13 August 2013

All The World's A Stage



How can you resist a venue with the slogan “Seeking Light Through Sound?”

The World Stage is an educational and performance arts space in Los Angeles’ Leimert Park Village, a predominantly African American area. 

Jazz drummer Billy Higgins founded the venue in 1989, along with poet/activist Kamau Daaood, to give an artistic voice to many who feel disenfranchised. Most recently, following the Trayvon Martin verdict, The World Stage held open mic nights during which people could express their frustrations, as well as panels on black issues. It had played a similar role for nearly 25 years for the South LA community, including following the 1992 riots in Los Angeles.

The World Stage offers weekly writers workshops and other cultural events. According to its website, “the mission of World Stage is to provide leadership to secure, preserve and advance the position of African American music, literature and works in the oral tradition to a local, national and international audience by providing workshops where classic and emerging forms of creative expression can be supported and presented.”

The World Stage is completely volunteer run.

On Aug. 18, the Ford Amphitheatre will host a benefit for the World Stage honoring guitar legend Kenny Burrell, featuring Lee Ritenour, Los Angeles Jazz Orchestra Unlimited, and several others.

Aug. 13: The World Stage


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