With just two weeks to go before opening night on June 30, a crane and workers were finalizing positioning of the Hollywood Bowl-type structure Thursday (June 14) on a newly-installed concrete slab on the grass of the infield just inside turn three of Santa Anita Park race track. Crowds that have enjoyed The California Philharmonic‘s annual summertime Festival on the Green concerts in Arcadia for more than a decade across the street from their new home, will now be seated facing mostly west and a little north to see the stage. Behind the table seating in the sunken area of the infield, there will be rows of benches set up, followed by lawn seating as the area rises back up to the same level as the rest of the infield just west of the playground area.
(Free tickets sold out — congrats to all 50 winning entries.)
"Mezzanine" area on concrete south of lawn
A new “mezzanine” area has been created on a concrete area on the south side of the lawn, with a tall wall being lowered to allow optimum viewing.
Attendees will find plenty of amenities to keep them entertained and nourished during the hours of 5:30 p.m. until the programs begin at 8 p.m., including everything from gourmet food, a BBQ pit, and pony rides to chair massages and a musical instrument petting zoo. A live jazz band will play to select attendees in a special area after the main show.
Members of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce who purchase the new All Access Pass can use it to get a $50 gift certificate to any CalPhil concert.
— By Scott Hettrick
<Official announcement below. Click here for full gallery of photos at Arcadia Chamber of Commerce web site showing work on new CalPhil facility.>
With an opening night worthy of a world-class orchestra, the incomparable Maestro Victor Vener and phenomenal special guests three time Grammy nominated powerhouse Vanessa Carlton and the revered USC Marching Band, Cal Phil’s highly-anticipated 2012 Festival on the Green at Santa Anita Race Track concert series, presented by Westfield Santa Anita, kicks off with a bang on June 30, 2012 at what is destined to become Southern California’s premiere outdoor concert venue.
The concert starts at 8:00pm but the experience begins when gates open at 5:30pm! Pre-concert family friendly activities include:
· Pony rides · Musical instrument petting zoo · Playground · Chair massages · Live jazz · Jumbo Video Screens · Gourmet food options · Full bars · Plentiful parking · Permanent restrooms
The festival-like atmosphere and one-of-a-kind concerts performed by Cal Phil take place on the renovated infield (not in the grandstands) and surrounded by the area’s best unobstructed view of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains. Seating options on the infield include tables, benches with backs and a lush area for people who prefer to relax on the grass. There is also mezzanine seating and a corporate BBQ pit area.
Sunday matinee performances will continue at the incomparable Walt Disney Concert Hall, known for its acoustic superiority. Performances begin at 2:00pm with a complimentary with ticket price pre-concert Talk with The Maestro at 1:00pm.
The 2012 Cal Phil Festival on the Green at Santa Anita Race Track and Cal Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall schedules are as follows:
Let The Festival Begin! Saturday – June 30, 2012 Sunday – July 1, 2012
Kicking off the first concert of its 16th season with a bang, the world class orchestra is joined by the platinum selling USC Trojan Marching Band, The Spirit of Troy. But that’s only the beginning…because it’s an extra-Ordinary Day when A Thousand Miles pop sensation and three time Grammy nominated singer/songwriter Vanessa Carlton also performs alongside the orchestra. Cal Phil will also captivate the audience with such classical masterpieces as Copland’s Rodeo and Respighi’s Pines of Rome.
The Association Saturday –July 14, 2012 Sunday – July 15, 2012
The Association, the original world renowned band that brought us such classic hits as “Cherish,” “Windy,” and “Never My Love,” joins Cal Phil and its esteemed Maestro Victor Vener for the second concert of the summer season. Audiences of all ages will revel in this rare opportunity to rock with one of the greatest bands to come out of the ‘60’s along with one of the Southland’s most acclaimed orchestra’s of today. This one-of-a-kind concert also the features the heralded orchestra performing such revolutionary classical masterpieces as Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz and Don Juan by Strauss.
Center Stage Saturday – July 28, 2012 Sunday – July 29, 2012
Joining Cal Phil and Maestro Victor Vener center stage during the third concert of the 2012 season are the multi-talented Kristi Holden from Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular and David Burnham who recently starred in Wicked on Broadway. Cal Phil concert goers will be transported by beautiful voices backed by beloved music from such renowned musicals as Phantom of the Opera, King & I, Carousel and Sweeny Todd. Also on the bill, world renowned touring piano virtuoso Gayle Martin Henry, the sole American laureate of the sixth International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in Moscow, performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.
Carmen on Broadway Saturday – August 11, 2012 Sunday – August 12, 2012
Carmen on Broadway is Cal Phil’s effusive nod to some of the greatest musicals in history including Carmen, West Side Story, Man of La Mancha, Beauty & The Beast, Lion King and Les Miz. Hitting every note during this thrilling and entertaining concert are world renowned powerful featured guests including Bass Baritone Cedric Berry and opera stars Sandra Rubalcava and Christopher Bengochea. Also performing during this fourth concert of the season is 2010 Cal Phil Young Artist Award Winner Emily Dyer and the phenomenal Cal Phil Chorale under the direction Maestra Marya Basaraba.
Beethoven and John Williams Saturday –August 25, 2012 Sunday – August 26, 2012
The Cal Phil season finale features music from two legendary composers who have left their undeniable stamp on the world of music, Beethoven, arguably the greatest classical composer of all time and John Williams, revered composer of more than 100 feature films. Spectacular music on the bill includes Beethoven: Ode to Joy from Symphony No. 9 and popular scores from Star Wars, Superman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saving Private Ryan and Amistad. The world class orchestra and Cal Phil Chorale are joined by a highly talented quartet of up and coming young talent Emily Dyer, Danielle Bond, Ashley Faatoalia and Ben Lowe, this year’s Cal Phil Young Artist Award recipients.
To purchase tickets for Festival on the Green at Santa Anita Race Track, call 626.300.8200 or visit www.calphil.org.
Tickets for Walt Disney Concert Hall are available for purchase through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.