Youth open-mic sponsored by the City of Santa Monica, now in its twentieth year, is reaching out to a worldwide audience.

As the Coronavirus continues to affect in-person events, Downbeat 720 will continue via Zoom for the foreseeable future. This creates an opportunity to bring in a worldwide audience of high school performers. (The above photo is from a recent event which included a high school singer/songwriter from Mississippi along with a poet from India.)

For over twenty years, Downbeat 720 has proven to be LA’s premier open-mic for high school youth. Sponsored by the City of Santa Monica cultural affairs division, twice a month, high school students from all over the city arrived at the historic Miles Memorial Playhouse in Reed Park near downtown Santa Monica. They performed and received positive, honest feedback from professional working artists. Here's a small example of how students react to the program:

"Downbeat 720 is one of the most magical things I have ever witnessed. It's a space where high school students from all over LA can come and perform their original pieces, sing a cover, read poetry, etc. Everyone was so supportive of each other. It's a place to take risks, to stand onstage and feel comfortable while experimenting and going outside of the comfort zone. It's also a place to meet people who are interested in similar things you are and who will compliment your skill sets beautifully."

--Owen Thiele, Singer

With the quarantine, where students often find themselves isolated in their homes, it’s been incredibly important for students to have a safe and supportive space for self-expression. Downbeat 720 continues its online platform to offer that support.

Downbeat 720 was created by Justin Yoffe, Ameenah Kaplan, Joe Hernandez-Kolski and DJ Jedi in 2001. In addition to the students performing, a special guest (a professional artist) is invited to perform for the students. In the past, we've had Grammy award-winning musicians like Aloe Blacc, Raul Pacheco (Ozomatli), comedian Craig Robinson (“The Office”), Akil the MC (Jurassic 5), poet/actress Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia), MAD TV cast members and a slew of nationally-ranked HBO Def Poets.

Downbeat 720 has grown to become one of the centerpoints for high school performers developing their talent as poets, singers, musicians, dancers, bands, etc. In fact, the television version, Downbeat Showdown, won the 2005 LA EMMY for "Outstanding Youth Programming." To watch a 5min documentary on the program or to see some of our past performances, go to www.youtube.com/downbeat720.

Downbeat 720 takes place over Zoom until its safe to return to in-person performances. It is always FREE and adults are allowed but we encourage them to invite a high school student to either watch or participate.

The Downbeat 720 Zoom link will open up at 7pm PT when DJ Jedi begins spinning music. The open-mic starts at 7:20pm PT. We run every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

Upcoming dates: January 25th, February 8th, 22nd, March 8th, 22nd, April 12th, 26th, May 10th, 24th

To stay informed, students should follow our Instagram page:

www.instagram.com/downbeat720

Or contact -- Joe Hernandez-Kolski at joe@pochojoe.com or 310-766-5822

The Downbeat Commandments

1. Respect yourself, the other artists and the SPACE.

2. All styles and skill levels are EMBRACED.

3. Feel free to fall on your FACE.

4. Make sure you’re muted if it’s not your turn.

5. Keep your camera off ‘til you’re ready to go live.

6. Use the chat to hype up your fellow performers .

7. If you can stay 'til the end, that would be GREAT.

8. Put your cell phones on VIBRATE.

9. Bring a new friend EVERY TIME.

10. We love you and in two weeks we'll SEE YOU AGAIN.