LA County's Music Center Marks 50th Anniversary
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Some of most celebrated performers in entertainment joined Los Angeles County officials Wednesday to kick off the 50th anniversary celebration of The Music Center with fireworks and fanfare.
KNX 1070's Claudia Peschiutta reports the event featured appearances by actress Vanessa Williams and Dale Kristien of "Phantom of the Opera".
LA County's 'Music Center' Marks 50th Anniversary
Members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors including Gloria Molina, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Zev Yaroslavsky, Don Knabe and Michael Antonovich were also among those on hand at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in downtown L.A. to recreate the original civic dedication of The Music Center, which was held on September 27, 1964.
The Board of Supervisors is credited with pioneering the public-private arrangement that provided the foundation for The Music Center, which is comprised of four iconic theaters and four renowned resident companies: Center Theatre Group, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the LA Opera and the LA Philharmonic.
An open house set to be held next week will give the public a behind-the-scenes peek into all four Music Center venues, a showcase of signature programming and a full day of arts experiences at both The Music Center and in Grand Park.
The celebration will culminate in December with what's being billed as "unprecedented" performances by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Center Theatre Group, LA Opera, LA Dance Project and a special simulcast performance by the LA Phil marking exactly 50 years after the Dorothy Chandler held its first concert.
Music Center president and CEO Steven Roundtree said the venue is more than simply a place of entertainment.
"As The Music Center enters its next 50 years, it will continue to strive to inspire young people, to attract new audiences, and to instill in the residents of Los Angeles County the understanding that The Music Center is their cultural home," said Roundtree.
An estimated two million people visit The Music Center each year to enjoy live performances as well as free arts events at its campus and at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles, according to officials.
For more info on The Center's 50th anniversary celebration, click here.
