Greek Bearing Gifts

The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles is helping rebuild the area around it, which was damaged by fire in May.

The Goo Goo Dolls have already volunteered to headline a benefit show September 6th, postponing one scheduled June 19th, to raise funds for the Griffith Park Recovery Fund. More shows are on the way.

Alex Hodges, the new COO for shed operator Nederlander, told Pollstar a series of benefits will be held at the venue through at least November.

"We were able to take advantage of a unique opportunity when the Goo Goo Dolls were thinking about moving the date [of their second show.]," Hodges said.

Nederlander asked the band to consider rescheduling its show in September to kick off the benefit series and close out their U.S. tour.

Griffith Park was devastated when fires left more than 800 acres destroyed. The Greek wasn’t damaged but the fire came close to it. In fact, police and firemen used the venue and its parking lot as a staging area while fighting the blaze.

"It’s not just over in a day when the news trucks move away, and the recovery’s not over in a day," Hodges said. "The purpose of the fund is reforestation of Griffith Park. It’s really simple, but it’s a big project."

Hodges thinks the restoration will be very costly.

"It’s going to take time to organize and find the right dates … and do all of the things that might help raise some money, but this is a cause that people will join together for."

Hodges said response from artists has been terrific.

"We’re getting calls from people who say, ‘I’m not on tour, so I don’t have my full production out, but I’d like to participate in a five-act show’ and we have others who are saying, ‘I’m already sold out on a show, but I’ll do an additional show.’

"And there are others who are saying ‘My tour’s ending in October or November. Can we find a date then? I’ll come and do a show.’"

Formats and pricing are likely to vary.

"Stevie Ray Vaughan, whom I managed, said, ‘Music is healing.’ So we’ll use music as healing for a beautiful park," Hodges said.