Grab your picnic basket and get ready for a blast at the Hollywood Bowl. In keeping with tradition, Thomas Wilkins opens the show on June 22 at the annual Hall of Fame concert. Last year was a delight with “Malibu Country’s” Reba McEntire and veteran showstopper Julie Andrews on the program. This year’s program offers a full slate with something for everyone. There will be fireworks on the 4th of July as Josh Groban helps ring in Independence Day with a special concert featuring conductor Sarah Hicks and the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West.
Wanna Wabbit? On July 5, the bowl features Bugs Bunny at the Symphony II. The 3D animated show has shorts with all your cartoon town faves, including Tweety, Sylvester, Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner.
If you want a touch of cool, sophisticated soul, there’s nothing like Queen Latifah, who appears on July 10 with Roy Ayers. For a classical gas, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 will be preformed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Michael Tilson Thomas as conductor.
The traditional Grease Sing-A-Long returns on July 13, so belt out the words to “You’re the One that I Want” along with the movie classic on the big screen.
Malibu’s Herb Alpert and Lani Hall appear with Sergio Mendes on July 17. Herb and Lani bring their unique sophistication and style to the Great American Songbook, while Mendes closes the party with breezy grooves like “The Look of Love.” Get ready to party July 19-21 as Pink Martini takes the stage. They’ll transport music lovers from a samba parade in Rio to a 1930s cabaret.
If you love the LA Phil and Stravinsky, settle in for their famed performance of “The Rite Of Spring” on July 23. Stravinsky’s “Fireworks” and Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto” round out the program.
A bit of Broadway comes at the end of the month as “Chicago:
The Musical” takes the stage. The Tony Award-winning performance tells the tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz amid the razzle-dazzle of the 1920s.
The one and only Tony Bennett is set to take the stage on Aug. 2. If you are a fan of “Fly Me to the Moon” or left your heart in San Francisco, it’s a performance you won’t want to miss. The next evening, diva Diana Ross will belt out hits like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “I’m Coming Out” and “Endless Love.”
Want country? Willie Nelson and Family roll into town on Aug. 9 and 10. They’ll be joined by Lyle Lovett for a good-oldfashioned hoe down.
LA’s celebrated dude Gustavo Dudamel gets into Verdi, leading the way with “The Requiem” and “Aida.” The summer wraps up with movie magic as John Williams returns with classic film scores, followed by “The Big Picture: A night at the Oscars” and the unique vibe of the Blue Man Group.