SUMMER 2008

Summer evenings filled with music and magic

Call your friends, pack a picnic for the family or spend a romantic evening for two under the stars with Cal Phil, Maestro Vener and some of the greatest music ever written. The sounds of summer ring out in glorious style at the world-famous Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden in Arcadia, bringing thousands of eager music lovers together for extraordinary evenings filled with entertainment, enlightenment and the excitement of great music.

You’ll be surrounded by The Arboretum’s lush landscape and the backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains as you enjoy the music, the atmosphere and your favorite food and beverage.  Choose from tables, chairs or lawn area seating, as best suits your party’s needs.  Come early and enjoy a gourmet meal prepared on-site or bring your own favorites from home.  Concerts begin at 7:30 pm, with live jazz and dining from 5:30 pm.  

Summer memories last forever.  Cal Phil memories are truly unforgettable.

Reserve your tickets now! Call 626.300.8200 or purchase online.
To download a copy of the Cal Phil Summer 2008 brochure, click here.

June 28,2008
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL

music from sea to shining sea

Make sure your summer travel plans include this musical tour of America, conducted by a guide guaranteed to bring the sights—and especially the sounds—of our symphonic journey together to resounding life: Maestro Victor Vener!  

Cal Phil celebrates the diverse cultures and musics that reflect America’s peoples and their unique American lives with an incredible lineup of featured artists: singer James Tormé, son of the legendary Mel Tormé, with his jazz trio, as well as piano virtuoso Norman Krieger.  You won’t want to miss this amazing concert!

Playboy Jazz Festival founder Hugh Hefner says “James Tormé is a chip off the old block, and a mighty cool block it is.  His daddy would be proud.   The Washington Post called pianist Norman Krieger “...an artist of unusual sensitivity with the technical control to do absolutely anything he wants...”

July 12, 2008
ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER MEETS PUCCINI

the phantom goes to the opera

If Puccini were alive today, he’d undoubtedly have collaborated with Andrew Lloyd Webber by now. So we’re doing it for him!  Join Cal Phil for an extraordinary concert of show tunes and arias, featuring “music of the night” performed by stars of both the musical theatre, including our own "phantom of the opera" organist Phil Smith and opera stage.

“Tune into” this event, and we promise you’ll not only shout “bravo” but sing Cal Phil’s praises fortissimo!

Known as Los Angeles’ own Evita, the Boston Globe raved “Valerie Perri is electrifying and sensational!”   The Sacramento Bee loved Robert MacNeil’s “...sterling, pin-point perfect voice.”  Catch the buzz—hear emerging LA Opera artist and Met National Council Audition winner Angel Blue.  

July 26, 2008
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN

broadway's dynamic duo

Not just the hills but the skies above the Arboretum and the halls of LA’s most renowned concert venue will be “alive with the sound of music” when Cal Phil pays tribute to one of Broadway’s most popular (and prolific) songwriting duos—Rodgers and Hammerstein.  

All together now – you, the Maestro, and musicians!—let’s “whistle a happy tune!”

Time Magazine called Suzanna “A fire-eating actress who gave a devastatingly sexy performance.”  Her distinctive voice and devastating stage presence will astound you.  Known worldwide for his work on Broadway in Les Miserables, Kevin Earley brings his inimitable talents to these classic songs.  An audience favorite wherever he goes, the Hollywood Reporter called him “irrepressible and adorable.”

August 9, 2008
MOVIE MAGIC

lights, camera, music

Cal Phil brings the silver screen to our orchestra stage…only, this time, it’s not Sly Stallone or Gene Kelly who play the leads, but the music itself.  Hear the Oscar-winning scores that made these films classics.  Our stars include violinist/pianist Ayke Agus, Phil Smith, and composers like John Williams and George Gershwin.  Leading this exceptional cast is Cal Phil’s superstar,  Maestro Vener!

The L.A. Times raved of Ayke Agus: “...exceptionally fluent, graceful and accurate...the sort of apparently easygoing, technically whiz-bang pianist, that other pianists talk about with awe.”  Don’t miss this chance to see her artistry on piano and violin on the same concert!

August 23 , 2008
BEETHOVEN, BERNSTEIN & BOLERO

the world's most passionate music

Prepare to be seduced! After all, whose pulse doesn’t pound and heart leap in delight as they hear the opening strains to Beethoven’s immortal Ode to Joy with full orchestra and chorus or Leonard Bernstein’s irresistible West Side Story and Candide? As for Bolero, there’s good reason it earned “shouts and cheers from the audience” at its debut in 1929 and has continued to do so forever after…as Cal Phil will once again prove.

Beethoven, Bernstein & Bolero: individually they’re brilliant; together, bedazzling…

L.A. Opera Artist Cedric Berry’s voice and stage presence are beyond compare.  Plácido Domingo notes that Suzanna Guzmán is “an excellent singer and actress and personality...”  Khori Dastoor’s debut as Lucia di Lamermoor was “...the stuff of art.” according to Opera News.  Tenor Kalil Wilson is a 2008 Metropolitan Opera National Audition Finalist—come hear why!

September 6, 2008
GOTTA DANCE

feel the beat

The Glenn Miller Orchestra is not the only orchestra you’ll want to dance to!

 Just try and stay seated as Cal Phil presents an eclectic medley of works inspired by the world of dance, ranging from perennial favorites from the classical music repertoire to Top Ten hits.

Wear comfortable shoes: we’ll have you up and waltzing, jitterbugging and doing the twist like a pro before you know it!