Happy Friday!
It has been a challenging week in Texas as we try to come to grips with the catastrophic flooding affecting Hill Country, just west of Austin, a week ago on Independence Day. The extent of the damage, and the number of people dead or missing in Kerr County (and 5 other counties) is beyond belief. It's hard to even conceptualize a river rising 26 feet within 45 minutes. Over 2000 people are working on search, rescue and support although no survivors have been found since last Friday. If you are moved to help, many organizations are accepting donations.
The Hollywood Bowl opened on this day in 1922 and remains an iconic venue for live music performances. It is set against the backdrop of the Hollywood Hills with a view of the famous Hollywood sign. The amphitheater is carved into a concave dell in a canyon (Daisy Dell) hence the "Bowl". Although it is now privately owned, it began as a community space headed by the Community Park and Art Association. The Los Angeles Philharmonic (aka L.A. Phil) has performed there since its early years.
Seating at the bowl is outdoors but the stage is canopied by a bandshell. The original bandshell was replaced a year after construction, deemed aesthetically and acoustically unacceptable. Frank Loyd Wright designed the second shell (1927) which was acoustically superior but aesthetically unappealing, so it too was demolished after a year. His 1928 wooden design had a concentric ring motif, which persisted in subsequent versions, but was was ruined by water damage. The shell has been replaced numerous times over the years, incorporating different materials and acoustic advancements. Sculptures, video screens, lighting and towers were added to provide the audience with close-up views of the performers.
In addition to concerts, the Bowl hosts ballet, opera, theatre and fireworks. Many famous performers have graced its stage including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Art Tatum, Oscar Peterson, the Supremes, The Doors, Steppenwolf, the Jackson 5, the Beatles, Elton John, Eddie Money (who opened the concert season yearly from 1989 until his death 30 years later), Miles Davis, Van Halen, Monty Python, John Williams, Garth Brooks, Stevie Wonder, Brian Wilson, Frank Sinatra, George Harrison, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, and Bernadette Peters, just to name few. The nearby Hollywood Bowl Museum features historical exhibits, recordings and memorabilia, with free admission. The Bowl is also a certified Audubon Society Cooperative Sanctuary.
The Bowl was named one of the best live music venues in the U.S. by Rolling Stone Magazine in 2018 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The L.A. Phil opened its 103rd (!) season on Tuesday. Sadly, former L.A. Phil music director Gustavo Dudamel is unable to bring his Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra in August because of a Venezuelan travel ban and will only be at the Bowl for a week this season (I wrote about Dudamel in the past; if you are wondering about him, just contact me). The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra is performing Bugs Bunny at the Symphony this weekend, in case you are in the neighborhood. Although there is no opera on the calendar, the summer schedule looks fantastic.
Happy Birthday to the Hollywood Bowl. It's a little too hot to venture out for an outdoor concert in Dallas but Los Angeles has the perfect weather for it.
Have a great weekend! Maybe take in a live performance and enjoy some good talent.
Deb
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uOd1JS6ouo