Levitt Arlington Returns April 26-27, 2024, with 17th Season of Live, Free Music!
Levitt Pavilion Arlington, one of DFW’s most popular outdoor performance venues and a signature Downtown Arlington destination, will kick off its 17th season of live free music on April 26-27, sponsored once again by Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital Arlington.
Opening weekend will feature the second-year DreamFest, a block-party styled festival sponsored by the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau that began in 2023 as a concept created by Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, featuring food trucks, vendors, and kid-friendly games and activities.The festival kicks off Friday night at 7:30 pm with a two-act concert headlined by DFW-based Motown band Memphis Soul; Saturday’s festivities begin at 4 pm and include a four-act concert headlined by Fort Worth-based Tejas Brothers, famously noted as “the original Tex-Mex Honky Tonk band.”
Additional high profile artists set to take the Levitt stage this season include Vandoliers (alt country/Americana, May 11), Solido (Cumbia/Norteña, May 24), Kaitlin Butts (country/dance, May 25) and Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears (blues, May 26). “This year’s season may be our best yet,” said Letatia Teykl, Levitt Arlington’s executive director. “You’re on the lawn in the heart of the city, the sun is setting, you’re listening to amazing and talented artists from across Texas and around the country. If you haven’t tried the Levitt, this is the season to check us out and have an experience you will love from start to finish.”
The 2024 Levitt concert and event season is broken into three legs: the spring series, which runs April 26 through the end of May; the summer series, which runs Memorial Day Weekend through the end of June and includes the Arlington Juneteenth Celebration (June 15) and Light Up Arlington (June 29); and the fall series, which opens Labor Day weekend, runs through mid-October, and includes the Hispanic Heritage Celebration (October 5), National Life Group Do Good Fest Texas (October 12), and the Asian Heritage Celebration (October TBA). Concerts typically happen on Friday and Saturday nights, with a sprinkling of Sunday evening concerts. Levitt free concerts are also livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube.
In addition to the free concert series, other popular Levitt staples continue this season, such as the Levitt food truck fleet (including Flying Pig, Holy Frijole, and Lovin’ U BBQ, as well as beer, wine, and spirits from J. Gilligan’s), and North Texas-area artists appearing as opening acts, courtesy of Levitt Arlington’s Share The Stage initiative. Teykl said that the venue is also adding a new feature for 2024: DFW-area student musicians (school-age and college) performing a song or two before opening artists on Friday nights.
“Levitt fans expect a full array of genres and talent at Levitt Arlington, and this season will not disappoint,” said Teykl. “We continue to be a destination where you can enjoy high-quality, well-produced, free concerts featuring both regional and national acts or Grammy winners as well as up-and-coming performers, in a beautiful outdoor setting infused with an urban vibe. Bring a picnic basket or sample food and drink from one of our food truck vendors, claim your space on the lawn, and get ready for the unique experience that is Levitt Arlington.”
Levitt Arlington is located at 100 W Abram in Founders Plaza, across from Arlington City Hall and bordering the UT Arlington campus. Find out more at levittpavilionarlington.org
Total Eclipse of the Park
Residents are invited to join us for totality over Arlington as we watch the Great North American Eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024!
Levitt Arlington and Arlington Parks & Recreation will co-host a free solar eclipse watch party and celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Levitt Pavilion lawn, 100 W. Abram St., Arlington, TX 76010.
Event sponsors are the Arlington CVB and the Arlington Public Library. CosMc’s, an out-of-this-world beverage concept that recently landed in Texas, will join the festivities as an event partner with a mood-boosting experience that will take guests’ eclipse celebration to the next level.
Total Eclipse of the Park will feature music by DJ Rob, food trucks, and free commemorative eclipse glasses —plus, eclipse watchers will be “transported into the path of totality” via complimentary samples of CosMc’s astronomically-popular menu items, branded giveaways, and special guest DJ SheReal spinning beats in sync with DJ Rob.
Eclipse watchers are welcome to bring coolers to the celebration, but glass containers are prohibited. Well-behaved pets on leashes are also welcome. Lawn chairs and blankets are highly recommended, as are comfortable shoes and an attitude for fun. Parking is free in any City of Arlington lot and other public parking spaces around Downtown.
