Getty Presents Annual Garden Concerts for Kids

The Getty Center’s Garden Concerts for Kids, featuring some of the best children’s artists from across the nation, begin this weekend.

The goal of the outdoor music series, held in the museum‘s Central Garden, is to provide some great family programming in the summer when the kids are out of school and parents are looking for activities, said Sarah McCarthy, the Getty’s project coordinator.

“It’s a really fun interactive experience. These are not polite little concerts—you have to get up and move and sing along,” she said.

This year’s performers are Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band on Aug. 6-7; Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could on Aug. 13-14; and Frances England on Aug. 20-21.

“I wanted great musicians, singers and songwriters who have a musical style that appeals to the whole family,” McCarthy said. “This year I was thrilled to be able to include a local band in the lineup.”

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band, a Silver Lake trio, is one of the newest groups on the kids’ music scene. It will open the concert series with songs from its new album, Oh Lucky Day!

“Lucky has been bringing his daughter to these concerts for years, so it’s very cool that he now gets to be a performer on the same stage,” McCarthy said.

The following weekend, Grammy-nominated Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could will get every family up and dancing with their energetic beat.

“He’s got this rock 'n' roll style that appeals to everyone,” McCarthy said.

Rymer’s last album, Love Me for Who I Am, was inspired by his work with students at a school for kids with autism spectrum disorders, she said.

“The songs were written for those kids, but it’s a message that is so universal,” McCarthy said.

Closing out the series will be singer-guitarist Frances England, known for her warm, indie-folk melodies and alt-rock rhythms. England’s creative and slightly offbeat take on family life has inspired a world of fans since her 2007 breakout album, Fascinating Creatures.

“She created her first album for her preschooler and it kind of went viral,” McCarthy said. “Since then she’s written two more albums. She’s got this beautiful voice and really quirky writing style that is really fun.”

Those who attend are encouraged to bring a blanket and a picnic dinner, or guests can purchase food at the museum cafes or an ice cream stand that will be available.

“We set up the stage on one end of the lawn and it creates this natural amphitheater,” McCarthy said. “So everybody just spreads out on blankets on the lawn eating ice cream and dancing.”

The concerts are held from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Central Garden at the Getty Center, 1200 Getty Center Drive. Admission is free, however parking is $15. For information, call 310-440-7300 or visit www.getty.edu.