DCA Arts and Cultural Calendar
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February 2021
Afro-Latinx Festival
Celebrate cultural diversity and the African influence in Latin America at MOLAA’s Afro-Latinx Festival! Learn about the many ways in which the African influence has permeated Latin America and experience these first-hand through lectures, artistic presentations, music, dance, food, and even martial arts online.
From The Ford: Louie Vega & The Elements of Life
Bandleader Louie Vega is renowned the world over for helping to create and establish the soulful, Latin jazz, and deep house -influenced music style. Based in New York City, Vega is a dance music legend, both as a DJ and a producer. Louie and his band, The Elements of Life, performed live at The Ford in a celebratory 2018 concert commemorating global soul music marketing platform Fusicology’s 15th anniversary.
In Performance: Pacifico Dance Company
California’s premier baile folkllorio company takes you on a colorful journey to Mexico through music and dance. This vibrant ensemble of dancers and musicians celebrated its 25th anniversary on The Ford’s stage in 2017 with an evening exploring early Mexican history, myth, and folktales through a signature blend of traditional and contemporary dance movements.
LAMusArt Live!
This brand new initiative is a free collection of diverse performances: from Flamenco song and dance to Latin-Soul music to enjoy from the comfort of your home, on the second Saturday of every month. We invite you to preview the full season announcement at the website and to RSVP to your favorite concert and dates.
California African American Museum YouTube Channel
You can access all of CAAM’s videos “from artist interviews to exhibition previews and guest profiles on CAAM’s YouTube Channel. There are short videos about their exhibitions and public programs plus full recordings of many of their archived Zoom programs including a free yoga class and an inspiring talk with Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza and political commentator Bakari Sellers. New videos are added frequently.
LA Soundscapes: Blue13 Dance Company
Blue13 Dance Company brings to life the joy and exuberance of contemporary Indian dance, including Bollywood and Bhangra inspired dance works and demonstrations that at once entertain and educate all ages.
Tovaangar Today
Before Los Angeles’s name was first written on a map, there was Tovaangar: a gathering place and nurturing home to the Tongva people. Tovaangar Today is a virtual celebration of the Native artists and cultural creators who still thrive in the region working as poets, actors, emcees, multimedia artists, and advocates.
TaikoProject
TaikoProject is the go-to group for a modern American style of taiko, blending traditional forms with an innovative and fresh aesthetic. These clips from the group’s annual “Rhythmic Relations” concert feature 50 drummers of all ages performing classic and contemporary taiko songs accompanied by dynamic choreography and vocals.
SOUND/STAGE: Las Cafeteras from The Ford
Born and raised east of the Los Angeles River, Las Cafeteras remixes roots music to tell the modern-day stories of their community and build bridges between cultures. The band believes in using their music as a tool for creating positive change and inspiring others to do the same.
For the Love of L.A.
For The Love of L.A. highlights the broad and expansive array of Angeleno creativity across diverse disciplines and geographies. More than 35 artists in total will be featured with a platform to express their views of Los Angeles that are relevant and reflective of the current time through music, dance, and visual culture.
Grandeza Mexicana Presents Magia del Sureste
Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company presents favorite moments from their 2019 program Magia del Sureste, which gives life to the mystery and enchantment that are emblematic of Mexico’s Southeast ” the cradle of Mexican civilization”.
LA Soundscapes: Celebrating Samba with Viver Brasil
Viver Brasil offers selections from its Afro-Brazilian repertoire, including a performance of the Orixa Oxum and a Bloco Afro (parade) spectacle, along with a percussion and interactive dance workshop for the whole family.
FOR THE LOVE OF L.A
For The Love Of L.A. highlights the broad and expansive array of Angeleno creativity across diverse disciplines and geographies. More than 35 artists in total will be featured with a platform to express their views of Los Angeles that are relevant and reflective of the current time through music, dance, and visual culture.
Nikita Gale: PRIVATE DANCER
In the installation at CAAM, theatrical lighting trusses are transformed into sculpture, and programmed lights dance to an unheard soundtrack of music by Tina Turner, an icon the artist has been referencing for over six years. By isolating the visual language of live performance in the gallery and separating it from the expectation of audio, Gale creates an uncanny experience that serves as a meditation on the limits of the body, the demands of celebrity, and silence as a political…
Colibrí presents ¡Viva la Tradición!
!Viva la Tradición! concerts are always a highlight of The Ford’s seasons, with incredible mariachi groups showing off the range and power of traditional Mexican music. Join us as we look back at three amazing concerts for Hispanic Heritage Month, with performances by Las Colibrí, Mariachi Ángeles de Pepe Martinez Jr., Steven Sandoval, Marisa Ronstadt, Ballet Folklórico Ollín, and more!
