Jacaranda, music at the edge

The Jacaranda concert series (est. 2003) is a musical/​cultural gem in Los Angeles. It is culturally relevant. Venues occasionally change, but currently the performances take place at the First Presbyterian Church in Santa Monica near the Promenade. The location makes it convenient to tag on dinner plans, etc.
What sets Jacaranda’s programming apart from most intimate music series is its dedication to modern and contemporary music. A glance through the 2012 – 13 line-​up includes a who’s who of 20^th-​century composers — Debussy, Britten, Schoenberg, Stravinsky, Copland — and many who are still alive and kicking — John Adams, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Esa-​Pekka Salonen…
The concert I attended recently featured Messiaen solo organ works in the first half, deftly performed by Mark Alan Hilt, followed a solo organ piece by Sofia Gubaidulina, a solo cello piece by Henri Dutilleux (a marvelous, virtuosic performance from Timothy Loo), and a grand finale West Coast première of another Gubaidulina work, this time with organ, trombones, trumpets, cellos, violins, and a double bass. It was clamorous and celebratory.
I would argue that if you’re not usually «into» classical music, then these are precisely the concerts you should attend. You may not find the music «beautiful» but you will certainly take notice and react. Whether you laugh, cover your ears, or raise your eyebrows in scorn, you’ll find yourself engaged and, before you know it, «into» the sounds.
The venue of the First Pres Santa Monica makes for a more intimate experience than, say, Disney Concert Hall. You’re much closer to the musicians and your fellow audience members. A nice touch from the Jacaranda volunteers is the complimentary coffee and cookies during intermission.