Sixteen-year-old guitarist Brandon “Taz” Niederauer has already enjoyed the spotlight at some of the most legendary venues in America and played alongside numerous prominent artists. But these accomplishments only scratch the surface of the raw skill and musical instincts that make the New York City-based guitarist, who’ll headline tonight’s show at Levitt AMP Utica, a true musician. For this week’s edition of our Spotlight Series, we’re bringing you 10 facts about the mind-bogglingly impressive teen rocker.
Our season-long Spotlight Series continues this week with Dwayne Dopsie (pronounced DOOP-see), a fiery accordionist from Lafayette, La. Along with his band, the Zydeco Hellraisers, Dwayne will be bringing an upbeat blend of blues, rock, and traditional Zydeco music to the stage at Levitt AMP Santa Fe this Saturday.
We have several fascinating facts about Dwayne Dopsie for you, but first let’s address a question that may already be on your mind: what is Zydeco? Indigenous to Louisiana’s Creole communities, Zydeco is a centuries-old style of music characterized by the unique combination of accordion in the forefront and washboard anchoring the rhythm section. The latter is usually worn on a vest called a frottoir that leaves both hands free for rhythmic rubbing. Most Zydeco tunes are fast-paced and eminently danceable, with two-step beats and furious bursts of accordion driving them forward.
Now, let’s get to know a musician on the leading edge of the contemporary Zydeco scene: Dwayne Dopsie!
Dwayne Dopsie’s family is a bona-fide Zydeco dynasty. His father, Alton “Rockin’ Dopsie” Rubin, recorded with the likes of Paul Simon and Bob Dylan, and contributed to bringing Zydeco to audiences outside of Louisiana for the first time in its history. Two of Dwayne’s brothers, Dopsie Jr. and Alton Jr., are also Zydeco pros — their band is called Rockin’ Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters.
At the age of 19, Dwayne was crowned “America’s Hottest Accordionist” after winning a national competition hosted by the American Accordion Association. He founded his band, the Zydeco Hellraisers, the same year.
Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers scored a GRAMMY nomination in 2017 for their album Top of the Mountain. The album competed in the category of Best Regional Roots Album.
Dwayne is fluent in Louisiana Creole French, and often incorporates the dialect into his lyrics.
Despite his muscular physique, Dwayne claims he has never lifted weights. He instead attributes his bulging biceps to many years of accordion playing. The instrument weighs about 20 pounds and requires considerable effort to open and close.
Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers have taken their Zydeco sounds around the world. They’ve performed in China and the Baltic state of Georgia, to name a few.
Don’t miss your chance to see Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hellraisers live in concert this weekend at Levitt AMP Santa Fe. It’s a can’t-miss opportunity for fans of eclectic music to experience the energy of Zydeco firsthand.
Sun-drenched late afternoons, trees dotted with colorful blooms, artist lineup announcements for the upcoming summer concert season—what’s not to love about this season of new beginnings? Across the country, permanent Levitt venues and Levitt AMP sites are preparing to fill the air with the joyous sounds of free, live music! Taking a cue from the shifting season, we’ve just launched the 2019 Levitt AMP Music Series website—your go-to resource for Levitt AMP artist lineups, concert schedules and more. Stay tuned for the first Levitt AMP artist lineup announcement, coming next week!
37 nonprofit leaders from 18 small to mid-sized towns and cities gathered in Los Angeles two weeks ago. Here's to invigorating communities through free, live music!
Sharon Yazowski, Levitt Foundation Executive Director, kicks off the 2019 Levitt AMP Convening on January 28.
Grantees began the 2019 Levitt AMP Convening with an introductory activity. From left to right: John Taylor (Galva Arts Council, Galva, IL), Tom Campbell (Galva Arts Council, Galva, IL), Tom Gilmour (Trenton Downtown Association, Trenton, NJ) and Steve Ruth (Cowan Community Center, Whitesburg, KY).
Grantees began the 2019 Levitt AMP Convening with an introductory activity. From left to right: Mary McCubbins (Vision Soldotna, Soldotna, AK), Connie Terry (Earlham Chicks with Checks, Earlham, IA) and Sheila Walk (Springfield Area Arts Council, Springfield, WI).
