LACHSApalooza, the music festival celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, keeps growing. Fitz and The Tantrums and hometown rapper D Smoke have joined the May 30 lineup at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, with comedian, actor, writer, and director Anthony Anderson serving as master of ceremonies. All 3 are former LACHSA students, joining previously announced alumni Ozomatli, Gerald Clayton, Jon B., Gretchen Parlato, and entrepreneur April Showers.
The charitable festival is raising $2.5 million to support LACHSA’s arts education programs, which serve 550 student artists each year. With only 50% of the school’s arts funding covered by the state, the LACHSA Foundation fills a critical gap, and LACHSApalooza is the centerpiece of that effort. The evening will also honor 3 educators who shaped the school’s legacy: the late Pat Bass, known as Ms. B, who led the gospel choir and vocal jazz ensemble to 5 first-place finishes at the Monterey Jazz Festival High School competition and influenced artists including Alex Isley, Gretchen Parlato, and opera star Angel Blue; Lois Hunter, who served as theatre department chair for 33 years; and Jerry Freedman, L.A. County’s Teacher of the Year and a “Most Inspirational Teacher” honoree from the Board of Supervisors. Additional artists are still to be announced. Tickets are available now via Ticketmaster.