Downtown LA Emerges as the Center of Entertainment

A new era for live entertainment was "officially" launched today when a bright red ribbon was cut outside the main entrance of NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Timothy J. Leiweke, President & CEO AEG, developers and operators of the world-class 7,100-seat theatre. The ceremony took place in NOKIA Plaza one day before the venues grand opening concert starring the Eagles and Dixie Chicks presented by Wachovia.

Also participating in the ceremony were City Council Member Jan Perry, whose downtown Los Angeles district is the home of the entire L.A. LIVE sports, residential and entertainment district containing the theatre, Speaker of the California State Assembly Fabian Núñez, Carol Schatz, President & CEO of the Central City Association, Marc Lieberman, President of L.A. INC, Craig Coffey, Vice President, Marketing and Customer & Market Operations, North America for Nokia, naming rights partner of the theatre and one-acre plaza and special guests Glen Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit, members of the legendary group the Eagles who will perform tomorrow night at the grand opening of NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE.

"NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE will be the finest, most acoustically perfect and most artist and fan-friendly venue of its size anywhere in our industry," said Leiweke. "In the entertainment and live performance capital of the world, we need to have a venue that will become the showplace for every major award show as well as the most popular artists appearing today. We spared no expense to create the right atmosphere that will truly be a showcase for the performers and for Los Angeles."

"Thanks to AEG, Downtown LA will now be at center stage, with this soon-to-be bustling entertainment district," said Mayor Villaraigosa. "Without a doubt, NOKIA Theatre, L.A. LIVE is the cherry on top of the major successes we're witnessing in Downtown. As we speak, flocks of construction cranes are busy building the LA of the future. Tourism and convention business in LA are booming. NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE will increase this momentum exponentially, and keep our City running full steam ahead.

"Today, what was once just a vision is coming to life," said Councilwoman Jan Perry. "AEG's Nokia theater lives up to the promise of LA Live. It has created more jobs for people who want to work, represents another great entertainment option here in our city, and reflects the great potential of what is to come here in downtown."

Built at a cost of $120 million, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE, is the first venue to open within the four million square foot, $2.5 billion L.A. LIVE located across the street from the AEG owned and operated STAPLES Center and adjacent to the Los Angeles Convention Center. With a stage measuring 180' x 80', the largest in southern California, and a performance area of over 14,000 square feet, the theatre can also boast about the most impressive site lines of any theatre of its size.

With acoustics being among the most important elements of the theatre's design, General Manager Lee Zeidman commented, "We made a tremendous, multi-million dollar investment in acoustical systems, treatments and enhancements. Having spoken with industry experts as well as artists and designers, we were able to take advantage of a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge in fitting out NOKIA Theatre to create what we believe will be the most acoustically advanced venue of its kind."
Naming rights partner for both NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in addition to the adjacent one-acre outdoor NOKIA Plaza, clearly emphasizes Nokia's commitment not only to the consumer but to the presentation of music and live presentation as well as to the City of Los Angeles.

"A little over three years ago, Nokia announced its commitment to be part of the renaissance of downtown Los Angeles. Today - the vision has become reality, and we couldn't be more proud to see our name on top of this wonderful facility, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE," said Coffey. "Today, as the world's leading maker of digital music players, Nokia is making it possible for people to keep the music that means so much to them close at hand. And with the Nokia Theatre LA Live, we are making it possible for people to connect with that music - live, and in person."

On the eve of NOKIA Theatre L.A. Live's grand opening concert starring the Eagles and Dixie Chicks presented by Wachovia, the first of six concerts starring the legendary groups, the theatre has already lined up an impressive schedule of the most popular and talented performers including Neil Young, Bjork, Queens of the Stone Age, Enrique Iglesias, Aretha Franklin, Sugarland, John Fogerty, Mari J. Blige and a New Year's Eve celebration starring George Lopez. Special events like the American Music Awards, So You Think You Can Dance, La Quinta Estacion and Video Games Live will also appear along with comedy stars Russell Peters and Larry The Cable Guy.

"When you marry one of the greatest venues for live entertainment, with outstanding site lines, state-of-the-art acoustics and tremendous guest amenities with great talent, it is a foregone conclusion you will have instant success, said Randy Phillips, President and CEO AEG LIVE. "NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE is truly a win-win for both performer and their audience."

In addition to Nokia's investment in Los Angeles, the Finland-based organization that has sold 200 million music devices and 170 million megapixel camera devices, making it the world's largest manufacturer of digital music players and cameras, has additionally partnered with AEG on venues such as NOKIA Theatre Time Square and NOKIA Theatre at Grand Prairie.

"For Nokia, this theatre, along with our other Nokia Theatres, is the perfect way for us to connect to consumers through something that has virtually universal appeal - music. Because no matter what type of music is special to one person, Nokia is able to reach him or her through our theatres," commented Jo Harlow, Senior Vice President, Marketing, Nokia. "There is something big happening here in downtown LA, and Nokia is a part of it. Besides the Nokia Theatre LA Live, there is the Nokia Plaza, an area for outdoor entertainment and Club Nokia, a smaller, more intimate club-like setting for live music."

NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE is the centerpiece of L.A. LIVE, a 4 million square foot / $2.5 billion downtown Los Angeles sports, residential & entertainment district adjacent to STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center. The development also features, a 54-story, 1001-room convention "headquarters" hotel (combining JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton brands and 224 luxury condominiums - The Ritz Carlton Residences at L.A. LIVE), Club NOKIA, a 2,300 capacity live music venue, a 14-screen Regal Cineplex, "broadcast" facilities for ESPN along with entertainment, restaurant and office space.

