Tag Archives: Levitt Arlington

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This summer and fall, Levitt lawns across the country are once again filling with the sounds of free, live music. After a devastating pandemic year that forced us to be apart, Levitt venues and AMP grantees weren’t sure what to expect while planning their concert series, however record-breaking audiences have proven that people are ready to come back together and build community through the power of music. “People are just excited to be back,” said Lisa Wagner, executive director of Levitt Pavilion Dayton. “Greeting one another. Hugging each other. Picking up where they left off in many ways. There has been a real healing experience of what we missed in 2020.”

Healing is exactly what so many of us are needing following the past year. During that challenging time, the Levitt network pivoted to create virtual programming, mobile concerts, pop-up shows and more. These efforts not only helped people feel a sense of connection during a time of great uncertainty and isolation, but also gave artists an opportunity to share their music and brighten otherwise dark and challenging days.

Now that in-person Levitt concerts have returned, read on to learn more about the 2021 Levitt season and how you can experience some of these amazing free concerts, either in-person or virtually. 
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Levitt venues

Pictured from L to R (top row): Levitt Pavilion Arlington; Levitt Pavilion Los Angeles; Levitt Shell Memphis; (bottom row): Levitt Pavilion Pasadena; Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks; Levitt Pavilion Westport.

Across the country, another spectacular season of Levitt concerts has come to a close, and we’re once again celebrating the undeniable power of free, live music to bring people together of all ages and backgrounds, creating stronger communities. Watch your favorite Levitt venue in action!

You may ask, who brings the Levitt program to life, year after year? Your local Friends of Levitt nonprofit, that’s who! Each Friends of Levitt manages, programs and fundraises for the 50 free concerts every year. This is an impressive feat when you consider the sheer number of acclaimed artists presented on a Levitt stage featuring a range of music genres; the first-rate production crews and state-of-the-art sound and lighting; as well as the additional programming and activities realized through local partnerships to create unforgettable evenings of free music under the stars. Rounding out the experience are the passionate volunteers whose friendly smiles and enthusiasm embody that warm sense of community found on Levitt lawns.

And yet the Friends of Levitt nonprofit is only part of the equation. Equally important is the community of supporters—audience members who donate on the lawn, businesses sponsoring shows, grants from foundations, and local family and individual donors—whose generous contributions ensure the free music continues each year at their Levitt venue. Continue reading

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If you happen to be near Memphis, Tenn., this weekend, you’re in for a treat, because The Suffers—who’ve already taken Levitt lawns in Arlington, Texas and Lafayette, La. by storm this season—will be heading to Levitt Shell this Friday night! This ten-piece retro soul band hailing from Houston, Texas, will be serving up a healthy portion of what they call “Gulf Coast Soul.”

In a recent interview, Kam Franklin—the band’s fiery vocalist—explained how the group came to define their sound as “Gulf Coast Soul:” “When I think of the Gulf, I think of good food, humidity, diverse cultures, and this is all reflected in the Suffers. We come from different backgrounds, but it all comes together in our band and we create a gumbo of music. It might not make sense on paper to put a Latin percussionist with a gospel singer with a classically trained saxophonist with a jazz drummer, but for us, it works.” Continue reading

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DREAM on display at Burning Man, image courtesy of Bob Pruitt

We’ve all heard the expression, ‘everything is bigger in Texas.’ After getting a sneak peak of the new DREAM sculpture in Arlington, Texas, it looks like dreams are no exception!

The unveiling and dedication for this 54′ long, 12′ tall, metallic LED-lit piece adjacent to Levitt Pavilion Arlington will take place tonight at 7 p.m., in conjunction with the annual South Street Art Festival and a lively performance by folk rocker Luke Wade at Levitt ArlingtonContinue reading

Spotlight_Series_Brave ComboEveryone’s favorite mosh-pit polka band returns to Arlington, Texas, this Friday to kick off Levitt Arlington’s 2015 Fall Concert Series—continuing an annual tradition that started when the band kicked off the venue’s very first concert in 2008. This two-time GRAMMY-winning band has wowed Levitt audiences across the nation, with performances at Levitt Arlington (2008-2015), Levitt Los Angeles (2007), Levitt Shell (2008, 2011, 2013) and Levitt Westport (2009, 2012). With joyful music and contagious energy, Brave Combo is inspiring a new generation of polka fans.  Continue reading

Header_2.4Looking to kick back, relax and enjoy free live music under the stars this Independence Day weekend? Grab your picnic basket and head to your local Levitt for a celebration music lovers of all ages will enjoy. Continue reading

Music is moving Black Violin across the nation, as part of the 2015 Levitt National Tour. After launching the tour in Memphis, Tenn. on 6/13, Black Violin packed the lawn and rocked the crowd in Arlington, Texas this past weekend (6/20).

We’re loving all the great #musicmoves we are seeing across the country! Many thanks to @alexandriawill for sharing this awesome photo and showing us how music moved Levitt Arlington last weekend!

This week, Black Violin is heading west, where they will be giving two performances in southern California: Levitt Los Angeles (6/26) and Levitt Pasadena (6/27). So if you’re in the area, come out and join the fun! You don’t want to miss this dynamic duo.

Both shows begin at 8pm. Arrive early, at 7pm, with your violin for a free music workshop led by Black Violin and stick around for a lively post-show Q & A with the artists!

To see more #musicmoves, check out our live feed and be sure to share your own photos on Twitter or Instagram for a chance to win a $100 iTunes gift card!

Spotlight_Series_Gedeon_USEAfter energizing Levitt Shell audiences with their soulful and uplifting sound last summer, Gedeon Luke & The People are back! And this year, they’re bringing three times the joy, three times the passion and three times the soul with performances at three Levitt venues across the nation. Two weeks ago, they brought their vibrant funk to Levitt SteelStacks, and this week they’re heading to Levitt Shell in Memphis (Saturday, 6/20) and Levitt Arlington (Sunday, 6/21). Continue reading

The wait is finally over! We’re thrilled to announce the tour dates for the 2015 Levitt National Tour, featuring the one and only Black Violin!

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HappyValentines2015

How do you tell someone you love them?

While you can certainly say it with flowers, chocolates, home cooked meals and more, we often find ourselves turning to one of the most romantic forms of expression of all: music. And to celebrate Valentine’s Day, we’ve put together a playlist of songs about love by artists who have performed at Levitt stages across the country over the last couple of years! Continue reading