Free Summer Events at Grand Ave Cultural District DTLA

Angelenos of all ages won’t need to venture far to find the ultimate destination for summer vibes. Downtown L.A.’s newly created Grand Avenue Cultural District, easily accessible by public transportation, includes Gloria Molina Grand Park, The Music Center (via its TMC Arts programming division), and its resident company partners (Center Theatre Group, LA Opera, LA Phil and the Los Angeles Master Chorale).

Yoga in Grand Ave Cultural District /Javier Guillen

From Tony Award®-winning musicals performed in The Music Center’s Ahmanson Theater to legendary outdoor dance parties taking over Jerry Moss Plaza  to an epic Summer Block Party, The Music Center is the top spot for fun under the sun, under the stars and under the spotlight.

“This summer … our campus and Gloria Molina Grand Park will come alive with music, dancing and a wide array of performances—many of which are free or low cost,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center.

“Join us at L.A.’s performing arts center to celebrate creativity, build lasting memories and elevate the artistic voices and stories that define Los Angeles,” said Moore.

Summer Schedule

Here’s a taste of what’s coming this summer. To view a complete list of summer events at The Music Center, click here!

The Music Center’s Spotlight Grand Finale
Ahmanson Theatre
The Music Center’s 37th Annual Spotlight Grand Finale celebrates 14 Southern California teens selected from among more than 1,600 applicants. This showcase of incredible talent is a free performance that concludes their yearlong artistic journey. The Music Center’s Spotlight is a free nationally acclaimed performing arts competition, scholarship and artistic development program for local teens competing in seven categories: acting, ballet, dance, classical voice, nonclassical voice, classical instrumental and contemporary instrumental.
Friday, June 6, 8:00 p.m.
Free!

• Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center: Boston Ballet’s Swan Lake
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Swan Lake, a masterpiece of classical ballet, has mesmerized audiences for generations with elegant dancing, iconic music and a timeless tale of love and loss. Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen’s production follows the Swan Queen Odette and Prince Siegfried in a tale of romance, sorcery and deceit. The second act, originally choreographed by Lev Ivanov, is historically considered the finest piece of classical choreography for the corps de ballet. The production showcases the full company, brilliantly transformed by Robert Perdziola’s impeccable costume design and set to the timeless score by P.I. Tchaikovsky.
Thursday, June 26, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, June 27, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 28, 1:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 29, 2:00 p.m.

• The Music Center’s Dance DTLA
Jerry Moss Plaza
The Music Center’s Dance DTLA returns this summer for its 21st season with Friday nights of free, in-person beginner dance lessons followed by a dance party to practice some new moves. No dance experience necessary! Food and beverages will be available for purchase. No outside alcohol is permitted.
Friday nights (exact dates to be announced soon!)
7:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Free!

• Live at The Music Center: esperanza spalding
Jerry Moss Plaza
An annual free concert, Live at The Music Center returns to Jerry Moss Plaza for the fourth consecutive summer, thanks to the generosity of A&M Records Co-Founder Jerry Moss and his wife Tina Moss. Held in one of L.A.’s top outdoor concert settings, the concert will feature Grammy®-winning music artist and composer esperanza spalding.
Saturday, August 2, 8:00 p.m.
Free!

• The Music Center Tours
Meet at The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles 90012 Create fun memories during summer vacation with a free tour of The Music Center’s sprawling campus! Led by volunteer docents, the Symphonians, the 90-minute tours encompass Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall. They’ll share details of each theatre’s history and architecture, along with Jerry Moss Plaza, while highlighting the many pieces of artwork, sculptures, tapestries, paintings and antiques from across the globe dating back to the 17th century. The free tours begin in the Grand Lobby of Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Tuesdays thru Fridays, 11:00 a.m.
Saturdays and Sundays, 10:15 a.m.
Free!

• The Music Center Presents: Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at noon and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A. Guided by a series of two-minute movement and breath work sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Now through Monday, June 30
Noon and 6 p.m.
Free!

• Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Wellness Breaks
This free yoga series is set to redefine midday breaks every Wednesday and Friday, amid the lush greenery of the park. In addition to the regular weekly yoga classes, everyone is encouraged to mark their calendars for every third or fourth Saturday for the park’s “Wild Card” series. These sessions are located on the scenic performance lawn between Grand Ave and Hill St.
Wellness Breaks: Wednesdays & Fridays
Noon – 12:45 p.m.
Free!

Wild Card Series: May 17 (Tempo Training & Resistance Bandwork: THIGHs, TRIs and BIs); June 21 (Family Yoga with Tree Yoga); July 26 (Groundwork Bodyweight Training); August 23
(Surprise Class)
10:30 a.m. – Noon

Fourth of July Block Party

• Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Summer Block Party
The largest free summer block party on the West Coast returns with fun for the whole family. With over 35 local food vendors, family activities, live music, dancing and an unforgettable drone light show, this legendary celebration of L.A.’s diverse communities is not to be missed. This year’s festivities also will feature workshops, live DJs, music, dance and a Ferris wheel!
Friday, July 4, 4:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Free!

• Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Sunday Sessions
A celebration of L.A.’s contributions to the global art form of dance music specially curated with DJs, themes and experiences unique to the house music genre and cultural community, Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Sunday Sessions is simply the best way to enjoy the park, sip cocktails, picnic and dance your heart out.
Sundays: July 20 & August 17
3:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Free!

For LA Opera, Ahmanson Theatre and other Music Center schedules, and a complete list of summer events, click here!

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