Café Tcvba to Perform During This Year’s Hollywood Bowl Summer Season

Café Tcvba is bowled over…

The Mexican Latin Grammy-winning band will be taking the stage as part of the official 2023 Hollywood Bowl Summer Season.

Café TcvbaThe legendary band will reprise their electrifying collaboration with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, showcasing the catalog that led The New York Times to call them “the greatest rock band in Mexico” and “possibly even the world.”

Café Tcvba will perform on Friday, July 21 and Saturday, July 22.

Janet Jackson will open the official summer season with a performance of her Together Again Tour on June 10.

In addition to Café Tcvba and Jackson, the season will include dates from Jill Scott, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, The Beach Boys, Kool & The Gang, Sparks, Café Tcvba, Portugal. The Man, Maggie Rogers, Louis Tomlinson and more.

Prior to the summer season, the Bowl will also see shows fromReba McEntirePhishAndrea Bocelli, Shania Twain and a special celebration for Willie Nelson’s 90th birthday.

The LA Phil has announced concerts and events running through September 24 with additional artists including Jacob CollierBuddy GuyAir SupplyCulture ClubHerbie HancockMy Morning Jacket and Gladys Knight.

“As we look to the next hundred years at the Hollywood Bowl, I am honored and excited to share a season which, to me, speaks of a beautiful future ahead,” says LA Phil music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel in a release. “From timeless music by Mendelssohn, de Falla and Verdi, to modern-day classics by John Williams and Duke Ellington, to the soul-filling sounds of our Pan-American Music Initiative, to the singular energy of Café Tacvba, each of these programs takes us on the kind of magic journey that can only begin at the Bowl.”

The Bowl will also feature several films in concert including Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 2Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and 2001: A Space Odyssey. There will also be a sing-a-long for Sound of Music and Walt Disney Animation Studios: The Concert that will showcase the music and animation of Disney over the past century including highlights from Snow White to Encanto.

The famed Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival will take place June 17-18 with Kamasi Washington, Leon Bridges, St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Digable Planets, The Soul Rebels with Big Freedia, Samara Joy, West Coast Get Down and more.

Dudamel will also conduct the LA Phil in Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and, alongside famed Hollywood movie composer John Williams, will share the podium for three special evenings of Maestro of the Movies: John Williams with the LA Phil including a selection of films clips on the big screens.

The LA Phil is also partnering with KCRW to present genre-spanning concerts: Reggae Nights XXI featuring Beres Hammond and Steel Pulse, Portugal. The Man with Chicano Batman and Say She She, Maggie Rogers with Alvvays, Los Auténticos Decadentes and more.

“There is no place like the Hollywood Bowl on a summer night, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back for another unforgettable season of music led by the extraordinary vision of Gustavo Dudamel,” said LA Phil chief content and engagement officer Renae Williams Niles.

Check out the full schedule here.

Stephanie Beatriz & Her Fellow Cast Mates Reuniting for “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl”

Stephanie Beatriz is bringing her magical casa to the Hollywood Bowl

The 41-year-old Colombian/Bolivian Argentine actress, model and singer and her fellow Encanto cast mates will take over the Hollywood Bowl for an unforgettable concert spectacular streaming only on Disney+ on Wednesday, December 28.

Stephanie BeatrizAudiences will step into the world of Casa Madrigal as the original cast reunites for Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl featuring Beatriz (as Mirabel), Adassa (as Dolores), Carolina Gaitán (as Pepa), Jessica Darrow (as Luisa), Diane Guerrero (as Isabela), Mauro Castillo (as Félix), Angie Cepeda (as Julieta) and Olga Merediz (as Abuela Alma).

The special will feature other special guests, including legendary Colombian superstars and Latin Grammy winners, Carlos Vives and Andrés Cepeda, and an introduction from Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Encanto at the Hollywood BowlEncanto at the Hollywood Bowl will premiere exclusively on Disney+. The live-to-film concert experience streams at no additional costs to subscribers and will feature an 80-person orchestra, 50 dancers and captivating special effects giving viewers a spectacular, front-row seat to the musical extravaganza celebrating the world, characters and songs of the Oscar-winning animated film.

Those who are already subscribed can begin streaming Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl as soon as it hits the platform.

