With over two million visitors a year enjoying performances throughout its 22-acre campus, The Music Center is not only the top performing arts center in Los Angeles, but one of the largest and most highly regarded performance venues in the country. Four historic venues make up The Music Center: The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Mark Taper Forum, Ahmanson Theatre and illustrious Walt Disney Concert Hall. Live stage plays and musicals are performed in the Ahmanson and Mark Taper Forum via the Center Theatre Group, while the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion hosts the LA Opera and Gloria Kaufman Presents Dance programs. The LA Phil and Los Angeles Master Chorale hold performances at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Music Center Plaza and Grand Park are also part of The Music Center.
Getting Tickets at The Music Center
Each of the performance venues has their own separate box office as well as their own website for ordering tickets online.
For the Ahmanson Theatre and Mark Taper Forum: Tickets can be purchased online through the Center Theatre Group. The box office for The Ahmanson and Mark Taper is open Tuesday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Phone: 213-628-2772).
For the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion: The box office is open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Phone: 213-972-0711 for Gloria Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center; and 213-972-8001 for LA Opera). Tickets can be purchased online through The Music Center website.
For the Walt Disney Concert Hall: The box office is open Tuesday through Sunday, 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; closed Mondays. (Phone: 323-850-2000). Online tickets can be found either through The Music Center site or LAPhil website, but both will ultimately route you to Ticketmaster.
Parking and Public Transportation at The Music Center
The Music Center Garage (for the Ahmanson, Mark Taper and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion): Paid parking for The Music Center is available in The Music Center Garage on Grand Avenue between First Street and Temple Street. There is also an auxiliary garage, Lot 17, on Olive Street, between First Street and Second Street (entrance is on Olive Street). The fee is approximately $10 at both garages. Valet parking is available on Hope Street for a higher fee. All parking is Cash Only.
The Walt Disney Concert Hall: Located at 111 South Grand Avenue (one block south of The Music Center), the Walt Disney Concert Hall offers paid parking beneath the venue. Enter the garage off of Second Street or Lower Grand Avenue. The Parking fee is approximately $10, Cash Only. Valet parking is also available for a higher price on Hope Street.
Public transportation for all venues of The Music Center is available via Metro Red and Purple Lines at the Civic Center/Grand Park Station at 101 S. Hill Street. MTA Bus service also stops at the Civic Center Station.
Types of Events at The Music Center
The Music Center offers a wide variety of programs—staged dramas and musicals, ballet, opera, dance, chorales, philharmonic orchestra, lectures, family programs, holiday programs, international programs. There are also arts festivals, free concerts, workshops, and an acclaimed education program. See The Music Center's calendar for event details.
Food at The Music Center
Downtown Los Angeles has really blossomed into a Foodie Heaven with many popular choices near The Music Center. Pinot Grill (135 North Grand Avenue) offers outdoor dining on The Music Center Plaza. Some other top choices along Grand Avenue are, Blue Cow Kitchen & Bar (350 S. Grand Avenue), Water Grill at (544 S. Grand Avenue), and Bottega Louie (700 South Grand Avenue). Inside the Walt Disney Concert Hall is the Concert Hall Café for lighter dining.
Where to Stay Near The Music Center
There are numerous options for hotel stays near The Music Center. A few located within the half-mile range are the Millenium Biltmore LA, The Standard Hotel, the Omni Los Angeles Hotel (251 S. Olive Street), and the Hilton Checkers Hotel.
Insider Tips for Visitors to The Music Center
If visiting the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, check out the 24-karat gold leaf dome, which reverberates visitors' conversations below. At the Mark Taper Forum, just inside the entrance you might be amazed to find out that 50,800 abalone shell tiles are featured in the 60-foot-high wall. Also take a free docent-led tour of the four performance venues, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. (meet in the lobby of Walt Disney Concert Hall).
Author's bio: Lori Huck works in television development as well as writes on entertainment, the arts and travel. She's a fan of the vibrant arts scene in Los Angeles and is a member of various film, TV, and arts organizations.