2016 GP SEASON DESCRIPTIONS
Featuring high-quality music, dance, theater, and more from around the world, the 30th anniversary season of Grand Performances runs from June 10 through August 21, 2016. Adjacent to downtown Los Angeles attractions such as The Broad, MOCA, Angels Flight, Grand Central Market, and Pershing Square, the free and open to the public concerts are presented on a stage built into the fountain at California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Avenue. For more information on seating, amenities, public transportation, parking, and more, visit www.grandperformances.org or call 213-687-2190.
EVENTS:
Prejudice and Pride
DATE: Friday, June 10, 8:00 PM
The transformation of “Chicano” identity through activism in the 60s and 70s is documented via a screening of Prejudice and Pride, episode 5 of the PBS series, Latino Americans: 500 Years of History. The screening will be followed by a scholar led discussion. Latino Americans: 500 Years of History has been made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.
Latino Americans: 500 Years of History has been made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.
LEGEND:
EVOLUCIÓN L.A.TINO explores Latino and Chicano culture, power, influence, and experiences from a local and global perspective through music, theater, film, culinary arts, and expert panels/lectures. Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Our MUSIC, MOVEMENT, MEANING post-show discussions are a great opportunity to reflect upon what you just experienced. Everyone is welcome to participate!
Hear. Poetry. Now.
DATE: Saturday, June 11, 7:00 PM
Written word is brought to life through an evening of poetry featuring the City of Los Angeles (C.O.L.A.) Individual Artist Fellows and L.A.’s legendary Writ Large Press artists. Supported by the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and the California Arts Council.
Supported by the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and the California Arts Council.
Cinderella by Sock Puppet Sitcom Theater
DATE: Sunday, June 12, 3:00 PM & 4:30 PM
Dress in your favorite fairytale garb and join the magically and musically reimagined telling of Cinderella in the style of a television situation comedy...with sock puppets.
LEGEND:
FAMILY PROGRAMMING especially of interest to our young fans! Activities begin 1/2 hour before performance.
Mashrou' Leila
DATE: Friday, June 17, 8:00 PM
Led by courageously queer and outrageously handsome Hamed Sinno, this Lebanese band's melodic hooks and head-nodding rhythms create magnetic magic.
Soy Africano
DATE: Saturday, June 18, 8:00 PM
Transportive, complex rhythms and lilting guitars — all West African trademarks —meld with familiar Latin sounds to bring you a spirited evening exploring new territory in diasporic connections.
Soy Africano highlights the overlooked history and widespread influence of latin music in West Africa by showcasing the ways in which clave-based Cuban music and New York Salsa were embraced by Africans, and led to thriving “latin afro” scenes in countries like Senegal, Benin, Guinea and the Congo.
Featured vocalists include Afrisa International's Wawali, Congolese-Angolan singer Ricardo Lemvo, Chicano Batman's Bardo Martinez, Brazilian songstress Thalma de Freitas and the legendary Lazaro Gallaraga among other surprise guests.
Produced for Grand Performances by Radio Afrique and Dexter Story (Music Director/Conductor).
Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts
LEGEND:
EVOLUCIÓN L.A.TINO explores Latino and Chicano culture, power, influence, and experiences from a local and global perspective through music, theater, film, culinary arts, and expert panels/lectures. Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Flutes Across the World
DATE: Sunday, June 19, 3:00 PM
From a flute-making workshop to an all-out, interactive jam session for kids (and parents, too) with five LA area world music masters, we celebrate music of the world’s indigenous cultures.
Especially of note to our young fans! Activities begin 1/2 hour before performance.
Featuring Martin Espino, Vik Momjian, Pete Korela, M.B. Gordy, John Zeretzke and special guest, Hasan Minawi.
LEGEND:
FAMILY PROGRAMMING especially of interest to our young fans! Activities begin 1/2 hour before performance.
Chicana Moratorium: Su Voz, Su Canto
DATE: Friday, June 24, 8:00 PM
The poetic and musical voices of Latina power light up the night with original songs, spoken word, and more led by Martha Gonzalez of the East L.A. band Quetzal.
The Amazing line-up includes:
Vaneza Calderon
Mary Alfaro
Rosalie Rodriguez
Marisa Martinez
Marlene Beltran
Irene Diaz & Carolyn Cardoza
Eddika Organista
Marisa Ronstadt
Maya Jupiter
Alice Bag
Lysa Flores
Theresa Covarrubias
Toni Santoyo
Matt Amper
Inspired from a series of Story Circles and discussion groups presented by Grand Performances and the Los Angeles Public Library this past spring. Supported by the American Library Association and the National Endowment for the Humanities. This performance honors the legacy of C. Bernard Jackson.
LEGEND:
EVOLUCIÓN L.A.TINO explores Latino and Chicano culture, power, influence, and experiences from a local and global perspective through music, theater, film, culinary arts, and expert panels/lectures. Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Our MUSIC, MOVEMENT, MEANING post-show discussions are a great opportunity to reflect upon what you just experienced. Everyone is welcome to participate!
