Notables
UCLA
Established: 1919
Living alumni: More than 339,000
Living celebrity alumni (but not necessarily graduates): Jack Black, Carol Burnett, Francis Ford Coppola, Randy Newman, Michael Ovitz, Rob Reiner, Tim Robbins and George Takei
Deceased celebrity alumni: Lloyd Bridges, James Dean, Jim Morrison
Famed jazz program leader: Kenny Burrell
Famed English department prof: Mona Simpson
On-campus film credits: “Erin Brockovich,” “Old School” and “The Graduate”
Surprise on-campus pop cultural find: Original Walter Lantz murals featuring Woody Woodpecker in waiting area of Doris Stein Eye Institute
Surprise on-campus noncultural find: $12 bikini waxing at salon Campus Cuts
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USC
Established: 1880
Living alumni: More than 180,000
Living celebrity alumni (but not necessarily graduates): Herb Alpert, Will Ferrell, Frank Gehry, Marilyn Horne, Ron Howard, Mark McGrath, Robert Zemeckis and ... let’s not go there
Deceased celebrity alumni: Michael Landon, Sam Peckinpah, John Wayne
Famed jazz program leader: Terence Blanchard
Famed English department prof: T.C. Boyle
On-campus film credits: “Forrest Gump,” “City Slickers II” and, yes, “The Graduate”
Surprise on-campus pop cultural find: Frank Sinatra’s Oscars, Grammys and gold records in lobby of Norris Theatre
Surprise on-campus noncultural find: $14 pitcher of Samuel Adams at pub Traditions
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Book it
Although the two universities are getting ready for winter break, there are a variety of performing arts events in the coming month.
A sampling:
UCLA
Today
“Poetry Said, Poetry Sung”: Lucinda Williams performs with her father, poet Miller Williams. Royce Hall. 8 p.m.
Today-Dec. 10
“Mabou Mines DollHouse”: A reinterpretation of Henrik Ibsen’s classic. Freud Playhouse. 8 p.m. Tuesdays to Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays.
Friday
“A John Waters Christmas”: The filmmaker puts on a holiday show. Royce Hall. 8 p.m.
Saturday
“Kenny Burrell’s All-Star 75th Birthday Tribute”: Gerald Wilson Orchestra, Pat Metheny and many more celebrate the jazzman. Royce Hall. 8 p.m.
Wednesday
Shostakovich 100th anniversary celebration: Piano students in the department of music and guests mark the composer’s centennial. Schoenberg Hall. 8 p.m. Free.
“Handmade”: New student choreography and multimedia performances, presented by the department of world arts and cultures. Glorya Kaufman Hall Studio, Room 208. 6 p.m. Free.
Dec. 9
UCLA Chorale, Chamber Singers, University Chorus and UCLA Philharmonia: The program includes Puccini’s “Messe de Gloria” and holiday music. Royce Hall. 8 p.m.
Dec. 16
Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band make a stop. Royce Hall. 8 p.m.
More at www.calendar.ucla.edu and uclalive.org.
USC
Today
USC Thornton Classical Guitar: departmental recital. Alfred Newman Recital Hall. 8 p.m. Free.
Today-Friday
“Peter Pan: Dancing Through Neverland”: The USC Repertory Dance Company puts a contemporary spin on the story. Bing Theater. 7 p.m.
Friday
USC Thornton Baroque Sinfonia: An evening of works on period instruments. Alfred Newman Recital Hall. 8 p.m. Free.
Friday
Chamber Blitz Overflow: USC Thornton students perform in a continuation of Monday-through-
Wednesday’s chamber music marathon. 9:30 a.m. Free.
Friday
Violinist Midori and three of her students from USC Thornton perform Mozart’s String Quartet in C (“The Dissonance”). Doheny Memorial Library. 6 p.m. Free.
Tuesday
“A Bolivian-Jesuit Christmas”: Juan Araujo, Manuel Mesa y Carrizo and Sebastian Duron deliver songs by colonial Spanish composers from the 18th century. Harris Hall. 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 31
The Flaming Lips and Gnarls Barkley: The pop groups perform at the new Galen Center. 8 p.m.
More at www.usc.edu, click on Arts and Events Calendar.
