Monthly Archives: January 2016


Earlier this week, Local Foods, Local Placesa federal partnership dedicated to helping communities create walkable, healthy and economically vibrant neighborhoods by strengthening local food systemsannounced their 2016 community partners. We’re thrilled to learn that out of 300+ applicants, three of the 27 towns and cities selected to participate in this collaborative initiative will also be hosting free Levitt concerts this season. A hearty congratulations to Middlesboro, Denver and Memphis on their selection! Continue reading

Flying baby_2

This year, the impact of the Levitt concert season will be soaring to new heights (just like this adorable onesie-clad concertgoer at the 2015 Levitt AMP Bellingham Music Series). The upcoming concert season will feature 450+ free Levitt concerts in 21 towns and cities across America!

With concert preparations already underway, the countdown for the largest Levitt season in history is on. Are you ready?


Three-time Levitt Shell Memphis performers St. Paul and The Broken Bones in 2014.

Last year, over 6,000 undiscovered musicians from across the country submitted entries for NPR Music’s Tiny Desk Contest. The prize? A gig at one of music’s most unlikely concert venues: the desk of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen.

Since its start in 2008, the Tiny Desk Concert Series has become an online phenomenon, with nearly 500 performances boasting millions of viewers who tune in to see old favorites and up-and-coming artists alike nearly every week. Musicians across a wide range of genres have visited the Tiny Desk, including Adele, T-Pain, Yo-Yo Ma and over 40 artists who’ve performed on Levitt stages across the country. 

As passionate advocates of music and reimagined spaces, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite Tiny Desk concerts featuring Levitt artists. Check them out!  Continue reading

daddy dance movesWhat better way to kick off our 2016 “levitt loves” series than with some excellent daddy dance moves? 

It’s hard to say which dance partner is having more fun! And this is exactly what Levitt lawns are for—creating places where concertgoers of all ages can come together and have a blast listening to free, live music. There’s plenty more Levitt lawn fun coming your way, so stay tuned for updates about the 2016 Levitt concert season!

A special thanks to Sara Virginia Yongue for capturing this great moment from the Levitt AMP Lafayette Music Series!


Update Jan. 11, 2016, at 10:30 a.m.: We are sad to report David Bowie’s passing on January 10, 2016, after an 18-month battle with cancer. Rest in peace to this musical pioneer and legend.

Today, legendary musician David Bowie celebrates his 69th birthday with the release of an experimenal jazz album, (pronounced Blackstar). The 25th studio album in a long and storied career, ★ is the follow-up to 2013’s critically acclaimed The Next Day.

Take a listen here!  Continue reading

2016Winners_Email_smallerToday, the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation awarded $375,000 in matching grants to 15 nonprofits serving small to mid-sized towns and cities across America to produce free outdoor concerts, as part of the second annual Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards. Reflecting the Levitt Foundation’s commitment to creative placemaking projects generating community support, once again the Foundation opened the AMP selection process to the public to choose the Top 25 Finalists. Continue reading