Spotlight Series: Gaby Moreno

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Spotlight_Series_gaby_morenoGuatemala-born indie songstress Gaby Moreno will be bringing her warm, award-winning “Spanglish” vocals and guitar licks to Levitt Pavilion Denver this Thursday night. Her fusion of jazz, pop, R&B, Latin folk (and a whole lot of heart!) has delighted audiences across the globe, including those who attended her 2011 Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles performance. Her work has earned the respect of her peers, as well as a range of accolades—including a Latin GRAMMY Award, Emmy Award nomination and GRAMMY Award nomination. 

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Research Recap: The impact of free, live music in a family-friendly atmosphere

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Screenshot 2017-06-16 14.24.54Welcome to the second installment of our “Research Recap” blog series, featuring posts that highlight a particular finding from our recently published impact study, which examines how creative placemaking builds social capital in communities, using permanent outdoor Levitt venues as case studies.

In honor of National Family Fun Month (which you can read more about in last week’s blog post), today we’re turning our attention to the inter-generational appeal of Levitt concerts. A quick glance around any Levitt concert reveals a wide range of ages on the lawn—from infants to seniors and everyone in between. As the figure below suggests, parents across the country are enthusiastic about the family-friendly atmosphere at Levitt concerts—created in part by the green, expansive and welcoming open lawn settings that are a hallmark of both permanent Levitt venues and Levitt AMP sites.  As one survey participant explained, “My kids have the freedom to move around.” Continue reading →

Spotlight Series: Billy Strings

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Steeped in centuries-old traditions and songwriting, bluegrass is a discipline as much as it is a musical genre. It’s rare to hear artists that break the mold. But Billy Strings – one young, steadfast Mid-Westerner, has recently exploded onto the Americana scene and caught the ear of many veteran musicians with his punk-rock spirit, arresting voice and sheer virtuosic ability with guitar and banjo. Recently named as one of the “10 New Country Artists You Need to Know” by Rolling Stone, audiences at Levitt AMP Sheboygan will experience the up-and-coming talent of this bluegrass and folk maestro this Thursday at 6PM, at the John Michael Kohler Art Center’s Festival Green!

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Spotlight Series: Marla Brown

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Tomorrow night, reggae, soul and jazz singer Marla Brown will be taking the Levitt AMP Carson City stage, inspiring attendees with her empowering and uplifting songs about global issues. This multitalented artist has delighted audiences across continents with her graceful dance moves and powerful vocals. Levitt AMP Carson City concertgoers get to experience this rising star first-hand!

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Spotlight Series: Dirty Revival

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Dirty Revival

Tonight audiences at the Levitt AMP Jacksonville Music Series, presented by Jacksonville Main Street, are in for a truly eclectic night of music with Portland big band Dirty Revival. Their kaleidoscopic take on funk, jazz and gritty soul is thrilling audiences around the country on an ongoing tour – and they’re making a stop in Jacksonville to welcome Levitteers at Central Park joining in on the fun!

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Happy National Park and Recreation Month!

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Along with July being National Picnic Month, this month is also National Park and Recreation Month, which makes sense considering that picnics and parks go hand in hand! We love this infographic created by National Recreation and Park Association that shares some fun facts about community spaces boosting positive attitudes toward cultural diversity, how playing outside enhances vision and that half of exercise in America takes place at parks.

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Spotlight Series: Cheick Hamala Diabate

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This weekend, the internationally renowned and virtuosic Malian musician, Cheick Hamala Diabate, brings his danceable and richly textured West African songs to two — yes, two — Levitt AMP stages! He graces Levitt AMP Berea tonight at 6pm, and Levitt AMP Greensboro tomorrow evening at 6pm. Considered a master of the ngoni, a traditional, lute-like stringed instrument, Diabate’s music started in his motherland and migrated to Washington, D.C., where he has worked with acclaimed producers, created a GRAMMY-winning World music album and toured relentlessly.

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Spotlight Series: Los Hacheros

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Spotlight_Series_loshacheros_updated_readySaturday night, Brooklyn’s Los Hacheros will have Levitt AMP Santa Fe swaying to their fun, warm and infectious Latin beats. Their deep Afro-Caribbean groove weaves in elements of folkloric styles like son montuno, guaracha and salsa, often combining them with Bomba—a fiery rhythm from the mountains of Puerto Rico.

Los Hacheros is a five-piece band created in 2012, and have brought new heights to the golden era of Latin music with their unique versatility, explosive energy and instruments ranging from flute, trombone, violin, congas and tres—a guitar-like instrument that changed the course of the New York salsa scene.

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