The Ebell of LA’s Vibrant 2024/25 Season of Cultural Arts Programming:
a Kaleidoscope of Performances, Engaging Discussions, Illuminating Seminars and New, Free Event Series – “LA Voices: Sundays at The Ebell”
Individual Event Tickets and RSVP’s Available Thursday, August 8.
The Ebell of Los Angeles has announced the 2024/2025 season of marquee programming offering Angelenos a vibrant array of innovative performances, stimulating discussions, enlightening workshops, films, brunches and much more, all while continuing to highlight the achievements, challenges and narratives of the women of Los Angeles.
New this season
The Ebell invites the community to explore all corners of its campus with “LA Voices: Sundays at The Ebell,” a free, monthly series spotlighting artists, scholars, creatives and influencers from Los Angeles on the stage of the iconic Wilshire Ebell Theatre. The events will take place on designated Sundays once a month, and each feature a different facet of programming, from musical performances to films, seminars and more. In addition, volunteer docents will lead guided tours of The Ebell of LA historic campus.
(Details subject to change.)
LA VOICES | Community Open House
featuring performances from Las Colibrí Mariachi and The Ebell Chorale
Sunday, September 15, 2024, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The Ebell kicks off the 24/24 season and the first Sunday of its new, free Sunday series, “LA Voices,” with jam-packed day of free tours of its historic campus and gardens, an informational fair featuring music, dance, theater and visual arts organizations from the local community and performances from the award-winning all female mariachi ensemble, Las Colibri, along with The Ebell’s own chorale. Attendees will be able to explore the main building, the luscious garden & courtyard and the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre, which together comprise the breathtaking 97-year-old campus, a noted architectural treasure listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and a designated Los Angeles Cultural Monument.
All LA Voices events are free of charge and will include docent-led tours of The Ebell of LA’s historic campus.
Opening Day with Rachel S. Moore, President and CEO of The Music Center
Tuesday, October 8, 2024, 11:30 am
Rachel S. Moore is the president and CEO of The Music Center, Los Angeles’ premier performing arts center and the third largest in North America, overseeing an $80 million operation. She manages The Music Center campus, including Gloria Molina Grand Park on behalf of the County of Los Angeles, as well as over $3 billion in county assets. Moore directs The Music Center’s programming through TMC Arts, presenting its acclaimed dance series Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, pioneering arts education initiatives reaching 150,000 students and educators annually across Southern California, and a wide range of free and low-cost programs including the organization’s new digital innovation initiative. The Music Center programming currently impacts 400,000 Angelenos annually. Before joining The Music Center, Moore served as CEO of American Ballet Theatre, where she transformed its brand and led initiatives like Project Plie to diversify ballet companies nationwide. Moore received her A.B. honors from Brown University, MA from Columbia University and Honorary Doctorate from the Colburn School. In 2019, she was named CEO of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal, and, in 2020, she was inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Science. She will join us at The Ebell to kick off the 24/25 season and talk through her illustrious career in the arts, her inspirations, opportunities for the arts field and much more.
Price: $60 (includes lunch)
LA VOICES | “Respect My Crown” film screening and panel discussion
with the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute
Sunday, October 13, 2024, 3:00 pm (panel); 4:00 p.m. (film)
The California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, together with The Ebell of Los Angeles, presents an educational screening of “Respect My Crown: The Rise of African American Women in California Politics,” a feature length documentary film, which explores the significant contributions of African American women in leadership in the areas of politics, labor, and community activism in the State of California. A panel discussion with the film’s Producer, Alisa Covington and Producer/Director Pamela Moon and moderated by Kellie Todd Griffin, President and CEO of the CA Black Women’s Empowerment Institute, the film’s Associate Producer, will take place prior to the film
Screening.
All LA Voices events are free of charge and will include docent-led tours of The Ebell of LA’s historic campus.
SALON SERIES | 50 Shades of Gray Hair: The Good News About Getting Older
Monday, October 21, 2024, 7:00 p.m.
Actress (The Sopranos, Oprah), comedian (Curb Your Enthusiasm), and pancreatic cancer survivor and thriver Wendy Hammers offers her humorous and wise perspective on the good news about embracing your age and loving your body in this comedic talk. She is currently in the midst of a national tour, sharing her funny messages on positivity with audiences around the country. Laugh the night away on this stop at The Ebell of LA and take in her funniest tips on how to make the rest of your life the best of your life.
Price: $25
Your Vote. Your Voice.
Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 8:00 am – 9:30 am
Join the League of Women Voters and The Ebell of Los Angeles to hear a non-partisan discussion of the many measures on the upcoming, California November ballot. From taxes to healthcare, housing and homelessness, the multiple, confusing ballot measures can be frustrating for voters to navigate. Mona Fields, president of the League of Women Voters Los Angeles and author of California Government and Politics Today will lead a non-partisan discussion guiding you through all of the most important details so you can make your own decision and cast your votes with confidence.
Price: FREE!
LA VOICES | Spooky Adventure Film Night: Death Becomes Her and The Addams Family
Sunday, November 3, 2024, (time to be announced)
This special family fun Sunday at The Ebell includes bonus “trick or treating” throughout the tours of the historic Ebell of LA and perhaps a few personal ghost tales too! In addition to giveaways and art activities, guests can enjoy two classic dark comedies originally filmed on location at The Ebell of LA: Death Becomes Her and The Addams Family. Costumes are encouraged!
All LA Voices events are free of charge and will include docent-led tours of The Ebell of LA’s historic campus.
Getty PST: A Day of Quantum Listening with Claire Chase
Sunday, November 17, 2024, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Acclaimed flutist, cultural activist, and 2012 MacArthur Fellow Claire Chase curates a special program honoring legendary composer, accordionist, and Quantum Listening/Deep Listening theorist Pauline Oliveros. This free, family-friendly event will blur the lines between listening, learning, and performing and will celebrate Oliveros’ sonic investigations into the physical sciences and the science of hearing and listening. Chase will lead the session, joined by special guests, which will include interactive opportunities for attendees and young people to listen and perform with several of Oliveros’ important works composed for open instrumentation and interpretation. Audience participants will have access to AUMI (Adaptive Use Musical Instruments) pads, which enable anyone of any age or ability to play sounds and musical phrases through movement and gestures.
A Day of Quantum Listening is part of Quantum Vibrations, organized by USC Professor and Chair in Cross-Cultural Communication, Vice Provost for the Arts, and 2016 MacArthur Fellow Josh Kun as part of the celebrated region-wide Getty initiative PST ART: Art & Science Collide.
Price: FREE!
LIVE IN THE LOUNGE: Lights, Camera… Music!
with all-women Saltando Strings and Nathan Wang
Thursday, November 21, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
The all-women Saltando Strings, together with Chinese-American pianist and composer Nathan Wang will transport audiences into a musical world of the silver screen with a program of film score favorites and a special performance from Wang of the single piano concerto movement inspired by the 1997 documentary “The Lost Children of Berlin.”
Price: $25
LIVE IN THE LOUNGE: Women in Jazz with Sweet Baby J’ai
Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Sweet Baby J’ai’s Women in Jazz All-Stars are a genre-bending powerhouse led by the dynamic vocalist Sweet Baby J’ai. This all-star ensemble features top-flight musicians who celebrate the vast landscape of American music. Their electrifying performances weave a tapestry of sound, seamlessly blending the soulful storytelling of blues with the improvisational spirit of jazz. They can surprise you with a twangy country ballad or a rock-infused groove, all delivered with undeniable talent and captivating stage presence. More than just a band, they champion the legacy of female jazz pioneers while inspiring the next generation to push musical boundaries. Get ready for a night of unexpected delights and musical magic when these all-star women take the stage in the historic lounge at The Ebell of LA.
Price: $25
The Ebell of LA Annual Holiday Boutique & Luncheon
Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
This annual holiday boutique brings together more than two dozen local artisans to conveniently allow shoppers to check things off of their holiday shopping list! Twenty percent of the proceeds will go directly to benefit The Ebell of LA in one of the organization’s biggest fundraisers of the year. If shopping racks up an appetite, attendees can also enjoy a premium lunch while taking in the gorgeous gardens and campus of The Ebell.
Price: FREE (boutique) – $85 (Lunch)
LA VOICES | The Ebell Chorale Concert & Tea
Sunday, December 15, 2024, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Celebrate the joy of community and take in the beautiful music with one of the longest running female chorales in Los Angeles. The Ebell of Los Angeles Women’s Chorale, under the direction of conductor Yu Hang Tan, will delight listeners with an afternoon of traditional carols and seasonal music. A holiday tea will take place following the concert featuring luxurious treats, champagne and a variety of teas selected by The Ebell culinary staff.
All LA Voices events are free of charge and will include docent-led tours of The Ebell of LA’s historic campus.
