Close out your summer with two days of drumming and jazz. Some of the best musicians will gather at the Watts Tower Arts Center Campus. So join us September 28 the campus will present the 38th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival, followed by the 43rd Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival on September 29. The events honor musician, community activist, and Watts Towers Arts Center student Nipsey Hussle.
Opening at 10:00 a.m. on both days, festivities begin at 11:00 a.m. with music, activities, and good rhythms rolling until 6:00 p.m. Experience traditional Korean drumming, Afro Brazilian Capoeira, and see renowned performers such as David Ornette Cherry, Lynne Tiddmount, Jasmine Tommaso, Dwight Trible, and more. JMP All Stars featuring Patrice Rushen, Munyungo Jackson, Reggie Hamilton, Justo Almario, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith close out the festival.
Along with the music there is art at the Noah Purifoy & Charles Mingus Galleries, children’s workshops, a food court with delicious options, and many more activities to keep the pulse of the festival pumping.
This event is free and open to the public!
Festival Schedules:
38th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival
Saturday, September 28th, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Masters of Ceremonies: Kamau Daáood and James Janisse
11:00 a.m. Xochipilli
Aztec traditional dancing with Huehuetl and Teponaztle drums.
12:00 p.m. Korean Classical Music and Dance
Traditional Korean drum and dance.
1:00 p.m. Capoeira Batuque
An explosive and dynamic performance in the Afro Brazilian art of Capoeira.
2:00 p.m. Kahil El’ Zabar
Higher consciousness, rich and compelling, fearless and deeply spiritual, a sacred journey.
3:00 p.m. Mandingue Empire
Celebrating music, dance and culture of the Mandingue ethnic group of West Africa.
4:00 p.m. Marvin “Smitty” Smith and Black Diaspora Music
A musical expression of the Black Experience.
43rd Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival
Sunday, September 29, 2018 | 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Masters of Ceremonies: Kamau Daáood and James Janisse
10:30 a.m. Alaadun
Yoruba ground blessing uniting all cultures based on common themes and principles.
11:30 a.m. Darrell Crooks & Heaven
Spiritually connected.
12:30 p.m. Jasmine Tommaso
A vocalist who styles Italian Jazz and West Coast Soul.
1:15 p.m. Tai Chi Chuan
School of healing martial arts, Dr. Daniel Hoover, Instructor.
1:30 p.m. David Ornette Cherry with Organic Nation
A musical fusion of cultures, purely garage-style beats, universal language emphasizing a positive state of mind.
2:15 p.m. Charles Mingus Award
Presented by the Watts Towers Community Action Council.
2:30 p.m. Lynne Fiddmont
Vocal stylings that tap and maneuver between R&B, Afro-Cuban, and Jazz melodies. Perfect for real music lovers and groovy people.
3:30 p.m. Dwight Trible
An adventurous spiritual jazz singer who opens his mouth and the spirit pours out. Bringing people together and healing their hearts.
4:30 p.m. Jazz Mentorship Program All-Stars featuring Patrice Rushen, Munyungo Jackson, Reggie Hamilton, Justo Almario, and Marvin “Smitty” Smith, and Aaron Janik.
Straight Ahead Jazz.
All Day Activities at the Festivals:
Drum Pavilion: Universal Drum Circle
Led by Matt Gibson III
Noah Purifoy & Charles Mingus Galleries
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
An in-house exhibition from the Watts Towers Arts Centers’ archives.
Dr. Joseph & Bootsie Howard Gallery
International musical instruments
Permanent Exhibition
Charles Mingus Youth Arts Center
Supervised children’s activities 12:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Garden Studio
Tiling and garden activities, turtle pond, and African Sulcata Tortoise dwelling, tiling projects, etc.
Watts Towers Amphitheatre
Food Court
Additional Sponsors:
The festivals are sponsored in part by:
GRoW @ AnnenbergTM a philanthropic initiative dedicated to supporting humanitarian efforts across the globe as well as innovative projects in health, education, the arts and civic and cultural life.
Visual Art:
The art representing the festivals is by artist, Aise.
