The Story We're Telling Together
by Rafael González
As we reach the midpoint of Grand Performances' 40th anniversary celebration, I find myself reflecting with deep gratitude.
Forty years ago, Grand Performances began with a simple but powerful idea: that world class performing arts should be free and accessible to everyone. Four decades later, that vision continues to come alive every weekend at California Plaza, where thousands of Angelenos gather to celebrate the cultures, stories, and sounds that make Los Angeles unlike any other city in the world.
Kalixto Gonzalez and CEO and President Rafael Gonzalez with the legendary Stevie Wonder
Every season tells a story
This summer, our story has been one of roots and resilience, identity and imagination, healing and hope. It has reminded us that the arts do more than entertain. They help us remember where we come from, imagine where we are going, and strengthen the connections that bind us together as a community.
We began with cumbia legends El Grupo Soñador, grounding us in our cultural roots and reminding us that tradition is something we carry forward together.
Band members of Grupo Soñador
Then came Ozomatli and their long awaited 30th anniversary celebration. Postponed last year because of the ICE raids that deeply affected our communities, their return became a powerful reminder of resilience. Even in difficult times, music gives us the strength to gather, heal, and celebrate.
Ozomatli return to Grand Performances, Raul Pacheco on vocals
With Jimetta Rose and the Metta Sun ensemble, audiences experienced a breathtaking homage to the visionary Afrofuturist jazz pioneer Sun Ra and his Arkestra. Blending opera, dance, experimental music, and contemporary performance, the evening invited us to imagine new futures without boundaries and the limitless possibilities of the human spirit.
Jimetta Rose presents The World Debut of Metta Sun: A Sun Ra Operatic Experience
The original members of Culture Clash
The return of Culture Clash reminded us of the importance of identity, humor, and fearless storytelling. For generations, Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas, and Herbert Sigüenza have challenged us to laugh while confronting the truths that shape our communities.
As we entered the second half of the season, The Art of the Crossfade invited us on an unforgettable musical journey as DJ PERIOD and Josh Kun, USC Vice Provost for the Arts, uncovered the hidden connections between genres, histories, and communities, reminding us that music has always transcended borders and labels.
Rapper Fatlip of The Pharcyde performs at The Art of the Crossfade with J.PERIOD and Josh Kun
Our annual Bastille Day celebration with the Consulate General of France reflected another hallmark of Grand Performances: bringing the world to Los Angeles while celebrating the many cultures that call this region home.
Audience members at Bastille Day LA, 2026
Then “Todos Somos Sagrados,” presented with poet Rey M. Rodriguez and our friends at Proyecto Pastoral, celebrated the sacredness of every voice and every story. Through poetry and spoken word, the evening reminded us that storytelling is an act of memory, belonging, and cultural preservation.
Throughout the summer, our Friday night COLA Individual Artist Fellowships, presented in partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, showcased some of our city's most accomplished visual, literary, design, and performing artists.
Rafael Gonzalez with COLA Artist Fellows Maylee Todd, Michelle Bitting, Brian Sonia-Wallace
This summer also marked Grand Performances' participation in the expanded DTLA Art Night, joining our neighbors at The Broad and MOCA in transforming Downtown into a vibrant destination for art, music, and community every first Thursday of the month. Together, we demonstrated what is possible when cultural institutions collaborate to create an evening that belongs to everyone and affirm that Downtown Los Angeles is alive, thriving, and filled with creativity.
And then came one of those magical Grand Performances moments that no one could have anticipated.
During Wonder-Full, we were honored by a surprise appearance from the legendary Stevie Wonder, who shared a heartfelt message with our audience about the power of music, love, and our shared humanity. His presence was more than an unforgettable surprise. It was a beautiful affirmation of everything Grand Performances has stood for over the last 40 years: that music has the power to unite us, inspire us, and remind us that we belong to one another.
Looking back, I realize this season has been about far more than remarkable performances. It has been about roots, resilience, identity, imagination, healing, storytelling, cultural exchange, artistic discovery, collaboration, and hope. Together, those themes tell the story of Grand Performances and Los Angeles.
And we're not finished yet.
There is still more music to share, more artists to discover, more cultures to celebrate, and more moments that remind us why gathering together matters.
To every artist, volunteer, staff member, board member, donor, sponsor, partner, and audience member, thank you for making our 40th anniversary season so memorable. You are the heart of Grand Performances, and because of you, this story continues to unfold.
Stay tuned as the music and celebration continues…and the best is still to come.