Third Annual ‘Live at The Music Center’ Made Possible by Generous Gift from the Late Recording Industry Executive Jerry Moss, Co-Founder of A&M Records and Longtime Music Center Patron
LOS ANGELES (June 17, 2024) — Angelenos and disco lovers are invited to boogie on the dance floor at a free public concert to be performed on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center, as part of the Live at The Music Center series. The iconic GRAMMY®-nominated family vocal group Sister Sledge, plus additional members of the Sledge dynasty known as Sledgendary®, will slay the stage on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at 8:00 p.m., performing some of the biggest dance and disco songs of all time, including Lost in Music, He’s the Greatest Dancer, Thinking of You and the smash hit that brings joy and unity all around the world We Are Family.
Live at The Music Center with Sister Sledge featuring Sledgendary® is a free, all-ages concert made possible by a generous gift from longtime Music Center patron and recording industry executive Jerry Moss.
“We’re thrilled to have Sister Sledge featuring Sledgendary® performing for the first time at The Music Center in the ultimate free dance party weekend on Jerry Moss Plaza. The Music Center’s Dance DTLA kicks things off Friday night by celebrating the disco genre, and Sister Sledge continues the party on Saturday night. The dance hits will keep Angelenos of all ages on their feet, and Sister Sledge’s We Are Family is the anthem we need right now to unify and uplift one another,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “Thanks to the generosity of Moss Foundation, we can provide this free concert for the third consecutive year and bring new meaning to ‘Saturday night fever’!”
The Sledge sisters became a household name and symbol of unity with their 1979 worldwide smash hit and album We Are Family. The contagious joy and expression in their music has lit up dance floors for more than four decades. Lost in Music, He’s the Greatest Dancer and Thinking of You are universally cherished songs that bring people together in love, life and soulful grooves. The multi-lead vocal group has amassed a string of gold and platinum hits and GRAMMY® nominations and have performed on prestigious stages such as New York’s Carnegie Hall, The White House, London’s Royal Albert Hall and the famed Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival in the U.K. They even have performed before Pope Francis at the World Meeting of Families in the group’s hometown of Philadelphia.
Today, Sister Sledge includes more of the Sledge family and continues the group’s sensational legacy. Under the vocal direction of founding member Debbie Sledge and the genius of Musical Director Dominic Amato, along with an ensemble of insanely talented musicians, the group has achieved a “Sledgendary” place in the entertainment industry. Specializing in bringing the party with the family’s classic hits, Debbie Sledge, Camille Sledge, Tanya Ti-et, Thaddeus Sledge and David Sledge make one funky family affair. In 2022, the family released FREE, their first single as a collective in almost 20 years.
“We are turning summer nights in Downtown L.A. up a notch with The Music Center debut of Sister Sledge featuring Sledgendary®. This supergroup will bring the party to Jerry Moss Plaza with an unforgettable music and dance experience that Angelenos will talk about for years,” said Josephine Ramirez, executive vice president of TMC Arts, the programming arm of The Music Center. “The group’s anthem We Are Family conjures the positive vibes that will resonate with Angelenos of all generations. If you’re a big fan of outdoor concerts—and even a bigger fan of disco, R&B and soul—then hustle to Live at The Music Center on August 17 and join us for a giant dose of fun, energy and love!”
A live DJ set by duo Fashion Forward, comprised of Jen DM and Danny Dolan, will get Angelenos and disco lovers revved up for the spectacular evening. Born in New York, Jen DM grew up on freestyle, disco, 80s and 90s house music, female hip hop, new wave and punk. Jen DM is a founding member of electropop duo Hi Fashion whose single Amazing is featured regularly in TV and film as well as a founding member of queer femme nightlife collective Double Virgo. Jen DM has shared lineups with Hercules & Love Affair, The Blessed Madonna, Peaches, Lauren Flax and others. Danny Dolan, the son of a choreographer, grew up dancing in the living room to Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, New Order and George Benson. As he discovered music on his own, his tastes grew to include new age, ambient, techno, disco, art rock and 90s house. His intention behind the decks is to take listeners on a genre-bending journey. He has been fortunate enough to DJ many Los Angeles queer nightlife spaces like The Party by Ostbahnhof, Friction at Bar Mattachine and The Ace Hotel DTLA. His reach has also been felt in Chicago at the Field Museum, Berlin at the Yo! Sissy Music Festival, Black Rock City at Burning Man and more.
