Kenon Breazeale, a retired Cal State Northridge professor who was the guide for our group, led us through the halls of the original building, built in 1926, and later through the Tom Bradley Wing that opened in 1993.Īlong the way, she shared stories about the building’s original architect, Bertram Goodhue, details about the catastrophic fire in 1986 that destroyed much of the library, and the drama behind the murals in the library’s famous rotunda by renowned illustrator Dean Cornwell. The library’s docent-led tour is focused on the art, architecture and history of the library, but it would appeal to anyone who loves books and that feeling of holding a paper tome in your hands. Dates and times may vary - check the schedule for blackout dates. lf you don’t have access to a smartphone, you can check out a Podcatcher in the lobby. Tours are free and self-guided via your smartphone, and run daily from 10 a.m. Phil on your phone and enjoy the gorgeous views of downtown L.A. After the hourlong tour, relax on one of the many benches scattered in the garden, cue up some L.A. The charming story of how the fountain came about is one of the tales that Lithgow shares. At its center is a fountain, A Rose for Lily, that was a collaboration between Gehry and Lillian Disney, who was a major benefactor of the Walt Disney Concert Hall project. Many concertgoers don’t know about this tranquil, tree-shaded space that features a meditation labyrinth, a lush variety of plants and flowers and an outdoor children’s theater. (It’s more compelling than it sounds, I swear.)Īlthough the tour doesn’t give you access to the main concert hall, you will be guided to my second-favorite part of the building: the rooftop Blue Ribbon Garden. You’ll also get an up-close look at the genius gadget that cleans the outside of the building. (But do see Dudamel - he’s set to leave for the New York Philharmonic in 2026.) Discover hidden details by taking the concert hall’s self-guided audio tour, narrated by actor John Lithgow, which dives into the architectural plans behind the building famously designed by architect Frank Gehry. If you’re only going to the Walt Disney Concert Hall to hear Gustavo Dudamel conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic, you’re missing out on so much the building has to offer. landmarks, entering hidden areas and seeing fascinating details I’d never know about by simply driving by. Over the past weeks, I took both guided and self-guided tours through L.A. I can’t revisit that experience - the Helms Bakery is long gone, replaced by a complex filled with retail stores, furniture showrooms and restaurants - but there are many other buildings around Los Angeles you can tour. At the end of the tour when we were each handed our own warm glazed doughnut that had come from the conveyor belts, my 6-year-old self was certain there was no greater joy. Even though I had always watched the pale yellow Helms Bakery trucks drive down the streets of L.A., delivering fresh baked goods to people’s doorsteps, being in the room where they were made was a thrill. I distinctly remember the cavernous factory, the noisy, metal machines and the strong smell of yeast. It’s of visiting the Helms Bakery building in Culver City on an elementary school field trip. There’s a particular memory that floats into my head whenever I have a doughnut, which is to say fairly often.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |