If you found yourself not in the mood to celebrate Independence Day last month, you weren’t alone. Between wildfire concerns and the federal immigration raids, many of the city’s holiday festivities were canceled, postponed or altered in some way. That included the Music Center and Gloria Molina Grand Park’s annual block party, which was set to be the largest free Fourth of July celebration on the West Coast but ended up being rescheduled due to safety concerns amid Downtown unrest.
But a new date has finally been announced for the event, which has been reimagined as a love letter to Los Angeles dubbed “Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Block Party: Celebrating L.A. Culture & Community.” Just over two months from its original date, the “park for everyone” will host a drone show, DJ sets, food trucks and art installations on September 6, taking over the park, from Grand Avenue to Broadway and surrounding streets, from 3 to 9pm.
This year found several Fourth of July fireworks shows pivoting to drones for eco-conscious and fire safety reasons, but Grand Park was already ahead of the curve. It’s opted for drones over pyrotechnics for the past two years. And once again, a 3-D drone show from Grizzly Entertainment will light up the night at 8pm. The 12-minute-long display will “emphasize L.A. communities’ resilience and honor Angelenos’ capacity for joy amid hardships,” according to the Music Center.
The party’s theme of homegrown resilience will also be echoed in its art installations and activities. An area called “Little L.A.” will re-create an interactive journey through the county’s immigrant enclaves, complete with dances, storytelling, a scavenger hunt and a chalk-drawn map of L.A.’s freeways. Meanwhile, an art walk will display interactive art and intimate portraits of life in L.A.
There will also be resources on-site to encourage civic action and offer legal help: You’ll find booths offering voter registration, as well as legal advocacy and wellness resources from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Westside Food Bank, Las Fotos Project and more.
“Gloria Molina Grand Park’s Block Party is more than a gathering—it’s a powerful declaration of who we are as Angelenos,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of the Music Center. “As the world has witnessed in the last few months, Angelenos possess a resounding spirit unlike any other—we persevere. This Block Party is a celebration of our roots, our resilience and our right to reclaim joy. We invite all Angelenos from the many communities across Los Angeles County to show up, speak up and shine.”
But there’s plenty of lighthearted fun to be had, too. KCRW Summer Nights is curating the lineup of L.A.-based DJs: Black House Radio, Discos Rolas and the station’s own Boogie Boudreaux and Francesca Harding will be behind the decks. And food trucks will be on hand serving a diverse range of culinary delights, from Venezuelan to Chinese to Mexican food. (Note that alcohol isn’t allowed in the park and won’t be served.)
Parking will be available for $10 at both the Music Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall parking lots, but the park is quite well served by Metro, so taking public transportation is encouraged.