Russell Peters
(Photo Credit: Javier Guillen)
Canadian comedian Russell Peters (Last Comic Standing and Chef) was a special guest DJ at the FIGat7th Downtown Festival concert this past Friday in Los Angeles, California. Also, some other surprise celebrity guests included Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest, who performed with composer and producer Adrian Younge and his band Venice Dawn.
Ali Shaheed Muhammad & Adrian Younge
(Photo Credit: Courtesy of Adrian Younge)
FIGat7th Downtown Festival has turned up downtown Los Angeles for its third year every Friday night this summer. The free, non-ticketed outdoor concerts feature performances by leading pop, hip hop, Latin, soul and alternative music artists at FIGat7th, downtown LA's premier shopping and dining destination.
Although it has only been three short years since FIGat7th Downtown Festival joined the collective of free summer concerts in Los Angeles, its masterfully curated line-up of performances this year is set apart from similar outdoor music events. Presented by Arts Brookfield, the weekly concerts launched July 10th and runs through August 28th, every Friday night, from 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., at FIGat7th's Plaza in downtown LA. It's one of the only free summer concert series for Angelenos of all ages and the festival's programming reflects the diversity of the city.
King
(Photo Credit: Javier Guillen)
The fresh eclectic line-up highlights artists as well as partnerships with LA's premier music movements. The festival openers in July included the soulful voices of KING. The trio that has opened for Prince and they were accompanied by the retro Bay Area singer/songwriter Mara Hruby.
Tropics
(Photo Credit: Javier Guillen)
Week two featured two bands from the critically acclaimed indie label Innovative Leisure: Superhumanoids, with new music from their forthcoming album, joined by the exciting British multi-instrumentalist Tropics, who made his Los Angeles debut at the festival. The following week music collective Soulection presented a beats heavy night with a stellar lineup of DJs and vocalists, including Joe Kay, Andre Power, SoSuperSam, Esta, Chris McClenney and SPZRKT. On July 31st, Andre Power returned with the multi-talented drummer/producer/rapper/singer/songwriter Anderson .Paak & The Free Nationals. .Paak is featured on Compton, Dr. Dre's newly released album and soundtrack for the film Straight Outta Compton.
Anderson .Paak at Figat7th Downtown Festival
(Photo Credit: Andreas Branch)
August kicked off with the legendary LA label Stones Throw presenting the highly anticipated Mild High Club and an all 45's vinyl DJ set by Peanut Butter Wolf with Dam Funk and Mayer Hawthorne. This Friday, August 21st Latin music lovers can experience an epic battle between Cumbia and Salsa under the LA skyline with Boogaloo Assassins, Subsuelo and Cumbia champions Buyepongo with special guests! The closing night concert on August 28th will be a celebration of Afro-Brazilian music and dance, featuring Quetzal Guerrero, Junglefire, Capoeira Roda, DJ Potira and Gisella Ferreira (Samba Queen USA 2014).
Pals on the Street, by Phillip Lumbang
(Photo Credit: Kawai Matthews)
In addition to a powerful music line-up, Arts Brookfield has teamed up with the Downtown Los Angeles Art Walk to present a playful mural installation at FIGat7th's Plaza called Pals on the Street. Commissioned especially for the FIGat7h Downtown Festival, artist Phillip Lumbang's cuddly and edgy creatures pose against a fabricated graffiti stained brick wall with varied fun expressions. Concertgoers are encouraged to take a selfie and tag #Huglife and #FIGat7thFest. To learn more about FIGat7th Downtown Festival and other Arts Brookfield programs visit http://www.artsbrookfield.com/figfest.
This article by Party Earth.
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