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DTLA: Lyricist Lounge / WATTS50 ft. Dead Prez @ Grand Performances | FREE

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DEAD PREZ, THE WATTS PROPHETS, ILL CAMILLE, FOOD4THOT, and JIMETTA ROSE will perform at Grand PerformancesWATTS50 concert curated by LYRICIST LOUNGE on July 10, 2015 @ 8pm. This free outdoor concert takes place under the spectacular skyline of Downtown L.A.

Watts50 is an evening of socially conscious rap and hip hop, curated by Lyricist Lounge in recognition of the 1965 events in South Los Angeles. Pacifica Radio Archives’ on-the-ground coverage from Watts will serve as source material for select musical compositions throughout the evening. Pacifica Radio Archives and KPFK are media partners for the evening.

“Lyricist Lounge is honored to be a part of the 50th anniversary of the Watts Rebellion,” says Lyricist Lounge co-founder and Watts50 host Ant Marshall, “Although we aren’t old enough to remember the day, we are well aware that the circumstances that lead to the uprising still exist today.  For that reason, we are dedicated to highlighting the story of the Watts Rebellion so the next generation can learn from this historical day.”

Leigh Ann Hahn, Director of Programming at Grand Performances says, “The evening will entertain true fans, and it reminds us the important role hip hop can play in both remembering our history and inspiring us to make social change.”

Watts50 is part of Grand Performances’ 29th Annual concert series at Downtown L.A.’s California Plaza. It is also the second in their Los Angeles Aftershocks series, which focuses on the cultural aftershocks of the pivotal events in 1965 and 1992, and exemplifies how music, dialogue, and community celebration help us address racism in our city and nation.

Remaining shows in Grand Performances’ Los Angeles Aftershocks series include an examination of race and the criminal justice system in The Last Jimmy: A Hip Hop Musicalby Dice Raw (July 17 – a West Coast debut) and 65-92: The Rhythm Changes but the Struggle Remains, an exploration of jazz, hip hop, and politics orchestrated by L.A.’s own Kamasi Washington (July 25).

To learn more about the Aftershocks series, or Grand Performances’ entire line up, which features a broad spectrum of cross-national, genre-defying performances curated to explore social issues and inspire joy, visit www.grandperformances.org

 

ABOUT GRAND PERFORMANCES

Hailed as the “Best Free Outdoor Summer Concert Series” by Los Angeles Magazine and called “a grand gift to the public” by the Los Angeles Times, Grand Performances presents high-quality music, dance, theater, and more at California Plaza in the heart of Downtown. Over 28 years, Grand Performances has developed a loyal audience, and an industry reputation for presenting the most globally eclectic and forward-thinking summer series on the West Coast.

 

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES AFTERSHOCKS SERIES

The series focuses on the cultural aftershocks of the pivotal events in 1965 and 1992, and exemplifies how music, dialogue, and community celebration help us address racism in our city and nation. Supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

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