Tag Archives: Brian Bromberg

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

KSBR Birthday Bash with food & wine tastings!

21-year-old saxophonist Vincent Ingala

Vincent Ingala

Chris Standring, Michael Lington & Jessy J added to KSBR Birthday Bash this Sunday, May 24! Plus, more super-secret performers who cannot be announced until they step on the stage! And, of course, Smooth Jazz News will have a booth there, passing out magazines, selling subscriptions and concert clothing.

Where can you see more than 30 top smooth jazz artists performing live this month? AND, enjoy food and beverage tastings? At the KSBR Birthday Bash & Taste of the Bash in Mission Viejo, California, on Sunday, May 24!

Gregg Karukas (photo by Sherry Barnett)

Gregg Karukas (photo by Sherry Barnett)

Many of the top genre stars donating their performance time to this annual fund-raising event for KSBR 88.5, Saddleback College’s radio station, cannot be announced until the day of the show. However, a few names have started to leak out. So far, confirmed artists include Gregg Karukas, Vincent Ingala, Greg Adams, Chieli Minucci, Melissa Manchester, Paul Brown, Brian Bromberg, Slim Man and East Bay Soul!

Pasta food vendor serving up samples at KSBR's 2012 Taste of the Bash (Photo by David Hopley)

Pasta food vendor serving up samples at KSBR’s 2012 Taste of the Bash (Photo by David Hopley)

When the doors open at 3:30pm (3pm for VIPs), the Village Green of Oso Viejo Park in Mission Viejo, California, will be transformed into a spectacular, non-smoking, food-and-beverage-tasting extravaganza. More than 25, favorite, local restaurants will hand out free samples of their best dishes. Participating restaurants include Slaters 50/50, Rubio’s, Einstein Brothers, The Butcher Block, California Pizza Kitchen, The Broken Yoke Cafe, Mama’s Mediterranean, Sundried Tomato Cafe, Whole Foods Market and more!

Food vendor at the 2012 KSBR Taste of the Bash (Photo by David Hopley)

Food vendor at the 2012 KSBR Taste of the Bash (Photo by David Hopley)

Patrons are also welcome to bring their own food, small coolers, picnic baskets, (sealed) soft drinks and low-back beach chairs.

Sampling of New Orleans-style cuisine at KSBR's Taste of the Bash in 2012 (Photo by David Hopley)

Sampling of New Orleans-style cuisine at KSBR’s Taste of the Bash in 2012 (Photo by David Hopley)

Festivalgoers should be well nourished and hydrated enough to dance into the night when the music starts at 5pm, and goes nonstop until nearly 10pm.

Got your tickets yet? There’s still time to buy them before it sells out.

General Admission (lawn seating) is $55 through May 23, $60 on May 24.

Gold VIP (assigned table seating in the Gold Circle) tickets are $125 each, and include complimentary dessert and soft drinks and upgraded restrooms.

Premium Gold VIP Table Seating is priced at $165.00 each, and includes complimentary dessert and soft drinks, upgraded restrooms, plus a backstage pre-Bash dinner.

Reserved Platinum VIP Seating tickets are available at $190 person, and include reserved seats directly in front of the stage, preferred parking immediately adjacent to entrance and backstage pre-Bash dinner.

All ticket options include the Taste of the Bash and the concert.

The KSBR Birthday Bash and Taste of the Bash is scheduled for Sunday, May 24, 3:30pm (3pm for VIP guests), at the Village Green of Oso Viejo Park, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, California. For tickets or more information, visit www.ksbr.net or call 949-582-4501.