LA Live's Tree Lighting to Take Place on December 2
Eric Richardson
[Flickr]
Two members of the Rockettes stand next to the candy cane switch used to light the LED tree during the 2010 L.A. Live Holiday Tree Lighting.
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — L.A. Live's non-traditional holiday tree got plenty of mixed reviews when it made its debut in 2008, but the LED-orbed structure has done well enough to return Downtown for its fourth year on Friday. The 54-foot metal structure includes 10,000 lights.
For the second time, the tree lighting will be a live television event. Pop artist JoJo, American Idol's Pia Toscano, Casey Abrhams and Haley Reinart, The Singoff's The Backbeats, singer Patti Austin with Greg Phillinganes and The Voice's Javier Colon will perform in the one-hour ceremony. Ice skating Gold Medalist Evan Lysacek will also perform.
Last year's performances included Willow Smith, Plain White T's, Seal and Stevie Wonder.
The show is free to the public and will take place at 7pm on L.A. Live's Nokia Plaza.
The entertainment complex's ice rink, the L.A. Kings Holiday Ice, also returns for 2011, again checking in at 80' by 80'. It is open from 5 to 11pm during the week and on weekends from 3 to 11pm. Admission is $12 and includes skate rentals.
DenOfLosAngeles on November 29, 2011, at 07:13AM – #1
I never did like this Jetson's tree. It's cold and metallic looking. Nokia Plaza deserves a real 90 ft. tree that would compliment the ice rink with it's warmth and beauty. Can you imagine one of these fake trees in Rockerfeller Plaza.
Raymond3000 on November 29, 2011, at 07:54AM – #2
Ahh Yes! the return of the great ROBOTREE!! lol, when will the narrow-mindedness over at AEG cease to exist? A regular tree like the Grove's would do huge wonders in softening and counteracting the cold sterileness of LA LIVE. Hopefully one year it catches fire lol j/k gosh I just hate that thing soo much
Downtowncommuter on November 29, 2011, at 07:59AM – #3
I hate this tree almost as much as I hate the methed-out wannabe-MILF woman in the Target ads.
Eric Wang on November 29, 2011, at 10:41AM – #4
This cold, sterile thing.
James123 on November 29, 2011, at 09:45PM – #5
I hate this tree too!!! I hope AEG realizes one day how UGLY this thing is.
Vero Queero on November 30, 2011, at 02:32PM – #6
A tree lighting? That's not a tree.
DawnC on December 03, 2011, at 11:04AM – #7
The woman in the Target ads is the very talented comedian Maria Bamford. If you've ever seen her act, you'd know that is just one of the many characters she does. I'm not sure it's quite as well appreciated out of context and in a commercial but I still think it's hilarious.
John G on December 03, 2011, at 11:00PM – #8
I agree with most of the people here.
This tree is very artificial and lacks substance. Sure it looks new, fresh, and almost futuristic. Los Angeles shares many of these characteristics. Its also done well in the past, especially since there is no other place like this in DTLA when you have so many popular bands playing at this event. However, this is Christmas. Its about community spirit during a time of giving. Not a Hollywood debut in the middle of summer. There is another time and place for that.
Please AEG, change up once in a while. Its a healthy way to bring life into this city for our diverse community.