# Event Details - **Event Name**: To Be Free: The Revolutionary Music of Nina Simone - **Event Start and End Date**: Mon, 26 Jan, 2026 at 07:30 pm – Mon, 26 Jan, 2026 at 10:00 pm - **Event Description**: A two-night concert reimagining Simone's catalog—presented as part of USC Thornton’s "Nina Simone: Beyond Category" series.About this EventAdmissionAdmission is free. Help us continue to offer free events by making a tax-deductible donation at https://visionsandvoices.usc.edu/support.DescriptionPerformed by USC Thornton School of Music students, faculty, alumni, and special guests, this unique concert event, taking place over the course of two evenings, celebrates Nina Simone’s classical training and its profound influence on her expansive, genre-defying musical vision, her creative genius, and her lifelong pursuit of personal, artistic, and collective freedom.Simone’s singular musical voice unfolded through her original compositions and powerful re-imaginings of others’ work. Known for fusing styles as varied as blues, jazz, gospel, and classical—especially her early grounding in composers like Bach and Czerny—Simone created music that transcended genre in order to speak truth to power. Despite facing structural barriers and systemic limitations throughout her career, she courageously addressed civil and human rights struggles head-on, infused her art with a deep global consciousness, and offered searing reflections on the complexities of Black existence in America. Simone persisted in crafting a liberated artistic identity that has inspired generations and served as a wellspring.Co-curated and hosted by celebrated pianist , USC Thornton School of Music Dean , and , Oscar-nominated co-producer of What Happened, Miss Simone?, these concerts offer a powerful reimagining of Simone’s catalog—an offering in the spirit of her liberation, transformation, and artistic life lived “beyond category.” Simone simultaneously stands as an important artistic muse for Lara Downes’ national initiative, The Declaration Project, an invitation across the nation for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to reflect on core concepts of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence draws near on July 4, 2026.Click here to learn more.Related Events:Friday, January 23, 2026: How Nina Simone Changed the World Tuesday, January 27, 2026: To Be Free – The Revolutionary Music of Nina Simone (Night Two) Presented by USC Visions and Voices and the USC Thornton School of Music in collaboration with the Recording Academy Black Music Collective. - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/los-angeles/to-be-free-the-revolutionary-music-of-nina-simone/100001977929283732 - **Event Categories**: music, art, entertainment, concerts, workshops, live-music, nonprofit, jazz - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 0 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket Price Range**: min: 0, max: 0, currency: USD ## Event venue details - **city**: Los Angeles - **state**: CA - **country**: United States - **location**: Bovard Auditorium - **lat**: 34.0208333 - **long**: -118.2855556 - **full address**: Bovard Auditorium, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: To Be Free: The Revolutionary Music of Nina Simone - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events10/banners/85951193aa599cce6965aa037577eaab4b6114b166a18c7cd79b7f5ddad20a13-rimg-w1200-h600-dcf6f6f6-gmir.jpg?v=1766235169 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is To Be Free: The Revolutionary Music of Nina Simone being held? - **A:** To Be Free: The Revolutionary Music of Nina Simone takes place on Mon, 26 Jan, 2026 at 07:30 pm to Mon, 26 Jan, 2026 at 10:00 pm at Bovard Auditorium, 3551 Trousdale Parkway, Los Angeles, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing To Be Free: The Revolutionary Music of Nina Simone? - **A:** To Be Free: The Revolutionary Music of Nina Simone is organized by USC Visions and Voices. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** To Be Free: The Revolutionary Music of Nina Simone is ideal for learners, working professionals, and skill-builders looking to gain hands-on knowledge and practical expertise in a focused, interactive setting. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Los Angeles, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. 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