Jazz On The Lawn Returns To Gandara Park In Santa Monica

SANTA MONICA, CA — Jazz on the Lawn is returning each Sunday in August at Gandara Park in Santa Monica. The free concert series features jazz and world music genres, a free dance lesson before the first concert and food trucks from 5 to 7 p.m. Family-friendly games and activities, such a corn hole, giant blocks and more will begin one hour before each concert begins, the City of Santa Monica press release said.

The schedule, provided by the City of Santa Monica, is below:

Sunday, August 4

• MUSIC: Influenced by Afrofunk, Afrobeat, psychedelic jazz, funk, and soulfrom the 60’s and 70s, GliFoS has created and coined their own genre, Vodou Funk. Their high energy and political flavors harken back to an era, when not by choice but to prevent being prosecuted, this type of music needed to be underground. GliFoS draws on the Voudou ceremonies of singing, drumming, and dancing. A free 30-minute Afro-fusion dance lesson will be led by GliFoS lead vocalist Cheyenne Dunbar before the concert from 4:30 to 5 p.m.
• EMCEE: Joe Hernandez Kolski, co-founder of Downbeat 720 sponsored by the City of Santa Monica, will be hosting the evening.
• FOOD TRUCKS: Original Gourmet Kebab, The Big Cheese, and King Kone Ice Cream.
• FAMILY FUN & GAMES: Begin one hour prior to the concert from 4 to 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 11

• MUSIC: The high-energy, upbeat band Idle Hands, featuring “Weird Al” Yankovic’s perennial drummer, Jon “Bermuda” Schwartz, performs blues, jazz, rock, and rockabilly.
• EMCEE: Santa Monica local Eddie Jauregui, one of the founding members of the Ruskin School of Acting, will be hosting the evening. · FOOD TRUCKS: Dogtown, Tacos Gallo Loco, and Merci Clément.· FAMILY-FUN & GAMES: Begin one hour prior to the concert from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, August 18 · MUSIC: Mayaztek brings an authentic, high-energy, and danceable musical experience that is a blend of Latin, reggae, and cumbia. Mayaztek members are from all over the world, reflecting the band’s belief in unity among all cultures and races. · EMCEE: Actor, spoken word artist, humanitarian, and TED speaker Sean Hill will host the evening's festivities.
• FOOD TRUCKS: Original Gourmet Kebab, The Big Cheese, and King Kone Ice Cream
• FAMILY FUN & GAMES: Begin one hour prior to the concert from 4 to 7 p.m.

Sunday, August 25

• MUSIC: The octet NUTTY will perform an array of rock/jazz classics, re-interpreted and rearranged. Featuring both simple jazzy takes on favorite rock standards and more elaborate pairings of rock/jazz numbers, NUTTY makes for both a fun show and a swank stage presentation.
• EMCEE: Joe Hernandez Kolski, co-founder of Downbeat 720 sponsored by the City of Santa Monica, will be hosting the evening.
• FOOD TRUCKS: Dogtown Dogs, Tacos Gallo Loco, and Merci Clément.
• FAMILY FUN & GAMES: Begin one hour prior to the concert from 4 to 7 p.m.