Tongva Park continues its second season of free cultural and eclectic programming this month with an enchanting Tongva After Dark evening of Gypsy and Eastern European musicians and singers, followed by a Family Saturday presenting a hula hoop fitness concert for all ages.
On Wednesday, May 13, from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m., the community is invited to experience the sounds of Gypsy and Eastern European music and song with performances by three prolific musical artists. The six-member band, The Petrojvic Blasting Company, plays brass music from Southeastern Europe and Romania. The Cory Beers Cimbalom Band performs music from the Eastern European region traditionally known as Bessarabia. Romamian Gypsies, Jews, Germans, Turks, and Slavs inhabited this region for centuries, with each culture contributing to the rich sound of the folk music of the region. Nevenka Folk Ensemble is a Los Angeles-based women's folk chorus of all ages performing songs from Eastern Europe including songs from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Croatia, Albania, Russia, Greece, and Georgia, as well as Ladino Sephardic and the Gypsies. Bring a picnic and enjoy the allure of these unique artists at Tongva Park's Gathering Hill.
On Saturday, May 23, from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Kidtribe leads a high-energy hula hooping class with music in Tongva Park's Gathering Hill. Founded by Kellee McQuinn, KidTribe began as a hip-hop dance class in an after-school program. From a grass-roots operation to having over 3 million participating children in schools, after-school programs, summer camps, and communities across the US and UK, award-winning Kidtribe is nationally recognized for their premier fitness concerts that inspire children to get moving.
Tongva Park is located at 1615 Ocean Ave., all events are free. Parking is available a the Civic Center Parking Structure, 333 Civic Center Drive. First 30 minutes free, $1 per each additional hour. $5 maximum per day. Limited metered street parking available around park. For updated information on the programming, visit www.smgov.net/tongvapark.
