Scene & Heard: Opening night dining at the Bowl and a museum preview

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One of L.A.’s great social traditions happened this week, as classical music fans (including Lakers owner Jerry Buss) dined alfresco at the Hollywood Bowl for Tuesday’s kickoff of the L.A. Philharmonic’s summer season with fireworks and a tribute to the late Ernest Fleischmann.

Although many recall the days when picnickers brought along fine china, linens, candelabras and, in one case, the butler, to dinners at the Bowl, today’s concert-goers are more likely to pack a casual basket or order from Patina, the Bowl’s official caterer. Yet flowers still dotted tables and recent innovations, such as the big screens, were well-appreciated.

And then the next night museum supporters got a sneak preview of “Age of Mammals,” which opens Sunday at the newly renovated 1913 Building at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Exposition Park.

Paul Haaga, chairman of the NHM board, talked about the museum’s transformation to the 21st century, which is “less in the direction of showing people things, and more towards showing how we know what we know and then leaving people curious and wanting to know more.” He added, “We use question marks in our exhibits, so you come out with new knowledge, but also with a sense of wonder.”

With Lynn Brengel and Diane Naegele as event co-chairs, an estimated 670 guests “mingled with the mammals” and met, among others, paleontologist John Harris, lead curator of the exhibit, which spans 65 million years of evolution.

Look for the full story here and in “Scene & Heard” in Sunday’s Image section.

-- Ellen Olivier

‘Age of Mammals’ at the Natural History Museum

Interactive graphic: Natural History Museum makeover

Music review: Grant Gershon opens Hollywood Bowl classical season

The Hollywood Bowl’s spectacular fireworks