[1] Since 2014, Occidental College's Institute for the Study of Los Angeles has partnered with the Lummis Day Community Foundation to support cultural programming.
Lummis Day is named for Charles Fletcher Lummis—author, adventurer, early advocate of multiculturalism, and founder of the Southwest Museum.
He settled into Northeast Los Angeles in 1895 and built a home out Arroyo Seco river rock on the borders of the Highland Park and Montecito Heights communities.
Since 2006, the Lummis Day program has grown in size and stature and now includes an educational program for Los Angeles teachers,[4] a series of poetry readings and workshops that are held in public library branches throughout the area,[5] and annual same-day events at three separate locations: a poetry reading and music recital at Lummis Home; a festival of music and dance performances at Sycamore Grove Park;[6] and an annual art exhibition held at the Autry National Center's Casa de Adobe.
The first event, on Sunday, June 4, 2006, featured East L.A. rock band Quinto Sol, musician Severin Browne, Ann Likes Red, Cuban-born musician Juan Carlos Formell, Danza Azteca Cuahtlehuanitl, the Tongva-Gabrielino Native American Dancers, Pilipino folk ensemble Panama Rondalla and poets B. H. Fairchild, William Archila and Suzanne Lummis.
In 2007, Lummis Day performers included Quetzal, Ollin, the Evangenitals, the Greger Walnum Blues Band, the Susie Hansen Latin Band, Likas Pilipinas Folk Arts, Ballet Coco Folklorico, Rene and His Marionettes, poets Lynne Thompson, Charles Harper Webb, Steve Abee and cellist Kevin Buck.
[10] Other performers included the celebrated comedy ensemble Culture Clash, Latina fusion rocker Cava, the Chapin Sisters, the Mariachi Divas de Cindy Shea, Artichoke, Ann Likes Red with guest star L.A. City Council President Eric Garcetti, poets Steve Kowit, liz gonzalez, Cathie Sandstrom and guitarist Carlos Guitarlos, the “I Tell Stories” troupe of actors and storytellers, the Cypress Park Folkloric dancers, Ballet Coco and the Puppets and Players Little Theatre.
Los Angeles rock heroes Ollin, folk legend Jim Kweskin with the Crockett Sisters and gospel belters Little Faith led a lineup of music, dance and poetry representing a rainbow of cultural traditions.
The Festival's art exhibit continued at Lummis Home until 5pm while performances—music, dance, puppet theatre—as well as community and family activities shifted to nearby Heritage Square Museum, beginning at noon.
In addition to Ollin, Kweskin and Little Faith, musical performers at Heritage Square Museum included Tall Men Group (featuring Lummis Day veteran Severin Browne) KoTolan, Many Distant Cities, The Fly By Night Jazz Band featuring Greg Walnum, The Old Round, The Plaza de la Raza Youth Mariachi Ensemble, El Profe, Sueño Eterno, Brian & Nick, The Volcano Police, Pio Pico Middle School Stage Band and Genesee Hall.
The Festival's morning poetry event remains anchored at Lummis Home, aka El Alisal, 200 East Avenue 43, Los Angeles.