Cirque du Soleil Comes to LA

Cirque du Soleil and CIM Group have announced that Cirque du Soleil will open a major new show at Kodak Theatre -- home of the Academy Awards® -- in 2010. The $100 million production is the centerpiece of a 10-year agreement between the two companies. A cast of 75 performing artists will present the show in the 3,400-seat theatre 368 times a year. While few details about the production's content are available at this time, Cirque du Soleil founder, Guy Laliberté, announced that it would focus on Hollywood's place in the history of cinema. Since its debut in Los Angeles 20 years ago, Cirque du Soleil has brought nine touring shows to the area. During this time, more than three million people have attended 1,360 performances.
www.kodaktheatre.com

Magic Castle Offers New Afternoon Tours

Lights, Camera, Abracadabra! The Academy of Magical Arts, Inc. and Hollywood Entertainment Museum have united to offer exclusive tours through the world famous Magic Castle in Hollywood. "This is the first time in the Magic Castle's 45-year history that public viewing has been offered," said Matt Patton, the Academy's events manager. Led by Hollywood historian Karie Bible, who knows all the secrets of the historic mansion, the tours include VIP admittance, a private magic show by a world-class magician, a walk-through of the Houdini Séance Room, and more. Built in 1908 as the private residence of an LA banker and real estate mogul, the Magic Castle was founded by brothers Milt and Bill Larsen in 1961. It has since been a private club for magicians and hosts nightly performances of the world's finest magicians. The two-hour tour price is $100 for adults $50 for students and children. Group discounts are available. For reservations, call 323.465.7900, ext. 803.
www.magiccastle.com
www.hollywoodmuseum.com

Los Angeles Welcomes the World Baseball Classic

The 2009 World Baseball Classic Semi-Final and Final games will be held at Dodger Stadium from March 21-23, 2009. "Los Angeles is one of the most international cities in the world and the Dodgers have always been on the forefront of baseball's development as a global game," said Bob Dupuy, Major League Baseball's president and chief operating officer. 2006 was the first time that all Major League players were allowed to represent their native lands in an international baseball tournament. 16 countries from around the world will be participating, including Australia, Canada, China, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Korea, Japan, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the United States. Those visitors arriving in Los Angeles before the World Baseball Classic and looking to see a Dodgers game, make sure to utilize the new Dodgers Trolley from Union Station Plaza in Downtown. Free round trip service is provided on game days, starting 90 minutes before game time and concluding 60 minutes after the game ends. The trolley leaves every 10 minutes from Union Station at the front of the Metropolitan Water Building. Games are played through October and sellouts aren't uncommon. Various group ticket incentives are available.
www.worldbaseballclassic.com
www.dodgers.com

New Movie Museum on the Horizon

The much-anticipated $350 million Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (AMMP) is scheduled to begin construction on more than six acres of land in two years with an anticipated opening in 2012. The mission of AMMP is to create a place to celebrate and explore how film has reflected and shaped world culture, and to help visitors better understand what the movies have meant - and continue to mean - in our lives. The museum is currently working with exhibit design firms to develop distinctive, enriching, and fun exhibits that will take visitors through the history of film, the process of filmmaking, and of course, the excitement of the Academy Awards. AMMP will be designed by the French architecture firm Atelier Christian de Portzamparc.
www.moviemuseum.org

Cultural Roundup

As the world's entertainment capital, there's always something new in LA's leading edge theaters, museums and attractions. Here's a sampling of the excitement:

The Outstanding Art of Television Costume Design
FIDM
Now - Sept. 28
The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the FIDM Museum & Galleries present the third annual salute to TV costumes past and present, and celebrates the 2007-2008 Emmy® nominees. The exhibit features more than 100 costumes from shows including "Scrubs," "Lost," "Mad Men" and "Dirty Sexy Money." Admission is free. www.fidm.com

Between Earth and Heaven: The Architecture of John Lautner
Hammer Museum
Now - Oct. 12
The first major exhibition survey of this visionary architect features newly-crafted large-scale models, never-before-seen drawings, construction photographs and digital animation of his iconic mid-century buildings; including the 1968 Elrod House in Palm Springs and the 1960 "Chemosphere," which hovers over the Hollywood Hills on a single pillar. Admission is $7. www.hammer.ucla.edu

Bernini and the Birth of Baroque Portrait Sculpture
The Getty Center
Now - Oct. 26
Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Italian, 1598-1680) and his contemporaries in Rome transformed the portrait bust into a groundbreaking art form. Bernini is frequently credited with inventing Baroque art. This is the first important exhibition on Bernini in North America. Admission is free. Parking is $8. www.getty.edu

"9 to 5: The Musical" World Premiere
Ahmanson Theatre, Music Center
Sept. 3 - Oct. 19
The much-loved 1980 hit movie makes its musical world premiere on Sept. 3. Based on the film, "9 to 5: The Musical" features a new score by seven-time Grammy® winner Dolly Parton that includes the blockbuster title song, and direction by two-time Tony Award® winner Joe Mantello (directing his first new musical since Wicked). www.centertheatregroup.org

"The House of Blue Leaves"
The New Mark Taper Forum, Music Center
Sept. 14 - Oct. 19
Winner of more Tony Awards® than any theatre outside of Manhattan, the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum re-opens after a year-long $30 million renovation. The circular theatre has retained its intimacy, while updating its technical capabilities and audience amenities, including an expanded lobby and a more accommodating lobby bar. www.centertheatregroup.org/theatres/mtf

Day of the Drum Festival / Simon Rodia Jazz Festival
Watts Towers
Sept. 27 - 28
Celebrating the role of drums and drummers in world cultures, past and present, the melodious tribute to the American music forms of jazz, gospel and rhythm and blues.
Admission is free. www.trywatts.com

Grand Avenue Festival
Grand Avenue
Sept. 28
Grand Avenue in Downtown closes for this super street party celebrating LA's great cultural institutions, with free admission to MOCA, a free LA Phil concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall, outdoor stages and entertainment, and food sampling from LA's top restaurants. Admission is free. www.downtownla.com