KCRW Presents the return of Summer Nights
Free, All-Ages, Outdoor Performances Featuring KCRW-Curated Bands and the Station’s Stellar DJs
Santa Monica, CA (July 13, 2021) – KCRW presents the return of its signature event series, Summer Nights, with five free, all-ages, outdoor performances featuring KCRW-curated bands, and the tastemaker station’s stellar DJs. For KCRW’s 2021 Summer Nights, L.A.’s iconic radio station is partnering with L.A. cultural institutions CAAM (California African American Museum), One Colorado, Descanso Gardens and Grand Performances.
KCRW’s 2021 Summer Nights are as follows:
Friday, July 30, at 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
KCRW DJs Aaron Byrd & Novena Carmel
California African American Museum
Saturday, August 14, at 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
James Francies & KCRW DJ LeRoy Downs
One Colorado
Saturday August 21, at 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Nation of Language & KCRW DJ Travis Holcombe
One Colorado
Friday, September 3, at 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
KCRW DJs Raul Campos & Anthony Valadez
Descanso Gardens
Friday, September 24, at 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Madame Gandhi & KCRW DJs Anne Litt & Valida
Grand Performances at California Plaza
For more information and to RSVP, please visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kcrw-summer-nights-2021-tickets-160998373469?aff=Press
California African American Museum:
Friday, July 30, at 7:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
KCRW DJs Aaron Byrd & Novena Carmel
KCRW returns to the California African American Museum (CAAM) for the 2021 Summer Nights kick-off featuring live sets from KCRW DJs Aaron Byrd and Co-host of Morning Becomes Eclectic Novena Carmel. Enjoy after-hours access to the museum’s newest exhibition, Sanford Biggers: Codeswitch, the first survey of quilt-based works by the New York-based interdisciplinary artist, featuring nearly fifty pieces that seamlessly weave together references to contemporary art, urban culture, sacred geometry, and more. There will also be food trucks and a beer garden at this summer’s best dance party! Party on the courtyard, but don’t forget your masks, which are required inside the museum.
The California African American Museum (CAAM) in Exposition Park explores the art, history, and culture of African Americans, with an emphasis on California and the West. In addition to presenting a dynamic slate of exhibitions and public programs, CAAM houses a permanent collection of more than four thousand works of art, artifacts, and historical documents, and a publicly accessible research library. Admission is free.
One Colorado Old Pasadena:
Saturday, August 14, at 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
James Francies & KCRW DJ LeRoy Downs
Saturday August 21, at 7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Nation of Language & KCRW DJ Travis Holcombe
KCRW’s Summer Nights returns to Pasadena’s One Colorado for two nights of summer fun featuring a night of jazz with pianist, keyboardist, composer, and arranger James Francies and KCRW DJ LeRoy Downs (August 14) and an evening with Brooklyn’s indie pop band Nation of Language and KCRW DJ Travis Holcombe (August 21).
One Colorado is an open air shopping center that spans a full city block and is an exceptional retail and dining experience in the heart of historic Old Pasadena. With authentic charm, historic elegance and sophisticated shopping, dining, and entertainment, One Colorado has something for everyone.
Descanso Gardens:
Friday, September 3, at 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
KCRW DJs Raul Campos & Anthony Valadez
KCRW partners with Descanso Gardens for the first-ever summer nights in this idyllic setting. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes and free admission to the botanical gardens while dancing to beats by KCRW DJ Raul Campos and Co-host of Morning Becomes Eclectic Anthony Valadez. Descanso Gardens is a unique Southern California landscape distinguished by its specialized botanic collections, historical significance, and rare natural beauty. Their mission is to practice exemplary stewardship of Descanso’s distinctive character and assets; offer people an experience close to nature; and cultivate understanding of the natural world and people’s place in it through inspiration, education and example.
Grand Performances:
Friday, September 24, at 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Madame Gandhi & KCRW DJs Anne Litt & Valida
KCRW’s Summer Nights and L.A.’s iconic Grand Performances are collaborating for a dance party in Downtown L.A.’s California Plaza featuring electrofeminist singer, percussionist and activist, Madame Gandhi, in a full band performance, along with DJ sets from KCRW Program Director of Music Anne Litt and KCRW DJ Valida. Grand Performances, the longest running presenter of free outdoor concerts in Los Angeles, is returning this year to the newly renovated California Plaza for its 35th season. Grand Performances mission is to inspire community, celebrate diversity, and unite Los Angeles through free access to global performing arts.
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For all media inquiries, please contact:
Laura Cohen, LC Media, lcmediapr@gmail.com
About KCRW
KCRW creates and curates a unique mix of content centered around music discovery, NPR news, cultural exploration and informed public affairs. We are driven by the spirit of L.A. and deliver in innovative ways – on the radio, digitally and in person – to diverse, curious communities around the corner and around the world. A community service of Santa Monica College, KCRW can be found on the air in L.A., Santa Barbara, Ventura, Mojave, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, and worldwide via the KCRW-developed smart phone app or online at kcrw.com.
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