Going North – NoHo Arts District. |
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StubDog.com :: Event Information And Articles :: Going North – NoHo Arts District.
An urban cocktail of bohemian and yuppie with a twist of edginess, an enclave of all things artistic — painting, ceramics, theatre, even television. New residential developments are attracting more tenants, new businesses and eclectic restaurants are opening their doors to the public almost every week, more and more people take Metro to get here. And most importantly, the arts scene is simply exploding. Hard to find anywhere else condensation of performing arts spaces (22 live theatres on just few acres of land) presenting classics as well as new and experimental works and offering the very specific intimacy due to their mini- and microsize. The central spot on that map takes the El Portal Theatre, which originally opened in 1926 as a vaudeville and silent movie theatre. The structure houses three live theatres, with 42, 95 and 350 seats, as well as its own art gallery, the Judith Kaufman Gallery. Deaf West Theatre plays no less important role in NoHo's history, featuring deaf, hard-of-hearing actors as voice and American Sign Language are incorporated into poignant productions. Artists often gather around the NoHo Arts Center and Lankershim Arts Center, two of the area’s most well-known cultural landmarks. Academy of Television Arts and Science (home to the Emmy Awards) also resides in the district. The open-air garden features a 27-foot replica of the Emmy Award. Once a year in mid-May, the two-day NoHo Theatre and Arts Festival, the largest of its kind in California, celebrates with live music on outdoor stages, free plays and vignettes in its theatres. And each fall, the NoHo Scene Festival draws some 10,000 visitors to showcase the district’s artistic flavor.
Just in August you might want to hop on the RedLine and see variety of NoHo’s offerings from all-over-the-neighborhood spread sample-shows of local music to all-stars hip-hop dance performances.
Come to the NoHo Arts District the first Thursday of every month for HEAR
NoHo and join the local arts community in celebrating the talents
of Emerging Musical Artists. On August 6th featured artists will include:
Abbot Kinney, Canon, Ready-Set-Go, Steve Bardwil, Two Spot Gobi, Kaylan
Romero, Mallory Trunnell, Los Hollywood, Tommy Zender & Trinkets of Joy
and Jubala! When you purchase entry into one event (for only $10) you
are guaranteed a seat at that one show, but the wristband you receive
grants you access to all of the venues and shows.
Hip-hop dance phenomenon The Groovaloos, best known for
the breakout winning performance on “Superstars of Dance” and appearances
on “So You Think You Can Dance,” will bring the electric dance show Groovaloo
to El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood (5269 Lankershim Blvd.), August
21-30. The LA-based troupe The Groovaloos spearheaded by Bradley Rapier
star in Groovaloo, based on the award-winning troupe’s true-to-life experiences
as told by the dancers who lived them. Groovaloo is driven by jaw-dropping
displays of physicality, a vibrant musical score and powerful spoken word
poetry. The show’s intertwined stories chronicle the struggles, hopes
and triumphs of the 14-member cast. Grooovaloo celebrates passion and
purpose while revealing the heart, soul and artistry of hip-hop and freestyle
dance. In its earliest incarnation the team was cheered by the Los Angeles
Times as “Inspirational” and by Variety as “Relentlessly creative and
dynamic.” Over the past several years, The Groovaloos has continued to
develop and refine the production. Team’s co-creator Rapier, born in Edmonton
but calls Calgary his hometown, explains. “We strive to showcase the most
innovative dance moves while connecting with the audience on an emotional
level through the narrative inherent in this work. We’re more than 14
performers on stage just having a good time. We share personal stories
about what brought us to this place. In some cases, dance literally saved
people’s lives -- each performer has a story to share, and that’s where
the real connection is made with the audience.” Members of The Groovaloos
have been featured prominently in a multitude of mass entertainment arenas.
Music superstars Madonna, Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, Will Smith and
Gwen Stefani have been inspired by the unique talent of these performers
and featured their performances in recent concerts and projects. Additionally,
Groovaloos dancers have had substantial exposure in feature films (Step
Up, Charlie’s Angels, Idlewild) and in national advertising campaigns
(iPod, GAP, Skechers, McDonald’s).