LIVE IN THE LOUNGE | An Evening with Jill Sobule
Tuesday, January 21, 2025, 7:00 pm
Over 10 albums and almost three decades of recording, Jill Sobule has mused on topics such as the death penalty, anorexia, shoplifting, reproduction, the French resistance movement, adolescence and the Christian right. Early hit songs include “Supermodel” from the movie Clueless, and the original 1995 version of “I Kissed a Girl” – a song that broke the barriers in the music industry as the first LGBTQ song to hit the top 20. Jill’s latest project is her autobiographical musical, F#ck 7th Grade. It first premiered off-Broadway in the Fall of 2022 to much acclaim and will be remounted this coming fall at the Wild Project in the East Village.
Price: $25
LIVE IN THE LOUNGE | Dance of the Golden Snake
with the Saltando Strings and Nathan Wang
Thursday, February 6, 2025, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Together with Chinese-American pianist and composer Nathan Wang (On Gold Mountain), the all-women Saltando Strings will enchant audiences with cherished Chinese folk melodies celebrating the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Snake. Like the snake, which is said to symbolize wisdom, charm, elegance and transformation, this concert promises to be a memorable celebration of cultural richness.
Price: $25
LA VOICES | Black History Celebration with the Inner City Youth Orchestra of LA
Sunday, February 9, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
The Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles (ICYOLA), the largest predominantly Black orchestra in the United States, is dedicated to enriching the lives and minds of young people in Inner City Los Angeles through exceptional music education. In this special concert commemorating Black History Month, the ensemble will spotlight the esteemed compositions of various Black composers. Among these works is a rendition of the renowned “Black National Anthem,” “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” composed by ICYOLA Music Director Charles Dickerson. The program also features “Festival Overture” by orchestra member Kenechi Fortune, and “Trial and Triumph” by Kenichi and Kevon Fortune, a piece crafted to honor the historic appointment of the first female African American U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Ketanji Brown Jackson. Additionally, Margaret Bonds’ “Montgomery Variations,” a series of improvisational variations inspired by the Negro spiritual “I Want Jesus to Walk With Me,” holds a significant place in the performance. Bonds composed this piece in response to the 1963 firebombing of Birmingham, Alabama’s 16th Street Baptist Church, the Montgomery bus boycott, and other pivotal events in the fight against Jim Crow segregation.
All LA Voices events are free of charge and will include docent-led tours of The Ebell of LA’s historic campus.
LIVE IN THE LOUNGE | Shanghai’s World Emporium
Thursday, February 27, 2025, (time to be announced)
Travel back to Shanghai circa 1937, as Xing Xing Department Store launches the city into the modern age with its grand reopening. Employees and customers try their best to maintain normalcy despite the ominous threat of war with Japan, but one calamitous day in August forces them out of their complacency and changes their lives, and China, forever. This is a staged concert reading of the new musical featuring original music by Nathan Wang, book by Jenny Lynn and lyrics by Matthew Leavitt. It is directed by Dámaso Rodríguez.
Price: $25
LIVE IN THE LOUNGE | HERS: Music Ensemble
Tuesday, March 4, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Hers is a newly formed group dedicated to the empowerment and uplifting of musical artists that identify as female. For this special evening at The Ebell, award-winning vocalists Karen Hogle Brown and Tamara Bevard will present vocal selections by celebrated LA composers Reena Esmail, Zanaida Robles, Dale Trumbore, and many others. This curated voice salon will celebrate the amazing creations of musical art happening right in our own beloved city.
Price: $25
A Standing Witness with Susan Graham
Sunday, March 9, 2025, 4:00 p.m.
A Standing Witness is a monumental new collaboration between Grammy Award-winning composer Richard Danielpour and Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former U.S. Poet Laureate Rita Dove, created especially for the incomparable mezzo-soprano Susan Graham and the celebrated Music from Copland House ensemble. The soaring music and probing poetry of this epic cycle for mezzo-soprano and chamber ensemble is a sweeping retrospective tracing enormous social, cultural, technological, and political upheavals in the U.S. since the watershed year of 1968. Rapturously received in premiere performances at Tanglewood, the Kennedy Center, University of Chicago, and elsewhere around the U.S., there is no more timely or provocative work for this pivotal moment in American history.
Price: To be announced.
SALON SERIES | Women in the Muse, an evening of storytelling with Strong Words
Tuesday, March 18, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
For 13 years, Strong Words has served up storytelling, poetry and music for adventurous audiences. Born in the heart of Silver Lake at the legendary Body Builders Gym, this salon has grown from a storefront one-shot into a diverse community that recently celebrated its100th event. Strong Words draws performers from the entire Los Angeles cultural landscape and the evening at The Ebell will be curated by Strong Words producer Marlene Nichols, teacher and creator of Write Party. This is certainly not
the first all-women Strong Words line-up, but it just might be the most marvelous.
