Kristina Wong - Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism Book Release Event

Join Kristina Wong—performance artist, comedian, writer and activist—for the launch of her new book Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism (Beaming Books, April 2026). In this fresh work, Wong draws on her celebrated body of theatre and social-practice work to explore community care, collective power, and the long legacy of Asian American activism—through her trademark blend of sharp wit, heartfelt insight and grassroots storytelling.

At this reading and conversation event, she and the other 3 authors of Auntie Kristina’s Guide to Asian American Activism (Anna Michelle Wang, Theodore Chao and Jenessa Joffe), joined by special guest Mia Yamamoto (a featured "Auntie Hero" in the book) gracing with stories and a song, and special guests Young Rebels Emi Hope Sperber and Liberty Chao also reading from the book, will discuss the inspiration behind the book, share passages and reflections, and open the floor for audience questions and connection. It’s a rare opportunity to engage directly with an artist whose work spans theatre, mutual-aid practice and cultural commentary—and to gather together around what activism means for us today.

Tickets: $35 (includes book)

Breadcrumbs Along the Trail by Carl Weintraub

Explore the power of story — and the paths we walk. In this engaging solo performance, Carl Weintraub draws from a rich treasure-trove of fables, folk tales, fairy tales, and personal stories to place the audience squarely in the trail of life’s greatest questions: where we’ve come from, how we choose to move ahead, and what we carry with us.

Like breadcrumbs dropped along a forest path, each story offers insight and nourishment — guidance for the next bend, signposts for decisions, and echoes of journeys already taken. With his trademark warmth, theatrical skill, and deep respect for the oral tradition, Weintraub weaves an experience that entertains, enlightens, and invites reflection.

The result is a performance for all ages — ideal for families, community audiences, and educational settings. Audiences will leave enriched by the wisdom of the tales, the joy of being part of a shared story-space, and inspired to drop their own breadcrumbs along the trails they follow.

Tickets: $15

John Clayton – Double Bass Trio

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

John Clayton is one of the most respected double bassists working today—equally at home in jazz and classical contexts. With a career spanning decades, he has performed with the Count Basie Orchestra, led the acclaimed Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, and held one of the highest positions in European symphonic bass before returning to the U.S. His deep rhythmic foundation, rich tone, compositional savvy and wide musical curiosity make him a special artist.

In this intimate trio format, Clayton brings his double bass to the forefront in a chamber-style setting. Expect an evening where the bass is both anchor and voice—driving grooves, offering melodic statements, responding to and inspiring the ensemble. The trio format offers flexibility: moments of laid-back swing, reflective lyricism, and rhythmic interplay where the bass interacts with its partners in surprising ways.

For the audience, this means something special: close-up access to Clayton’s artistry, clear aural detail in a small venue, and the opportunity to hear a master musician in a setting that strips away layers and brings focus to sound, texture and interaction. Whether you come as a jazz enthusiast or simply appreciate high-level musicianship, this performance promises depth, elegance and musical generosity.

Tickets: $35

Darshan Trio

Darshan Trio brings a visionary, boundary-expanding approach to classical music, creating immersive multimedia experiences that connect music across centuries and cultures. Formed by pianist Dominic Cheli, violinist Vijay Gupta, and cellist Yoshika Masuda, the trio’s programs blend storytelling, visual design, and world-class artistry that challenge tradition and spark curiosity. Meaning "vision" in Sanskrit, Darshan Trio embraces the power of music to create new ways of seeing, and being seen. As the ensemble in residence for Street Symphony, they perform in shelters, clinics, county jails and prisons throughout Southern California, as well as on concert stages across the nation.

Tickets: $12-35

Jodi Siegel with Greg Porée and Justin Porée

Singer-songwriter and guitarist Jodi Siegel brings a soulful voice, masterful slide guitar and a groove-rich blend of blues, R&B, soul and jazz to the stage. Born in Chicago and now based in Southern California, Siegel has built a career opening for legends like Albert King and Robert Cray, and writing songs that have been recorded by Maria Muldaur and Marcia Ball.

