Plans For Trump's Triumphal Arch 'horrifically Flawed,' Nonprofit Says In New Filing: L.a. Arts And Culture This Weekend

As nan state fixates connected nan sad saga of nan ruined Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool successful Washington, D.C., nan Trump administration’s plans to build a 250-foot arch astatine nan occidental terminus of Memorial Bridge person marched forward.

The task received last creation support successful precocious May from nan Trump-appointed U.S. Commission of Fine Arts. The problem pinch that, critics quickly pointed out, was that this support occurred earlier a cardinal portion of nan National Historic Preservation Act — Section 106 — was initiated.

For background: President Lyndon B. Johnson signed NHPA into rule successful 1966 during an era of rampant unregulated building successful bid to protect nan country’s shared taste heritage. Section 106, which nan Trump management has been trying to gut, allows for a play of nationalist remark astir projected projects successful beforehand of their approval. This gives clip for reasonable concerns to beryllium raised and for pivots successful creation and siting to return spot accordingly.

In a missive submitted to nan National Park Service connected Thursday by nan nonprofit Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF) arsenic portion of nan federal-level reviews of nan Triumphal Arch nether Section 106, nan group’s founding president and main executive, Charles Birnbaum, called nan concatenation of events starring to nan arch’s support a “radical departure from a well-established bid of processes that person made nan Monumental Core a world paragon of civic art, scenery architecture, architecture, and planning.”

Birnbaum, who served arsenic coordinator of nan Historic Landscape Initiative astatine nan NPS from 1992 to 2007, besides noted, “The process for nan action and siting of nan Triumphal Arch has been horrifically flawed from nan outset. Remarkably, location was nary creation competition, which is simply a vulnerable and extremist determination for what would beryllium nan 2nd largest monument successful nan Monumental Core aft nan Washington Monument.”

The missive was sent respective days aft nan NPS released a preliminary appraisal that recovered nan arch could person important adverse effects connected nan historical structures astir it. Birnbaum and TCLF, however, interest — based connected linguistic hedging successful NPS correspondence — that a last “adverse effect determination” will not beryllium made, frankincense depriving concerned parties of nan expertise to proceed to advocator against nan project.

“Given nan extended archiving of adverse effects successful nan preliminary finding, nan proposal that immoderate uncertainty exists astir nan last determination is some confounding and alarming,” Birnbaum wrote.

During his tenure astatine NPS, Birnbaum was nan lead writer of “The Guidelines for nan Treatment of Cultural Landscapes,” which includes a conception connected “Spatial Organization and Land Patterns,” which, he writes successful nan letter, “is clear astir what is and is not recommended.”

“Identifying, retaining and preserving nan existing spatial statement and onshore patterns of nan scenery arsenic they person complete time,” is recommended, for example, while, “Allowing spatial statement and onshore patterns to beryllium altered done incompatible improvement aliases neglect,” is not.

“A 250-foot-tall arch successful Memorial Circle sited betwixt nan Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery and Arlington House and successful nan Monumental Core is undeniably incompatible development,” Birnbaum wrote, noting that immoderate caller improvement is stipulated to beryllium successful statement pinch nan taste scenery guidelines. “The Arch arsenic projected will not beryllium accordant pinch nan Guidelines and immoderate certification different would not only beryllium factually baseless (in short, a lie), but declaring truthful would beryllium unprofessional, fraudulent, and, perhaps, illegal.”

Strong words that whitethorn very good autumn connected closed ears, if caller history is immoderate guide. Nonetheless, nan guidance forges ahead.

I’m arts editor Jessica Gelt, building an arch to early goodness. This is your arts and civilization news for nan week.

The week ahead: A curated calendar

FRIDAY

Judy Collins performs astatine nan Ryman Auditorium successful Nashville successful 2025.

(Jason Kempin / Getty Images)

Judy Collins: Sweet Judy Blue Eyes Farewell Tour
The singer-songwriter-musician pinch nan lilting sound and eclectic catalog is joined by Bruce Cockburn for an evening of folk-infused heartfelt songs.
8 p.m. The Ford, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East. theford.com

Versa-Style Street Dance Company
The troupe marks its 20th day pinch “Box of Hope” (2nd Edition), a multidisciplinary programme featuring West Coast Hip Hop and Street Dance Styles.
8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. sierramadreplayhouse.org

SATURDAY

Betty Boop’s Birthday Bash for a Cause
Kate Micucci hosts an evening of unrecorded euphony — headlined by indie-pop group Dressy Bessy and Allison Wolfe of Bratmobile — animation, comedy, pop-culture nostalgia and nan Bob Baker Marionettes to use nan nonprofits organizations nan Birthday Party Project and Saturday Morning Cartoons United.
6:30 p.m. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. thealex.evnsong.com

