[contextly_auto_sidebar] It was on returning back to town in 2016, after a year away, that I was startled to see how much the performing arts scene had changed since I originally landed here in the late ‘90s. Some things about L.A. were worse, but this was more, better, more wide-ranging. Instead of a simple cultural geography that mostly involved downtown L.A., the city had de-centered: Now … [Read more...]
Angelique Kidjo Plays Remain in Light
[contextly_auto_sidebar] THE other night I caught a stunningly good show by the West African musician Angelique Kidjo -- a reimagining of Talking Heads' classic 1980 album Remain in Light, itself inspired by West African rhythms and themes. I was having so much fun I failed to take notes, but sometimes guest columnist Steven Mirkin, a longtime music journalist, was paying more attention. … [Read more...]