Free Live Music and KCRW DJs in the Museum’s Courtyard
By Dolores Quintana
Get ready for a summer of rhythm, melody, and excitement at the Hammer Museum’s Summer Concerts 2023. Every Thursday in July, the museum’s courtyard will come alive with free live concerts, KCRW DJs, happy hour, and extended gallery hours until 9:00 pm. This highly anticipated event promises to be a highlight of the summer cultural calendar.
The festivities kick off on Thursday, July 6th, with a performance by Rogê and the infectious beats of KCRW DJs Wyldeflower and LeRoy Downs. The Hammer’s description of the music says, “One of Rio de Janeiro’s most exciting singer-songwriters of the last 15 years is now living in Los Angeles, where he stands on the verge of an American breakthrough. Before the move, Latin Grammy nominee Rogê (pronounced haw-zheh) was prominently at the center of Rio’s nightlife. Charismatic and scruffy, with a distinctively raspy yet boyish voice, Rogê gained an avid following for his swinging samba-funk/ Brazilian Soul. He co-wrote the theme song for the 2016 Olympic Games in Brazil, and his first American-made album, Curyman, came out this year.”
The following Thursday, July 13th, Steady Holiday and KCRW DJs Nassir Nassirzadeh & Novena Carmel take the stage. The Hammer description of Steady Holiday’s music states, “Steady Holiday is the solo vehicle for Los Angeles singer-songwriter Dre Babinski’s deeply personal and cinematic storytelling. Characterized by her featherlight voice and sweeping strings (played by Babinski herself), Steady Holiday elegantly sways between plainspoken and profound. Babinski just released her 4th album, Newfound Oxygen, a clear-eyed reckoning with the hard lessons of growing up and living sustainably. The directness of both Babinski’s songwriting and production by Ari Balouzian (Gabriels, Midnight Sister) compliments the album’s ethos of taking a breath and staying grounded in reality.”
On Thursday, July 20th, prepare for a soulful performance by Abraham Alexander, whose powerful voice and heartfelt lyrics have garnered critical acclaim. KCRW DJs Dan Wilcox and Chris Douridas will keep the energy high, ensuring an unforgettable night of music. The Hammer’s description for Abraham Alexander reads,”From open mics in Fort Worth, Texas to recent stints on the road opening for Leon Bridges, Ani DiFranco, and Mavis Staples, Abraham Alexander set the stage for his 2023 debut album SEA/SONS, out on Dualtone Records in early 2023. The album is a lush, seductive affair that showcases the 31-year-old singer-songwriter’s beguiling voice—one which offers both honey and grit—and supple acoustic guitar work. The 11 tracks on SEA/SONS display a cool assuredness and themes of loss, redemption, longing, anguish, and joy. A refreshing genre fluidity is at play as elements of folk, pop, rock, R&B, gospel, and even electronic music meld and tangle.”
The concert series concludes on Thursday, July 27th, with a dynamic performance by Jackie Mendoza, who the Hammer describes as, “With her hypnotizing voice and vivid lyricism, Jackie Mendoza makes fantastical, intimate electro-pop propelled by ukulele-based dance grooves. Having grown up between her birthplace of Chula Vista, California, and Tijuana, Mexico, the 29-year-old singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist bridges these two worlds with dynamic soundscapes that pull from Latin pop, electronic music, and indie pop. She creates a musical universe that exists beyond strict borders of genre and geography, giving her the space to convey the intricacies of her experience as a queer, first-generation Mexican American woman.” KCRW DJs Valida and Jason Kramer will set the stage for a vibrant and energetic evening.
Not only will attendees be treated to outstanding live music, but they will also have the opportunity to enjoy happy hour from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm, featuring food trucks and a cash bar. The music, food trucks, and cash bar will be open until 10:30 pm, providing ample time to savor the atmosphere. The Hammer Museum’s extended hours last until 9:00 p.m.
These free live concerts and KCRW DJ sets in the Hammer Museum courtyard are copresented by KCRW 89.9 FM.
