The City of Irvine provided the media and civic leaders with an exclusive look at Great Park Live, the temporary amphitheater that officially opens in Irvine tomorrow, June 14.
The event included remarks by Great Park Chair Mike Carroll, Mayor Farrah N. Khan, City Manager Oliver Chi, and Pacific Symphony President & CEO John Forsyte. There was also a performance by Pacific Symphony, featuring Barry Perkins, Principal Trumpet, and Keith Popejoy, Principal Horn.
“We’ve transformed a corner of the Great Park Sports Complex into this temporary live music venue in a matter of months, and this ensures that we have live music and entertainment this summer while we work to develop the City’s permanent amphitheater facility,” Great Park Chair and Irvine Councilmember Mike Carroll said. “With a capacity of 5,000, Great Park Live is where the magic of live performance meets the beauty of this incredible park.”
After the FivePoint Amphitheatre announced its closure in October 2023, the City of Irvine began working to establish a temporary live music venue to avoid a gap in the delivery of live music in Irvine. After reviewing multiple options, the City Council authorized the establishment of a temporary live music venue. In less than two months, the City and partner PSQ Productions built the state-of-the-art live entertainment venue with a capacity of up to 5,000.
Great Park Live opens tomorrow, June 14, at 5 p.m. with an unforgettable night market experience, Irvine Nights, featuring DSB—A Tribute to Journey, food, night market shopping, and more. More than a dozen additional night market events are planned throughout the summer, featuring a diverse range of talented artists.
“With Great Park Live, we have set the stage for what promises to be an exciting summer of live music in Irvine with artists covering genres to suit every musical taste,” Mayor Farrah Khan said. “It promises to be a place where we can come together and experience fun, music, laughter, and a shared sense of community here at the Great Park.”
Great Park Live will serve as the summer home for Pacific Symphony, which is presenting a series of five shows beginning with its July 4th Spectacular featuring the Music of Chicago and a fireworks display. The venue also offers a dynamic setting for community events, such as the City’s outdoor movie series.
“Today is a momentous day for Pacific Symphony and the community members that inhabit Irvine and beyond,” said John Forsyte, President & CEO of Pacific Symphony. “This achievement is a testament to the visionary leadership of this City, and we are profoundly grateful for this opportunity.”
Great Park Live will welcome country artist Clay Walker on October 25 and the unique sounds of Brooks Nielsen on October 31, with more shows announced as the 2024 season continues.
Additionally, Great Park Live will serve as a reimagined food and beverage facility with a new gourmet eatery, The Layover, beginning Saturday, July 6.
Learn more and view upcoming events at greatparklive.com.
View the B-roll from the event.
View Great Park Live Media Day highlight video.
About the Great Park
The Great Park is a large public park located in Irvine, California. The park was built on the former site of the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro. It spans over 1,300 acres with more than 500 acres of park space completed. It features a range of attractions and facilities, including sports fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, walking and biking trails, a historic aircraft exhibition, a carousel, and its iconic tethered helium balloon. The park hosts numerous events throughout the year, such as concerts, farmers markets, and festivals. In addition, the Great Park serves as a prominent recreational destination for residents and visitors in Irvine, the United States, and throughout the world.
About Pacific Symphony
Under the direction of Music Director Carl St.Clair since 1990, Pacific Symphony is the largest U.S. orchestra formed in the past half-century. Based in Orange County, it is a premier ensemble known for its innovative programming and community engagement. Making strides on both the national and international scene, highlights include its debut at Carnegie Hall followed by a tour of China in 2018, a European tour and a national PBS feature with "Ellis Island: The Dream of America." It boasts numerous educational initiatives, such as the award-winning Class Act and instrumental training programs like the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra. Annually, the Symphony presents over 100 concerts and reaches over 300,000 individuals across various programs.