Gloria Molina Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party

“The dedicated staff of Gloria Molina Grand Park and The Music Center are forward thinkers who continually strive to create fun, unique and unforgettable experiences for Angelenos and visitors of all ages, and Gloria Molina Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party is a prime example,” said Rachel Moore, president and CEO of the Music Center. “A spectacular drone show is going to elevate the legacy of Gloria Molina Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party and set it apart from all other celebrations in the county.”

By Ricky Richardson
Contributing Writer

        (Los Angeles, CA) The nation celebrated Independence Day, Tuesday, July 4th with parades, parties, BBQs in their backyards, in a park, or visit to the beach, to name a few.
        The celebrations concluded with a viewing of fireworks displays from various venues across their respective cities. There wasn’t a shortage of illegal fireworks adding a splash of colors to the skyline.
        Before all of this took place, Mother Nature added some brightness to the sky. The sight of the sun, shining brightly was a welcome addition to the airways, throughout the day. Angelenos are happy that May Gray and June Gloom are a thing of the past.
        Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, summer is here! It bears repeating, hopefully you have received the memo about getting your dance shoes ready for all of the upcoming fun, outdoor activities.

Georgia Anne Muldrow, Medusa, Maya Jupiter and Jessa Calderon, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)

DJ Ethos and Maya Jupiter, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)

Bahamadia, (Photo by Ricky Richardson)

        The diverse, multi-cultural crowd relaxed on beautiful mosaic of blankets, chairs and towels, on this warm, sunny day in Greater Los Angeles.
        “The dedicated staff of Gloria Molina Grand Park and The Music Center are forward thinkers who continually strive to create fun, unique and unforgettable experiences for Angelenos and visitors of all ages, and Gloria Molina Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party is a prime example,” said Rachel Moore, president and CEO of the Music Center. “A spectacular drone show is going to elevate the legacy of Gloria Molina Grand Park’s 4th of July Block Party and set it apart from all other celebrations in the county.”
        Revelers were welcome to bring a picnic or enjoy a smorgasbord of delectable food and snack options for purchase from L. A’s favorite international gourmet food trucks, including tacos, barbecue, burgers, vegan, desserts and more. A Snack Alley, featuring mouthwatering confections, was sure to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth.
        “Gloria Molina Grand Park is excited to celebrate another milestone: the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop. The park is proud to acknowledge Hip-Hop’s deep influence on the many artists, performances and experiences that The Music Center’s team has curated over the past decade. It will be an honor to show our appreciation of all that Hip-Hop has contributed to L. A’s music scene and culture,” stated Robert Gonzalez, newly appointed director of Gloria Molina Grand Park.
        The Front Yard Stage (the park’s performance lawn between Grand Avenue and Hill Street featured some of L. A’s most popular DJ’s. The Beat Junkies, Institute of Sound & Ladies of Sound presented a great celebration of past, present and future of L. A’s DJ culture.
        DJ Ethos and Maya Jupiter teamed up to welcome the revelers to this historic Gloria Molina Grand Park 4th of July Block Party.
        The nearly six-hour festivity geared for the whole family-and their four-legged friends. A stellar lineup of artists performed on the Backyard Stage (the park’s lawn next to City Hall, between Broadway and Spring Street). DJ Ethos rocking the ones and twos; a talented cohort of local youth musicians known as The Harmony Project, with special guest Tia P; dance troupe The GR818ers; Maya Jupiter presented Artivista, featuring Medusa, Georgia Anne Muldrow, and Jessa Calderon, playing an awesome set related to Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary.
        The festivities concluded with a trifecta, triple headliners: legendary Hip-Hop artists Bahamadia and famed DJ Cut Chemist and rapper Chali 2na.
        Gloria Molina Grand Park, powered by The Music Center is reinventing Downtown L. A’s largest free Fourth of July Celebration for the first time in the parks 10th- year history, an incredible drone show, not traditional fireworks- lit up the night sky. The high-tech displays were comprised of 500 remote controlled drones programmed to larger-than-life 3-D representations flying above The Music Center, located directly across the street from the park. Provided by Grizzly Entertainment, the dynamic 12-minute drone show was orchestrated to a special playlist of Hip-Hop music curated by The Beat Junkies co-founder DJ J Rocc as a homage to the revolutionary music genre’s 50th anniversary and its powerful influence on the park’s many community partners, including L.A.-based performers, and organizations.