Celebrate Summer with Music Under the Stars 

One of the best things about summer is enjoying music under the stars! LA’s favorite outdoor venues have announced their summer season, with line-ups ranging from classical programs to pop, rock and cool jazz. Many outdoor concerts are free, such as Grand Performances and The Music Center’s Dance DTLA, not far from Circa. Major museums such as LACMA and The Getty Center are hosting free concerts as well. Come for the concert, stay for the art. So pack a picnic, bring your blanket, and celebrate summer with music under the stars.

Hollywood Bowl outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90068

Since its opening in 1922, the Hollywood Bowl has been the premier destination for live music in Southern California, hosting everyone from Billie Holiday to The Beatles to Yo-Yo Ma under the iconic silhouette of its concentric-arched band shell. The Summer 2023 Season is jam-packed with performances by acclaimed artists, such as John Williams and Dudamel conducting the LA Phil, and special events like the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 Concert, July Fourth Fireworks Spectacular with The Beach Boys, and A Live Presentation of 2001: A Space Odyssey. 


Pasadena City Hall outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Concert Under the Stars Pasadena City Hall 100 Garfield Ave. Pasadena, CA 91101

June 10 Join the Pasadena Symphony & POPS for a free concert under the stars. Sing and dance to the best of Broadway, celebrating the music of Jerry Herman, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Cy Coleman, Stephen Schwartz and more. The concert is performed on the plaza in front of city hall, so bring a lawn chair and/or blanket. Folding chairs may be rented for a small fee. This concert is free to the public, no tickets or reservations required. Gates open for food trucks at 7PM. Concert begins at 8PM.

Michael Feinstein Conductor of Pasadena Pops outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Pasadena Symphony & POPS LA Arboretum 301 N Baldwin Ave. Arcadia, CA 91007

Pasadena Symphony & POPS has announced their 2023 Rusnak Summer Pops Series at Los Angeles County Arboretum. The six-concert series runs from June 24 to September 9 with a stellar line-up of guest artists celebrating the American Songbook, plus Principal Pops Conductor Michael Feinstein in concert. Gates open at 5:30PM for picnicking. Concerts begin at 7:30PM.


Grand Performances outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Grand Performances California Plaza 300 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Grand Performances returns to DTLA for its 37th year of free summer concerts at California Plaza. Hailed as the “Best Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series” by Los Angeles Magazine, Grand Performances presents world-class music, dance, theater, and more, in the heart of DTLA. Every Saturday from June to September 2023.

Dance DTLA outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Music Center’s Dance DTLA Jerry Moss Plaza 135 N. Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Join the thousands who love the chance to learn new dance styles and dance the night away under the stars. The Music Center’s Dance DTLA returns this summer for nine consecutive Friday nights of free in-person beginner dance lessons, starting with HipHop on June 23, with easy-to-follow steps so guests can hit the dance floor to practice some new moves. No dance experience necessary!

OFF the 405 at Getty Museum outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Off The 405 Getty Center 1200 Getty Center Dr. Los Angeles, CA 90049

Getty Museum announces its free Off The 405 annual outdoor summer concert series, bringing some of today’s most exciting bands to the stage for a memorable experience amid stunning architecture and breathtaking sunset views. The concerts will take place from 6-9PM on selected evenings, and begin with various live DJ sets in the museum courtyard. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early and can bring in their own picnic items. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase before the show begins. The concerts are free to attend, but attendees need to RSVP for passes in advance.

The Ford outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Ford 2580 Cahuenga Blvd E. Los Angeles, CA 90068

For sheer beauty and intimacy, it’s hard to beat The Ford for summer entertainment under the stars. Nestled in the Hollywood Hills, the open-air amphitheater is relatively intimate at just under 1,200 seats; no patron is more than 96 feet away from the stage. Purchase your meal from the new Bodega at The Ford or pick up some local curated offerings in the Grab & Go Market. You can also bring your own food and drinks. Grab a table on the Zev Terrace or the entryway gardens, or eat in your seats.

Rose Bowl outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Re:SET Concert Series Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Dr. Pasadena, CA 91103

June 2, 3, 4 Re:SET, a fresh take on the multi-artist outdoor concert, comes to Los Angeles at Brookside at the Rose Bowl Stadium, featuring headliners Steve Lacy, boygenius, and LCD Soundsystem. Re:SET was conceived as an artist and fan friendly alternative to the standard summer concert experience. The venue will feature food and drinks from local restaurants, bars, and breweries, including HomeState, Broad Street Oyster Co., Goldburger, and more.


The Greek Theatre outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Greek Theatre 2700 N Vermont Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90027

Located within Griffith Park, the historic Greek Theatre stands as one of the nation’s most beloved and recognized outdoor entertainment venues. Throughout its history, the Greek has played host to some of the biggest legends in music, including Sir Elton John, Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, and many more. This iconic venue has also served as a site for numerous high school graduations, community events and backdrops for television shows and motion pictures.

Jazz at LACMA outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Jazz at LACMA 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

Jazz at LACMA is back! Enjoy evenings of live music, picnicking, and community on the LACMA grounds. The free concerts are presented Friday evenings from April to November. Jazz at LACMA is a celebration of L.A.’s finest jazz musicians and has featured such legends as Wayne Shorter, The Yellowjackets, Quincy Jones All Star Orchestra with John Clayton, Arturo Sandoval, Jeff Lorber, and many more. Concerts are broadcast on KJAZZ (88.1 FM) every Sunday evening from 7–9 PM and include interviews with featured performers. 

