Events include “Pulsations LA,” a free concert in Leimert Park Village
Plaza. (photo courtesy of Cultural Treasures of South L.A.)

The city of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with LA Commons and Make Music LA will celebrate Make Music Day on Friday, June 21. Programming will feature “Pulsations LA,” a free outdoor concert featuring artists identified as “Cultural Treasures” by the Cultural Treasures of South L.A., a community-based cultural asset mapping initiative.

The Make Music Day celebration will be livestreamed globally as part of the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad. The Make Music Day concert will be held on People Street in Leimert Park Village Plaza in front of the historic Vision Theater, featuring musical performances from Kinnara Taiko, Fernando Pullum Community Arts Center Jazz Ensemble featuring vocalist Dwight Trible, tap dance by the Nicholas Dance Studio, poetry by “artivist” S. Pearl Sharp and a family-friendly drum workshop by Project Knucklehead.

The concert will be part of a global “rhythmic relay” called “Pulsations” as part of the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad. Under the creative direction of FrenchLebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf, “Pulsations” will unite artists in 24 countries with a shared heartbeat rhythm that will travel around the world from New Zealand to Paris.

At 8:50 a.m., Los Angeles will pick up the rhythm from Mexico and pass it to Canada as it makes its way around the globe to Paris via livestream. For the complete global livestream schedule, visit makemusicday.org/pulsations

Founded in 1982 as Fête de la Musique, Make Music Day is celebrated in more than 1,000 cities in 120 different countries. The French government and the French people take pride in how the Fête de la Musique has grown to become an international phenomenon. For that reason, the Paris 2024 Cultural Olympiad has selected Make Music Day as one of its key days of action leading up to the games.

DCA’s Performing Arts Division will present Make Music Day events including a Mariachi lunchtime mini concert at Figueroa Plaza, a show tune singalong at Lankershim Arts Center, a “Soul of Music” young musicians intensive jam session at the Taxco Theater in Canoga Park and a Taiko Drum Circle in Barnsdall Art Park in Hollywood. Visit pulsationsla.com for programs, times and locations.

“We are honored and thrilled to have our Make Music Day Celebrations in Leimert Park, and partake in an amazing experience of global artistry and unity. For decades, South Los Angeles has been a vibrant center of expression with a rich cultural history,” said Los Angeles City Councilwoman Heather Hutt, 10th District. “This celebration will be a testament to this legacy, inspiring our city for years to come.”

Musicians of all ages, cultures, genres and skill levels are encouraged to create a free public outdoor concert to play and share music with friends, neighbors and strangers. For information on how to participate in Make Music Los Angeles, visit makemusicla.org.