Metro Art: New jazz + Lovers tour + Mardi Gras

Taking the L.A. Metro is a great way to explore L.A.  But did you know that Metro Art (metro.net/art) offers a year round program of FREE art tours and special events?

Here are a few coming up in the next few weeks...

Metro Presents Kamasi Washington + The Next Step Friday, January 23 8:00 - 10:00pm (doors open 7:45pm) Union Station Fred Harvey Room Kamasi Washington & The Next Step is a cutting edge assembly of some of the finest and most sought after musicians in the world. Led by innovative saxophonist Kamasi Washington, this band of virtuosic, creative local treasures pulls from an immeasurably vast pool of musical genres, from John Coltrane to Claude Debussy to Jay Dilla to Ravi Shankar.     DJ Carlos Niño (Spaceways Radio on KPFK) spinning before & in between sets. The Mudbug Brass Band Fat Tuesday, February 17 4:00 - 6:00pm Union Station, all over Celebrate Mardi Gras at Union Station with The Mudbug Brass Band. Louisiana-rooted but Los Angeles based, the 8-piece New Orleans Jazz band is dedicated to the Second Line tradition, drawing from New Orleans traditional jazz, R&B, funk and Mardi Gras. True to Mardi Gras spirit, the group will lead a procession through the station. More details to come.     Metro Presents showcases an exciting array of arts and cultural programs at historic Union Station. All events are free and open to the public. For more information: metro.net/unionstation and click on Events. Metro Art Moves Union Station Art & Architecture Tour Sunday, February 8 10:30am - 12:30pm Meet at Union Station Information Kiosk, inside Alameda Street entrance Led by trained Metro Art Docents, the tour will cover historic Union Station art, architecture and spaces not generally open to the public, including the Historic Ticketing Hall and former Fred Harvey restaurant. Additionally, the tour will explore artworks located in the Gold Line Portal, Union Station East and inside the Metro Gateway Headquarters Building. Tour is free. Reservations are not required. Meet at the information booth inside the Alameda Street entrance to historic Union Station. Photo courtesy Independent Shakespeare Company The Course of True Love Valentine's Tour Saturday, February 14 3:00 – 5:00 pm Meet at Union Station Information Kiosk, inside Alameda Street entrance Celebrate (or bemoan) Valentine's Day with an exploration of contemporary art in the Metro system and the timeless poetry of Shakespeare. The Independent  Shakespeare Company will be along for the ride and regale tour-goers with scenes involving the lovers in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Each scene will follow a discussion of select Metro station artwork, linking the artwork's central message or architecture to the performance. The free, one night only tour travels from Union Station to South Pasadena viewing works of art representing travel, change, and dreams, and witnessing the journey of love between four lovers. Tour is limited to the first 50 attendees. First-come first-served. For more information on tours: metro.net/art and click on Art Tours