Jerry Moss Plaza
Jerry Moss Plaza (Plaza) is a beautiful 35,000 square foot outdoor urban oasis and destination for free and low-cost programs such as The Music Center’s highly popular Dance DTLA, along with festivals, concerts, special events and other art-making experiences. The “Plaza for All” welcomes all and brings to life the strength and diversity of Los Angeles County and with a range of dining options, refreshing gardens, an iconic fountain and views of Grand Park and City Hall.
The Music Center’s three original theatres are united by the Plaza. The Plaza’s location was planned so it would form a unit with what is now Grand Park to the east and the Department of Water and Power building to the west, creating the largest open, landscaped area of any downtown in the United States. The original Music Center was united by a central sunken plaza designed by landscape architecture firm Cornell, Bridgers and Troller in association with Welton Becket & Associates. Its refined architectural design was reflected in the original landscaping, combining water, trees, ground cover and patterned pavement to create the atmosphere of a formal courtyard.
In January 2018, The Music Center closed the plaza for a major renovation helmed by the award-winning Los Angeles-based multidisciplinary architecture and design firm Rios Clementi Hale Studios, now known as Rios. The architects not only updated the plaza’s infrastructure but also created a more welcoming space along with five new buildings: Lisa Specht Welcome Center, Abernethy’s (a full-service restaurant), The Mullin Wine Bar, and permanent public restrooms. The plaza had a major public grand opening in August 2019 and, in 2020, was renamed Jerry Moss Plaza following a $25 million benefaction by Tina and Jerry Moss to support free and low-cost programming. The reimagined plaza creates a fifth venue for The Music Center campus.
In its architecture and civic design approach, Rios raised the plaza to one single accessible level with 48,000 square feet of flexible, usable outdoor space, reconfigured the Grand Avenue staircase and added two new escalators on either side of what is now the Terri and Jerry Kohl Stairs on Grand Avenue as a new “front door” for The Music Center. The plaza redesign allows for more open space for public events and performances, enhances the connection to the community and visually connects The Music Center to Grand Park, leveraging the synergies between two major county assets.
New drought tolerant landscaping enriches the hardscape surface of the Plaza, including 20 new “Geijera parviflora” (Australian Willow) trees, which have low water requirements and were chosen for their shade and graceful foliage character. Two new gardens allow wining and dining al fresco: The plaza’s Blue Ribbon Garden is adjacent to The Mullin Wine Bar and the Fredric Roberts Garden is next to Go Get Em Tiger. The gardens feature Melaleuca quinquenervia (Paperbark) trees plus California and other evergreen plantings in a vibrant lime green color palette. Each of the gardens has historical globe lighting fixtures that sat on the original plaza and were restored and relocated to illuminate the garden spaces.
The public and artists alike appreciate the two new 12’ x 20’ plaza LED screens, which are equipped with sensors and cameras. The screens provide the opportunity to create “art” on the plaza through multiple interactive experiences that incorporate people and movement throughout the space. Imagined by the artists of Music Center partners yU+co, the LED screens feature live feeds, machine learning and various filters that allow plaza visitors to generate their own living video art in realistic or abstract ways as their movement and actions on the plaza are reflected on the LED screens. The Lisa Specht Welcome Center also features a 6’ x 20’ interactive touch screen that provides information and personalized guidance for visitors about the entire Music Center complex; The Music Center’s resident companies and TMC Arts, The Music Center’s programming engine; events, food and beverage options; and members of The Music Center community.
As part of the renovation, The Music Center moved the Jacques Lipchitz-designed “Peace on Earth” sculpture due west from its previous location in the center of the plaza’s fountain. The sculpture is now a focal point on the Hope Street side of The Music Center complex in the Rose Hills Foundation Courtyard. Additionally, the “Dance Door” designed by Robert Graham, was re-positioned in the Fredric Roberts Garden on the east side of the plaza.
TMC Arts programs Jerry Moss Plaza as both a civic and cultural space. In addition to arts programming, TMC Arts showcases artistic experiences on the plaza’s LED screens and also offers guests the opportunity to come together and share, actively or passively, in dialogue about civic issues and matters critical to each other, to the many communities in Los Angeles and to society overall. That can include showing the latest political debates—representing all sides of the political spectrum—town hall meetings, panels, talks and the like.
Featured on Jerry Moss Plaza
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Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
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Sat May 03 11:00 AM
A TMC Arts Program The Music Center's Very Special Arts Festival: Family Day
Jerry Moss Plaza
Get ready for a day of fun, creativity and play at The Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival Family Day! This free, one-day outdoor festival invites children of all abilities and their families to enjoy an exciting lineup of live perf...Show More
Get ready for a day of fun, creativity and play at The Music Center’s Very Special Arts Festival Family Day! This free, one-day outdoor festival invites children of all abilities and their families to enjoy an exciting lineup of live performances, interactive art-making activities and a student art gallery, all in a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere. Join us on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center for a memorable Saturday exploring the arts and celebrating the artist in all of us!
