While not blessed with the same institutional largesse of east coast cities, LA has an increasing number of classical music venues. The Los Angeles Philharmonic (phone 213/850-2000, ), the city's only major name, performs regularly during the year with nationally known conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen at the helm. San Francisco has more of an opera scene, although LA Opera (phone 213/972-8001, ) stages productions between September and June, as does Orange County's Opera Pacific (phone 1-800/34-OPERA, based in Costa Mesa; ), which performs both grand opera and operettas. Perhaps the city's most exciting company is the Long Beach Opera (phone 562/439-2580, ), which is anything but provincial, putting on challenging but well-regarded performances of modern and lesser-known operas.

The last twenty years have seven an increase in smaller-scaled chamber music and period performance groups, most prominently the LA Baroque Orchestra (phone 310/458-0425) and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (phone 213/622-7001, ), and an upsurge in dance activity as well, with UCLA's Dance Kaleidoscope (phone 323/343-5120, ), running two weeks in July, as one of the artistic highlights.

The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the Music Center, 135 N Grand Ave, downtown phone 213/972-7211 or 972-7460, . Home to the LA Philharmonic from October until May. Also used by the LA Opera and even the Oscars, presented biannually here.

The Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave, Hollywood phone 323/850-2000, . The LA Philharmonic gives open-air concerts Tues-Sat evenings from July to Sept, leaning toward familiar pops offerings.

Japan America Theatre 244 S San Pedro St, downtown phone 213/680-3700, . Dance and performance works drawn from Japan and the Far East.

John Anson Ford Theater 2850 Cahuenga Blvd, Hollywood phone 323/461-3673, . As well as UCLA's summer "Dance Kaleidoscope," this open-air venue also has one-off productions by local groups.

Orange County Performing Arts Center 600 Town Center drive, Costa Mesa phone 714/556-ARTS, . Home of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and Opera Pacific, as well as touring big names in pop and jazz.

Pacific Amphitheater 100 Fair drive, Costa Mesa phone 949/740-2000. A big open-air venue drawing main stream crowds, Orange County's answer to the Hollywood Bowl.

Pasadena Dance Theater 1985 Locust Ave, Pasadena phone 626/683-3459, . A prominent San Gabriel alley dance venue, hosting diverse groups throughout the year.

Royce Hall on the UCLA campus phone 310/825-9261 or 825-2101. Classical concerts throughout the college year, often involving big names. Usually Sept-June.

The Shrine Auditorium 665 W Jefferson Bvld phone 213/749-5123, box office at 655 S Hill St. A striking white-Islamic domed complex hosting regular performances by choral gospel groups and alternate Academy Awards ceremonies.

UCLA Center for the Performing Arts phone 310/825-4401, . Coordinates a wide range of touring companies, and also runs the experimentally inclined "Art of Dance" series between September and June.

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