SoFi Stadium to make public debut with charity concert May 2

L.A. DIGEST

Wave Wire Services

INGLEWOOD — After a season of hosting NFL games with empty seats, SoFi Stadium will finally make a major public debut this weekend, hosting thousands of fully vaccinated spectators for a charity concert aimed at boosting confidence in COVID-19 vaccines and raising funds for vaccination efforts worldwide.

VAX LIVE: The Concert to Reunite the World, sponsored by relief organization Global Citizen, will be the first major event with spectators at the $5 billion stadium. The concert will be held at SoFi Stadium at 6 p.m. May 2, but it will be taped and shown on multiple platforms May 8 as part of a worldwide fundraising event.

Selena Gomez will host the concert, which will include performances by Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Vedder, Foo Fighters, J Balvin and H.E.R. Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, will serve as co-chairs for the Global Citizen fundraising campaign aimed at providing COVID vaccines in poverty-ravaged countries.

According to organizers, the concert will be held in front of an audience of “fully vaccinated frontline health care and essential workers.”

President Joe Biden and his wife and Vice President Kamala Harris will also appear on the broadcast, “to increase public confidence in COVID-19 vaccines while reinforcing basic prevention measures, such as mask wearing and social distancing.”

37 L.A. libraries

to reopen May 3

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Public Library will begin a phased reopening of the Central Library and 37 other branches for in-person services on May 3.

The L.A. Public Library system will open with limited in-person services at the downtown flagship location and 37 out of its 73 total branches, which may include quick browsing, computer access, mobile printing orders, checking out library materials and the “Library To Go” contactless pickup
service.

This is the second phase of the library’s reopening plan to gradually restore service after all branches closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are excited to be starting this new chapter on May 3, and we know Angelenos have missed us as much as we have missed them,” said City Librarian John F. Szabo. “We look forward to seeing our patrons return, and we’re committed to offering everyone a safe and welcoming experience.”

To learn more about the reopening and see which 37 branches are participating, go to www.lapl.org/reopening.

South L.A. to add

250 shade trees

SOUTH LOS ANGELES — The city Department of Public Works has announced that its Bureau of Streets Services was awarded a $713,804 grant from the California Natural Resources Agency to plant 250 shade trees in the Broadway-Manchester area of South Los Angeles.

The grant was provided for the Broadway-Manchester Active Transportation Equity Project, which has already received a $24.9 million grant through the state’s Active Transportation Program. The 2.8-mile project area consists of underutilized medians on Manchester Avenue from Vermont Avenue to Broadway and on Broadway from Manchester Avenue to Imperial Highway, according to the bureau, also known as StreetsLA.

During the project, which is currently in the design phase, the area’s medians will be made into pedestrian paths featuring cultural and recreational amenities, and trees will be planted to provide shade, improve the quality of water and air and help reduce the urban island effect, which creates higher temperatures in the area.

“Restoring the South L.A. Tree canopy is key to addressing longstanding health issues in our community,” said Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson, who represents the area.

L.A. Digest is designed to help promote events, activities and initiatives that are serving the interests of residents in L.A. To submit an item, send emails to newsroom@wavepublication.com.