Gustavo Dudamel & The LA Phil To Support Earthquake Relief With ‘A Concert for Venezuela’

Gustavo Dudamel will wrap his celebratory week of concerts in August with a special benefit concert to help victims of the devastating earthquakes in his home country of Venezuela. The event, which will feature Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic joined by special guests, will mark his last performance as the Music & Artistic Director of the LA Phil. 

The special benefit concert will take place Aug. 23 at the Hollywood Bowl and replaces the previously titled “Celebrating Gustavo at the Bowl: A Musical Legacy.”  The event will feature a full program with a star-studded lineup to be announced at a later date. This week’s announcement notes that Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic musicians will contribute their time for this event.

All donations raised will go to Dudamel’s Earthquake Recovery to Support Venezuelan Communities fund, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) fund.  

“Venezuela will always be my home, and every moment, my thoughts are with the families whose lives have been forever changed by this tragedy,” Dudamel said in a statement. “The suffering is immense, but so is the strength and resilience of our people. This concert at the Hollywood Bowl is an invitation to stand together and transform our compassion into action. Through our partnerships with the United Nations Development Programme and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, we can help ensure that urgent humanitarian aid reaches those who need it most, while at the same time working towards long-term recovery efforts. Every person who joins us and every contribution made is a reminder to the people of Venezuela that they are not alone. Together, through music, generosity, and hope, we will help our country heal and rebuild.” 

Kim Noltemy, President and CEO of the LA Phil, added: “In moments of profound need, our responsibility as an institution extends beyond the stage. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide direct financial support to relief efforts for communities in Venezuela with a $50,000 charitable donation and to stand alongside Gustavo in bringing this concert to life at the Bowl.”

The earthquakes on June 24 have resulted in more than 3,300 deaths and more than 30,000 people reported missing, according to the Los Angeles Times. 

Tickets for the benefit concert are on sale now via hollywoodbowl.com