Synonymous With California

There are many things that are synonymous with California but one thing that is at the top of the list is…

….The Hollywood Bowl.

On this day in 1922, the Hollywood Bowl, one of the world’s largest natural amphitheaters, opened with a performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

When the Hollywood Bowl opened, its stage was a wooden platform with a canvas top and audiences sat on moveable benches set on the hillsides of the surrounding canyon.  In 1926, a group of Los Angeles architects built the Hollywood Bowl’s first shell.  Since that time, various architects, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s son, Lloyd Wright, and Frank Gehry, have made improvements to the venue’s structure and acoustics.  Today, the Hollywood Bowl seats nearly 18,000.  Its paid attendance record of 26,410 was set in August 1936 for a performance by French opera star Lily Pons.  It is hard to believe that its paid attendance record is way back in 1936!  It would seem that in this day of easy travel, many more people would have frequented it on one night but not so!

Living here in Southern California, going to the Hollywood Bowl is quite a regular occurrence.  Whether it is to hear the Los Angeles Philharmonic and see fireworks or enjoy a “Sound of Music” singalong, it is always a great time.  It has hosted the best artists of all time.  One goes early with picnic in hand and enjoys dinner under the stars.  Whether you are dining in a box close to the stage with crystal, silver and cloth napkins, eating right out of your picnic hamper on the lawn, or noshing at the onsite restaurant, it is always a great time and VERY Los Angeles!

Happy Birthday, Hollywood Bowl.  We certainly are glad that you were born!

Joy, pure joy!