36 June 7, 2012
Dining & Entertainment Guide
Park Labrea News/Beverly Press
Summer Under the Stars Top: Fireworks usher in the Summer lineup at the Bowl
by Edwin FolvEn
(photo courtesy the Hollywood Bowl).
Bottom: Savor the sounds of summer with a pre-ordered picnic or three-course meal from the Patina Restaurant Group.
T
he Hollywood Bowl’s Summer 2012 Season is just around the corner, with classical, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, country and world music concerts set to heat up the night. Featured performers include Glen Campbell, Ben Harper, Barry Manilow, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Martina McBride, Ziggy Marley, Liza Minnelli, Smokey Robinson, and many more. This year, the Hollywood Bowl season opens on June 22 with a performance by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra conducted by Thomas Wilkins, and culminating with a fireworks show. The star-studded opening night will also feature Reba McEntire and Chaka Khan being inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame, with actress Julie Andrews hosting the ceremony. The concerts continue on June 24 when country music-legend Glen Campbell brings his “Farewell Tour” to the Bowl. A celebration of jazz-legend Miles Davis is scheduled for June 27. The annual Fourth of July fireworks Spectacular has become a tradition, and this year will feature Barry Manilow. Other performances include the L.A. Philharmonic’s “Frozen Planet in Concert” on July 6 and 7; KCRW’s World Festival celebrating the music of the Philippines on July 8; and a tribute to Ray Charles on July 11. There will be a “Legends of Reggae” concert with a tribute to Ziggy Marley on July 15; Smokey Robinson performing with the L.A. Phil on July 20 and 21; and a production of “The Producers” from July 27 through 29. Summer continues to heat up in August and September, with
(photo courtesy of Patina Restaurant Group)
the Neville Brothers’ “Farewell Tour” on Aug. 1; “Pixar in Concert” from Aug. 3 through 5, celebrating the music of animated classics; and performances by Nora Jones on Aug. 10, and Liza Minnelli on Aug. 11. Renowned tenor Placido Domingo joins Gustavo Dudamel and the L.A. Phil on Aug. 19. On September 2, Paramount Pictures celebrates its 100th anniversary with a music and film
performance celebrating classics of the silver screen. B.B. King returns to The Bowl on Sept. 5, while a Bowl favorite, the “Singa-long Sound of Music”, is scheduled for Sept. 22. Classical, jazz and world music shows will also be interspersed throughout the season, offering something for everyone. This year’s season continues a long tradition that began in 1920, when the “Hollywood May Fes-
tival” became the first production to charge admission in what came to be known as the Hollywood Bowl. The first official season opened in 1922 with “Symphonies Under the Stars”. In the years that followed, just about every famous name in music or theatre entertained guests at the Bowl. In 1937, Fred Astaire and All Jolson paid tribute to composer George Gershwin in a memorial concert. Frank Sinatra made his Bowl debut in 1943, and rock ‘n’ roll first came to the Bowl in 1958 with a “Salute to Dick Clark”. In August 1964, the venue hosted a performance by The Beatles. That tradition of top musical acts continues today, where bowl-goers enjoy outdoor concerts under the stars. The Hollywood Bowl is located at 2301 N. Highland Ave. For information and a complete schedule, visit www.hollywood bowl.com.