7 Labor Day weekend concerts, shows and festivals (including four that are free)
Set your labors aside and enjoy your holiday weekend, maybe with the reopening of the Music Center Plaza in downtown L.A., the dance company Urban Bush Women at the Ford Theatres in Hollywood or Pacific Symphony’s “Canto de Anaheim” in Orange County. British singer Bryan Ferry is back at the Greek Theatre, composer John Williams is back at the Hollywood Bowl, the curtain comes down on this summer’s Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival and the family-friendly Broad Fest returns to the Broad Stage in Santa Monica.
It’s a DTLA celebration
Angelenos, assemble! The honor of your presence is requested to mark the opening of the Music Center’s newly renovated plaza. Festivities include the return of Dance DTLA’s popular cumbia night, 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, as well as Los Angeles Master Chorale’s super-sized sing-along event “Big Sing 2019” at 6 p.m. Saturday. Music Center Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown Los Angeles. Free. musiccenter.org
Hair apparent at the Ford
Dance company Urban Bush Women explores concepts including beauty, identity, race and freedom in “Hair & Other Stories.” Musical duo the Illustrious Blacks supplies the soundtrack for this reimagining of the troupe’s 2001 work. Ford Theatres, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. 8 p.m. Friday. $25-$50. (323) 461-3673. FordTheatres.org
It ain’t just Disneyland
Musicians from Pacific Symphony join forces with Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble, conductor-arranger Greg Flores and the L.A. Times’ own Gustavo Arellano for “Canto de Anaheim,” an evening of music and storytelling in celebration of the city’s Mexican American heritage. Pearson Park Amphitheatre, 401 Lemon St., Anaheim. 7 p.m. Saturday. Free. (714) 755-5799. PacificSymphony.org
He’s a slave to love
Ever dapper and debonair, Bryan Ferry will deliver favorites from his days with the influential British art-rock band Roxy Music as well as selections from his equally impressive solo career. 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Greek Theatre, 2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles. $49.50-$250. lagreektheatre.com
Free Shakespeare festival wraps
This year’s edition of Independent Shakespeare Company’s Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival winds down with the final performances of the adventure tale “Pericles,” 7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, and the romantic comedy “Twelfth Night,” 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. The Old Zoo at Griffith Park, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles. Free. (818) 710-6306. iscla.org
He knows the score
The return of “John Williams: Maestro of the Movies” finds the composer once again joining the Los Angeles Philharmonic for selections from “Star Wars,” “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial,” “Jurassic Park” and other films he has scored, presented with clips. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Sunday. $14-$281. (323) 850-2000. hollywoodbowl.com
It’s a family affair
Latin funk band Boogaloo Assassins, all-female swing trio She Sings She Swings and dance company Viver Brasil are among the performers on board for this year’s Broad Fest. The family-friendly offering also includes arts and crafts, dance workshops and tasty treats. Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 2-7 p.m. Sunday. Free; RSVP recommended. thebroadstage.org
More things to do
Want to scan more arts events happening this week? Check them out here:
Theater: ‘Always Running,’ ‘Witch’ with Maura Tierney and more
Classical music: Beethoven’s Ninth at the Bowl and more
Dance: Urban Bush Women and Forever Flamenco
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