Growing up as a young musician in Venezuela learning under his maestro José Antonio Abreú at El Sistema, Gustavo Dudamel realized early in his career the importance of using music to advance social and humanitarian issues.

Dudamel, who made his debut with the LA Phil at the Hollywood Bowl in 2005 and five years later was also named music and artistic director, is bringing everything he learned from his maestro about music as an element of social change and the importance of inclusion to the Power to the People! festival, which kicked off Thursday and runs through April 11.

The fest, which celebrates the role artists play in activism, will feature concerts with musicians of every genre, including artists like Residente and Patti Smith, workshops and other activities that will take place at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and venues across the city. See the events calendar here.

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