L.A.'s Accomplished Street Performers and Talented Emerging Artists Take Center Stage at '5 Towers' as Universal CityWalk Kicks Off Its Free Spring 'Music Spotlight Series' on Weekends, March 22 to April 20, 2013

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., March 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Universal CityWalk® sets the stage for Spring Break as the open air concert destination hosts the return of its popular "Music Spotlight Series" at "5 Towers," featuring an engaging mix of accomplished CityWalk Street Performers and talented emerging artists performing in a series of free concerts every Friday and Saturday night from March 22 to April 20, 2013.

The series gears up on Friday evenings with concerts from Universal CityWalk's prolific Street Performers – a selective group of eclectic artists performing regularly at the outdoor entertainment destination.  Featuring a talented array of pop vocalists, acoustic guitar singers and percussionists, CityWalk's coveted Street Performer program provides an intriguing platform for today's emerging artists to showcase their diverse skills to an audience of visitors from around the world. 

On the heels of her live television performance on NBC's "TODAY" show, rising pop star and veteran CityWalk Street Performer Chelsea Williams will kick off the series on March 22.  Performing with acoustic guitar in hand, Chelsea Williams has persevered in Tinseltown earning her stripes when she opened for Grammy® award winner Dwight Yoakam, appeared in Maroon 5's "Daylight" music video and sold over 100,000 copies of her self-produced CD.

The spring "Music Spotlight Series" will continue to resonate with a bevy of gifted Street Performers including the melodic sounds of 19 year-old Megan Arial on March 29, acoustic guitar singer Eddie Gomez on April 5, soulful singer Katie Boeck on April 12 and talented singer/songwriter Shani on April 19.

The Saturday line-up will shine the spotlight on emerging artists and break out stars hot off the sets of popular TV shows.  From Nickelodeon's "Victorious," multi-talented Leon Thomas III will headline at "5 Towers" on March 30 alongside IM5, a boy band backed by "American Idol" creator, Simon Fuller.

Other spring "Music Spotlight Series" rising stars will include pop rock trio Artist vs Poets featuring Joe Kirkland from "The Voice" performing on March 23; "American Idol" season nine winner Lee DeWyze, whose smooth sounds effortlessly blends pop, rock and folk, will be joined by singer, bassist and guitarist Keaton Simons on April 6.  Pop crooner Thomas Fiss will perform live on April 13 and April 20, Cody Longo of Teen Nick and Nick at Nite's "Hollywood Heights" will perform hits from his EP "Take You Home" along with pop vocalist Jackson Harris.  Performances on both nights begin at 7:00 p.m.

More information on the Spring "Music Spotlight Series" including a full performance schedule is available at www.CityWalkHollywood.com. Regular updates can also be found on CityWalk's Twitter @CityWalkLA, Facebook-Universal CityWalk Hollywood and on CityWalk's Instagram @CityWalkLA.

Universal CityWalk is Southern California's dynamic entertainment, dining and shopping destination that reflects the area's rich cultural diversity. The iconic open-air leisure and nightlife complex provides "Always Unexpected" entertainment options and has served as a prototype for similar destinations.  Universal CityWalk includes the dynamic high-tech concert venue, "5 Towers," provides L.A.'s best movie-going experience at the AMC Universal CityWalk cinemas and offers such unique venues as the "Jon Lovitz Comedy Club," the "Infusion Lounge," iFly indoor skydiving and mechanical bull-riding at "Saddle Ranch Chop House."

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour; the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the AMC Universal CityWalk cinemas, the "5 Towers" state-of-the-art outdoor concert venue, and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event arena.  World-class rides and attractions include the intense, award-winning ride, "King Kong 360 3-D" on the famed behind-the-scenes Studio Tour, "The Simpsons Ride^TM," "Revenge of the Mummy^SM—The Ride" indoor roller coaster and "Jurassic Park® —The Ride," as well as the critically acclaimed, award-winning mega-attraction, "Transformers™: The Ride—3D."

SOURCE Universal Studios Hollywood