‘Keep L.A. diverse,’ Kinky singer proclaims

At one of this summer’s last free concerts at the Levitt Pavilion in MacArthur Park, Monterrey, Mexico’s alt-electro rock band Kinky performed on a hot Saturday evening. 

Most of the day’s heat had worn down, and as the night approached and Kinky took to the stage, it provided a subtle atmosphere to dance the evening away with some of the band's hits like “Soun Tha Mi Primer Amor,” “A Donde Van los Muertos?” and “Hasta Quermarnos.” 

Kinky’s lead singer and guitarist, Gilberto Cerezo had a few things to say about the current situation in Los Angeles, as federal immigration agents, many of them masked, continue to abduct people from the streets without warrants. 

“Keep L.A. diverse,” Cerezo said. Most of his comments consisted of keeping the peace and just trying to enjoy the night, despite the tension felt around the city. He replied to a member of the audience, who seemingly said an expletive against something, with “No, F*** nada” and continued to express that we must be united. 

Los Abandoned was the opening band, playing their hits “Van Nuys (Es Very Nice)” and “Stalk U.” Pilar Díaz, singer of Los Abandoned, did not mind saying “F*** ICE” in the middle of one of the songs. 

Levitt LA concerts continue next weekend with ¡Mambolero! W/ Los Chicos Del Mambo, Los Rebeldes Romanticos and Noche Romantica performing on Friday, August 29 from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. On Saturday, August 30, Redd Kross, Juanita & Juan, Kate Clover & DJ Keith Morris will perform punk, glam and garage rock from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. to close the summer concert series. 

The shows are live-streamed and available after the season on YouTube and Facebook. For more info, visit www.levittlosangeles.org.

Audience members are welcome to bring their picnics, blankets and lawn chairs. Food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available from local vendors. No outside alcoholic beverages are permitted. This is a non-smoking venue. Parking: Athena Parking - 611 Carondelet St., Los Angeles, CA 90057. The cost is $15. Public Transportation: Metro: Red Line (Wilshire/Alvarado-MacArthur Park/Westlake stop). Bus lines 18, 20, 51, 351, 603, 720.