This is where the stars go to shine. The Shrine Auditorium is where the entertainment industry holds many of its awards presentations. The Academy Awards, The Grammys, and the American Music Awards have all been held here in recent years. If you've ever wondered why it takes so long for the honorees to make it to the podium to receive their trophies, it's because the stage is 194-feet wide. Event organizers try to cut down on transit time by placing those most likely to win close to the orchestra pit. The auditorium holds 6,700 people and was the largest theater in the United States when it was built. Outside, the style of the building is Spanish Colonial Revival with domed cupolas on both ends in shining white. Since this is a Shrine affair, there is also a lot of Moorish detail work involved. The inside is reminiscent of a tent with its swooping ceiling. When major events aren't scheduled, the building is the headquarters of the Al Malikah Temple, a division of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine.

Shrine Auditorium
Courtesy: LACVB, PictureLA.com
By: Michele & Tom Grimm