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PBS SoCal Hosts Screening Premiere of 'Art Happens Here with Jon Lithgow' Highlighting the Importance of Arts Education

April 17, 2024
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On Thursday, April 11, PBS SoCal premiered 'Art Happens Here with Jon Lithgow,' which explores the importance of arts education. The event took place at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills where close to 300 guests previewed an advance screening of the PBS program, paired with a panel discussion and live performances from Los Angeles County High School of the Arts (LACHSA) and the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA).

John Lithgow celebrates the premiere of 'Art Happens Here with John Lithgow' with students from LACHSA, Self Help Graphics and the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
John Lithgow celebrates the premiere of 'Art Happens Here with John Lithgow' with students from LACHSA, Self Help Graphics and the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.

Attendees included actor/host/executive producer John Lithgow ("Killers of the Flower Moon," "The Crown," "The Old Man") as well as arts educators and administrators from across Southern California as well as the filmmakers and onscreen talent from the new show, which premieres Friday, April 26 at 10 p.m. PT (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS App.

John Lithgow attends the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW with Estrella Gonzales-Sanders of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
John Lithgow attends the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW with Estrella Gonzales-Sanders of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
1/3 John Lithgow attends the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW with Estrella Gonzales-Sanders of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
John Lithgow introduces Estrella Gonzales-Sanders of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy the premiere reception of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
John Lithgow introduces Estrella Gonzales-Sanders of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy the premiere reception of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
2/3 John Lithgow introduces Estrella Gonzales-Sanders of the Debbie Allen Dance Academy the premiere reception of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
John Lithgow attends the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW with sister Robin Lithgow, former head of LAUSD's Arts Education department on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
John Lithgow attends the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW with sister Robin Lithgow, former head of LAUSD's Arts Education department on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
3/3 John Lithgow attends the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW with sister Robin Lithgow, former head of LAUSD’s Arts Education department on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.

LACHSA's vocal jazz ensemble kicked off the night with an acapella performance of Ella Fitzgerald's "There Will Never Be Another You" which was followed by a DADA ensemble dance performance of Nina Simone's "Four Women."

PBS SoCal President/Chief Executive Officer Andrew Russell and PBS SoCal Chief Content Officer Tamara Gould introduced guests to 'Art Happens Here with Jon Lithgow' after opening remarks from The Wallis' Chief Executive Officer Robert van Leer. The premiere screening was followed by a panel conversation about the importance of Arts Education with John Lithgow, Director of Los Angeles County Department of Arts & Culture Kristin Sakoda and PBS SoCal Chief Operating Officer Jamie Myers.

LACHSA's vocal jazz ensemble performs at the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
LACHSA's vocal jazz ensemble performs at the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
1/3 LACHSA's vocal jazz ensemble performs at the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
DADA's ensemble dancers perform at the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
DADA's ensemble dancers perform at the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
2/3 DADA's ensemble dancers perform at the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
PBS SoCal executives Andrew Russell and Tamara Gould welcome the crowd at the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
PBS SoCal executives Andrew Russell and Tamara Gould welcome the crowd at the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.
3/3 PBS SoCal executives Andrew Russell and Tamara Gould welcome the crowd at the premiere of ART HAPPENS HERE WITH JOHN LITHGOW on April 11, 2024. Photo courtesy of PBS SoCal.

A reception preceded the screening where guests celebrated the documentary while drinking Angeleno Wines, eating some light bites from Fundamental LA and listening to jazz. Local arts organizations featured in the film, LACHSA, DADA, Self Help Graphics and the Community Center of La Canada Flintridge, also tabled at the reception. Guests went home with a limited-edition poster created for the event by Self Help Graphics, which featured art from the show's host John Lithgow.

Additional attendees included comedian Jesus Trejo, executive producers Perry Simon and Juan Devis, dancer Tamica Washington-Miller, former Lifetime GM, Board Chair, J Paul Getty Trust Louise Bryson, Interim Executive Director at the LACHSA Foundation Mark Slavkin, former Self-Help Graphics Executive Director Betty Avila, LA Plaza CEO and LA County Arts Commission President Leticia Rhi Buckley, filmmaker Antonio Diaz and more.

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