July 11, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Stevie Wonder’s Impromptu Westwood Concert

By Keldine Hull

Diners at Skylight Gardens in Westwood got the surprise of a lifetime when Stevie Wonder joined in-house performer and guitarist Nelson Cade III for an unforgettable impromptu performance. The surprise 30-minute set with the Grammy Award-winning Motown legend began with an Eric Clapton classic.

“The audience was completely enthralled. No one knew what was going to happen, which songs we were going to go into. The whole evening was so raw and immediate. We started the riff to ‘Tears in heaven’, bled into ‘Imagine’, then Stevie started playing ‘Superstition.’ With each song, it seemed to gather more and more reaction from the crowd. They were cheering and singing along. All in all, I believe everyone in the audience enjoyed themselves,” Cade said.

While the evening played out like a scene straight out of a movie as the crowd grew, for Cade the experience was surreal.

“When I was approached by Stevie’s bodyguard, my wildest dream would be simply that maybe Stevie wanted to meet me and chat.  That alone would have easily been a life-changing moment for me.  When he instead asked if Stevie could play, I instantly wanted to break down.  Looking back at it, I don’t know how I kept it together. I said, ‘Yes! Yes! Of course! Absolutely. Yes!’  I was utterly unprepared for that particular scenario; it hadn’t dawned on me that he would have wanted to jam,” Cade said.

And like a dream come true, Cade got to experience something precious few musicians get the opportunity to do: perform with their idols.

“The entire time we played, I was probably the proudest I’ve ever been.  To think I’m playing with one of my musical heroes, with my mother’s favorite musician of all time, this is actually happening-  it was absolutely exhilarating! And yes, I called my mom right after it all happened to tell her!” Cade said.

Cade, who made the decision three years ago to pursue music full time, had some time to speak to Stevie Wonder after their set. “He asked if I wrote music. I replied, ‘Yes I do.’  I explained that I am working on my first EP and expect to release it by summer’s end.  He told me he can’t wait to hear my music.  I keep hearing that sentence in my head. Finishing this EP is the most exciting challenge of my life, and now more than ever I have all the more purpose to do it right.” Cade continued, “I feel that most musicians have this everlasting battle with self-doubt, and the wonder of will I be able to make this work? I think more than anything this night has affected me by granting me an answer that I simply can’t argue with. ‘I can’t wait to hear your music’ will ring in my head every time I have a doubt or low point. ‘I can’t wait to hear your music’ will keep bouncing around in my brain to remind me that it’s all real.”

Related Posts

California Seizes $476 Million in Illegal Cannabis

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The operation, described as UCETF’s largest to date, involved support from multiple state agencies The state confiscated $476 million worth...

The Reservoir Play Opens at Geffen Playhouse

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The play follows Josh, whose life is unraveling, as he receives unconventional support from his grandparents. Their unsolicited advice, judgments,...

Angelini Grill Opens Limited Run at Peninsula Beverly Hills

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

The menu includes tableside Dover Sole, lobster salad, and a signature pasta tasting A new culinary collaboration, Angelini Grill, launched...

Father-Daughter Authors to Host Book Signing to Aid Fire-Affected Women

July 10, 2025

July 10, 2025

Ten percent of proceeds from book and art sales will benefit the Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund, a nonprofit initiative created...

Metro Reports Crime Drop, Higher Rider Satisfaction, and Progress on Major Projects

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The Authority said the drop in violent incidents—down to the lowest level since May 2019—coincided with more uniformed personnel and...

The Bar at Century Plaza to Celebrate National Caviar Day with Exclusive Tastings

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The seven-hour event will feature exclusive caviar tastings and champagne pairings The Bar at Fairmont Century Plaza will host a...

Westwood Village Cooking Class to Showcase Spanish Paella

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

The class will guide participants through crafting both seafood and vegetarian versions of the iconic Spanish dish Food enthusiasts will...

Unmasking ICE: Senators Push for Visible IDs After Secretive LA Immigration Raids

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bill Requires Federal Agents to Display Visible Identification During Raids U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) on...

Bacio di Latte’s Beverly Hills Gelateria Debut Blends Italian Tradition with California Cool

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Gelateria Features In-House Gelato, Espresso Drinks, and Decadent Signature Flavors Bacio di Latte has officially opened its latest U.S. flagship...

Housing for Health Chief Appointed to Lead Unified Homeless Services Department

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Veteran Housing Advocate to Oversee Streamlined LA County Services The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday confirmed the...

Brentwood Feels Impact as Feds Slash Office Leases Across Los Angeles

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

New Tracker Reveals Over 70,000 Square Feet Cut in 2025 Alone Los Angeles County’s office market is experiencing a fresh...

Lost Bunny on the Beat: Beverly Hills Police Seek Owner of Wayward Rabbit

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Fluffy Wanderer Found Near City Hall, BHPD Caring for Missing Pet The Beverly Hills police are caring for a domestic...

Interview: The Dinah Creator Mariah Hanson on Legacy, Change, and the Future of Queer Celebration

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

After 34 Groundbreaking Years, Hanson Reflects on Joy, Power, and Her Final Dinah  We spoke with Mariah Hanson, the creator...

Shore Hotel: A Local Destination for Summer Fun

July 8, 2025

July 8, 2025

Bring on all things summer. Walking or biking along Santa Monica Pier, you might find yourself taking a pause at...

One Last Bite: La Novia Bids Farewell with Final Pop-Up at Cardinale du Vin

July 7, 2025

July 7, 2025

Inventive Latin-Asian Pop-up Serves Seasonal Small Plates for One-Night-Only La Novia, the pop-up kitchen known for its inventive Latin-Asian flavors,...