Her latest album Wild Hearts showcases her versatility — from funky, driving grooves to intimate acoustic reflections — and features a hand-picked group of top-tier musicians from the Los Angeles scene. On stage with her band, Siegel commands both the solo spotlight and the collective energy of a tight ensemble: blistering guitar lines, rich vocals, strong songwriting and seamless transitions across style.

For this performance at Sierra Madre Playhouse, where Jodi will be joined by acclaimed guitarist-composer Greg Porée and percussionist Justin Porée of Grammy-winning band Ozomatli, expect a set where every song feels grounded and genuine. Siegel will lead the audience through a journey of sound marked by emotional depth, musical craftsmanship and spontaneous interaction with the band. Whether she’s channeling the grit of blues, the warmth of soul, or the freedom of jazz improvisation, the result is a live experience that is both rooted in tradition and refreshingly alive in the moment.

Tickets: $12-$35

THREE LIVES

Written, directed, and performed by Alex Xander Luu

In this raw, funny, and deeply moving solo performance, acclaimed artist Alex Xander Luu traces his family’s escape from war-torn Saigon in 1975 and their search for identity and belonging in America. Through the intersecting perspectives of son, father, and grandfather, Three Lives journeys across continents and generations, confronting the immigrant struggle with humor, heart, and unflinching honesty.
Luu — hailed by the Los Angeles Times as “a compelling voice in solo theatre” — brings to life a vivid tapestry of memory and resilience, from the chaos of the fall of Saigon to the challenges of assimilation in a new homeland. Luu fuses physicality, storytelling, and sharp observation to reveal how the promises and myths of the American Dream collide with lived experience.

Tickets: $12-$35

The Maestro from Source/Filter Music

Presented by Source/Filter Music, this witty and inventive performance reimagines Domenico Cimarosa’s comic intermezzo Il maestro di cappella ("The Maestro") — a sharp satire of ego, rehearsal chaos, and the absurdities of the music world.

In this production, baritone Caleb Glickman stars as the overconfident conductor who lectures and berates his orchestra while simultaneously attempting to lead it. With a hybrid English–Italian libretto, Glickman’s character becomes hilariously tangled in language, rhythm, and pride. The role demands both vocal virtuosity and comic timing, as he sings, conducts, and unravels in real time.

The performance features a 17–20-piece orchestra, along with 2–3 additional singers. The first half of the evening includes a program of vocal and instrumental works by Italian-American composers, curated to complement Cimarosa’s humor and lyricism.

Performed without microphones and minimal staging, The Maestro thrives on intimacy and spontaneity—musicians in concert black, the “maestro” in flamboyant costume, and the sound of a real orchestra responding to every whim.

A playful blend of classical precision and theatrical absurdity, this event captures Source/Filter’s mission: to celebrate live music as both art and experiment, where the line between performance and play beautifully blurs.

Tickets: $12-35

Paul Salerni's Haunted

Catch Paul Salerni's opera Haunted at Sierra Madre Playhouse!

From oral tradition to hymns and chants to modern singer-songwriters, poetry and music have intertwined and sung stories to rapt listeners throughout the ages. On Haunted, composer Paul Salerni uses this time-honored pairing to present a quartet of contemporary works for solo voice, dancers, and chamber ensemble. Dana Gioia’s poetry and Salerni’s musical acumen combine to form a rich and mysterious work that combines dance and opera. Haunted presents a passionate but doomed love story wrapped around a ghost story, leading to a conclusion no one will predict.

Tickets: $35

The Michael Carvin Experience

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

Drummer, bandleader, and master educator Michael Carvin returns to Sierra Madre Playhouse with his unmistakable blend of power, clarity, and deep musical intelligence. A veteran of global stages and recording studios, Carvin has shaped generations of players through his uncompromising artistic voice and celebrated teaching legacy. His ensemble, The Michael Carvin Experience, reflects his philosophy of precision, emotional truth, and fearless improvisation — where every musician stands out and the music moves with intent, fire, and purpose. Expect a concert built on swing, discipline, and creative risk-taking from one of jazz’s most respected rhythmic architects.

