John Williams and his iconic movie scores make their return to the Hollywood Bowl as part of the Maestro of the Movies concert on Friday, Aug. 22, Saturday, Aug. 23, and Sunday, Aug. 24. There’s legendary film composers, and then there’s John Williams, who’s in a class of his own thanks to his contributions to movies such as “E.T.,” “Star Wars,” “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” “Superman,” and many more. While many artists and bands have played the Hollywood Bowl more than once, the Maestro of the Movies concerts are a mainstay for a reason. Tickets currently start at $23, but be on the lookout for a giveaway through our newsletter. Subscribe here so you don’t miss it!
Courtesy of LA Phil
Do you remember being a kid watching Robin Williams as Peter Pan flying through the clouds in “Hook?” Waiting in line for “E.T.” and being starstruck by the flying bike scene? Or seeing the original “Superman” movie and its opening crawl? To put it simply, John Williams has been scoring the defining music of our lives for decades, and that’s all without mentioning his iconic work on the “Star Wars” franchise.
Few other composers in history could compare to the legacy Williams has accumulated, whether it’s his scores for filmmakers like Steven Spielberg or small-scale dramas like “Memoirs of a Geisha.” And aside from the fact that Williams’ name alone can warrant a complete show dedicated to his discography, the many scores he’s composed for serve as the beating heart for their respective films, rightfully earning each one a place in popular culture.
Among the many familiar traditions and recurring players that grace the Hollywood Bowl stage, few are as special as the Maestro of the Movies shows that happen just about every year, and for good reason. With the Los Angeles Philharmonic and conductor David Newman at the helm, there’s bound to be a great program consisting of John Williams’ most recognizable work.
This year is no different, with the concert consisting of “The Flight to Neverland” from “Hook,” “Raiders March” from “Indiana Jones,” and three “Star Wars” compositions, just to name a few. The concert will also feature the score for “Dear Basketball,” the Oscar-winning animated short film about Kobe Bryant’s life, in its entirety. Considering Kobe’s importance to LA – as well as the undeniable, instantly recognizable selected works – is proof enough you’re in good hands.
With school starting soon, families might be on the lookout for fun things to do in LA with kids. Not only is the John Williams concert a great way to get the family together on a night out, but it’s also the sort of big group experience that helps bridge generations. And for parents hoping to introduce their kids to classical music, there’s no easier entrance than the compositions they’ve already grown to love by watching their favorite movies.
Speaking of favorites, “Star Wars” is undeniably a major fixture in Williams’ discography and a big draw for families to see the concert. For families who are especially looking forward to hearing sounds from a galaxy far, far away, free lightsabers will be given to the first 500 kids at the door on Friday, Aug. 22, just another reason to get to the Bowl early.
Whether you’ve experienced John Williams’ Maestro of the Movies before or it’s your first time at the Hollywood Bowl, you’re going to want to make sure your time before, during, and after the concert is the best it can be.
As previously mentioned, the first 500 padawans at the door get free lightsabers on Aug. 22. However, if you’re expecting to get there a little later or are attending on a different day, there’s also exclusive John Williams merch available inside and along the walk from the parking lots, including t-shirts and limited edition posters.
Considering the number of things that are available before the show starts, it’s worth planning your route, looking at every option available, and getting to the Bowl early. Gates open at 6:00 PM, or two hours before the concert start time, which gives you more than enough time to settle in and avoid any last minute rushing. And for parents worried about the Sunday show, the show starts 30 minutes earlier at 7:30 PM.
Families will especially be relieved to know that outside food and drinks are allowed within the Bowl’s rules. Although there are concessions available on-site, it’s a good backup in case you plan on having dinner before the concert or are looking to avoid the rush during the intermission.
If you plan on returning to the Hollywood Bowl sooner rather than later, there are plenty of shows on the horizon that might interest you. On Sept. 3, see a psych-jazz team-up in the form of Hiatus Kaiyote and Snarky Puppy. For classic rock fans, you won’t want to miss Chicago, complete with fireworks, at the Hollywood Bowl on Sept. 12, 13, and 14.
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