DAY TRIP NOKIA Theater

NOKIA Theatre is a part of the L.A. Live entertainment district that opened in October 2007. The L.A. Live entertainment venue was a 4-million-square-foot, $2.5 billion venture to build a sports, entertainment and residential district in downtown Los Angeles.

The venue, advertised as the largest in Southern California at 225,000 square feet, features 7,100 seats, with none of them more than 220 feet from the stage.

The NOKIA Theater hosts about 120 events a year, including stars like Kanye West, Duran Duran, Mary J. Blige and the Steve Miller Band.

It also played host to the American Music Awards in November 2007.

GETTING THERE

Take the I-405 north for about 25 miles. Exit onto the I-110 north toward Los Angeles. Take the I-10, Santa Monica Freeway, toward Santa Monica. Follow the signs for Pico Boulevard and merge onto Cherry Street. Turn right at Pico Boulevard and left at South Figueroa Street.

Public transportation is also available to get to NOKIA Theatre. The Metro Rail and Metro Buses stop near the theater with the Metro Rail Pico Station a block away from the theater. Visit www.metro.net for more information.

ADMISSION

Tickets for shows at the NOKIA Theatre can be purchased through the venue’s website, through www.ticketmaster.com, or at the theater’s box office. Tickets range from $10 to more than $150, depending on the show.

HOURS

The venue hosts shows throughout the week, with show times usually at 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m., but vary by date and performance.

UPCOMING SHOWS

Que Buena Presenta Lupillo Rivera will perform at 8 p.m. Saturday.

Duran Duran will perform at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 4.

Juanes will perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 7; Saturday, May 10; and Sunday, May 11.

Rush will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 8.

Sesame Street Live “When Elmo Grows Up” will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 29; 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, May 30; 10:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 31; and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, June 1.

Raven-Symoné will perform at 7 p.m. Monday, July 7.

IN THE AREA

Next to NOKIA Theatre are numerous other venues and attractions for visitors to enjoy. Adjacent to the center is the Staples Center which plays host to the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers basketball teams, as well as the Los Angeles Kings hockey team.

Club NOKIA is nearby and accommodates 2,300 guests in a more intimate setting that entertains guests with about 150 musical acts a year.

There are also restaurants for patrons to enjoy in the downtown area and ESPN is building a 110,000-square-foot showcase studio and regional headquarters, which will include a 30,000-square-foot ESPN Zone restaurant and bar.

— Daniel Tedford