Disney+ to Release New Original Special “Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl,” Featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda, in December

Lin-Manuel Miranda is preparing for an Enchanting night in Southern California…

Disney+ has announced its new original special Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl, with an introduction by the 42-year-old Tony Award-winning Broadway star, will launch on Wednesday, December 28, on the streamer.

Lin-Manuel MirandaThe two-night concert event will take place at the Hollywood Bowl on November 11 and 12. The special comes from Disney Branded Television and will be produced by Fulwell 73 Productions.

The original voice cast of “Encanto” will reunite at the Bowl, including Stephanie Beatriz (as Mirabel), Adassa (as Dolores), Carolina Gaitán (as Pepa), Jessica Darrow (as Luisa), Diane Guerrero (as Isabela), Mauro Castillo (as Félix), Angie Cepeda (as Julieta) and Olga Merediz (as Abuela Alma).

The event will also feature special guests, including Colombian stars Carlos Vives and Andrés Cepeda. The live-to-film concert experience, including an 80-person orchestra, 50 dancers and special effects, will center on the characters and songs of Disney Animation’s Encanto.

Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl will be directed by Chris Howe and Jamal Sims with production design by Misty Buckley. Sally Wood is Fulwell 73 Productions’ creative showrunner, with Gabe Turner, Emma Conway and Lou Fox serving as executive producers.

The Hollywood Bowl’s visual transformation into the Casita is handled by NorthHouse.

The concert event is produced by Fulwell 73 Productions, Live NationHewitt Silva and Disney Concerts, along with AMP Worldwide.

Conductor Anthony Parnther will lead the full orchestra performing the film’s score and songs live-to-picture, along with the cast and special guest artists performing the film’s songs live. A Colombian band, featuring musicians from the original soundtrack, will accompany the orchestra.

Jhené Aiko to Perform at CNN’s “Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom” Concert

Jhené Aiko is helping celebrate Juneteenth

The 34-year-old part-Spanish and Dominican American Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter will perform as part of CNN’s first-ever Juneteenth: A Global Celebration for Freedom programming, featuring a Hollywood Bowl concert with a lineup of artists.

Jhene AikoThe goal of the program: to inform and educate viewers on the meaning of the new federal holiday.

CNN obtained the rights to the event, from Live Nation Urban and Jesse Collins Entertainment, and the lineup includes Chaka Khan, Khalid, Yolanda Adams, Anthony Hamilton, Billy Porter, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Earth, Wind & Fire, Killer Mike, Lucky Daye, Mary Mary, Aiko, Ne-Yo, Michelle Williams, Mickey Guyton, Robert Glasper and The Roots, among others.

Former First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver taped remarks.

Johnita P. Due, senior vice president and chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer for CNN Worldwide, said in an interview this week that event  “is really one of the most meaningful things that I have been involved in” at the network.

“The thing that makes it special, of course, is that it was only a year ago that the federal government made Juneteenth a national holiday,” she said. “So how many times in history will we have that opportunity to really shape for the country, and for the world, how a holiday is celebrated, and the meaning of a holiday and the importance of a holiday.”

This is the 157th anniversary of Juneteenth, which commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. June 19, 1865 was the date that federal troops arrived in Galveston, TX and informed citizens that slavery had been abolished in the state. The anniversary was commemorated the following year with prayers and singing, and it endured as an annual tradition.

“We really feel that with this event, we are able to not only commemorate the holiday, but we’re able to educate people around the meaning behind it, and also to uplift and inspire people to continue to make a difference and continue in the pursuit if freedom for all,” Due said.

The event also will include The Re-Collective Orchestra, a 68-piece all Black symphony orchestra that will be the first time that an all-Black symphony has performed at the bowl. Adam Blackstone and Questlove will serve as the evening’s musical directors.

Earlier in the evening, Don Lemon will anchor a pre-show highlighting African American advocates and creators.

On Thursday, CNN Business hosted a streamed conversation on advancing Black leadership, with correspondent Stephanie Elam sitting down with Walgreens Boots Alliance CEO Rosalind Brewer. Also appearing were Operations Hope Founder and CEO John Hope Bryant and Collab Capital co-founder Barry Givens.

