
Whether breathing new life into an Appalachian artisan village or bringing communal healing to a Hawaiian town impacted by the Maui fires, Levitt concerts harness the power of free, live music to bring people together across the country.
This spring and summer, outdoor spaces like parks and plazas will fill with the sounds of kids playing, families picnicking, and neighbors catching up or meeting for the first time, all while experiencing blues, rock, R&B, cumbia—and even Italian folk music infused with contemporary jazz—from world-renowned musical acts at these unique Levitt Music Series sites. We are excited to spotlight the following seven communities that have recently kicked off their 2025 seasons below!
LEVITT VIBE INDIANAPOLIS
Terri Sisson Park
April 13 – October 12, 2025
Widely known for its sporting events—including the world-famous Indy 500 auto race and legendary sports teams the Pacers and Colts—Indianapolis is also becoming a hub of eclectic restaurants, music, and art. Artist-run nonprofit Big Car Collaborative is doing its part to help make Terri Sisson Park, located in the historically-underserved Near Southside neighborhood, into a welcoming community gathering space. The Levitt VIBE Indianapolis Music Series is a key element of this momentum.
“Many of our neighbors have shared that they enjoy Levitt VIBE Indianapolis as a catalyst for bringing people together,” says Jim Walker, Cofounder and Executive Director of Big Car Collaborative, which presents the series. He adds that such joyful, communal experiences help residents become more connected to and invested in their neighborhood.
With an array of exciting musicians slated for the 2025 season, including Mariachi, soul, country, punk-rock and folk, Walker says he’s especially excited about the San Antonio based all-Latina punk-rock act Girl in a Coma, renowned ambient musician Don Slepian, and famed folk artist Bonnie “Prince” Billie. “We have people calling already about getting tickets to see Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billie in October!” Walker says. “We had to explain that the show is outdoors and free! I’m also excited to hear Slepian’s music provide a soundtrack to the natural beauty of our outdoor space.”
New this season is a partnership with Chreece, an award-winning local hip-hop music festival taking place in August, which will bring vendors and activities to Levitt VIBE shows while previewing the festival. Another welcome addition is the Free Market pop-up, where locals can swap, find and share items for free.
A primary goal of the series, Walker says, is to inspire people’s creativity. “Maybe people will be inspired to make something themselves, to pick the guitar back up, to write poetry again. Everyone should experience the joy of creativity—in active ways and by enjoying the work of others, like the awesome musicians in our series.”
The Levitt VIBE Indianapolis series, which kicked off April 13, continues through October 12, 2025.
LEVITT AMP BATON ROUGE
Scotlandville Plaza
April 26 – May 31, 2025
Sept. 6 – Oct 4, 2025
Located in a historically Black neighborhood in north Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Scotlandville Plaza is undergoing a transformation. Thanks to the efforts of community organizations such as local nonprofit Scotland Saturdays, the Plaza—site of the Levitt AMP Baton Rouge Music Series—is becoming a place where locals meet up to enjoy an open-air market and experience live music every Saturday in this once underused public space.
“We want people to be able to live, work and play in their community,” says Janel Washington, Executive Director of Scotland Saturdays, presenter of the series. “To be able to do that with the Levitt grant and build on what we established is amazing.”
Washington shared that there was a learning curve to get the series off the ground, and believes they’ve now landed on a winning formula as they enter their third season. “We had to introduce people to Levitt, get the gears turning and get sponsors and community buy in,” she explains. “But we are really proud to say that everyone who attends says this is the best live music event going on in the city. Everyone from the sponsors to the vendors to the audience. While we’re small and still growing, this is the type of vibe that should be cultivated.”
Among the stellar musical acts Levitt AMP Baton Rouge is thrilled to welcome this year are Venezuelan-inspired folk band Larry & Joe, jazz vocalist Quianna Lynell, and the Honey Island Swamp Band. “They’re gonna bring a fresh spin on our culture,” Washington says of the latter artists, also Louisiana natives. “I’m so excited to see that.”
The Levitt AMP Baton Rouge series resumes September 6 and runs every Saturday evening through October 4, 2025.
LEVITT AMP BATESVILLE
Pocket Park
May 1 – July 3, 2025
As Arkansas’ oldest existing city, Batesville is known for its tight-knit spirit, entrepreneurial drive, and passion for arts and culture. With burgeoning Latino and LGBTQIA+ communities, many residents experience a strong sense of belonging through Batesville’s welcoming spirit and an array of community activities—including free live music.
