For all its amenities, the Alex Theatre in Glendale has never been a great place to listen to music. The sound was muddy, the reverberation time almost nonexistent. People in the balcony were less likely to complain (sound blends and gets better as it travels upward), but musicians were unhappy. They couldn’t hear themselves onstage, they said privately.

All that has changed.

The theater installed a new orchestral shell about two weeks ago, the latest step in its $6.2-million redevelopment project begun in 1992. On the basis of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra concert Saturday, one can smile. The acoustics in the 1925-built vaudeville-movie house — transformed at the end of 1993 into a performing arts center — have improved greatly.

The strings have presence and transparency. The winds and brass, now on risers at the back of the stage, remain a bit muffled and blurry. But tinkering is still possible. More important, LACO sounds more like it does in its other venue, Royce Hall at UCLA. It sounds, in short, more like its fine self.

The Saturday concert, scheduled to be repeated Sunday at Royce, was a program of firsts. The four-part bill included Schoenberg’s Chamber Symphony No. 1 and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1. But it also marked Joana Carneiro’s first LACO guest conductor appearance and David Fung’s LACO debut, playing Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G for the first time.

The Ravel concerto must be at the upper limit of the repertory for a chamber orchestra, if not beyond. The Alex stage was so packed that the Fazioli grand piano extended beyond the proscenium arch, compromising the blend although bringing Fung closer to the audience.

As the first piano graduate of the downtown Colburn Conservatory of Music, Fung, 25, also unwittingly bears the responsibility of representing the school. A former student of John Perry, Fung was up to the challenge, though there was perhaps more clarity and directness than poetry in his first encounter with Ravel’s score. Still, there is undoubted talent there, and he has already recorded for ABC Classics and Yarlung Records.

Carneiro is a familiar local figure. A native of Lisbon, she has led the Young Musicians Foundation Orchestra and served as a LACO assistant conductor in the 2003-04 season and a conducting fellow and assistant conductor at the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 2005-08. Her star is on the rise: In January, she was named successor to Berkeley Symphony music director Kent Nagano.

Carneiro opened the concert with a sparkling account of Mozart’s “Paris” Symphony and closed it with a buoyant reading of Beethoven’s First. She conducted with enthusiasm, clarity and elegant gestures. She sometimes expended more effort than she needed to, but that may be the exuberance of youth. While she was also an attentive collaborator with Fung, the high point may have been her passionate reading of Schoenberg’s impassioned score.

The annual Merry Tuba Christmas event at the Alex Theatre features hundreds of tuba and euphonium players of all ages from throughout Southern California. Song sheets will be distributed and the audience is encouraged to sing along. Special guests include the Tubadours, comprised of professional musicians from Los Angeles, and a special visit by Santa Claus.

Merry Tuba Christmas conductors include Jim Self, Steve Klein, and Tim O’Brien.

Tickets are FREE to the public.

Seating is general admission & is on a first come, first served basis.

Bring an unwrapped toy (valued at $10 or more) to one of the following locations between 11/28 – 12/13 & receive a voucher for 4 Reserved Seats to Merry Tuba Christmas: Damon’s Steakhouse, Massage Envy Spa, Car Spoil Spa, Fast Frame of Glendale & The Alex Theatre.

Toys will be donated to the Spark of Love Annual Toy Drive through the City of Glendale Fire Department.

Merry Tuba Christmas is underwritten with funding from the Downtown Glendale Merchant’s Association, Los Angeles County Arts Commission and Glendale Arts.

Running time is approximately one hour with no intermission, and the performance is suitable for all ages. Photo/video recording by patrons is allowed.

Media Contact:

Elissa Glickman
Associate Director
Glendale Arts

818/552-ARTS ext. 14
eglickman@glendalearts.org

“Los Angeles is a very competitive market and the fact that the Alex Theatre was a runner up in last year’s competition and took first place this year, is a testament how special the venue is and how much the historic Theatre means to the community we serve. – Barry McComb, Executive Director and CEO of Glendale Arts, the Management Company of the Alex Theatre.

