The crowd packed the entire lawn area and spilled to the adjacent greens on Sunday night at the Levitt Pavilion, July 27, 2014 (File Photo – Colorado Boulevard Newspaper)
The Levitt Foundation has selected Pasadena Recreation and Parks Foundation to receive a Levitt VIBE Grant, bringing a vibrant new series of free outdoor concerts to Memorial Park in Pasadena.
By News Desk
As part of a landmark initiative, the Levitt Foundation is awarding up to $120,000 in matching funds to Pasadena to present 7-10 free concerts annually in 2026, 2027, and 2028, as part of its national Levitt Music Series.
This announcement marks a major milestone for Pasadena, as the city joins the Levitt Foundation’s network of communities committed to making free, live music accessible to all. The concerts will be hosted in Memorial Park, a site with a rich history of public events, including the former Levitt Pavilion Concert Series. The Pasadena Parks & Recreation Foundation, which has long worked to enhance green spaces and promote community health, will spearhead the initiative.
The Pasadena Recreation and Parks Foundation’s dedication to community wellness, inclusivity, and sustainability aligns perfectly with the Levitt Foundation’s core mission of fostering social connection and enhancing public spaces through music. By activating Memorial Park with the Levitt VIBE series, the initiative will provide an opportunity for Pasadena residents and visitors to enjoy high-quality performances in a beloved, central location.
A Celebration of Music and Community
As part of the Levitt VIBE grant, Pasadena will host diverse musical performances, from award-winning national acts to emerging local talent. The concerts will span a range of genres, including pop, rock, jazz, blues, Latin, and folk, ensuring that there is something for everyone in the community to enjoy. These free, public events will not only revitalize the park but also contribute to the social and economic vibrancy of the city.
Sharon Yazowski, President & CEO of the Levitt Foundation, expressed her excitement about Pasadena’s selection: “We are thrilled to welcome Pasadena to the Levitt Music Series. The city’s commitment to green spaces, community engagement, and wellness makes it an ideal partner for this program. We know that the Levitt VIBE Pasadena Music Series will create lasting memories and provide an opportunity for neighbors to come together and enjoy live music in a beautiful, accessible public space.”
Expanding Access to Music in California
Pasadena is part of a historic new wave of Levitt Music Series grants. The Levitt Foundation is awarding a total of $7 million in grants over the next three years to 34 new grantees across the country, alongside 32 returning grantees. Pasadena joins a growing list of cities and towns, from rural communities to major metropolitan areas, benefiting from Levitt’s national commitment to free, outdoor live music.
In addition to the Levitt VIBE grant in Pasadena, the Foundation has also partnered with state agencies in Tennessee and Mississippi to increase the number of concerts in those states, a model that the Levitt Foundation hopes will inspire further collaborations across the U.S.
About the Levitt Foundation and Levitt Music Series
The Levitt Foundation is a leading national social impact funder focused on providing free, high-quality live music in public spaces. Through its Levitt Music Series, the Foundation partners with local nonprofits to activate underused public spaces, creating inclusive and welcoming community destinations. The Levitt VIBE program, which Pasadena is now a part of, brings free concerts to larger cities with populations of over 250,000, while the Levitt AMP and Levitt BLOC programs serve smaller and mid-sized communities.
The Pasadena Music Series is one of many projects supported by the Levitt Foundation, which envisions a future where music and community thrive in every corner of the country.
About Pasadena Recreation and Parks Foundation
The Pasadena Recreation and Parks Foundation is dedicated to advancing the development, sustainability, and resilience of Pasadena’s parks, trails, and green spaces. Through initiatives like the Levitt VIBE Music Series, the Foundation strives to increase access to recreational activities for all members of the community, promoting health, wellness, and social connection in Pasadena’s parks and public spaces.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! 🙏 The community needs this now more than ever 💃🕺
SO happy to hear this! I definitely put in my vote for Pasadena to get these concerts back!