Classical Remix
DATE: Saturday, June 25, 8:00 PM
Classical music is reinterpreted with a Latin, gypsy and straight-up jazz tip for a hot night of cool melodies. Colburn School Alumni and local jazz luminaries break it down for all the hip cats.
Trio Dinicu with Jazz cats:
Todd Simon - Trumpet (Music Director)
Juliane Gralle - Tuba
Justo Almario - woodwinds
Ndugu Chancler - Drums
Phil Ranelin - Trombone
Marcel Camargo - Guitar
Supported by The Colburn Foundation
LEGEND:
Our MUSIC, MOVEMENT, MEANING post-show discussions are a great opportunity to reflect upon what you just experienced. Everyone is welcome to participate!
José-Luis Orozco ¡Come Bien! Eat Right!
DATE: Sunday, June 26, 3:00 PM
The beloved children’s entertainer leads an interactive musical feast of rhythm, rhyme, and culture blended with a bilingual message to eat right and live life to the fullest.
LEGEND:
FAMILY PROGRAMMING especially of interest to our young fans! Activities begin 1/2 hour before performance.
The Three Louies
DATE: Sunday, June 26, 7:00 PM
An East-LA riff on the joys and absurdities of life with Louie Perez of Los Lobos, LA Poet Laureate Luis J. Rodriguez, and journalist Luís Torres. Part performance art, part “sitdown” comedy, and part social satire chisme.
LEGEND:
EVOLUCIÓN L.A.TINO explores Latino and Chicano culture, power, influence, and experiences from a local and global perspective through music, theater, film, culinary arts, and expert panels/lectures. Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Our MUSIC, MOVEMENT, MEANING post-show discussions are a great opportunity to reflect upon what you just experienced. Everyone is welcome to participate!
Making Escabeche with Ernie Miller
DATE: Thursday, June 30, 7:00 PM
A hands-on demonstration of making the pickled carrot, jalapeño, vegetable medley served on Latin tables by LA’s master food preserver. Participants will take home a jar of their creation. Please bring a 16oz water bottle and RSVP: escabeche@grandperformances.org
LEGEND:
EVOLUCIÓN L.A.TINO explores Latino and Chicano culture, power, influence, and experiences from a local and global perspective through music, theater, film, culinary arts, and expert panels/lectures. Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Troker
DATE: Friday, July 1, 8:00 PM
From Guadalajara to GP – this crew merges powerhouse funk, blistering horns, hard-hitting drums, and virtuoso turntablism into potent rockjazz.
Kneedelus - A Live Collaboration between Kneebody + Daedelus
DATE: Friday, July 1, 8:00 PM
The collaboration between the instrumental quintet Kneebody and electronic musician Daedelus had its initial roots planted as far back as high school for old friends, saxophonist Ben Wendel and Alfred Darlington. The pair’s early musical kinship in southern California seeded a connection that grew through numerous collaborations, recordings and live performances over the years coming to fruition in an improvised performance in 2009 at “Jazz A Vienne” between their two primary music vehicles – Kneebody and Daedelus. When Wendel was awarded a composition grant through Chamber Music America it became a catalyst to write a series of pieces that would bridge the gap between the oft indescribable world of Kneebody and the unique aesthetic of Daedelus. When the quintet entered the studio with Darlington, the other members brought more compositions to the fore and the result is a 9- song set of original music that sits inside the rich pantheon of instrumental music, but with a modern sheen that takes the shape of a multi-headed beast straddling rock, jazz, and electronic music.
Artist travel provided by United Airlines
1 To 3
DATE: Saturday, July 2, 8:00 PM
Boundary pushing, entertaining, experimental, and elevated chamber jazz from revered Armenian virtuosos Arto Tunçboyacıyan (Armenian Navy Band), pianist Vardan Ovsepian, and cellist Artyom Manukyan.
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
DATE: Sunday, July 3, 3:00 PM
Known as the face of kindie music, these Latin Grammy winners and Emmy nominees bring smart, bilingual, crafty lyrics with irresistibly fresh pop beats.
LEGEND:
FAMILY PROGRAMMING especially of interest to our young fans! Activities begin 1/2 hour before performance.
HAPPY HOURS
Swing Electrique with DJ Derek Rath
DATE: Thursday, July 7, 4:30 PM
Le Jazz Hot meets EDM uptown with sonic stops along the way.
SuperEverything*
DATE: Friday, July 8, 8:00 PM
UK audio-visual artists, The Light Surgeons, collaborate with a group of Malaysian artists for a lush, live cinema, and music experience that explores identity, ritual, and place in Malaysia’s past, present, and future.
LEGEND:
RE: ARRANGED—MUSLIM CULTURES ILLUMINATED
showcases Southeast and Central Asian Muslim artists through immersive and educational exchanges with L.A. musicians, students and community members. Supported in part by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.
Mexrrissey
DATE: Saturday, July 9, 8:00 PM
Morrissey is reimagined in a south of the border international love letter that speaks to the outsider inside us all.
