Tag Archives: live musicians

Broad Museum Gala Opens With Extravagant Bang

Eli and Edythe Broad commemorate the opening of their new downtown museum with a two-day celebration

by Linda A. Rapka

P1160853 In September, Los Angeles welcomed the new Broad Museum with an extravagant gala event befitting the long-awaited $140 million project of arts philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad.

The two-day long pre-opening celebration shut down Grand Avenue to nearly 2,000 private of the Broads. A special structure was erected across the street from the museum specifically for the party, its million-dollar price tag proving no deterrent for it being torn down the next day. Before previewing the museum’s collection, guests enjoyed a private dinner with live music by the 48-piece Angel City Pops Orchestra plus conductor – a scale not typical for your average dinner party. Continue reading →

‘Matilda: The Musical’ – A letter of appreciation to the Ahmanson orchestra

“Matilda: The Musical” Local 47 orchestra at the Ahmanson — Back row: Jeff Driskill (woodwinds), David Mergen (cello), Anna Stadlman (bass), Sal Lozano (woodwinds), Matthew Smedal (music director, Pittsburgh Local 60-471), Dan Fornero (trumpet 1), Rob Schaer (trumpet 2), Robert Payne (trombone/contractor). Front Row: Bill Congdon (assistant music director, Charlotte Local 342/Las Vegas Local 369), Joshua Priest (percussion, NY Local 802), Thom Rotella (guitar).

Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, “Matilda: The Musical” delighted audiences at the Ahmanson Theatre in a highly successful run May 28 through July 12. Continue reading →

Christmas Goes Full Throttle With Six Flags Magic Mountain Band

Full Throttle Band:
Nolan Wren – Leader/Drums
Bryan Archer – Guitar
Jeff Ramos – Bass
Nick Gilroy – Keyboards
Jayme Palmer – Vocalist

In December, we dropped by Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia to check out the Local 47 rock band performing at the theme park’s “Snowy Nights” evening concerts.

Dubbed the Mistle-Tones during the holiday season, the group entertained park goers with fun renditions of holiday tunes from a large stage set up outside the Full Throttle ride. Additional guest vocalist on the night of our visit was Actors’ Equity member Joe Donohoe. During the evening DJ sets, Local 47 member Ricky Lorek performed live drums.

: Photos: Linda A. Rapka

The Full Throttle band also performed during the summers and Fright Fest Halloween-season “Voodoo Nights” in 2013 and 2014.

Symphony in an Airport

Emmanuel Fratianni conducts the 70-piece Hollywood Scoring Orchestra at the preview opening gala of the new Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX on June 20, 2013. Photos courtesy of Laurie Robinson

(#TBT Throwback Thursday post: This article originally appeared in the August 2013 issue of the AFM Local 47 Overture.)

70-piece Hollywood Scoring Orchestra plays once-in-a-lifetime gig at new LAX Tom Bradley International Terminal

by Linda A. Rapka

In what marked possibly the first world premiere of a symphonic poem ever to take place at an airport, the Hollywood Scoring Orchestra provided a once-in-a-lifetime musical experience at Los Angeles International Airport June 20 with the debut of “Portale — A Symphonic Poem,” especially composed by Emmanuel Fratianni and Laurie Robinson. Continue reading →