Tag Archives: Art Jazz Wine & Chocolate

Festival of Arts with Jazz, Wine & Chocolate!

Festival of Arts ice sculpture

Festival of Arts ice sculpture

I was invited to the Festival of Arts VIP Night on July 3. Hanging out in Laguna Beach in the summer is a wonderful pastime, but enjoying the artful festivities was even more of an incentive to make the 70-mile drive from San Diego the day before 4th of July. This event offered patrons the chance to preview (and purchase) the works of 140 of Orange County’s most renowned artists before it opens to the public on July 8. And, it gave me and other professional media early entrance into the show to interview artists and peruse their work. We were also included in the official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facade entrance before the doors opened to this highly acclaimed juried fine art show.

New facade entrance at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, California

New facade entrance at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, California

Teri Starkweather's Tea Party Posies watercolor (www.teristarkweather.com)

Teri Starkweather’s “Tea Party Posies” watercolor (www.teristarkweather.com)

"Transparent Memories" watercolor by Teri Starkweather

“Transparent Memories” watercolor by Teri Starkweather

The courtyard was packed with multi-generational art enthusiasts, most of which were dressed in white (Did I miss that memo?). The light canvas of the crowd helped highlight the beautiful exhibits displaying colorful paintings, glass creations, sculptures, mixed media, sparkling jewelry and other fine art that filled the perimeter. The smooth sounds of Blake Aaron’s band added to the coolness of the evening.

Molly Hutchings watercolors (www.mollyart.com)

Molly Hutchings watercolors (www.mollyart.com)

Molly Hutchings watercolors (www.mollyart.com)

Molly Hutchings watercolors (www.mollyart.com)

Molly Hutchings watercolors (www.mollyart.com)

Molly Hutchings watercolors (www.mollyart.com)

During the VIP-hour, staff from Colette’s Catering & Events served tray-passed appetizers such as chilled chicken spring rolls with honey-soy drizzle, ahi poke with wasabi in a cone, mini pita chips with fresh hummus, spring rice salad with grilled shrimp, English sweet pea crostini, mini fruit tarts, hand-made cannoli and other treats. The dinner service, which began at 7 p.m., included a grains & greens bar that featured lentils, brown rice and quinoa, as well as a build-your-own salad bowl with dozens of fresh ingredients. The slider station offered a choice of tri-tip with caramelized onions and garlic aioli, Kailua pulled-pork with hoisin Dijon barbecue sauce, and chicken Parmesan with marinara and mozzarella. For dessert, they served chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cookies, freshly baked onsite.

Art glass "Glassics" & jewelry by Sherry Salito-Forsen (www.glassicsart.com)

Art glass “Glassics” & jewelry by Sherry Salito-Forsen (www.glassicsart.com)

Sherry Salito-Forsen's glass art "Glassics"(www.glassicsart.com)

Sherry Salito-Forsen’s glass art “Glassics”(www.glassicsart.com)

Brian Giberson totem art (www.Indigolights.com)

Brian Giberson totem art (www.Indigolights.com)

Now in its 83rd year, this breathtaking showcase for artists and art lovers also offers demonstrations, art workshops, daily art tours, special events, an onsite restaurant, the Pageant of the Masters (July 8-Aug. 31) and more. Of special interest to jazz fans are Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate ($15 with purchase of Festival of Arts admission) on select Thursdays; and Jazz on the Green (free admission with purchase of Festival of Arts ticket) twice monthly on Saturdays. Here is the schedule:

Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate lineup:

Various Thursdays, July 9-Aug. 27, 5:30 p.m.

XAN Confections chocolate paired with wine at the Festival of Arts Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate series in Laguna Beach, California

XAN Confections chocolate paired with wine at the Festival of Arts Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate series in Laguna Beach, California

Steve Oliver

Steve Oliver is scheduled to perform on July 9

July 9: Steve Oliver

July 16: Billy Valentine

July 23: Carol Bach y Rita

July 30: Pretzel Logic

Aug. 6: Bill Cantos

Gregg Karukas (photo by Sherry Barnett)

Gregg Karukas is scheduled to perform on Aug. 13 (photo by Sherry Barnett)

Aug. 13: Gregg Karukas

Aug. 20: Brian Bromberg

Aug. 27: Terry Wollman

Concerts on the Green lineup:

Various Saturdays, July 11-Aug. 22, 1 p.m.

July 11: The Stray Cats’ Lee Rocker

July 25: Ellis Hall presents Ray, Motown & Beyond

Aug. 8: Chieli Minucci and Special EFX with special guest Marion Meadows

Aug. 22: Russell Ferrante Trio with special guest Bob Mintzer

Festival of Arts VIP/Media Party 2015

Festival of Arts VIP/Media Party 2015

Festival of Arts––located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California––is open daily, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., July 5 through Aug. 31.

