LISTEN FOR FREE | ENJOYING THE SOUNDS OF SUMMER DOESN'T HAVE TO COST A LOT
By Evan Henerson Staff Writer
Article Launched: 06/05/2008 12:03:36 PM PDT
As the mercury rises, many popular entertainment venues of the outdoor variety need creative ways - and strong acts - to bring audiences to their space and not somewhere across town.
They can't exactly drop their prices. Not when so much of the summer musical offerings are free, free, free!
From Warner Center Park to the Santa Monica Pier to Pasadena's Levitt Pavilion, whether your tastes run to jazz, country, rock or roots, the selection is practically endless.
Free concerts frequently offer more than just music. Thanks to generous sponsorship and regular fundraising by the Valley Cultural Center, the 33-year-old Concerts in the Park series has evolved into a full-scale festival that includes a food court, a children's play area and arts vendors. New this year: a portable ATM.
There may be plenty to buy, but the entertainment won't cost a dime. This year's lineup includes Howard Jones, the Beatles tribute band Ticket to Ride, and the return of the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band.
"Berlin was a stretch," says Valley Cultural Center CEO James W. Kinsey III, referring to the Teri Nunn-fronted band that performs June 22. "It was definitely a coup for us to get them."
Following is a select list of venues and an assortment of summer concert highlights.
Levitt Pavilion
Memorial Park, 85 E. Holly St., Pasadena. (626) 683-3230, www.levittpavilionpasadena.org.
June 21-Aug. 31.
This summer, the Levitt has added an American music themed night Thursdays to fill out its week. Children's performances are Wednesday night, Friday is world beat, Saturday is Musica Latina and Sunday is devoted to jazz.
Among the new American Series highlights: Laurie Lewis (June 26), Royal Crown Revue (July 24), Thelma Jones (July 31), Bill Reveles and Shannon Hurley (Aug. 28)
Levitt Pavilion
MacArthur Park,
2230 W. Sixth St., L.A., www.levittpavilion
losangeles.org.
An offshoot of the Pasadena Festival now in its second summer. A few of the bands will play both venues. See www.levittpavilionlosangeles.org.
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. (310) 440-4500, www.skirball.org.
Thursdays, July 17-Aug. 28.
Unlike other music programing that requires museum admission or a minimum charge at Cafe Z, the Skirball's Sunset Concert series is free and requires no reservations. The 2008 lineup includes Tcheka (July 17), Baka Beyond (July 24), Jan Sebon (July 31), Daby Toure (Aug. 7), Yair Dalal and Naser Musa (Aug. 14), Ahimsa (Aug. 21), Sexteto Roberto Rodriguez (Aug. 31).
Concerts
in the Park
Warner Park, 5900 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 704-1358, www.valleycultural.org. Sundays, June 8-Aug. 24.
Sundays, June 8-Aug. 24.
Now in its 33rd year, the Valley Cultural Center-produced festival spans all musical genres and often throws in a festival as well.
This summer: 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (Sunday), Horace Heidt Jr.'s All-Star Big Band (June 15), Berlin (June 22), Preservation Hall Jazz Band (June 29), Howard Jones (July 13), Ticket to Ride (July 20), Pretzel Logic (July 27), Malo (Aug. 3), B.J. Thomas (Aug. 10), The Knack (Aug. 17), Starship (Aug. 24).
Grand Performances
California Plaza, 300-350 S. Grand Ave., L.A. (213) 687-2159 www.grandperformances.org.
Tonight's benefit concert for the downtown series at the Elevate Lounge comes with a charge. The rest of the summer offerings - which continue through Oct. 12 - are free. They include:
City of Los Angeles (COLA) Performing Arts Fellows: Phranc, Sesshu Foster and John Malpede (June 13), Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 (June 20), Rachid Taha (July 12), The Real Tuesday Weld & Lal Meri (July 18), Fresh Roots Jazz Festival (Aug. 1), Armenia Mania! (Aug. 2).
