Category Archives: Faces of Levitt


All too often, high caliber art comes with a high price tag.

In this Faces of Levitt video, Ann Ward challenges us to take a hard look at arts access: “Just think, a family of four, a regular concert’s price of a ticket usually is $50 or $60. Who can afford that?”

Here at Levitt we believe that arts access isn’t a luxury, but a basic human need and a vital component of healthy communities. Studies continue to reveal the positive effects of the arts on our individual wellbeing and the cities in which we live. Shouldn’t everyone get to experience those positive effects? Continue reading

The national network of Levitt venues presents 300+ free concerts a year— but that’s just one part of our mission.

Passionate about creative placemaking, the Levitt program reclaims underused public spaces—like crime-ridden parks and neglected bandshells—and turns them into thriving music destinations for all.

Take Levitt SteelStacks. Once a part of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, it became a toxic brownfield once the plant shuttered in the early 2000s. Partnering with local stakeholders, Levitt Pavilions helped transform the site into a focal point of the ArtsQuest complex, and since opening in 2011, Levitt SteelStacks has breathed new life into a depressed part of Lehigh Valley. Continue reading


There’s a lot of movin’ and shakin’ at Levitt concerts. At any given show you’re bound to spot heads bobbing, toes tapping and, of course, some dancing divas (and divos) transforming any stretch of lawn they can find into their own personal dance floors. Young Jack Tracy would definitely be in this last category. Continue reading

No, those blast furnaces aren’t just for showalthough they certainly make an impression! In this Faces of Levitt feature, watch father and son audience members Bill and Joseph Deegan discuss the transformation of one of the nation’s largest brownfields into Levitt SteelStacks, a thriving arts and cultural campus that has won numerous design awards since its rehabilitation.

“I don’t think we could have asked for anything more than the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks,” says Joseph. “I think it really brought a start to the revitalization of the South Side.”

Behind every great show at the Levitt is an equally great audio engineer like John Rupp. John is the man behind the control board night after night at Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks in Bethlehem, Pa., ensuring that the concerts sound their best.

“The most rewarding thing about my job,” John says, smiling, “is watching people have a good time.” When he’s not at the Levitt, John is on the road touring in one of his many bands.

Learn more about John in this new Faces of Levitt video!


When sisters Ann Ward and Ruthie Johnson check out free, live music at Levitt Shell Memphis, they see a lawn filled with “everyone having a good time like one big happy family.” And when they talk about the great music, food and lots of fun on the Levitt lawn, we’re sure it’ll help you look forward to summer even more!

Hear more from Ann and Ruthie in this new video from our Faces of Levitt series.


One of the reasons Levitt concerts are so special is that people from all backgrounds find a place on the Levitt lawn. So it’s not surprising that among the fans at a Levitt Los Angeles concert is Lucha Libre wrestling champion, Blue Fish. Continue reading

Jack Tracy is learning to ride his bike in the same park where he sees free, live kid’s concerts all summer long.

Jack and his mom, Natalie, live within walking distance of Pasadena’s Memorial Park, home to Levitt Pavilion Pasadena. “This park is a huge reason why we’re in this neighborhood,” says Natalie. “I never thought we’d find that in a city for our child.”  Continue reading

When Jimmy Webb performed his hit “MacArthur Park” in MacArthur Park on the Levitt L.A. stage, it did not cause a rip in the space-time continuum.

It was however, a very special night. In June 2013, the GRAMMY-winning songwriter performed his famous song for the very first time in the park.
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“Memphis is all about music.” Memphian Penny Aviotti couldn’t have said it better. Graceland, Sun Records, the Stax Museum and the Levitt Shell are all part of the city’s rich musical heritage.

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