Making merry, L.A. County-style

The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles is among the groups performing at the Holiday Celebration.

It’s that time again, as L.A. County jingles, dances and harmonizes its way to seasonal good cheer by way of the 52^nd Annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration.

The free festivities take place from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 24, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown Los Angeles.

More than 20 choirs, music ensembles and dance companies spanning the cultures of L.A. County will perform. There will be Mexican folk dancing by Grandeza Mexicana, Klezmer-style Hanukkah songs from The Shpil, Korean fan dancing with Kwan-Gyu Lim Dance Company and even some holiday funk with Mandrill.

The concert was initiated in 1959 by the late Supervisor Kenneth Hahn, who made the event a family tradition.

Last year, the celebration changed from a 6-hour-long format to a 3-hour show, and organizers experimented with using wristbands for entry. This proved unnecessary as there was ample space for all, so seating for this year’s 3-hour show will be “first come, first served,” with no reservations needed. Event organizers suggest arriving before doors open at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy additional entertainment in the plaza.

The concert is produced by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission as a gift to the public from the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. Parking is free in the Music Center garage, and directions to the venue are available online. Those who can’t make the show can watch a live broadcast on KCET or listen in to 90.7 FM KPFK.

Posted 12/14/11