Distinguished Concerts International New York

Hila Plitmann

A groundbreaking work infused with the style of Japanese anime and manga, Paradise Lost is a powerful and visceral hybrid of musical theater, opera, electronica, film score and Asian drumming.  The Los Angeles Times describes Paradise Lost as “works of unearthly beauty and imagination… electric, chilling harmonies.”

Eric Whitacre

The story follows the last remaining tribe of angels, marooned in a post-apocalyptic Paradise as children and now grown into young adulthood. With

in their fortress they have created a militant, martial society, always training for the next attack, always afraid. One angel, Exstasis (Hila Plitmann), remains untouched by the brutal world in which she lives and dreams only of flying.

Paradise Lost features a book by Edward Esch, music by acclaimed composer Eric Whitacre, and lyrics by director David Norona and Whitacre. Conducted by Whitacre, Paradise Lost also features a radically diverse chorus assembled by DCINY from all over the country.

A fully staged version of Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings, originally presented at the Theatre at Boston Court in Pasadena in the summer of 2007, was nominated for 10 Ovation Awards.

Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings will be at The Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Avenue for one performance only,
Saturday, June 25th, at 8 pm. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

For information and tickets, call 800-982-2787, or visit http://www.dciny.org/2011-season/saturday-june-25-2011.html.

Hila Plitmann

Eric Whitacre

A concert of Eric Whitacre’s Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings starring Grammy Award-winning soprano Hila Plitmann and featuring a 300-voice choir will be presented at the Walt Disney Concert Hall on Saturday, June 25th, at 8 pm. The performance is presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY), whose mission is to showcase heart-stoppingly innovative choral music at prestigious venues around the world.

Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings is a work of music theater with book by poet Edward Esch, music by Eric Whitacre, and lyrics by director David Noroña and Whitacre. The show, heavily influenced by Japanese anime and manga, is a powerful and visceral hybrid of musical theater, opera, electronica, film, and Asian drumming.

For more information, click HERE.

34th Annual NFCB Conference

in Portland!

The healing Taoist practice of Qigong cultivates strength of body and calmness of mind through an integration of physical postures, breathing techniques, and focused intentions. Its gentle, rhythmic movements have been proven to reduce stress, build stamina, increase vitality, and enhance the immune system. It has also been found to improve cardiovascular, respiratory, circulatory, lymphatic and digestive functions.
According to Ms. Wong, those who maintain a consistent practice of Qigong find that it helps one regain a youthful vitality. In more than thirty research studies, Qigong has been found to reverse the effects of aging.

The program will provide a rare opportunity to receive instruction in two unique lineages: the Pre-celestial Limitless Gate School (Xiantianwujimen) and the Yiquan School, neither of which have previously been fully transmitted to students in the West.

In Level 1, students will be in instructed in techniques of outer and inner qigong. Outer qigong is concerned with strengthening the muscular-skeletal system?joints, muscles, tendons, bones, and spinal column. Inner qigong is concerned with nourishing the internal organs and cultivating internal energy. Students will learn Chen Xiyi’s sleeping and walking qigong and Wang Xiangzhai’s standing qigong.

In Level 2, students will learn the Nine Self-Massage Technique and the Twelve Devas Tendon-changing system. The Self-Massage Technique focuses on stimulating the meridians and acupuncture points and the Twelve Devas focus on flexibility, strength, and softness in the tendons and muscles.  Level I qigong is required to attend Level II.

Classes will be held March 7 and 8, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.  Costs: $200; General Public ($150.00 Members, Seniors and Students) ($100.00 Deposit). Registration and information at (323) 255-5472 or http://la.shambhala.org/program_details.php?id=16983&cid=208

The Center for the Arts in Eagle Rock is located at 2225 Colorado Blvd, Los Angeles (Eagle Rock) 90041.  The Center provides innovative and multicultural arts programming to North East Los Angeles, and surrounding areas. Website: www.centerartseaglerock.org.

The first public ceremony to mark the public acquisition of more than 600 acres of land on the Los Angeles coast – known as the Ballona Wetlands – was organized as a Gala Dinner kicking off a year-long series of events called Celebrate Ballona!

The dinner was December 2, 2008 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey and was presided over by Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who is Chair of the Honorary Host Committee for Celebrate Ballona!  Approximately 300 guests attended a program which honored five public officials and eight journalists who Ballona activists deemed crucial to the public acquisition, which happened over a year’s time beginning in September of 2003.

The officials honored included Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, former State Senator Tom Hayden, former State Controller Kathleen Connell and former State Controller Steve Westly.   Journalists honored as “Journalists of Courage” included Robert Scheer, Patt Morrison, J. William Gibson, David Helvarg, Nick Madigan, Mary Moore, Jill Stewart and Jeff Stockwell.

The Dinner Chair for the evening was Rosemary MacHardy of Venice.

The dinner and Celebrate Ballona! is being organized by the Ballona Institute, a project of the International Humanities Center.

Photos – Click to enlarge

Photo Credit: Martin Rubin

Left to right – former CA Assemblymember Richard Katz, Roy van de Hoek (Co-Director Ballona Institute), Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Marcia Hanscom (Co-Director Ballona Institute), Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl (Master of Ceremonies)

Photo Credit: Martin Rubin

Left to right – Roy van de Hoek (Co-Director Ballona Institute), John Chiang (California State Controller), Debra Bowen (California Secretary of State), Marcia Hanscom (Co-Director Ballona Institute), Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl (Master of Ceremonies)

Photo credit: Martin Rubin

Left to right – Roy van de Hoek (Co-Director Ballona Institute), Jeff Stockwell (Premiere Magazine), Rose MacHardy (Dinner Committee Chair), Nick Madigan (Daily Variety, New York Times, the Outlook and currently with the Baltimore Sun)), Robert Scheer (Los Angeles Times), Marcia Hanscom (Co-Director Ballona Institute), Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, Mary Moore (Daily Breeze, the Outlook, and Los Angeles Times), Jill Stewart (New Times Los Angeles and currently with the LA Weekly), Patt Morrison (Los Angeles Times), Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Bill Gibson ( LA Weekly, The Nation, Los Angeles Times)