Summer Kicks Off At LA's Legendary Hollywood Bowl
I've been living in Los Angeles since 2013, but I'm still considered a newbie. There's so much to do, so much to see, that my bucket list is endless. One of my unfulfilled goals has been to take in a live show at the legendary Hollywood Bowl.
The Hollywood Bowl, the iconic amphitheater, is the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the host to hundreds of musical events each year. I had to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming when I received an invite, on behalf of my personal website, for the venue's summer season preview held this week. While it wasn't a musical performance, there was a DJ spinning tracks from the summer lineup.
The craziest part was that I had no clue it was actually going to happen in the famous shell! I imagined we'd be in the seats, not participating as the starring act.
The most notable food and wine options for the Hollywood Bowl are provided by Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne, the ladies behind Larder Baking Co., which I recently toured. At the amphitheater, these celebrated ladies own the Wine Bar by A.O.C., Lucques at the Circle, and Sweet Shop.
Many concertgoers are able to picnic in the hills surrounding the theater. Did you know you can reserve a spot with food and wine included? Click the link here to learn how.
Goin actually has a suggested menu that you can choose to follow. I sampled from this menu and I can confirm that if you're picnicking, it's the way to go!
My Top 5 Most-Anticipated Concerts:
Bryan Ferry with Orchestra Cécile McLorin Salvant – Saturday, 8/26
I'm gigantic fan of Roxy Music and Bryan Ferry's solo career (no joke, I listen to the Avalon album practically every day). He mastered '70s and '80s sophisti-pop and was incredibly sexy while doing it. I would gnaw my right arm off to see him live. Buy tickets here.
Blondie, Garbage, and Sky Ferreira – Sunday, 7/9
This is the ultimate #girlsnightout concert with three generations of talented women in rock! Since I love late-'70s punk and '80s new wave, seeing Debbie Harry rock out with her boys on stage would be incredible. Shirley Manson live would also be a treat — I was recently reminiscing about "#1 Crush" from the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack. Buy tickets here.
Tony Bennett and Dudamel – Friday, 6/14 and Saturday, 6/15
Tony Bennett's music is truly timeless. My mom actually saw Tony Bennett perform at the Hollywood Bowl in 2000 with Diana Krall, so fingers crossed I can take her to this show! Buy tickets here.
Kool and the Gang, Morris Day and the Time, and The Village People – Friday, 7/21 and Saturday, 7/22
This is going to be one '70s funk-packed night! Listening to a live version of "Summer Madness" by Kool and the Gang in the middle of an LA summer sounds amazing. For those of you still mourning the loss of Prince, come out and support his top protégé, Morris Day and the Time. Buy tickets here.
July 4th Fireworks Spectacular with Pentatonix – Sunday, 7/2, Monday, 7/3, Tuesday, 7/4
I never thought I'd be referring to an a cappella group as "hot ticket," but Pentatonix is huge, and judging by their TV appearances, I bet they would put on a fantastic live show. The Hollywood Bowl is also famous for its 4th of July fireworks. Buy tickets here.
This is one of those Hollywood Nights I'll never forget!
Special thanks to Jannis Swerman, Scott Wetherby, and Andrew Schwartz for making this night happen.