Smokin’ Grooves Tour, Keys Among Acts at Greek, Universal

The return of the Smokin’ Grooves tour, an encore from the Down From the Mountain folk-country-bluegrass showcase and a turn in the spotlight for Grammy winner Alicia Keys are among the highlights of the 2002 seasons at the Greek Theatre and the Universal Amphitheatre.

Smokin’ Grooves, launched in 1996 as an ambitious attempt to present rap acts in a high-quality setting, returns after a three-year hiatus, with OutKast, the Roots, Jurassic 5 and DJ Shadow playing Universal on July 19. Down From the Mountain, built around the music from the film “O Brother, Where Art Thou?,” moves to the Greek on Aug. 1 after playing the Amphitheatre in February, while Keys’ July 30 date at the Greek will be her biggest show yet in L.A.

The 2002 season is the first since Nederlander Concerts, which operates the Greek, and House of Blues Concerts Inc., which runs Universal, ended a bitter rivalry in September by striking an agreement to jointly produce and market concerts at the two venues.

One result is a merger of the theaters’ two ticket clubs into a new subscription program. Tickets for the season will be available Sunday through the Premiere Marquee Club, by online orders at www.premieremarqueeclub.com, by mailing an order form to Premiere Marquee Club, P.O. Box 8679, Universal City, CA 91618, by faxing the form to (818) 622-3638 or by phone through Ticketmaster, (213) 480-3232.

At Universal: Alanis Morissette and Ryan Adams on May 4; the Academy of Country Music Awards on May 22; the Wiggles on June 6; the Pet Shop Boys on June 7; Poison, Cinderella, Winger and Faster Pussycat on June 8; Polo Polo on June 15; Chayanne on June 21; Banda El Recordo on June 28; New Edition on June 29; Berlin, the Smithereens, the Outfield and the Fixx on July 12; the Stylistics, the Manhattans, the Chi-Lites and the Delfonics on July 13; Smokin’ Grooves with OutKast, the Roots, Jurassic 5 and DJ Shadow on July 19; Teen Choice Awards on Aug. 4; Yes on Aug. 23; Rick Springfield and the Motels on Sept. 7; Bowzer’s Ultimate Doo Wop Party on Sept. 8; the Isley Brothers on Sept. 14; Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez on Sept. 21-22; Carlos Vives on Sept. 28; Juan Gabriel on Oct. 4-6; Rocio Durcal on Oct. 19; Lupillo Rivera on Oct. 25; Vicente Fernandez and Alejandro Fernandez on Nov. 8-10; Brian Setzer Orchestra on Dec. 21.

At the Greek: Rick James and Chaka Khan on May 10; Jars of Clay with Jennifer Knapp on May 11; Maze featuring Frankie Beverly on May 17; Phil Lesh & Friends on May 25; Luciano, Israel Vibration, Toots & the Maytals on May 26; Trey Anastasio on May 29; Kenny Chesney on May 30; Bad Company on May 31; A Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keillor on June 1; Jethro Tull and the Young Dubliners on June 2; Patti LaBelle on June 7; the Winans Family on June 8; Tower of Power, Tierra and Malo on June 15; Alejandro Sanz on June 23; the Cranberries on July 5; Dave Koz & Friends on July 13; James Brown on July 19; Widespread Panic on July 24; Jewel and M2M on July 26; Three Mo’ Tenors featuring Victor Trent Cook, Rodrick Dixon and Thomas Young on July 27; Alan Jackson on July 28; Alicia Keys on July 30; Down From the Mountain Tour on Aug. 1; the Scorpions and Deep Purple on Aug. 4; Marc Anthony on Aug. 5; Al Green and Michael McDonald on Aug. 9; Joe Satriani and Dream Theater on Aug. 10; Charlie Zaa on Aug. 17; Gipsy Kings on Sept. 6-7; Chicago on Sept. 20-21; Bonnie Raitt and Lyle Lovett on Sept. 22; Eddie Money, Loverboy and Survivor on Sept. 28; World Festival of Sacred Music on Sept. 29; the Temptations, the Spinners and the Marvelettes on Oct. 5.