May 28, 2026 • 8 mins
LACHSApalooza is bringing music, theater, dance, and celebrity alumni to the Greek Theatre for a massive 40th anniversary celebration benefiting the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. KFI's Heather Brooker spoke with LACHSA Foundation Executive Director Trena Pitchford to take listeners inside the star-studded festival featuring Anthony Anderson, Fitz and The Tantrums, D Smoke, Ozomatli, and more. The event also spotlights the students and teachers shaping the future of Los Angeles arts and entertainment.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to entertain Me show, where we cover all things
entertainment from Sokaal to the silver screen. So there's a
really cool event that's coming up in Hollywood. Some of
Hollywoods biggest stars got their start at one extraordinary public
arts school right here in La the La County High
School for the Arts. It's better known as Loxa. It's
celebrating its fortieth anniversary with a massive music and arts
(00:24):
festival at the Greek Theater coming up. I'll make thirtieth.
The school has produced big stars like Josh Grobin, Phoebe Bridgers,
and Anthony Anderson and Aryn Killham. They've all went to
Loxa and now they're raising money to support the next
generation of artists. And it's all called Loxa Palooza. Joining
(00:44):
me now is Trina Pitchford, executive director of the Loza Foundation,
to talk about Loxa Poloosa.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Hi, Trina, Hie, thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Sure, Okay, this sounds like just the name alone sounds
like a lot of fun. What is Loxa polous.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Oh my gosh, it is going to be so much fun.
Loxapalooza is a charitable fundraising festival that we're having at
the Greek Theater celebrating the fortieth anniversary of LOXA, the
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Now, LOXA has produced some incredible talent over the years.
This school is just one of a kind. We're talking
about Josh Grobin and haim To haim To, Anthony Anderson
and Phoebe Bridgers. What is it about this school that
helps young artists thrive?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Sure? Well, forty years ago, our visionaries knew that Los
Angeles County deserved a public high school for the arts.
So it's free for any student artist that comes, and
purposely planned to make sure that every student thirteen to
eighteen that wants to attend high school and is so
(01:56):
passionate about the arts can go to a traditional high
schoo with a concentrated, elevated, conservatory level art training.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
It honestly sounds like a school where I think so
many kids can really find out who they are as
artists and creatives. Like it's not just about you know,
drawing and physical art, it's about performing and you know,
it's it just sounds like such a great program, and
Locks of Palouza in particular sounds like part concert, part celebration,
(02:26):
a little bit of fundraising in there. What can people
expect when they walk into the Greek Theater for the event.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Oh my gosh, it is all of those things. Blacksa
have five different arts disciplines, so yes, artists from all
from cinematic arts, visual arts, dance, theater, all of that
is a part of who Laksa is and so we
had to celebrate at that level for the fortieth anniversary
at the Greek. So guests are in for an incredible evening.
(02:55):
It's like six hours of entertainment. It starts with five
to six thirty. There's active in the plaza at the Greek,
there's visual artists that are out there. We have so
much going on merch of course, and then at six
thirty the main stage production happens for four hours and
we've got Anthony Anderson fits in the Tancer Tantrums, Ozo
(03:16):
Motley is going to be our headline band. Robert Vargas
is going to be painting live on stage, who's amazing,
and then so many other artists from jazz and classical music,
Gerald Clayton, Gretchen Parlato, John Bee back from the nineties,
you know, how big John Bee, He's still smooth. We
(03:37):
have so much fun happening. We just need an audience,
and we invite everybody to come to get start as
low as twenty bucks.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Now, the kids, they get to sort of perform and
share their talents alongside these major alumni and stars, and
is that right? They get to share the stage together.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Absolutely. We have over sixty student artists on throughout the
whole evening, whether they're entertaining our VIPs and our sponsors
in our private lounges or on the main stage. We
have our strings ensemble from the LASA Orchestra, We have
our gospel choirs on stage. We have some students in
(04:16):
the incredible musical theater program at LOXA that are also
on stage. And to be honest with you, our alumni.
All of these talents are are LASA alum and they're
jammin on stage together too.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
So I understand the foundation is trying to raise two
and a half million dollars to support future students and
future endeavors. What kinds of opportunities and resources does that
funding actually provide for these artists.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Half of the funding for the arts education programs at
LAZA is funded by the state of California. It's a
public high school, so it gets money from the state.
The other half is incumbent upon the LASA Foundation donors Leko,
who's the overriding governance for LASA, to make sure that
these students have all the arts supplies, equipment, materials to
(05:05):
offer this conservatory level training that produces artists that we've
talked about and other just general really amazing creative professionals
in the world. So all of the funding that the
foundation raises laxas are only grantee. It's the only thing
that we care about. So it funds anything from like
(05:27):
ceramics and materials and visual arts, to camera equipment in
cinematic arts, dance shoes for some of the ballet dancers
that can't afford point shoes, you know, costumes, props. There's
an amazing design and production program at LOASA. It covers
all of those things and more.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
So, you know, I can't help but wonder, like at
a time when you know a lot of arts programs
are often the first thing that get cut from school budgets,
why is supporting the arts and arts education, you know,
really just more important than ever.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Now you're getting to the heart of the whole thing.