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
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Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
-
Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
-
Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
-
Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
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Wed Apr 02 7:30 PM
Sun Apr 06 7:30 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
Drawing from his early experiences at Lester Horton’s studio and his upbringing in Los Angeles, Alvin Ailey cultivated a profound understanding of dance as a vehicle for cultural expression. This foundation laid the groundwork for Alvin Ailey Amer...Show More
Drawing from his early experiences at Lester Horton’s studio and his upbringing in Los Angeles, Alvin Ailey cultivated a profound understanding of dance as a vehicle for cultural expression. This foundation laid the groundwork for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, which has since become a beacon of artistic excellence, showcasing the vibrancy and richness of the African American cultural experience, transcending boundaries and reshaping the art form itself. Ailey’s pioneering spirit not only transformed modern dance, but also sparked a dedication to education, community engagement and cultural diplomacy. Returning to The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion as part of an exclusive Southern California multi-year residency, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater presents cutting-edge contemporary premieres and classics including Mr. Ailey’s signature work Revelations.
Show LessAges 8 and up
Learn MoreAges 8 and up
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Sat Apr 05 8:00 PM
Sun Apr 06 2:00 PM
LA Phil Celebrating John Williams
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg once said, “Without John Williams, bikes don’t really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes. There is no Force, dinosaurs do not walk the Earth, we do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not beli...Show More
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg once said, “Without John Williams, bikes don’t really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes. There is no Force, dinosaurs do not walk the Earth, we do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe.”
Show Less
To bring the John Williams Spotlight Series to a close, and to honor Williams’ illustrious seven-decade career, Gustavo Dudamel leads the LA Phil in an exciting program of the composer’s most recognizable, adored, and critically acclaimed music for the silver screen. From Indiana Jones and Harry Potter to Star Wars and Jurassic Park, enjoy this celebration of movie magic with selected film clips on the big screen! -
Sat Apr 05 8:00 PM
Sun Apr 06 2:00 PM
LA Phil Celebrating John Williams
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg once said, “Without John Williams, bikes don’t really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes. There is no Force, dinosaurs do not walk the Earth, we do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not beli...Show More
Filmmaker Steven Spielberg once said, “Without John Williams, bikes don’t really fly, nor do brooms in Quidditch matches, nor do men in red capes. There is no Force, dinosaurs do not walk the Earth, we do not wonder, we do not weep, we do not believe.”
Show Less
To bring the John Williams Spotlight Series to a close, and to honor Williams’ illustrious seven-decade career, Gustavo Dudamel leads the LA Phil in an exciting program of the composer’s most recognizable, adored, and critically acclaimed music for the silver screen. From Indiana Jones and Harry Potter to Star Wars and Jurassic Park, enjoy this celebration of movie magic with selected film clips on the big screen! -
Sat Apr 05 10:00 AM
Sat Apr 19 10:00 AM
A TMC Arts Program Gloria Molina Grand Park's Easy Mornings
Gloria Molina Grand Park
From puppetry, storytelling, and surfing in the park to arts and crafts and live DJ entertainment, Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings offers a variety of experiences for curious little minds! Start off the weekend with relaxing and ...Show More
From puppetry, storytelling, and surfing in the park to arts and crafts and live DJ entertainment, Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Easy Mornings offers a variety of experiences for curious little minds! Start off the weekend with relaxing and family-friendly activities for all ages, focused on deepening relationships with self, community and the park. This year, Easy Mornings is teaming up with Smorgasburg LA to bring more interactive experiences for everyone!
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
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Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
-
Wed Mar 19 12:00 PM
Mon Jun 30 6:00 PM
A TMC Arts Program: Digital Innovation Initiative The Music Center Presents Breakthru
Jerry Moss Plaza
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.Show More
Join us for Breakthru, a free daily movement and breathing-based microbreak on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. Every day at NOON and 6:00 p.m., Angelenos come together to move, breathe and reset—right in the heart of Downtown L.A.
Guided by a series of two-minute breathing and movement sequences, shift your mood by choosing joyful, energized, centered and confident. This ever-evolving, crowd-curated experience gives us all permission to pause, reflect and recharge.
Show LessFree
Learn MoreFree
Thank You to our Generous and Visionary Donors to Jerry Moss Plaza
The renovated Jerry Moss Plaza completes a dream and opens the door to a future where The Music Center is at the heart of deepening the cultural lives of every resident of L.A. County. The Music Center will continue to uplift this vision by activating the plaza with innovative and inspiring arts experiences for all to enjoy.
Prohibited Items and Activities on Jerry Moss Plaza
For the safety and enjoyment of all guests who visit Jerry Moss Plaza, please note that the following items and activities are prohibited.
- Bathing in pools or fountain
- Camping
- Damage to plants or property
- Entering fountain pools at the Mark Taper Forum
- Feeding the birds
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Fires
- Lawn umbrellas
- Littering (including pet waste)
- Narcotics or illegal drugs
- Overnight lodging
- Outside alcohol
- Outside furniture
- Professional-grade photo and video equipment, including but not limited to: tripods, drones, microphones, cameras, lights, reflectors, etc.
- Public intoxication
- Electric scooters
- Rollerblading
- Skateboarding
- Smoking (including vapes) except in designated smoking areas
- Tents
- Tripods
- Unauthorized driving or parking
- Unauthorized photo or video shoots
- Unauthorized solicitation
- Unauthorized vending
- Unleashed animals
- Weapons