Looking back: the 2017 Levitt season in photos

Levitt AMP Berea audience members rejoice under rainbow-filled skies.
What goes best with tiny yellow tutus? Ice cream and free live music at Levitt AMP Trenton!
Levitt AMP Ocala concertgoers enjoy an evening of music under the stars arm-in-arm.
The air is filled with music at Levitt AMP Chattanooga.
These young Levitt AMP Greensboro concertgoers can’t contain their excitement!
This dancing duo laughs away their cares at Levitt AMP Stevens Point.
A tiny starstruck fan reaches for a star at Levitt AMP Sheboygan.
People and pups enjoy an evening at Levitt AMP St. Johnsbury in perfect harmony.
Fiddle fun at Levitt AMP Utica!
Denver Levitteers are all smiles, enjoying Levitt Pavilion Denver’s inaugural concert season in Ruby Hill Park.
Vocal powerhouse Kam Franklin—of ‘Gulf Coast Soul’ sensation The Suffers—enchants Levitt Shell Memphis concertgoers during the group’s Levitt National Tour performance.
Maggie and Roger Gallenstein are no strangers to Levitt Pavilion Arlington! Find out why these picnicking pros return to the Levitt lawn year after year in their Faces of Levitt video (just click the photo to view their video!).
Music-loving locals beam after helping their community kick off the Levitt Pavilion Dayton groundbreaking celebration and preview concert featuring Levitt National Tour artist, The Suffers.
Chuckling chums enjoy an evening on the town at Levitt AMP Jacksonville.
The Gluey Brothers treat Levitt AMP Santa Fe concertgoers to a playful performance.
Everything is bigger in Texas—including this larger-than-life guitar on display at Levitt AMP Denison.
GRAMMY-nominated Dirty Sock Funtime delights Levitt Pavilion Westport concertgoers, as part of the Melissa & Doug Children’s Series.
A ‘pint-sized’ concertgoer grins from ear to ear at Levitt AMP Carson City.
These Levitt AMP Middlesboro concertgoers enjoy some quality father and son time.
Levitt LA concertgoers pose for a post-concert photo with rising stars, Tank & The Bangas.
This dynamic duo is ready to rock at Levitt AMP Hattiesburg!
Concertgoers ‘cut a rug’ at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks, swinging beneath Bethlehem’s iconic blast furnaces.

As January comes to a close and we march toward the 2018 Levitt concert season, we’re looking back at the incredible 2017 season.

Last year, 450+ Levitt concerts took place in 22 towns and cities—bringing the power of free, live music to communities coast-to-coast. The joy we saw in the photos that poured in was too contagious not to share with you all!

So, if you’re looking for a quick mid-week pick-me-up, you’re in luck! Relive the joy of the 2017 Levitt concert season by checking out the brief slideshow we’ve put together!

Jan

Paul Thorn announces release date for new album, “Don’t Let The Devil Ride”

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DLDR cover

As 2018 begins, anticipation is running high for the Levitt National Tour, returning this summer! Stopping in seven Levitt locations (six existing permanent Levitt venues and one future Levitt venue), the tour will feature the rootsy southern rock of Paul Thorn and old-school gospel of Blind Boys of Alabama—a union of critically acclaimed and universally loved talent that’s truly a one-of-a-kind collaboration. To hold us over until summer, Paul Thorn just announced the release date of his upcoming album—“Don’t Let The Devil Ride,” out on March 23! These 14 songs feature vocals by Blind Boys of Alabama, who are set to co-headline the Levitt National Tour and perform songs from the album across all tour stops.

Continue reading →

Jan

2018 Coachella lineup features several artists Levitt audiences might recognize

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header - coachella This week the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival lineup was announced and we were thrilled to see some familiar faces! Once again, several artists who’ve graced Levitt stages—including Tank & the Bangas, The Buttertones, The Regrettes, Kamasi Washington and The Delirians—will be flocking to Indio, Calif. this spring to perform alongside rising stars and musical giants at Coachella. Continue reading →

Jan

Winners Announced for the 2018 Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards

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2018Winners_color and pins updated

Today, 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 fourth 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 Levitt AMP selection process to the public to choose the top 25 finalists. Continue reading →

Dec

Seasons greetings from the Levitt Foundation!

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Warmest wishes for a holiday season
filled with joyous gatherings, memorable moments…and of course, festive music!
-from all of us at the Levitt Foundation

Dec

The economic impact of the arts in rural
communities revealed in new NEA report

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Last month, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) released Rural Arts, Design and Innovation in America: Research Findings from the Rural Establishment Innovation Survey. The report pulls compelling findings from data captured in the 2014 Rural Establishment Innovation Survey (REIS)—illustrating the economic impact of the arts in rural communities by identifying key patterns and relationships among arts organizations, design-integrated firms and business innovators in rural settings. We enjoyed this report so much, we created the infographic above to highlight a few of our favorite findings. Click here for the NEA’s full list of takeaways and here to read the full report. Continue reading →

Dec

Faces of Levitt: Aaron Garcia and Mayra Vega

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As born and bred Angelenos, Mayra Vega and Aaron Garcia can’t get enough of the unique and eclectic musical offerings of Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles in MacArthur Park. Every night is a new experience; whether it’s jazz and blues, cumbia, or even country music, Aaron and Mayra can rely on Levitt LA’s high-quality programming to enjoy the music they love and know, while expanding their horizons.

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Dec

Levitt loves…chilly nights and twinkly lights!

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Brooks Museum’s Light Festival finale at Levitt Shell in Memphis.

Happy December, Levitteers!

It’s Friday afternoon AND it’s the first day of the twinkliest month of all—what’s not to celebrate? Whatever types of festive gatherings this month holds for you, your friends and family, we hope you find some calm during this busy season and remember to soak up every twinkly wonder surrounding you.

Nov

We’re thankful for…YOU!

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On this day of gratitude, we’re especially grateful for the hundreds of thousands of Levitteers across the country who came together on Levitt lawns in 2017, celebrating community and the arts.

Thank you for building
community through music.
Warm wishes for a happy holiday!

Nov

Announcing the Top 25 Finalists for the 2018 Levitt AMP [Your City] Grant Awards!

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CONGRATS TO THE TOP 25 FINALISTS

We’re thrilled to announce the Top 25 finalists in the running to win $25K matching grants to present the 2018 Levitt AMP Music Series! Thanks to more than 30,000 votes this year, these 25 towns and cities are one step closer to bringing free, live music to their communities next summer and fall. Scroll down to view each finalist and learn how they hope to revitalize an underused public space through free Levitt AMP concerts:

2018 LEVITT AMP FINALISTS
(listed in alphabetical order)

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
Alice Moseley Pavilion

Berea, Kentucky
Berea Arts Council

Carson City, Nevada
Brewery Arts Center

Chattanooga, Tennessee
Jazzanooga

Denison, Texas
Denison Main Street

Elko, Nevada
Elko County Art Club

Escondido, California
California Center for the Arts Escondido Foundation

Galva, Illinois
Galva Arts Council

Hattiesburg, Mississippi
University of Southern Mississippi

Jacksonville, Illinois
Jacksonville Main Street

Middlesboro, Kentucky
Discover Downtown Middlesboro