Tag Archives: Memphis

Commemorating Juneteenth through music, storytelling, and education

Top left: Ranky Tanky, bottom left: Charlton Singleton, bottom right: Soul Rebels

Top left: Ranky Tanky, bottom left: Charlton Singleton, bottom right: Soul Rebels

On June 19, 1865, Black Americans living in Galveston, Texas rejoiced when they learned that the Civil War had ended and slavery had been abolished throughout the United States, over two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. At first called “Jubilee Day,” the day didn’t become known as Juneteenth until nearly a century later after gaining momentum during the Civil Rights Movement. Juneteenth serves as the oldest and most important Black holiday in American history and has since gained considerable recognition beyond the Black community. It is a day to celebrate Black freedom, the continual efforts towards racial justice, and the integral part that Black people had and continue to have in our country. Particularly during the past year, as the death of George Floyd reinvigorated the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality and racism, Juneteenth and the people it represents have taken on greater urgency and more widespread significance.

This week, as a part of the 2021 Juneteenth celebrations happening across the country, we’re proud to share that both permanent Levitt venues in Bethlehem, Dayton, Denver, Los Angeles, Memphis, and Sioux Falls, and Levitt AMP concert sites in Springfield, Ill., and Fort Smith, Ark., are partnering with local organizations and businesses to host concerts and festivals filled with live performances featuring Black artists, including Tank and the Bangas, Ranky Tanky and Henry & The Reggae Rockers among many others, as well as educational activities and historical discussions about Juneteenth. Read below for details on these can’t-miss events celebrating the significance of this day. Additionally, as Juneteenth falls in the same month that celebrates Pride and Black music, we’re excited to see that a number of Levitt venues are embracing intersectional themes and activities to illustrate how music is a unifying force, a way for diverse identities and communities to relate to one another.

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Levitt network presents over 200 virtual concerts, attracts 1 million viewers, as the show went on(line)

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Levitt is all about bringing people together. About celebrating music, community and the power of the arts to fuel positive change. About strengthening the social fabric of our towns and cities. So back in March, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought much of American life to a halt, it struck at the heart of the Levitt mission. How could the national Levitt network of permanent outdoor music venues and Levitt AMP sites present concerts, each attracting hundreds and often times thousands of people on a typical night, given new public health restrictions on outdoor gatherings?

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The war and treaty spotlight

Today on our Spotlight Series we’re featuring The War and Treaty, a husband/wife duo whose visceral blend of gospel-steeped vocals and classic Americana trappings has been making waves across the country. Tonight, you can catch them performing for free at Levitt Shell Memphis – recently named “Best Place to See Live Music” by the Memphis Flyer!

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MuralWe were thrilled to see local artist Eric Clausen’s community mural recently come to life at Levitt Shell Memphis—a project that literally weathered the storm. This mural contributes to the rich public art legacy of the almost 80-year old band shell, which was created through a collaboration between the City of Memphis and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1936. Continue reading

Record Store Day 2014 logoRecord Store Day just seems to be getting bigger and bigger.

Started in April 2007, Record Store Day (RSD) encourages music fans everywhere to support their friendly, local, independent record stores. On the third Saturday of April (that’s tomorrow, April 19!), record stores around the world hold special events like concerts and listening parties, and labels and artists release short-run vinyl and cassettes to commemorate the occasion. Continue reading

Levitt Shell and Levitt Arlington Summer Season 2014

You just know that summer’s right around the corner when the free concert season at the Levitt is announced! While some sneak peeks of shows were unveiled this past March, Levitt Shell Memphis and Levitt Arlington just released their full summer concert series, both jam packed with revered, award-winning musicians as well as local favorites. Continue reading

big-star-nothing-can-hurt-meLevitt Shell Memphis recently provided a sneak peek of their free summer concert series to local alt-weekly, Commercial Appeal. Kicking off the summer series on May 23 will be a special all-star symphonic performance of Big Star’s Third/Sister Lovers led by the band’s sole original living member, Jody Stephens.

And at this point, you may be asking yourself, “who?” You’re not alone.

Big Star may arguably be the most important band you’ve never heard of. The Memphis-based power pop group released three studio albums in the 1970s—#1 Record, Radio City and Third—to commercial disappointment yet enormous critical praise.  Continue reading


“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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Stellar performances, enthusiastic crowds made for an unforgettable year!

It may be fall, but we’re still thinking about the free concerts that filled the warm, evening air at the six Levitt venues across America. The 2013 season was packed with surprises, sing-alongs and stars both of the celestial and musical variety, celebrating the arts and community from coast-to-coast.

New performers, longer seasons, Levitt favorites and exciting events made for record-breaking attendance and the best season yet. With too many must-see concerts to mention, here are some of the highlights from 2013!

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