TAIKOPROJECT and Quetzal to Perform CONCRETE SAPLINGS at Ford Theatres, 7/8

Internationally-acclaimed Japanese drumming group TAIKOPROJECT and Grammy Award-winning Chicano rock band Quetzal join forces to create an all-new musical sound with a quintessentially L.A. aesthetic. 'Concrete Saplings,' a one-of-a-kind combination of heart-pounding Japanese taiko with fierce Chican@ rock, heralds the opening of the Ford Theatres 2016 summer season with one electrifying performance on Friday, July 8.

"We're excited to introduce a whole new sound that could only happen here, in the diverse creative hotbed that is Los Angeles," says TAIKOPROJECT managing director Bryan Yamami. "It's a great honor that our little 'concrete sapling' - our pioneering musical seedling that sprang up out of the cracks of L.A. - has been selected to be the very first performance to grace the Ford's newly renovated stage."

According to Quetzal front man Quetzal Flores, there is a deep-rooted connection between L.A.'s Japanese American and Chicano communities.

"Japanese Americans and Chicanos have a history of working together," he says. "We share a collection of experiences and of political activism in the face of persecution that is reflected by our music. Taiko has been a powerful tool in asserting the humanity of the Japanese Americans. In the process, it has also inspired pathways for broad participation and collaboration."

TAIKOPROJECT has been dazzling audiences with its thrilling, heart-pounding and joyous blend of percussion and choreography since its founding in 2000, performing alongside musical superstars such as Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Usher, Kanye West, John Legend and Justin Bieber. The group has performed on the 2009 Academy Awards, the 2011 Grammy Awards, NBC's The Voice, Syfy's Face/Off and The X-Factor, and was featured in rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars' epic "Up in the Air" music video, appearing with the band on Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live and at the iHeartRadio Music Festival. They have been featured in the Los Angeles Times and by KCBS-TV, KTLA-TV and radio station KCRW.

A Grammy Award winning East LA-based Chicano rock group, Quetzal is the collaborative project of Quetzal Flores (guitar), Martha González (lead vocals, percussion), Tylana Enomoto (violin), Juan Pérez (bass) and Alberto Lopez (percussion). The musical ensemble is influenced by a rock soundscape composed of Mexican ranchera, cumbia, salsa, rock, R&B, folk and fusions of international music, and expresses a political vision rooted in social activism, feminism and the belief that there is radical potential in expressive culture. During the past two decades, the musical force of Quetzal has created a unique cultural platform that has sounded against conditions of oppression and marginalization.

'Concrete Saplings' is made possible in part by a 2016 MAP Fund grant. Based in New York, the MAP Fund is one of the longest-running and most competitive grant programs in arts philanthropy. This year, they received 790 applications, but only 36 projects were selected for funding.

Following extensive renovations to this historic facility, the Ford Theatres will reopen in July 2016. 'Concrete Saplings' is part of the Ford Theatres 2016 summer season, a multidisciplinary arts series presented by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission in cooperation with Los Angeles County arts organizations. A complete season schedule, directions to the amphitheater and parking information can be found at FordTheatres.org.

The Ford is located at 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, CA 90068, just off the 101 Hollywood Freeway between Hollywood and Universal Studios in the Cahuenga Pass. The grounds open two hours before show time for picnicking. The Ford offers a number of dining options: a variety of food and beverages is available on site. Patrons are also welcome to bring their own food and drink. The Ford is disabled accessible. Portable wireless listening devices are available upon request.

Parking at the Ford is stacked and costs $5-$10 per vehicle for evening performances. New off-site parking location: a FREE shuttle services the parking structure located at 1710 N. Cherokee Avenue in Hollywood. Parking is $10 for Ford patrons. Shuttle departures begin two hours before show time and reservations are required. Metro riders: a FREE shuttle picks up from the Universal City/Studio City Metro Station (3913 Lankershim Blvd, Studio City 91604). The shuttle, which cycles every 20 minutes, stops in the "kiss and ride" area."

'Concrete Saplings' takes place on Friday, July 8 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 (Tier 2 seating), $38 (Tier 1 seating) and $50 (VIP premium seating). For more information and to purchase tickets, go to FordTheatres.org or call 323 461-3673 (for non-visual media 323-GO-1-FORD). To learn about discounts for groups of 10 or more, please visit FordTheatres.org.

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