Monday
Feb062012

Alyssa <3's GP

Alyssa and our Artist Relations Intern, Phyllis, grooving and movingWe've been able to connect with so many folks over the past 25 years, it's about time we spotlight you, our one and only GPeeps. Do you <3 GP? Tell us about it here. This week's GPeep is our former Development Officer, Alyssa. She knows how to keep the party going in the donor reserve section, with or without a dance partner. 

We know you <3 us, but why we should feature you as one of our GPeeps?

Working at GP for four seasons made me the ultilmate #1 fan. I even got married at Grand Performances... that's true fan spirit!

Who are you?

Alyssa Pacaut <3 GP and I'm a nonprofit marketera lover not a figher, and half Guamanian. My friends would say I'm happy-go-lucky and cultured. I've been coming to GP for 4 years with my amigos; and when I'm not busting a move on the plaza, you can find me trying to score seats in the reserved section from the Development gals.

Where are you?

In DTLA, only the best barrio in Los Angeles.

I would like to see Caravan Palace, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Ojos de Brujo, and Son de Madera back on the Watercourt stage.

My go-to picnic goods:

Tomme de Savoie cheese from Trader Joe's, a baguette, heirloom tomatoes, and some dark chocolate for dessert. Oh, and wine. Lots and lots of wine.

Here's how I discovered GP:

My friend interned at GP and said I would really like it. She was right! With my music and travel-loving background, it was love at first sight.

Wednesday
Jan252012

Music Research/PR Internship Available!

Hey GPeeps -

Even though it's only January, we're already getting ready for another fantastic summer season. One of the first things on our to-do list: finding a superstar Music Research/PR Intern to help gather artist intel, manage media listings and develop killer editorial for this summer's shows.

The position is unpaid, but is a fantastic opportunity for currently enrolled undergrad/grad students looking for a credit-only internship this spring. Fringe benefits: great parking in DT, working with the GP staff, lots of cupcake runs and exposure to some of today's best music.

Feel free to pass this along to anyone who might be interested; thanks in advance!

xoxo

__

<<<Full Listing on idealist.org here >>>

Music Research/PR Internship

This is a CREDIT ONLY internship; 8-10 hours/weekly, flexible scheduling

A great opportunity for someone who loves music, culture and L.A. – and wants to make a difference! Grand Performances (GP), L.A.’s premiere outdoor summer performing arts presenter, is looking for a Music Research/PR Intern. GP is known for providing Angelenos with FREE high-quality performances by world-renowned artists across all genres, and our 26th season (set to place June- August 2012) will be no exception. But we need a highly motivated, culturally curious, creative thinker to help us gather research and prepare content for the summer.  This is an unpaid internship located on Bunker Hill in Downtown L.A.                                      

To apply, please send resume, brief cover letter and one short writing sample to marketing@grandperformances.org, subject line: Spring Intern.

                                                                 

Duties include:

  • Compiling & creating artist fact sheets
  • Updating & expanding (traditional and new) media distribution lists
  • Managing editorial calendars
  • Improving outreach to current GP stakeholders and identifying new audiences, partners and collaborators
  • Generating story ideas for monthly GP Newsletter
  • Writing proactive pitch letters & updating media kit

 

Required Qualifications:

  • Strong work ethic
  • Excellent written and editorial skills
  • Great researcher with a willingness to learn
  • Able to produce quality work with minimal supervision
  • Can successfully engage others, both online and offline

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience with Non-profit or start-ups
  • Academic concentration on music, marketing or PR
  • Fluent in Spanish

 

Wednesday
Jan252012

Amanda and Kate take on APAP

We started off 2012 with a trip to the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) conference in New York City. Our Executive Director, Michael, and  Programming Director, Leigh Ann, are both regulars at this yearly conference, but this time around Kate, the Development Assistant, and Amanda, the Marketing Assitant, wanted in on the experience too*.

APAP not only gives GP an opportunity to connect with other performing arts presenters from around the U.S., it's also a chance for us to discover new artists; we like to keep our GPeeps ahead of the curve (GP 2011 artists Blitz the Ambassador and Yemen Blues both turned in awesome sets at APAP this year)!

From the spinning hotel doors, to the mountains of artists' marketing materials, to the bustling Expo Halls to the explosive line up of performers, APAP NYC was nothing short of an adventure! 

A Day @ APAP

Wake up and take a five second jog through the automatic spinning doors.
 

Brochures and marketing materials galore! 

Inside the Expo Halls, artists and manager were on hand to chat and hopefully seal a deal with presenters.

Our days were filled with conference sessions and artist showcases. Below are some artist stand outs from APAP...and who knows, you might even see some of them at GP this summer..! 

Ethan Lipton :: clever and funny music from a New York singer/songwriter 

Nomadic Massive :: socially engaged hip hop group out of Montreal

Debo Band :: Ethiopian funk, are your shoulders shaking yet?

Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino :: music from southern Italy

SMOD :: a Malian hip hop group with the son of Amadou & Mariam as their front man

_

* Amanda and Kate's trip to APAP was sponsored in part by grants from the Center for Cultural Innovation, the Durfee Foundation and the Los Angeles County Arts Commission.

Tuesday
Jan032012

Angelica <3's GP

We've been able to connect with so many folks over the past 25 years, it's about time we spotlight you, our one and only GPeeps. Do you <3 GP? Tell us about it here. This week's GPeep was our stage manager this past summer, she kept our artists in line and made sure the concerts ran smoothly. What would we do without her?

We know you <3 us, but tell us why we should feature you as one of our GPeeps.

I don't really think you should.

Who are you?

Angelica <3's GP and I'm tall, loud, and full of laughter

My friends would say I’m taller than them and don't like to be touched.  I’ve been coming to GP for 5 years with my crew and homiesand when I’m not busting a move on the plaza, you can find me at another job.

Where are you?

At GP

I would like to see Blitz the Ambassador, La Santa Celica, Baloji, Meklit Hadero, Jaipur Kawa Brass Band, Adaawe, Shoghaken Ensemble, Caravan Palace and Zap Mama back on the Watercourt stage. 

My go to picnic goods: 

Starry Kitchen, Mendocino Farms, Starbucks

Here's how I discovered GP:

Mark (GP's Technical Director) needed help on an MTV shoot. It was definitely an adventure, to say the least. I guess the rest is history, I'm still here.

Wednesday
Dec212011

A Few True Holiday Tales and Tunes from CalPlaza

We know a lot of you weren't able to join us for our holiday WinterStage, so we've put together a little something something- a Few True Holiday Tales and Tunes from CalPlaza. It's our gift to you, wrapped in a Sound Cloud with a bow on top. Enjoy!!!

Warmest wishes to you and yours for  a holiday season filled with music and joy.

- Your friends at Grand Performances