World Stage Performance Gallery

This place is the penultimate for LA Jazz music scene. Wednesday night poetry & spoken word, Thursday night Muscians jam session, Friday night concerts, Workshops & Special events on Saturdays, and Sunday night Vocal jam session. (there's also a in house jazz cat, for all you animal lovers 🐈). Visit the website for more info...

I actually remember working with Kamau Daaood @ Wm Grant Still Arts Center in '92-I was doing pre-production work w/the L.A. African Marketplace & Cultural Faire. Kamou shared w/me he was getting ready to open the World Stage w/Billy Higgins. Fast forward, last Friday, 4/18/2025 was my first visit, though I have friends who've performed there and those who've actively supported as audience. Thirty plus years, World Stage is a gem in the community; as well as a premiere location for quality arts and culture. This is a wonderful story to tell!💫😊

If you want to feel rejuvenated, Go see GEORGIA ANNE MULDROW live!!! She is a musical virtuoso whose unparalleled talent is unmatched! She can do it all. God blessed us by sharing her gift to us all. Also, support the other talented musicians at "The World Stage." Don't cheat ya'self. Treat yourself

The World Stage is a cultural icon of the African American literary community. Creativity dwells within the walls of The World Stage. The range of talent that graces the stage ranges from live jazz to spoken word. The Anasi Writers workshop a weekly feature of the World Stage helps to nurture the written and spoken word of seasoned poets and newbies alike. The World Stage is simply the best.

Historic, Iconic, Poetic, Musical. Multi Generational. Still going strong. One of the few remaining true cultural sanctuaries for the arts and literature of then and now. A world renoun beacon of strength. A communal hub for artists, activists, entrepreneurs and social engineers. It is the One and Only: World Stage. Where Words and music is being composed weekly. Peace.

It's a nostalgic jazz spot where all are welcome to play your instrument or if you have a voice and you love music. Thursday &Sundays are jazz nites.

A very special place in the Los Angeles Area poetry community. Focus is on the Black experience, but all poets are welcome.

Culture and history is respected and celebrated throughout this gallery. Art, Music and friends gather here.

Had a very nice time this evening with my grandchildren at this venue for a tribute to EDDIE HARRIS! Everyone was so welcoming and wonderful! The venue itself was cozy and the sound was great. Admission is a cash only transaction so remember to bring cash. This is a gem who survives off of donations and ticket sells so if you're able use their website and make a donation!

Top notch musical talent performing for the pleasure of it. Appreciative audience. Tough neighborhood. Cool LA.

What can I say? I grew up in this place and so long as it is filled with rhythm and poetry and melody this will always be a home to me.

Beautiful, beautiful intentions with this space. The space was an intimate, with a lot of room for creatives to pour themselves into, when I went for a book of poetry release the music hit, the poets were phenomenal, the people in the space were friendly, warm, welcoming, and you can see they are all passionate about what they do. This institution is a gem for black, brown, and all poc creatives in Leimert park. Support support support!! Keep this place alive and well.

Sloppy setup, no communication, save your time and your energy. I called and its was the usual (hum drum). Follow their instructions sent a text message and never got a response back. I was seeking to rent their venue for a performing arts event and was speaking with the person who runs this.

Went to the Thursday night Jazz Jam Session for the first time last night, and it was simply the coolest. I was so far into my jazz element I could have stayed there and listened to the musicians play well into the morning. Just great jazz, nothing more, and nothing else needed. I'm so glad I finally checked it out, because I'm definitely going to be a regular. It was such a great escape with amazing talent. Everyone needs to check out the jam sessions. 054/100

Always a good time with great people. I've been coming here for years for poetry and music and I always recommend it.

Brass tacks: Go for it. If you are a Jazz lover: Go for it. If you are an aficionado who would rather rub shoulders with a mostly black audience of die-hard fans, rather than tech bros from Silicone Beach: Go for it. Great acts. Unpretentious. You meet all types--old and young, black and asian, westside and eastside, rich and poor. I suddenly was reminded by a documentary on LA's Jazz Scene--a documentary on KCET that focused on The Blue Whale in Little Tokyo--that I still have not written a review about The World Stage. The Blue Whale is a bit more upscale and attracts a little yuppie boho crowd. There's some of that at The World Stage. The difference: At The World Stage, the tech bros show up with their barely-hatched dates to show how "woke" they are...and then they're gone after the first half hour. So don't worry if seating seems tight: Brad & Grace are soon to be out-y. There's a real community vibe. Older women who are clearly volunteers greet you, very politely. They're often in shimmering gowns. And you can sense how much they care about the business. They'll offer you food and libations for a small donation. There's also some kind of more substantial fare offered by an independent vendor in the smoking patio. I really like sitting next to some of the oldtimers--some in their sixties and seventies. I'm not that young...am pushing fifty. But I'm at that stage in life when I identify with people who are their for true loves that are not instagrammable. These guys know what they're about. And you can tell they are really thinking about how to spend their entertainment dollars. The World Stage doesn't come super-cheap. And it's not a fancy venue...though it is in the heart of one of the great black neighborhoods--Leimert Park--and it's much cheaper than a few drinks at a yuppie bar with noisy muzak. I go here every few months. Wish there were more venues like this. And if you caught the KCET documentary, which focused entirely on the yuppie Blue Whale: This place is better. And you won't have to pay for parking!

Went to take my mom to see Barbara Morrison play Dinah Washington in "I wanna be loved". Loved the venue. Barbara is fantastic if you love jazz and blues. I had never been here before and I found out they have jazz o Thursday nights. I'll definitely be back to check it out!

