Los Angeles’ Grand Performances announced
May 4th, 2011 11:31 am PT
By Dena Burroughs
LA Arts Examiner

May 4, 2011 – LA’s Grand Performances has announced this season’s line-up of eclectic, no-charge performing arts events.  For 25 years, Grand Performances has brought music and performing arts to the Plaza on Grand Ave, in downtown LA, making them available to everyone interested.  “Downtown is neutral,” says Michael Alexander, Executive Director of Grand Performances and a native Angeleno. “It doesn’t belong to any one community, so it can belong to all.”

Grand Performances has turned the Los Angeles’ Financial District, which used to be desolate after work hours, into a buzzing, family friendly venue, where established and new artists are able to share their talent.  Concert goers are encouraged to come-as-you-are, relax, bring along a picnic, a bottle of wine, and sit down to enjoy some of the best entertainment available.  Most concerts are at 8 pm.  Details will be posted soon at http://www.grandperformances.org

Grand Performances 2011 Summer Lineup

Friday, June 17: Department of Cultural Affairs Artists Project: Ian Ruskin, Sheetal Gandhi
Saturday, June 18: Tongue and Groove
Sunday, June 19: Embers, A Jazz Opera in Poems (concert reading of a work-in-progress)
Friday, June 24: Charles Phoenix in Los Angelesland
Saturday, June 25: Crime After Crime
Sunday, June 26: Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm
Thursday July 7: Diavolo Dance Theater and Noruz (in English)
Friday, July 8: Diavolo Dance Theater and Noruz (in Spanish)
Friday, July 8: Mr. Little Jeans
Saturday, July 9: 25th Anniversary Fundraiser One Night, One World, One Stage
Friday, July 15: Los Angeles Electric 8
Friday, July 15: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80
Saturday, July 16: Baloji and Tasneem
Thursday, July 21: Traveling Pickle Factory with Rabbi Shmuel Marcus
Friday, July 22: Meklit Hadero
Friday, July 22: Fania Records' Africa Caribe by Joaquin "Joe" Claussell and Palenke Soultribe
Saturday, July 23: Build an Ark and Pan Afrikan People's Arkestra
Friday, July 29: Shoghaken Ensemble
Friday, July 29: Blitz the Ambassador and Malverde with Maleco Collective
Saturday, July 30: Shoghaken Ensemble and Tigran
Thursday, August 4: The House of Quality: Boyle Heights and The Music of Democracy
Friday, August 5: Quartetto Fantastico
Friday, August 5: Quartetto Fantastico and Chez Quartet
Saturday, August 6: Watcha Clan and Yemen Blues
Friday, August 12: Mariachi Rock-O
Friday, August 12: Mariachi Rock-O and Mariachi Mystery Tour
Saturday, August 13: Sussan Deyhim
Thursday, August 18: Indian Ink Theatre Company presents the Guru of Chai
Friday, August 19: Indian Ink Theatre Company presents the Guru of Chai
Friday, August 19: I See Hawks in L.A.
Saturday, August 20: Exene & Phranc
Friday, August 26: Chicano Batman
Friday, August 26: From Roots to Fruits: A Tribute to the Music of Quincy Jones
Saturday, August 27: A Night at The Phillips Music Company
Sunday, September: Galeet Dardashti