“TARFEST†features art, live music and a dance party in Pan Pacific Park. (photo courtesy of Tarfest)
Launch LA presents the 23rd annual “TARFEST-Beacon 250†music and arts festival on Saturday, June 27, from 6-10 p.m. in Pan Pacific Park, 7600 Beverly Blvd.
The free all ages festival is presented with support from the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs and Department of Recreation and Parks, Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture and the office of L.A. City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, 5th District.
“'TARFEST' has been part of Los Angeles for over 20 years, remaining an annual free event through many challenges and changes that have transformed the city and our neighborhood,†LAUNCH LA and “TARFEST†founder James Panozzo said. “This festival is about holding a mirror to our vibrant community and to honor creativity in this beautiful green space in the cultural core of Los Angeles.â€
“TARFEST-Beacon 250†celebrates the 250th birthday of the United States and L.A.'s rich cultural heritage with dynamic music and arts programming. Neon light sculptures by David Otis Johnson and cinematic video projections by Ryan Converse illuminate the park. Interactive art installations will be presented by local L.A. artists and arts groups Hedy Torres, Pam Douglas, Allied Special Projects, Moments into Form, LAUNCH LA and the Living Canvas Foundation. Creative activities will be presented by the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Petersen Automotive Museum, Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles and the Skirball Cultural Center.
Live musical performances run from 6-8 p.m. on the 89.9 KCRW Stage including the School of Rock Fairfax District-L.A. House Band and LA Opera Connects performers Cedric Berry, bass-baritone, and Ashley Faatoalia, tenor, accompanied by pianist Vivian Liu. The “Beacon 250 Dance Party†begins at 8 p.m. with DJ's KG Superstar followed by Headliner Silva of 89.9 KCRW from 9-10 p.m. Gourmet food trucks will be available, as well as a full bar presented by Hello Stranger in the LAUNCH Biergarten. Local artisan booths are curated by L.A.'s Runway Boutique.
Free parking is available at Pan Pacific Park, with overflow parking available at The Grove (enter on Grove Drive). For information, visit tarfest.com.
Preceding the event, the annual Tarfest Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, June 24, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles, 5505 Wilshire Blvd. Speakers include Panozzo, KCCLA Director Haedon Lee; Pan Pacific Park Director Eric Calhoun; Chris Ah San, senior deputy of arts for L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, 2nd District; and Thao Tran, business development deputy for L.A. City Councilwoman Katy Yaroslavsky, 5th District. Advance tickets are required for the luncheon, which honors the arts in the Miracle Mile and celebrates its oldest community festival. Tickets must be purchased by June 23 and are $35 for Greater Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce members, $45 for non-members. For information, visit miraclemilechamber.org/ event/tarfest-beacon-250-lunch-at-kccla.
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