Black Entertainment Television truly went all out this year with the 2013 BET Experience. Three long days of performances from your favorite artists and comedians, the 2013 BET Awards and the BET Fan Fest, a free event to the public with performances, basketball games, celebrity meet and greets and much more.

On Friday night, I got to see one of my all-time favorite artists, Erykah Badu, perform (see more at http://www.livin2live.com/2013/07/21/erykah-badu/).

On Saturday, I came back out to check out the free Fan Fest. I’d received emails that registration was recommended so, hoping that it would expedite the process, I pre-registered. Someone really thought through the entry process because there were a lot of steps to ensure crowd control. Took a bit to get in, but I guess I understand why they did what they did.

We showed up in time to see Marsha Ambrosius perform which was a treat because I wasn’t familiar with any of the other performers scheduled for Sat. After Marsha’s concert, we walked a bit. Took pics with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Entered for free tickets from 92.3. Tried to see the celebrity basketball game (too packed). Explored the Taste of Soul, a big food festival in LA (the actual event is in October but they had a little sample for the BET Experience).

Considering it was almost 100 degrees, I think we may have experienced all we were going to experience in about 1.5h. I was done! Roasted like a rotisserie chicken!

Pros: Free; Community and family-friendly event;

Cons: Registration was a good walk from entrance and if you didn’t know you had to go there, it was a lot of unnecessary walking!

L.A. LIVE, Downtown, June 2013