Arts & Culture

Universal CityWalk is Set to Kick off its “Summer Block Party”

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Seven-nights-a-week for 66 continuous days, Universal CityWalk will be offering non-stop entertainment completely free of charge. They are featuring top celebrity and tribute band concert performances, salsa dance lessons, the ever-pleasing free outdoor movie night, and star-turning talent competitions. All of this free entertainment is available for all from June 26 to August 31. KIIS-FM will be kicking off the summer with an energetic dance party on June 26 beginning at 8:00pm on the CityWalk.

For more information on the Universal CityWalk’s “Summer Block Party” visit www.CityWalkHollywood.com. See below for this summer’s sizzling schedule.

CityRock Live! jump starts Monday nights from 7:30-10 p.m. as L.A.’s top alternative and indie bands jam for enthusiastic crowds on CityWalk’s outdoor stage.  CityRock Live! begins on June 30 and continues July 7, 14, 21, 28; August 4, 11, 18, 25.
On Tuesday nights, CityWalk takes on a Latin spin as Rumba Room presents “Summer Night Salsa” bringing professional dance instructor Marco Antonio and a live band to the stage from 7:30-10 p.m.  Event dates are:  July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; August 5, 12, 19, 26.

“Wannabe Wicked” Wednesdays take CityWalk by storm as the new platform for talent discovery begins July 2 from 7-9 p.m.  In this first-ever U.S. competitive performance series, “Wannabe Wicked” challenges aspiring performers to sing ‘til “they’re green in the face” for a chance to win a walk-on role in the Los Angeles blockbuster “Wicked” production.  More information is available at www.CityWalkHollywood.com/Wicked.

“Wannabe Wicked” will take place on CityWalk on July 2, 9, 16, 30 and August 6, 20. 
Alternating Wednesdays, the CityWalk stage becomes set for young talent as Hollywood Launch Teen Talent Search returns, kicking off with an open audition on Saturday, June 28 from 1-3 p.m.  Hollywood Launch Teen Talent Search will take place on July 23; August 13, 27.  The grand prize winner will receive: recording contract with Mavrick Artists Agency, professional photo shoot, scholarship to Hollywood Launch’s elite training program, and an original demo song written and recorded by Genuine Music Group.

On Thursday, July 3 from 7:30-10 p.m., the very popular “Big FREE Outdoor Movie” night returns to CityWalk’s giant outdoor screen with encore performances showcasing such family favorites as “Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears A Who!” (July 3), “Hairspray” (July 10), “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything – A VeggieTales Movie” (July 17), “The Simpsons Movie” (July 24), ”Transformers” (July 31), “Shrek The Third” (August 7), “Annie” (August 14), “Curious George” (August 21), and everyone’s back-to-school favorite, “Grease” (August 28).

Guests may need to do a double take on “Flashback Fridays” as popular ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s tribute and cover bands turn heads and beg the question: are they or are they not?  “Flashback Fridays” kicks off one week early beginning on June 20 from 7:30-10 p.m., with “Lights – The Premiere Tribute to Journey.” “Face to Face – A Tribute to Billy Joel and Elton John,” “Surfin Safari – The Ultimate Tribute to the Music of the Beach Boys,” “Bad Medicine – a Bon Jovi Tribute Show,” “Bonfire – A Tribute to Early AC/DC,” “Hollywood U2,” and “KISS Army” to name a few, will follow each Friday night as follows: June 20, 27; July 4, 11, 18, 25; August 1, 15, 22, 29.

The stars shine bright on CityWalk as Saturday evenings rock to the rhythmic sounds of popular Celebrity Bands who act / dance by day and sing by night.  The series begins one week early on June 21 from 7:30-10 p.m. with the musical talents of Mark Ballas and Derek Hough (“Dancing With the Stars”).  Other celebrity performances include, Lucy Lawless (“XENA: Warrior Princess”) on June 28; Eric Balfour (“Texas Chainsaw Massacre”) on July 5; Bill Mumy (“Lost in Space”) on July 12; Thomas Ian Nicholas (upcoming “The Bridge to Nowhere,” “American Pie” films) on July 19; Justin Guarini (“American Idol”) on July 26; Hal Sparks (“Queer as Folk”) on August 2; Shawnee Smith (“SAW”) and Missi Pyle (“Charlie & The Chocolate Factory”) on August 9; E.G. Daily (“PeeWee’s Big Adventure”) on August 16; Lucy Walsh (“Rock the Cradle”) on August 23 and Malcolm-Jamal Warner (“The Cosby Show”) on August 30. 
 
Sundays on CityWalk will have a Latin appeal with the return of Descarga en CityWalk con Telemundo y mun2, featuring a dynamic mix of live Latin bands performances and celebrity guest appearances from 6-9 p.m.  Event dates are June 29; July 6, 13, 20; August 3, 10, 17 24, 31.
  

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Catherine Cuadrado