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May 23, 2011

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Playboy Jazz at Warner Park offers a free outdoor concert with a diverse mix of jazz and entertainment from 4 to 8 p.m. Sun., June 5 at Warner Center Park, Woodland Hills, CA.

The free event is part of the Valley Cultural Center’s “Concerts on the Green” series and held in conjunction with the upcoming Playboy Jazz Festival on June 11 and 12 at the Hollywood Bowl.

Grammy-nominated artists Patrice Rushen and Ndugu Chancle as well as special guest guitarist Doc Powell will headline the concert, which attracts thousands of fans since its debut four years ago.

The Calabasas High School Jazz Band under the direction of Joshua Barroll will open the show.

Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad and the Nikhil Korula Band will also perform.

The event will also have 20 local eateries providing a diverse array of food and beverages for sale. A children’s play zone will have inflatable bouncers, clowns, face painting and balloon artists.

Jazz pianist, vocalist and composer Patrice Rushen has performed with such artists as Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Prince, Nancy Wilson and Carlos Santana. Best known for her hit “Forget Me Nots,” she served as the first female musical director for many of the entertainment industry’s top award shows.

Rushen will perform together with Grammy-nominated Ndugu Chancler—drummer, producer, composer and educator. Chancler, who was the featured drummer on both Thriller and Bad, has recorded with such artists Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Lionel Richie and Miles Davis.

They will be joined onstage by Grammy-nominated guitarist Doc Powell, who has recorded with Aretha Franklin, George Duke, Bob James, George Benson, Patti Labelle and Vanessa Williams.

Latin salsa party band Johnny Polanco Y Su Conjunto Amistad has toured across the world. They have performed at Prince’s Golden Globes after-party, Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa’s inaugural ball, the grand opening of the Staples Center and the inagural Latin Grammy Awards.

The Nikhil Korula Band plays a blend of calypso, rock and reggae music spiced with African and Latin grooves. In six years the sextet has played with John Mayer, Los Lonely Boys, The Roots, Dave Matthews Band, Erykah Badu and Colbie Caillat.

Patrons can bring blankets, beach/lawn chairs, picnic baskets and coolers. Dogs must be on a leash at all times.

Parking is available in the parking structures on Califa Street or in parking structures east of Owensmouth Avenue between Califa Street and Oxnard Street for $10.

For more information about this event, call the Valley Cultural Center at (818) 704-1358 or visit www.valleycultural.org.

For information about the Playboy Jazz Festival, visit www.playboyjazzfestival.com.

[Edited 5/23/11 10:24am]

Sounds like a good event.

Thanks for the info.

Music for adventurous listeners


tA

I wish I could go there.