HAPPY HOURS
The Town I Live In with DJ Rudy Bleu y Carlos Morales
DATE: Thursday, July 14, 4:30 PM
All-vinyl set of Boleros, Cumbias, Romanticas, Latin soul y más.
daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra
DATE: Saturday, July 16, 8:00 PM
It’s been 15 years since Geoff “Double G” Gallegos’ enormous, OG orchestra first graced our stage. Let’s celebrate as the strings, beats, rhymes, braids and melodies fly, float and lift our spirits ever higher.
HAPPY HOURS
Congo Mashup with DJ Garth Trinidad
DATE: Thursday, July 21, 4:30 PM
Africa’s most stylish, modern music, and its foundations.
Ginkgoa
DATE: Friday, July 22, 8:00 PM
Welcome to hot club cabaret where vintage Paris sophistication meets New York cool in swinging electro-gypsy jazz beats. Ooh-la-la!
Supported by FLAX - French Los Angeles Exchange
Our Nation Awakens
DATE: Saturday, July 23, 8:00 PM
An all-star ensemble celebrates the soundtrack that has fueled social and political movements through the decades and around the world.
Supported in part by Liberty Hill Foundation in celebration of its 40th Anniversary
HAPPY HOURS
International Disco and Funk with DJs Joel Quizon & Rani de Leon
DATE: Thursday, July 28, 4:30 PM
Funk and Disco will never die for it is loved around the world.
Se Mueve: Aquí/Here: It Moves
DATE: Saturday, July 30, 8:00 PM
LA artists Rafa Esparza, Maria Garcia, Yesika Salgado, and Yosimar Reyes delve into the depths of Brown creativity/identity through spoken word, movement, and site-specific performance art.
LEGEND:
EVOLUCIÓN L.A.TINO explores Latino and Chicano culture, power, influence, and experiences from a local and global perspective through music, theater, film, culinary arts, and expert panels/lectures. Supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Our MUSIC, MOVEMENT, MEANING post-show discussions are a great opportunity to reflect upon what you just experienced. Everyone is welcome to participate!
Mbongwana Star
DATE: Saturday, August 6, 8:00 PM
Worldwide phenom and Rolling Stone’s Coachella 2016 must-see pick is a testament to the human spirit. Dance to psycho-electronic grooves that enhance the roots of Congolese dance music with dubby synths and powerful vocals.
Artist travel provided by United Airlines
Sanubar Tursun
DATE: Sunday, August 7, 7:00 PM
U.S. debut - The Diva of West China’s Uyghurs introduces her classical culture to LA. Her sensuous voice, accompanied by long-necked lutes and frame drums, is a one-of-a-kind experience.
LEGEND:
RE: ARRANGED—MUSLIM CULTURES ILLUMINATED
showcases Southeast and Central Asian Muslim artists through immersive and educational exchanges with L.A. musicians, students and community members. Supported in part by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.
Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre FishEyes
DATE: Friday, August 12, 8:00 PM
The world premiere of an adventurous, multidisciplinary project exploring water and drought with site-specific choreography around a giant stainless steel fish installation. Water you waiting for?
Supported by The James A. Doolittle Foundation
LEGEND:
Our MUSIC, MOVEMENT, MEANING post-show discussions are a great opportunity to reflect upon what you just experienced. Everyone is welcome to participate!
Disco Manila
DATE: Saturday, August 13, 8:00 PM
Put on your boogie shoes and embrace the resurgence of disco from the Manila Sound era, the next wave of global groove music. Manila Sound was a catch all moniker during the 70's describing Philippine popular music that embraced its American soul/folk/pop/jazz influences, combined it with Filipino modern aesthetics and polished it off with the musical proficiency of the vibrant Manila scene that somehow flourished during the Marcos-era Martial Law.
Live Performances of classic Disco dance floor fillers by the original purveyors of the sound and those who lived it.
With members of VST & Co., Music & Magic, The New Minstrels and more. Featuring Mark Redito (FKA Spazzkid).
Produced by Joel Quizon and Co-Produced by Rani de Leon in collaboration with Creative Concepts International.
The Women Who Score: Soundtracks Live
DATE: Friday, August 19, 8:00 PM
This landmark event showcases extraordinary female composers of film, television and video games. The concert will celebrate powerful music, promote greater visibility for women artists and take audiences on a musical adventure.
Kiosk with special guest Ardeshir Farah
DATE: Saturday, August 20, 8:00 PM
One of the most influential underground rock bands to emerge since the Iranian Revolution is joined by the Grammy-winning guitarist for an evening of stinging political satire hidden within a blues and folksy sound.
Fuzon & Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad Qawwal
DATE: Sunday, August 21, 7:00 PM
Pakistani Sufi rock pairs with Qawwali legends of traditional devotional music in a transcendent evening of South Asian vibrations.
Supported by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art, Consulate General of Pakistan and members of USC Pacific Asia Museum’s Pakistan Arts Council celebrating 25 years.
LEGEND:
RE: ARRANGED—MUSLIM CULTURES ILLUMINATED
showcases Southeast and Central Asian Muslim artists through immersive and educational exchanges with L.A. musicians, students and community members. Supported in part by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art.
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Media contact:
Andy Perez E, aperez@zerepa.com, 323.717.1635
Editor’s note:
High-resolution photos and video available
Updated: June 10, 2016