The next big date on the Levitt calendar is the official opening of the 2024 free concert series, which kicks off the weekend of April 26-27 with the return of DreamFest, a block-party styled festival featuring concerts headlined by Memphis Soul (Friday night) and the Tejas Brothers (Saturday night); both days will also include talented and genre-diverse opening acts.
And speaking of big dates and big events: The newest CosMc’s location in Arlington, located at 300 E. Abram St. (next to Namoo Korean Bowl), is officially opening April 8, the same day as Total Eclipse of the Park.
“Arlington offers an out-of-this world experience for visitors to our Downtown and entertainment districts, so we’re delighted to team up with co-host Arlington Parks and Recreation, which is currently celebrating a centennial anniversary, and event sponsors Arlington CVB and the Arlington Public Library to celebrate the historic eclipse as it makes its way through the heart of our city,” said Letatia Teykl, executive director of Levitt Arlington.
“Also, how fun and equally appropriate that we have the opportunity to welcome our new neighbor CosMc’s to the downtown Arlington galaxy via the eclipse celebration,” she continued. “We anticipate that Levitt guests will enjoy visiting the new Abrams location to grab a delicious beverage before and after many Levitt shows this season.”
Find out more about additional 2024 Levitt concerts and events at levittpavilionarlington.org, or follow Levitt Arlington on social media.
The Great North American Eclipse will trace a narrow path of totality across 13 U.S. states. Arlington is scheduled to be in the path of totality for over three minutes! Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind event as part of Arlington Parks and Recreation’s Centennial Celebration.
Original Article
https://www.arlingtontx.gov/news/my_arlington_t_x/news_stories/solar_eclipse_watch_party
Third Annual Texas Sounds and Cities Conference
Excerpt of Press Release via Office of the Texas Governor Greg Abbott
This press release can be viewed in its entirety here
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Music Office announced that the Sounds & Cities Conference will be held Thursday, September 9 and Friday, September 10 in Arlington Texas. Co-hosted by the Texas Music Office, Levitt Pavilion Arlington, and the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, the two-day music conference will include panel discussions on Texas music scene development and conversations about potential statewide collaboration between the certified communities, as well as spotlight economic development best practices that lead to increased music tourism, job creation, and music scene cohesion.
“Music is a big part of the Texas brand,” said Governor Abbott. “A vibrant music industry in communities across Texas not only adds to the quality of lice, it is a competitive advantage, helping the Lone Star State to attract major capital investments, culturally diverse talent, and new jobs across industries. I thank the Texas Music Office and our Music Friendly Communities for sharing their knowledge and joining the conversation on continued economic expansion strategies for local music businesses, musicians, venues, and the music industry across the state.”
“The Levitt Pavilion Arlington is proud to support the efforts of the Texas Music Office in spreading the word through the Music Friendly Community certification program,” said Letatia Teykl, Executive Director, Levitt Pavilion Arlington. “The Arlington Music Friendly Community is excited about the possibilities!”
Third Annual Texas Sounds & Cities Conference
September 9-10, 2021
Globe Life Field, Arlington
Governor Abbot Announces Arlington Designated As Music Friendly Community
Excerpt of Press Release via Office of the Texas Governor Greg Abbott
This press release can be viewed in its entirety here
Governor Greg Abbott today announced that Arlington, having completed the multi-step certification process, has been designated as a Music Friendly Community by the Texas Music Office (TMO). The Music Friendly Community program seeks to foster music business economic development in Texas cities and communities. TMO Community Relations & Outreach Specialist Chip Adams will present the Music Friendly Community designation to Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams on Friday, December 18, 2020, at 12:30 PM during a virtual certification ceremony in partnership with Levitt Pavilion Arlington, the City of Arlington, and the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau.
“With support form the Texas Music Office, the Texas music industry created more than 209,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs in communities all across the Lone Star State last year and generated $23.4 billion in economic activity,” said Governor Abbott. “As our economy rebounds from the COVID downturn, Texas is committed to working alongside our communities to ensure they have the tools needed to succeed. Music Friendly Communities certified by the Texas Music Office are serious about attracting and developing local music industry growth, and I am proud of all that the Texas Music Office has accomplished in helping communities like Arlington grow their local economy.”
