The Hollywood Bowl Summer Season Is Under Way with Incredible Acts Like Harry Connick Jr. and Patti LaBelle Delighting Audiences

I’ve never been to New Orleans, but Harry Connick Jr. took me there by way of the Hollywood Bowl. The Louisiana native played 3 packed shows over the 4^th of July week at the famed venue. Connick brought southern soul to the SoCal stage and had audiences celebrating America’s independence in style. Connick and his band, who were backed by the LA Philharmonic, who also opened the show featuring some amazing Americana songs, delighted audiences with nostalgic songs, great beats and funny stories. The crooner has been entertaining audiences for years and it’s obvious he knows how to work a crowd, as did his instrumental counterparts. While the LA Philharmonic, led by conductor Thomas Wilkins did a wonderful tribute to our nation’s military branches to start the show, they ended it with a round up of some of the best known American celebratory songs, and an incredible fireworks display. The fireworks sparkled over the Hollywood Bowl, with the hills in the background and were perfectly timed to the music. It could not have been a better celebration of the USA!

The Hollywood Bowl is one of the most famous landmarks in Los Angeles, and a well-known music venue around the world. It’s made a name for itself not only for its beautiful art deco bandshell, nestled among the Hollywood hills, with intimate box seating, but also for the legends who have graced its stage for decades, and the incredible sound the unique setting produces. The Bowl first opened in 1922 and has hosted everyone from Billie Holiday to The Beatles. It’s a bucket list destination for southern California as well as visitors from all over the world. There is truly nothing quite like a show at the Hollywood Bowl – the music just hits differently sitting among the stars (both from screen and in the sky) listening to legendary tunes played by incredible musicians.

Rounding out the 4^th of July holiday weekend, Patti LaBelle took to the stage. Looking chic in her bedazzled ensembles (and many shoe changes, plus a stint barefoot), the singer told fans in attendance, “We’ve all got one life to live, make it fun. I’m 80 years young and I’m still making it fun.” And that was evident in her soulful performance and the high notes she hit. Her band and the orchestra backing her rocked out to each song, as did the audience clapping along.  Labelle’s opening act was well known A cappella group, Straight No Chaser. They showed the audience their incredible range singing a number of songs using their own voices as both the instrumental parts and the vocal parts. The amount of talented people in Hollywood is almost endless, and the Hollywood Bowl is a special place fans can watch them shine and share their beautiful gifts!

For more information on the Hollywood Bowl and to purchase tickets, visit HollywoodBowl.com.