60th Annual L.A. COUNTY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION Headlines Festive Seasonal Programming Perfect for the Whole Family on PBS SoCal and KCET
CONTACT
Allison Gray
agray@pmgsocal.org
747.201.5298
Christmas Eve Also Offers Southern California Viewers 56th ANNUAL HOLIDAY WASSAIL CONCERT at Chapman University and More
(Pictured L to R: Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Chamber Choir, as featured in the 2018 L.A. COUNTY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION)
Burbank, Calif. – Nov. 13, 2019 – PBS SoCal and KCET, Southern California's home for award-winning public media programming as well as premieres of new PBS programs, announced today a variety of holiday programming options for viewers throughout the month of December. Headlining the seasonal lineup is the return of the L.A. COUNTY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION observing its 60th anniversary in 2019. This free regional holiday tradition, performed each year at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion since 1959, features music and dance performances broadcast and streamed LIVE on PBS SoCal on Tues., Dec. 24 from 3-6 p.m. with an encore on KCET on Wed., Dec. 25 at from 12-3 p.m and 7-10 p.m.
The 60th annual L.A. COUNTY HOLIDAY CELEBRATION is a three-hour seasonal music and dance spectacular hosted by internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Suzanna Guzmán and actress Marissa Ramirez (Blue Bloods) that features more than 20 music ensembles, choirs and dance companies from the many neighborhoods and cultures of Los Angeles County.
Honoring the dynamic, rich cultures of the area, many L.A.-based artists and community groups showcase their talent, artistry and traditions for thousands of attendees every Christmas Eve with performances this year that include Hālau Hula Keali’i o Nālani & the Daniel Ho Trio, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles, gospel choir Greater LA Cathedral Choir, Jung Im Lee Korean Dance Academy and folklorico troupe Pacifico Dance Company. Some of this year’s newcomers include Latin folk band Cuñao, the dancers and drummers of African Soul International and a cappella group Street Corner Renaissance. All female, two-time GRAMMY award-winning Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea will team up with Mariachi Espectacular and Jewish cultural revival band Mostly Kosher will share the stage with Urban Voices Project, a choir made up of men and women surviving homelessness on Skid Row. The program will also be available online at pbssocal.org/holidaycelebration. For information about attending the live event please visit holidaycelebration.org
Another Christmas Eve tradition, CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY’S ANNUAL HOLIDAY WASSAIL CONCERT will be broadcast on Tues., Dec. 24 at 8 p.m. on KCET. This year’s 56th ANNUAL WASSAIL CONCERT AT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY features the Chapman University Singers, the Chapman University Choir and The University Treble Choir along with spectacular music by The Chapman Orchestra, and is a collaboration between students and faculty of the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music. For information on the live event or to purchase tickets to attend the Wassail Concert in person, go to https://events.chapman.edu/75870
Additional holiday-themed programming that will air throughout the month of December on both KCET and PBS SoCal includes seasonal specials emphasizing multicultural celebrations, including Hanukkah, and providing viewers of all ages an opportunity to come together over the holiday season.
KCET’s holiday lineup also includes seasonal specials that include “Wheaton College Christmas Festival: Messiah, Prince of Peace,” “Purdue 85th Anniversary Christmas Show” and “World of Ice Dance International.” For more details about each show and a full list of holiday programming on KCET please go to kcet.org/holiday
Additional PBS SoCal holiday programming includes “Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir Featuring Kristin Chenoweth,” “The Ornament of the World,” “Christmas at Belmont,” “Handel’s Messiah,” “Crane Candlelight Christmas,” Rick Steves’ “European Christmas” and “Lucy Worsley’s 12 Days of Tudor Christmas.”
Rounding out the list is the eagerly anticipated CALL THE MIDWIFE Holiday Special premiering on Christmas Day, Wed., Dec. 25 at 9 p.m. on PBS SoCal. As usual, kindness and joy outweigh the sorrow when Mother Mildred and the Nonnatus House team go to the Outer Hebrides in response to a nursing shortage.
For more details about each show and a full list of holiday programming on PBS SoCal please go to pbssocal.org
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