As we reflect on 2023 and what the year meant for Grand Performances, the words “urgency,” “evolution,” and “reach” often come to mind.

Our 2023 season was historic in many ways… and that was the case on our social media platforms as well. Here’s some metrics and accomplishments that we’re proud of.

Our 37th summer became a fully immersive experience with the addition of our vendor village at select concerts. Featuring small businesses, local organizations, and artisans from across LA county.

2023 was an unforgettable Summer Season… but in case you did forget any parts of it, here’s a recap of our press coverage which helped document it all!

We’re beyond grateful that the GP community has responded to the new Membership program. Since April, we’ve TRIPLED the number members we initially had. We’re just getting started too. Check it out…

During our off season we have been busy digitizing archival posters and brochures of Grand Performances shows from the 1990s.

We are thrilled to announce that we have received a capital improvements grant from the Perenchio Foundation. This funding will support critical infrastructure upgrades, propelling us to expand our reach and impact in LA County. Together, let's build a stronger arts sector!

Remembering.a dance community hero Rudy Perez.

Thanks to the legendary cumbia band Grupo Kual, California Plaza became the new home of the 6,000 cumbia fans in attendance (this was one of our largest shows in our 37 year history).

For our final poetry night of the 2023 season, we explored the themes of racial injustice and the Black Lives Matter movement. It was honest, emotional, raw, heavy, and unforgettable.

As a classically trained jazz pianist who also has three decades’ worth of experience crafting house music and experimental broken beat, Mark de Clive-Lowe is a bonafide musical unicorn.

To properly celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip hop we needed a little bit of pain with our joy. We also needed some education with our entertainment. 50 years means that three generations have now grown up with hip hop, which also means that we've lost many hip hop elders along the way. Thus, last Saturday wasn't just a party... it served as a moment of solemn reflection too.

CalPlaza was filled with music lovers who cheered and danced to a plethora of classic soul songs, often introduced by the DJs via heartwarming pre-recorded dedications

This past Saturday we were treated to two intimate and soulful performances by Martha Redbone and her friend and opening act Maritri Garrett.

LA Stories, featuring 17 local artists, touched on issues of gentrification, beloved landmarks, lost landscapes, over-policing, culture, and pride. These raw and unfiltered stories generated claps, laughs, and even a few gasps.

During its legendary decade-long run at the Zanzibar in Santa Monica, Afro Funke' parties were renown for their spontaneity and eclecticism. Boasting the globe-spanning, crate-digging resident DJs Jeremy Sole (KCRW) and Glenn Red (La Junta), you could expect the unexpected on any given Thursday night. ⁠

LA’s underground jazz legend Garrett Saracho made a triumphant return to the stage. The show, co-presented by Jazz Is Dead, was so much more than just a revisiting of his 1973 lost classic En Medio.

Thanks to Viver Brasil, the GP community became fully immersed in Brazilian culture this past Saturday. That immersion even included guided dance lessons and interactive art installations that captivated the audience.

We've been blessed to witness such great performances by The Nubian Sound Group and Sona Jobarteh this past Saturday!