Due said that CNN staff had been brainstorming ideas for coverage of Juneteenth, and went on a tour with curators at the National Museum of African American History and Culture before they connected with Live Nation Urban. She said that artists will give music and spoken word performances that share their experiences of Black America. Interstitial packages will be woven in with the live performances.

The goal also was to have a diversity of music genres, including rap, R&B, country, soul, hip hop and gospel. Viewers also will be directed to ways they can get engaged in organizations and volunteer activities.

Due said that they “want people to be uplifted and we want people to be motivated.”

“We want people to walk away with a renewed commitment to make a difference in society as it relates to racial and social justice and equity,” she said.

Christina Aguilera to Perform at the Soon-to-Reopen Hollywood Bowl This Summer

Christina Aguilera is preparing to bowl over fans this summer…

The Hollywood Bowl has announced it’s all-star lineup for its first summer season since the pandemic shutdown, which kicks off earlier than previously expected, with the 40-year-old half-Ecuadorian American singer set to perform.

Christina Aguilera

On May 15, conductor Gustavo Dudademal and the LA Philharmonic will be the first to return to the Bowl.

Viola Davis will appear alongside Dudamel and the LA Phil on July 15, on the heels of her Best Actress Oscar nomination for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, serving as the narrator of Sergei Prokofiev’s symphonic fairy tale, Peter and the Wolf.

She’ll be followed, on July 16 and 17, by five-time Grammy winner Aguilera.

Cynthia Erivo, who recently starred as Aretha Franklin in Nat Geo’s Genius: Aretha, is set to appear on July 30, performing tunes by Franklin, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday and others, in addition to selections from her forthcoming debut album.

Meanwhile, recent Oscar winner H.E.R. will perform her first-ever concerts with an orchestra on August 13 and 14.

Over the course of the summer, the Bowl will also present a number of special events, including two Fireworks Spectaculars, on July 3 and 4, in observance of Independence Day. Those shows will feature appearances from disco-funk legends Kool & the Gang.

Other notable events include “The Princess Bride in concert” (July 31), “Sing-A-Long Sound of Music” (August 21), “Black Panther in concert” (September 10-12), and “Maestro of the Movies” (September 3-5). At the latter event, which serves as the Bowl’s annual celebration of film music, John Williams and David Newman will conduct the LA Phil.

Check out the full schedule for the summer by clicking here.

Mariachi Divas Among the Acts Taking Part in Mariachi USA’s First-Ever Digital Festival

Mariachi Divas are among the acts taking their Mariachi USA show online…

For the first time in its 30 years of existence, the Mariachi USA festival is going digital and hosting a free two-hour special event in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, featuring the Grammy-winning all-female mariachi band based in Los Angeles.

Mariachi Divas

The virtual festival will take place on Sunday, October 11.

The festival, founded in 1990 by artist and producer Rodri J. Rodriguez, was held every summer at the iconic Hollywood Bowl, but because of COVID-19, this year’s event will look different.

“To know we weren’t having a show at the Bowl was heartbreaking,” Rodriguez tells Billboard. “We know what this festival means to our musicians, which is exposure, and our now multigenerational audience since we are now entertaining the grandkids and great grandkids of those who have supported us since day one.”

This year’s virtual fest, which will stream on YouTube, will feature mariachi ensembles from all over the U.S., including Mariachi Divas, Mariachi Los ReyesMariachi Lindas Mexicanas and Mariachi Nuevo Tecatitlán, to name a few.

“We still have to take music to the people and I needed to create something that would put a little bit of money in our musician’s pockets because they are hurting,” says Rodriguez.

Sidelined by the global pandemic, the mariachi community, which depends heavily on gigs in order to make an income, has reinvented the serenata. Now, wearing face masks in addition to their traditional charro suit and standing six feet apart from each other is the new norm.

Rodriguez also had to reinvent the festival in order to make it work. “We had to pre-record everyone because mariachi is very unique. It’s not just three or four bandmembers. Some groups have 16 and each state has different COVID-19 regulations,” Rodriguez explains. “Some recorded in backyards, horse ranches and empty theaters. I have been so impressed with how everyone stepped up. It’s exciting and motivating.”

