2023 Annual Watts Towers Drum and Jazz Festivals

Immerse yourself in jazz melodies and world rhythms at the annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival on September 30, and Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival on October 1, 2023. These all-day events are free to attend. Enjoy a weekend featuring over a dozen performances in dance, music, and percussion, exhibitions, children’s activities, local cuisine, and good times, all taking place against the backdrop of the world-renowned Watts Towers by Simon Rodia, now celebrating its 102 anniversary. For more information visit wattstowers.org.

Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Xochipilli

Aztec traditional dancing with Huehuetl and Teponaxtle drums

Korean Classical Music and Dance Company

Traditional Korean drum and dance

SHINE Mawusi

An alliance of women practicing, nurturing, and empowering our community

Garifuna Cultural Group

Garifuna world cultural experience

Gimme A Beat

Just rhythms and rhymes featuring Tony Austin (drums), Mic Holden (percussion and MC), Kahlil Cummings (percussions), Brian Collier (drums)

Magatte Fall featuring LaVoix

A drum and dance group representing Senegal, Mali, Ivory Coast, Guinea, and Gambia. The Manding Empire, one big family even after the colonizers separated us

Sunday, October 1, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Alaadun

Yoruba ground blessing uniting all cultures based on common themes and principles

Melvin Lee Davis and Friends featuring Derek Bordeaux, Kevin Flournoy, and Jeffery B. Suttles

Gospel Jazz

Food4Thought, Queen Socks, and Love

Spoken Word

Ray Bailey and Friends

Traditional blues

Dee Dee McNeil

Spoken word

The World Stage Big Band

Continuing the legacy of all the great master musicians, composers, and arrangers in black music, that can be loved, enjoyed, and appreciated by all cultures.

Kamau Daáood

Spoken word

JMP Allstars featuring Patrice Rushen, Munyungo Jackson, Bobby Rodriguez, and Reggie Hamilton

Straight-ahead jazz

39th Annual Watts Towers Day of the Drum Festival

44th Annual Simon Rodia Watts Towers Jazz Festival

Host or Publisher Department of Cultural Affairs, Los Angeles