Tag: music

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that the fifth annual Americana in the Park will be held on September 14.

Attendees are asked to bring a picnic, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy family entertainment. The event will take place for one day only, for this special edition celebrates Santa Monica’s 150th Anniversary with an array of artists reflecting the city’s diverse and creative spirit.

The event will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Gandara Park located at 1819 Stewart Street.

El Rayo X, Alice Howe & Freebo, The Gumbo Brothers, and Babilonia featuring Celia Chavez will be performing at the event.

There will be local food trucks, kid-friendly activities provided by Rediscover Center, a McCabe’s Guitar Shop pop-up stocked with merch and musical accessories and more.

SANTA MONICA—On Thursday, August 14, the city of Santa Monica announced that Americana in the Park is back for a fifth year with a special edition celebrating the city’s 150th Anniversary with a mix of artists reflecting the city’s diverse and creative spirit on Sunday, September 14, from 1:30-6:30 p.m. at Gandara Park.

Presented by Santa Monica’s own McCabe’s Guitar Shop along with Santa Monica-based KCRW as the media partner, Americana in the Park brings a broad spectrum of Americana music from traditional roots, blues, jazz and folk to its modern forms.

Attendees are invited to bring blankets, lawn chairs and food for a picnic. Local food trucks will be on hand, offering delicious options for purchase — from classic burgers at Messi Burger, to Caribbean fusion at Tropic Truck, to sweet treats from Creamy Boys ice cream truck.

Americana in the Park will also feature kid-friendly activities provided by Rediscover Center and a McCabe’s Guitar Shop pop-up stocked with merch, musical accessories and more.

Altadena Musicians, a group supported by the city’s Art of Recovery initiative and committed to assisting individuals who lost their musical instruments and audio gear in the recent wildfires in 2025, will be on hand to share more information about their efforts with attendees.

The 2025 concert lineup includes:

-El Rayo X – Formed in 1981 by the legendary multi-instrumentalist David Lindley, El Rayo-X fused rock, blues, reggae, and world music into a genre-defying soul-stirring sound. For a special night at Americana in the Park, the original spirit of El Rayo-X returns, paying tribute to Lindley’s legacy while bringing the timeless El Rayo-X sound to life for a new era.

-Alice Howe & Freebo – Rock bass legend Freebo weaves his fretless stylings into Alice Howe’s soulful, impeccably tuned vocals for a harmony-driven performance showcasing two uniquely compelling songwriters.

-The Gumbo Brothers – Formed in 2002, The Gumbo Brothers’ New Orleans and classic 70s funk quickly became a hit in Los Angeles. Throughout the years, the band explored their sound, adding soul, upbeat R&B, and hip-hop, and bringing even more vitality with the addition of vocalist and emcee Apollo Jai (formerly Justin Sky) in 2019.

-Babilonia featuring Celia Chavez – After years touring the world as a singer for major artists, Celia Chavez emerges as Babilonia, reclaiming pieces of herself through soul, jazz, and folk—resisting melancholy, embracing bittersweetness and arriving with a luminous new sound that’s wholly her own.

Americana in the Park is free and open to the public. Public transportation is encouraged. Big Blue Bus Route 43 serves Gandara Park, with buses running every 45 minutes. Additionally, Metro Rail’s E Line serves the nearby 26th St./Bergamot Station, with trains operating between East Los Angeles and Downtown Santa Monica every 10 minutes. Plan your trip at bigbluebus.com.

For more details on American in the Park visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/americana-in-the-park-tickets-1481827639359.

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Sunday, August 17, the grand finale of the West Hollywood Summer Sounds Free Outdoor Concert Series will take place at Plummer Park at 7377 Santa Monica Blvd.

The event will take place at 4 p.m. and will honor 40 years of West Hollywood cityhood with an unforgettable afternoon of music featuring:

-Brainstory – A psychedelic soul trio blending jazz, soul, and modern groove
-Motown On Mondays LA DJs – Spinning classic Motown hits and dancefloor favorites

Attendees should:
-Bring your blankets & low chairs
-Grab bites from on-site food vendors
-Enjoy fun activities & free giveaways (while supplies last)

The event is free to attend. For more details about Summer Sounds contact Joy Tribble, West Hollywood’s Arts Specialist, at (323) 848-6360 or at jtribble@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing dial 711 or 1-800-735-2929 (TTY) or 1-800-735-2922 (voice) for California Relay Service (CRS) assistance.

