Lancino Takes Residence Effective Oct. 15, Kristin Lancino became the new president and artistic director of La Jolla Music Society, replacing Christopher Beach, who stepped down Oct. 1 after 10 years with the organization. Beach will devote himself to a career as a theater and development consultant. He will continue to reside in La Jolla with his partner Wesley and, according to a recent email, will remain with the music society on a part-time basis to complete the design and construction of the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. Lancino takes charge of the music society, definitely on the brink of change and growth what with its new concert hall, The Conrad (named for principal donor Conrad Prebys), set to open January of 2018 on the site across the street from the former Jonathan’s market. Lancino’s expertise includes arts management, artistic administration and operations. She has enjoyed a three-decade career in the performing arts, holding executive positions with such organizations as IMG Artists, G. Schirmer and Carnegie Hall. Lancino also served as interim artistic director for New York’s Chamber Music of Lincoln Center. La Jolla Music Society SummerFest Artistic Director Cho-Liang Lin, who worked with Lancino while she was engaged in the above, is looking forward with excitement to working with her again. As for Lancino, she said, “Leading this dynamic arts organization is an opportunity for me to draw from my diverse experiences to maintain its continued success.” May the road rise to meet you. On Area Stages It is recommended that you catch La Jolla Playhouse’s “Healing Wars” before it closes Sunday, Oct. 25. The piece is profoundly moving in its beauty and imagery. Speaking of La Jolla Playhouse, I intended to pay my respects to UCSD theater and drama department founder Arthur Wagner by attending his memorial Monday, Oct. 12. I arrived a half-hour early and found not one parking space on the entire Playhouse campus. Had I been successful, it’s doubtful there would have been a seat in the Mandell Weiss Forum. What a sendoff for a beloved man! The Old Globe Theatre’s beauteous “Full Gallop,” starring Mercedes Ruehl, has been extended through Nov. 1. Sean Fanning’s amazing set alone is worth the price of admission, and Ruehl is wondrous as Diana Vreeland, the fabled fashionista. La Jolla Symphony Kicks Off Season Long known for its adventurous program, La Jolla Symphony begins its 61st season at UCSD’s Mandeville Auditorium Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, with pianist Aleck Karis at the piano and renowned conductor and music director Stephen Schick on the podium. Karis will perform Brahms’ Piano Concerto No. 1, and the orchestra will perform Edgard Varese’s “Tuning Up” and John Luther Adams’ 2014 Pulitzer Prize-winning composition “Become Ocean.” Schick and Adams will deliver a pre-concert lecture one hour before curtain, 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. lajollasymphony.com or (858) 534-4637. Go Free And Al Fresco While You May An El Niño year is predicted, so readers must go al fresco while possible. The Spreckels Organ Society offers a luscious opportunity Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park, and it’s free and family friendly, and Fido may attend. Organist Christian Elliott will explore the organ’s “spooky side” as he accompanies the 1911 silent film “Phantom of the Opera,” starring the king of fright, Lon Chaney. The film is based on Gaston Lerue’s classic 1909-10 serialized novel. Another film opportunity: It’s not free and it’s not al fresco, but it is a classic film with live musical accompaniment. At 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Jacobs Music Center, Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St., San Diego Symphony presents a screening of Stephen Spielberg’s 1982 classic sci-fi film, “E.T., The Extra-Terrestrial.” With Sarah Hicks on the podium, the orchestra will perform John Williams’ entire score live while the film rolls. For the Musically Adventurous Presented by the impresaria of the cutting edge, Bonnie Wright’s Fresh Sound music series continues at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at Dizzy’s, 4275 Mission Bay Drive, with Canadian pianist Vicky Chow, perhaps best known as the pianist for the Bang-on-a-Can All-Stars. Chow will perform Steve Reich’s “Piano Counterpoint” and the piano arrangement of Igor Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring,” among To learn more, see freshsoundmusic.com.
