Dorothy Chandler Pavilion facts for kids
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 Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Location in California
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Location in the United States
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| Location | 135 North Grand Avenue Los Angeles, California |
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| Coordinates | 34°3′23″N 118°14′55″W / 34.05639°N 118.24861°W |
| Public transit |  Civic Ctr Grand Av |
| Owner | Los Angeles Music Center |
| Type | Performing arts center |
| Seating type | Reserved |
| Capacity | 3,156 |
| Construction | |
| Built | 1962–1964 |
| Opened | September 27, 1964 |
| Architect | Welton Becket & Associates |
| Main contractors | Peter Kiewit & Sons |
| Tenants | |
| Los Angeles Opera Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center |
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| Website | |
| [Official website: http://www.musiccenter.org/about/OUR-VENUES/Our-Theatres--Concert-Halls/#Dorothy%20Chandler%20Pavilion] | |
The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion is a famous building in Los Angeles, California. It's part of the Los Angeles Music Center, which is one of the biggest performing arts centers in the United States. Other parts of the Music Center include the Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre, and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and Los Angeles Master Chorale used to perform here. But in 2003, they moved to the new Disney Hall nearby. Today, the Pavilion is home to the Los Angeles Opera and hosts many dance performances.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held its yearly Academy Awards (the Oscars!) at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion many times. This happened from 1969 to 1987, and then again in 1990, 1992-1994, 1996, and 1999.
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History of the Pavilion
The Pavilion has 3,156 seats spread across four levels. It features beautiful chandeliers, wide curving stairways, and rich decorations. The seating areas include the Orchestra, Circle, Loge, and Balcony sections.
Building the Pavilion
Construction of the Pavilion began on March 9, 1962. It officially opened on September 27, 1964. The building was named after Dorothy Buffum Chandler. She worked very hard to create a proper home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and to improve the performing arts in Los Angeles. Her efforts led to the creation of the Music Center. She raised over $19 million in private donations for the project.
The building was designed by architect Welton Becket. His firm used a "total design" approach. This meant they managed everything from the building's design to its construction, and even the inside decorations. This ensured everything looked and felt connected. The main builder was Peter Kiewit & Sons (now Kiewit Corporation).
First Performances and Events
The very first concert at the Pavilion was on December 6, 1964. Zubin Mehta conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic, with famous violinist Jascha Heifetz as a soloist. The program included works by Richard Strauss, William Schuman, Ottorino Respighi, and Beethoven.
The Los Angeles Master Chorale was also one of the first groups to perform regularly at the Pavilion. Before the Los Angeles Opera company was formed, the New York City Opera often toured and performed here. For example, in 1967, they performed operas like Madama Butterfly and La Traviata.
On December 16, 1970, the hall hosted a huge 12-hour Beethoven Marathon. This event celebrated Beethoven's 200th birthday. Tickets cost only $1, and the concert ended after midnight with Beethoven's 9th Symphony.
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Acoustics and Sound
When the Los Angeles Philharmonic played at the Pavilion, the sound quality was sometimes debated. Some people felt the orchestra sounded too loud in certain spots, while others thought it was muffled. However, many praised how intimate the hall felt, even with over 3,000 seats. This allowed the orchestra to play with great emotion without sounding too harsh. The main acoustician, Abe Meltzer, explained in 1986 that the challenge was that the Pavilion was built for many types of performances, not just orchestral concerts.
The Pavilion in Pop Culture
The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion has appeared in popular culture. It is featured in the 2008 video game Midnight Club: Los Angeles. It was also used as a filming location for an artistic perfume advertisement directed by Spike Jonze. Interestingly, Nick Hexum, the lead singer of the band 311, once worked as a waiter at this venue. He even mentioned it in one of their songs!
Annual Holiday Celebration
Since 1964, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion has hosted a special Christmas Eve tradition. It's a free Holiday Celebration funded by Los Angeles County. This event features music and dance groups from all over Los Angeles County.
It used to be a six-hour show, but due to budget cuts, it's now three hours long. Performers usually do two or three musical numbers each. Because so many people want to attend, audience members often arrive hours early. They receive colored wristbands to get in. The performances now run from 3 PM to 6 PM Pacific Time, with no breaks. The shows are also broadcast on the PBS SoCal public television station. A shorter version of the show has been broadcast on PBS since 2002.
See also
In Spanish: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion para niños
- List of opera houses
- Bridges Auditorium
- Shrine Auditorium