Price: To be announced.
The Ebell’s Women’s History Month Annual Juried Art Exhibit
Opening Reception on Thursday, March 20, 2025, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
The Ebell invites Los Angeles-area artists to submit artwork for its second annual juried art exhibit in celebration of National Women’s History Month. The 2024 planning committee selected “A Woman’s Place” for the inaugural 2024 exhibit to focus on the journeys, hopes and dreams of women throughout the ages. The theme as well as the esteemed panel of judges for this year’s art show will be announced at a later time. The submissions will be on public display in the Art Salon in The Ebell of Los Angeles for approximately one month starting with the opening reception on March 20, 2025.
LA VOICES | Women in Jazz – Performance and Symposium with
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts
Sunday, March 23, 2025, (time to be announced)
The award-winning Jazz Ensemble of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), in collaboration with The Ebell of Los Angeles, presents an afternoon of music, performances and discussion by a field of women musicians who are leading the way in the art of jazz. Grammy-nominated vocal artist Gretchen Parlato and friends will perform with the LACHSA Jazz Ensemble in original works by women composers. Additional performances will feature talented women artists from the Los Angeles jazz community. A symposium will follow the performances featuring seminars and workshops centered on topics in jazz education and the mentorship of up-and-coming female jazz artists.
All LA Voices events are free of charge and will include docent-led tours of The Ebell of LA’s historic campus.
Ebell Symposium on Women’s History in Los Angeles
Thursday, March 27, 2025, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
The second annual Ebell Institute for the Study of Women’s History in LA (TEI) will continue to build and share knowledge of remarkable women of Los Angeles whose contributions have been omitted from history books and ignored in public spheres. Along with esteemed keynote speakers, distinguished and graduate scholars will provide enlightening presentations on various aspects of women’s history in Los Angeles. The day-long, FREE symposium is filled with community, conversation and comradery in
celebration of the contributions of women throughout the region.
Price: FREE!
LA VOICES | A Musical Presentation of VILNA: A Resistance Story
Sunday, April 6, 2024, 3:00 p.m.
VILNA: A Resistance Story is a musical based on the poignant story of Vitka Kempner, a 19-year-old Jewish girl who inspired the heroic Jewish resistance movement in the Vilna ghetto during the Holocaust. After the Nazis invade Poland, a fierce and fearless Vitka escapes to the free, bohemian city of Vilna, Lithuania where she meets a group of young artists—led by visionary poet Abba Kovner—and inspires them to form a resistance. But when the Nazis invade and confine Jews to the ghetto, Vitka and the group must find creative ways to fight back. With the Nazis bearing down, they make a daring escape to the forest where Vitka blows up a Nazi train—the first act of sabotage by a Jewish partisan in WWII—paving the way for their return to reclaim their beloved city. With a vibrant klezmer-influenced pop score, VILNA tells a forgotten and inspiring story that speaks to our time.
All LA Voices events are free of charge and will include docent-led tours of The Ebell of LA’s historic campus.
LIVE IN THE LOUNGE | A Musical Performance of Much Ado About Nothing
Thursday, April 10, 2025, (time to be announced)
Celebrate the Bard’s 461th birthday with a spectacular blend of live music blended with one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies enjoyed for its humor, warmth and keen insights into human relationships. Much Ado About Nothing, will sparkle with music in this delightful “concert” reading with the melodious compositions of Nathan Wang, performed by Saltando Strings Ensemble, perfectly harmonizing with a lively staged reading by actors from the 6th Act Theatre Company, directed by Matthew Leavitt.
Price: $25
LA VOICES | Vibra Voce’s Voices of Asia 2025
Sunday, May 4th, 2025, 4:30 p.m.
The fifth annual “Voices of Asia” concert, in partnership with The Ebell of Los Angeles, will showcase vocal and instrumental music celebrating the rich diversity of the Asian diaspora. The performance will include traditional music spanning various cultures along with works by renowned L.A.-based Chinese-American composer Nathan Wang. Local artists representing different Asian countries will come together to share the stage, highlighting the collaborative spirit of this unique concert. Vibra Voce (formerly the Global Growth Youth Federation) has been hosting diverse community concerts across Los Angeles since 2018, empowering local emerging artists through curated concerts and mentorship, continuing their mission to make classical music accessible and foster cultural connections.
