Join the Resistance to Free the Irvine Bowl for Concert Use Again

Did you know that in the past 25 years, only three concerts have been held at the Irvine Bowl? Though owned by the City of Laguna Beach and gifted by James Irvine in 1947 specifically to host "public concerts, theatrical performances, festivals, exhibits, and all forms of public entertainment and recreation," the venue sits dark for 44 weeks of the year—used solely for the 8-week summer run of Pageant of the Masters.We believe it’s time to change that.As recently as 1995, the Bowl hosted a beloved Fall concert series featuring jazz, pop, country, folk, Motown, and more. Revenues supported college scholarships for local students and grants for arts organizations. It was an all around win for artists, residents, and the local economy.But when the Festival of Arts Board threatened to move the Pageant of the Masters in 2000, the city gave them absolute reign over the Bowl - for the next 40 years!Should we wait another 15 years until that lease expires to get our coveted Bowl back for widespread use, as James Irvine mandated? We say no.Let's take back our amphitheater and restore it to its former glory as a city-owned venue that produces a variety of shows and generates needed revenues for the city.We must put pressure on the Board to amend their policies to make it fair and easy for the wider arts community to rent the facility.

Stay tuned and spread the word. Together, we can bring the Bowl back to life for all Laguna Beach residents and visitors to enjoy again.