Tag Archives: Hollywood Bowl

Bowled Over – Celebrating 25 Years With the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra

by Linda A. Rapka

In July of 1991, after a three-decade hiatus, the notion to revive an orchestra from the obscurity of distant memory became reality with a string of Independence Day concerts at the Hollywood Bowl. Rebranded in both name and impetus, the new Hollywood Bowl Orchestra made its debut under the leadership of LA Philharmonic Association executive vice president/managing director Ernest Fleischmann and the newly appointed principal conductor, John Mauceri. A quarter century later, HBO stands as a pioneer in the orchestral world and continues to deliver an eclectic repertoire as diverse as Hollywood itself. Continue reading

The Simpsons Take the Bowl

Photo by Matthew Imaging

Photo by Matthew Imaging

by Linda A. Rapka

The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra performs under the baton of Homer Simpson (aka Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins). Photo by Matthew Imaging.

The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra performs under the baton of Homer Simpson (aka Principal Conductor Thomas Wilkins). Photo by Matthew Imaging

Springfield descended upon the Hollywood Bowl last month during an unprecedented three-day concert extravaganza celebrating the music of “The Simpsons.”

Preceding the show’s milestone 26th season, “The Simpsons Take the Bowl” premiered Friday, Sept. 12, and continued through the warm summer weekend. Guests filtering into the venue were greeted by “Simpsons” visuals throughout: ribbons of giant pink donuts cascading overhead; a jumbo blowup of Blinky, Springfield’s infamous three-eyed nuclear fish; the Duff Beer blimp (in balloon form) hovering over the amphitheater; and of course, “Simpsons” characters in full costume, greeting and taking pictures with excited guests of all ages. Continue reading