Arlington is the 20th Texas city to receive the official Music Friendly Community designation. Other cities include Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Denton, Lindale, Stephenville, Conroe, San Angelo, Nacogdoches, Abilene, McKinney, Waxahachie, Waco, Alpine, Bastrop, New Braunfels, Victoria, Lubbock and Denison. Cities that are currently working through the certification process include: Houston, Dallas, Dripping Springs, Brenham, and El Paso.
Introducing the new Levitt Center
Levitt Pavilion Arlington’s new Levitt Center will help make Downtown Arlington a prime destination
After a year when there was change around every corner, an exciting new change has happened in Downtown Arlington at the Levitt Pavilion.
In 2017, just before Texas country music singer/songwriter Jack Ingram took the stage for an October concert at the Levitt, Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Hospital CEO Alan Beck presented a check to the Levitt Pavilion for $500,000. Baylor’s check 
was matched by the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation with the goal to build something the Levitt had needed since it opened 12 years ago — permanent restrooms.
With $1 million in the bank, the Levitt Pavilion’s board of directors and staff began 2018 with a capital campaign to make the facility’s restrooms a reality. In looking at the possibilities and thinking about the future, a hospitality suite was added above the restrooms. The Levitt concluded its 2018 concert season with a ceremonial ground-breaking for the project, and construction began the day after the 2019 summer concert season ended.
Levitt Pavilion Arlington is proud to introduce the new Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Levitt Center. The $3.4 million project includes:
- The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Hospitality Suite
- Catering kitchen
- High-tech A/V system
- Concert-viewing deck
- Women’s and men’s accessible restrooms
- Family restroom
“The architectural design and versatility of the new hospitality suite makes the project a true show-stopper,” said Letatia Teykl, executive director of Levitt Pavilion Arlington. “It can be configured for a business meeting, workshop, wedding reception, cocktail party – you name it! We are ready to activate the lawn and facilities on a year-round basis.”
During Levitt concerts, sponsors will have priority in using the suite for hosting their own private events. During a concert, if the suite isn’t being used, it can be rented by anyone for a private party. When it isn’t concert season, the hospitality suite is available for rent by itself or as a package with the Levitt stage for fundraisers, festivals and events, increasing how the Levitt is used year-round.
“We are so excited about the possibilities that the new Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic and Spine Levitt Center will bring!” said Josh Hankins, Levitt Pavilion Arlington’s board chair. “We feel that it’s going to be a key element to add to the sustainability of our concert series, as well as our mission to build community in Arlington. The center will allow us to host additional sponsors during the concert seasons, but most exciting is that it will allow us to better utilize the facilities and lawn year-round.”
The hospitality center was designed by architects Ibanez Shaw with construction by J. Hutcherson Construction. Bart Shaw, architect, said the most challenging aspect was how to maximize the space and provide a facility that would be a showcase and enhance the vibrancy of downtown Arlington.
“The idea of putting a hospitality suite on top of a restroom building was tricky,” he added. “We needed to maximize the space on that corner and yet meet all the needs of the facility. What separates this project from others is the type of project – putting a finished space on top of a park restroom.”
Shaw designed the Levitt Center to enhance the look and feel of the Levitt stage and add to what he calls “the energy and drama” of the lawn. During concerts, that translates into taking a concert night and adding spectacular ambiance for listening to live music or hosting an event. It gives businesses and organizations a new option for meetings, retreats, workshops and receptions. Coupled with the new restrooms, it adds to the Levitt’s appeal as the site for fun runs and 5Ks, fund-raisers, events, and festivals.
“The Levitt Pavilion has been a destination for many Arlington and surrounding area residents and visitors. We all have great memories of our favorite concerts there,” said Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams. “The new Levitt Center will only enhance the Levitt Pavilion and the city’s state-designated Cultural Arts District, making Downtown Arlington even more appealing to those organizing festivals and events.”
“We cannot wait for everyone to see all that the Levitt Center has to offer,” added Teykl. “We’re proud of the new addition to the Levitt Pavilion and the potential that comes with a facility of this caliber in the Downtown Arlington Cultural Arts District.”
