Brightwork newmusic's "Pop Up!" Chamber Program Blurs Line Between Pop & Avant-Garde at Sierra Madre Playhouse, 2/28

Presented by Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse continues its eclectic music programming with Pop Up! by Brightwork newmusic, noted for boundary-breaking chamber music that blurs the line between pop and the avant-garde, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, 8:00 PM, at the historic venue.

The concert includes Lost Moon Sisters by Pulitzer Prize-winner Anthony Davis; Nina Shekhar’s Don’t Beat a Word, featuring beatboxing and wordless vocals; Sonic Tunic, a lyrical duet for violin and vibraphone by Kurt Rohde; and Dana Kaufman’s approachable Sappho Summer. Brightwork newmusic also performs Luciano Berio’s playful Beatles, a setting of Fab Four hits such as “Michelle,” “Ticket to Ride,” and “Yesterday.” Richard An’s accessible For Ryuichi Sakamoto and Clarence Barlow’s intense Septima de facto round out the program.

The performance features Brightwork newmusic Artistic Director/pianist Aron Kallay, who is joined by ensemble members Sara Andon, flute; Brian Walsh, clarinet; Shalini Vijayan, violin; Maggie Parkins, cello; Nick Terry, percussion; and Stacey Fraser, soprano.

Brightwork newmusic has been hailed as “dazzling” (Los Angeles Times) and celebrated for delivering “music that slips between multiple traditions, honoring each but beholden to none” (San Francisco Classical Voice). The Los Angeles-based chamber ensemble was formed in 2013 by pianist Aron Kallay. Built around a sextet instrumentation (piano, violin, cello, flute, clarinet, percussion), it focuses on presenting contemporary classical music and landmark works from the past hundred years. The ensemble’s mission is to revitalize the art of new music by commissioning living composers, premiering their works, and inviting listeners into the creative process.

For tickets ($12-$35) and information, please call 626.355.4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org. Sierra Madre Playhouse is located at 87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard, Sierra Madre, CA 91024.

Date:
Venue:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Organization:
Sierra Madre Playhouse
Genres:
New Music
Categories:
Live Event
City: Sierra Madre
Price Range:
$12-$35
Email:
info@sierramadreplayhouse.org
Phone:
(626) 355-4318
Buy Tickets
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Program Items

NINA SHEKHAR Don’t Beat a Word
KURT ROHDE Sonic Tunic
RICHARD AN For Ryuichi Sakamoto
ANTHONY DAVIS Lost Moon Sisters
DANA KAUFMAN Sappho Summer
LUCIANO BERIO Beatles
CLARENCE BARLOW Septima de facto

Performers

Aron Kallay piano and Artistic Director
Sara Andon flute
Brian Walsh clarinet
Shalini Vijayan violin
Maggie Parkins cello
Nick Terry percussion
Stacey Fraser soprano

Sierra Madre Playhouse

Sierra Madre Playhouse

87 West Sierra Madre Boulevard
Sierra Madre, CA 91024
United States

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Sierra Madre Playhouse, a vibrant Southern California cultural hub with a rich history spanning a century, energizes audiences and the community with distinctive theatrical productions and captivating live performances. 

 

Hailed as a “jewel” (Pasadena Weekly) and “a landmark theater” (ABC7 Los Angeles), it has garnered tremendous accolades for its varied repertoire and thought-provoking education and outreach programs curated with social impact in mind. The Los Angeles Times proclaims, “This is theater from the heart.” As one of San Gabriel Valley’s only performing arts center presenting a broad spectrum of performance genres, including theater, music, dance, film, comedy, and family-friendly productions featuring eminent local and national professional artists, the treasured artistic beacon draws audiences from across the Southland. 

 

The intimate 99-seat Sierra Madre Playhouse offers an up-close and personal connection to performances that resonate deeply, earning multiple Ovation Awards, NAACP Awards, and LA Times Critics' Choice honors. In 2023, Rep. Judy Chu named the Sierra Madre Playhouse as a leading ‘Nonprofit of the Year’ in the San Gabriel Valley. The playhouse was given the honor during the 2023 Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards, which recognizes the leadership and volunteerism in the cities making up California’s 28th Congressional District. It is nestled into a historic building on the inviting Main Street of Sierra Madre, a charming village in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. 

 

Retaining its distinctive movie theater façade and instantly recognizable marquee, the structure has undergone numerous transformations since opening in 1910, from furniture emporium to silent movie theatre to the artistic institution that now stands as a vibrant embodiment of the region’s rich cultural legacy. The Sierra Madre Playhouse fosters creativity that aspires to bridge divides and spark dialogue, all while celebrating the rich tapestry of the American experience and the enduring pursuit of shared understanding.