Known as Bolton Canyon in 1919, the natural amphitheater of the site coupled with the central location between Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley made it a fantastic location for theater and musical events serving the entire greater Los Angeles area. And use it they did and Angelenos came by the thousands to enjoy the arts in the outdoor setting, now known as the Hollywood Bowl (HB). The Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, formed in 1919, made its first HB appearance at the first HB Easter Sunday Sunrise Service on March 27, 1921. The next summer, a lavish production of Bizet’s Carmen on July 8, 1922, featuring a cast of nearly 500, preceded by three days, the first performance of the first season of “Symphonies Under the Stars” at the HB, featuring the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the start of the HB being the summer home of the LA Philharmonic which it continues to be to this day.

But the Rotary International Convention HB event preceded both of these two events by a month. Luckily for the 1922 Rotary International Convention Committee (RICC), some landscape planting was undertaken, the hillside was graded, simple wooden benches were built to provide some seating, and a temporary wood-framed stage with a canvas roof was built, all for the initial season of “Symphonies Under the Stars.”

Here is the summary of the events of Saturday, June 10, 1922 from the published General Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual Convention of the International Associations of Rotary Clubs held in Los Angeles, June 5-10, 1922:

“This was the first Rotary Convention at which a day had been set aside exclusively for hospitality. The Los Angeles Rotarians prepared something in the way of entertainment that is exclusively their own, namely, showing their guests how motion pictures are made and introducing them to their favorite movie stars.”

“At 10:30 Saturday morning the convention attenders left the Philharmonic Auditorium by auto and were taken to the Pickford-Fairbanks, Robertson Cole and other studios where they were given a “close-up” view of the movies “on the lot”. The huge “sets” of Robin Hood, the picture Douglas Fairbanks is now making, was one of the principal attractions at the studios.”

“After viewing these unusual and interesting scenes the Rotarians were taken by auto to the famous Hollywood Bowl, a natural open-air auditorium in the heart of the Hollywood Hills, with a seating capacity to take care of everyone comfortably. The gathering at the Hollywood Bowl was one of the largest gatherings of the convention, there being over six thousand Rotarians and their ladies in the Bowl. A light box luncheon was served before the afternoon entertainment started.”

“After luncheon the visitors had an opportunity to see a motion picture made. It was directed by Paul Powell, with an all-star cast, including Mary Miles Minter, Agnes Ayres, Theodore Roberts, Conrad Nagel, Wanda Hawley and others. A set was erected upon the floor of the Bowl, the lights turned on and the action took place while the crowd watched with intense interest.”

“The film stars who were presented singly to the gathering before the work of picture-making began, in addition to all of the players in the film, included Antonio Moreno, Bessie Love, Bebe Daniels, Walter Long, Louise Lovely and others.”

“The program included music by the American Legion Band and short addresses by International President Ray Havens, Past President Bert Adams, Rotarian Joe Mitchell Chapple and others.”

“The hospitality extended throughout the day by the Los Angeles Rotarians was indeed a fitting grand finale to a wonderful week which will linger long in the memories of those who were privileged to participate in the 13th Annual Convention of Rotary International.”

Between the first and second Rotary International events at the HB, many wonderful developments occurred up in the canyon. The physical plant of the Bowl went through many iterations, bathrooms and box seats were added, sound systems enhanced, food service and, most importantly, a permanent “Shell” stage was built which has become the signature of the Hollywood Bowl known around the world. The Bowl had grown in stature through the years as the preeminent outdoor venue in Los Angeles, with the Who’s Who of entertainment (dance, drama, opera, classical and popular music) performing there. So when it came time to plan the next Rotary International Convention in Los Angeles in 1962, what could have been a better venue for an event than the Hollywood Bowl.

Here is the description of the opening ceremonies from the published General Proceedings of the 53rd Annual Convention of Rotary International held at the HB on Sunday, June 3, 1962:

“Even though the opening feature was not scheduled to begin until half past seven in the evening, convention participants began to arrive at the gates to the world-famous Hollywood Bowl late in the afternoon…..Seated in the open air, with the weather on the chilly side, thousands of spectators [actually in excess of 22,000 people] viewed the ribbed shell arcing over the stage, set against a natural backdrop of wooded hills. As an hors d’oeuvre, an array of fountains shot their streams up into the evening sky, spontaneously applauded by the audience….Billed as “Hollywood Under the Stars,” the entertainment of the evening could have been called “Hollywood With the Stars.” Television and motion picture star Ronald Reagan, acting as master of ceremonies, presented a varied but select choice of talent, ranging from Jose Greco and his dancers, boy-saxophonist Attila Galamb, and the dancing team of Chiquita & Johnson, to singers Vivienne della Chiesa and John Craig and pantomimist Gene Sheldon. Concluding the evening was a performance by the impressive Mormon Choir of Southern California.”

Another fabulous Rotary event at the Hollywood Bowl!

Now we are on the eve of another Rotary International Convention in Los Angeles and another celebratory Hollywood Bowl event. Much has happened in Los Angeles and in Rotary during the past 46 years. Reserve your tickets now to be present at the Hollywood Bowl on Tuesday evening, June 17, 2008 to celebrate Rotary in this most fabulous outdoor venue. Purchase your tickets now!