From Thursday, June 22 to Wednesday, June 28, the Dog Star Orchestra presents an eclectic program of free performances with the 19th annual Dog Star Festival, taking place primarily at downtown Los Angeles-based experimental performance venue Automata, as well as other locations.
Established in 2005 by composer and The Herb Alpert School of Music faculty Michael Pisaro-Liu, Dog Star Orchestra is both an ensemble and, since 2011, an annual experimental music festival. More about the festival from Automata’s press release:
Described as “messily exceptional” by the Los Angeles Times, Dog Star events happen throughout the Los Angeles area and often feature offbeat performances in out-of-the-way places, alongside more traditional concert settings. It is one of the main presenters fostering and documenting the strong local experimental music scene, as well as presenting work that would otherwise not be heard in the US.
Though the festival’s 2023 edition will be mainly held at Automata, among the other festival sites is CalArts’ Wild Beast for The Double Bass performance next Tuesday, June 27.
Find the full festival schedule, as well as participating CalArtians, below.
Thursday, June 22
In the Belly | 6:30 pm | Santa Clarita
Performances and composition by: Jacob Wolff (Music BFA 23), Margo Harms (Music MFA 22), Daniel Newman-Lessler (Music MFA 22, DMA 26), and Eric Lennartson (Music MFA 21).
Friday, June 23
Inside the House | 8 pm | Automata
Performances and composition by: Madison Brookshire (Film/Video MFA 07), Michael Pisaro, Nicki Chen, April Dawn Guthrie, Kenny Cotich, and Jack Herscowitz (Music MFA 23).
Saturday, June 24
Songs for Two | 5 pm | Automata
Performances and compositions by: Deso Duo, Katie Eikam (Music MFA 19), and Kevin Good (Music MFA 18).
Lead or Follow | 8 pm | Automata
Performances and compositions by: James Klopfleisch (Music MFA 10), Sivan Silver-Swartz, Nigel Deane (Music MFA 18), Ethan Marks (Music MFA 17), Alejandra Moreno, and Nev Wendell.
Sunday, June 25
Ladder Spectra | 5 pm | Automata
Installation by Eric Heep (Music MFA 16).
How to be a Bat | 7 pm | Automata
Performances and compositions by: House on Fire, Carolyn Chen, and the Koan Quartet.
Monday, June 26
Branching Strings | 8 pm | Automata
Performances and compositions by: Laura Cetilia, John Eagle (Music MFA 13), Nigel Deane (Music MFA 18), and Emily Call (Music MFA 13).
Tuesday, June 27
The Double Bass | 8 pm | Wild Beast at CalArts
Performances and compositions by: Eva Maria Houben and Matt Kline.
Wednesday, June 28
Program and time TBA | Legg Lake, Whittier
All Dog Star 19 performances are free, no reservations necessary.
