Latest news with #GloriaMolinaGrandPark
Time Out
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
You can catch a dazzling drone show over Downtown L.A. to end the summer
If you found yourself not in the mood to celebrate Independence Day last month, you weren't alone. Between wildfire concerns and the federal immigration raids, many of the city's holiday festivities were canceled, postponed or altered in some way. That included the Music Center and Gloria Molina Grand Park 's annual block party, which was set to be the largest free Fourth of July celebration on the West Coast but ended up being rescheduled due to safety concerns amid Downtown unrest. But a new date has finally been announced for the event, which has been reimagined as a love letter to Los Angeles dubbed 'Gloria Molina Grand Park's Block Party: Celebrating L.A. Culture & Community.' Just over two months from its original date, the 'park for everyone' will host a drone show, DJ sets, food trucks and art installations on September 6, taking over the park, from Grand Avenue to Broadway and surrounding streets, from 3 to 9pm. This year found several Fourth of July fireworks shows pivoting to drones for eco-conscious and fire safety reasons, but Grand Park was already ahead of the curve. It's opted for drones over pyrotechnics for the past two years. And once again, a 3-D drone show from Grizzly Entertainment will light up the night at 8pm. The 12-minute-long display will 'emphasize L.A. communities' resilience and honor Angelenos' capacity for joy amid hardships,' according to the Music Center. The party's theme of homegrown resilience will also be echoed in its art installations and activities. An area called 'Little L.A.' will re-create an interactive journey through the county's immigrant enclaves, complete with dances, storytelling, a scavenger hunt and a chalk-drawn map of L.A.'s freeways. Meanwhile, an art walk will display interactive art and intimate portraits of life in L.A. There will also be resources on-site to encourage civic action and offer legal help: You'll find booths offering voter registration, as well as legal advocacy and wellness resources from the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Westside Food Bank, Las Fotos Project and more. 'Gloria Molina Grand Park's Block Party is more than a gathering—it's a powerful declaration of who we are as Angelenos,' said Rachel S. Moore, president and CEO of the Music Center. 'As the world has witnessed in the last few months, Angelenos possess a resounding spirit unlike any other—we persevere. This Block Party is a celebration of our roots, our resilience and our right to reclaim joy. We invite all Angelenos from the many communities across Los Angeles County to show up, speak up and shine.' But there's plenty of lighthearted fun to be had, too. KCRW Summer Nights is curating the lineup of L.A.-based DJs: Black House Radio, Discos Rolas and the station's own Boogie Boudreaux and Francesca Harding will be behind the decks. And food trucks will be on hand serving a diverse range of culinary delights, from Venezuelan to Chinese to Mexican food. (Note that alcohol isn't allowed in the park and won't be served.) Parking will be available for $10 at both the Music Center and Walt Disney Concert Hall parking lots, but the park is quite well served by Metro, so taking public transportation is encouraged.
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
ICE raids impact Fourth of July celebrations in Southern California as multiple events canceled
Multiple regions in Southern California have canceled their July 4 festivities in light of increasing immigration raids in the neighborhood by federal authorities. This change is mainly visible in culturally rich communities of the region. Here's a look at some of the Fourth of July events in SoCal that have been canceled or postponed: Multiple Fourth of July events in SoCal have been canceled or postponed due to intensified immigration raids As per the event's official website, the summer event has been postponed 'in light of recent events affecting a portion of Downtown LA'. 'We are committed to bringing our community together for this beloved summer celebration and are actively working to reschedule the event. We thank you for your patience and will announce the new date for Gloria Molina Grand Park's Summer Block Party in the coming weeks,' the website further added. The party was initially scheduled for 4 PM to 9:30 PM local time this Friday (July 4). A majoritarian Hispanic settlement, officials in Cudahy announced that they would be 'postponing the Independence Day Celebration on July 3rd, 2025, due to safety concerns'. However, city parks will remain open, and regular programming will continue as scheduled. Bell Gardens The community of Bell Gardens, located on the outskirts of Cudahy, has canceled a concert and two movie screenings 'out of an abundance of caution regarding concerns for resident safety over federal immigration enforcement activities.' Events scheduled to happen between June 24 and July 10 now stand canceled as part of this measure. Other programming, such as summer day camp, and sports will continue as scheduled. Huntington Park Although no reason was provided for the same, Huntington Park's July 3 celebration now stands canceled. El Sereno Another predominantly Hispanic community, El Sereno, has called off its July 4 celebration which included an annual parade. "Our participation is usually robust with over 1,200 people marching in the parade. The people who participate in the parade are some of the most patriotic people you would meet. They believe in the promise of this land, of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,' noted the El Sereno Bicentennial Committee to ABC7 Los Angeles. 