Helen Mirren to Host Opening Night at Hollywood Bowl Tonight

Oscar-, Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren will host Opening Night at the Hollywood Bowl, kicking off the Bowl's 90th season and featuring the 12th annual Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame ceremony, tonight, June 17, at 8:30 p.m. The evening offers the induction of Grammy- and Emmy-winning singer/musician/actor Harry Connick, Jr., and seven-time Grammy-winning pop music superstar Gloria Estefan, into the Hall of Fame; an exclusive sneak preview of Cirque du Soleil's first resident production in Los Angeles, IRIS - A Journey Through the World of Cinema; two-time Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank, presenting the Hall of Fame award to Connick; and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, led by Principal Guest Conductor Thomas Wilkins.

Proceeds from the evening benefit the LA Phil and its music education programs, which reach more than 120,000 children, teachers and adults every year.

Established in 2000, the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame identifies and pays tribute to artists whose unique achievements embody the spirit of the world-renowned Hollywood Bowl. The Hall of Fame is now part of an exhibit on the main floor of the Hollywood Bowl Museum that includes photos and film of inductees over the years. The Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame was conceived on behalf of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association by Wayne Baruch and Charles F. Gayton, who have created and produced all 12 Hall of Fame opening concerts.

WHO: HOLLYWOOD BOWL ORCHESTRA
THOMAS WILKINS, conductor
Harry Connick, Jr., inductee
Gloria Estefan, inductee
Hilary Swank, presenter
Cirque du Soleil, special performance
DAME Helen Mirren, host

WHEN: FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2011, 8:30

WHERE: HOLLYWOOD BOWL
2301 N. Highland Avenue in Hollywood

HOW TO
PURCHASE: Patron packages for this annual benefit concert include a VIP pre-concert reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by a gourmet dinner prepared by Patina and served in guest boxes prior to the concert. Proceeds benefit the Los Angeles Philharmonic and its education programs. Opening Night Concert packages ($2,200 to $15,000) may be purchased through the LA Phil's Special Events office. Please call 213.972.3051 for details and reservations. Tickets for the concert only ($11 - $110), which begins at 8:30 p.m., are on sale online at HollywoodBowl.com, at the Hollywood Bowl Box Office, through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000, and by credit card phone order at 323.850.2000.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos

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