Tickets: $35

Vijay Gupta – Restrung: A Talk & Concert

Violinist Vijay Gupta, celebrated for his wide-ranging artistry and visionary engagement in community, presents an evening that blends musical performance and candid reflection in honor of his forthcoming memoir Restrung. Former member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and founder of the nonprofit Street Symphony, Gupta invites the audience into his personal journey—from prodigy to orchestral performer, through burnout and renewal, to an artist leader whose mission extends far beyond the concert stage.

The evening begins with Gupta sharing parts of his story in conversation form. He’ll speak about how music became more than performance for him—becoming a lifeline in moments of crisis, a tool of connection on Skid Row, and a path toward purpose and community. Following the talk, Gupta takes the violin for a live performance, offering music that reflects his recent journey: pieces that resonate with introspection, rhythmic vitality, and emotional transparency.

Expect a program of repertoire and reflection that bridges classical solo violin traditions with contemporary ideas of resilience, justice, and belonging. You’ll hear masterful technique and thoughtful interpretation alongside stories of real-life transformation and creative reinvention. The atmosphere is intimate, sincere, and deeply human.

This event is designed as both book release and concert: ticket includes a copy of Restrung, offering attendees not just a performance, but an entry point into Gupta’s larger narrative and mission. After the music and talk, there will be a Q&A and book signing, giving the audience a chance to connect directly, ask questions, and take home a signed copy.

Join Vijay Gupta for an evening of music, story, and inspiration—a blend of artistry and advocacy, where the sound of the violin meets the voice of commitment.

Tickets: $35 (includes book)

Indradeep Ghosh with Chris Votek and Neelamjit Dhillon

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Indian Classical Music Series

A meeting of strings and rhythm at the confluence of Hindustani classical tradition and Western chamber sensibility.

Violinist Indradeep Ghosh leads the trio with an instrument modified to blend the tonal richness of Hindustani raga and sympathetic-string resonance, inviting deep expressive explorations of melody and tone. Cellist Chris Votek brings rare fluency in both Western classical and North Indian traditions—his work adapts the vocal-style (gayaki-ang) vocabulary of raga to the cello with striking clarity and emotional power. Tabla maestro Neelamjit Dhillon anchors the ensemble with rhythmic virtuosity, guiding the music’s unfolding shape with subtlety, depth and drive.

In this performance you’ll hear the arc of Hindustani music: slow, meditative melodic unfolding (alap), rich interplay between strings and rhythm, and moments of spirited improvisation that bring the ensemble to life. Flavors from East and West weave together—Ghosh’s evocative violin lines, Votek’s cello voice in dialog, and Dhillon’s tabla cycles creating both foundation and spark. The result is an immersive musical journey that invites listeners to engage deeply: to follow unfolding sound, shifting textures, and the seamless interaction of tradition and innovation.

Presented in our Hindustani Music Series, this evening offers a rare opportunity to experience the string-based voice of Indian classical music and its modern articulation in Los Angeles’s vibrant musical ecosystem. Whether you are newly curious about raga or seasoned in classical listening, expect an intimate, profound and resonant concert.

Tickets: $12-35

Camille Hernandez - Motherlands

Poet, performer, and educator Camille Hernandez presents an immersive reimagining of her celebrated chapbook Motherlands—now transformed into a choreopoem that merges movement, rhythm, and language into living performance. Rather than reciting from behind a podium, Hernandez animates her poetry through gesture, breath, and motion, weaving text and embodiment into a single, fluid expression.

Tickets: $20

Sidney Jacobs – Vocalist with Quartet

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

Los Angeles–born vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and producer Sidney Jacobs brings a smooth, soulful blend of jazz, R&B, and contemporary groove to the stage. A member of the legendary vocal ensemble The Fisk Jubilee Singers and a solo artist on the Resonance Records label, Jacobs is known for his velvety tone, inventive phrasing, and heartfelt delivery.