It is critically important public education sutting in the state
of California has been desperate since you know, it's been
low for fifty years. The arts are a way not
only to express yourselves and not only entertainment, but it
also helps us to be better humans in the world.
(06:21):
Has empathy and for the artists that come out of Laxa,
they really know their authentic self. They're fearless, they're raw.
They represent Los Angeles County and it's huge mecca of
culture and arts that's here, and it's critically important that they,
I mean, the ROI is there. The students that LASA
go on to change the world, they're all over the globe.
(06:44):
And so it's really important for us now in its
fortieth anniversary year, to take responsibility for Loxa and to
make sure that this particular high school that is covering
all of La County has all of the resources and
the things that it needs in order to teach the children.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
All right, Remind everybody again, because this sounds like so
much fun for such a good cause. Remind everybody again
when the event is, when Locks of Pelousa is happening,
where and where they can get tickets.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Sure, thank you so much. So Losa Palooza is live Saturday,
May thirtieth at the Greek Theater, the most iconic theater.
I mean, come on, and people can buy tickets at
the Greek Theater's box office with no fees, or they
can find it on the Greek's website, or they can
(07:34):
come to the Losa Foundation website at Losafoundation dot org
forward slash los of Palooza.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
That's right. And can they make a donation without going
to the event? Can they support the foundation without going.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yes, yes, yes, yes. We need to raise two point
five million and we would absolutely love to attract any
investor that wants to invest in this public high school
for the arts. It is. It is a guarantee, all.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Right, Rick Caruso, we're looking at you, our resident local billionaire.
Make a big donation here. There you go. That's right, well, Trina,
thank you so much. I wish you guys the best
of luck. I think it's going to be a fantastic show,
and everybody check it out if you get a chance.
So thank you so much, Trina, Thank you. It sounds
like it's going to be such a fun event. I
hope you can make it out, and if you do,
(08:19):
make sure you let me know. Follow me on social
media at the Heather Brooker and I want to hear
from you. Don't forget to subscribe to entertain me and
share it with friends. This is entertain Me. You can
listen anywhere, anytime on the iHeartRadio
Welcome to entertain Me show, where we cover all things
entertainment from Sokaal to the silver screen. So there's a
really cool event that's coming up in Hollywood. Some of
Hollywoods biggest stars got their start at one extraordinary public
arts school right here in La the La County High
School for the Arts. It's better known as Loxa. It's
celebrating its fortieth anniversary with a massive music and arts
(00:24):
festival at the Greek Theater coming up. I'll make thirtieth.
The school has produced big stars like Josh Grobin, Phoebe Bridgers,
and Anthony Anderson and Aryn Killham. They've all went to
Loxa and now they're raising money to support the next
generation of artists. And it's all called Loxa Palooza. Joining
(00:44):
me now is Trina Pitchford, executive director of the Loza Foundation,
to talk about Loxa Poloosa.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Hi, Trina, Hie, thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (00:53):
Sure, Okay, this sounds like just the name alone sounds
like a lot of fun. What is Loxa polous.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Oh my gosh, it is going to be so much fun.
Loxapalooza is a charitable fundraising festival that we're having at
the Greek Theater celebrating the fortieth anniversary of LOXA, the
Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.
Speaker 1 (01:16):
Now, LOXA has produced some incredible talent over the years.
This school is just one of a kind. We're talking
about Josh Grobin and haim To haim To, Anthony Anderson
and Phoebe Bridgers. What is it about this school that
helps young artists thrive?
Speaker 2 (01:35):
Sure? Well, forty years ago, our visionaries knew that Los
Angeles County deserved a public high school for the arts.
So it's free for any student artist that comes, and
purposely planned to make sure that every student thirteen to
eighteen that wants to attend high school and is so
(01:56):
passionate about the arts can go to a traditional high
schoo with a concentrated, elevated, conservatory level art training.
Speaker 1 (02:05):
It honestly sounds like a school where I think so
many kids can really find out who they are as
artists and creatives. Like it's not just about you know,
drawing and physical art, it's about performing and you know,
it's it just sounds like such a great program, and
Locks of Palouza in particular sounds like part concert, part celebration,
(02:26):
a little bit of fundraising in there. What can people
expect when they walk into the Greek Theater for the event.
Speaker 2 (02:32):
Oh my gosh, it is all of those things. Blacksa
have five different arts disciplines, so yes, artists from all
from cinematic arts, visual arts, dance, theater, all of that
is a part of who Laksa is and so we
had to celebrate at that level for the fortieth anniversary
at the Greek. So guests are in for an incredible evening.
