Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti invited the public Thursday to a free downtown concert featuring deejay and electronic musician Steve Aoki, who is releasing a new album next month.
Aides for Garcetti — who was in New York City today to receive a leadership award from his alma mater, Columbia University — sent out Twitter messages about the the show, scheduled for May 16 on Broadway, between Fourth and Sixth streets.
Garcetti invited the public to RSVP for free admission to the outdoor show. VIP tickets costing $100 were also listed for purchase on the Eventbrite site where the tickets are being processed.
A flier for the concert says the show is a “free thank you concert in the streets of Los Angeles celebrating the release of Neon Future II,” Aoki’s album due out May 12.
The flier also says the free tickets are available on a “first come first serve” basis to anyone who requests information about Garcetti’s Volunteer Corps program at http://laokishow.com/.
The ticketing website says the concert is being held to “remind Angelenos that we need to stay engaged to build a Los Angeles that lives up to its name as the creative, artistic and entertainment capital of the world.”
Garcetti spokeswoman Vicki Curry said Aoki “has a friendship with the mayor” and “wanted to throw a free concert for the people of Los Angeles.”
The show was “driven by Steve Aoki and his team,” she said.
When plans to hold a concert in New York fell through, Aoki decided to organize a show in Los Angeles, where he is from, Curry said.
Garcetti, who left for New York on Wednesday evening, is scheduled to return to Los Angeles on Friday evening.
— City News Service