As Hispanic Heritage Month comes to an end, Rodriguez hopes this virtual festival will remind the Latino community that, “there is pride in what we do and what we own. What we own is our heritage and our culture and no one can take that away from us,” she says. “With our concerts we deliver a very specific message and that’s a message of passion and the pride that we all carry within us and that cannot be silenced.”

The first-ever virtual Mariachi USA festival will stream here on Sunday starting at 8:00 pm ET.

Rodrigo y Gabriela Appear in KCET’s Series “In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl”

Rodrigo y Gabriela are ready to bowl you over…

The Mexican acoustic guitar duo, composed of Rodrigo Sánchez and Gabriela Quintero, appear in the premiere of KCET’s six-episode series In Concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

It’s one of the most beautiful venues,” says Quintero of performing at the Hollywood Bowl. “And it’s one of my favorite spots, which is the Hollywood Hills. And nearby is the Observatory. Also it has good acoustics and the audiences there are just so loving. It’s magical every time.”

In January — after around two decades as professional musicians —Rodrigo y Gabriela won their first Grammy award for their album Mettavolution.

“Oh my goodness, this year was going to be a very busy one. We had a full year [of touring] booked,” says co-founder Quintero. Instead — as concert tours around the world were cancelled due to the coronavirus epidemic — the duo have spent the past few months in the Pacific coast Mexican town of Zihuatanejo.

Even though live shows are on hold, Rodrigo y Gabriela can be seen in action in a never-before-televised performance on In Concert at The Hollywood Bowl, which runs on PBS SoCal and which runs through September 23.

Produced in association with The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, the shows are a selection of some of the best performances at the iconic L.A. venue over the last 10 years, all drawn from the L.A. Phil’s archives. The Bowl itself closed this summer for the first time in its 98-year history.

The first episode — hosted, as all in the series are, by L.A. Phil Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel — is titled “Hecho en Mexico” and also features Los Angeles Azules with Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA) and Paolo Bortolameolli, La Santa Cecilia and Natalia Lafourcade.

“Even though we met for the first time at the rehearsal, it felt like he was an old friend,” says Quintero of working with Dudamel. “It felt so familiar. And then working with him, it was incredible to feel his energy and watch him with the Philharmonic. As a human being, he’s a really nice guy and very down to earth.

Upcoming episodes of the weekly series will feature performers like Kristin Chenoweth, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Carlos Santana and ballet star Misty Copeland.

Rubén Blades to Take Part in the Hollywood Bowl’s 2020 ‘Jazz Plus’ Concert Series

Rubén Blades is jazz’edfor a special performance…

The 71-year-old Panamanian singer/songwriter will grace the stage during the Hollywood Bowl’s 2020 Jazz Plus concert series.

Ruben Blades

Blades, a nine-time Grammy winner, will perform with Chick Corea and the Spanish Heart Band and Cuba’s Los Van Van on Wednesday, July 29.

The concert is part of the LA Phil’s Pan-American Music Initiative.

Other acts set to take part in the concert series include Debbie HarryCharlie WilsonHiatus Kaiyote and Sheryl Crow.

The lineup is curated by the LA Phil’s creative chair for jazz Herbie Hancock—who will also headline one of the shows—the series will begin on July 29 and run through September 23.

Here’s the schedule:

July 29 — Chick Corea and the Spanish Heart Band featuring Rubén Blades; Los Van Van. This concert is part of the LA Phil’s Pan-American Music Initiative.
Aug. 5 — Miss Peggy Lee at 100. The Grammy-winning singer/songwriter will be saluted by the legendary Count Basie Orchestra and special guest Debbie Harry.
Aug. 12 — Charlie Wilson
Aug. 19 — John Fogerty; Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Fogerty’s 50-Year Trip Show will include Creedence Clearwater Revival’s 1969 Woodstock set list as well as other fan favorites.
Aug. 26 — Dave Brubeck and Charlie Parker centennial celebrations. The Brubeck tribute will feature the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, David Benoit, Joey DeFrancecso, Bobby Millitello and Lizz Wright. Parker’s will be helmed by John Beasley + Magnus Lindgren featuring MONK’estra with Strings and special guests Tia Fuller, Donald Harrison, Charles McPherson and Chris Potter.
Sept. 9 — Hiatus Kaiyote; additional guest to be announced
Sept. 16 — Sheryl Crow; Lake Street Dive
Sept. 23 — Herbie Hancock; Jamie Cullum

George Lopez Returning as Host of the Playboy Jazz Festival

George Lopezis back at the helm…

The 58-year-old Mexican American comedian/actor will host the Playboy Jazz Festival when it returns to the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on June 6-7.  

