Los Angeles Music Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Music Center |
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The Walt Disney Concert Hall, with the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to the right
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| Background | |
| Location: | 135 North Grand Avenue Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Visitors: | 1.3 million per year |
| Established: | 1964 |
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| Venues |
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| Also Called: | The Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County |
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| Public transit: |  Civic Ctr Grand Av |
The Los Angeles Music Center is one of the biggest places for live shows, like music and plays, in the United States. It's located in downtown Los Angeles and is made up of several amazing buildings. These include the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and the famous Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Every year, more than 1.3 million people visit the Music Center. They come to see performances by four world-famous groups that call this place home: the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra, the Los Angeles Opera, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, and the Center Theatre Group. The center also hosts dance shows, outdoor concerts, art festivals, and fun workshops for everyone.
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History of the Music Center
A Dream for Music
Back in 1955, a woman named Dorothy Chandler had a big idea. She wanted to build a special home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra. She worked hard to raise money, and people donated almost $20 million. The county of Los Angeles provided the land for the new center.
The first building, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, opened on December 6, 1964. On its opening night, the L.A. Philharmonic performed, led by the young conductor Zubin Mehta. The rest of the center was finished in 1967, with the opening of the Mark Taper Forum and the Ahmanson Theatre.
Famous Shows and Stars
From the very beginning, the Music Center was a place for exciting and important performances. The Mark Taper Forum opened with a play called The Devils, which was considered very bold at the time. The Ahmanson Theatre opened with the musical Man of La Mancha. It quickly became known for featuring famous actors like Ingrid Bergman and Katharine Hepburn in major plays.
Over the years, the Music Center has been the stage for many world premieres of plays that later became famous, such as Zoot Suit and Angels in America. In 1986, the Los Angeles Opera was formed and has put on incredible shows, including one designed by the famous artist David Hockney.
Every Christmas Eve, the Music Center hosts the L.A. County Holiday Celebration. This is a free event with music and dance that is broadcast on TV for everyone to enjoy.
Adding the Walt Disney Concert Hall
On October 23, 2003, a stunning new building opened: the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Designed by the architect Frank Gehry, its shiny, curved metal walls make it one of the most recognizable buildings in Los Angeles. This 2,265-seat hall is now the main home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
The concert hall building also includes a smaller theater called the Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater (REDCAT) and outdoor amphitheaters for smaller shows.
A New Look for the Plaza
In 2018, the main plaza outside the buildings got a $40 million makeover. The renovation made the space much larger, so now it can hold up to 5,000 people for outdoor events and concerts.
The Performance Venues
The Music Center has several different theaters and halls, each with its own unique size and style.
- Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: 3,197 seats
- Mark Taper Forum: 739 seats
- Ahmanson Theatre: 1,600 to 2,007 seats
- Walt Disney Concert Hall: 2,265 seats
- Roy & Edna Disney CalArts Theatre (REDCAT): 266 seats
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Ahmanson Theatre
Art in the Plaza
When you visit the Music Center, you can also see some amazing public art.
Peace on Earth is a huge bronze sculpture created by Jacques Lipchitz in 1969. It shows a dove, a symbol of peace, flying down to Earth. Inside a tear-drop shape, a mother figure stands over lambs. The artist created this sculpture after escaping the Nazis in Paris during World War II. It represents hope for peace in the world.
Another sculpture, called Dance Door, was added in 1982. Made by Robert Graham, it looks like a bronze door that is always open. The door is covered with small figures of dancers.
Programs for Everyone
Education and Family Fun
The Music Center offers many programs for students and families. Since 1979, it has reached millions of young people. It hosts events like the "Blue Ribbon Children's Festival" and the "Very Special Arts Festival" to bring the arts to kids of all ages and abilities.
Getting Involved with Active Arts
The "Active Arts" program invites everyone to join in the fun. These events are often free or low-cost. You can learn new dance moves at "Dance Downtown," play drums at "Drum Downtown," or sing with a large group at the "Friday Night Sing-Along." The goal is to let people enjoy making art together.
World-Class Dance
The Music Center is also a top place to see dance. The series Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center brings the best dance companies from around the world to Los Angeles. Audiences have seen famous groups like the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Photos from the Historic American Buildings Survey
See also
In Spanish: Centro de Música de Los Ángeles para niños
