Leimert Park is a neighborhood in southwestern Los Angeles, California. It is bounded by Crenshaw on the west, View Park on the south, Vermont Square on the east, and Jefferson Park on the north. The district's major north-south thoroughfare is Crenshaw Boulevard, along its western boundary, and the major east-west streets are Martin Luther King, Jr. (formerly Santa Barbara) Boulevard and Vernon Avenue. Leimert Boulevard bisects the neighborhood from northeast to southwest. Leimert Park is considered the center of the African-American arts scene in Los Angeles, with flourishing blues and jazz clubs, as well as numerous venues for dramatic performances and poetry readings. The park at the district's center, adjoined by shops and a theater, is a popular place for performances and gatherings.