The famous World Stage performance space is legendary. I attend Wednesday night's for the poetry workshop and open mic held weekly. Wise and well versed Elders give great critique and feedback on your work only helping make your work better. There are featured poets every week as well. Come get full for a mere $5 donation

Attended an afternoon of the live reggae music concert series and enjoyed it greatly! If you are a roots reggae lover or love old skool reggae from back in the day then try the concert series on Sundays 5-8pm. Ijahken & The Fari Soliders/ Kojo Lion were awesome and kept me vibing and smiling the entire performances. Venue is very cozy, laid back and always clean. Everyone is very laid back and I haven't experienced any issues here.

Love live music? This is the place. Friday night 9-12pm. Exceptional musicians. Incredible people. Fantastic music.

Leimert Park has deep roots in the African American/Black Community of LA, and if you haven't been there, you should check it out. I used to go here with some underground hip hop heads that would cruise out this way for Project Blowed's Thursday Open Mic a few spaces down, and would check out the Open Jazz Jam session here before it started. Throw down a few bucks for donation, and check out the different musicians that make this place a unique and soulful experience. They also have classes and community based programs that are worth checking out. Peace!

Great place to see live jazz! My son and I saw the Clayton Cameron Quartet in January 2018. Not a bad seat in the house. Small, intimate venue, run by very nice people. If you're in LA definitely worth checking out some of the music here and supporting this great establishment.

One of my favorite Jazz clubs in Los Angeles! You get a feeling of community here and that the artists are performing for their friends (even when they are from out of town). A warm atmosphere that invites you to enjoy the spontaneous brilliance of Jazz and Blues. I like to go to their concerts ($15 - $20) featuring some of the top Jazz cats in town. A Bobby West or Dwight Trible concert is an off the charts experience! I felt so welcome at one of their Tuesday night workshops (only $10) for singers even though I wasn't participating. So many of those attending are professionals but they were exceptionally supportive to the less seasoned singers who benefited from their experience. It was fascinating to watch and all singers are welcome. On Sundays they have a Jazz Jam lead by the inimitable pianist Rose Gales, with seasoned pros, younger musicians and vocalists taking the audience to rhythmic ecstasy. The Sunday Jam is $5 - the best deal in town!

The only place in LA that got jazz every week. This is like church for jazz lovers! Every Thursday live jazz.

This is my musical home...Every day there is great music, arts and culture happening at The World Stage...Jazz Jam Sessions with young and old alike, seasoned professionals and beginners bringing their axes, going in hard to continue the tradition that the great drummer, Billy Higgins started...celebrating and playing America's authentic art form, Jazz. There are Childrens drumming workshops on Monday; Vocal workshops on Tuesdays, Jam session with Rose Gales afterwards; Wednesdays: Anansi Writers Workshop (Readings, Open Mike, Support with publishing through World Stage Press); Thursdays: 7:30 pm Shine Mawusi Womens African Drumming Circle; 9 pm Jazz Jam Session with James Janisse; Friday and Saturday Nights Live Concerts 9pm, 10:30 pm; Saturday 11:00 am Jazz Ensemble (big band) and Sunday night Ladies of Jazz Jam Session 8 pm...Something for everyone...non profit organization, donations accepted, all are welcome, no one turned away, www.theworldstsge.org

I've had the opportunity to work with the wonderful people at The Stage and I enjoy spending the occasional week night here. There's always some soulful and unique artists visiting, either for poetry or jazz. The calendar on thier site is constantly up dated with their ongoing and new events. And with a small donation, you're helping to keep the arts alive in Leimert Park.

This is like a Los Angeles staple even more to the African American community. Great place to immerse yourself in history and awesome jazz. Great people with great spirits. Good stomping ground for music.

I stumbled upon this place on a Saturday night when I was heading to a rave a block away. The music is amazing, and the place has got soul... do check it out!

One of the premier spots for live jazz in Los Angeles. Founded by the late jazz musician Billy Higgins, the World Stage has been instrumental in the development of numerous, outstanding jazz musicians and performing artists for decades.

The energy here is transformative. It is a humble venue tended to by musicians, artists, singers and music lovers in Leimert Village in Los Angeles. It is the legacy of famed drummer Billy Higgins/ poet/writer Kamau Daaood and the great pianist/composer Horace Tapscott, world class musicians and artists in the line of the great jazz clubs of the Central Avenue era. Monuments to jazz come to play at this venue, always comfortable and laid back because they are more at home than at work. It is a no frills affair, you come as you are and they legends play here more for reverence than for money. The people are quietly eager and in sync with each other, kind of a like an unspoken and mutual agreement that the highest level of artistry will be experienced and it really is quite something how positive the atmosphere is. Parking and entering is in the back of the building. The vibe is super friendly, no egos here. I could name drop and then again I could just tell you to look at who is at the tip top of the jazz genre and that is who you will find here. A non-profit organization that accepts donations but the experience you get here is powerful. You leave fulfilled. If you love music this is your place, if you love poetry this is your place, if you want to hang at a real authentic jam session during the week or on Sunday night, this is your place...you can also take the singing workshop led by the legendary Howlett Smith and the African drums class on Thursdays led by the masterful Rene Fisher Mims. There are some great venues in L.A. for jazz for certain. But if you want the real experience how it should be felt, the expression here at this venue is uniquely one of a kind. It would be a disservice to yourself to neglect going.