For the prize of a virtual candy cane, here’s a riddle: What holiday event is charming, cheerful, indispensable, and quintessentially L.A.?

Okay, so it’s a bit of cheat because there really are two such events, the Rose Parade being one of them. The other is the annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration produced by the L.A. Arts Commission on behalf of the Board of Supervisors. Each year, close to 5,000 people visit the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to enjoy the performance in-person – for free – while over a million people tune in to the live television broadcast. I’m going to be one of those 5,000. How about you?

Now in its 55th year, the Holiday Celebration is a vibrant showcase for local artistic voices. From ballet to Hawaiian dance, western choral music to mariachi – the extravaganza consistently proves a joyful exploration of the cultural diversity that gives Los Angeles its distinct character. Perhaps more importantly, the performance exemplifies our capacity to come together – irrespective of our theological, cultural, or other alignments – rather than allowing ourselves to be divided. In a season rife with the stress of shopping and the cult of cynicism (thanks, media commentators!), even the grinchiest Grinch, like yours truly, can gladly share in the nourishing sentiments of goodwill, companionship, and good cheer the celebration embodies.

So what can we expect this year? The lineup presented by actors Kent Faulcon and Marisa Ramirez includes a mix of familiar favourites and new performers.

Among the alumni are the formidable grammy-nominated Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jóse Hernàndez, the rousing Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, the ever-delightful Salvation Army Tabernacle Children’s Chorus, and the Los Angeles Ballet, which has been dancing strong since its critically-acclaimed debut production of the Nutcracker in 2006.

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Newcomers to look forward to include an all-women fusion ensemble Trio Ellas, the Latino fusion band Buyepongo, the Hawaiian dance company of Hālau Keali`i O Nālani with accompaniment by Grammy award-winning guitarist Daniel Ho, the recently minted Ska and Big Band Jazz orchestra called Western Standard Time, and the new Ezralow dance company founded by a choreographer the Chicago Sun-Times describes as “one of the best American dancer-choreographers now working on an international scale.”

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While the celebration’s size has shrunk over the years, the event’s enthusiasm over the course of three hours will surely remain undiminished. And, as always, there will be an audience sing-along (“Silent Night”).

Here are the details:

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24, 3-6 p.m.

Live and free at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion at the Music Center:

135 N. Grand Ave.,
Los Angeles 90012

– Admission to the live show is free. No reservations or tickets. First come, first seated.
– Parking under the Music Center is free.
– Doors open at 2:30 (the line forms much earlier)
– Entertainment on the Music Center plaza begins at noon.
– You may come and go throughout the three-hour performance

Can’t make it in person? No worries. Whip up some egg nog, bring together the family and pets, and curl up to watch it live on PBS SoCal or www.pbssocal.org. (Repeat broadcasts will be aired the evening of Christmas Eve at 9 and twice on Christmas Day, at midnight and noon.)

I’ll see you there!

Artists Performing in the 55th Annual LA County Holiday Celebration

• Buyepongo*, a seven-piece Latin/jazz fusion ensemble, will present “Vamos a Gozar,” featuring cumbia rhythms.
• The Company Men* will debut on the program with an a cappella holiday mashup.
• Daniel Ho & Hālau Keali`i O Nālani* will present “Soon It Will Be Christmas,” written by six-time Grammy Award winner Daniel Ho and featuring traditional Hawaiian dance.
• Ezralow Dance will dance Twas, choreographer Daniel Ezralow’s lively interpretation of everyone’s favorite holiday poem, “The Night Before Christmas.”
• Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will return to this year’s program with traditional holiday repertoire.
• Greater Los Angeles Cathedral Choir will perform contemporary gospel hymns.
• Harana Men’s Chorus, singing in English and Tagalog, will perform seasonal repertoire in the tradition of the Filipino traditional courtship moonlight serenade or “harana.”
• JazzAntiqua Dance Ensemble and Maetar will present “The Gathering,” a collaborative dance piece based upon African rhythms and encompassing many different cultural melodies.
• Los Angeles Ballet will present the “Arabian Dance” pas de deux from The Nutcracker.
• Los Angeles Children’s Orchestra, a 45-member youth orchestra, will present a medley of holiday arrangements.
• Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jóse Hernàndez will present their version of music from “The Nutcracker Suite” with a mariachi twist.
• Mountainside Master Chorale* will present “Christmas Lullaby,” a contemporary lyrical selection.
• Palmdale High School Choral Union and Sunday Night Singers, a 45-person chorus from the Antelope Valley, will present traditional and jazz-style holiday repertoire.
• Salvation Army Tabernacle Children’s Chorus, the largest and youngest choir on the program is known for their “choralography” and light-hearted holiday songs.
• Southern California Brass Consortium’s* 26-member ensemble will play symphonic brass arrangements of holiday repertoire.
• The Spirit Chorale of Los Angeles, a professional ensemble dedicated to keeping alive the Negro spiritual along with jazz, blues and original gospel works, will perform a capella spiritual arrangements of holiday classics.
• “Trio Ellas,” an all-female, Latin Grammy- nominated musical trio, will perform holiday music in their signature sound which mixes traditional mariachi music with classic romantic trio, jazz and country.
• Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra*, a 20-piece ensemble, will perform holiday classics with a Jamaican/ska flavor.
• Young Angels Choir, a 50-person chorus will present “Arirang,” a traditional Korean folk song sung during the holidays.
• Young Men's Ensemble of Los Angeles Children’s Chorus will present “Campanitas de Crystal” featuring Cuban rhythms and the traditional “Fa-La-La” carol.

* Indicates groups new to the Holiday Celebration this year

Frédérik Sisa is the Page's assistant editor and resident art critic. He can be reached via eMail at fsisa@thefrontpageonline.com, and invites you to connect with him via social media:

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…his blog, Ink & Ashes, which you can also follow via Bloglovin.