Farm Fresh Summer Music
West Patio of the Farmers Market, 6333 W. Third St., L.A. (323) 933-9211, www.farmersmarketla.com.
The Farm Fresh series includes Thursday night jazz series and Friday's music running now through Sept. 12.
The jazz lineup features: Doug McDonald Trio (tonight), Ron Kobayashi Trio (June 12), Otis Hayes R & B Jazz (June 19), Nutty (June 26), Jennifer Hall Quintet with Roger Neumann (July 3), Elliot Caine (July 10), Dana Bronson Quartet (July 17), Bill Watrous Quartet (July 24), Sydney Weisman and the Chicago Trio (July 31), Michael LeVan Trio (Aug. 7), Lori Andrews JazHarp Quintet (Aug. 14), DMQ (Aug. 21), Lao Tizer (Aug. 28), CJS Quintet (Sept. 4), Scott Martin Latin Soul (Sept. 11).
Friday night series: Blue Hawaiians (Friday), Once More (June 13), Tony Falla with Janelle Sadler (June 20), Charlie Jene and the Champion All Stars (June 27), Bobby Matos Afro-Cuban Band (July 11), Eddie Baytos' No Ho West (July 18), Inca (July 25), Rudy Regalado Salsa y Jazz (Aug. 1), Porterhouse Bob (Aug. 8), Justin Curtis and Sally Jo (Aug. 15), Atomic Sherpas (Aug. 22), Orquesta Charangoa (Aug. 29), Bad Haggis featuring Eric Rigler (Sept. 5), Saucy Monky (Sept. 12).
Summer Sessions
Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A. (310) 440-7300, www.getty.edu.
The July series spanning three Saturday nights at 6 p.m. will feature three world music bands, two stages, one DJ and, of course, no cost.
DJ Cheb i Sabbah and vocalist Riffat Sultana (July 12), Budos Band (July 19), El Guincho (July 26).
Wild Wednesdays
Torino Festival Plaza at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. (310) 618-6342, www.torrancelive.us.
A noon series that also includes food vendors. June 25 to Aug. 20. Sean Wiggins and Lone Goat Band (June 25), Bob Malone (July 9), Leroy Thomas and the Zydeco Roadrunners (July 23), Lil' Mo and the Unholy 4 (Aug. 6), Orquesta Charangoa (Aug. 20).
(310) 318-0631, www.redondopier.com.
Bring a beach chair to the Thursday and Saturday night series (beginning at 6 p.m.), which kicks off July 4 and continues through Aug. 30.
Surfing Safaris (July 4, starts at 5 p.m.), Orquesta Charangoa (July 5), Andes Trance (July 10), Michael Paul, Morgan & The Rogues (July 12), Zola Moon (July 17), Sligo Rags (July 19), Jimbo Ross, Bodacious Blues (July 24), Swing Inc. (July 26), Hula Monsters (July 31), Izon Eden (Aug. 2), Free to Be Me (Aug. 7), Zola Moon (Aug. 9), Panjive (Aug. 14), Boomer McLennan and The Rhythm Rangers (Aug. 16), Flight (Aug. 21).
Redondo Beach Summer Concerts Redondo Beach Pier, Torrance Blvd., Redondo Beach. Twilight Dance Series
Santa Monica Pier.
(310) 458-8900, www.santamonicapier.org, www.twilightdance.org.
The Thursday night series kicks off June 26 with The Bonedaddys and The Crown City Rockers and runs through Aug. 28.
One Hawaii with Keali'i Reichel, Na Leo, Weldon Kekauoha and Hula Halau (July 3), Spanish Harlem Orchestra (July 10), Bachata Roja Legends (July 24), Michelle Shocked with Mike Farris (July 31), Oliver Mtukudzi and Rocky Dawuni (Aug. 7), Carmen Consoli, Juana Molina and Samantha Crain (Aug. 14), Peter & Gordon with Gerry & the Pacemakers (Aug. 21), Toots & the Maytals (Aug. 28).
Evan Henerson (818) 713-3651
[email protected]
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