Snazzy party for a cause: Inner-City Arts presents Summer on Seventh

Every year Inner-City Arts buses approximately 8,000 children from some of L.A.’s most underserved communities to its Michael Maltzan-designed downtown L.A. campus. There, amidst a gleaming-white modernist landscape, the kids are immersed in art in a way that their neighborhood schools can’t afford.

Since its founding in 1989, Inner-City Arts has educated more than 150,000 L.A. school children. And it’s not slowing down.

That’s why each summer the school holds an elaborate fundraising party targeted at arts lovers and others interested in both their communities and the lives of the city’s children.

This year’s party, called Summer on Seventh, is taking place on Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight. It features a rooftop concert with performances by Peanut Butter Wolf, Yacht and De Lux; as well as DJ set by dublab that concludes with a show by Daedalus.

Animal Charm, known for its elaborate video projections, will furnish mood lighting; the Spare Room will shake up specialty cocktails; Stumptown will provide caffeinated stimulation; food trucks including Guerilla Tacos, Heirloom L.A., Salt & Straw and Urban Oven will satiate appetites and experimental video games will honor the kid in everyone.

The goal of the night is to host 1,000 guests, says the center’s associate director of public engagement, Justin Veach, who co-curated the event.

“I think L.A. is quite possibly the creative center of the universe right now, and Inner-City Arts is about leveling the playing field for the kids who live in the areas surrounding downtown, which are some of the most underserved communities in the city,” says Veach. “We offer these kids free access to arts education and help unlock their potential. We think creativity is key to living a happy, fulfilled life.”

Tickets to the event cost $65 in advance and $75 at the door. Click here for more information, or to purchase tickets.