Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, a Night to Remember

Hello my friends. No, I'm not talking to you, silly young millennials. I am talking to Angelenos who remember the excitement of the opening of the Music Center 50 years ago. Talk about a milestone in the cultural life of our City of Angels. Last Saturday and Sunday, a great, happy, noisy –– and boozy –– celebration took place at the Music Center, inside and outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. It was a great way to commemorate half a century of amazing performances that took place on its stage.

The Next 50 – Party in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

The Music Center

I was told that Saturday night was a red-carpet black-tie affair, where guests were royally entertained by musicians, dancers, and singers. Afterwards, a formal dinner was served outside on the plaza in a specially erected tent.

The Next 50 – Party in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

The Music Center

But on Sunday, the celebration was much less formal. I would describe it as very Bohemian, very happy, very jazzy. And how could it not be, considering the fact that our very own KCRW was one of the sponsors of this celebration, with music provided by KCRW DJs Aaron Byrd and Jason Bentley.

The Next 50 – Party in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

The Music Center

Luckily for me, a good friend invited me to go with her to this party. There, to our astonishment, we discovered that the whole affair took place backstage, with performers turning their backs to the empty seats of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and instead facing us ––just a few hundred guests eating, drinking, and schmoozing in a dark, cavernous, surreal space usually hidden behind a curtain.

The Next 50 – Party in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

The Music Center

It was definitely a night to remember. And I was happy to discover that the one and only KCRW was such an essential part of this celebration. So my friends, it's that time of year again ––the time of year we ask you to contribute to the magic of KCRW, the public radio station whose unique voice is heard not only across this country of ours, but also around the world. So come on, join the party. Support the visionary voice of this unique station of ours by calling 1-800-600-KCRW, or go to kcrw.com/join.

Photos by Edward Goldman