"Fool for Dance" Family Concert presented by Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra April 1, 2012

Long before hip-hop and line dancing became popular crazes, Baroque court dances were all the rage, and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) along with members of the acclaimed American Contemporary Ballet brings to life this fascinating 18th-century art form at the second of the Orchestra’s popular Family Concerts, “Fool for Dance,” on April Fool’s Day, Sunday, April 1, 2012, 2 pm. LACO musicians, led by guest conductor Lucinda Carver, who is also a prominent pianist and harpsichordist, present selections from Ravel’s delightful Le tombeau de Couperin and Respighi’s evocative Gli uccelli (The Birds), both of which, though written in 1919 and 1927 respectively, took their cues from Baroque court dances. Carver has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with LACO over the years having previously led concerts on the Orchestra’s Family Concerts and Baroque Conversations series.

LACO Family Concerts, recommended for ages 5 to 105, are designed for children with little or no previous musical experience and include a performance prefaced by creative activities to amuse, enrich and engage them. Beginning at 1 pm, these include crafts with California Science Center, physics-related activities offered by Kidspace Children’s Museum as well as an “Instrument Petting Zoo,” where youngsters handle and play brass, woodwind and string instruments with the assistance of students from the Pasadena Conservatory of Music.

The final LACO Family Concert this season takes place on Sunday, May 6 ("Mozart & Me").

Tickets are priced at $12 and $20 and may be purchased online at laco.org or by calling LACO at 213 622 7001. Tickets to individual concerts will also be available at the venue box office on the day of the concert, if tickets remain. Discounted tickets are available by phone for groups of 12 or more.

Official Website: http://www.laco.org