In this performance, Jacobs leads a dynamic quartet through a set that blends original music with reimagined standards, each piece infused with his distinctive harmonic sophistication and emotional warmth. His artistry bridges genres with ease—one moment deeply swinging, the next intimate and introspective.

Accompanied by four of L.A.’s finest musicians, Jacobs creates an atmosphere that’s both stylish and deeply personal. Listeners can expect an evening of musical storytelling that celebrates the depth and diversity of contemporary jazz while honoring its roots in soul, blues, and the Great American Songbook.

Part of Sierra Madre Playhouse’s Jazz Series, curated by guitarist and composer Greg Porée, this concert showcases one of Los Angeles’s most expressive vocalists in an intimate setting where every note feels close, alive, and deeply felt.

Tickets: $35

Battleship Potemkin (1925)

World Premiere of live musical score by George Sarah • string quartet + vocal quintet

Join us for a powerful screening of Sergei Eisenstein’s groundbreaking silent film Battleship Potemkin, now re-imagined through a live score composed by George Sarah. Known for bridging electronic, classical and chamber music traditions, Sarah brings his unique sonic voice to this cinematic masterpiece—integrating string quartet textures, a five-voice vocal ensemble, and subtle electronic elements to transform the screening into a multisensory experience.

The film charts the 1905 uprising aboard the Russian battleship Potemkin, a cinematic landmark whose montage, rhythm and emotional energy still resonate. Under Sarah’s score, the visuals are echoed and amplified: the strings underscore dramatic tension and camaraderie; the voices give human edge to mass uprising; the electronics add depth and contemporary resonance. The result is an event where silent-film history meets live music vitality.

Set in Sierra Madre Playhouse’s intimate setting, you’ll hear every phrase of the quartet, feel the breath of the voices, and watch the images as if for the first time. This isn’t just a screening—it’s a concert, a revival, and a moment of connection between film, sound, and live presence. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience one of cinema’s boldest works with a live score crafted for today’s audience.

Tickets: $30

Brightwork.test(AI, human) from Brightwork newmusic

How does artificial intelligence change the way we create and experience music? This interdisciplinary concert invites audiences to witness the evolving relationship between technology and art. Brightwork.test(AI, human) places newly composed works by both humans and algorithms side by side, exploring the boundary between machine logic and human intuition. It’s an immersive, forward-looking event that raises questions as much as it delights the senses—where creativity itself becomes the experiment.

Brightwork newmusic is a Los Angeles-based chamber ensemble formed in 2013 by pianist Aron Kallay. The group is built around a sextet instrumentation (piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, percussion) and focuses on presenting high-caliber performances of contemporary classical music alongside landmark works from the past hundred years. Their mission is to revitalize the art of new music on the West Coast—commissioning living composers, premiering their works, and inviting listeners into the creative process.

At a Brightwork performance you can expect a polished and fearless ensemble of musicians, many of whom are recognized in the professional music scene, delivering precise, responsive playing and tightly integrated chamber music under modern aesthetic standards.

Tickets: $12-35

Babatunde HipHopera

Baritone vocalist Babatunde Akinboboye brings a high-energy and genre-defying performance that fuses the power of classical opera with the rhythm and attitude of hip-hop. With a voice deeply grounded in operatic tradition and a performance style rooted in contemporary culture, Babatunde creates an experience that feels both timeless and cutting-edge.

His program traverses arias and vocal works alongside modern rhythms and spoken-word passages, revealing how these two musical worlds reflect one another—both in drama, narrative arc, and emotional reach. On stage you will hear operatic range, hip-hop beats or rhythm-driven structures, and a performer who moves freely between tradition and innovation.

Presented in an intimate setting at Sierra Madre Playhouse, the audience will feel the musician’s voice up close and personal—each phrase, each dramatic turn carried with clarity and immediacy. Whether you are drawn by the operatic technique, the fusion of styles, or the bold live presence, this evening promises a performance where vocal virtuosity meets cultural conversation in a way that is visceral, fresh, and deeply engaging.

