“Grand Park” Dedication and Opening, July 26, July 28

The County of Los Angeles and The Music Center today announced a series of special events that will officially open the first two blocks (Grand Avenue to Hill Street) of Los Angeles County’s Grand Park, located in downtown Los Angeles.

One of the biggest parks in all of Los Angeles, the 12-acre Grand Park stretches from the Music Center on the west to City Hall on the east. It boasts expansive green space for gatherings, and is host to community events, cultural experiences, holiday celebrations and many other activities that engage and attract visitors from all communities throughout the County.

Festivities will begin with a civic dedication on Thursday, July 26, at noon, followed by a public inaugural event on Saturday, July 28, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., in conjunction with National Dance Day.

The dedication will include music and dance artists along with a procession of young people representing the cultural quilt of Los Angeles and culminate with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring key dignitaries at the restored Arthur J. Will Memorial Fountain.

“This festive series of events marks the beginning of a new chapter for downtown, which now has a wonderful place where all in the County can gather, celebrate, share experiences with each other and enjoy entertainment in a beautiful setting,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina.

The West coast’s flagship National Dance Day Celebration presented by The Music Center and The Dizzy Feet Foundation, invites all park visitors to participate in the arts with a free, interactive dance experience. Conceived by executive producer and co-creator of “So You Think You Can Dance” (SYTYCD) Nigel Lythgoe, and acknowledged by Congress in 2010, National Dance Day is a nationwide grassroots initiative that promotes the joy and benefits of dance for everyone. Each year, it produces one or more official dance routines and makes them available for everyone to learn in preparation for National Dance Day. This year’s videos can be found at www.dizzyfeetfoundation.org.

On July 28, Lauren Gottlieb, SYTYCD Season 3 finalist and Season 7 All-Star, and Gina Grant from Zumba will lead the public at Grand Park in the two dance routines in celebration of National Dance Day.

Park visitors will also enjoy free community dance classes and performances, a special performance by IRIS from Cirque du Soleil, other family-friendly activities and a number of food trucks on-site. The weekend’s public celebration will continue on Sunday, July 29, 2012, with inaugural musical events, featuring regional musical performers presented by Grand Performances in partnership with The Music Center. For more information, visit www.GrandParkLA.org.