exploring the people, places & culture of greater LA
In 1962, the City of Los Angeles enacted its Cultural Heritage Ordinance, which enables the five-member Cultural Heritage Commission to designate buildings and sites within the city as local landmarks, called “Historic-Cultural Monuments.” Last month this important historic preservation program reached a significant milestone when the Golden State Mutual Life Insurance building, located at 1999 W. Adams Boulevard in the West Adams neighborhood, was designated Historic-Cultural Monument #1000.
If you ever spent time exploring the area around Old Pasadena, you undoubtedly noticed the beautiful Castle Green, built in 1898 as an annex to the Hotel Green resort. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National Archives of Significant Interiors, this seven story historic landmark was built by Col. George G. Green of the Patent Medicine Business in the Moorish, Colonial, and Spanish styles and is graced by ornate furnishings and an elegant ballroom.
In 1987 the Los Angeles Conservancy began its program called Last Remaining Seats to focus attention on the movie palaces located in downtown Los Angeles’ Broadway Historic Theatre District. Now in its 25th season, the Conservancy’s highly successful series of classic films and live entertainment in historic theatres is back with an outstanding slate of films.
This past Sunday afternoon my family and I attended a fantastic program put on by The Da Camera Society of Mount St. Mary’s College. Billed as the Civic Center Festival, this one day event featured a walking tour of downtown highlighted by three showcase performances, the screening of silent film classics with live music accompaniment by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, and a post-concert reception.
If you read my post about the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library last November, you know how much I enjoyed my visit. It is truly one of the underappreciated and little known treasures in the City of Los Angeles.
In addition to its incredible collection of rare books and manuscripts, its fascinating history and beautiful building, it is also the home of The UCLA Center for 17th – & 18th – Century Studies’ Chamber music series, which takes place in the Clark’s drawing room. With concerts scheduled throughout the year, you have many opportunities to listen to a variety of music and experience the library in person.
This Monday evening, Gilles Apap, the former concertmaster of the Santa Barbara Symphony and classically trained French violinist, is joined by The Transylvanian Mountain Boys at Cicada at the Oviatt. Hailed by Yehudi Menuhin, his mentor, as “a true violinist for the 21st century,” Apap is a musician clearly adept at blurring the boundaries of different musical styles and integrating a diverse range of music into his repertoire, including gypsy music, swing, Irish music and bluegrass, as well as the masterpieces of classical music.
Looking for something to do with your family this weekend? Want to see a movie in one of LA’s beautiful downtown theaters? Interested in exploring part of the Broadway Historic Theater District? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this event is for you.
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