The Bottom Line
It's free and it's fun. It starts every Friday at 6pm in the main courtyard at LACMA. You don't have to be a jazz lover to have a great time. Relaxing outside with a glass of wine at the end of the workweek is a joy unto itself.
You'll see artists like the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance Ensemble and Bill Holman's seventeen-piece big band. After the show you can browse the art galleries free of charge or attend one of the screenings in their Friday night film series.
- It's free.
- It's outdoors.
- They get an incredible group of performers.
- The art galleries at LACMA are free after 5pm.
- Parking is limited.
- It begins at the height of rush hour traffic.
- Long lines for food and drink.
Description
- Address: 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90036
- Time: Fridays 6pm-8pm, April through November
- Phone: LACMA Music Department: (323) 857-6115
- Maps:
Guide Review - Jazz at LACMA
If you walk into the main courtyard at LACMA early on a Friday evening during the Summer, you're going to run into a very cool event with some very cool cats. The museum hosts a series of jazz concerts each year on Friday nights from April through November.
The Los Angeles Times Central Court, as it is officially known, is turned into the main stage for a who's who of the modern jazz world. True fans will have a wonderful time getting lost into the complex rhythms, but you don't have to be a jazz lover to have a blast at the event. You get to sit outside as the day winds down and relax with a glass of wine. That is a joy unto itself, especially at the end of the workweek.
Check out the LACMA site for artist biographies, schedule of performances and more.
Parking
- $5 - Spaulding lot (Wilshire & Spaulding)
- $6 - Petersen Automotive Museum parking lot (Wilshire & Fairfax)
- $8 - Page Museum of La Brea Discoveries lot (6th & Curson)
- Metered parking is available along 6th, Wilshire, and nearby side streets. Check the signs before parking.
Local's Note
If you're a wine drinker, bring a bottle with you. You'll save some cash and avoid the long lines at LACMA's Pentimento Cafe. The menu is crafted by famous chef Joachim Splichal, and it lives up to his reputation. But the surging crowd of jazz fans makes it a little rough to relax and enjoy your meal. If you want to skip out and dine elsewhere after the show is over, try one of these great nearby restaurants.
- Campanile
- 624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- (323) 938-1447
- Cobras & Matadors
- 7615 W Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
- (323) 932-6178
- Little Door
- 8164 West 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
- (323) 951-1210
- Swingers
- 8020 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
- (323) 653-5858
