Music Brings People Together

Levitt Pavilions is a national nonprofit that exists to strengthen the social fabric of America. They've partner with cities to transform neglected public spaces into welcoming destinations where the power of FREE, LIVE music brings people together and invigorates community life.

Currently, there are six Levitt pavilions across the U.S., forming the only national network of nonprofit music venues presenting free concert series. Levitt locations include: Westport, CT; Los Angeles, CA; Pasadena, CA; Arlington, TX; Memphis, TN, and Bethlehem, PA. This video focuses on the city of Memphis.

Built in 1936 and recognized as the site of Elvis Presley's first professional rock-n-roll show, the Levitt Shell is an outdoor performing arts pavilion located in the heart of Midtown, Memphis in the beautiful Overton Park. Every year the Levitt Shell puts on more than 50 free concerts and events, made possible by the support of the community and encouraging common ground through the arts. The Levitt Shell unites and energizes Memphis by offering outstanding, family-friendly live music events that are free and open to everyone. No other organization in Memphis uses the power of live music to bring our entire city together.

The story of the Levitt Shell is more than a story of preservation — it's a story of rejuvenation. Music brings life to this historic Memphis asset, ensuring that its true purpose as an invaluable community asset lives on for the next generation. Also the event provides a way for local businesses to provide services as vendors for the local event. As you will see in the second video. Chef Gary Williams, the owner and operator of a New Orleans Creole Soul Food and Vegetarian Restaurant called DejaVu, shares how being a vendor at Levitt Shell has been great for his small business.