Grantees began the 2019 Levitt AMP Convening with an introductory activity. From left to right: Samantha Maass (On Broadway, Inc., Green Bay, WI), Margaux Morisseau (NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Woonsocket, RI), Jamie Haack (John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI) and Angela Ramey (John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI).
Patti Sanchez, Levitt Foundation Senior Director of Programs, presents on artist selection during Day One of the Levitt AMP Convening.
Patti Sanchez (Levitt Foundation Senior Director of Programs) moderates a panel on programming and booking talent with Cindy Cogbill (Director of Programming & Marketing, Levitt Shell Memphis) and Patrick Brogan (Chief Programming Officer & Manager of ArtsQuest Center).
Several grantees share their artists booking and programming experience from past years during a panel moderated by Patti Sanchez. Panelists from left to right: Steve Ruth (Cowan Community Center, Whitesburg, KY), Gina Lopez Hill (Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV), John Taylor (Galva Arts Council, Galva, IL) and Neal Copperman (AMP Concerts, Santa Fe, NM).
Grantees arrive at Le Petit Paris in downtown Los Angeles to close out Day One of the Levitt AMP Convening. From left to right: Michelle Truett (484 Design, Utica, NY), Shane Morrow (Jazzanooga, Chattanooga, TN) and Gia Marschesani (The HomeOwnership Center, Utica, NY).
Liz Levitt Hirsch (Levitt Foundation Board President) and Deborah Sorenson (AMP Concerts, Santa Fe, NM) at Le Petit Paris in downtown Los Angeles.
Grantees arrive at Le Petit Paris in downtown Los Angeles to close out Day One of the Levitt AMP Convening. From left to right: Mikey Wiencek (Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV), Erica Chambers (Berea Arts Council, Berea, KY) and Ali Blair (Berea Arts Council, Berea, KY).
Cindy Cogbill (Director of Programming & Marketing, Levitt Shell Memphis) and Liz Levitt Hirsch (Levitt Foundation Board President) at Le Petit Paris in downtown Los Angeles.
At night one of the Levitt AMP Convening. From left to right: Jamie Haack, Margaux Morisseau, Vanessa Silberman (Levitt Foundation Senior Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives), Sara Slagle (Earlham Chicks with Checks, Earlham, IA), Maggie Marquardt (CREATE Portage County, Stevens Point, WI), Brian Johnson (On Broadway, Inc., Green Bay, WI), Carmen Davis (Jazzanooga, Chattanooga, TN) and Tom Campbell.
Gina Lopez Hill (Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV) and Liz Levitt Hirsch (Levitt Foundation Board President) seated for dinner at Le Petit Paris in downtown Los Angeles.
Grantees participate in a group activity on Day Two of the Levitt AMP Convening.
Jon Grace (Bell County Tourism, Middlesboro, KY) during a group activity on Day Two of the Levitt AMP Convening.
Ali Blair (Berea Arts Council, Berea, KY) enjoying Day Two of the Levitt AMP Convening.
Vanessa Silberman, Levitt Foundation Senior Director of Communications & Strategic Initiatives, presents on communications strategies during Day Two of the Levitt AMP Convening.
Several grantees share their community engagement and outreach experience from past years during a panel moderated by Sharon Yazowski. From left to right: Michelle Truett (484 Design, Utica, NY), Greg Wright (CREATE Portage County, Stevens Point, WI) and Jaye Baillie (Marion Cultural Alliance, Ocala, FL).
After the community engagement and outreach panel featuring grantee perspectives. From left to right: Michelle Truett (484 Design, Utica, NY), Greg Wright (CREATE Portage County, Stevens Point, WI), Jaye Baillie (Marion Cultural Alliance, Ocala, FL), Shane Morrow (Jazzanooga, Chattanooga, TN) and Sharon Yazowski (Levitt Foundation Executive Director).
Paul Villotti, Director of Life Safety at Henderson Engineers, presents on emergency preparedness in the event of on an on-site incident.
Grantees participate in a fishbowl activity on Day Two of the Levitt AMP Convening.
Jennifer Normoyle (City of Ocala, Ocala, FL) and Meghan Rego (NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Woonsocket, RI) answer questions during the fishbowl activity.
Mikey Wiencek humorously explains his takeaways from this year's Levitt AMP Convening. From left to right: Meghan Rego (NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Woonsocket, RI), Mikey Wiencek (Brewery Arts Center, Carson City, NV) and Lisa Clemmons Stott (Downtown Springfield Inc., Springfield, IL).
