This past summer Levitt AMP took on the virtual concert space, and along the way, we got to know each community better through our Spotlight blog series. We’re incredibly inspired by the nonprofits that bring Levitt AMP to life, and we know you will be too—follow the links below to discover the compelling stories behind each Levitt AMP community!
Coal Avenue in Downtown Gallup, New Mexico. Photo courtesy: Cayla Nimmo
Tonight, Southwestern Blues-rocker and Navajo Nation artist Levi Platero performs an all-new livestream virtual concert as part of the Levitt AMP Virtual Music Series! Co-presented by Gallup MainStreet Arts & Cultural District, the nonprofit behind the Levitt AMP Gallup Music Series, Platero is known for his captivating guitar acrobatics and stirring blues originals. Having earned a national following, Platero has a special connection to Gallup as he was born and raised in the neighboring Navajo Nation tribal land. Be sure to tune in tonight at 8pm ET/5pm PT at http://levittamp.org/virtual!
Levitt loves musicians.
They nourish our souls, fuel our imaginations and get us movin’ and groovin’. Whether in person or virtually, musicians—like Levitt—bring people together of all ages and backgrounds, creating moments of joy and shared connection for us all. Continue reading
Sunday is International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political accomplishments of women. On this day—and all throughout Women’s History Month (happening now!)—we celebrate the achievements of women around the globe and spread awareness of gender bias and inequality. In this vein, today we’re shining the spotlight on a few fearless females who have used their musical gifts to break barriers and help forge a more just and equitable world. Continue reading
“Music’s Biggest Night” unfolded this past Sunday even as a cloud of controversy and grief hung over the Staples Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Performances by artists of all stripes abounded, and by the end of the night, 18-year old pop star Billie Eilish had swept all four of the top-billed categories. Among the class of more than 80 newly minted GRAMMY winners, we’d like to extend a special congratulations to the artists who have previously performed on a Levitt stage: Gary Clark Jr., Mariachi los Camperos, Sarah Watkins & Sarah Jarosz, Patty Griffin, PJ Morton, and Ranky Tanky!
The 2020 Oscar nominations are in, and today we’re skipping straight to the music! Since the end of the silent film era, original music has been a staple of the movie-watching experience, and this past year of cinema introduced us to some truly memorable tracks. Read on to learn about each of the contenders for Best Original Song, and pick out your favorite ahead of the big day! Stay tuned for closer looks at some of the other movie-music categories in the near future.
A new decade is on the horizon, and before it gets here, we’re taking a moment to look back at some of our favorite songs of 2019! Music is close to all of our hearts here at Levitt, and these Staff Picks reflect the diverse array of sounds and artists that helped inspire our work this year. Read on to discover some of our team’s favorite sonic flavors, or jump straight into our Staff Picks playlist on Spotify!
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Brulé at Levitt Shell Sioux Falls
November is National Native American Heritage Month. In 1990, this national month-long observance was created to acknowledge and celebrate the rich histories, diverse cultures and noteworthy contributions of indigenous communities. By leveraging the power of community partnerships and creative placemaking—the integration of arts and culture to engage communities—permanent Levitt venues have had the privilege of collaborating with Native American artists and organizations to help bring indigenous arts and culture into the spotlight. Read on to learn about the inspiring partnerships and performers that have brought indigenous arts to three permanent Levitt venues this past summer.
You know that feeling when October rolls around and your favorite summer songs just don’t feel right anymore? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered with a new playlist of seasonally-appropriate tunes selected by our staff! From musical horror stories to danceable tracks that will keep your body temperature up even in sweater weather, there’s something for everyone on Levitt’s Fall 2019 playlist. Dive into the music now and read on to learn more about our favorite fall songs!
In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month—taking place Sept. 15 – Oct. 15—we’re devoting today’s blog post to five (of the many!) trailblazing Latinx musicians who’ve shaped the landscape of modern American music. This annual observance was created in 1988 to honor the contributions, culture and histories of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. Today, Latin American rhythms, lyrics and instrumentation are staples in the popular American music repertoire. In fact, Latin music’s popularity increased so much in 2018 that it surpassed Country music in album consumption. And music industry professionals suggest that this trend is likely to continue. Today, we’re highlighting five legendary musicians who found success in the face of adversity and paved the way for this musical phenomenon.