If you haven’t had a chance to go on down to the Santa Anita Racetrack and listen to the critically acclaimed California Philharmonic you really are missing out on a fantastic evening. I got the opportunity to watch The Beatles & Beethoven, a show I actually wrote about two weeks ago. As this was my first time attending one of the many shows this orchestra puts on in the summer, I was able to experience it in its full glory.
On June 27th at around 7:00PM, I headed out to the racetrack with a ton of anticipation. Upon arrival we had no trouble finding parking and making our way inside the venue, leaving us with plenty of time to walk around before the 7:30PM showtime. There were food trucks like Paradise Cookies & Ice Cream & Slammin’ Sliders along the path that led to the main stage. If you did not buy a table seat, you could bring picnic gear and set it up anywhere you could find a spot on the giant grass field in front of the stage. I ended up sitting at a table, but I think next time I will definitely try the whole picnic experience, it looked really fun!
I grew up listening to The Beatles, so I always get nervous before I see a show that tries to replicate a one of a kind legendary band. The show, which featured the California Philharmonic as well as The Beatles tribute band Beatlemania, did not disappoint though! The first Act consisted of the four movements that make up Beethoven’s 7th symphony, which ended up being beautiful and very relaxing. After this there was a short intermission and then Beatlemania took the stage! If I can say one thing about the tribute band, it is that they were 85% spot on with their impersonations. The entire band fit the role really well, I was shocked at how well the John Lennon & Paul McCartney performers emulated the stylizing that made the Fab Four so famous. Playing classics such as “All You Need Is Love” and “Penny Lane,” the tribute band recreated what The Beatles were recording in studios. Due to limitations at the time, many of the songs they performed in the 60’s could not be played live in full effect. The Cal Philharmonic managed to fill in the blanks and create a once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget.
Don’t miss out on the rest of the Cal Phil summer season:
7/11/15 – Rodgers & Hammerstein & More
7/25/15 – Phantom/Les Miz
8/8/15 – Lights, Camera, Action!
8/22/15 – Postcards From Abroad
For more information and tickets visit their website here!
Visit 365 Things To Do In Pasadena® for more fun activities in Pasadena California and surrounding neighborhoods.