Live at The Music Center is generously supported by Moss Foundation. In October 2020, Jerry and Tina Moss provided The Music Center with $25 million, the largest single contribution for programming in the organization’s history. The monies are designed to support The Music Center’s work to increase the breadth and depth of its public presentations with a particular focus on quality, affordable arts programming that is relevant to and reflective of Los Angeles’ diverse communities. This free summer concert—part of the Live at The Music Center series—is open to all and will be held annually outdoors on Jerry Moss Plaza. GRAMMY® and Latin GRAMMY® winning band Ozomatli headlined the first Live at The Music Center concert in September 2022 over Labor Day Weekend. In August 2023, GRAMMY® winning artists La Marisoul and Eliades Ochoa took the stage and filled Downtown L.A. with a beautiful medley of Latin, bolero and big-band jazz music.
No outside alcohol will be allowed at Live at The Music Center. Beverages will be available for purchase on-site.
Public parking will be available at the main Music Center Garage (135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012) and in The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall Garage (111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012) at a flat rate of $10 per vehicle. Valet parking will not be available.
Given the large number of guests expected at the event, members of the public are highly encouraged to take public transportation. The Music Center is located across the street from Gloria Molina Grand Park, which is home to the Civic Center/Grand Park station along the Metro B Line (Red) and Metro D Line (Purple). Concertgoers also can reach The Music Center easily by riding Metro’s new Regional Connector to the Grand Ave Arts/Bunker Hill stop.
The Music Center welcomes all visitors and is committed to making its programs, services and venues accessible to everyone, including service animals. For those in need of vision, aural or mobility assistance, please contact Guest Services at general@musiccenter.org
CALENDAR LISTING
WHAT:
Live at The Music Center with Sister Sledge featuring Sledgendary®
Free public outdoor concert and dance party on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center in Downtown L.A., showcasing the all-time biggest dance anthems famously recorded by the iconic family vocal group.
WHEN:
Saturday, August 17, 2024
8:00 p.m.
WHERE:
The Music Center’s Jerry Moss Plaza
135 N. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles 90012
TRANSPORTATION:
Public parking will be available at the main Music Center Garage (135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012) and in The Music Center’s Walt Disney Concert Hall Garage (111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles 90012) at a flat rate of $10 per vehicle. Valet parking will not be available.
Given the large number of guests expected at the event, members of the public are highly encouraged to take public transportation. The Music Center is located across the street from Gloria Molina Grand Park, which is home to the Civic Center/Grand Park station along the Metro B Line (Red) and Metro D Line (Purple). Concertgoers also can reach The Music Center easily by riding Metro’s new Regional Connector to the Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill stop.
ADMISSION:
Tickets are not required for this free concert. However, concertgoers are highly encouraged to let The Music Center know they are attending the concert. To RSVP, visit musiccenter.org/liveatthemusiccenter.
Please note that there will be limited seating for the concert.
ABOUT THE MUSIC CENTER
The Music Center convenes artists, communities and ideas with the goal of deepening the cultural lives of every resident in Los Angeles County. Celebrating its 60th year in 2024, the $70 million non-profit performing arts organization has two divisions: TMC Arts and TMC Ops. TMC Arts, The Music Center’s programming engine, provides year-round programming inside The Music Center’s four theatres, on Jerry Moss Plaza, outside at Gloria Molina Grand Park—a 12-acre adjacent green space—in schools and other locations all over Los Angeles County. TMC Arts presents world-class dance with Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, free and low-cost public concerts and events, as well as live and digital K–12 arts education programs, workshops, performances, interactive experiences and special events. TMC Ops manages the theatres, the Plaza and Gloria Molina Grand Park, which comprise $2 billion in county assets, on behalf of the County of Los Angeles. The Music Center is also home to four renowned resident companies—Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, LA Opera and LA Phil. For more information, visit musiccenter.org. Follow The Music Center on social media @MusicCenterLA.
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