Los Angeles: Classical music, opera and dance
While not blessed with the same institutional largesse of east coast cities, LA has an increasing number of classical music venues. The Los Angeles Philharmonic (tel 213/850-2000, ), the city's only major name, performs regularly during the year with nationally known conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen at the helm. San Francisco has more of an opera scene, although LA Opera (tel 213/972-8001, ) stages productions between September and June, as does Orange County's Opera Pacific (tel 1-800/34-OPERA, based in Costa Mesa; ), which performs both grand opera and operettas. Perhaps the city's most exciting company is the Long Beach Opera (tel 562/439-2580, ), which is anything but provincial, putting on challenging but well-regarded performances of modern and lesser-known operas.The last twenty years have seen an increase in smaller-scaled chamber music and period performance groups, most prominently the LA Baroque Orchestra (tel 310/458-0425) and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (tel 213/622-7001, ), and an upsurge in dance activity as well, with UCLA's Dance Kaleidoscope (tel 323/343-5120, ), running two weeks in July, as one of the artistic highlights.
The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the Music Center, 135 N Grand Ave, downtown tel 213/972-7211 or 972-7460, . Home to the LA Philharmonic from October until May. Also used by the LA Opera and even the Oscars, presented biannually here.
The Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave, Hollywood tel 323/850-2000, . The LA Philharmonic gives open-air concerts Tues-Sat evenings from July to Sept, leaning toward familiar pops offerings.
Japan America Theatre 244 S San Pedro St, downtown tel 213/680-3700, . Dance and performance works drawn from Japan and the Far East.
John Anson Ford Theater 2850 Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood tel 323/461-3673, . As well as UCLA's summer "Dance Kaleidoscope," this open-air venue also has one-off productions by local groups.
Orange County Performing Arts Center 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa tel 714/556-ARTS, . Home of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and Opera Pacific, as well as touring big names in pop and jazz.
Pacific Amphitheater 100 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa tel 949/740-2000. A big open-air venue drawing main stream crowds, Orange County's answer to the Hollywood Bowl.
Pasadena Dance Theater 1985 Locust Ave, Pasadena tel 626/683-3459, . A prominent San Gabriel Valley dance venue, hosting diverse groups throughout the year.
Royce Hall on the UCLA campus tel 310/825-9261 or 825-2101. Classical concerts throughout the college year, often involving big names. Usually Sept-June.
The Shrine Auditorium 665 W Jefferson Blvd tel 213/749-5123, box office at 655 S Hill St. A striking white-Islamic domed complex hosting regular performances by choral gospel groups and alternate Academy Awards ceremonies.
UCLA Center for the Performing Arts tel 310/825-4401, . Coordinates a wide range of touring companies, and also runs the experimentally inclined "Art of Dance" series between September and June.
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