Home Programs Events & Workshops
Events & Workshops

We host over 25 events per year, ranging from small recitals to large outdoor festivals. Among the community’s favorites are the Puppetry Festival, Ceramics Exhibition and Benefit, and the Holiday Boutique. You are welcome to volunteer to help at our events! We also run art workshops a few times a year. Join our mailing list to be kept informed of all our programs. 
Summer Concert 2010 Print

Join us August 29, 2010, 4:00-5:30pm for our free Summer Concert, featuring Arohi Ensemble.

Arohi Ensemble will perform on the McGroarty grounds, under the shade of our serene oak trees.  Bring a blanket and picnic, and enjoy the sounds of the sitar, cello, woodwinds, drums, and more.

The music of the Arohi Ensemble is indebted to the deep classical and folk traditions of India, the Middle East, Macedonia, Spain and Brazil. Playing creative world music through original compositions and improvisations, Arohi combines these diverse rhythms, moods and melodies in the spirit and freedom of American jazz. Members of Arohi play traditional and contemporary innovative instruments designed to stretch the boundaries of new world music. Arohi means 'ascending melodic movement.'

Thank you to the Los Angeles County Arts Commission for funding this free concert.
 
Annual Events Print

Puppetry Festival (June)

This event is fun for all ages and takes place outdoors on a Saturday afternoon and evening in early summer. The day is highlighted by performances that include life-sized and traditional puppets. Additionally, children are invited to participate in workshops and crafts. Artists do demonstrations, and vendors sell unique, handmade treasures and delicious food.


Annual Ceramics Exhibition & Benefit (June)

The Annual Ceramics Show has gained in popularity each year, allowing McGroarty to showcase both established and emerging ceramics artists. It is the only professional ceramics gallery in the Foothills community.  Artists who participated in the 2009 show were Annie Mann, Anthony Foo, Berverly Archer, Biliana Popova, Brian Kohl, Brian Peshek, Carol Aronowsky, Cheryl Hoyt, Chris McCormick, Constance Spriestersbach, Dina Finzi, Evan Vieser, Frank Massarella, Fred Yokel, Janet Neuwalder, Jeff Irwin, Jim Heuston, Joan Gamberg, John Hopkins, Jonathan T. Ginnaty, Julie Bagish, Junzo Mori, Karen Thayer, Kevin Myers, Kina Crow, Melody Cooper, Patrick Shia Crabb, Randy Au, Ricky Maldonado, Shuji Kashiwabara, Stanton Hunter, Stephen Horn, Steve Davis, Steven Portigal, Victor Lozano Jr., William Shinn, and Echo Park Pottery.

 

Summer Concert (August)

Last summer we had the pleasure of hosting a Gamelan Music Concert performed by Bali & Beyond. A Gamelan is a music ensemble from Indonesia. The instruments in a Gamelan are unique – built and tuned to work together in the ensemble, but not interchangeable with instruments from a different gamelan. This free outdoor event made the tranquil McGroarty grounds available to everyone. We encouraged everyone to bring a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon enjoying the unique, transportive music.

 

Holiday Boutique (December)

Join us for some old-fashioned holiday cheer! Shop for unique, hand-made gifts at affordable prices while supporting the arts.  We select only the finest local artists and artisans to meet your holiday shopping needs.  You’ll find beautiful jewelry, ceramics, local honey, soaps and lotions, paintings and much more.  The boutique features nostalgic holiday decor, live music, story time for children and the popular Chili Bowl Sale - where your lunch is $10 and you get to keep the ceramic bowl. Choose from 300 hand-made ceramic bowls, created on-site by the McGroarty Ceramics Department. Don’t forget to visit the bake-sale for hot chocolate and dessert!