AUGUST 8, 2026 6 - 10 PM
JESSICA FICHOT
Accompanied by her accordion, toy piano, and fiery band, Los Angeles-based chanteuse and songwriter Jessica Fichot draws from her multi-ethnic French, Chinese, and American heritage to create an intoxicating multilingual mix of French chanson, Shanghai jazz, gypsy swing, and international folk — sung in French, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and English.
Fichot has three critically acclaimed albums that have taken her across the U.S. and to international stages in France, China, Spain, Canada, Singapore, and Mexico. Returning to the Levitt Pasadena stage where she performed some of her earliest shows over a decade ago, she brings her lively original music, call-and-response songs, international classics, and a few new songs from her forthcoming album L'échappée Belle.
MELO GÍA
Melo Gía, born Patricia Lewis, is a Puerto Rican and African-American artist whose poetic lyricism weaves stories of love, loss, romance, displacement, and identity. Inspired by her journey as a climate refugee after Hurricane María, her music represents the triumphs and struggles of the modern diaspora, utilizing both English and Spanish to invite the audience to dance through her memories. The music itself lives in a beautiful and unique in-between, fusing the sounds of Puerto-Rican Folklore with Jazz, Rnb, and Soul, all
the while maintaining the spirit of Puerto Rico’s songwriting tradition of “Bohemia”. Through her vocal prowess, sensitive songwriting, and dynamic musical world, Melo Gía paints a canvas with the full spectrum of her influences—cultural, musical, and personal—ushering in a new era of multi-cultural artistry.
Apart from her career as an artist, Melo Gía has collaborated and performed with major artists in the Latin music industry, including Bad Bunny, Karol G, Gloria Trevi, Pedro Capó, Cristian Castro, Amanda Miguel, and Danny Rivera, among others
ARA DABANDJIAN
Ara Dabandjian is an award-winning composer, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and founder of the Los Angeles-based ensemble Element Band. Renowned for his distinctive musical voice, Dabandjian creates works that bridge Armenian musical traditions with contemporary global influences, weaving together Mediterranean melodies, folk idioms, jazz, world music, and modern compositional techniques into a sound that is both deeply rooted and unmistakably original.
Over a career spanning more than two decades, Dabandjian has established himself as a leading figure in the preservation and evolution of Armenian music. His compositions and arrangements draw inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of the Armenian Highlands while embracing a broad spectrum of musical traditions from around the world. The result is a vibrant and expressive body of work that transcends borders and speaks to audiences across generations and cultures.
As the founder, composer, and artistic director of Element Band, Dabandjian has led the ensemble in developing a unique folk-fusion repertoire celebrated for its energy, virtuosity, and emotional depth. Under his direction, the group has become known for transforming traditional material into dynamic contemporary performances while also presenting original compositions
that expand the possibilities of Armenian-inspired music.
Beyond the concert stage, Dabandjian's work has been featured in theater, film, and interdisciplinary productions. His music has appeared in productions by Tim Robbins' The Actors' Gang and in the acclaimed play Red Dog Howls by Alexander Dinelaris. His achievements have also been recognized by the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest.
A versatile performer, Dabandjian is equally at home as a composer, arranger, and instrumentalist, bringing a deep understanding of both traditional and contemporary musical languages to every project. Whether writing for ensemble, theater or film, his work reflects a lifelong commitment to artistic excellence, cultural storytelling, and musical innovation.
Through his compositions and performances, Ara Dabandjian continues to build bridges between past and present, tradition and innovation, creating music that honors heritage while charting new creative paths for future generations