The Improvised Shakespeare Company
The troupe takes a azygous assemblage proposal and spontaneously turns it into a full-blown Elizabethan-style drama that could (possibly) make nan Bard himself wish he had written it.
8 p.m. The Ford, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East. theford.com

The Complete History of American Musical Theater: The 1950s
An evening of theatrical history, storytelling and unrecorded performances revisits nan Golden Age of nan American musical, featuring specified classics arsenic “Guys and Dolls,” “The King and I,” “My Fair Lady,” “West Side Story” and “The Music Man.” With Eileen Barnett, Camryn Hamm, Scott Harlan, Hayden Kharrazi, Tony nominee Mary Gordon Murray and Tony nominee Rory O’Malley. Narrated by Dan Fishbach and Mark D. Kaufmann. Produced by nan Odyssey Theatre and nan Los Angeles Musical Theatre Studio.
8 p.m. Odyssey Ensemble Theatre, 2055 South Sepulveda Blvd. odysseytheatre.com

James Morris, from left, Christopher Reiling and Jasmine Kimiko successful nan play “Slava Ukraini! (or Waiting for Elon).”

(Deverill Weeks)

Slava Ukraini! (or Waiting for Elon)
A Few Thoughts Theatre Company presents a caller play by Keith Szarabajka astir 3 soldiers — 2 Ukrainian and 1 Russian — trapped together during nan siege of Mariupol. Directed by Tony Pasqualini.
8 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays; 3 p.m. Sundays done Aug. 31. (no performances Aug. 16, 17) . Atwater Village, 3269 Casitas Ave., Theater #3, Los Angeles afewthoughtstheatercompany.org

SUNDAY

Jazz keyboardist Carey Frank.

(Courtesy of nan artist)

Carey Frank Organ Trio
Joined by guitarist Nadav Peled and drummer Jake Reed, nan jazz keyboardist powers a modern return connected jazz, swing, blues and soul.
8 p.m. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd. sierramadreplayhouse.org

Summertime! pinch Bob Baker Marionettes and Kate Micucci
The marionettes and Micucci person a engaged weekend, going from Betty Boop astatine nan Alex to celebrating each things sunny and funny astatine nan Ford.
The Ford, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East. theford.com

TUESDAY

Mozart Under nan Stars
A brace of celebrated Canadians, conductor Nicolas Ellis and pianist Angela Hewitt, subordinate nan Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra for their Mozartian summertime tradition.
8 p.m. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N Highland Ave., Hollywood. hollywoodbowl.com

WEDNESDAY

Giselle, nan chandelier group portion that travels pinch nan North American circuit of “Phantom of nan Opera,” photographed nan Hollywood Pantages Theatre successful July.

(Ariana Drehsler / For The Times)

Phantom of nan Opera
The caller North American touring accumulation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical, featuring Maria Björnson’s original creation — including a really large chandelier — and based connected nan guidance of Harold Prince, pinch philharmonic staging and choreography by Gillian Lynne, shifts to Orange County.
Through Aug. 30. Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for nan Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. scfta.org/events

Stanley Jordan Trio
The virtuoso jazz guitarist is joined by drummer Chris Wabich and bassist Ahmet Turkmenoglu.
7 and 9:30 p.m. Blue Note Los Angeles, 6372 Sunset Blvd. bluenotejazz.com

THURSDAY

Michael Douglas and Glenn Close successful “Fatal Attraction” directed by Adrian Lyne successful 1987.

(Sunset Boulevard / Corbis via Getty Images)

A Weekend With Adrian Lyne
The head known for his sleek, seductive thrillers will beryllium connected manus for screenings of “Fatal Attraction” (1987) and “Unfaithful” (2002) astatine nan Academy Museum and nan theatrical premiere of “Deep Water” (2022), starring Ana de Armas and Ben Affleck, astatine Brain Dead Studios.
7:30 p.m. Thursday (“Fatal Attraction”) and Friday (“Unfaithful”). Academy Museum, 6067 Wilshire Blvd. academymuseum.org 7:30 p.m. Saturday (“Deep Water”). Brain Dead Studios, 611 N. Fairfax Ave. studios.wearebraindead.com

Helado Tropical
The nighttime will beryllium afloat of Latin beats, rhythms and experimental sounds arsenic Helado Negro and Reyna Tropical squad up pursuing nan caller merchandise of their nine-song collaborative album.
8 p.m. The Ford, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East. theford.com

— Kevin Crust

Retrospective

L.A. Times arts sum from nan past …

Ballet dancers Rochelle Chang, Emily Parker and Raffaella Stroik rehearse a caller activity by choreographer Lincoln Jones, background, successful 2016.

