CLASS ACT
Whether your musical tastes lean toward Rush or Rachmaninoff, the Hollywood Bowl has something for everyone. And opening night was no exception. The summer season got off to an electrifying start, featuring performances from legendary Spanish tenor Placido Domingo and even zany School of Rocker Jack Black.
While the musicians got in tune, DJ Frosty was busy mixing it up at the VIP cocktail party. Against a cutting edge backdrop of contemporary art, servers made the rounds with tasty tuna coronet, spicy jerk chicken and tangy short rib skewers. As the sun went down, well-heeled revelers like Garry Marshall sailed into their boxes to enjoy a gourmet picnic spread and a fine selection of wines. Once they’d savored their last spoonful of coconut and mango mousse, it was showtime.
Domingo was the man of the hour, inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame along with the orchestra’s founding director John Mauceri. Screen veteran Kirk Douglas kicked things off, taking the stage to a standing ovation. The spry 91-year-old observed that when it comes to longevity, the bowl has nothing on him. “The Hollywood Bowl is 86-years-old,” he mused. “Ahhh, to be 86 again.”
Next, “Seinfeld’s” Jason Alexander got in touch with his inner Broadway star, belting out a medley of show tunes from “Carousel,” “Show Boat” and “The Music Man.”
Comedian Jack Black cut loose with a humorous homage to Led Zeppelin before introducing a group of promising young musicians who stepped up to the plate and played right alongside the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. The rising stars got their start thanks to the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Music Matters education initiative. The program serves more than 120,000 Los Angeles area school kids every year.
Mauceri also stepped into the spotlight performing a Tchaikovsky serenade. Domingo hit a high note with Tony award winner Kristin Chenoweth before wowing the crowd with a moving rendition of “Granada.”
Keeping with tradition, the extravaganza ended with a bang. To the sounds of Bizet’s “Carmen,” a dazzling fireworks display lit up the night sky. The eclectic evening raised more than $1 million for Music Matters and that’s something to sing about!
YELLOW FELLOW
Rodeo Drive legend and Malibu resident Fred Hayman also has something to celebrate these days. The creator of Giorgio Beverly Hills was feted for 50 years of good deeds and the occasion was his 82nd birthday. To mark the event, a block of Dayton Way was turned into an elaborate supper club dressed up in Hayman’s signature lemon yellow.
Wolfgang Puck cooked, Hal David sang and George Schlatter delivered the punch lines. Even Hall of Famer Placido Domingo popped in to lend his pipes to the birthday song.
Got a hot local happening or cool event? Send the 411 to kimdevore@malibutimes.com