Alex Theatre
216 Brand Blvd
Glendale, CA 91203
818-243-ALEX (2539)
www.alextheatre.org

Media Contact for the Alex Theatre: Elissa Glickman
eglickman@alextheatre.org

BEST STEAKHOUSE IN LA – DAMON’S STEAKHOUSE
This Tiki Hut monument to Meat lovers has been in business since 1937, and the menu hasn’t changed much since then. Steaks galore, burgers, and fresh grilled daily seafood specials are among the choices as you dine in a Polynesian fun filled atmosphere. The customers are loyal – many go back almost as far as the restaurant. This steakhouse is known for serving generous portions at reasonable prices and Great Mai Tai’s.

“Damon’s is more than just a local Steakhouse, we are a Glendale institution. Our customers helped us win this amazing honor two years in a row and we are so proud to be sharing first place with our community and business partners, the Alex Theatre and Massage Envy Spa. – Patrick Campbell, Owner, Damon’s Steakhouse

Damon’s Steakhouse
317 North Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91203
818-507-1510
www.damonsglendale.com

Media Contact for Damon’s Steakhouse: Patrick Campbell
patrickcampbell@charter.net

BEST MASSAGE IN LA – MASSAGE ENVY SPA
If you need a stress-relieving, professional and therapeutic massage but dislike the price, Massage Envy is just what the therapist ordered. We bring massage therapy out of the elite and expensive circle and make it available to everyone. We strive to provide professional Massage Therapists and therapeutic massage at convenient times, locations and at affordable prices.

“We are extremely proud to be winning “Best Massage” in the My Fox LA contest. To be voted the “best” of anything in the second largest city of the country, is an incredible honor, and is a reflection of all 50 of our excellent therapists, our wonderful front desk staff, and our Downtown Glendale location where we are mixed in with one of the best collections of dining and entertainment in the Los Angeles region.” – Helen McDonagh, owner, Massage Envy Glendale

Massage Envy Glendale
333 N. Brand Boulevard
Glendale, CA 91203
818-246-ENVY (3689)
http://www.massageenvy.com/clinics/CA/Glendale.aspx

Media Contact for Massage Envy Spa: Andrew Garsten
agarsten@massageenvy.com

The Alex Theatre, Damon’s Steakhouse and Massage Envy Spa are members of the Downtown Glendale Merchant’s Association (DGMA). The DGMA was founded in 2000 as a joint effort between the City of Glendale’s Department of Development Services and local merchants. DGMA’s mission is to unite area merchants in order to promote downtown interests, increase business opportunities and facilitate communication between businesses and local government. Regular meetings are on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the Glendale Arts Community Room located at 118 West California Avenue. For more information regarding the DGMA go to www.downtownglendale.org

At any given time, I can park my car – for less than $3.00 – and walk to Massage Envy and relax with a great massage, go to Damon’s and dine on a great steak and then off to the Alex for a show. It’s just one of many things that makes the Downtown Business District perfect place to spend an evening. – Harry Hall, President of the Downtown Glendale Merchant’s Association

There will be a new ballerina wearing Clara’s crown in Media City Ballet’s production of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker.”

After three years, Amara Baptist has passed the crown of the ballet’s lead role to Mira Nastassja for this year’s performances Dec. 6 and 7 at the Alex Theatre in Glendale.

Baptist moves into three new roles this year, Chinese dancer, Columbina and Icicle, said Natasha Middleton, company artistic director and choreographer.

“[Baptist is] 18 and grown up,” Middleton said.

A former apprentice with the company, Baptist is a full member now, Middleton said. Baptist performed the lead in the piece Gayane in August when the company presented its Aram Khachaturian Ballet.

Middleton spent six weeks searching for her replacement, placing advertisements in dance and acting magazines and online, in dance centers and dance stores.