Tom Gilmour gives a heartfelt thanks to his fellow grantees. From left to right: Ali Blair (Berea Arts Council, Berea, KY), Erica Chambers (Berea Arts Council, Berea, KY), Tom Gilmour (Trenton Downtown Association, Trenton, NJ) and John Taylor (Galva Arts Council, Galva, IL).
Gia Marschesani gives her takeaways from this year's Levitt AMP Convening. From left to right: Jamie Haack (John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI), Gia Marschesani (The HomeOwnership Center, Utica, NY) and Carmen Davis (Jazzanooga, Chattanooga, TN).
Brian Johnson humorously explains his takeaways from this year's Levitt AMP Convening. From left to right: Margaux Morisseau (NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley, Woonsocket, RI), Brian Johnson (On Broadway, Inc., Green Bay, WI) and Samantha Maass (On Broadway, Inc., Green Bay, WI).
Sharon Yazowski, Levitt Foundation Executive Director, wraps up Day Two of the Levitt AMP Convening with a thank you to all of the grantees.
Sharon Yazowski and grantees ready for dinner on night two of the Levitt AMP Convening at Industriel in downtown Los Angeles. From left to right: Sharon Yazowski, Steve Ruth, Valerie Horn (Cowan Community Center, Whitesburg, KY), Gia Marschesani, Michelle Truett and Meghan Rego.
At night two of the Levitt AMP Convening at Industriel in downtown Los Angeles. Looking at the camera from left to right: Meaghan Singletary (Trenton Downtown Association, Trenton, NJ), Margaux Morisseau, Maggie Marquardt and Angela Ramey.
At night two of the Levitt AMP Convening at Industriel in downtown Los Angeles. From left to right: Jody Fried (Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury, VT), Victoria Bridenstine (Levitt Foundation Programs Manager) and Molly Stone (Catamount Arts, St. Johnsbury, VT).
At night two of the Levitt AMP Convening. Looking at the camera from left to right: Andrew Heuiser (Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, Soldotna, AK), Emily Ayers (Middlesboro Main Street, Middlesboro, KY), Jon Grace, Gina Lopez Hill, Lisa Clemmons Stott and Ana Cuellar Aguilar (Levitt Foundation Programs Associate).
At night two of the Levitt AMP Convening at Industriel in downtown Los Angeles. From left to right: Nicole McGaffey (Levitt Foundation Communications Manager), Jamie Haack (John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI) and Sara Slagle (Earlham Chicks with Checks, Earlham, IA).
At night two of the Levitt AMP Convening at Industriel in downtown Los Angeles. From left to right: Shane Morrow, Vanessa Silberman, Sheila Walk (Springfield Area Arts Council, Springfield, WI), Tom Campbell, Samantha Maass, Brian Johnson, Paul Villotti, Carmen Davis and Mikey Wiencek.
Patti Sanchez (Levitt Foundation Senior Director of Programs) and Deborah Sorenson (AMP Concerts, Santa Fe, NM) at Industriel in downtown Los Angeles.
At night two of the Levitt AMP Convening at Industriel in downtown Los Angeles. From left to right: Samantha Maass (On Broadway, Inc., Green Bay, WI), Brian Johnson (On Broadway, Inc., Green Bay, WI) and Paul Villotti (Director of Life Safety at Henderson Engineers).
Two weeks ago, the 2019 Levitt AMP grantees joined the Levitt Foundation for the annual Levitt AMP Convening in Los Angeles! It was an honor to host these inspiring nonprofit leaders and share ideas throughout two days of panels, presentations and group discussions.
With 18 small to mid-sized towns and cities from Alaska all the way to Florida, this year’s grantees truly represent the breadth of community spirit and placemaking efforts happening across the country. The endless enthusiasm in the room led to fruitful brainstorming, knowledge sharing and meaningful exchanges around the power of free, live music to ignite community change. We can’t wait to see how each Levitt AMP Music Series unfolds this summer and fall!
It’s time to vote! Over 40 proposals have advanced to online voting! Help decide which towns and cities will be one step closer to receiving $25K to present their own Levitt AMP Music Series of 10 or more free concerts in 2019. Vote now through November 20 on the Levitt AMP website, and be sure to spread the word! An individual voter may vote for up to five different proposals, but can only vote for each proposal once.
