Maracatu presentation and workshop

Maracatu

Grand Performances will present Nação de Maracatu Estrela Brilhante do Recife's Tale of Two Nations project this coming August 17, 2013 as part of our free summer concert series.

We invite you to join us on Friday, May 17 for a presentation by noted percussionist Scott Kettner, that will discuss the history, culture, religion and music of Maracatu de Baque Virado from Recife, Brazil. It will include behind the scenes photos of the religious ceremonies, the preparation for carnival and the cultural manifestations of Maracatu.

This is an opportunity to learn about the unique history of Maracatu and how the slaves adapted the European, Indigenous and African elements to form Maracatu over 400 years ago and will investigate the concept of "tradition" and how the maracatu groups are struggling to maintain their traditions in a globalized society while also staying current in the modern world.

When: Friday, May 17, 2013 from 8:00-9:00 PM

Where: Consulate General of Brazil 8484 Wilshire Blvd. Ste 300 Beverly Hills 90211

RSVP to rcabrera@grandperformances.org (space is limited)

Please check in at the security desk; the event is being held in the Vinicius de Moraes room.

Parking is available at the building's underground parking garage for $10.00.

+++

Fun, FREE Maracatu (drumming) workshop

Do you participate in drum circles? Tap your fingers on the steering wheel to that great song on the radio? Did you play the drums in high school marching band? If so and you have an interest in Brazilian music - then this workshop is for you, your friends and family. We will have some drums, gongs and hand percussion instruments available.

Join us for a A 60-90 minute interactive workshop led by Scott Kettner (author, "Maracatu for Drumset and Percussion") for the whole community.

Grand Performances will present Maracatu Nação Estrela Brilhante do Recife and Nation Beat in "A Tale of Two Nations" project this coming August 17, 2013. Workshop participants are invited to participate in that evening's concert procession.

When: Saturday, May 18, 2013 @ 2:00 PM

Where: Grand Performances @ California Plaza

Please send RSVP to: maracatuworkshop@grandperformances.org and include the following information:

1. participant(s) full name
2. home zip code
3. drumming proficiency level: beginner, intermediate, advanced.
4. how you heard about the workshop
5. what instrument(s) you will bring

Parking in the California Plaza Garage will be validated. directions and a map can be found here.

2013 Summer Internships

Love the arts and culture?
Love music and watching concerts?
Wanna see the behind the scenes on how it's done?
Are you willing to sacrifice most of your summer weekends? 

Grand Performances  (GP), L.A.’s premiere outdoor summer performing arts presenter, is looking for interns to work from June-August 2013. Over the course of ten weeks, Grand Performances presents more than 30 FREE high-quality performances that span different genres and cultures - but we need highly motivated interns to help us.

Here's the skinny. We have 4 positions available:

• Artists Relations Intern
• Multimedia Marketing Intern
• Development (fundraising) Intern, supported by the Los Angles County Internship Program of the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, this position is limited to currently enrolled undergraduates who reside or attend college in Los Angeles County, and will have completed at least one semester of college by June 2013. Click link for more details!
• Photography Intern*
  

Our summer internships are an awesome gig. Don't believe us? Just ask our former boomerang interns (they even come back to volunteer).  Read what they had to say about their summer at GP here and here.

Artist Relations Intern, Zach, selling artist merchMarketing Intern, Molli, workng at the Yelp + Grand Performances event

*unpaid internship

Michael Alexander: Keeping us GRAND for 25 Years

2013 marks an important anniversary for our executive director Michael Alexander. For 25 years, this beloved downtown figure has scoured the city and globe to unearth numerous distinguished acts whose innovation and diversity are now synonymous with Grand Performances. Coinciding with this monumental milestone is Michael’s recent recognition as a Downtowner of Distinction, as he was profiled as a prominent culture figure in the Los Angeles Downtown News 40 Year Anniversary. The paper acknowledges Michael’s early beginnings, praising his spark of “endurance and vision,” vital qualities for someone selected to pioneer a concert series amid a relatively uninhabited area. With Michael helming the program, Grand Performances saw a steady surge in concert attendees long before the rest of downtown followed suit. Fast-forward a quarter of a century later, and Michael is still discovering obscure, up-and-coming groups and troupes, crafting and maintaining the series that has become so beloved by Angelenos. Thanks, Michael, for both making and keeping us GRAND!

From the February 18, 2013 issue of the L.A. Downtown News

GPeeps are GRAND Photoshoot

Got plans for Saturday, March 23rd? Why not celebrate the beginning of the spring season with a carefree day in downtown LA? It's rumored to be a blissful, cloud-free 75 degrees, so hop onto the Red Line with your pals and sunnies for the perfect relaxing afternoon! We'll even throw in some free MOCA tickets as a bonus incentive...

"Hold up! What's the catch?" you find your inner cynic asking, stubbornly unwilling to accept that this blithe opportunity would exist without some sort of caveat. Luckily, you can calm that inner pessimist; the truth is, we've got something exciting planned for our 2013 brochure, and we want to share it with you!

Fans and friends from last season will remember the charming "I Am Grand," "You Are Grand," and "We Are Grand" cardboard trio passed around the audience and used as the focal point for dozens of pictures at performances. They currently live on our Facebook page*, but we've got even bigger plans. If you can't already guess where this is going, here it is: those pictures are going to have a place in our 2013 season brochure!

Of course, in true GP spirit, we want to keep things as inclusive as possible, so we're hosting a makeup day to recreate these photos for those who missed their first opportunity! Come to the California Plaza on Saturday, March 23rd, from 2-4 p.m. for the chance to star in your very own GP photo, and have the opportunity to appear in the 2013 Brochure. RSVP to marketing@grandperformances.com and we’ll give you all the additional info, including parking directions and whatnot.

See you there!

*If your picture is up on Facebook, and you absolutely DO NOT WANT to be shown on the brochures, email marketing@grandperformances.com to let us know. No sweat- we respect your privacy!

A Look Back at 2012

Relive the highlights of our 2012 season by perusing through the stunning visual layout of our Annual Report! Designed by our crafty "boomerang intern" RJ Sakai, the document includes illustrious depictions of season highlights, including Vamos al Mambo, Mexico: Unexpected and our Friday Lunchbox Series. From the Art & Artist Origins map to the information on our new logo to the Board of Directors statement, consider this picturesque pamphlet to be your very own behind-the-scenes guide to all things GRAND.