THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL: THE STORY OF AN L.A. ICON

Photo: Hollywood Bowl

There are few experiences more quintessentially Los Angeles than spending a summer evening under the stars while catching a concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The amphitheater is one of the most famous venues in the world, with a stage that has hosted everyone from Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand to Prince and Lady Gaga. Scenic backdrop? Check. A certain indefinable magic? Check. In fact, we'll go so far as to say that until you've see a show here, you haven't really experienced Los Angeles.

THE SUMMER OF '22

After playing home to concerts, theatrical productions and an Easter Sunrise service, the Hollywood Bowl kicked off its first official season on July 11, 1922. It was a barebones experience for spectators, who sat on temporary wooden benches to watch Alfred Hertz conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The scenery and the sounds, however, were hard to beat. Located in a bowl-shaped area of the

Hollywood Hills that was once called Daisy Dell, the spot where the venue now stands was chosen, in part, for its natural acoustics. Those are amplified by electronics as well as the bandshell with its distinctive white arches. It's actually the Hollywood Bowl's fourth bandshell - the first two were designed by Lloyd Wright, son of architect Frank Lloyd Wright.

LEGENDARY CONCERTS

Over the years, the Hollywood Bowl has been the setting for all manner of moments - sweet, stunning and strange. In 1923, to celebrate the final payment on the Bowl's debt, the mortgage to the venue was burned on stage. Three years later, composer Percy Grainger and Swedish poet Ella Viola Strom were married on stage in front of 22,000 people.

On July 5, 1968, the Doors recorded what many fans consider to be one of the band's best concerts. Elektra released a shortened 22-minute version in May 1987 - the full 71-minute concert was released as Live at the Bowl '68 in October 2012.

The Beatles, Monty Python, Van Morrison, Morrissey and Ben Harper have also released concerts at the Bowl.

"ENCANTO AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL"

Step into Casa Madrigal and experience Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl, a spectacular concert special featuring the original voice cast of the Oscar-winning Encanto, along with special guests like Carlos Vives, who closes out the show with the vibrant "Colombia, Mi Encanto." The 45-minute film debuted on Disney+ in December 2022 and captures two Encanto concerts that took place at the Bowl on November 11-12.

2023 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

Janet Jackson kicks off the 2023 season with Ludacris on June 10. Get your tickets early for perennial favorites like the July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with The Beach Boys (July 2-4), John Williams: Maestro of the Movies (July 7-9), and the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long (Sept. 16).

 Mariachi USA at the Hollywood Bowl
Photo: @MARIACHIUSA, Twitter

Highlights include: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard (June 21), Jill Scott (June 22), Louis Tomlinson (June 30), Charlie Wilson + En Vogue (July 12), Kool & The Gang + Village People (July 14-15), Sparks + They Might Be Giants (July 16), Diana Krall (July 19), Café Tacvba (July 21-22), Reggae Night XXI (July 23), Portugal. The Man + Chicano Batman (Aug. 6), Rubén Blades (Aug. 11), Carla Morrison (Aug. 12), Maggie Rogers (Aug. 13), Gladys Knight (Aug. 16), My Morning Jacket + Fleet Foxes (Aug. 20), Herbie Hancock Celebrates Wayne Shorter (Aug. 23), Boy George & Culture Club (Aug. 25-26), Air Supply + Michael Bolton (Sept. 3), Buddy Guy (Sept. 6), Fireworks Finale with Maxwell (Sept. 8-10), Pixies + Modest Mouse (Sept. 17) and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (Sept. 24).

LEASE EVENTS

Throughout the year, the Hollywood Bowl hosts fantastic "Lease Events" (non-LA Phil-produced events): Shania Twain (May 28), Mariachi USA (June 3), Tears for Fears + Cold War Kids (Aug. 2), The Lumineers (Sept. 15), Incubus (Oct. 6), Sting (Oct. 7), The Postal Service + Death Cab for Cutie (Oct. 13, 15, 17), KISS (Nov. 3) and Hozier (Nov. 4).

DREAMING OF DUDAMEL

The Hollywood Bowl is the summer home of the LA Phil, with several performances conducted by Music & Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel, including A Midsummer Night's Dream (July 6), Maestro of the Movies (July 7-9), Verdi's Requiem (July 11), An Ellington Celebration (July 13), Estancia (July 18), Prokofiev & Tchaikovsky (July 20) and Café Tacvba (July 21-22).

In addition to Café Tacvba, the LA Phil and other orchestras will perform with stars like Snoop Dogg (June 27-28), Quincy Jones 90th Birthday Celebration (July 28-29), Joe Bonamassa (Aug. 9), Chris Thile (Aug. 22), Jacob Collier (Sept. 13), Promises (Sept. 20) and John Legend (Sept. 23). The tradition dates to 1943, when the orchestra backed Frank Sinatra, the first time a pop singer appeared with the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

MOVIE NIGHTS

The Bowl's popular movie screenings feature live accompaniment by the LA Phil or Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (June 24), 2001: A Space Odyssey (Aug. 3), Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Concert (Aug. 4-5), Star Wars: Return of the Jedi (Sept. 1-2) and the aforementioned Sound of Music Sing-Along on September 16.

HOLLYWOOD BOWL JAZZ FESTIVAL

A beloved annual tradition, the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival is taking place on Saturday, June 17 and Sunday, June 18. Curated by Kamasi Washington and Herbie Hancock, the stacked lineup includes: Bell Biv DeVoe, Leon Bridges, West Coast Get Down, Raphael Saadiq, Ledisi, St. Paul & The Broken Bones, Digable Planets, Samara Joy, The Soul Rebels, Big Freedia, Aziza, Boukman Eksperyans, Poncho Sanchez, Butcher Brown, Lionel Loueke & Gretchen Parlato, Andrew Gouché & Prayze Connection, Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble at UCLA and The Cardinal Divas of SC.

DID YOU KNOW?

Built in 1940, the Muse of Music, Dance, Drama welcomes concertgoers at the Bowl's Highland Avenue entrance. The 200-foot long, 22-foot high Art Deco monument was designed by George Stanley, who also designed the Oscar statuette and sculpted the Sir Isaac Newton statue at the Griffith Observatory. The tiered fountain features the kneeling Muse of Music playing a lyre; the Muse of Dance in mid-movement; and the Muse of Drama holding the theater masks of comedy and tragedy.

During the season, morning rehearsals for classical concerts on Tuesdays and Thursdays are occasionally open to the public. Contact Audience Services at 323.850.2000 for upcoming rehearsals.

Have a moment to spare? Before reaching the main gate, take a slight detour and pop into the Hollywood Bowl Museum to hear recordings of shows that have been performed at the amphitheater, including clips from Miles Davis and Pink Floyd.

*Source: Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, 633 West 5th Street, Suite 1800, Los Angeles, CA 90071, USA info@discoverlosangeles.com