LA Phil: Calendar Alert for July 2 - July 15

July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular with Earth, Wind & Fire Hollywood Bowl Wednesday, July 2 at 7:30PM Thursday, July 3 at 7:30PM Friday, July 4 at 7:30PM

Earth, Wind & Fire   Los Angeles Philharmonic   Thomas Wilkins, conductor   Earth, Wind & Fire fold a message of peace and love into their funky, soulful jams. The party-starting Rock & Roll Hall of Famers have won Grammys—including the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award—and have become a music institution thanks to hits like “September” and “Shining Star,” and have influenced new generations of musicians. Together with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conductor Thomas Wilkins, and a sky full of fireworks, Earth, Wind & Fire make it a huge July Fourth at the Bowl.

Jaws in Concert with the LA Phil Hollywood Bowl Saturday, July 5 at 7:30PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic  David Newman, conductor   The original summer movie blockbuster, with an Academy Award-winning score by composer John Williams, Jaws is an unforgettable film-with-live-orchestra experience!    Directed by Academy Award winner Steven Spielberg, Jaws set the standard for edge-of-your-seat suspense, quickly becoming a cultural phenomenon and forever changing the movie industry. When the seaside community of Amity finds itself under attack by a dangerous great white shark, the town’s chief of police, a young marine biologist, and a grizzled shark hunter embark on a desperate quest to destroy the beast before it strikes again. Featuring an unforgettable score that evokes pure terror, Jaws remains one of the most influential and gripping adventures in motion picture history.    Now for the first time, audiences will have the chance to experience the power of a live symphony orchestra performing the entire score in sync with one of the greatest motion pictures of all time. In the words of Chief Brody, “You’re gonna need a bigger boat!”  Jaws is a trademark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

John Fogerty Hollywood Bowl Sunday, July 6 at 7PM

John Fogerty The iconic singer-songwriter behind some of the most memorable songs ever recorded, including “Proud Mary,” “Fortunate Son” and “Born on the Bayou,” celebrates his momentous career. Featuring a collection of his legendary Creedence Clearwater Revival songs, in addition to other fan favorites, it’s a night of blues, country, pop, rockabilly, R&B, swamp boogie and Southern fried rock ’n’ roll with an American treasure.

Prokofiev's Fifth Hollywood Bowl Tuesday, July 8 at 8PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic  Thomas Søndergård, conductor  Kirill Gerstein, piano  After being evacuated to an artists’ retreat during the height of World War II, Prokofiev dove deep into writing what would become his most popular symphony. The Fifth is rich and expansive, and in the composer’s words, “[sings] the praises of the free and happy human being—of such a person’s strength, generosity and purity of soul.”    Søndergård kicks the night off with Coleridge-Taylor’s suave Ballade alongside a stellar performance of Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini with Kirill Gerstein, the pianist who embodies “the kind of serious, intelligent, and virtuosic music-making that keeps classical music alive” (The Observer).

Classical Pride Hollywood Bowl Thursday, July 10 at 8PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic  Oliver Zeffman, conductor  Pumeza Matshikiza, vocalist  Jamie Barton, vocalist  Anthony Roth Costanzo, vocalist  Thorgy Thor, violin  Oliver Zeffman’s Classical Pride series honors musicians “not only for their artistic brilliance but also for their queerness,” and now the celebrated event comes from London to the Hollywood Bowl. Bookended by the exuberant excess of Bernstein’s Candide overture and Tchaikovsky’s tragic and yearning ode to Dante’s Francesca—two composers who could not fully embrace their identity in their own time—the night is highlighted by a wide range of top musical talent in the LGBTQ+ community.    Zeffman leads the LA Phil through the otherworldly and rich orchestral textures of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral. Three celebrated vocalists give the premiere of Good Morning, Beauty, a song cycle featuring music by Jake Heggie and lyrics by Taylor Mac. After intermission, violinist and drag performance artist Thorgy Thor of RuPaul’s Drag Race fame takes the stage for her spirited blend of comedy and music.  This performance is generously supported by R. Martin Chavez and the Kohl Virtuoso Violin Fund

Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences presents Bugs Bunny at the Symphony Celebrating Bugs Bunny’s 85th Anniversary! Hollywood Bowl Friday, July 11 at 8PM Saturday, July 12 at 8PM

Hollywood Bowl Orchestra  George Daugherty, conductor  Created by George Daugherty and David Ka Lik Wong  Bugs Bunny at the Symphony returns to the Bowl, celebrating Bugs Bunny’s 85th—and this cherished concert’s 35th—anniversaries! Iconic Looney Tunes moments will delight audiences of all ages as over a dozen beloved animated shorts are projected on the big screens while the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra plays the original scores live. With new additions and surprises added to the Bowl festivities, it’s the ultimate version of this critically acclaimed concert!    LOONEY TUNES and all related characters and elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. (s25) This performance is generously supported by Canon Insurance Service.

The Cinematic Scores of Alexandre Desplat Hollywood Bowl Tuesday, July 15 at 8PM

Los Angeles Philharmonic  Alexandre Desplat, conductor After scoring 50 European films with legendary French directors including Philippe de Broca, Francis Girod or Jacques Audiard, Alexandre Desplat burst onto the Hollywood scene with his evocative score for Girl with a Pearl Earring in 2003. And over the last two decades, he’s become one of the most prolific film composers in the industry, having created the enticing sound worlds for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and The Shape of Water, among countless other blockbusters.    A close collaborator of Wes Anderson, Desplat’s delightfully mischievous scores for Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Grand Budapest Hotel and The French Dispatch continuously spark joy and delight among music and movie-lovers worldwide. For the first time at the Hollywood Bowl, Desplat leads a program of his most acclaimed and beloved music for one night only.    This performance will be without visuals.