Important dates to note:
Online public voting opened this morning and ends November 20, 2018 at 5 PM PST.
After public voting determines the Top 25 finalists, the Levitt Foundation will then begin the selection process and choose 15 winning Levitt AMP grant recipients.
Winners will be announced on December 18, 2018.
Congratulations to Middlesboro, Sheboygan and Trenton!
We’re thrilled to announce that previous Levitt AMP winners Middlesboro, KY (Middlesboro Main Street), Sheboygan, WI (John Michael Kohler Arts Center) and Trenton, NJ (Trenton Downtown Association) have each been awarded multi-year funding to present the Levitt AMP Music Series in their towns for the next three years (which is why you won’t see them listed on the voting roster this November)!
During the past four years, each nonprofit has shown tremendous impact in their communities through Levitt AMP, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds through the power of free live music, while creating a meaningful community gathering space. We’re proud to continue our support of these inspiring communities.
What are you waiting for? Head over to levittamp.org and help get your community AMPlified!
Levitt AMP concertgoers in Berea are in for a night of vibrant rhythms and dancing tonight with Kentucky’s own Appalatin! A perfect match against the rustic backdrop of the Old Artisan Village of Berea, Appalatin has been making waves in the South’s thriving folk fusion scene as well as across the United States, thanks to their unique confluence of pan-Latin genres and traditional Appalachian music––beautifully bridging the gap between these seemingly disparate styles.
Throughout the summer, we’ve highlighted the incredible talent invigorating small and mid-sized towns and cities nationwide through the 2018 Levitt AMP Music Series—and today is no exception! While many students across the country are already heading back to school, there are many festive evenings of free Levitt concerts left to enjoy. The Levitt AMP Music Series is still in full force with dozens of concerts to look forward to in communities across the country, including St. Johnsbury, Vt., Berea and Middlesboro, Ky.,Chattanooga, Tenn. and Escondido, Calif. Today, we’re shining the spotlight on this last batch of Levitt AMP lineups and celebrating the many evenings of free, live music under the stars ahead. Scroll down to learn more about the rising stars and award-winning talent filling these five towns and cities with the free, live music! Continue reading →
Earlier this season, we shared the first five Levitt AMP Music Series lineups to invigorate small to mid-sized towns and cities through the 2018 Levitt AMP Music Series—today we’re pleased to shine the spotlight on five more incredible Levitt AMP lineups that are thrilling Levitteers this season!
With free Levitt AMP concerts already underway in 13 towns and cities from coast to coast, this year’s Levitt AMP Music Series is in full swing and we’ve loved seeing the ways #musicmoves concertgoers and communities nationwide! Today we’re taking a closer look at the exciting talent lighting up the Levitt AMP stages in Sheboygan, Wis.,Carson City, Nev.,Utica, N.Y.,Trenton, N.J., and Woonsocket, R.I.! Featuring a wide array of musical styles and genres, ranging from explosive rock ‘n’ roll, to velvety R&B and danceable mariachi (among many others!), these lineups are bringing lively and eclectic concerts that audiences of all ages, backgrounds and musical tastes are bound to enjoy. Scroll down to learn more about the rising stars and award-winning talent filling these five communities with the joyous sounds of free, live music! Continue reading →
Earthy blues singer-songwriter and masterful guitarist, Samantha Fish, takes the stage at the Levitt AMP Stevens Point Music Series stage tonight at 6PM! With two more Levitt AMP appearances on the horizon at Levitt AMP Galva this Sunday, July 29, and Levitt AMP Middlesboro on August 16, read on to learn more about with the prolific, Billboard chart-topping output of this charismatic blues storyteller, recently heralded by Rolling Stone as one of “10 New Country Artists You Need To Know!”
Here at Levitt, we love summer—a season that brings sunshine, barbeques and the sweet sounds of free, live music emanating from outdoor Levitt stages across the country, including 15 Levitt AMP sites! Continue reading →
Earlier this season, we shared the 
Here at Levitt, we love summer—a season that brings sunshine, barbeques and the sweet sounds of free, live music emanating from outdoor Levitt stages across the country, including 15 Levitt AMP sites!