Need any more convincing that Broadway is back? How about a one-night free street fest and performance series spanning nearly all of Downtown's historic theaters and movie palaces?
Night on Broadway will take over seven stunning theaters this Saturday, as well as Broadway itself between Third and Seventh Streets, for an evening of free music, comedy, art and other indescribable activities (like chessboxing—it's a thing).
Hit up the festival stage near Third Street for performances from the Spazmatics, Ozomatli and Aloe Blacc, and peruse the pedestrian-only stretch of Broadway as a different arts organization (Downtown Art Walk, Art Share LA, Think Tank Gallery) curates each block. Elsewhere outside, you'll find robotic playground Two Bit Circus, a Ferris wheel, a silent disco from HUSHconcerts and a virtual reality tour of the LA River.
We'd be satisfied simply being able to poke our heads into all seven theaters, but Night on Broadway sweetens the pot with a lineup that includes:
- A burlesque and swing band show at the Million Dollar Theatre
- Full-sensory spectacles from the Lucent Dossier Experience at the Los Angeles Theatre
- A sci-fi, retro-futuristic photo installation at the Palace Theatre
- Rebel Bingo at the Globe Theatre
- Comedy sets from Rachel Bloom, Brendon Small, Steve Agee and Reggie Watts at the Tower Theatre
- A glitzy vaudeville show at the Orpheum Theatre
- Performances from DJs on Skrillex’s OWSLA and Diplo's Mad Decent labels at the Theatre at Ace Hotel
The event celebrates the eighth anniversary of Councilmember José Huizar's Bringing Back Broadway initiative, which—judging by the recent road diet, influx of new businesses and this stacked street fest—we'd say is going pretty well.
Night on Broadway takes place on Saturday, January 30 from 5pm to 11pm on Broadway between 3rd Street and Olympic Boulevard. All performances are free.