Grand Ave Festival Shows off Downtown Culture
DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES — Many cities offer street fairs to display their cultural and dining resources, but how many have a street like Bunker Hill's Grand Avenue? That's where MOCA, the L.A. Opera at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, and the L.A. Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Redcat, the Colburn School are bookended by the Central Library and the Center Theater Group’s newly renovated Mark Taper Forum.
The 5th Annual Grand Avenue Festival takes place on Sunday, September 28th, from 11am to 5pm. With a lineup that includes more than 40 programs for kids and adults and booths set up by Downtown restaurants, there is bound to be something of interest for any Downtown local, new or otherwise.
Take in some culture, like a tour of the works of German artist Martin Kippenberger at MOCA, or listen to the Rite of Spring Sensation by LA Phil at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Join the Theatre Scavenger Hunt at the renovated Mark Taper Forum, or become part of the potentially record breaking disco dance party at 1st and Grand (12:30pm).
For Downtowners, the festival offers a prime chance to take in a free, abbreviated performance at a number of premiere venues. Definitely take note of performances at the Colburn School, one of Downtown's less talked about gems.
Grand Avenue Festival / Sunday, September 28th / 11 am - 5pm / Events are free, though some require tickets available on-site. Food you have to pay for.
John Swartz on September 24, 2008, at 10:57AM – #1
I love Grand Avenue Festival... it just needs to get bigger and with more stages and booths. I think they are restricting themselves with only making it a 6 hour window and not having drink tents. This has great potential to be the same scale as the Taste of Chicago or something, but it stays the same size... what gives?
Either way, its still a great way to check out tastes from all the new fine restaurants in downtown wihout spending the price of a full meal.
-J
Dennis Smith on September 24, 2009, at 11:34AM – #2
First, the LA Weekly closes down their three year old Detour Festival in favor of a series of concerts in West Hollywood and now the Grand Avenue Festival is canceled for this year. It is a shame for now and hopefully not a trend that will continue in the future. I look forward to the Red Bull event this weekend but since it is just a one-off happening, it is not the kind of occasion that could become a downtown tradition.