Archives for July 10, 2026

SOUNDS OF LA COUNTY: 27 PARKS. 108. CONCERTS. ONE COUNTY.

A new standalone summer concert series for LA County Parks, produced by NextFest LA.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks) is launching its  first official standalone FREE summer concert series in LA County Parks’ history. Sounds of LA County – 27 Parks. 108 Concerts. One County highlights local artists from LA County’s abundant indie music scene, bringing a music festival vibe to your front door. The free concerts, taking place Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, are uniquely curated to reflect the culture, diversity, and energy of the communities where they are held.

Sounds of LA County marks a new chapter for free outdoor concerts in the region. Using its platform and resources to create meaningful opportunities for the local indie music community, LA County Parks is reimagining what a public summer concert series can be. To bring that vision to life, the Department entrusted NextFest LA—the independent music festival known for championing local indie talent—with producing a series built around that same mission.

“LA County Parks has always been a place where communities come together. With Sounds of LA County, we’re expanding that tradition by creating new opportunities for local artists while giving residents free access to live music that reflects the unique culture of their own neighborhoods,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. “This series celebrates the incredible talent found across Los Angeles County and reinforces our commitment to making arts and culture accessible to everyone.”

When a County invests in its own artists, it strengthens the local creative economy, gives working musicians a meaningful platform, and reinforces that the arts are essential to community life. Every Sounds of LA County concert is an opportunity for residents to be part of that investment. By showing up, audiences are supporting local musicians and helping strengthen the cultural fabric of their own communities.

The programming spans Latin, R&B, Hip-Hop, Jazz, Reggae, Country, Americana, Indie, Indigenous, Dance, and Family genres, but is always tied to the specific cultural identity of each park community. With concerts taking place in parks throughout North, East, and South Los Angeles County—including La Puente, Sylmar, Antelope Valley, Carson, Azusa, West Covina, Palmdale, Lancaster, and more—audiences can expect a music festival experience that reflects the unique identity of each community.

Even the name was developed with intentionality. Los Angeles County isn’t one sound, one culture, or one neighborhood. It is cumbia drifting from a backyard in East LA, neo-soul echoing through Rimgrove Park, norteño filling a park in La Puente on a Summer evening. Sounds of LA County reflects that diversity by celebrating the communities, cultures, and artists that define Los Angeles County. 

This summer, Sounds of LA County brings 108 free concerts to 27 parks across the county, July 9 – August 29, inviting residents to experience original live music while supporting the artists shaping Los Angeles County’s creative future.

About the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation 

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation manages 184 parks, 9 natural areas, 15 wildlife sanctuaries, 42 public swimming pools, 25 splash pads, 14 lakes including 3 with swimming beaches, 250 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding; and the largest municipal golf system in the nation with 20 golf courses at 18 facilities. The department maintains four botanical gardens: The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, and Virginia Robinson Gardens. The department also owns the iconic Hollywood Bowl, and The Ford, providing County residents with valuable entertainment and cultural resources.  Visit: https://parks.lacounty.gov/ 

Visit: Sounds of LA County

Minions & Monsters * This film is a laugh-a-minute; making it feel like the movie is over in a flash

Minions & Monsters follows the Minions in 1920s Hollywood as they search for frightening creatures for their monster movie, partner with a green creature, and must save the planet after unleashing monsters.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ryker N. comments, “I am BANAAANAS about Minions & Monsters! This film is a laugh-a-minute; making it feel like the movie is over in a flash. Even though this is the seventh Minions movie, it still feels fresh and funny.” Julie O. adds, “I enjoy Minions & Monsters because it has an entertaining comedic style and a fun story line. I love the use of humor and references to old Hollywood movies and actors.” Leo G. wraps it up with, “I liked watching this movie with its funny moments that had me laughing the whole time. For example, the Minions lose their initial Big Boss when he steps on a Minion-made LEGO brick, triggering a destructive chain reaction that results in his entire house breaking down and the Big Boss falling off a cliff.” See their full reviews below.

Minions & Monsters
By Ryker N., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

I am BANAAANAS about Minions & Monsters! This film is a laugh-a-minute; making it feel like the movie is over in a flash. Even though this is the seventh Minions movie, it still feels fresh and funny.