(02:55):
It's like six hours of entertainment. It starts with five
to six thirty. There's active in the plaza at the Greek,
there's visual artists that are out there. We have so
much going on merch of course, and then at six
thirty the main stage production happens for four hours and
we've got Anthony Anderson fits in the Tancer Tantrums, Ozo
(03:16):
Motley is going to be our headline band. Robert Vargas
is going to be painting live on stage, who's amazing,
and then so many other artists from jazz and classical music,
Gerald Clayton, Gretchen Parlato, John Bee back from the nineties,
you know, how big John Bee, He's still smooth. We
(03:37):
have so much fun happening. We just need an audience,
and we invite everybody to come to get start as
low as twenty bucks.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Now, the kids, they get to sort of perform and
share their talents alongside these major alumni and stars, and
is that right? They get to share the stage together.
Speaker 2 (03:54):
Absolutely. We have over sixty student artists on throughout the
whole evening, whether they're entertaining our VIPs and our sponsors
in our private lounges or on the main stage. We
have our strings ensemble from the LASA Orchestra, We have
our gospel choirs on stage. We have some students in
(04:16):
the incredible musical theater program at LOXA that are also
on stage. And to be honest with you, our alumni.
All of these talents are are LASA alum and they're
jammin on stage together too.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
So I understand the foundation is trying to raise two
and a half million dollars to support future students and
future endeavors. What kinds of opportunities and resources does that
funding actually provide for these artists.
Speaker 2 (04:43):
Half of the funding for the arts education programs at
LAZA is funded by the state of California. It's a
public high school, so it gets money from the state.
The other half is incumbent upon the LASA Foundation donors Leko,
who's the overriding governance for LASA, to make sure that
these students have all the arts supplies, equipment, materials to
(05:05):
offer this conservatory level training that produces artists that we've
talked about and other just general really amazing creative professionals
in the world. So all of the funding that the
foundation raises laxas are only grantee. It's the only thing
that we care about. So it funds anything from like
(05:27):
ceramics and materials and visual arts, to camera equipment in
cinematic arts, dance shoes for some of the ballet dancers
that can't afford point shoes, you know, costumes, props. There's
an amazing design and production program at LOASA. It covers
all of those things and more.
Speaker 1 (05:44):
So, you know, I can't help but wonder, like at
a time when you know a lot of arts programs
are often the first thing that get cut from school budgets,
why is supporting the arts and arts education, you know,
really just more important than ever.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Now you're getting to the heart of the whole thing.
It is critically important public education sutting in the state
of California has been desperate since you know, it's been
low for fifty years. The arts are a way not
only to express yourselves and not only entertainment, but it
also helps us to be better humans in the world.
(06:21):
Has empathy and for the artists that come out of Laxa,
they really know their authentic self. They're fearless, they're raw.
They represent Los Angeles County and it's huge mecca of
culture and arts that's here, and it's critically important that they,
I mean, the ROI is there. The students that LASA
go on to change the world, they're all over the globe.
(06:44):
And so it's really important for us now in its
fortieth anniversary year, to take responsibility for Loxa and to
make sure that this particular high school that is covering
all of La County has all of the resources and
the things that it needs in order to teach the children.
Speaker 1 (07:01):
All right, Remind everybody again, because this sounds like so
much fun for such a good cause. Remind everybody again
when the event is, when Locks of Pelousa is happening,
where and where they can get tickets.
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Sure, thank you so much. So Losa Palooza is live Saturday,
May thirtieth at the Greek Theater, the most iconic theater.
I mean, come on, and people can buy tickets at
the Greek Theater's box office with no fees, or they
can find it on the Greek's website, or they can
(07:34):
come to the Losa Foundation website at Losafoundation dot org
forward slash los of Palooza.
Speaker 1 (07:41):
That's right. And can they make a donation without going
to the event? Can they support the foundation without going.
Speaker 2 (07:46):
Yes, yes, yes, yes. We need to raise two point
five million and we would absolutely love to attract any
investor that wants to invest in this public high school
for the arts. It is. It is a guarantee, all.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
Right, Rick Caruso, we're looking at you, our resident local billionaire.
Make a big donation here. There you go. That's right, well, Trina,
thank you so much. I wish you guys the best
of luck. I think it's going to be a fantastic show,
and everybody check it out if you get a chance.
So thank you so much, Trina, Thank you. It sounds
like it's going to be such a fun event. I
hope you can make it out, and if you do,
(08:19):
make sure you let me know. Follow me on social
media at the Heather Brooker and I want to hear
from you. Don't forget to subscribe to entertain me and
share it with friends. This is entertain Me. You can
listen anywhere, anytime on the iHeartRadio
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