Tickets: $40

Yu&I Duo

Violinist YuEun Gemma Kim and guitarist Ines Thomé come together as Yu&I Duo, a chamber ensemble rooted in global cultures and elevated by refined artistry. Kim, from South Korea, and Thomé, from Germany, met while studying in Los Angeles and formed a musical partnership that transcends borders and genres.

Their programs draw on a wide range of repertoire—from baroque and early music to tangos, folk-inspired melodies, film themes and inventive new arrangements. In concert, you might hear the sensual rhythms of Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango, virtuosic gestures from Paganini or Bartók, popular themes reimagined for violin and guitar, and original works that reflect the duo’s dual heritage and adventurous spirit.

At the upcoming performance at Sierra Madre Playhouse, audiences will experience an evening of elegance and discovery: intimate interplay, tonal warmth, and musical storytelling that invites listening across centuries and styles. The close setting makes every phrase clear, every subtle shift audible, and every dynamic change meaningful—perfect for chamber music lovers and curious listeners alike.

Tickets: $12-35

Brandon Coleman – Piano Quintet

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

Keyboard maestro, composer and producer Brandon Coleman brings his distinctive musical voice to the stage in an intimate quintet format. A central figure in the Los Angeles jazz and funk-fusion scene, Coleman merges deep jazz sensibility, electronic texture, and soulful groove to create a sound that is both expansive and immediate.

On this evening, Coleman leads a five-piece ensemble—featuring piano/keys, bass, drums, and two additional instrumental voices—through a program that spans original compositions, improvisational dialogue, and rhythmic drive. Expect moments of sonic clarity, harmonic sophistication, and collective energy where each musician contributes voice and presence.

Presented as part of Sierra Madre Playhouse’s Jazz Series, this concert offers a rare chance to hear Coleman’s artistry up close—every phrase, every groove, every expressive gesture delivered in a setting that prioritizes connection and clarity. For lovers of jazz, fusion, and contemporary groove, this is a performance built to engage, surprise, and resonate.

Tickets: $35

Hola Frida (2024)

Directed by Karine Vézina & André Kadi

An animated biographical film inspired by the childhood of Frida Kahlo, Hola Frida follows a vibrant young girl in Coyoacán, Mexico, whose world is suddenly challenged by illness and physical limitation. This tender yet bold narrative traces how she uses imagination, art and resilience to reclaim her voice and her body.

With lively visual style and rooted cultural detail, the film evokes Frida’s early life—her discovery of colour, nature and self-expression—even as it acknowledges adversity and transformation. While grounded in her real story, the producers use creative freedom to emphasise themes of difference, creativity and hope.

Ideal for families and viewers 7 and up, the film invites audiences into a celebration of art as healing, identity as fluid, and strength as imaginative. Presented at Sierra Madre Playhouse, this viewing gives you the chance to engage with Frida’s legacy in a deeply accessible and visually compelling form.

Tickets: $15

Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble

Based in Los Angeles, Pakaraguian Kulintang Ensemble (PKE) is dedicated to performing, preserving, and sharing the gong-chime music and dance traditions of the southern Philippines. Centered on the mesmerizing sound of the kulintang—a row of tuned, knobbed gongs—the ensemble creates music that is both ancient and immediate, intricate and celebratory.

Formed in 2003 by a collective of artists, scholars, and cultural practitioners, PKE’s members have trained extensively with master musicians from Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. Their performances bring to life the interlocking rhythms, layered melodies, and graceful dances of the Maguindanao, Maranao, Tausug, Sama, and Yakan peoples, blending authenticity with a sense of connection to contemporary Los Angeles.

A Pakaraguian performance unfolds as both concert and cultural experience. The ensemble’s instruments—ranging from the resonant agung and dabakan drums to the luminous kulintang—interweave in cycles that seem to suspend time, inviting deep listening and reflection. Through movement and music, they honor centuries of tradition while showing how these forms continue to evolve across borders and generations.

Part of Sierra Madre Playhouse’s commitment to presenting Los Angeles–based artists, this performance invites audiences into a sound world that transcends geography—an exploration of rhythm, heritage, and the shared pulse of community.

