Grand Performances
The South Coast AQMD believes all residents have a right to live and work in an environment of clean air and is committed to undertaking all necessary steps to protect public health from air pollution, with sensitivity to the impacts of its actions on the community and businesses.
Justo Almario’s Afro-Colombian Ensemble
Friday, July 17 - 12:00PM
Native Colombian and Los Angeles resident, Justo Almariobrings his Colombian, Afro-Cuban, jazz-funk fusion ensemble for a tasty noon-time treat.
Albita
Saturday, July 18 - 8:00PM
Grammy-winning Cuban-American singer, producer and composer Albita is "…the reincarnation of a 1930's European chanteuse, a Berlin Cabaret singer transfused with Latin blood." So says Los Angeles Times writer Mike Clary. One would be hard pressed to find any statements to the contrary. It will be standing room only for this event because your feet will command you to dance!
Cucu Diamantes & Watcha Clan
Friday, July 17 - 8:00PM
Cucu Diamantes, firecracker co-founder of new York-based Grammy-nominated Latin fusion band Yerba Buena steps out with her own solo ensemble. She will charm, seduce and entice in this performance. Marseilles, France-based Watcha Clan’s, drum 'n' bass and reggae rhythmic templates form the backbone of their sound. Mix in Balkan Gypsy brass, Ashkenazi/Sephardic flavors, and the group’s multi-lingual lyrics and what emerges is a thick, trance-like stew of body moving music.
Musicology 302: Paul Robeson – Humanity’s Voice
Thursday, July 23 - 8:00PM
UCLA Lecturer Paul Von Blum sheds light on Renaissance man Robeson giving voice to theatre, opera and spirituals as well as to civic and human rights causes while addressing the rising demand for much of Africa's liberations from colonial control.
The Bad Plus
Friday, July 24 - 8:00PM
“Better than anyone at mixing the sensibilities of post-60's jazz and indie rock.....” The New York Times. The Bad Plus is an audacious, rule-breaking jazz trio that crunches and at times pulverizes swing to let improvisational freedom shine. Mingus, Monk, all the fearless fathers of jazz would have been proud of this forward thinking group that has the temerity to re-invent classic rock tunes such as Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man” and Nirvana’s “Smell’s Like Teen Spirit.” Wendy Lewis, Minneapolis vocalist, poet and frontwoman for indie-rock band "Redstart" adds another daring dimension.
Curumin & Novalima
Saturday, July 24 - 8:00PM
Japanese-Brazilian Luciano Nakata Albuquerque - front-man for Curumin - happily mixes breezy ballads, 70s Brazilian pop, and off-kilter soul, with reggae, greasy spoon funk and hip hop. Traditional Afro-Peruvian marinera folkloric rhythms meets hip hop beats, funk, salsa and dub in Novalima’s progressive, innovative sound. Get ready to dive into Latin America’s 21st century sound.
Lo Còr de la Plana
Friday, July 31 - Noon
The all-male French acapella group Lo Còr de la Plana is unlike any other band touring today. The music is sung in a disappearing language called Occitan. The voices are sometimes augmented with hand drums and tambourines with vocal melodies related to Arabic music, Gregorian chants, and percussive call-and-response hintings from Africa.
Lo Còr de la Plana & Fishtank Ensemble
Friday, July 31 - 8:00PM
See above description for Lo Còr de la Plana. LA Weekly calls Fishtank Ensemble “…the rompin', stompin' leaders of cross-pollinated Gypsy music.” This is a wild experience you’ll never forget.
More info
300-350 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles. www.grandperformances.org/