'This year we will have to cancel our celebrations. We stand with our community. The safety of our participants, spectators, and volunteers is at the forefront.' LA City Council District 14 The LA City Council District 14, a primarily Hispanic region in East LA, has now canceled or postponed all its July 4 festivities as revealed to the Boyle Heights Beats by a spokesperson for Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado. 'I have family members who are being affected by this, and I have other friends that I know who are being affected by these injustices right now. So I get why people are refraining [from celebrating]. I believe it's important to voice our opinions,' said East Los Angeles resident Jordan Escobar to KTLA 5. The Rose Bowl in Pasadena will still have its annual public event as part of July 4 festivities although they will be switching fireworks for drones instead. By Stuti Gupta
Newsweek
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Map Shows Where 4th of July Events Have Been Canceled
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Growing concerns over immigration raids have led several cities and communities across Los Angeles County to cancel or postpone their Fourth of July celebrations this year. Events that typically draw thousands of families, complete with fireworks shows, concerts, and parades have been scaled back or called off entirely out of an abundance of caution. In recent weeks, federal immigration raids have ramped up across California, prompting protests and, at times, clashes with law enforcement. Newsweek has created this map to show where Independence Day festivities have been impacted by immigration enforcement concerns. Why It Matters Mass deportations were a core component of President Donald Trump's 2024 presidential campaign. Since his return to office on January 20, his administration has arrested thousands of undocumented immigrants as part of a widespread crackdown, which critics say is spreading fear in vulnerable communities. What To Know Gloria Molina Grand Park in Downtown Los Angeles has postponed its popular summer block party, while the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation has canceled this year's East LA Rockin' 4th of July. The Summer Movies & Concerts series at Peter F. Schabarum Regional Park in Rowland Heights is also postponed. In Whittier, Palm Park's annual 4th of July Freedom Walk has been canceled, although a fireworks show will still take place that evening at York Field. The City of Cudahy announced its Independence Day Celebration is postponed, Bell Gardens has canceled all city events through July 10, including its Fourth of July celebration, and Huntington Park has also postponed its Fourth of July festivities. It comes after Trump directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to go after sanctuary cities like Los Angeles. San Francisco's Fourth of July fireworks show is visible through the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. San Francisco's Fourth of July fireworks show is visible through the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP What Is the Fourth of July? The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day, is a U.S. federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. On this day, the 13 American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain, leading to the formation of the United States of America. The holiday is celebrated with patriotic displays, fireworks, parades, concerts, and family gatherings. Many Americans display the U.S. flag, attend community events, and reflect on the country's founding ideals of freedom and democracy. It remains one of the most significant national holidays in the United States. What People Are Saying The City of Cudahy said in a statement it "has decided to postpone the Independence Day Celebration that was set for Thursday, July 3rd, 2025, due to recent events and concerns regarding the safety of our residents. We appreciate your cooperation." County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation said: "Out of caution, and in response to recent ICE enforcement activity impacting our communities, we are prioritizing safety and well-being of our residents, visitors, and staff." The City of Huntington Park said in a statement: "The Celebration of Independence scheduled for Thursday, July 3rd has been postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Thank you for your understanding and support." Trump in a post on Truth Social on June 15: "We must expand efforts to detain and deport Illegal Aliens in America's largest Cities, such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, where Millions upon Millions of Illegal Aliens reside. These, and other such Cities, are the core of the Democrat Power Center." What Happens Next Celebrations in other parts of California and across the nation will take place on Friday, July 4.
