PERFORMING ARTS

A New Bowl Game: The second phase of a $25.5-million make-over of the venerable Hollywood Bowl, which includes adding more restroom facilities and improving wheelchair accessibility, is underway. Among the planned alterations: improving the Bowl’s entrance, installing an elevator system to all levels and erecting a new ticketing building, concessions and gift shops. The renovation project, which will eventually double the Bowl’s size to 4,400 square feet, is largely funded by Proposition A, a 1992 measure that provided $540 million to improve county recreational facilities. In other Bowl news, “Mr. Hollywood Bowl” himself, Mel Torme, has announced that he will not perform at the venue this year for the first time in 20 years because of scheduling conflicts. He will perform locally, however, Feb. 23-24 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

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Opera in Paris: Paris’ 19th century Opera Garnier, which has languished in the shadows of its futuristic sister opera house, the Bastille, showed off a costly face-lift Thursday and won the right to stage operas again. Closed for the last 18 months for a $29-million refurbishment, the domed landmark was built by Charles Garnier in 1875. The bare-breasted victories, graceful cherubs and masks that decorate the gilded balconies have been cleaned, as have the winged figures and Paris monuments in Chagall’s colorful ceiling. Hailed by French Culture Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy as “France’s most prestigious auditorium,” the restored Opera Garnier will open March 1 with Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.”

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Dancer Retiring: Celebrated Canadian ballerina Karen Kain, 44, who was the partner frequently of Rudolf Nureyev in the 1970s, is retiring next year. The National Ballet of Canada, where Kain is a principal dancer, will mark her retirement with a series of farewell performances beginning in Toronto in May 1997. Meanwhile, Kain is reported to be on the list of candidates to become the company’s new artistic director.