CalPhil protestors lash out

Dozens of picketers stood along Baldwin Avenue at the entrance of the Arboretum Saturday morning just before a 10:15 press conference called by the California Philharmonic Orchestra to vent their shock, frustration, and anger at the Los Angeles County Arboretum‘s announcement late Wednesday that this will be the last season CalPhil will be the featured orchestra at the Arboretum’s summer Festival on the Green outdoor orchestral performances.

(Story continues following the 6 1/2-min. of video highlights of picketing and one-hour press conference below).

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The Arboretum has announced that it has entered into negotiations with the Pasadena Symphony Association and Pops to establish a contract to present summer concerts beginning in 2012. Details have not been worked out but Arboretum CEO Richard Schulhof told ArcadiasBest.com today that the move is strictly a business decision that is part of a broader strategic effort by the Arboretum to widen and diversify the offerings at the Arboretum to attract more visitors and more revenue. The Arboretum recently canceled its longstanding and popular L.A. Garden Show because revenue didn’t justify the enormous amount of resources and funding required to mount the event. This weekend the Arboretum is hosting a first-time Wild West Days to focus attention on the historical aspects of the Arboretum. Schulhof said he is considering adding Shakespeare In The Park/Under the Stars performances as well as music events that would appeal to Asian and Hispanic audiences.

But Andre Vener, board member and former CEO of CalPhil, and Robert W. Miller, founding chairman, said there was no logical reason that CalPhil could not have delivered anything any more than the Pasadena Symphony could offer, except the extremely high-profile name of celebrity Pops conductor Marvin Hamlisch.

CalPhil conductor Victor Vener has his own following, particularly locally, with the six summer concerts typically sold out, drawing about 300,000 people in the 14-years since Vener and CalPhil created the summer concerts in Arcadia. About 40% of the audiences are Arcadians, Vener said in noting his concern and loyalty to the city. In fact, CalPhil moved its headquarters earlier this year from San Marino to an office at Westfield Santa Anita‘s Promenade, where CalPhil was featured at the opening of the Promenade a couple years ago. The Arcadia Chamber of Commerce has scheduled a welcome mixer at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at the new CalPhil office on the Promenade. Westfield is one of the primary sponsors and supporters of CalPhil. Andre Vener said CalPhil has not been in contact with Westfield about the situation yet.

Victor Vener said he was particularly concerned about the impact this would have on Arcadians and on local musicians. Andre Vener said CalPhil is investigating options and hopes to talk with Los Angeles County officials such as County Supervisor Michael Antonovich and director Russ Guiney. But no legal action such as a lawsuit is being contemplated at this time.

Schulhof emphasized that he had nothing but respect for CalPhil and all that they have done at the Arboretum and that he looks forward to another great summer season with the CalPhil Festival On the Green concerts starting in June.

— By Scott Hettrick