Charles Andrews

LA PHILHARMONIC – courtesy photo So don’t put off seeing these great ones. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: LA OPERA, “MADAME BUTTERFLY” – What a way to start the new season! With Korean soprano Karah Son in her signature role.And you can see it broadcast live to the Pier Saturday, free. Sat 6 p.m., next Thurs 7:30 p.m., […]

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Charles Andrews, why do you hate children? Why do you hate our schools?

Jack was “a fixture,” kind of a legend, in Santa Monica for much of his life. He was always there in Friday’s Santa Monica Daily Press with his “LAUGHING MATTERS” column (such a great name), to start our weekends with a chuckle, a smile or even a satisfying grimace, a good story or a bit of reflection. Sports, sometimes, because he loved the drama of sports. Well, a love-hate relationship. His beloved Dodgers, and be-liked Lakers, broke his heart too many times. I fear Jack sensed another World Series collapse and got out with perfect timing. I certainly hope his exit doesn’t predict an election debacle. Don’t leave us, Jack!

KRSON – courtesy photo I HATE TO BRAG, BUT… My wife is one helluva singer. Been at it professionally since her mid-teens. Toured Japan four times, played the Queen Mary five nights a week for five years, and her voice is at Disneylands all over the world. She thrilled an overflow crowd Sunday evening at […]

HOT CLUB OF LOS ANGELES — You can go to the Cinema Bar any Monday night, 9-11:30, for more than a decade now, and hear these hot players run through Django Reinhart-style ‘30s jazz. This amazing ensemble is a treasure. Don’t take them for granted and put your rolickin’ Monday night off. Mon 9 p.m., Cinema Bar, Culver City, free.

Version of this column. Number three was pretty good, I thought. Some context, a little storytelling. But it wasn’t what I intended. I tend to overthink these things. And many times, a piece of writing gets its own mind and just runs away with you.

But I would like to acknowledge a couple of local eateries who have been giving back to the community for years.

MAYBE, A LITTLE HASTY – courtesy photo, LA Opera TIME’S A-WASTIN’ As the calendar year ticks away so do the opportunities for great live performances. Unless you love Christmas carols and can’t wait for your 38th sitting through “The Nutcracker” (depending on how many kids and grandkids you have). Some performers would rather stay close […]

Charles Andrews speaks on the importance of Cuban culture, as well as recommends the best music and shows in the area.