She saw 49 people during the search, Middleton said. Most came from Northern and Southern California, with one from New York and another from Milwaukee.

Middleton had all but given up at the last scheduled audition in October. Then Nastassja showed up.

“And there she was. That was it,” Middleton said. “Amara had said she would do it again, but with a sigh. It was time for her to take on a new challenge.”

Nastassja has the perfect look for the role, Middleton said — she is 22 years old but can pass for 12, which is Clara’s age.

“I liked her whole look, her dancing body type and the way she danced,” Middleton said. “She had all the qualities of Clara that I was looking for.”

Playing a 12-year-old has been fun, Nastassja said.

“You get to let go of everything and act like a child again,” she said. “You can’t do that on a daily basis. It’s fun to work with the kids, too, and I try to interact with them and get a feel of how a 12-year-old would act or react to things.”

The Denver native has been dancing since she was 7. She received her training at the Academy of Colorado Ballet and did her apprenticeship with the academy during her senior year of high school.

She took a couple of years off from ballet, and last year she joined the David Taylor Dance Theatre in Denver, dancing the role of Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy.

“I was excited to get it,” she said of her upcoming role with the Burbank company. “I wasn’t expecting I would, but hoping at least to get into this performance.”

Nastassja enjoys dancing both roles because each offers its own unique attributes, she said.

“The Sugar Plum Fairy is more technique and principal ability, but with Clara, there’s acting involved,” she said. “It’s a thrill and a joy to perform as the character and have the interaction with the other characters.”.

Middleton cast Aubrey Morgan, of Hollywood, as the Sugar Plum Fairy.

Alyssa Quiogue zeroed in on what she wanted, and her dream came true — to become concertmaster, or first violinist, of the Glendale Youth Orchestra.

The 12-year-old Burbank native will perform for the first time in the role on Dec. 2 when the orchestra opens its 20th anniversary season at the Alex Theatre in Glendale. The orchestra comprises students from grades six through 12.

While the John Muir Middle School seventh-grader doesn’t usually get nervous, she said she did become a little apprehensive before trying out for concertmaster.

“I kept telling myself a little saying I got from my English teacher, Mr. Senar,” she said. “He got it from a story to inspire him to do better at something. The saying is ‘Focus on what you want, not on what you fear.’”

Alyssa is assuming the role left vacant by Erica Richardson, said Brad Keimach, the orchestra’s conductor.

“Erica finished high school early and went on to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia,” Keimach said. “It’s one of the world’s great music conservatories.”

Alyssa won the seat by competitive audition on Nov. 4. All the violin players in the section competed, but Alyssa scored the highest.

“Alyssa was extra-motivated,” Keimach said. “I found out after the audition from her private teacher that she had worked diligently and tirelessly on the music for the audition.”

Alyssa has been taking violin for five years and joined the youth orchestra in fifth grade. She started in the first violin section and was the youngest player.

“And I still am the youngest,” Alyssa said. “And I was assistant concertmaster last year, sitting next to Erica Richardson.”

The program for the first concert of the season will be Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” and Symphony No. 8 in F, Richard Wagner’s “Siegfried Idyll” and Aaron Copland’s Hoedown from the ballet “Rodeo.”

“I really like the Hoedown,” Alyssa said. “It’s like the first American contemporary piece we’ve done. We usually play classical.”

Alyssa has a brief solo in the Hoedown piece.

“It goes a little bit high on shifting of the fingering positions on the violin,” she said.

The whole program is an orchestral showcase of the different parts of the orchestra, Keimach said.

“The two Beethoven pieces show off the dramatic, expressive power of the orchestra, while the Wagner shows off the lyrical and passionate side,” he said. “The Hoedown gives the orchestra a chance to kick up its heels and dance.”

The musicians don’t dance, Keimach added, but they all stand while performing. That’s something rarely done by any orchestra, he said, but the sound is noticeably better.