Descanso Gardens outdoor concerts near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Music in the Gardens Descanso Gardens 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

For three Fridays this July, enjoy the sound of live music wafting through the garden as you enjoy the summer blooms. Music in the Gardens is included in the price of admission. No reservations are required. Please note that chairs, blankets, outside food, and picnics are not permitted.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Hollywood Bowl

Photo #2: Hollywood Bowl

Photo #3: Pasadena Symphony and POPS

Photo #4: Pasadena Symphony and POPS

Photo #5: GrandPerformances

Photo #6: The Music Center

Photo #7: Getty Museum

Photo #8: The Ford

Photo #9: Rose Bowl

Photo #10: The Greek Theatre 

Photo #11: LACMA

Photo #12: Descanso Gardens

Shoot the Moon! Where to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Lunar Landing

In 1969, NASA launched its most daring mission – sending astronauts to land on the moon and returning them safely home. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong’s first steps on the lunar surface, and cultural attractions across LA are celebrating one of humanity’s greatest achievements.

Apollo 11 Show

APOLLO 11- The Immersive Live Show Rose Bowl 1001 Rose Bowl Drive Pasadena, CA 91103

Apollo 11 is a ground-breaking new show with an original story inspired by the Apollo missions. The show is performed by cast of 20 and presented in the spectacular custom-built theatre, the Lunar Dome, with 40,000 square feet of 360 degree video projections, and props that simulate a rocket launch, including a life-size re-creation of the lunar landing module. This truly immersive experience tells the story of the moon landing from the perspective of the 400,000 people who worked together to put astronauts on the moon and bring them safely home.

California Science Center

Apollo 11: First Steps Edition California Science Center 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Fasten your seat belts and get ready to be lifted off to the moon in this adrenaline-filled, immersive experience on the California Science Center 7-story IMAX screen! In this special giant-screen edition of Todd Douglas Miller’s critically acclaimed Apollo 11 documentary, created exclusively for science centers and museum theaters, the filmmakers reconstruct the exhilarating final moments of preparation, liftoff, landing and return of this historic mission—one of humanity’s greatest achievements and the first to put men on the Moon.  With a newly-discovered trove of never-before-seen 70mm footage and audio recordings, Apollo 11: First Steps Edition joins Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, the Mission Control team and millions of spectators around the world, during those momentous days and hours in 1969 when humankind took a giant leap into the future.

hollywood bowl

America in Space Hollywood Bowl 2301 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Aug. 15 In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by David Newman, presents “America in Space.” Hear how Hollywood’s composers have been inspired by the achievements of American space travel. A mix of music, film clips, and archival footage will tell the story of our push to explore beyond Earth’s atmosphere, from the thrill of the space race to the possibility of missions to Mars. Experts from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena will join the orchestra to underscore the impact of California’s scientists and engineers on our achievements in space.

Winslow Garage

Yesterday’s Tomorrowland Today Winslow Garage 3540 Winslow Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Get ready for a Retro-Rocket Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing! Yesterday’s Tomorrowland Today is a group show that explore the hopes and shattered dreams of postwar America’s ‘Atomic Age’ and how that legacy affects us today. The exhibtion features xerox artwork (both new and vintage) by West Coast alumni of Club 57, the infamous neo-Dada performance/art space that existed in New York’s East Village from 1978-1983, and was the subject of a recent retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art. Many of the artists featured in this new show, including the curators, had work in the MoMA exhibit which also highlighted the early careers of Kenny Scharf and Keith Haring.

columbia memorial space center

Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Columbia Memorial Space Center 12400 Columbia Way Downey, CA 90242

View the newest exhibit about the Apollo 11 program on display at the Columbia Memorial Space Center. The exhibit highlights the important contributions that Southern California made to getting us to the moon! Presented through the generous support of Aerojet-Rocketdyne. The Columbia Memorial Space Center (CMSC) is a science museum owned and operated by the City of Downey, California. The site of the museum is the former Boeing/Rockwell/North American plant where all of the Apollo Command/Service Modules were built and the Space Shuttle was conceived.

Apollo 11 NASA

Apollo 11 Alumni Talk LA Central Library Central Library 650 W. 5th Street Los Angeles, CA 90071

Sept. 22 The Columbia Memorial Space Center is visiting various branches of the LA Public Library with activities tied to the Apollo program. Join a panel of distinguished former aerospace professionals from the Apollo era, eager to share their recollections, from the personal to the professional. These are the people who designed and built the spaceships that took us to the Moon! Hear the story of humanity’s greatest technical achievement from those who made it happen. This discussion, which will be held in the Taper Auditorium, will be moderated by the President and Executive Director of the Columbia Memorial Space Center, Ben Dickow.

JPL

JPL Free Public Tours Jet Propulsion Laboratory 4800 Oak Grove Drive Pasadena, CA 91109

The JPL Public Services Office offers tours free of charge for groups and individuals on an advance reservation basis. Visitor parking is also available free of charge. All tours commonly include a multimedia presentation on JPL entitled “Journey to the Planets and Beyond,” which provides an overview of the Laboratory’s activities and accomplishments. Guests may also visit the von Karman Visitor Center, the Space Flight Operations Facility, and the Spacecraft Assembly Facility. For tour schedule call (818) 354-9314 or email tour.reservation@jpl.nasa.gov

CalTech Live

CalTech Live! California Institute of Technology 1200 E California Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91125

For over 50 years, Caltech’s public events program has offered the Caltech family and the community at large a gateway to world-class scientists, artists, and speakers, making the Institute one of Southern California’s acknowledged cultural centers. CaltechLive! offers top-flight events at multiple locations on campus, including science lectures, performing arts, folk music, and chamber music. As part of its commitment to being an active institutional citizen, Caltech provides multiple outreach programs that benefit students, educators, community partners, local businesses, local government, and campus neighbors. Each collaboration Caltech undertakes with community members is driven by the individual engagement of participants from Caltech. Their personal passion is the key ingredient to the history and traditions that distinguish Caltech’s presence in the community.