It’ll be Lopez’s eighth anniversary as festival host.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association’s first wave of announced performers includes R&B/funk legends the Isley Brothers featuring Ronald and Ernie IsleySt. Paul and the Broken BonesTerri Lyne Carrington and Social ScienceMusiq SoulchildFemi Kuti & the Positive ForceThe Crosscurrents Trio with Dave Holland, Zakir Hussain & Chris PotterBokanté; all-star female jazz group Artemis with Renee RosnesAnat CohenIngrid JensenAllison MillerNoriko Ueda and Nicole GloverCimafunkIncognitoLean on MeJosé James Celebrates Bill WithersAzar Lawrence with the Azar Lawrence Experience and Mr. Sipp “The Mississippi Blues Child.”

The full talent lineup for the 42nd annual Playboy Jazz Festival will be announced on February 18, along with the complete schedule for the Hollywood Bowl’s summer 2020 season. 

Presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic for the seventh straight year, the Playboy Jazz Festival is produced by FestivalWest Inc.

Order forms for Bowl subscription-holders have been released with single tickets going on sale on February 18. 

For more information, visit https://www.hollywoodbowl.com/concerts-and-events/playboy-jazz-festival/.

Luis Miguel Launching 22-City North American ¡México Por Siempre! Tour

Luis Miguel is celebrating his home country in a special way…

The 47-year-old Mexican singer, often referred to as El Sol de México, has announced the North American tour dates for his ¡México Por Siempre! trek.

Luis Miguel

The 22-city run launches on May 4 in San Diego, and is followed by his first-ever headlining performance at the world-famous Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on May 6.

Miguel’s highly-anticipated tour is produced by Live Nation and will stop in other major cities across the U.S. and Canada, including Chicago, Houston, Miami, Toronto and New York, among many more.

¡México Por Siempre! is the title of Miguel’s latest studio album, which earned him his second No. 1 on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Albums chart in December 2017.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday (February 16) at 10:00 am on LiveNation.com.

Here’s the full tour schedule:

DATE                                                  CITY                          VENUE
Friday, May 4, 2018                            San Diego, CA            Mattress Firm Amphitheatre
Sunday, May 6, 2018                          Los Angeles, CA         Hollywood Bowl
Thursday, May 10, 2018                     San Jose, CA*             SAP Center
Friday, May 11, 2018                          Sacramento, CA*        Golden 1 Center
Sunday, May 13, 2018                        Phoenix, AZ                Comerica Theatre
Saturday, May 19, 2018                     Salt Lake City, UT      USANA Amphitheatre
Sunday, May 20, 2018                        Denver, CO                 Pepsi Center
Wednesday, May 23, 2018                 Chicago, IL                  Allstate Arena
Friday, May 25, 2018                          Dallas, TX                   American Airlines Center
Saturday, May 26, 2018                     Laredo, TX                  Laredo Energy Arena
Sunday, May 27, 2018                        Houston, TX                Toyota Center
Wednesday, May 30, 2018                 Orlando, FL                 Amway Center
Friday, June 1, 2018                           Miami, FL                    AmericanAirlines Arena
Tuesday, June 5, 2018                       Washington, DC         The Theatre at MGM National Harbor
Thursday, June 7, 2018                      Toronto, ON                Budweiser Stage
Friday, June 8, 2018                           Montreal, QC              Bell Centre
Saturday, June 9, 2018                      New York, NY             Madison Square Garden
Thursday, August 30, 2018                San Antonio, TX         AT&T Center
Friday, August 31, 2018                     Edinburg, TX               Bert Ogden Arena
Sunday, September 2, 2018               El Paso, TX                 Don Haskins Center
Saturday, September 8, 2018            Anaheim, CA              Honda Center
Sunday, September 9, 2018               Fresno, CA                 Save Mart Center