By Danny Jones

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica announced that there will be five free Make Music Day outdoor concerts held in various parks throughout the city on Saturday, June 21.

According to the city of Santa Monica’s website, Make Music Day is held in over 800 cities and 110 countries, and was inspired by France’s Fête de la Musique. Make Music Day was launched in 1982 in France as the Fête de la Musique. It is now held on the same day in more than 1200 cities in 120 countries.

Santa Monica has been part of the event since 2012, supporting neighborhood groups through its Art of Recovery initiative to host community concerts in local parks.

This year’s June 21 Make Music concerts in Santa Monica include:

-Concert in Douglas Park – Presented by Santa Monica Northeast Neighbors,10a.m.–12p.m. Click here for details and line up.

-Concert at Norman Place and Main Street, within Main Street’s Annual Summer Soulstice Festival – Presented by Ocean Park Association 12-5 p.m.

-Concert in Reed Park – Presented by Wilshire Montana Neighborhood Coalition 1-5 p.m.

-Concert in Colorado Center Park – Presented by Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors 4-8 p.m.

-Concert in Palisades Park (between Georgina & San Vicente) – Presented by North of Montana Association 5-8 p.m.

For more details visit: https://www.makemusicla.org/.

By Danny Jones

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, December 9, the city of West Hollywood disclosed that on Sunday, December 15 there will be a special celebration of our 40th Anniversary with a free Winter Sounds outdoor concert.

Corbin Jones Big Band will present a 90-minute “Holiday Extravaganza,” featuring renditions holiday classics.

“With a 22-piece ensemble of Grammy winners and rising stars, it will be an amazing afternoon filled with holiday spirit,” the city of West Hollywood stated on its Facebook page.

The event is free and open to all ages Seating is limited—early arrival is recommended. To RSVP and learn more visit: go.weho.org/4ijbgE4.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Thursday, July 25, the city of Santa Monica announced that the Endless Summer C.A.M.P. (Community | Art | Music | Picnic) event and Americana in the Park are set to bring high energy music and family friendly activities to Santa Monica parks this August and September.

The second annual Endless Summer C.A.M.P. will highlight world music and dance, puppetry and animals from around the world for four Saturdays in August at Tongva Park, 1615 Ocean Ave.

The events are courtesy of a partnership with Community Arts Resources (CARS) and is family friendly and attendees should bring a picnic, blankets and beach chairs. Tongva Park’s amenities include a splash pad, playground, ocean observation deck, public art and 100 plus species of plants.

Endless Summer C.A.M.P. Event Lineup

August 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Bollywood dance performance by Joya Kazi Entertainment along with bells and beads adornment workshop with Matti Sands. Angel Fruits Cart will offer fresh fruit for purchase.

August 10, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Philippine dance, music and song by Kayamanan Ng Lahi along with Traditional Mexican folklorico dance by Academia de Danza Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo’s youth ballet. Artist Eros Cortes will lead a plant terrarium workshop and Angel Fruits Cart will offer fresh fruit for purchase

August 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Puppet show with the Bob Baker Marionette Theater along with a performance by Grammy-nominated family artists Andrew & Polly. A puppet-making workshop will be led by reDiscover and Angel Fruits Cart will offer fresh fruit for purchase

August 24, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Animals from around the world with Conservation Ambassadors/Zoo to You along with mini rock concerts from the youth bands of KID ROW. Artist Dajin Yoon will lead a kite-making workshop. Angel Fruits Cart will offer fresh fruit for purchase

In September, the fourth annual Americana in the Park series returns, offering a wide range of Americana music on Sundays at Gandara Park, 1819 Stewart St.

A partnership with Santa Monica’s own McCabe’s Guitar Shop, this year’s concerts will explore Americana music from its roots to modern forms, featuring a youth mariachi band, a community sing-along, high energy instrumentals along with craft activities for all ages and food trucks.

Americana in the Park Event Lineup

September 1, 5-7 p.m.: Sing-along free-for-all with McCabe’s Hootenanny Collective opens with Dustbowl Revival headlining with booty shaking soul roots music and cut-to-heart folk-rock ballads.