African American Heritage Celebrations
African American Heritage Month is a citywide commemoration of African American heritage and history in Los Angeles. The celebration will acknowledge Southern California’s African American contributions in the areas of education, religion, the arts, culture, and the humanities. Events include dance and music concerts, and gallery exhibitions.
Aquarium of the Pacific’s African-American Festival
The Aquarium of the Pacific hosts its 19th annual African American Festival, celebrating the rich diversity of African American and African cultures. The online festival features dance and music performances, storytelling, and crafts. This virtual event will feature African and African-American music, dance, storytelling, and historical displays. Festival performances will include Mardi Gras second-line dancing, hip hop and break dancing, tap and modern dance, soul-pop fusion music, and West African drumming, dancing, and storytelling. This is a free live-streaming web…
Benita Bike’s DanceArt in Outdoor Show
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BENITA BIKE’S DANCEART PRESENTS OUTDOOR DANCE SHOW Covid-19 drove us into the nooks and crannies, but Benita Bike’s DanceArt dives back into live performance with a limited-attendance outdoor dance program on Saturday, February 27, 2pm, at Tierra del Sol Foundation Parking Lot, 9919 Sunland Blvd. in Sunland. Get your free ticket by emailing benita@danceart.org with your name and the number in your family-associated party. You will receive an email ticket. No walk-ins are allowed. Should Covid force…
March 2021
“The Orisha Talks” Sunday Salons
“The Orisha Talks” Sunday Salons Creative Sunday Salon of spoken word, poetry, music, dance, fashion and art – taking place onsite – in the garden, at the beach, on the porch or patio, at the lake or the park, in the sunshine maybe even the rain! Celebrating the Spring Equinox and the forces of Nature, called the Orisha! Creativity happens everywhere! Inspired by the book, The Orisha Talks: Tales of Lust, Love, & Herstorical Memory. Free – $23 includes…
April 2021
Made in L.A, 2020: a version
The fifth iteration of the Hammer’s acclaimed biennial bridges East and West with complementary presentations at the Hammer and The Huntington. Works by 30 Los Angeles-based artists are presented at both institutions in two versions that make up the whole. The exhibition features new installations, videos, films, sculptures, performances, and paintings, many commissioned specifically for the exhibition. Many of the featured events are online. The opening date of this exhibition is dependent on L.A. County guidelines for museums to reopen
Holi Festival of Colors
In India, Holi announces the arrival of spring and the passing of winter. The festival breathes an atmosphere of social merriment. There will be non-stop live music from great bands, yoga, mantras, dance, cuisine, and the throwing of colors.
May 2021
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a citywide commemoration of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage and history in Los Angeles. The celebration will acknowledge Southern California’s Asian and Pacific Islander contributions in the areas of education, religion, the arts, culture, and the humanities. Events include music concerts, performances, and several gallery exhibitions.
One City One Pride 2021
Each year the City of West Hollywood celebrates pride with its One City One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival, which runs from Harvey Milk Day (May 22) through the end of June Pride month (June 30).
June 2021
LA Pride 50
LA Pride will take place June 11-13, 2021. Despite the uncertainty of the pandemic, the safety of our community and city remains our top priority. More details on LA Pride 2021 will be coming in April
Cuban American Music Festival 2021
Yambu Productions presents the annual Cuban-American Music Festival. The festival will be a regional destination event that features four musical acts, dancing, local Cuban Artists, Cuban Food, drinks, and cigars. The festival will have a number of activities including domino tables, cigar lounge, music, bands, dance instruction, art exhibits, food, and alcohol.
July 2021
Peruvian Festival Chim Pum Callao LA 2021
Peruvian Fest Chim Pum Callao LA is exposing Peruvian culture to the City of Los Angeles. Celebrating the anniversary of the creation of the Port of El Callao, the festival will showcase a variety of internationally recognized Peruvian cuisine, as well as traditional drinks. In addition, Peruvian Fest Chim Pum Callao will share the different styles and sounds of Peruvian music and dance. The Peruvian Fest Chim Pum Callao LA will bring the Peruvian community together.
Central Avenue Jazz Festival
From the early 1900s to 1950s, Central Avenue was the epicenter of the Los Angeles music scene, especially jazz and rhythm & blues. With music as its binder, Central Avenue quickly became the heart and soul of the African American community in Los Angeles. Now in its 24th year, the Central Avenue Jazz Festival is a homage to the musical and cultural history of the area. The free two-day community festival presents a diverse lineup of food, art, culture, and…