"Ultimately, NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE will exist as a component of a vibrant, energized, cutting-edge entertainment "campus" second-to-none as a destination for all types of production, live entertainment, performances and celebrations," added Leiweke. "No other City can do this like Los Angeles. We create more in music, television and film than any other city and we need to celebrate this achievement."

LA By the Region

Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States, but don't let its size intimidate you. LA has something for everyone and the best way to experience it is to think of the city as a collection of neighborhoods, each with its own identity. Whether you are beach bound or hiking a mountain trail, checking out the latest shopping trends or savoring the local cuisine, roaming in world class museums or screaming on a rollercoaster, LA offers something for everyone's taste.

So checkout the city like you're a local. Get there by car, train, metro, bus, bicycle, boat, horseback or your own two feet – but get there. You’ll find something exciting -- and want to come back for more.

DOWNTOWN
Downtown has been the core of LA since 1781. Of course, it wasn’t known as Downtown back then, rather El Pueblo Sobre el Rio de Nuestra Señora la Reina de los Angeles del Río de Porciúncula. This first settlement of 11 Mexican families of varied ethnic backgrounds foreshadowed today’s multi-ethnic metropolis. Over the decades, Downtown grew into Southern California’s center for commerce, culture, finance, government and transportation. However, by the late 20th century, LA had a reputation as being busy during the day and empty at night.

Then, about 10 years ago, one-time commuters began to move into Downtown. Now, the city’s skyscraper-rich center sizzles day and night, with restaurants, nightspots, and arts, performance and sports venues, international cultures and architecturally stunning buildings designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architects.

Walt Disney Concert Hall, with swirls of steel designed by LA’s own Frank Gehry, is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and is only one of Downtown’s many landmarks. Across Temple Street, the Music Center also includes the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theatre and the Mark Taper Forum; offering renowned stage, opera and ballet performances.

One block over is the third-largest cathedral in the world, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels. Architect Jose Rafael Moneo’s soaring contemporary-style cathedral is home to the nation’s largest archdiocese. Diagonally across Grand Avenue from Walt Disney Concert Hall is the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), designed by Arata Isozaki and featuring a permanent collection of nearly 6,000 objects in addition to special exhibitions by leading artists. Future development of the Grand Avenue “cultural corridor” will include designs by Gehry, fellow LA-based Pritzker Prize-winner Thom Mayne and other leading architects.

To the north, an archway decorated with gleaming dragons marks the entrance to Chinatown. Dim sum, Chinese crafts and ginseng-selling grocery stores are located here, but LA’s Chinatown offers something extra: contemporary art in small galleries along its pedestrian side streets and slick new nightspots. In nearby Little Tokyo, Japanese fans can snack on sushi and shabu-shabu, visit the Japanese American National Museum and the warehouse-like Geffen Contemporary, a branch of MOCA.

Olvera Street, site of the original Los Angeles pueblo, lies between the two Asian enclaves, offering a trip into the picturesque cantinas and mercados of old Mexico. Also nearby is the dramatic Caltrans Building. Designed by Thom Mayne, the stripes of neon around its plaza are reminiscent of a freeway at night.

Downtown’s historic district is only blocks away. The Angels Flight funicular, nicknamed the world’s shortest railway, was built in 1901 to take passengers up Bunker Hill. It’s scheduled to reopen in early 2008 following extensive renovations. Many of the early 20th century movie palaces along Broadway have been restored to their original glory; and the Old Bank District’s early 20th century business buildings around 4th and Main Streets have been remade into chic loft-style apartments and cafés. More must-see Downtown historic buildings include Union Station (with architectural elements ranging from Spanish revival to streamline modern), the iconic, pyramid-topped City Hall (as seen on the TV show Dragnet), the Grand Central Market and the Richard J. Riordan Central Library; located across from the tallest building west of the Mississippi, the US Bank Tower.

Walking east brings you to the Fashion, Toy and Jewelry Districts. Although the thousands of shops here do much of their business with the trade, consumers are welcome to browse for today’s bargains and tomorrow’s treasures. Bargain hunters shouldn’t miss the Citadel outlet mall, located southeast of Downtown.

Downtown is also LA’s sports hub. The 20,000-seat STAPLES Center arena, next to the Los Angeles Convention Center, is home to the Lakers and Clippers (NBA), Sparks (WNBA) and Kings (NHL). STAPLES Center also hosts top-name concerts including Barbra Streisand, Justin Timberlake and the reunion tour of the Police. The newly opened 7,100-seat, 210,000-square-foot NOKIA Theatre Los Angeles is the premier mid-sized live performance/award show/special event/music venue for Los Angeles. The state-of-the-art facility has the capability of accommodating such major award shows as the EMMY®s, Latin GRAMMY®s, ESPYS, MTV Music Awards, BET Awards and others as well as live music concerts, comedy shows, family shows, short-run Broadway and community theater productions along with corporate conventions and seminars. NOKIA Theatre Los Angeles is the initial development of the massive L.A. LIVE project that will promote a 24-hour LA experience.

North of Downtown is Dodger Stadium, built in 1962 and still considered baseball’s most beautiful ballpark.

Tomorrow we'll explore Hollywood!