What we’re about
This group is for people who appreciate music and other forms of art beyond the mainstream, with a particular focus on the avant-garde or otherwise odd. Free Jazz, Musique Concrete, Atonality, Noise Music, Outsider Art, Surrealism, Dada, Junk Art, ...you name it! Not all events will necessarily be "weird", but simply off the beaten mainstream path.
This is intended to be an oasis from crass commercial banalities.
I'll post events that interest me, but I am also interested in hearing from artists, musicians, and other creative types about their events that I can share with members. Post your events and ideas in the "Discussions" section. I want this group to also be a vehicle that helps support artists and organizations that are doing interesting creative work.
The only requests are that we keep things friendly and civilized. MAGA not welcome.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- JAPANESE ARTHOUSE 101: GRAVE OF THE FIREFLIES (1988)The Frida Cinema, Santa Ana, CA
I am not usually interested in anime, but this one is supposed to be very good.
Date: Monday, September 15, 7:30
Venue: Frida Cinema
305 E 4th St #100, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 285-9422Dinner 6:00 Taqueria Guadalajara, 305 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Tickets: $9 https://thefridacinema.org/movies/grave-of-the-fireflies/
Rotten Tomatoes gives it a 100% positive rating
Trailer here
Director: Isao Takahata Run Time: 89 min. Release Year: 1988 Language: Japanese
Starring: Akemi Yamaguchi, Ayano Shiraishi, Masayo Sakai, Tsutomu Tatsumi, Yoshiko Shinohara
The penultimate film in our Arthouse 101: Japanese Cinema series is Isao Takahata's Grave Of The Fireflies! In the final days of World War II, two siblings—teenaged Seita and his little sister Setsuko—struggle to survive in firebombed Kobe after losing their home, their parents, and eventually, their place in a society that has collapsed around them. What follows is not just a war story, but a story of love, resilience, and unbearable loss. Rendered with breathtaking beauty by the legendary animators at Studio Ghibli, Grave of the Fireflies is often called one of the greatest animated films ever made. It is also one of the most emotionally shattering anti-war films of any kind—haunting not because of spectacle, but because of its heartbreaking truth.
Arthouse 101: Japanese Cinema is a curated 12-film trip through the evolution of Japan—from the quiet post-war resilience of the 1940s all the way to the radical reinventions of the 1990s. Each Monday this July-September, we will explore a new facet of this incredible nation’s cinematic journey throughout the 20th century! All films will be presented in their original Japanese language with English subtitles!
- Piano Spheres: Thomas Kotcheff2220 Arts + Archives, Los Angeles, CA
Date: Tuesday 9/16 8:00 pm
Venue: 2220 Arts + Archives
2220 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, United States, CaliforniaPossible dinner before, TBD
Tickets $28.33 https://link.dice.fm/Cv08Yh0CFWb?sharer_id=61ac1097bcb34e00014e192c
Piano Spheres presents: Thomas Kotcheff - "Between Systems".
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Join pianist Thomas Kotcheff with guest artist Bryan Curt Kostors and video artist Allison Tanenhaus for a special performance celebrating the release of Kotcheff’s third solo piano album, Between Systems. The evening will feature works from the new album alongside bold reimaginings of music by Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Cher, Céline Dion, and Beyoncé — blurring boundaries between classical virtuosity and pop-culture brilliance.
Thomas Kotcheff writes about the album and the program:
The inspiration for Between Systems grew out of my collaboration with composer and electronic artist Bryan Curt Kostors, where we delved into the question: What does it mean to interpret music in the context of modern classical performance? In many other musical genres, interpretation is expected to be transformative — a performer takes an existing piece and makes it entirely their own. Think of Tony Bennett’s rendition of The Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” which reimagines the song through a completely different artistic lens.
In contrast, the convention in modern classical music tends to favor fidelity — the performer’s role is often seen as one of precision, aiming to recreate the original score as accurately as possible. Between Systems challenges that norm. This album and this concert’s program is about expanding the role of the ‘classical interpreter’ — shifting expectations and embracing a broader, more fluid definition of interpretation.
The performance brings together two seemingly unrelated worlds: the rigorous chromatic pointillism of Morton Feldman (whose centenary we celebrate this season), and iconic works from popular and electronic music. The common thread between these divergent elements is me, the performer. What may sound like remixes or reimaginings are, at their core, simply interpretations — shaped by the same creative impulses that guide any artist working across genre boundaries.
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PROGRAM:
Cher/György Ligeti — Concert Prelude No. 1: Believe
Morton Feldman — Nature Pieces
Squarepusher — Tommib
Morton Feldman — Intermission 3
Aphex Twin — aisatsana
Morton Feldman — Intermission 5
Celine Dion/Thomas Kotcheff — Obbligato Snare Drum Music No. 1: The Power of Love
Sophie Mathieu — the voice that fades (world premiere)
Beyoncé/Alex Weiser/Thomas Kotcheff — Grand Passacaglia No. 1: Love on Top
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Thomas Kotcheff, piano
Bryan Kostors, synthesizers
Ticker
- FREE CONCERT: UP CLOSE & CLASSICALSt Gregory's Episcopal Church, Long Beach, CA
It is the mission of UP CLOSE AND CLASSICAL to present chamber music that will be transformative to all participants, offering concerts but also a preparation into appreciation. We attended the February and May concerts and really enjoyed them. Join us for their next concert, followed by a dinner.
Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025, 4:00 pm
Venue: St Gregory’s Episcopal Church – 6201 E Willow St, Long Beach, CA 90815.
Dinner afterwards, details TBD
Free and open to the public. No tickets needed.
Up Close & Classical WebsiteProgram:
Johannes Brahms – Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115.
W.A. Mozart , Clarinet quintet K581 in A major.Here are excerpts of the likely program , played by different performers:
W.A. Mozart , Clarinet quintet K581 in A major
https://youtu.be/xTNbclgU3h4Johannes Brahms – Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115
https://youtu.be/NijYtozUHawUP CLOSE AND CLASSICAL activities are informed by the below vision, The purposes for which UP CLOSE AND CLASSICAL is created are to stimulate and support the appreciation and performance of chamber music.
- By presenting chamber music concerts at which the public can hear works deemed worthy of performance and performed by artists selected by UP CLOSE AND CLASSICAL.
- By presenting, sponsoring or providing for programs and activities designed to stimulate and encourage exposure to and understanding, knowledge and appreciation of the literature, history and performance of chamber music.
More info and bios here
