Overview
Driven by rhythm. Powered by movement.
Extra Ancestral is a high-energy performance collective bringing the vibrancy of Afro-diasporic music and movement to life in a dynamic outdoor concert experience. Blending live drumming, dance, and storytelling, their performances draw from Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and West African traditions alongside contemporary Afrobeats and jazz.
Driven by layered rhythms and expressive choreography, Extra Ancestral transforms the stage into an immersive, pulse-driven celebration of culture, connection, and joy. Each performance honors ancestral traditions while inviting audiences to engage, move, and celebrate together—creating an unforgettable night of music, dance, and community.
Plaza Opens: 6:30pm
Concert Begins: 8pm
About Summer Sounds
Your summer just found its rhythm.
Every June and July, the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza transforms into your ultimate summer destination with Summer Sounds, a FREE, all-ages concert series showcasing the diverse and dazzling talent of Southern California and beyond. Come early for preshow fun with food trucks and outdoor games. As the sun sets, settle in with a drink, a treat, and your favorite people—then let the music take it from there.
Dance, relax, and soak up the perfect summer night under the stars.
Celebrating Black Music Month at Summer Sounds & Beyond
Segerstrom Center for the Arts celebrates Black Music Month each June by amplifying Black voices, honoring musical origins, and showcasing lasting cultural influence. Experience a dynamic lineup of performances featuring Black artists and creatives across programs like Summer Sounds, Tuesday Night Dance, and South Side Symphony: Anime Juke Jam—each offering a unique way to explore the impact of Black music and culture.
This Summer Sounds performance presented with generous support from:
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Performer Bio
Founded by Kahlil Cummings in 2017, Extra Ancestral is a cultural movement dedicated to educating and entertaining audiences through the fusion of different cultural manifestations of the African Diaspora. In their performances, audiences are likely to experience genres such as Afrobeat, Reggae, Jazz, Salsa, and many traditional African musical forms of the Diaspora. Narrated through powerful ancestral dancing, Extra Ancestral provides an in-depth education of temporal and geographic borders from Africa to the Americas and back, providing lessons from the past to hone tools for the future. Music and dance are the ensemble’s healing tools, and led by some of LA’s most dynamic artists, their revolutionary performances of black survival invoke while poignantly resisting 500 years of forced transatlantic passages between West Africa and the Americas.
Extra Ancestral unifies music, dance, visual arts, and community engagement as forms of empowerment to reduce the trans generational trauma that exists in communities of color. Historically, music and dance have been considered the oldest form of medicine and Extra Ancestral seeks to combine the tradition of healing through their performances to elevate and empower communities of color. Their vision manifests into performance productions, dance classes, workshops and music education with artists from across the African Diaspora.
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Know Before You Go
This is a casual outdoor concert in an open plaza with limited seating. Seating is unassigned and first come, first served, so we recommend arriving early for the best spots. Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, and sweaters to stay comfortable throughout the evening.
Food & Drinks
Enjoy a variety of food and drink options on-site, including local food trucks and George’s Café, offering everything from gourmet bites to refreshing beverages. You’re also welcome to bring your own picnic baskets with snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.
What’s Not Allowed
To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all guests, the following items are not permitted on the Plaza:
Outside alcohol
Glass containers
Tables or large furniture
Barbecues or cooking equipment
- Venue Information
