Street Culture: Femi Kuti, Santigold at the Hollywood Bowl
Nigerian afro-beat musician Femi Kuti arrived at the Hollywood Bowl Sunday, June 21, with veteran musician Rafael Saadiq and up-and-comer Santigold. The trio of acts brought danceable rhythms to the outdoor venue, where the concert series is as much a sign of summertime in the city as the return of the warm, rays of sun after June gloom. Read our review of the show here.
Pictured: Ken Akerman and Lisa Hirsch of Venice came to see Santigold. “She’s amazing. And she has great backup dancers,” Hirsch said. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Jayna Kouzouyan, left, and Marah Elorza of Los Angeles came prepared with four bottles of champagne -- one for each person in their party. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Leslie Segar, a dancer from Los Angeles, was looking forward to seeing Saadiq perform. “I hear his dancers are powerful. So I’m all over it,” she said. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Hollywood Bowl regular Tiffany Wright, left, was excited to bring young Kobie Wright to see superstar Kuti. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Liz Dwyer and Elarryo Bolden of Silver Lake are at the bowl for the whole marquee , but particularly Saadiq. “We’re big Tony! Toni! Toné! fans from back in the day,” Dwyer said, referring to the band with roots in Oakland and the late 1980s. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Tim and Liz Joensen along with Erica Crawford and Adan Garcia came from Santa Monica. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
The Kopacz-Roberts family, including Anita (at the stroller handles) and Sheldon (sporting the perfect Father’s Day accessory) prepared to enter the Bowl with tiny music fans aged 1, 4 and 8 months. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Evangeline Lawson and Anwar Shariff of Los Angeles. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Delvin Delux, Kim Huynh and Paula Tripodi struck a pose at the entrance to the Bowl. When asked who she came to see, Huynh bounced a bit on her toes as she blurted out, “Santigold! She’s awesome.” (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Shane Eli of Los Angeles had already seen Saadiq perform several times before the night began. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Pam Leelayuwapan, Ana Lopez and Shannon Conte of Los Angeles paused for a moment as they hustled to their seats. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Laide Agunbiade came to see fellow Nigerian Kuti with Dorothy Harris. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Sidra Smith, left, and Ché Verdell wore dazzling yellow and purple to see Kuti. “You know what, I’ve seen him before and he’s fabulous!” said Smith. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Shay Houtchen and Gloria Pavia of Los Angeles. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
William Hodges, left, Jay Bingham and Brian Watts represented Hollywood. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
A man who identified himself only as “Sir” headed into the Bowl with multiple glasses and a single bottle. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Ryan Wenger and Erin Campbell made their way up the long, arduous ramp beside of the Bowl shortly before Santigold was scheduled to take the stage. “So excited,” Wenger said with a grin. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Edwin Escobar, left, Sendy Rivera and Ronnie Nells of Los Angeles prepared to see Santigold for the first time. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Kendal Robertson, left, and Aisha Hinds of Los Angeles. (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
Matt Willams and Zoe Vice accompanied Kaiya, 2, on her first trip to the Bowl. “Are you excited?” Williams asked Kaiya, who softly replied from his shoulders, “Yeaaaaaaah.” (Tara Godvin / For The Times)