“That’s the unique thing about this orchestra,” Keimach said. “It’s also exciting for the audience. No one can believe the amount and quality of sound coming from an orchestra of that size, but the sound is vibrant, rich, full and strong.”

Standing up while playing took some getting used to, said principal clarinet player Michelle Kim, 17, of Burbank.

“At the first concert, I felt weird,” she said. “I thought it was silly. But I got used to it and my sound got louder, so I think it’s a good point to stand up.”

The Glendale Adventist Academy 11th-grader has been with the youth orchestra for three years.

Her favorite piece for the upcoming concert is the Beethoven Coriolan Overture, she said.

“Because it’s Beethoven, and Beethoven is my favorite composer, because his music has everything in it,” Michelle said. “I can’t explain it, but when I play it, I feel it.”

GLENDALE — As about 50 women held the stem of lit candles for a vigil Friday night, a woman standing in the back of the crowd held the hand of her 5-year-old son even tighter.

After four years of abuse at the hands of her husband, she said, she escaped to Glendale’s YWCA.

“I was older,” the woman said. “You’d think that nothing like that could happen. But strange things started happening.”

First, he told her to cut off ties with friends. That’s the stage Kathie Mathis, the director of domestic violence programs for the Glendale’s YWCA, called “the walking-on-eggshells stage.” Afterward, Mathis said, abuse can manifest itself in name-calling, in a fist and sometimes in a loaded gun — as was the case in two domestic violence deaths this year in Glendale.

Mathis and three other panelists discussed the stages, causes and ways to escape domestic violence Friday night in the forecourt of the Alex Theatre, in a vigil hosted by Glendale’s Commission on the Status of Women, who partnered with Glendale Arts and the YWCA.

Karla Kerlin, chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, said the event is part of the mission to spread awareness of domestic violence to the community.

“The key is to train every first responder to a domestic abuse call,” Kerlin said.

Within the last year, the YWCA had more than 600 domestic abuse victims knock on their door.

“We’re honoring those who have been victims of domestic violence,” Kerlin said. “And those that have been survivors of it with a moment of silence at the end.”

All of the members on the panel agreed that the best way to get out of a violent relationship is to tell someone, ask for help and then secure a place to stay.

Detective Andrew Jenks, another member of the panel, said the crime is emotionally charged.

“It’s a crime of control,” said Jenks, who works with domestic violence cases on a daily basis.

“The policemen are not social workers,” Jenks said. “We are just fact-gatherers. Our job is to collect evidence in the best way that we can.”

Panel member Leslie Segala, from Peace Over Violence, goes to schools and organizations to talk about domestic violence.

The children she meets don’t always know what domestic violence is.

“A lot of them don’t know what’s going on in the home,” Segala said.

She is amazed at the number of young women who don’t know what a healthy relationship is.

“A lot of these girls say that all he has to do is hit me once and I’m gone,” Segala said. “My job is to never let it get to that point.”

Some went on Glendale’s Open Studio Tour on Sunday seeking artwork for their home, while others sought to be inspired.

The tour, coordinated by the Cultural Affairs Section of the city’s parks department, included several artists’ homes and studios as well as art facilities like the Alex Theatre and Brand Library Art Studio and Galleries. Visitors could drive themselves or take the Beeline bus.

Shaaron Casey of Glendale had just stepped off the Beeline bus at Brand Library and was heading for the galleries where the 148 artists on the tour had one of their works on display.

She stopped in front of Vic Iorillo’s photograph titled “End of the Day.”

She had seen another of his photographs, “Shadow Wall,” in the downstairs studio. It was a western-themed photograph featuring a cow’s skull and dream catcher.

“I thought that my son would enjoy it,” Casey said. “He’s got American Indian in him from his dad. And he has a dream catcher in his room.”

This was the first time Casey had taken the tour, which has been going on for five years.

“I like the different artworks in the show,” Casey said. “There is a large range of ideas and feelings.”

