Category Archives: Levitt National Tour

Levitt loves…BIG DREAMS in tiny packages!

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This young drummer with a contagious smile is one of the many young Angelenos who took part in our pre-concert drum circle during the 2014 Levitt National Tour, featuring Playing for Change. Who knows where this young drummer’s interaction with music might take him? Lifelong dreams are born everyday!

This week we’ve honored one of our nation’s most courageous dreamers and visionaries, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Let this post serve as a reminder that it’s never too early or too late to dream big.

Genre-busting duo Black Violin to Headline 2015 Levitt National Tour

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Fresh off the success of the inaugural Levitt National Tour featuring World music sensation Playing For Change, we’re thrilled to announce that Black Violin, the genre-busting pioneers of urban meets highbrow, will headline the 2015 Levitt National Tour. Named one of the hottest bands at SXSW in 2013, this classically trained, hip-hop duo has wowed audiences across the globe with their unique take on violin/viola playing—from countless concert arenas to headlining a Broadway show to performing at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Ball.

The 2015 Levitt National Tour will take place during June and July next summer, stopping at six Levitt locations—five existing venues (Arlington, Bethlehem, Los Angeles, Memphis and Pasadena) and one in the works (Denver). Audiences can expect a party atmosphere at these family-friendly shows, filled with unexpected surprises that will get everyone on their feet dancing. In addition to the free shows, Black Violin will lead community outreach activities with youth and seniors, drawing on past experiences to spur their creativity and inspire them to think outside the box.

“Black Violin’s pioneering approach aligns perfectly with Levitt’s artistic vision of excellence and inclusivity, creating boundary-busting music that resonates with people of all ages and backgrounds,” says Sharon Yazowski, executive director of Levitt Pavilions. “In addition to their incredibly high-energy shows, Black Violin’s deep commitment to community outreach will provide meaningful experiences with the duo at every Levitt tour stop.”

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Connecting through Drum Circles on the Remo-sponsored Levitt National Tour

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Levitt Arlington drum circle participants came out in huge numbers before Playing For Change's show!

Levitt Arlington drum circle participants came out in huge numbers before Playing For Change’s show!

The first Levitt National Tour is underway. And while you may be coming out to see the phenomenal live performance by the World music group Playing For Change, if you get to the show early, you’ll notice something truly unique happening on the Levitt lawn: a community drum circle.

“A drum circle is an in-the-moment music event open to everyone, no experience needed,” says John Fitzgerald, a drum circle facilitator and Manager of Recreational Music Activities for Remo Incorporated. “The whole idea is that music is the vehicle to connect people, and a drum circle is about bringing people together.” Continue reading →

Playing For Change releases third album in the midst of the Levitt National Tour!

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Today, global music sensation Playing For Change released its third album, PFC3 Songs Around The World, featuring 185 musicians from 31 countries united together through music. The album features artists Keb’ Mo’, Keith Richards, Los Lobos, Taj Mahal, Toots Hibbert, Sara Bareilles, Aztec Indians and the one and only PFC Band! Lucky for PFC fans, Playing For Change is headlining the Levitt National Tour this summer, which will bring this phenomenal band to six Levitt locations across America for free.

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Taking place over a three-week period, the tour stops at six Levitt locations—including Los Angeles and Pasadena, Calif.; Memphis; Arlington, Texas; Bethlehem, Pa; and the future site of Levitt Pavilion Denver (where audiences will get a taste of what’s to come when the venue opens in 2016)! Playing For Change performed at Levitt Steelstacks in Bethlehem last Thursday and will be performing this weekend at Levitt Shell Memphis on Friday, June 20th, and Levitt Arlington on Saturday, June 21st.

While Playing for Change is traveling to over 40 venues as part of their Peace Through Music national tour, only Levitt venues will present Playing For Change concerts free of charge. Thanks to a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and sponsorship by Remo, audience members will be treated to fun pre- and post-concert activities. Before each show, audience members will have the opportunity to participate in community drum circles on the Levitt lawn and learn the Levitt signature beat, no experience required! The first 250 guests at each venue will receive free REMO© sound shape mini-drums to take home. After the concerts, audience members will experience special Q&A session with the artists.

You can listen to tracks from PFC’s new album online here and catch them live during The Levitt National Tour.

Playing For Change to Headline 2014 Levitt National Tour

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The Playing for Change touring band.

The Playing For Change touring band will be appearing at six Levitt locations across America.

We’re thrilled to announce that the acclaimed World music group Playing For Change will headline the first-ever Levitt National Tour. Taking place over a three-week period next summer, the National Tour will stop at six Levitt locations—five existing venues (Arlington, Bethlehem, Los Angeles, Memphis and Pasadena) and one in the works (Denver). In addition to the concerts, the Tour will feature pre-concert conversations with the artists and drum circles, inviting the entire audience to participate.

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