General admission is $7 Monday-Friday, $10 on Saturday and Sunday. Special discounts apply to students and seniors; free admission for military, Laguna Beach residents and children 12 and under. And, with the new Passport to the Arts, a special promotion funded in part by Bank of America, $23 gets you unlimited admission all summer long to Festival of Arts (excluding Pageant of the Masters), the Sawdust Art Festival and Art-A-Fair.  

Pageant of the Masters is held nightly at 8:30, July 8-Aug. 31.

For tickets and information on all of the events, visit www.foapom.com or call 800-487-3378.

For more coverage on Festival of Arts, Pageant of the Masters and the festival’s summer concerts, check out the current issue of Smooth Jazz News (pages 8-9; and 12) in print or online at www.smoothjazznews.com.

By: Melanie Maxwell

Festival of Arts entrance in Laguna Beach, California

Festival of Arts entrance in Laguna Beach, California

Festival of Arts & Pageant of the Masters…WOW!

 

Stilt walker dancing with crowd at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA

Stilt walker dancing with crowd at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, CA

Dancing at Festival of Arts

Dancing at Festival of Arts

The courtyard was packed with a colorfully dressed, multi-generational crowd dancing to a live band performing covers of Earth Wind & Fire, Michael Jackson and other make-your-hips-shake-like-Shakira R&B and pop hits. I wasn’t sure if I was at a concert or the Festival of Arts opening night preview party. I’m certain the stilt walkers who were in the middle of it, twirling the average-height people around, had a great view of the wall-to-wall patrons perusing the perimeter filled with beautiful exhibits displaying paintings, sculptures, jewelry, glass creations, ceramics, hand-crafted wood and furniture, photography, mixed media and other fine art.

Band performing at Festival of Arts preview night in Laguna Beach, CA

Band named Yard Sale performing at Festival of Arts preview night in Laguna Beach, CA

Stilt walkers dancing with patrons at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, Califoria

Stilt walkers dancing with patrons at Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, Califoria

Functional art by Marlo Bartels

Functional art by Marlo Bartels

This press event, held on July 5, the night before the Festival of Arts opened to the public, wasn’t just an exclusive brand of super-carbonated entertainment for professional media, it truly exemplified what can be expected by any paying customer. Although journalists, photographers and other professionals were treated to the free show with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, Italian sodas, water (not offered free to the general public) and a cash wine bar, the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts is definitely a whole lot of fun and quite the artistic experience for everyone. It also allows patrons an opportunity to interact with many of the 140 finest artists in Orange County at this highly acclaimed juried fine art show. However, I’m especially looking forward to seeing some of the great jazz shows they have scheduled featuring Jackiem Joyner (July 10), Greg Adams and East Bay Soul (July 12), Chris Standring (July 17), Steve Oliver (Aug. 7) and Jeff Lorber Fusion (Aug. 9), among others!

Breck Rothage artwork

Breck Rothage  and his artwork

Kent Kahlen art glass

Kent Kahlen art glass

Celebrating more than 80 years, this breathtaking showcase for artists and art lovers also offers demonstrations, art workshops, daily art tours, special events, an onsite restaurant, the Pageant of the Masters and more.

Casey Parlette metal shark sculpture

Casey Parlette metal shark sculpture

The Pageant of the Masters is the Festival of Arts’ crowning jewel. I saw it for the first time last night, and was engaged in enchanting amazement for 90 minutes as real people posing (in extremely authentic looking costumes and theatrical makeup) to look exactly like their counterparts in the re-creation of original pieces of classical and contemporary works of art. The stage show of “living pictures” is performed nightly in the outdoor amphitheater with a professional orchestra, original score, live narration, intricate sets, sophisticated lighting and hundreds of dedicated volunteers.

The Festival of Arts is open daily, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., July 6 through Aug. 30, and includes Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate ($15 with purchase of Festival of Arts admission) on select Thursdays, and Jazz on the Green (free admission with purchase of Festival of Arts ticket) twice monthly on Saturdays. Here is the schedule:

Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate lineup:

July 10: Jackiem Joyner

July 17: Chris Standring

July 24: Gregg Karukas

July 31: Brian Bromberg with special guest Everette Harp

Aug. 7: Steve Oliver

Aug. 14: Pretzel Logic

Aug. 21: Tony Guerrero and Bill Cantos

Aug. 28: Billy Valentine

Jazz on the Green Concert Series lineup:

July 12: Greg Adams and East Bay Soul

July 26: Down to the Bone

Aug. 9: Jeff Lorber Fusion with Eric Marienthal and Jimmy Haslip

Aug. 30: Poncho Sanchez and his Latin Jazz Band

Festival of Arts is located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California. General admission is $7 Monday-Friday, $10 on Saturday and Sunday. Special discounts apply to students and seniors; free admission for military, Laguna Beach residents and children 12 and under. For tickets and information, visit www.foapom.com or call 949-494-1145.

 

Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, California

Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, California