[dropcap size=big]S[/dropcap]ummer is back. Last year was a bit of a bust, of course. But with the sun shining and cool breeze in the air, it's safe to say that the people of the greater L.A. area and beyond are ready to get back out there and get back to what we know best...straight vibing with the best of them.
For those Angelenos in the know, Grand Performances, the nonprofit free all-ages concert series, has been filling the streets of DTLA with music now for 35 years. The concert series begins this month and will be held until late September. Expertly curated by some of the city’s best tastemakers the city has to offer, GP is known for featuring some of the most genuinely eclectic and diverse acts from across the globe. Held at California Plaza in the historical Bunker Hill neighborhood, that can be found adjacent to the top entrance of Angel’s Flight. This year, the California Plaza space has evolved from waterfront fountains that had previously adorned the outdoor courtyard with a new look featuring an expanded grass area, increasing the capacity by 2,000.
While the concert series has traditionally attracted international musicians that have graced the GP stage, this year’s lineup organizers are looking within their own Los Angeles community as a central focus for providing the talent.
"We're so excited to invite Los Angeles to celebrate Grand Performance's 35th year at the new California Plaza! Now is the right time for LA to come together to re-connect with our diverse community. Providing a safe space for our multicultural and multi-generational celebrations”, says Azul Amaral, Grand Performances' Creative Director.
In June of 2021, GP’s concert season began with a series of pre-recorded live performances that premiered on YouTube. The first in the series featured Stones Throw record producer artist Mndsgn. His blissed-out 30 set, filmed by a secret garden housed on the site of a former swimming school in South Los Angeles, seems to transmit the feeling that we all are having right now: Emerging from our homes gazing up at the sky.
The performance coincided with the group’s recent album release, Rare Pleasure. The digital series continues with a new performance that will be posted weekly from June through early July. Featuring world percussionist Neel Agrawal (June 17), renowned dancer Sarah Elgart (June 24), and Cuban pianist and composer Dayramir González (July 1st).
The in-person kick-off for the Grand Performance concert series starts on July 9th with Todd Simon's Ethio-Cali ensemble, which brings their own distinctive L.A. take on Ethiopian jazz. The group previously collaborated with Kamasi Washington during many of their legendary live gigs around Los Angeles. Joining them that evening will be none other than legendary LA-based DJ Cut Chemist as the evening selector. Later on that month, on July 31st House Music Pioneer Marquess Wyatt celebrating his 21 years of his club performance of DEEP.
The following month, on Saturday, August 7, Dilla Fest featuring underground hip-hop hero Talib Kweli. Of course, the fun doesn’t stop there when it comes to GP. The following month on Saturday, August 28, featuring a specially curated evening with Hello Stranger ft. the IE’s own trippy foos Brain Story, Futuro cumbia weirdos Chola Orange and soulful stylings of Jason Joshua.
Rounding out the month of September and going out with a bang, on Saturday, September 4th, local DJ collective Subsuelo will play host to legendary hip-hop artists Panamanian by way of Oakland Los Rakas and Reyna Tropical (fresh off their Taco de Sonido feature here at L.A. Taco). The following Saturday, September 18th, Tropical Cumbia all-stars Buyepongo and Quitapenas go head to head for all of your dance party needs. Topping off their series, GP concludes their season with a legendary hip hop kickback crew, The Do-Over, on Saturday, September 25th.
This summer will no doubt be one for the book. Let GP be your soundtrack to all the good times to be had for the City of Los Angeles.
Grand Performances Cinematic Music Experience 2021
Available at Grand Performance's YouTube Channel
Friday, June 4 - Mndsgn
Thursday, June 17 - Neel Agrawal
Thursday, June 24 - Sarah Elgart
Thursday, July 1 - Dayramir González
Grand Performances 2021 @ Cal Plaza
Friday, July 9 - Ethio Cali
Friday, July 16 - Katalyst
Sunday, July 18 - Dance Baby Dance
Friday July 23 - La Tigresa y Briseyda Zárate
Saturday, July 31 - DEEP w/ Marques Wyatt
Saturday, August 7 - Dilla Fest ft. Talib Kweli
Friday, August 13 - Jacque Hammond and Qur'an Shaheed
Saturday, August 14 - Head Wraps in the Park
Friday, August 20 - Katzù Oso
Saturday, August 21 - Soulection
Friday, August 27 - Garth Trinidad and Trinidad-Senolia
Saturday, August 28 - Hello Stranger ft. Brain Story, Chola Orange and Jason Joshua
Saturday, September 4 - Subsuelo ft. Los Rakas, Reyna Tropical, Cumbiatón and LNL
Saturday, September 18 - Buyepongo vs Quitapenas
Saturday, September 25 - The Do-Over
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