Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Civic Leadership, Dodger Stadium, Dorothy Chandler, Grace Simons, LA Convention Center, LA Music Center, LA Philharmonic, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Music Center, Recreation and Parks, Uncategorized, urban renewal

Alta Live interview: “Three Groundbreaking L.A. Women You Don’t Know but Should”

In honor of women's history month, Beth Spotswood interviewed me for Alta Live about "Three Groundbreaking L.A. Women You Don't Know but Should." In the interview, I discuss trailblazers Miriam Matthews, Dorothy Chandler, and Grace Simons. You can read Jessica Blough's summary and watch my interview with Beth Spotswood on the Alta website. Are there … Continue reading Alta Live interview: “Three Groundbreaking L.A. Women You Don’t Know but Should”

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, Civic Leadership, Committee of 25, Dorothy Chandler, LA Music Center, LA Philharmonic, LA Politics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Uncategorized, urban renewal

The L.A. Music Center Turns 50!

 The Music Center is…both highly accessible and highly visible, giving Los Angeles a new visual axis….the center is recognized as a milestone in the city’s cultural aspirations….[making the city] a new center of culture that has passed Chicago and is getting ready to challenge New York. [1]  - Time Magazine, 1964 Los Angeles…is a center of … Continue reading The L.A. Music Center Turns 50!

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Bunker Hill, Civic Leadership, Committee of 25, Dorothy Chandler, LA Music Center, LA Philharmonic, LA Politics, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Uncategorized

Castro, Kennedy, and Chandler – How the Cuban Missile Crisis stole L.A.’s Big Moment

The L.A. Music Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary this season with a number of commemorative events--including a rededication ceremony on October 1st to "celebrate the transformative role of the performing arts center in Los Angeles." [1] So what does this have to do with the Cuban Missile Crisis? Few people, if any, know that President Kennedy … Continue reading Castro, Kennedy, and Chandler – How the Cuban Missile Crisis stole L.A.’s Big Moment

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Civic Leadership, Dorothy Chandler, Hollywood Bowl, LA Music Center, LA Philharmonic, Los Angeles, Los Angeles Times, Uncategorized

‘Where Summer Plays’…

Nothing says summer in Los Angeles like the Hollywood Bowl. As the most recent advertising campaign puts it, it is "where summer plays." As the summer--and the 2014 Bowl season--draw to a close, I thought it fitting to feature one of the most entertaining finds from the Music Center archives. This photograph shows Hollywood Bowl savior … Continue reading ‘Where Summer Plays’…

Andrea Thabet, Ph.D. Dorothy Chandler, LA Music Center, LA Philharmonic, Los Angeles, Uncategorized, urban renewal

Beyond the Archives

This past week, I had lunch with a friend of a friend who is currently President of the Symphonians, a volunteer docent organization affiliated with the L.A. Music Center. Their primary responsibility is to give free tours of all four Music Center venues--the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theater, the Mark Taper Forum, and the Walt … Continue reading Beyond the Archives