Small, local live music events are making a comeback in Los Angeles.
Case in point is The Rehearsal (not to be confused with the TV series of the same name), which showcases musical talent from around the world in a cozy, locally-oriented setting.
That setting is Mercado La Paloma, located on Grand Avenue in South L.A.’s Figueroa Corridor neighborhood. It’s chock full of restaurants (including the Michelin-star-winning Holbox) and shops and also has room for nonprofits and community events, including The Rehearsal: a volunteer-led program where artists can perform, receive feedback and network with others.
Described by event founders as a “music-first experience,” the weekly South L.A. residency, which was recently featured in the Los Angeles Times, also helps artists with other facets of the creative process.
“The Rehearsal is more than a music showcase,” event founders Yesika Ortiz-Dodson, Shani Gaines-Bernard, Levi Downey and David Tam said in a press release. “Our space goes beyond live performances, offering education in live streaming, event production, sound engineering, lighting design, stage setup and full-scale event organization.”
The event was designed to be the opposite of many other music showcases, many of which are “pay-to-play,” according to co-founder Levi Downey.
“Finding a place to perform that doesn’t cost a lot of money or isn’t just a miserable experience is actually really hard in L.A.,” Downey explained. “At most venues…you get hustled on stage, hustled off and you have to sell tickets, or you owe them money.”
“We wanted to create a space that’s actually about music and the artist performing,” he added. “It’s a chance to really do it the way we want it done for us.”
Musicians seem to agree with Downey’s sentiment.
“I felt that everyone was here because they want to appreciate music, and we need more of that,” said Bruno Romano, a Venezuelan singer-songwriter who performed at the June 6 showcase. “In a world where people are consuming content so fast…this kind of event brings people together, creates community and opens up spaces for artists and songwriters to showcase their music.”
“It’s really nice that you’re not in a random bar just singing while people aren’t paying attention,” he added. “This actually is a place where people come to listen.”
The Rehearsal takes place every Friday night until July 18, except for the 4th of July. In addition to funding from sponsors such as Liquid Death, the organization also accepts donations to keep the event going. Click here to donate.
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