All LA Voices events are free of charge and will include docent-led tours of The Ebell of LA’s historic campus.
SALON SERIES | Saucy Sassy Southern Stories with Tasty Words and JAM Creative
Tuesday, May 6th, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Don your sassiest Southern derby hat and enjoy mint juleps on the porch with an evening of contemporary Southern stories written by Southern-born, LA-transplant writers and performers. The performance is curated and hosted by veteran story salon creators Wendy Hammers (Tasty Words) and Suzanne Weerts (JAM Creative). Tasty Words is a highly acclaimed and long-running spoken word salon created, hosted and curated by Wendy Hammers. The organization serves up hilarious and horrifying real life stories read and performed by the people who wrote them. JAM Creative hosts storytelling shows featuring seasoned pros and first-timers, accompanied by live musicians, all to benefit local non-profits with themes that connect audiences with unique perspectives on the collective human experience through the power of words.
Price: To be announced.
Mother’s Day Brunch at The Ebell
Sunday, May 11, 2025, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Lounge & Garden, 741 South Lucerne Blvd.
Women have been championing, celebrating and supporting one another with The Ebell since 1894, and there’s no more perfect place to celebrate your mother and the other special women in your life. The Ebell’s chef offers the ultimate brunch spread in the lush garden setting, complete with live entertainment ensuring a relaxing and stress-free day that all but guarantees mom will feel loved and appreciated.
Price: $45 – $85
LIVE IN THE LOUNGE | Michele Patzakis & Ariana Prappas:
Melodies of Motherhood – Honoring Profound Maternal Bonds
Monday, May 12, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Award-winning vocalists Michele Patzakis and Ariana Prappas reunite at The Ebell for an enchanting evening dedicated to honoring the profound bond of motherhood. Through a diverse repertoire spanning Classical, Broadway, Folk, and Popular genres, this mother-daughter duo invites audiences to celebrate the extraordinary spirit of nurturing figures everywhere. Join us for a captivating musical journey that beautifully captures the essence of maternal love and strength, promising an unforgettable experience of heartwarming melodies, poignant lyrics and an opportunity to sing along.
Price: To be announced.
Ebell Spring Chorale Concert
Sunday, May 18, 2025, 2:00 p.m.
The Ebell Chorale, one of the oldest women’s choirs in Los Angeles, presents a diverse array of choral works in its annual concert. Under the baton of artistic director, Yu Hang Tan, The Ebell Chorale is an all-volunteer group of singers founded in 1915, who prepare two concerts a year at The Ebell and at several retirement homes throughout the vicinity.
Price: To be announced.
LA VOICES | Film Screenings: Jackie’s Back and Cabaret
Sunday, June 22, 2025, (time to be announced)
Join us for an afternoon of cinematic delight with a double feature of Jackie’s Back, the hilarious mockumentary following a diva’s comeback journey starring Jennifer Lewis, and Cabaret, the captivating musical starring Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey depicting the decadent, yet politically charged atmosphere of 1930s Berlin. Laugh along with Jackie Washington’s outrageous antics and then immerse yourself in the dazzling world of cabaret performances amidst the backdrop of political turmoil. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy two iconic films that promise laughter, drama, and unforgettable entertainment.
All LA Voices events are free of charge and will include docent-led tours of The Ebell of LA’s historic campus.
Free Student Matinees
Throughout National Women’s History month in March, students from the surrounding areas will enjoy free matinee performances and the world premiere of All About Rose, a 1940’s era story inspired by Rosie the Riveters of World War II.
Local area schools will again be invited back to The Ebell in April to enjoy free matinee performances with Las Colibrí, or “The Hummingbirds,” the award-winning all female and all- string mariachi ensemble offering a lovely blend of vocal harmonies, beautiful smiles and traditional mariachi instrumentation.
Acting Workshops for Adults and Teens at The Ebell of LA
Students ages 18 and up can explore acting through games, activities, lessons, and projects designed to help build confidence and proficiency. Led by department leaders at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre, this series of 10 weekly classes covers essential skills such as characterization, scene work, and voice techniques. (Cost: $15 per class or $150 for all 10 classes)
The Acting Up! youth program is designed for aspiring artists aged 14-18, and encourages skill development through individual monologues, group scenes, and various creative exercises. Over 12 classes, students engage in games, scene work, and discussions, culminating in a performance of their scenes and monologues at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre. Scholarships are available. (Cost: $75 per student)
For more information on these and other events announced at later dates, please visit https://ebellofla.org/membership/club-events/.
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