The iconic Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles is turning 100 this summer and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association has announced the venue’s 2022 Centennial Season.
The summerlong celebration is a mix of the Hollywood Bowl’s past and present with Broadway and opera performances, music festivals, evenings under the stars with the LA Phil under the direction of conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the annual July 4th Fireworks Spectacular, live-to-film concert and movie experiences and dozens of special big-name guests.
“There is truly no place like the Hollywood Bowl,” LA Phil conductor Gustavo Dudamel said in a press release. “Nothing can compare to the feeling of performing there on a summer night, as our sound seems to pour out from the hills to the thousands of music lovers spread before us, gathered from everywhere in Los Angeles and around the world. We dedicate our programs in this 100th season to all the people who have made the Hollywood Bowl a part of their lives, year after year, and to the new generation, on our stage and in our audience, that is going to carry the magic of this place far into the future.”
Here are some of the highlights of the Hollywood Bowl’s 100th season:
The venue will kick off its 100th season and the summer season at its sister venue, The Ford, with The 101 Fest. The festival will be free, feature the LA Phil and will take place June 11 at the Hollywood Bowl and June 12 at The Ford. More details on that will be announced May 10.
Billie Eilish and Debbie Harry will be among the guests invited to pay tribute to music legends from the Hollywood Bowl’s history as they salute Peggy Lee and Frank Sinatra on July 27.
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Special guest stars coming to the Hollywood Bowl include Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina together July 15-16; Ricky Martin with the LA Phil and Dudamel July 22-23; Boyz II Men and TLC July 29; a-ha with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra with Tom Wilkins on July 31; Sheryl Crow and Keb’ Mo’ Aug. 3; Diana Ross Aug. 26-27; Duran Duran with a special fireworks show Sept. 9-11; Grace Jones and Chvrches Sept. 25; and Pentatonix Sept. 29.
The venue will celebrate America’s birthday with its popular July 4th Fireworks Spectacular July 2-4 featuring Steve Martin & Martin Short with the Steep Canyon Rangers and Jeff Babko joined by the Los Angeles Philharmonic led by Tomas Wilkins. The annual Tchaikovsky Spectacular will take place Aug. 13-14 and feature violinist Joshua Bell and the USC Trojan Marching Band joining conductor Bramwell Tovey and the LA Phil for the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, 1812 Overture, with fireworks. The fully staged Broadway musical “Kinky Boots” will also take over the stage July 8-10.
Some live-to-film concert highlights include the LA Phil and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra presenting “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I” on June 30, “Back to the Future” Aug. 5-6 and “Amadeus” on Aug. 23. Film legend John Williams will be joined by David Newman to conduct the LA Phil for three nights for “Maestro of the Movies: Celebrating John Williams at 90” Sept. 2-4. Black Movie Soundtrack will return with host Craig Robinson and bassist Marcus Miller leading a house band through the best music in Black cinema along with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Aug. 24. Sing-A-Long “Sound of Music” will be back as well with host Melissa Peterman on Sept. 17.
Dudamel will lead an evening celebrating the legacy of Leonard Bernstein and his connection to the Bowl July 12 and 14 and conduct the third act of Richard Wagner’s “Die Walküre” July 17, collaborating with director Yuval Sharon and an all-star cast headed by Christine Goerke and Matthis Goerne. Paying tribute to the history of dance at the venue, Dudamel will lead a program featuring stars of the Paris Opera Ballet with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet July 20-21.
KCRW will curate multiple evenings with artists like Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Durand Jones & The Indications with Celisse on Aug. 14; Flying Lotus with Hiatus Kaiyote with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra Aug. 21; UB40, The Original Wailers featuring Al Anderson, Maxi Priest and Big Mountain Sept. 18.
Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival (formerly the Playboy Jazz Festival) has also been announced and is scheduled to take place June 25-26. The Roots, Gregory Porter, Tower of Power, Femi Kuti & The Positive Force, Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science and more will perform.
Subscriptions to the Hollywood Bowl 2022 summer season are available now and the venue’s create your own packages will be available starting March 15. Single-ticket sales begin at 10 a.m. May 3. All ticket information and a full line-up of performances can be found at hollywoodbowl.com.