Levitt AMP Batesville, located on the town’s Main Street in Pocket Park, is a place where tradition and innovation go hand in hand. Maggie Tipton, Executive Director of Main Street Batesville, the organization that presents the series, says the Levitt AMP program has played a key role in bringing new life to the community. “It’s not just about the music—it’s about connection,” Tipton says. “These concerts have brought people of all backgrounds together in the heart of our city, creating a shared space for joy, culture, and community pride. Economically, we’re excited to bring them for our downtown businesses, restaurants and vendors.”
Tipton says she’s looking forward to the engaging new elements that are a part of the series this year, including a dedicated kid zone, block-long lawn seating, expanded food truck offerings, and new interactive features such as baggo boards and art pop-ups. “We’re also continuing to refine our vendor and public art partnerships to make each Thursday night a full-on experience, not just a concert. It’s shaping up to be our biggest and boldest season yet!”
Some of the acts on tap for Levitt AMP Batesville this year include nationally recognized acts such as singer-songwriter Christian French, folk, rock and R&B singer Kyshona, as well as international artists such as Kings and Associates, who bring their vibrant electric blues all the way from Australia. “It’s that mix of big-stage talent and homegrown magic that really sets the tone for our series,” says Tipton.
The Levitt AMP Batesville series, which launched May 1, runs every Thursday night through to July 3, 2025.
LEVITT AMP BEREA
Berea City Park Expansion
May 2 – Sept. 6, 2025
A small Kentucky town with abolitionist roots, Berea boasts a rich history in folk art and artisanship. With a vibrant Old Town Artisan Village filled with art studios and galleries, the historic Appalachian folk art tradition is alive and well. “The joke is that you can throw a rock and hit a potter,” says Ali Blair, organizer of First Friday Berea, which presents the Levitt AMP Berea series.
A close-knit community of just over 17,000, Berea residents have been gathering on the lawn of Berea City Park Expansion for a diverse array of free Levitt concerts since 2017. “The music series has helped to revitalize the Old Town Artisan Village,” says Blair, who explains that several businesses have chosen to establish themselves in the area in close proximity to the Levitt AMP concerts. “Residents now see the district as being for them and not just for tourists, and worthy of their investment,” she says. “I think the music series has inspired people to bring their ideas for events and activities to life.”
This year, Levitt AMP Berea will continue its partnership with Berea Kids Eat to provide hundreds of free meals for young people at their summer concerts. They’re also collaborating with several local organizations and artists to produce an “Interdependence Day” parade and concert in July, which will feature floats, costumes, and a series of workshops led by local artists on everything from costuming to puppet making. And, of course, plenty of live music!
As for the exhilarating musical acts performing at the weekly Levitt AMP concerts, Blair says she’s especially looking forward to Alla Boara, which adeptly weaves together Italian folk traditions with contemporary jazz, and Rica Chicha, a psychedelic cumbia outfit out of Knoxville, Tennessee.
The Levitt AMP Berea series, which began May 2, runs through September 6, 2025.
LEVITT AMP HĀNA
Grass lot below Hāna Ranch Restaurant
May 2 – Sept. 19, 2025
Located on the eastern tip of Maui, Hāna boasts dramatic coastlines, lush landscapes, local art galleries, and a deep sense of aloha. Music and storytelling are central to life here, and the community takes pride in preserving and sharing its rich culture.
Although Hāna was not directly hit by the devastating Maui fires in 2023, the local community is still continuing to heal, and the Levitt AMP Hāna Music Series is playing an important role in bringing residents together to experience joyful celebrations. “The disaster affected all of Maui emotionally and economically,” says Becky Lind, Executive Director of Hāna Arts. “Events like these help us come together, breathe, and find moments of joy and unity.”
Lind adds that the Levitt AMP series has brought a much-needed economic boost to local businesses and farmers. “The Hāna Farmers Market, held alongside our Levitt concerts, has seen increased turnout and stronger sales for local vendors,” she says. “It’s become a space where community members and visitors gather to enjoy live music, fresh produce, handmade goods and good food, all while supporting the local economy.”
Since launching in 2023, Levitt AMP Hāna has spotlighted local talent alongside renowned international acts. “We’re excited to bring even more energy to the 2025 season,” Lind says. “This year, we’re focusing on deepening our community connections and honoring local talent while also welcoming new voices. We’re planning family-friendly activities, cultural workshops, and ways to bring more youth into the experience. Our goal is to create something that feels both exciting and rooted in Hāna’s unique spirit.”
