Night on Broadway spectacle returns this Saturday night

For the third year in a row, Downtown residents, eager millennials, and curious passersby will gather together in the Historic Core for Night on Broadway—a raucous celebration of the street’s history and recent revitalization.

To be clear, that’s not necessarily the revitalization efforts of the many Latino businessowners who reinvented the street as a lively commercial corridor after the closure of its historic theaters, but the nine-year-old Bringing Back Broadway initiative. Led by Los Angeles City Councilmember Jose Huizar, the plan has helped transform the street into a more pedestrian-friendly, albeit pricier, environment.

Night on Broadway began in 2015, and last year drew 60,000 revelers to Downtown LA. Its immediate popularity might be due to the fact that, by the standards of a city-supported event, it’s positively hedonistic. Featuring beer gardens, street art, electronic dance music, and live sporting events, the one-night festival certainly isn’t short on activities or spectacle.

Curious about what’s in store this year? Here are some highlights:

Live music

Headliners of this year’s event include Mayer Hawthorne, Oingo Boingo Dance Party, and Las Cafeteras. All three acts, and others, will perform on an outdoor stage.

Events at six of Broadway's historic theaters

Each century-old theater will host its own themed lineup of presentations and performances. The Theatre at the Ace Hotel will offer electronic music and video art provided by online radio station dublab, while IAMSOUND Studio will bring music, dance, and visual art to the stately Los Angeles Theatre.

The Globe will host dance contests, the Palace will have standup comedy, the Orpheum will offer a behind the scenes look at the visual art of live concerts, and the Million Dollar Theatre will be the place to go for live mariachi, swing, and gogo music.

A 12-story violin

Artist William Close will string harp strings to the State Theatre office building, bringing his massive Earth Harp concept to Downtown LA.

Dodgeball (for adults)

On Broadway and Eighth Street, a cage will be set up for hardcore dodgeball players. Sign up for the tournament here.

Friendly street art competition

The Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles is pitting street artist against street artist to see who can create the most crowd-pleasing mural on the spot.

A virtual reality dome

Up to 50 attendees can fit into this installation from VR playhouse. It will allow visitors to experience climbing Mount Everest and painting a masterpiece, among other simulated achievements.

Chessboxing

This is what it sounds like. You can watch people box and then play chess. Win by checkmate or knockout.

Lucha Libre

Cult wrestling showcase Lucha VaVOOM will stage matches in the Third Street ring after the chessboxers are done.

Kid stuff

The dodgeball might be adults-only, but the festival itself is not. Kids can ride a ferris wheel, play carnival games, and see wildlife rescued by the Eco Station.

For a complete schedule of events, check out the festival's official site.

• Broadway Getting Ped-Friendly Makeover, Cutting Back On Cars [Curbed LA]
• Stunning Looks Inside 7 of Broadway's Rarely Opened Theaters [Curbed LA]