Go Metro to any Grand Performance and save at Noe Restaurant & Bar or Johnnie’s New York Pizzeria. Be sure to get to California Plaza early to stake out a seat–as you can see it gets a little crowded…

The 28th season of Grand Performances, downtown Los Angeles’ beloved summer concert series, is officially underway for 2014. Starting now until September 19, enjoy a spectacular variety of music, dance and spoken-word performances for free at scenic California Plaza.

This season’s highlights include:

• Saturday, July 5 – Stones Throw Picnic at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, July 12 – Adventures from Paradise: A Tribute to Minnie Riperton at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, July 19 – Chop and Quench at noon
• Sunday, July 20 – Quetzal 20th Anniversary Celebration at 8 p.m.
• Saturday, August 2 – People Get Ready: A Soundtrack of the Civil Rights Movement at 8 p.m.
• Friday, August 15 – Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate at noon.
• Saturday, September 6 – Yuna at 8 p.m.

For a full list of artists, shows and times, click here.

California Plaza is easily accessible via Metro Bus or Rail. Take the Metro Red/Purple Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station, or various Metro and municipal buses serving Grand Avenue, Olive Street or Hill Street. (Click here for a map of Metro service in downtown L.A.).

Go Metro to any Grand Performance and save on lunch or dinner at Noé Restaurant & Bar or Johnnie’s New York Pizzeria the day of the event! Noé Restaurant & Bar at the Omni Hotel serves up a fresh and frequently rotating “Neo Bistro” menu; show your valid TAP card to save 15% on your bill. For more low-key fare, visit Johnnie’s New York Pizzeria on a performance date and receive a free drink with your food purchase by presenting your TAP card.

Music, fun, food and flying through traffic? Sounds like the stuff of summer to me!