The End of the Gibson/Universal Amphitheatre

Sorry music fans, Harry Potter needs the room. After 40 years, the Gibson Amphitheater -- the venue formerly known as the Universal Amphitheatre -- is set to close. And it's a shame. It's still one of the best places to see a concert in all of L.A., as there's not a bad seat in the house, even in the back.

But Universal will tear the building down after its last show in September in order to make room for a new Harry Potter-themed attraction. Here are the details:

Starting in late summer, NBCUniversal will begin construction of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter themed land at Universal Studios Hollywood theme park, as well as new and upgraded television production facilities, office space and infrastructure on the Universal Studios lot. These projects represent a nearly $500 million investment in the Los Angeles economy and the creation of more than 2,000 construction jobs alone.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Hollywood will be a fully immersive experience for the entire family designed to bring the Harry Potter fiction and films to life with impeccable detail and authenticity. Similar to the dynamic Universal Orlando Resort themed land that opened in 2010, the Hollywood experience will be faithful to the visual landscape of the fiction and films, including Hogwarts castle that will serve as the centerpiece of the impressively themed environment. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is a collaboration between Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Parks and Resorts.

The Universal Amphitheatre first opened as an open-air venue in 1972, but was covered in 1982. News that the Gibson might shut down first leaked in 2011, but today's announcement makes it official.

I'm guessing the Gibson/Universal is the biggest venue in L.A. to be torn down since the Shubert Theatre was erased from Century City.

Scenes from a "Glee" Concert

Fox's "Glee" wraps up tonight with its first season finale. A year ago, the show premiered behind "American Idol" and performed so-so -- leading some to wonder whether it would last (or go the way of "Cop Rock").

A year later, "Glee's" a full-blown phenomenon. And Fox and the show's producers at 20th Century Fox TV are taking full advantage of that. Hence the show has already released five soundtracks after just one season (that's gotta be a record). And the "Glee" cast recently went on a four-city concert tour.

Fox has already picked up "Glee" for both a second and third season, so we'll have those pop-crooning high schoolers around for a while. Maria and I attended one of the Los Angeles "Glee" dates a few weeks ago... and hey, it's a guilty pleasure. The show was quite fun. And the crowd was pumped. I can't remember the last time we had to stand throughout a show at the Gibson Ampitheatre (where the seats are conducive to, well, sitting).

Here are some great shots from show, courtesy Sherry (whose camera took some great ones):


"Don't Stop Believin'"


"Sweet Caroline"


"Defying Gravity"


Lady Gaga


Lady Gaga number


"It's My Life"/ "Confessions"


"Halo"/ "Walking on Sunshine"


"Jump"


"Faithfully"


"Anyway You Want It"


"Any Way You Want It"


"Any Way You Want It"


"True Colors"


"Like a Prayer"


Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff sing "Hello"