At the Hollywood Bowl there’s the 70th Birthday celebration of Bob Marley courtesy of his sons Ziggy and Stephen, 2001: A Space Odyssey with live orchestra, jazz superstars Diana Krall and Gregory Porter and the live presentation of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial featuring John Williams’ Academy Award-winning score.
This week’s round-up for free summer shows, concerts
The Skirball Cultural Center continues to present its intimate yet energetic, free concert series Sunset Concerts with Garifuna artist Aurelio, pan-Middle Eastern composer Yuval Ron and his ensemble, and electronic Afro-Peruvian band Novalima.
KCRW‘s Sound In Focus series at The Annenberg Space For Photography already hosted Hip Hop pioneers De La Soul, the always dynamic TV on The Radio, groundbreaking punk quartet X, and honky tonk legend Dwight Yoakam. LA indie rock band Cold War Kids and Portland’s Other Lives close out the series thisSaturday, August 15.
Aurelio
Thursday, Aug. 13, at 8 pm
Skirball Cultural Center’s Sunset Concerts
Born in the tiny hamlet of Plaplaya, on the Caribbean coast of Honduras, Aurelio belongs to one of the last generations to grow up steeped in Garifuna tradition. This tradition encompasses the African and Caribbean Indian roots of his ancestors-a group of shipwrecked slaves who intermarried with local natives on the island of St. Vincent, only to be deported to the Central American coast in the late eighteenth century. Aurelio’s music is equal parts joyous, seductive, beautiful, and bittersweet, weaving West African and Caribbean polyrhythms with lyrics that reflect his pride for the Garifuna culture.
Tickets: Free Admission (Parking is $10)
Tan Dun’s Martial Arts Trilogy (With Film)
Thursday, Aug. 13, at 8 pm
Hollywood Bowl
Tan Dun’s music for Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which garnered both Oscars and Grammys, was only the first in a triptych of scores for renowned martial arts movies. Enjoy an evening of Tan Dun’s masterful movie music, accompanied by selected scenes from the soaring and spiritual films.
Tickets: $1 – $110
Warner Bros. Presents Bugs Bunny At The Symphony – 25th anniversary!
Friday, Aug. 14, at 8 pm and Saturday, Aug. 15, at 8 pm
Hollywood Bowl
For 25 hilarity-filled years, Bugs Bunny and his Looney Tunes pals have teamed up with live orchestras playing those phenomenal Carl Stalling scores, bringing audiences to their feet in laughter, cheers, and applause. The official Bugs Bunny at the Symphony anniversary party takes place this summer at the Hollywood Bowl, where you’ll see and hear Warner Bros.’ greatest animated shorts, plus exciting surprises like…well, we can’t tell you, can we? But expect favorites like What’s Opera, Doc?, The Rabbit of Seville and Zoom and Bored, as well as the “live orchestra” world premiere of Long-Haired Hare, animated in the Hollywood Bowl itself!
Tickets: $13 – $143
Cold War Kids / Other Lives / DJ Set by Jason Bentley
Saturday, August 15 (Doors at 5 pm)
Annenberg Space for Photography
Cold War Kids, one of the most exciting rock bands to emerge from the LA music scene in the last decade plays this FREE concert hosted by KCRW Music Director Jason Bentley. The three-chambered heart of Cold War Kids – Nathan Willett, Matt Maust and Dann Gallucci – make honest songs about the human experience. It’s a raw, bluesy take on rock ‘n’ roll with an extra level of intensity when they bring it to the stage. Openers Other Lives cast a spell with their layered, atmospheric orchestral rock. KCRW has championed the band since their 2011 debut and — after a relocation from their hometown of Stillwater, OK to Portland. OR — they’ve released one of their best albums yet with 2015’s Rituals.
Tickets: Free Admission (requires RSVP)
Reggae Night: Bob Marley’s Roots Rock Reggae – A 70th Birthday Celebration
Sunday, August 16, at 7 pm
Hollywood Bowl
For this year’s reggae party, sons Ziggy and Stephen Marley lead the celebration of their legendary father’s 70th birthday and the best of the roots rock tradition.
Tickets: $13 – $114
A Live Presentation of 2001: A Space Odyssey
Tuesday, August 18, at 8 pm
Hollywood Bowl
Recognized as one of the greatest works of science fiction cinema, Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 is acclaimed for its technological realism, creative audacity and inspired use of music. Behold the film’s visual grandeur on the Bowl’s big screen while the soundtrack is performed live, including Strauss’ Also sprach Zarathustra, music by György Ligeti, and the “Blue Danube” Waltz.
Tickets: $1 – $110