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During our time at Grand Performances, we wanted to create a way for you to experience the concert with us. We created a timeline of the events at Grand Performances—from the moment the crew set up to the beat of the last song.
Thursday
3:30 p.m.
Three decades in action
At approximately 3:30, Mark Baker gave us a rundown of the history of Grand Performances. Operating as a non-profit, Grand Performances has been providing free, live concerts in the heart of Los Angeles for 30 years.
4:00 p.m.
What it takes to pull off a pop-up concert
It takes more than just performers to make a performance Grand. We shadowed four “behind the scenes” operators for the tech perspective.
Friday
6:00 p.m.
Jam with the Band (en Español)
Hours before the big show, Troker lands in LA for a jam session.
7:00 p.m.
Mic check, please
Before Daedelus and Troker can grace the stage, the tech team tests the waters.
7:30 p.m.
Wo(man) on the street: Why are you here?
Some have been coming for years, some felt a burst of spontaneity, others were dragged along.
7:45 p.m.
Grand Style: How does your outfit reflect the culture of Los Angeles?
An evening out on an LA summer night calls for good food, good company, and good fashion. Thanks to its beautiful outdoor setting, Grand Performances brings out some of LA’s most dapper.
Melanie Williams
Melanie Williams’ bright smile matched her bold, bright tie-dye dress and colorful, exciting accessories. She arrived early to nab a seat by the water. “I decided to donate, and I got this fabulous seat…I got this from a little Tibetan shop in Pasadena.”
Steve Brye
His concert getup–a fedora and casual brown suede suit–was random and comfortable. He sat and enjoyed a to-go meal while peacefully reading a newspaper.
Jan Simonovic
She arrived almost an hour before the concert to enjoy a snack and a drink by the California Plaza fountain. She donned a summer-appropriate pink blouse, with a light leopard sweater and matching sunglasses. “I just put it together! It felt right for the occasion!”
8:00 p.m.
A night with an audio technician
Just before tip-off, we got a chance to talk to the lead audio producer, Toby Tittle.
9:00 p.m.
What’s the best thing to eat at a Grand Performance concert?
A handful of popular restaurants surround the California Plaza, from which patrons order food to eat during the show. Insiders tried the food from Asiago’s Grilled Cheese for ourselves, and here’s what our teenage taste buds had to say:
9:15 p.m.
Lights, camera, water
Flashes of light color the dark Los Angeles sky, as thin cylinders of water burst thirty feet into the air, accented by maroon lights.
12:00 a.m.
Break it down, pack it up, do it again
After a long 32 hours, the crew retires for a well-deserved night of sleep. The next performance is less than a week away.
