Summer Sounds
Summer Sounds is a free, all-ages, sunset concert series happening Friday nights in June and July! Featuring an energetic lineup of multi-genre talents, this specially curated program brings some of Southern California’s most unique and eclectic artists to the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza. What better way to spend a summer evening than by bringing your beach chairs, picnic blankets, enjoying libations and light bites from George’s Café and dancing the night away!
Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa Hotel’s on-site restaurant, Silver Trumpet Restaurant and Bar will be offering an exclusive to-go Summer Sounds Picnic Box to bring to the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza. Reservations can be made here.
Sponsored by:
Summer Sounds: South Side Symphony
June 2, 2023
Composer Marcus Norris founded South Side Symphony with the idea "What if orchestras didn't exist, and were invented today by a young Black man?" He describes the sound as “like a younger, more ‘ratchet’ version of The Roots, accompanied by lush live strings and horns.” The mostly-Black orchestra has performed with Chloe x Halle, Andra Day, played on several film scores, and most recently recorded their first live album through a weekend of three sold-out shows in North Hollywood. After hearing South Side Symphony perform under Marcus's Musical Direction at the 2022 Wearable Art Gala, Beyoncé asked Marcus to orchestrate several songs for her and 50-piece orchestra as part of her surprise 2023 Dubai return to live performance. The orchestra's motto is “Our Music in Our Time,” because we know nobody can tell our stories like we can.
Free event
Summer Sounds: Tolliver
June 9, 2023
Tolliver is an LA-based, Chicago-bred, sequin-loving son of a cowboy-obsessed pastor and a gospel choir singer. His songs are a gumbo of soul, funk, pop, camp and are as funny as they are soul-baring. His EP, Daddyland is a vibrant and sassy ode to appreciating and loving your imperfections.
His ethereal-yet-gritty soul surviving nature has been compared to that of War, Al Green and Andre 3000. In February of 2022, Tolliver made his late-night debut performing his hit single “SAY WHAT” on The Late Late Show with James Corden.
Free event
Summer Sounds: Kyle Dion
June 16, 2023
A boisterous rising star with a bright falsetto and golden pen, Kyle Dion can’t stay put. After releasing his heartfelt ode to traditional R&B, SUGA, in 2019, he couldn’t help but expand his talents and set his eyes on creating a classic turn-up album in 2021, his sophomore project, SASSY. Dion reinvents himself in the next chapter of his career with SASSY Deluxe, showing off the fullness of his personality by throwing out any and all rulebooks. The proudly independent artist possesses a soul from another era and creates a sound refreshing to any generation. From the small community in Florida where he grew up to effervescent Los Angeles, where he’s worked with artists like Kehlani, Kali Uchis, PartyNextDoor, Channel Tres, Kari Faux, Duckwrth, UMI, Ja Rule, and Jessie Reyes, Dion is blazing a unique path. Dion has toured the globe with PartyNextDoor, Ella Mai, Xavier Omar, BJ The Chicago Kid, and more.
Free event
Summer Sounds: Chrisol
July 7, 2023
Chrisol is a Los Angeles based singer-songwriter that genre-blends Pop, Soul, and Disco. A balladeer at heart, she showcases powerful vocals laid over hypnotic rhythms and melodies that will make you dance or escape into a glamorous fantasy...or both. With the new music of her on the horizon in 2023, Chrisol has cemented the foundations of her sound and plans to explore more of this universe she's created as she prepares for the release of her first full length album.
Free event
Summer Sounds: ASADI
July 14, 2023
ASADI is a Persian American electronic music producer and performance artist from Columbus, Ohio. Also known for his rare Middle Eastern influence and impressive performance ability, his instruments play a strong role in illustrating such emotion. They include the Persian Setar, Persian Tar, Persian Daf, and Italian Mandolin. He brings these delicate sounds to life when performed with his drum machine, in which he effortlessly triggers his entire rhythm section completely live on 16 electronic pads.
ASADI will also be joined on stage by Xye, EMAEL, DSharp and Rocky Angelini.
Free event
Summer Sounds: Boostive
July 21, 2023
Beach city-based band Boostive strongly believes in the energy created through collaboration. This group’s diverse cultural and musical backgrounds blend the worldly sounds of soul, dub-reggae and hip hop.
Free event
Summer Sounds: La Misa Negra
July 28, 2023
La Misa Negra is a 7-piece band from Oakland, California, known for their unique blend of heavyweight cumbia and high-energy, Afro-Latin music. On stage, they deliver an electrifying performance that explodes with infectious dance grooves and punk rock energy, powered by horn and accordion-driven riffs, a fierce rhythm section, and a vintage-inspired sound.
On the strength of their wild and one-of-a-kind shows, they have gained a reputation as one of the most exciting live bands to emerge from the Bay Area in recent years, garnering a diverse fan base that transcends musical, cultural, and generational divides. Finding common ground between their heavy metal leanings and mambo-inspired horn lines, La Misa Negra’s arrangements serve as the perfect delivery mechanism for both their humorous storytelling and exploration of heavier subject matter, like gun violence, water scarcity, and gender inequality.
Free eventFree Plaza Programming Presented by:
