Levitt 2014 Summer Playlist is Here!

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Spotify Playlist CollageWhether your local Levitt’s season is well underway or you’re waiting for the concert season to start up again, check out some highlights from 2014 with this summer playlist of Levitt performers! From Latin fusion to Celtic, Big Band Jazz to rock and blues, Levitt has something for everyone!

Summer 2014 playlist artists include: Casey Abrams (pop); John Fullbright (Americana/folk/rock); Young Dubliners (Celtic Rock); Rosanne Cash (country/folk/rock); Alo Brasil (Brazilian); Black Violin (classic); The Damn Quails (folk); Janiva Magness (Blues); Ceci Bastida (Latin); Telegraph Canyon (country); Cas Haley (reggae/rock); The Hot Sardines (jazz); Rick Trevino (country); Jose Feliciano (soft latin/bolero/acoustic); The Cowsills (bubblegum pop); Carolyn Wonderland (blues); Marcia Ball (blues); Tab Benoit (swamp blues); Baskery (alt. country); Incendio (world guitar); Black 47 (Celtic punk); Ruthie Foster (blues/folk); Old Crow Medicine Show (bluegrass); Vaud and the Villians (cabaret/jazz); Very Be Careful (cumbia); Carlton & The Shoes (reggae); Playing For Change (World); Loudon Wainwright III (Americana); Richard Thompson (folk rock); Kiddle Karoo (Children’s).

 

Levitt Pavilion Westport Opens Its New, State of the Art Venue This Sunday

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Part of the new Levitt Pavilion Westport

Marking a new chapter in the history of a treasured music venue that sparked a movement across America, the original Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Westport, Conn., will re-open this Sunday as a brand new, state-of-the art complex. The new pavilion was made possible in part by a lead capital gift of $4.5 million from the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation—the largest single gift in the foundation’s history.

“We are extremely proud of Levitt Westport’s 40 year history and its beloved reputation as a community treasure, open to all,” said Liz Levitt Hirsch, president of the Levitt Foundation and board chair of Levitt Pavilions. “The new facility is a beautiful reflection of its special place in our hearts, and we’re thrilled that the Levitt Foundation’s lead gift is helping to ensure the joy of free, live music for the people of Westport and surrounding communities for decades to come.”  Continue reading →

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.

Mark Your Calendars: 2014 Levitt Concert Season Dates and More

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It’s a sure sign of warmer evenings to come when the free concert season at the Levitt is announced!

Every year, the six Levitt venues across the country each present 50+ free shows featuring acclaimed artists in a variety of genres. New this summer is the inaugural Levitt National Tour with World music group Playing For Change—they’ll be stopping at five Levitt venues along with the future Levitt site in Denver.

While we still have more big names and big news to come, here’s a quick peek at season dates and concert highlights. We’ll be updating the list as details are announced!

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Meet the Artist: The Dunwells

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Since 2009, The Dunwell brothers—Joseph and David Dunwell—along with their best friend and cousins, Jonny Lamb, Dave Hanson and Rob Clayton, have been blending the rock sound of their hometown of Leeds, England, with Americana roots music as The Dunwells. This summer, they’ll be playing at both Levitt Pavilion Arlington (June 12) and Levitt Shell Memphis (June 15) with a date at Bonnaroo in between. To get a taste of what’s to come, hear more from the band in this new Meet this Artist video!

Exciting Developments for Levitt Pavilion Denver

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When it opens in 2016, Levitt Pavilion Denver will be a place for people enjoy free, live music throughout the summer in beautiful Ruby Hill Park. Hear from Mayor Michael B. Hancock and more on the exciting developments!