Mount Wilson Observatory presents “Jazz / Carte Blanche to Tom Ranier”
Mount Wilson Observatory (MWO), Southern California’s esteemed home to several of the most groundbreaking astronomical discoveries in history, is pleased to present the fourth Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome of its 2026 season, inside the magnificent vaulted dome of MWO’s historic 100-inch telescope.
On Sunday, August 9, 2026, the audience is invited to experience “Jazz / Carte Blanche to Tom Ranier,” which sees musicians Tom Ranier (piano), Larry Koonse (guitar), and Darek Oles (bass), take the piano-guitar-bass trio format—so prevalent in the jazz world of the 40s—into the 21st century, with jazz compositions, standards from the American songbook and classical pieces. For more information on this concert, please visit www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert80926
As in previous seasons, Artistic Director Cécilia Tsan (Principal Cellist, Long Beach Symphony and Los Angeles Master Chorale) curates the series. Each concert date of the season features the same program presented twice—first at 3:00pm and again at 5:00pm. There will be an artist reception at 4:00pm between each concert’s hour-long session. Tickets cost $65 each and are available for purchase online in advance (highly recommended) or at the door, given availability.
For more on the Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome series and upcoming concerts, please visit www.mtwilson.edu/concerts
UPCOMING CONCERTS IN THE 2026 SEASON:
September 6: Webern String Quartet - www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert0906256
A program featuring Todd Mason String Quartet No. 5, “The Phoenix” (2025), and Beethoven String Quartet No. 15, Op. 132, performed by Webern String Quartet—Benjamin Hoffman and Chiai Tajima (violins), Alex Granger (viola), and Stella Cho (cello).
October 4: Piano Quartets - www.mtwilson.edu/events/concert100426
Featuring David Kaplan (piano), Ambroise Aubrun (violin), Ariana Solotoff (viola), and Cécilia Tsan (cello), playing Mahler and Brahms Op.60 in C minor.
VISITING MWO
The gate to Mount Wilson’s campus opens at 10:00am daily and closes at 5:00pm from early April through November. Entrance to the grounds is free. Visitors can hike, gaze at the telescope domes and towers that dot the landscape, and take a look at historic Mount Wilson photos and letters in the Museum.
The Cosmic Cafe (www.mtwilson.edu/cosmic-cafe), located above the main parking lot at the Observatory entrance, is open on weekends in the spring, summer, and fall. In addition to traditional menu items such as hot dogs, drinks, and snacks, the Cafe offers wraps, salads, and sweet treats from Little Flower.
PARKING
A U.S. Forest Service Adventure Pass is required to park at the Observatory. A $5 day pass or a $30 dollar annual pass may be purchased at the Cosmic Cafe on weekends between 10:00am and 5:00pm. During the week, passes are available at locations around Los Angeles. The most convenient location before heading up is at the Shell station in La Canada Flintridge at the bottom of the Angeles Crest Highway (https://find.shell.com/us/fuel/10007957-4530-angeles-crest-hwy/en_US). Visit the U.S. Forest Service website for more information about Passes and other locations to buy them: www.fs.usda.gov/r05/passes/adventure-pass
NOT ADA-COMPLIANT
Please be advised that access to the 100-inch dome is via an open-air, 53-step staircase inside the building. There is no ADA-compliant access.
For more information about visiting Mount Wilson Observatory, please visit: www.mtwilson.edu/visiting
