BY IRVIN RIVERA & JESSE ZAPATERO

LA3C (a.k.a. Los Angeles, the Capital of Creativity & Culture), Penske Media's annual festival in celebration of Los Angeles' rich culture and creativity, provided its participants with an unforgettable experience over three days. With a hyper-focus on music, food, and film, LA3C brings together a diverse community in Downtown Los Angeles. The festival boasts an impressive lineup of musical performances by artists like Erykah Badu, Moodymann, Aneesa Strings, V.C.R, Dan the Automator, and more, along with film programming by Women Under The Influence (WUTI), featuring Q&As with Elijah Wood, Money Mark, Jodie Wille, and others. The event goes beyond entertainment, curating a 50,000-square-foot outdoor dining plaza in collaboration with Biite Club, showcasing a wide array of culinary delights from across Los Angeles, complemented by a curated bar program and DJ performances by Questlove, Novena Carmel, and Acyde, culminating in a closing party with The Do-Over featuring Moodymann and others.

Noteworthy performances include intimate shows by headliners Erykah Badu and Herbie Hancock, as well as Flying Lotus and LA jazz legends Robert Glasper and Terrace Martin taking over the Theatre at the Ace Hotel. The festival brings together both established and emerging artists, such as Kamasi Washington, Marc Rebillet, Sudan Archives, Fred Armisen, and more, creating a vibrant tapestry of LA's music scene. LA3C's commitment to community extends to the Bazaar on Broadway, featuring Black Market Flea, prioritizing black businesses and creators. With the inclusion of In Sheep’s Clothing, a cultural haven for vinyl enthusiasts, LA3C emerges as a dynamic cultural celebration, blending music, food, film, and community spirit, making it a must-attend event for anyone proud to call LA home.

The overall vibe of the event is chill, perfectly timed to stroll around the iconic buildings of Downtown Los Angeles in fashionable layers during fall season. It’s a perfect opportunity to visit, appreciate and marvel at the beauty of the interiors of the classic downtown theatres that still exist (Ace Theatre, Orpheum, etc.). Also, if you’re a foodie, there’s a good selection of curated food trucks and food stations in the various lots around the festival.  

LA3C is more like a city-centric arts and culture festival, which provides a good contrast to other existing arts and music festivals that’s usually set on nature grounds. This one encourages you to explore the city by foot and gives you the permission to stop and admire the existing arts and culture and its rich history in front of you. The event mildly reminds us of “Downtown Artwalk” that existed years prior, where arts, food, music intersect with each other in a fun, low-pressure, kind of way. Although back then, they would close off some streets for the Artwalk and actually make Downtown as a walkable ground for artists, merchants and guests.

There’s a plethora of fashionable people and beautiful faces during the festival. The attendees turned up and donned their fashionable looks as they strolled from one area to another. 

Also, Erykah Badu sang, sealed, delivered an electrifying, memorable performance throughout her set. It was so satisfying and delightful to witness in person. 

Aside from the incredible musical performances, one of our favorites was the Black Market Flea area. People danced to the DJs, the food trucks were consistently serving warm, delicious food, the artists and merchants were vibing with each other. The vibe was just very warm, welcoming and festive.

Overall, LA3C is a promising arts festival in Downtown Los Angeles that poses so much potential for growth and expansion for highlighting Los Angeles as one of the capitals for Creativity and Culture.