Gustavo Dudamel Shifts Concert to Benefit Venezuela Earthquake Victims

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Gustavo Dudamel will dedicate his final Hollywood Bowl performance on August 23 as a benefit concert to support communities affected by recent deadly earthquakes in Venezuela. The event aims to raise funds for earthquake recovery efforts through a partnership with the United Nations and regional development banks, with all proceeds and performances donated by Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Gustavo Dudamel, the music and artistic director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, will dedicate his final Hollywood Bowl performance in Los Angeles as a benefit concert for communities affected by recent earthquakes in Venezuela. Originally planned as "Celebrating Gustavo at the Bowl: A Musical Legacy," the event will instead be renamed "A Concert for Venezuela" and take place on August 23.

The decision reflects Dudamel’s desire to support his native country, which experienced severe devastation from twin earthquakes on June 24. The natural disasters caused widespread destruction, resulting in over 3,300 deaths and more than 30,000 people reported missing. With international rescue efforts winding down, local teams and Venezuelan communities abroad continue to seek ways to provide aid.

Dudamel, who was born and raised in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, expressed his solidarity with those affected, emphasizing both the immense suffering and resilience of the Venezuelan people. “This concert at the Hollywood Bowl is an invitation to stand together and transform our compassion into action,” he said in a statement. The concert will serve as a fundraising event, with proceeds benefiting the Earthquake Recovery to Support Venezuelan Communities fund, established by Dudamel in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean fund.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic announced that Dudamel and the orchestra’s musicians will donate their time and services for the benefit concert without charge. In addition, the orchestra will contribute $50,000 to the relief fund. Kim Noltemy, president and chief executive of the L.A. Phil, underscored the organization’s commitment to supporting communities beyond the concert stage during times of crisis.

Dudamel’s connection to Venezuela is also rooted in his musical upbringing; he is a product of El Sistema, the Venezuelan government’s youth music education program, and has served as music director of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra since 1999. The full concert program and special guest artists are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

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