Walt Disney Concert Hall

From nearly every exterior angle ? as approached from the beach, which is just a few blocks from its front door, or from the boutiques and gelaterias on nearby Lincoln Road ? Frank Gehry's building for the New World Symphony looks surprisingly nondescript. Wrapped in glass and white plaster, the six-story concert hall has a boxy profile to go with a rather unassuming architectural personality. But the building's outward simplicity ? miles from the shimmering metal skins of Walt Disney Concert Hall or the Guggenheim Bilbao ?

If you're more of a musical-theater type than a clubber, then Walt Disney Concert Hall will serve up a Champagne-addled distraction. Kristin Chenoweth will perform numbers from her bright and starry repertoire, including "Glee," "Promises, Promises," "Wicked" and much more. The Emmy and Tony winner will be accompanied by a full band and dancers. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 7 and 10:30 p.m. Fri. $74-$191. (323) 850-2000.

EVENTS Disney on Ice: Let's Celebrate Disney's new ice show is something of a celebration of celebrations: Characters such as Mickey Mouse, Cinderella and Buzz Lightyear cavort through a medley of holiday fun, including a Valentine's Day ball, a Halloween haunt, a winter wonderland, a Hawaiian luau and even an unbirthday party. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 7:30 p.m. $16-$65. (213) 480-3232. http://www.disneyonice.com MOVIES Grindhouse Fest Revel in your holiday cynicism at this double bill of Santa- and New Year's-themed splatter flicks, in which the only presents under the tree are hatchets to the skull and ice picks to the neck.

When: In recital 8 p.m. Monday; with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand, L.A. Tickets: $45.75 to $175 Information: (323) 850-2000 or http://www.laphil.com Bryn Terfel

Buika and Lila Downs Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave. When: 8 p.m. Wednesday Price: $45.75 to $103 Info: http://www.laphil.com

Concha Buika moves like a dancer, roaming the stage as if she were playing by the sea. Barefoot, sinuous in sparkling gowns, her hair pulled back from her pretty face in elaborate braids, she appears both childlike and womanly, engaging the audience with her emotions, giggling shyly when overcome by her feelings. The vocalist, who uses her surname as her stage moniker, surprises with her range, her warm, husky voice as expressive in jazz standards as in plaintive Spanish songs and gutsy American blues.

Los Angeles Master Chorale What: Season opening concert, "Rachmaninoff All-Night Vigil" When: 7 p.m. Sept. 26 Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall, downtown Los Angeles Tickets: $24 to $124 Information: (213) 972-7282 or http://www.lamc.org

No city loves its stars quite like Los Angeles, and no star has felt that embrace more warmly in recent years than Gustavo Dudamel, artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The 29-year-old Venezuelan's first season wielding the baton here quite simply turned the town on its music-loving ear, and the love fest resumes this weekend with the first of three special performances at the Hollywood Bowl. On Sunday, he'll conduct a concert version of Bizet's "Carmen," with Natasha Petrinksy singing the title role.