7.25.2008

Hollywood Bowl Picnic

 Summer Evening in LA 
Picnic and Concert at the Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl is the largest natural outdoor amphitheater in the United States. It is a friendly sociable place where Southern Californians gather to picnic and enjoy outstanding music. Last Wednesday, we thoroughly enjoyed the music of Chris Botti and Orchestra. Chris is an engaging entertainer, refreshingly humble, gracious and funny, not to mention a fabulous trumpeter. He's my new fav. You can hear him here.

The gates open at 6 PM for the picnickers  to set up their tables and enjoy a meal before the show starts at 8 PM. We set up our box then went around to socialize with our neighbors and check out their picnics before dinner.

I spy... Veuve Clicquot Champagne


Our Mediterranean place settings and picnic menu:

Appetizer
Green Olive Tapanade, Dates, Sprouted Flatbread

First Course
Shrimp, Herbed Tomato & Feta
Grilled Ciabatta

Main
Cold Thin-Sliced Beef Tenderloin – Savory & Sweet Mustard Rub
Lemon Caper Aioli

Arugula Salad – Rosemary Vinaigrette
Cannellini Bean, Haricot Verte, Roasted Tomato, Marcona Almond

Dessert
Grilled Apricot
Greek Yogurt, Honey, Chocolate Mint Sprigs
Coffee


Since table setting is one of my hobbies, I get a kick out of some of our neighbors' tables...
this one is totally groovy!


These gentlemen had a manly setting and a nice bottle of Zin


Adorable little fresh flower arrangement,  jaunty table cloth & napkins


Centerpiece is a gourd with sprigs of lavender with sophisticated white linens


After the meal, the chairs are turned around to face the stage, everything is packed up and stored stuffed under our seats, and then...

...we enjoy the show!

Bravo Chris Botti and Orchestra!

"To me, music that breaks your heart is the music that stays with you forever," muses the best-selling jazz artist Chris Botti when talking about his new album, Italia. "It's one thing to be melancholy and one thing to be sophisticated, but when you get the two of them together in a way people can relate to, then I think you're on to something.  You want the sophistication to lie in the purity of the sound, the beauty of the arrangements, and the quality of the performances." 

A special thank you to Val, James and Terri for a wonderful evening under the stars.