Minions & Monsters is the backstory of the Minions (Pierre Coffin) before Despicable Me (2010). It follows the Minions through all of their previous leaders and then into Hollywood in the 1920s as they make a monster movie. Of course, things don’t go as planned and they end up having to save the planet after creating monsters from an old spellbook. The plot fluctuates between two storylines involving the Minion protagonists, James, Henry and Ed, as they create the monsters for their movie vs. the rest of the Minion gang who eventually hook up with their new leader Dort (Jesse Eisenberg), an alien robot, and Debbie (Zoey Deutch), a women’s activist, to create a small love story with a twist that brings it all together in the end.

The comedy in Minions & Monsters is exactly what you’d expect from a Minion’s movie. The Minions’ random made-up language mixed with real words from different languages is still one of the funniest parts.  Something that really stands out is how much the animation keeps getting better with each Minions movie. The characters look smoother; the colors brighter; and the action scenes are immersive. I especially like the scenes with the biggest monster, Irene, because the special effects make her incredibly life-like and unforgettable. I also like how the Minions’ outfits match the time period. From the 1920s’ sweaters to the classic overalls, it’s a small detail but it makes the movie feel even more creative. My most favorite part is how the directors (Pierre Coffin, Patrick Delage) and writers (Pierre Coffin, Bryan Lynch) incorporate small surprise details at the beginning of the movie and throughout the credits. Be sure to stay until the very end to avoid missing out on these comical surprises!

This film’s message is about loyalty. The Minions may be goofy and accident-prone but they never give up on each other. No matter how impossible things seem, they stick together, proving that real friendship means standing by the people you care about – even when everything goes completely bananas. 

Minions & Monsters gets 5 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. The film releases to theaters on July 1, 2026.

Minions & Monsters

By Julie O. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I enjoy Minions & Monsters because it has an entertaining comedic style and a fun story line. I love the use of humor and references to old Hollywood movies and actors.

Minions & Monsters is the third Minion’s spin off, and the storyline holds its own and can be enjoyed without seeing the other films. In this animated, fictional, autobiography of the Minions, one Minion, James (Pierre Coffin) has chronicled the journey of the Minions on their search to find the perfect villain to serve. James has always been a dreamer and is continuously wanting to create art. Ultimately landing in Los Angeles in the 1920s, James becomes enthralled with Hollywood and his life ambition is to create the perfect movie.

The voice talents bring each character to life and enhance the quality of the story telling. For example, Trey Parker voices Goomi and his voice creates the perfect unsuspecting monster, who you want to trust, but at the same time has a hint of devious energy. I like how in-depth the animation goes with its attention to detail and bold colors.  Each part of the Minions’ journey is brought to life with beautiful scenes that James creates with details of adventure, humor, and friendship. My favorite part is when the Minions get to 1920s Hollywood – the historical references to the time period and the references to early Hollywood and films are fun to watch. There are references to several classic films such as The Trip to the Moon and Citizen Kane that help bring the story to life. I love that the film includes lots of content and humor for older audiences to enjoy.

I give Minions & Monsters4 out 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults. Minions & Monsters releases in theaters July 1, 2026.

Minions & Monsters

By Leo G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 13

I like Minions & Monsters because it has funny moments and good animation.

The movie Minions & Monsters is the third prequel to the Minions series of movies which are a spin-off of the Despicable Me movies. Minions & Monsters takes place in 1920s Hollywood and follows a new group of Minions:  James, Henry, and Ed (all voiced by Pierre Coffin) who are trying to make a movie about monsters while the rest of their Minion clan searches for their next “Big Boss” to serve.

I liked watching this movie with its funny moments that had me laughing the whole time. For example, the Minions lose their initial Big Boss when he steps on a Minion-made LEGO brick, triggering a destructive chain reaction that results in his entire house breaking down and the Big Boss falling off a cliff.  Another example is when James, Henry and Ed summon a monster from a magical book hoping it will be the star of their monster movie.  The picture of the monster in the book shows a huge scary monster, but when the monster arrives, it is just a small little thing. While James, Henry, and Ed are busy conjuring and then battling monsters, the rest of their Minion clan find their next Big Boss, a robot alien named Dort (Jesse Eisenburg) who is determined to destroy Earth.  In a funny twist, Dort surprises the Minions by putting off Earth domination so that he can go on dates with a human girl instead.  Best of all, this movie has some really good animation that is very nice to look at and kept me invested. 

The film’s message is that you do not have to be the same as everyone else to be successful.

Minions & Monsters gets 4 out of 5 stars from me and I recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults.  It releases in theaters on July 1, 2026.