Tickets: $20

Outside Mullingar
Written by John Patrick Shanley

In the mist-shrouded farmlands of rural Ireland, Anthony and Rosemary live side by side, bound by family legacies, stubborn pride, and an unspoken longing that has lasted a lifetime. Anthony has spent his days quietly tending his father’s cattle farm, uncertain of his future and haunted by what might have been. Rosemary, his strong-willed neighbor, has waited years for him to see what’s been right in front of him all along.

This tender and funny play from Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award–winning writer John Patrick Shanley (Doubt, Moonstruck) explores the balance between love and land, inheritance and independence, and the courage it takes to follow one’s heart.

Brought to Sierra Madre Playhouse by The 6th Act, co-artistic directors Liza Seneca and Matthew Leavitt lead a distinguished cast including Michael Kirby, Liza Seneca, Armin Shimerman, and Kitty Swink.

In the Playhouse’s intimate setting, Outside Mullingar becomes a lyrical, deeply human story—funny, wistful, and full of hope for what love can bloom late in life.

Tickets: $12-$45

Faust (1926)

Directed by F.W. Murnau
Live piano accompaniment by Larry Garf • Introduction and discussion with Rich Procter

One of the towering achievements of silent cinema, Faust (1926) is director F.W. Murnau’s visionary adaptation of Goethe’s classic tale of ambition, temptation, and redemption. Combining the grandeur of German Expressionism with a deeply human story, the film follows the scholar Faust as he makes a fateful bargain with Mephisto, trading his soul for youth, power, and passion.

Murnau’s Faust remains a visual marvel—filled with sweeping camera movements, intricate set design, and striking use of light and shadow. Its imagery influenced generations of filmmakers, from Hitchcock to Bergman, and stands among the most haunting depictions of good and evil ever captured on film.

At Sierra Madre Playhouse, this masterpiece comes alive once again through live piano accompaniment by Larry Garf, whose score underscores every flicker of beauty and despair. Writer and humorist Rich Procter will introduce the film and lead a post-show discussion exploring Murnau’s artistry, the legacy of Expressionist cinema, and why Faust continues to fascinate nearly a century later.

An unforgettable evening of music, conversation, and film—where silent cinema speaks louder than ever.

Tickets: $20

Chris Wabich Trio

Part of the Sierra Madre Playhouse Jazz Series, curated by Greg Porée

Los Angeles percussionist Chris Wabich brings a bold, shape-shifting approach to rhythm that defies easy categorization. Known for his versatility across jazz, world music, fusion, and experimental traditions, he has toured internationally, recorded with artists from Leonard Cohen to Mamak Khadem, and developed a reputation for sonic creativity that turns every performance into an adventure.

Onstage, Wabich is equal parts groove-maker and storyteller. His playing moves fluidly from intricate hand percussion to driving drum set work, weaving unexpected textures and global influences into a unified, deeply musical voice. Whether exploring a standard, reimagining a folk rhythm, or crafting something entirely new, he brings a warmth and spontaneity that draw audiences into the heart of the music.

This performance highlights Wabich’s boundless curiosity and his commitment to crossing musical borders. The result is an evening of rhythm-forward artistry that surprises, delights, and reveals just how expansive the world of percussion can be.

Tickets: $35

A Christmas Carol from Will & Company

Adapted from the beloved novella by Charles Dickens, Will & Company’s A Christmas Carol delivers a warm, non-denominational holiday experience centered on themes of generosity, transformation, and community. In this lively and interactive production, children and adults alike are drawn into the story of Ebenezer Scrooge’s extraordinary Christmas Eve journey—from solitaire miser to compassionate citizen—through vivid staging, narration, and audience participation. True to the ensemble’s style, this version gives young people the chance to step onto stage alongside professional actors, enhancing the sense of collective storytelling and shared experience. Designed for Grades K–12 and family audiences, the show is ideal for educational settings and offers a memorable holiday-time performance for the whole family.

Tickets: $25