History of the Recreation Park Bandshell
The Recreation Park Bandshell stands as both architectural landmark and cultural touchstone, a Long Beach gem that for nearly a century has provided a beautiful stage for performances and community events. Now, a group of local organizers is working to reactivate the bandshell, and ultimately revitalize it, making it possible to once again present some amazing entertainment in a bucolic environment.
The non-profit Friends of the Recreation Park Bandshell (FORPBS) was formed in 2022 to restore the bandshell and welcome back all manner of theater groups and musical acts to use the space. Located in Recreation Park (4900 E Seventh St), the bandshell is near the corner of Park Avenue and Seventh Street, adjacent to Blair Field, home of the Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball team.
Performances include plays presented by Shakespeare By the Sea, concerts by the Camerata Singers including a celebration of the music of Laurel Canyon. There will be jazz and bluegrass, rock and 80s tribute bands, all of it offering what FORPBS co-founder Steve Pruitt called a “return to the bandshell’s glory days.”
The bandshell was envisioned during a period of rapid growth and development in Long Beach in the early 20th century, a time when there was an emphasis put on outdoor performance spaces. Consider that it was dedicated in 1929, the same year as the Greek Theater in Los Angeles and just a few years after the opening of the Hollywood Bowl.
With its curved arch, stucco walls, terra cotta roof, decorative plasterwork and colorful Malibu tiles, its stunning Spanish Baroque design made it one of the city’s few Spanish Revival-style public structures. It quickly became a cherished venue for local musicians, bands, and performers, offering a platform for both amateur and professional artists to showcase their talents.
It’s been an ideal spot given the size of its stage, which FORPBS cofounder Hans Hellsund calls “massive” and “unbelievable,” as well as the fact that it has bench seating able to accommodate 600 people plus a surrounding grass area able to accommodate many more … and their picnics.
Beyond its role as an entertainment venue, the Bandshell holds deep significance as a community gathering place, hosting a wide array of events including a speech by future president Richard Nixon. For decades, families and friends have gathered on its expansive grounds for picnics, social outings, and leisurely afternoons, the open-air design fostering a sense of camaraderie among residents.
The Friends of the Recreation Park Bandshell believe this latest incarnation of the landmark will return those days as it once again becomes a cherished spot for generations of Long Beach residents to come.
“It’s an amazing facility. We are looking forward to people coming out and rediscovering this jewel in their backyard.”
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