DTLA LIFE MAG #28 | SUMMER 2016 | Page 30

Grand Performances return with a worldwide slate of beats and fun in Downtown LA for its 30th anniversary. Hailed as the “Best Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series” by Los Angeles Magazine and called “a grand gift to the public” by the Los Angeles Times, Grand Performances celebrates its 30th anniversary season in 2016. The not-for-profit presents high-quality music, dance, theater, and more from around the world for free at California Plaza in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Grand Performances has developed a loyal audience and an industry reputation for presenting and curating the most globally eclectic and forward-thinking summer series on the West Coast. well as access to exclusive lounges and artist meetand-greets, are available by becoming a Grand Performances member. For the complete schedule, events, directions, parking and more information, visit www.grandperformances.org. Amidst the bustling traffic of The Broad and MOCA Grand lies a summer urban oasis of music, dance, multimedia, and spoken word where shows are always free and open to the public. Hailed as the “Best Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series,” Grand Performances returns this June for its 30th Anniversary season with an international and local lineup of artists that reflect the diversity and cultural depth of Los Angeles. A stage set into a waterfall at Grand Avenue’s California Plaza comes alive with a state of the art sound and lighting system that rivals any venue in the area. Audience members picnic, dance, or simply sit and enjoy the performances amongst the tall office and residential skyscrapers and the stars. Performances run from June 10 through August 21. Grand Performances programs are free and open to the public. Events are held on a stage outfitted with state of the art lighting and sound equipment built into a water fountain at California Plaza, accessible by numerous bus routes and is conveniently located next to the Metro Rail Pershing Square Station. Seating is open and is filled on a first come, firstserved basis starting two hours before a performance. Blankets and low-backed chairs are welcome as long as they don’t block designated walking, dancing or wheelchair areas. Audience capacity is 5,000+ people spread out on the upper and lower levels surrounding the fountain. There are 350 amphitheater seats and 800 chairs on the lower plaza. Additionally, dozens of benches dot both levels of the concourse. Reserved seats, as GRAND PERFORMANCES California Plaza 350 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90071 www.grandperformances.org