Lind says they’re looking forward to welcoming beloved local acts like Marty Dread, known as Hawaii’s reggae ambassador, and Maui-born artist Josh Kahula, who both have deep ties to the community, and whose “music speaks to the island’s soul.” They’re also excited to host Suede from Waco, Texas, and Kuf Knotz & Christine Elise from Philadelphia.
Taking place in a grassy area below the Hāna Ranch Restaurant, the concerts will continue to draw visitors to local businesses and the Hāna Farmers Market, which offers a beautiful fusion of food, music and community. “We’re also working closely with the County of Maui, Hāna High & Elementary School, Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke, and several local nonprofits and small businesses to ensure this series uplifts everyone involved,” Lind says. “These relationships help keep our programming authentic, inclusive and deeply rooted in local values.”
The Levitt AMP Hāna series, which began May 2, continues every Friday evening through September 19, 2025.
LEVITT VIBE OAKLAND
Liberation Park
May 3 – August 16, 2025
Located in San Francisco’s East Bay, East Oakland is a dynamic, historically-rich community and predominantly Black neighborhood, known for its cultural vibrance, deep roots in music and art, and legacy of social activism. Central to this identity is Liberation Park, known as “the heartbeat of East Oakland”—featuring California’s only outdoor wooden roller-skating rink and the Levitt VIBE Oakland Music Series.
And thanks in large part to that music series, the park has become the place to be on summer Saturdays. “The Levitt VIBE Music Series is designed to build community through the power of music. It strengthens social bonds, celebrates our diverse cultures, and provides a platform for local artists to shine,” says Carolyn Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Black Cultural Zone CDC, the local nonprofit that presents the series. Notably, and presaging even more exciting things to come, Black Cultural Zone is part of a collective of East Oakland organizations, Rise East, that recently raised a historic $100 million for the community.
By activating Liberation Park, the series also drives increased foot traffic to the AKOMA Grand Market—a popup market for Black entrepreneurs—significantly benefiting local businesses and the local economy. The integration with the AKOMA Grand Market is a cornerstone of the series, providing a platform for local vendors and businesses to connect directly with the community, fostering economic growth and a strong sense of shared purpose. “This synergy between music and local commerce is a key element,” says Johnson.
A stellar lineup of top-notch artists has been carefully curated for the 2025 summer series, including DuPont Brass, known for their high-energy brass arrangements that blend jazz, funk, and hip-hop; Karega, whose thought-provoking and deeply soulful music weaves together R&B, jazz, and spoken word elements; and renowned Brazilian singer-songwriter Caro Pierotto, whose vibrant rhythms and infectious melodies joyfully celebrate Brazilian culture.
The Levitt VIBE Oakland Music Series, which launched May 3, continues every Saturday through August 16, 2025.
LEVITT AMP FORT PIERCE
Moore’s Creek
May 10 – October 25, 2025
A picturesque seaside town located in the seat of Florida’s St. Lucie County, Fort Pierce is known for its diverse residents—including large Black and Latino communities—pristine beaches, mangrove forests, and beautiful sunrises. Its unique beauty also attracts part-time international residents and in-the-know tourists each year.
The St. Lucie Cultural Alliance, presenter of the Levitt AMP Fort Pierce Music Series, is working to enhance the arts and culture scene of the area and give a platform to local artists who perform at Levitt AMP shows.
“A lot of the communities here don’t have opportunities to see live music, and Levitt AMP concerts are about bringing that live music to this neighborhood,” says Maddie Williams, Interim Executive Director of St. Lucie Cultural Alliance. “It’s also helpful for the performing artists. A lot of our acts are on the cusp of breaking out, and this gives them a leg up.”
On tap for this season are conscious roots reggae band InJoy, local Treasure Coast favorites Mirrored Mind Collective, psychedelic bluegrass band The Firewater Tent Revival, and West Palm Beach multi-instrumentalist and one-woman jam band Victoria Cardona.
With the goal of improving the quality of life for all residents, St. Lucie Cultural Alliance is excited to bring these vibrant and diverse musical experiences to their community. Adds Williams, “Together, with our partners including Lincoln Park Main Street, we have the opportunity to create something truly special that will enrich the cultural fabric of St. Lucie County and foster a sense of unity and connection among residents and visitors alike.”
The 2025 Levitt AMP Fort Pierce Music Series, which launched May 10, runs through October 25, 2025.