Mount Wilson Observatory Presents “Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome” w/ Peter Erskine & The Lounge Art Ensemble at Mount Wilson Observatory

Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO)—Southern California’s esteemed home to several of the most groundbreaking astronomical discoveries in history—is pleased to present the first “Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome” in its 2025 season, inside the magnificent vaulted dome of MWO’s historic 100-inch telescope. As in previous seasons of the series, Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan (Principal Cellist, Long Beach Symphony and Los Angeles Master Chorale) curates.

On Sunday, May 25, back by popular demand, the audience is invited to experience Peter Erskine & The Lounge Art Ensemble, led by Weather Report drummer extraordinaire Peter Erskine, with saxophonist Bob Sheppard and bassist Darek Oles. Each concert date of the season will consist of two performances per afternoon. The same program will be offered twice: first at 3:00pm and again at 5:00pm. There will be an artist reception at 4:00pm between each concert’s hour-long session. Tickets cost $60 each and are available for purchase online in advance (highly recommended) or at the door, given availability. For more information on the concert series, please visit https://www.mtwilson.edu/concerts where tickets for this, and future concerts, are available.

Peter Erskine & The Lounge Art Ensemble will offer a freewheeling selection of jazz in the Observatory’s unique and historic venue. In this carte blanche performance, the ensemble's leader, Erskine, will announce the repertoire from the stage. The performance will be acoustic, without amplification, promising that the full tonality of the instruments and the musicians virtuosity will be fully appreciated by the audience. Reflecting on his past performances at Mount Wilson Observatory, Erskine enthuses: “This Dome has some of the best acoustics in the world!”

VISITING MWO
The gate to Mount Wilson’s campus opens at 10:00am daily and closes at 5:00pm from early April through November. Entrance to the grounds is free. Visitors can hike, gaze at the telescope domes and towers that dot the landscape, and take a look at historic Mount Wilson photos and letters in the Museum.

The Cosmic Café, located above the main parking lot at the Observatory entrance, is open on weekends in the spring, summer, and fall. In addition to traditional menu items such as hot dogs, drinks, and snacks, the Café offers wraps, salads, and sweet treats from Little Flower Café.

PARKING
A U.S. Forest Service Adventure Pass is required to park at the Observatory. A $5 day pass or a $30 dollar annual pass may be purchased at the Cosmic Cafe on weekends between 10:00am and 5:00pm. During the week, passes are available at locations around Los Angeles. The most convenient location before heading up is at the Shell station in La Canada at the bottom of the Angeles Crest Highway. Visit the U.S. Forest Service website for more information about Passes and other locations to buy them: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/passes/adventure-pass

For more information about Visiting Mount Wilson Observatory, please visit: https://www.mtwilson.edu/visiting