THE MUSIC CENTER LAUNCHES 44th ANNUAL VERY SPECIAL ARTS FESTIVAL TO CELEBRATE CREATIVE EXPRESSION OF ANGELENOS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITIES

Following the success of its inaugural expansion in 2022 as a two-day

celebration, The Music Center’s 44th Annual Very Special Arts Festival returns on Friday and Saturday,

February 24–25, offering opportunities for creative expression to Angelenos of all abilities. The free

festival, comprised of arts workshops, dance performances and more, takes place in Downtown L.A. on

Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. The Music Center’s 44th Annual Very Special Arts Festival will be

dedicated to school groups on Friday, February 24, providing students with the opportunity to perform in

front of an audience, showcase their visual artwork in a virtual gallery and enjoy artmaking, among other

activities; on Saturday, February 25, the festival will be open to the public, promising entertainment and

hands-on artistic experiences for community members of all ages and abilities. The festival’s theme, Create

Community, sets the tone for both days to encourage participation in the arts and connection with one

another.

“The Music Center’s 44th Annual Very Special Arts Festival is a beautiful example of how the arts can help

Angelenos of all abilities and ages to feel supported and be inspired, as L.A. continues to surge past the

pandemic and start anew in 2023,” said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of The Music Center. “I invite

all Angelenos to join us and witness the incredible creativity of these amazing young people! You will feel

immense joy in experiencing this beloved event right here in Los Angeles.”

The Music Center’s 44th Annual Very Special Arts Festival is part of L.A.’s premier performing arts

organization’s enduring multi-faceted arts learning program that typically serves more than 150,000

students and educators annually throughout Los Angeles County. Hosted on both days by opera singer

Suzanna Guzmán and actor David Prather, the variety of activities planned for this year’s festival include a

Hip Hop dance class led by Free 2 B Me Dance (Saturday), a music workshop conducted by The Miracle

Project (Friday and Saturday), a dance activity for older adults spearheaded by Little Tokyo Service Center

(Saturday) and more. The festival will include an ASL interpreter on both days and will be transcribed for

people with visual impairment.

“The Music Center’s 44th Annual Very Special Arts Festival is one of the few festivals of its kind in the county

that encourages the artistic achievements of people of all abilities,” said Keith Wyffels, associate vice

president of education, TMC Arts. “In 2022, we lengthened the festival to two days to invite the entire L.A.

community because creativity thrives when everyone is given the chance to express themselves through

the arts. The festival’s expansion made a lasting impact on everyone who participated so we are thrilled to

invite all Angelenos again to the Community Day this year.”

Contact: Gil Diaz

The Music Center 213-972-3332

gdiaz@musiccenter.org

Activities planned for the festival’s first day (Friday, February 24, from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.) with school

groups* include:

• Magic show with Illusions by Allen

• Dance workshop led by Straight Up Abilities

* See participating schools listed on page 3

Activities planned for the festival’s second day (Saturday, February 25, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.), which

is open to the public, include:

• Illusions by Allen

• Kizuna Taiko

• Little Tokyo Service Center

• Free 2 Be Me Dance

• The Miracle Project

• Straight Up Abilities

• Los Cambalache

* Artists and programs subject to change

Produced in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District and the Los Angeles County Office of

Education, The Music Center’s 44th Annual Very Special Arts Festival is made possible by generous support

from Tina and Jerry Moss/Moss Foundation; Mimi Song; Ring-Miscikowski Foundation/The Ring

Foundation; LSMK Investments; Robert Nelson Foundation; Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation; and

the City of Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs.

For more info, or to RSVP for the festival’s Community Day, visit musiccenter.org/communityday.

CALENDAR LISTING

WHAT: The Music Center’s 44th Annual Very Special Arts Festival – Community Day

A free event for Angelenos of all abilities and ages to explore, express and show off

their creativity, ranging from arts workshops and dance performances to musical

theatre. Let your creativity thrive!

WHEN: Saturday, February 25th

11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

WHERE: Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center

135 N. Grand Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90212

MORE INFO: musiccenter.org/communityday