The Levitt Pavilion will have one of the hottest musical stages this summer as a free concert series returns with dozens of live performances covering genres from Latin soul to groovy dance tunes to hip-hop to Cambodian pop plus punk rock and more.
“The whole vision and mission is to build community through music by providing a space where people can connect with one another and experience the beauty and unity that music offers us,” said Allegra Padilla, executive director of Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles musical series.
Now in its 18th year, the free series brings local and international acts to MacArthur Park where the music will launch June 28 with shows set on Saturdays through Aug. 30, although there may be more music added at a later date since the first planned show for June 21 had to be postponed.
Those who attend the new opening night will be treated to a show by Cambodian pop stars Dengue Fever. The veteran Los Angeles band mixes psychedelic rock with Cambodian pop sung in Khmer, garage rock and psychedelic grooves. It’s going to be a night of cool dance moves too because Dengue Fever will be joined by Spaghetti Cumbia, which performs a unique blend of psychedelic cumbia rhythms with tropical beats, and funky brass.
“This is pretty much going to be like a global dance party,” Padilla said.
Also on the stacked summer lineup this year are electro-rock fusion stars Kinky and Los Abandoned on Aug. 23 while the scheduled finale on Aug. 30 brings local alt-rock and punk legends Redd Kross to the stage.
Here is the complete summer lineup:
When: 7-10 p.m. June 28
Details: Dengue Fever, Spaghetti Cumbia, the Hollywood Highsteppers and Al Lover’s World Party.
When: 7-10 p.m. July 12
Details: Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band with La Verdad bring a night with Latin soul and jazz fusion.
When: 6-10 p.m. July 19
Details: Medusa, Beat Junkie Institute of Sound with No Easy Props and a pre show talk by Zócalo Public Square. This will be a night of hip-hop, turntables and dance.
When: 7-10 p.m. July 26
Details: Tony Y Sus Bayuncos with Grupo Bamba, DJ’s Henry Rza, Yvain Amour, Fiddy, Love Baila and KA for a night of Central American rhythms.
When: 7-10 p.m. Aug. 2
Details: Eddie Chacon, Thee Heart Tones and VJ Society of Shadows will perform a soulful night of retro grooves
When: 7-10 p.m. Aug. 9
Details: Wazumbians with Africa in America and DJ Novena Carmel are bringing Afrobeat, dance and grooves to the stage.
When: 7-10 p.m. Aug. 16
Details: La Resistencia with Lxs Cochinxs. This will be a rebellious night of punk rhythms.
When: 7-10 p.m. Aug. 23
Details: Kinky and Los Abandoned bring back the heyday of electro-rock.
When: 7-10 p.m. Aug. 30
Details: Hawthorne-born punk and alt-rockers Redd Kross are headlining a night of pink, glam and garage rock that will include opening acts Juanita & Juan, Kate Glover and DJ Keith Morris.
MacArthur Park is located at 2230 W. 6th St., Los Angeles. For more information, go to levittlosangeles.org.