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Local Promoter Recalls Van Halen at LCHS, Lanterman Auditorium

By Daniel Sullivan
Special to the Outlook Valley Sun

Photo courtesy Daniel Sullivan
Eddie Van Halen, who died last week of throat cancer at age 65 and was widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists ever, performs as a 20-year-old at Lanterman Auditorium.

The news this past week hit me like it did so many who grew up witnessing rock guitar greatness: Eddie Van Halen, one of the finest guitar players, had passed away.
For those of us living in La Cañada or Pasadena during the 1970s and ’80s, this was especially difficult to bear because Eddie was a local guy who went to public schools, then Pasadena City College where he and his band played back yard parties and small concerts before stepping into the world spotlight and the pantheon of rock gods.
This past week took me back to a time 45-50 years ago in my life, when roads would intersect and memories were made on tape as well as 35mm grainy black-and-white pictures.
I was born in Pasadena in 1956, and my family lived in La Cañada. Eddie Van Halen and his brother Alex were born in Holland. His family came to the U.S. and settled into a working class neighborhood of Pasadena.

Continue reading “Local Promoter Recalls Van Halen at LCHS, Lanterman Auditorium”
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Remembering Van Halen’s 1970s Performances in La Cañada

Van Halen was an up-and-coming band in the mid-1970s, a musical journey that included performing on the steps in front of the La Cañada High School gymnasium during the 1975-76 school year.

The death this week of legendary guitarist Eddie Van Halen conjured up memories from La Cañada High School graduates and teachers of the band Van Halen, which had memorable 1970s performances in La Cañada Flintridge before attaining superstardom.
Eddie Van Halen, who died of throat cancer on Tuesday at age 65, was the master guitarist who teamed with his drummer-brother Alex to create Van Halen, one of the era’s most influential and memorable “hair bands.” Lead singer David Lee Roth and bass player Michael Anthony were other members of the band’s 1970s lineup, all of whom attended Pasadena City College. (Sammy Hagar replaced Roth as lead singer in the 1980s.)
They went on to become one of the biggest rock bands in the world, particularly following the release of their chart-topping album, “1984.” The band pumped out hits such as “Panama,” “Jump,” “Jamie’s Cryin’” and “Hot for Teacher.”
Continue reading “Remembering Van Halen’s 1970s Performances in La Cañada”

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La Cañada Valley Beautiful Busy With Re-Landscaping

Image courtesy La Cañada Valley Beautiful This sketch shows La Cañada Valley Beautiful landscaping plans around the deodar tree at the headquarters of LCUSD.
Image courtesy La Cañada Valley Beautiful
This sketch shows La Cañada Valley Beautiful landscaping plans around the deodar tree at the headquarters of LCUSD.

La Cañada Valley Beautiful has taken on the project of re-landscaping the grounds of Lanterman Auditorium and the La Cañada Unified School District’s headquarters using a low-water, low-maintenance approach.
“We are not using any new water, just amending the current irrigation system,” said Carolyn Hanna, project manager for La Cañada Valley Beautiful, the nonprofit organization that has been encouraging a beautiful, clean community since 1964. Continue reading “La Cañada Valley Beautiful Busy With Re-Landscaping”

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LCHS Choirs Finish Big Week With ‘Superior’ Performances

By Jack MacKenzie
Special to the Outlook

The decision to host high school choral music festivals culminated in a long but rewarding week of performances for the La Cañada High School choral program.
All six LCHS choirs received “Superior” ratings from a panel of adjudicators as La Cañada hosted a Southern California Vocal Association Festival at Lanterman Auditorium. The superior rating is the highest accolade a choir can get in festival judging. Continue reading “LCHS Choirs Finish Big Week With ‘Superior’ Performances”

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ALF Welcomes Aspiring Musicians

Participants in a past ALF Strings program. Sign-ups for this fall are open now.

When Assistance League of Flintridge opened registration for its Instrumental Music program this week, it celebrated the 32nd year of this popular program.
Since 1985, the beginning of the school year has brought the annual call to “Choose your instrument!” as the League offers students in grades 4-6 the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument and perform in an orchestra or band. Continue reading “ALF Welcomes Aspiring Musicians”

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ALFie Players to Perform ‘Jungle Book’ in Fall

Photo courtesy ALF
ALFie actors participate in last year’s production of “Peter Pan Jr.”

Students entering 3rd-6th grades are invited to join the ALFie Players Fall Drama Program, which will showcase a production of “Jungle Book KIDS.” Later this school year, students in 5-10th grades will have an opportunity to join the ALFie Company Winter production.
Assistance League of Flintridge offers the after-school drama programs to students in La Cañada Flintridge and surrounding communities. Each program culminates with a public performance at Lanterman Auditorium.
The fall production of “Jungle Book KIDS,” is adapted from the classic Disney animated film “The Jungle Book.” Students will rehearse during September and October with a performance on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m.
The winter production will be “Shrek the Musical Jr.,” based on the Oscar-winning DreamWorks Animation film and Broadway musical. Rehearsals begin in January with a performance on March 2 at 7 p.m.
Katelyn Fike will return as drama director of the ALF program. She is also the drama instructor for the La Cañada Unified School District Elementary schools. Her assistant director and choreographer is Greta Taylor. The programs are designed for beginners and experienced drama performers. Students will learn songs and choreography and practice fundamental drama skills. They often create their own costumes and sets. Students meet at Lanterman Auditorium on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15-5 p.m.
Online registration begins Monday, Aug. 7, at ALFlintridge.org. Early registration is highly recommended. A program fee of $275 per program session is charged. For more information, contact drama@alflintridge.org or call (818) 790-2211.