September 8, 5-7 p.m.: Student group Mariachi Los Catrines opens with Los Straitjackets headlining with high energy instrumental guitar rock and roll from around the world.

September 15, 5-7 p.m.: Guitarists and songwriters Rick Shea & Tony Gilkyson open with Southern California band Mustangs of the West headlining with all styles of country music.

September 22, 5-7 p.m.: Molly Miller opens with instrumental Americana jazz songs tinged with folk and Surf Rock vibes along with powerful original compositions of The Azar Lawrence Experience headlining.

September 29, 5-7 p.m.: Solo acoustic guitar fusion of folk, jazz, blues, pop and classical styles of the

Laurence Juber Trio opens and Airfoil headlines with the rocking side of Wings’ great repertoire.

Endless Summer C.A.M.P. and Americana in the Park are made possible by the city’s Art of Recovery community grants initiative. For more details visit santamonica.gov.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On June 13, the city of Santa Monica announced on its website that the city will celebrate music-making on the summer solstice, June 21, with three free outdoor concerts, joining Make Music Los Angeles in encouraging the community to pick up an instrument and play.

Make Music Day is noted as a global celebration of music from 800 cities across 110 countries on the summer solstice inspired by France’s Fête de la Musique. Santa Monica has participated in Make Music Los Angeles since its inception in 2012 and gives support to neighborhood associations through its Art of Recovery program to present outdoor concerts.

June 21 events in Santa Monica include:

-Concert in Beach Park 1 presented by Ocean Park Association, 2 – 6 p.m.
-Concert in Colorado Center Park presented by Santa Monica Mid City Neighbors, 4 – 8 p.m.
-Concert in Palisades Park presented by North of Montana Association, 5 – 8 p.m.

Make Music Los Angeles is inviting everyone to pick up an instrument on June 21 and participate in music through online music lessons, national projects and a global livestream of events worldwide. To learn about ways to participate visit www.makemusicday.org.

By Trevor

WEST HOLLYWOOD—On Monday, January 8, the city of West Hollywood announced the 2024 Winter Sounds Free Indoor Concert Series will take place on select Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. between Saturday, January 27, and Saturday, February 24, at The Sun Rose performance venue at Pendry West Hollywood, located at 8430 Sunset Boulevard. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the concerts start at 7 p.m. Arriving early is recommended.

The Concert Series will start January 27, with three-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek. She has collaborated with jazz legends Fred Hersch, Billy Childs, Kurt Elling, and more, and has six critically acclaimed albums under her belt.

The next concert in the series will feature the gifted multi-instrumentalist Julius Rodriguez on Saturday, February 10; at 7 p.m. Julius Rodriguez combines his jazz training with his passion for R&B, gospel, and hip-hop. He grabbed audiences’ attention touring with A$AP Rocky, Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter, as well as by working on projects with Meshell Ndegeocello, Kassa Overall, Brasstracks, and others. In 2022, he released his solo debut for Verve Records “Let Sound Tell All.”

The Winter Sounds Concert Series finale is on February 24 at 7 p.m. and will feature keyboard maestro, vocalist, composer, producer, arranger, and astral traveler Brandon Coleman. A regular fixture with Babyface, Donald Glover, Flying Lotus, and Kamasi Washington, Coleman represents a new chapter in the evolution of jazz and funk fusion. After the release of “Resistance” in 2018, Coleman embarked on a 30-city tour supporting Flying Lotus.

West Hollywood’s 2024 Winter Sounds Free Indoor Concert Series is organized by the city’s Arts Division. Winter Sounds concerts are free and guests must be 21 years of age and older to attend. RSVP is recommended. RSVP does not guarantee admittance. Seating is first-come, first-served, limited to availability. Fifteen dollar validated valet parking at the Pendry is available for attendees. Street parking may be available, but attendees should visit local street signage. Rideshare is suggested. For additional details about the performers and to view the series visit www.weho.org/wintersounds.

For information about Winter Sounds contact Joy Tribble, West Hollywood’s Arts Specialist, at (323) 848-6360 or at jtribble@weho.org. For people who are Deaf or hard of hearing call TTY (323) 848-6496.

By Trevor