Band to benefit burned Griffith Park

SHANNON URTNOWSKI
A&E Editor

After being taken on a walk through the devastation at Griffith Park, which was caused by a wildfire in May, members of alternative rock band the Goo Goo Dolls decided to get involved with the park’s restoration efforts. In hopes of raising money for the Griffith Park Recovery Fund, the band will kick of a benefit concert series tonight.

“Some of the firemen showed us some of the land right behind here, and, just to see something like that, we wanted to get involved.” Robby Takac, bassist for band, said.

Takac said that he has been personally motivated to help with the park’s recovery.

“I live in Hollywood, and I’ve been there now nearly a decade,” Takac said. “[Griffith Park] is part of my life. It’s crazy to think the fire came that close to destroying all that.”

According to Takac, his bandmates John Rzeznik and Mike Malinin share his desire to contribute to the Los Angeles community.

“Some of the conditions [at Griffith Park] are at their worst, and we believe it’s good to raise awareness about it,” Takac said. “We hope this helps people pay attention to the situation.”

Griffith Park is one of the nation’s largest parks, spanning 4,120 acres, and the fire burned more than 800 acres of its land, according to Jane Kolb of the Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. She said the fire came close to destroying the parks’ Greek Theatre, where the Goo Goo Dolls will headline the benefit series tonight.

Takac said the band is glad the venue is still standing because it would be a great loss to lose such a unique theater.

“The Greek Theatre is a beautiful venue, and the fact that it’s still there is amazing,” Takac said. “That’s cause to celebrate.”

Junior Alyssa Woods, who is going to the Goo Goo Dolls show tonight, said she thinks the band is supporting a commendable effort.

“Fires are a big problem in the greater L.A. area, and they affect us all, so I think it’s a really important cause to support,” Woods said. “I think having big names like the Goo Goo Dolls come will really bring in a lot to help rebuild the park.”

Woods has not yet seen the devastation at Griffith Park, but she said she is glad that she has been able to contribute to its recovery. She said she is also looking forward to the show.

“I’m really excited to see the Goo Goo Dolls in concert,” Woods said. “I’ve heard they’re awesome live.”

Proceeds from tonight’s show and others in the benefit series will go toward the Griffith Park Recovery Fund to replenish vegetation that was lost in the fire. According to Jane Galbraith, Director of Communication for Councilman Tom LaBonge, the fund was created by The Department of Recreation and Parks’ Greek Theatre Advisory Committee. 

Efforts to raise money for the fund were started by Nederlander Concerts, the Greek Theatre’s management, in early August. With the help of celebrities like Tony Bennet, Los Lonely Boys and Clay Aiken, more than $10,000 has already been raised. According to Vanessa Kromer, director of Publicity for Nederlander Concerts, that number should “increase significantly” after the Goo Goo Dolls perform.

To date, the Goo Goo Dolls is the only band scheduled to perform for Nederlander Concerts’ benefit series, which is its newest effort, but Kromer said the venue operation firm is in the process of confirming more artists. Instead of closing in October, the theater will undergo an extended season to accommodate these concerts. It will stay open until Nov. 11 and reopen in April 2008.

The Goo Goo Dolls will perform tonight at 7:15 pm, following an opening performance by Relient K. The show is the last of the band’s summer tour.

09-06-2007