A new year, another year for celebrating the arts

Los Angeles Arts Month officially kicked off today at the Music Center Plaza in Downtown. Mayor Villaraigosa, L.A. County Supervisor Molina, and leading members from the arts community welcomed an audience who took advantage of the sunny afternoon to enjoy free entertainment and be reminded of how great the arts and cultural opportunities are in Los Angeles.

Those of us lucky enough to be part of the kick-off festivities were treated to fun, awe-inspiring, and spirited performances by the Hollywood High School choir, Cirque du Soleil (both on-stage and with walk-around performers!), and a musical performance by David Hidalgo & Louie Perez of Los Lobos.

This year's event highlighted the spring opening of the LA Plaza Museum in Downtown L.A. with its inaugural exhibition, "LA Starts Here!"; the new Cirque du Soleil show, "IRIS," opening this summer at the Kodak Theatre; and the much anticipated large-scale project, "Pacific Standard Time," opening this fall.

The event was also a reminder that, while January is officially dedicated to the arts in L.A., there are many wonderful arts and cultural experiences to look forward to all year long. With three significant cultural events opening, 2011 should be a great year for Angelenos and our visitors to experience the arts!

Happy New Year!


-Julie