(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

How a caller creation gets made: Behind nan scenes astatine American Contemporary Ballet
Aug. 7, 2016

Emily Parker stood still connected pointe. Arms dispersed for illustration wings, she fixed her regard location successful nan distance. Dancers spun astir her for illustration ribbons successful a breeze. A bend, a twist, a descent of foot, a flutter of light. On and on, pinch nary music, only nan tap, tap, pat of toed shoes and nan sound of texting from those stretching and waiting successful nan wings.

Parker relaxed her pose. The different dancers flitted toward windows. Choreographer Lincoln Jones walked among them, manus to chin, thinking, and astatine times twirling unsocial arsenic if chasing whispers. The day pressed in. He called a break and headed for a laptop. Dancers from American Contemporary Ballet, which connected Aug. 11 [2016] will execute an original activity by Jones, dispersed successful nan workplace heat.

A ballet troupe is simply a mini service of good lines and grace. Some dancers person been pinch nan institution for years, others for illustration Parker are new, uncovering their places amid mats, bags, tape, calluses, balm, egos, sore backs, battered toes and torn tights. They are led by Jones, a dark-haired man who betwixt smiles and asides moves pinch quiet intensity. His caller accumulation for nan company’s “Music + Dance: LA II” bid was inspired by 19th period French composer Adolphe Adam and group amid a countryside, a reservoir and a wedding. READ MORE

— Jeffrey Fleishman

Culture news and nan SoCal scene

The Boyle Heights broadside of 6th Street PARC underneath nan 6th Street Viaduct.

(Carlin Stiehl / For The Times)

As nan erstwhile heralded, now neglected 6th Street Bridge continues its precipitous decline, a caller parkland is being built beneath it that supporters dream could uplift nan neighboring organization of Boyle Heights and thief renew nan span successful nan process. Called Sixth Street PARC and scheduled to unfastened later this year, nan 12-acre greenish abstraction is meant to service arsenic a captious organization hub connecting downtown’s Arts District pinch nan Eastside neighborhood. It will return much than bully intentions to make that scheme work, Sam Lubell writes successful a elaborate communicative astir nan project.

Times classical euphony professional Mark Swed is presently successful Austria, taking successful nan galore wonders of nan yearly Salzburg Festival. Among them: Gustavo Dudamel starring Mahler’s “Resurrection” symphony pinch nan Vienna Philharmonic. “In Salzburg, Dudamel indulged nan Vienna Philharmonic’s incomparable lushness, those plush strings, glowing winds, aureate brass, voluminous timpani. The symphony received mixed reviews, pinch critics complaining of a deficiency of transparency, statement and depth. Had they been successful Disney Hall, they would person had it all,” Swed writes.

The D.C.-based anonymous arts activistic group Secret Handshake is taking its satirical activity connected tour. The group precocious started an Instagram page to floor plan nan travel of a 10-foot aureate cup dedicated to Trump, “The Iran War Participation Trophy.” The trophy went to New York City aft appearing precocious past period connected nan National Mall. This week it popped up connected nan section of nan Capitol Building successful St. Paul, Minn. Other cities will follow, Secret Handshake promises.

Dorothy Wolpert, committee chair of nan Fountain Theatre for 12 has died. She was 91.

(Fountain Theatre)

The Fountain Theatre is mourning nan decease of Dorothy Wolpert, who served arsenic nan theater’s committee chair for 12 years. She was 91. Wolpert was profoundly progressive successful nan life of nan metropolis done her emotion and support of nan arts arsenic good arsenic successful her master life. As nan co-founder of Bird Marella, a Century City rule firm, Wolpert was progressive successful cases that precocious equity and societal justice, including nan landmark schoolhouse desegregation lawsuit Crawford v. Los Angeles Board of Education. She besides utilized her ineligible expertise successful nan conflict against quality trafficking.

Wolpert received UCLA Law’s Trailblazers Lifetime Achievement Award and nan ACLU Humanitarian Award, and successful 2022 UCLA Law established nan Dorothy and Stanley Wolpert Public Interest Fellowship successful her honor.

Wolpert became nan Fountain’s committee chair successful 2013, and served until 2025. In an email, nan Fountain’s co-founder Stephen Sachs wrote that Wolpert was “instrumental successful expanding [the Fountain’s] board, strengthening its leadership, and raising its nationalist profile. She was besides a generous protagonist of galore LA arts organizations and a devoted patron of LA Opera.”

“On a individual level, Dorothy was my trusted mentor and confidant. Whenever I faced a difficult decision, she was nan personification I turned to first. She had a singular gift for asking precisely nan correct question. Her contented shaped not only nan Fountain, but galore of america fortunate capable to cognize her,” Sachs wrote.

— Jessica Gelt

And past but not least

Here are 18 things you should do if you tin spend to spell to Carmel-by-the-Sea.