CalPhil moves to Santa Anita

On the opening weekend of its final season of summer concerts at the Arboretum, the Arcadia’s own California Philharmonic announced that the orchestra will move across the street to Santa Anita Park next year.

The horse race track will serve as the new home for the Festival on the Green summer concert series beginning next year. The 2012 season will kick off on June 30, 2012 and will continue every other Saturday – July 14, 2012, July 28, 2012, August 11, 2012, August 25, 2012 – for a total of five concerts. Details will be announced before this summer’s second concert at the Arboretum in two weeks.

The announcement comes just two months after the Arboretum Foundation announced that it was ending its long-running partnership with CalPhil to pursue a new agreement with the Pasadena Symphony Association and Pops to perform summer concerts at the Arboretum. CalPhil recently moved to new headquarters at Westfield Santa Anita in Arcadia.

“Santa Anita Park is thrilled to announce its new association with Cal Phil and all of the exciting things that we have in store for concert-goers beginning next summer,” said George Haines, President of Santa Anita Park. “We take great pride in providing the Southland with the finest entertainment, and are pleased to not only offer first class horse racing, but now the best of summer concerts. The California Philharmonic is a front runner among orchestras—what better place for them to perform than at one of the world’s greatest outdoor pleasure grounds.”

With table and lawn seating on the plush green grass of the infield and a world-renown unobstructed view of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Anita Park is the perfect backdrop to the great music performed by the California Philharmonic under the direction of Maestro Victor Vener.

“Cal Phil is honored to call Santa Anita Park its new summer home beginning June 2012,” said Vener, who founded Cal Phil more than 15 years ago. I personally have always been a huge fan of the venue and everything it has to offer, ranging from top tier horseracing to amazing views and atmosphere. The energy at Santa Anita Park is palpable and we are thrilled to share the 2012 Festival on the Green concert series with our longtime followers as well as an ever-expanding new audience.”

Among its many distinctions, Santa Anita Park has ample and convenient onsite parking to accommodate every attendee, plentiful permanent restrooms and four full bars offering not only beer and wine but premium spirits. There will also be live video of the performance on jumbo video screens, allowing music lovers to witness the intricacy and wonder of music making, whether they are seated at a table or lounging on the lawn.

The unique space also features corporate BBQ pits for pre-party festivities and pre-concert family-friendly activities that include pony rides, a musical instrument petting zoo and playground for the kids.

Attendees will still be able to bring their own picnic and wine as many do at the Arboretum concerts, but others will have the option of purchasing a wide range of delicious dishes prepared by Santa Anita’s award-winning chefs.

Continuing Cal Phil’s Festival on the Green tradition, there will also be live jazz music pre-concert and a new post-concert. The live music will continue into the evening during the public after-party where concert-goers will have the opportunity to speak with the Maestro and featured performers.

— By Scott Hettrick