Along the tour, Casey got to meet artist Flavia Monteiro.

“I liked her paintings,” Casey said.

“While we were at her house, she said her paintings are on the walls in the TV show ‘House.’ If I had $1,500 and a big house, I would have bought a piece of her work.”

Also enjoying the tour Saturday was Hazel Canon, of Burbank, who was waiting to board the Beeline bus with her granddaughter, Elle Willgues.

“I paint watercolor and acrylics,” Canon said. “It’s always hard to decide what to paint.”

Canon mostly paints landscapes and seascapes.

“I taught art in schools, so I had a general knowledge of different media, clay, potter’s wheel,” Canon said.

“It didn’t leave time for me to do my own work. Now I’m retired and thought the tour would inspire me to start my own work again and get an idea of where artists show their work.”

Up at the top of Chevy Chase Canyon, oil painter Dahl Delu welcomed visitors to his home, where several members of his art group, Artists of the Canyon, had set up their paintings.

The tour provided a great chance for artists to interact with the public, Delu said.

During a six-hour period, 40 to 50 people came through his home, patio and studio, he said.

“Any time artists are able to interact with appreciative patrons, we learn on both sides,” he said.

“Artists learn from the patron the kind of impact their work has on them. We are isolated. We seldom get to interact one on one with the public.”

Visitors get the chance to see things through an artist’s eyes, he added.

“An artist sees the world a little different from everybody else, and it’s that view that expands the way the patron looks at the world,” Delu said.

Most of the comments on the event have been positive, said organizer Ripsime Marashian, the Arts and Culture Commission coordinator for the city of Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Service Department’s Cultural Affairs Section.

Marashian has mailed surveys to evaluate the event and asked for input to make improvements.

The Alex Theatre was crazy about ducks on Friday.

The Glendale Kiwanis kicked off their fundraising efforts at the theater for the fourth annual Kiwanis Incredible Duck Splash event Oct. 18 at Lake Glendale in Verdugo Park.

Participants donate $5 to the Kiwanis club to adopt a rubber duck to race at the event.

Money raised from the duck race will help pay for Glendale sports, school and hospital programs, including nonprofits and charities, Kiwanis’ event chairman Ron Baker said.

“The money goes right back into the community,” he said.

At least 100 Kiwanis and community members gathered inside the theater to celebrate the event launch.

Some people in attendance wore yellow clothing and caps.

Mayor John Drayman applauded the group’s efforts to raise funds for nonprofits and charities.

No other event in Glendale, he said, has “30,000 ducks racing for the gold.”

Nine groups were given the task to sell the ducks and raise funds, Baker said.

Participants aren’t given the ducks until the day of the race.

The first-prize winner of the race will be awarded $10,000, and second to fifth place winners will get $1,000 each.

The nine fundraising groups sang during Friday’s events in the hopes of getting people to donate to their group.

The groups were Quackdaters, Quackdutors, Moby Duck team, Lucky Duckies, Bill Me Now, the Duck Splashers, Dapper Ducks, Kiwanis Quackers and Daffy Ducks.

So far this year, the Kiwanis has raised $60,000 in sponsorships just for the duck race, Kiwanis’ sponsorship committee chairman Ron Youra said.

Disney donated $10,000 to the event, making it the first contributor in the event’s history to be a platinum sponsor, he said.

Last year, people adopted 20,000 ducks. This year, Youra said the organization is hoping to sell 30,000 ducks.

A screening of “American Graffiti” at the theater this summer raised $5,000 for the duck race, said Elissa Glickman, director of marketing and resource development at the Alex.

The money raised from the duck race will go to programs that “provide great experiences for children that probably wouldn’t have that opportunity,” Kiwanis member Anna Marie Piersol said.

Kiwanis member Jennifer Swain designed this year’s event logo of a duck wearing sunglasses and riding a wave on a surfboard.

To adopt a duck, visit local participating stores to pick up a donation form, or go to www.ducks4kids.org.