Last year, the BET Experience which culminates with the BET Award Ceremonies, spanned over 7 city blocks with a slew of outdoor open-air events on the grounds of the LA Convention Center…
Last year, the annual event, (which is predominately African American), offered wide views of outdoor food stations, celebrities, a swimming pool/disco pop up, off road vehicle obstacle course, basketball tournaments, and over the top stages for crowds that spread from Olympic to Venice Blvd along the Figueroa Corridor.
This year, somehow miraculously, the event managed to fit most of it all inside the LA Convention Center.
LA Convention Centers New Ethnic Rim
The LA Convention Center, which unveiled the largest public art and civic project in the county by Portraits of Hope, a seemingly ethnic pattern of Afrocentric colors and odd like shapes, did stand out as a testament to the diversity that paints our world so wonderfully and hosted the BETX FREE FAN BASED event. Well, $.99 per wrist band for those who downloaded the BET Experience App, which also gave play by play details and pertinent information everyday.
Presented by Coca Cola, this year’s event, titled BETX Fan Fest, was held inside where separate stage music often collided as did the steady stream of moving attendees captivated by a curated line up of live performances and talks from the most relevant, upcoming and well-known entertainers that make up the BET universe.
Others would stand in wait for a chance to view exhibits like the Trap Music Museum, or join interactive displays from Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, LA Rams, TV show Red Table Talk, Adidas or to check out the latest models on the runway or those on display from Nissan. McDonalds too did return with lines inside of lines for free menu items located inside DTLA’s most massive event hall.
A Stadium Pop Up
The All Star Celebrity Basketball Game with teams led by Miles Brown, Black-ish, and singer/songwriter Eric Bellinger kept up a steady cheer from the crowd with $50,000 in prizes going to the winner’s favorite charity. Bellinger was spotted by the Downtown Weekly Street Crew a few weekends ago at District 7 where he was hosting his video release party.
District 7 is one of DTLAs only Black Owned R&B venues, hosing a slew of hyped up events from cocktail hours to brunches at their new location on 7th and Grand.
Say it Louder for the Food Trucks In The Back
Food trucks Chunk and Chimp and Wings and Waffles among others were also kept out of sight as well as did mini stages for radio stations 92.3FM that gave away free prizes and concert tickets for upcoming events.
But, Guess Who Wouldn’t Keep Out of Sight?
If you guessed the Black Nation of Hebrew Israelites, you are correct! DTLA’s own wildin’ out bunch of outspoken, amplified bible toters couldn’t miss a chance to share the bible’s Old Testament’s prophesies of the lost tribes of Israel, which mainly consist of doing away with all the worldly madness and hedonistic ways of the day’s events and joining them in practicing the Holy Covenant in order to facilitate the wrath of the Almighty God of Abraham and set the world to rights.
Despite their efforts, most of the DT is feeling the rhythm and looking forward to the BET Award Ceremonies being held Sunday, June 23rd at the Microsoft Theater.
For more information visit: www.betexperience.com
