Skip to Content
Events

35th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival & 40th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival ~ This Weekend

3:28 PM PDT on September 21, 2016

In celebration of the 55th anniversary of the Watts Towers Art Center, an all-star line-up of world class musicians, singers, and dancers will come together at the 35th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival and the 40th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival. Taking place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on both days, the two festivals are presented by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) and the Friends of Watts Towers Arts Center and are free for the entire family.

The festivals are complimented by two solo exhibitions, Carlos Spivey’s “The Power of Love,” and Sammy Davis’ “It’s All About the Bass” both on view through March 5, 2017; along with guided tours of the Watts Towers of Simon Rodia, supervised children's activities, and food along with arts and crafts for sale. visit wattstowers.org for more information..

35th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival (Saturday, Sept 24In celebration of the 55th anniversary of Watts Towers Arts Center, an all-star line-up of world class musicians, singers, and dancers will come together at the 35th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival, which is free and open to the public. The festival is presented by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) and the Friends of Watts Towers Arts Center and takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 1727 East 107th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90002. Led by Masters of Ceremonies Ndugu Chancler and James Janisse, the event begins with a Yoruba ground blessing ceremony by Alaadun. Korean Classical Music and Dance Company will follow and afterwards guests can experience the rhythms of North African Moroccan music with Amazigh 6/8.

40th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival (Sunday, Sept 25 In celebration of the 55th anniversary of Watts Towers Arts Center, an all-star line-up of world class musicians, singers, and dancers will come together for the 40th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival, which is free and open to the public.  The festival is presented by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) and the Friends of Watts Towers Arts Center and takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 1727 East 107th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90002. Hosted by Masters of Ceremonies Kamau Daáood and James Janisse, the festival opens with the Yoruba ground blessing by Alaadun. Sherwood Sledge follows with his jazz trio offering a touch of gospel, blues, and jazz. Another highlight is The School of Healing Martial Arts’ Tai Chi Chuan demonstration before legendary jazz, blues, and R&B singer Eloise Laws takes the stage. Finally, to conclude this year’s festivals, the Jazz Mentorship Program All Stars will light up the stage with “straight ahead jazz” classics and originals you won’t want to miss!

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

L.A. Spent Over $1.73 Million on These Controversial ‘Anti-Homeless’ Signs. Do They Actually Work?

Earlier this month, a leaked memo from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) suggested that these 41.18 zones rarely led to unhoused people being moved into interim shelter or permanent housing. After being cleared, most 41.18 zones quickly became repopulated.

March 27, 2024

Two New Lowrider-Inspired and Dodger-Blue L.A. TACO Hats Are Now Available!

Wear your L.A. TACO swag and support our inclusive, street-level community journalism!

March 27, 2024

A Morning-Only Taco Pop-Up in Northridge Is Making the Biggest Breakfast Burritos in the San Fernando Valley

What does it take to stand out in Los Angeles's saturated taco climate? Focus on San Fernando Valley-style loaded breakfast tacos, "breakfast quesadillas" with crispy cheese skirts, and the beefiest breakfast burritos Balboa Boulevard has ever seen.

March 26, 2024

The Second Round of TACO MADNESS 2024 Is Now Open for Voting! Meet ‘L.A.’s Sweet 16’ That Advanced

Save the date! Our 15th annual taco tournament is taking place on April 13th at La Plaza de Cultura y Artes near Olvera Street. Pre-sale tickets are now available. Our online tournament starts on Monday. Check out this year's contenders!

March 26, 2024

Meet L.A.’s Queen of Carnitas Succeeding In a Male-Dominated Taco Style

Her Michoacán-style carnitas are so tender, crispy, and sticky, that she's known to sell more than 1,200 pounds on Sundays alone. What sets her apart from other carnitas stars in L.A. is her commitment to making handmade corn tortillas, too. Her story of resilience is the stuff of taquera legends.

March 25, 2024
See all posts