Hollywood Bowl to reopen with free concerts for essential workers after year-long closure amid pandemic

The Hollywood Bowl will reopen this summer with free concerts for healthcare workers and other essential workers after year-long closure amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, which operates the iconic live music venue in the United States, announced on Friday.

"In May and June, we will host four free concerts for healthcare workers, first responders, and essential workers as a gesture of thanks for all they have done for Los Angeles throughout the pandemic," said the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association in a statement.

"As we prepare to reopen, the health and safety of our audiences, artists, and staff is our top priority. We are committed to ensuring that you have an exceptional Bowl experience, with confidence in the policies and procedures designed for the safety of our guests," noted the association.

Based on Los Angeles County public health guidance, the outdoor amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood will be able to welcome a limited-capacity audience of approximately 4,000 when concerts resume in May and ramp up to greater capacity later in the summer. Beginning in July, the venue will present 14 weeks of concerts featuring a mixture of programming, according to the association.

Officials said the lineup of artists, dates, and ticketing details will be announced on May 11.

Last year, the summer season of the Hollywood Bowl was canceled for the first time in its 98-year history due to the pandemic. The outbreak of COVID-19 has caused numerous events cancelled or postponed in California to reduce the chance of transmission of the coronavirus. California governor Gavin Newsom announced earlier this month that the state plans to fully reopen activities and businesses beginning June 15 amid falling coronavirus cases.

Since its opening in 1922, the Hollywood Bowl has been the premier destination for live music in Southern California, hosting everyone from American jazz vocalist Billie Holiday to British pop band the Beatles to Chinese American cellist Yo-Yo Ma under the iconic silhouette of its concentric-arched band shell, according to the official description on the music venue's website.