Tag Archives: Ellis Hall

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

Who were Mindi Abair’s birthday party guests in Hollywood?

Mindi Abair with her birthday bouquet during her birthday party in Hollywood, CA, on May 23 (photo by David Hopley)

Mindi Abair with her birthday bouquet during her birthday party in Hollywood, CA, on May 23 (photo by David Hopley)

Mindi Abair celebrated her birthday during Memorial Day weekend at her Hollywood home with celebrity guests from all facets of the entertainment industry (music, TV and movies).

Mindi Abair partying with friends at her Hollywood home (photos by David Hopley)

Mindi Abair partying with friends at her Hollywood home (photos by David Hopley)

Saxophonist Michael Lington, guitarists Randy Jacobs & Chris Standring, vocalist Ellis Hall, keyboardist Patrick Bradley & multi-instrumentalist Dino Soldo were some of Mindi’s smooth jazz friends attending her backyard bash.

Sweetpea Atkinson from the Boneshakers band and Shawn Amos kept the blues vibe going.

Sweetpea Atkinson (The Boneshakers) enjoying birthday cake & Mindi Abair on his lap (photo by David Hopley)

Sweetpea Atkinson (The Boneshakers) enjoying birthday cake & Mindi Abair on his lap (photo by David Hopley)

Although Bill Withers was unable to attend the party, which included full bar service and a catered Greek menu, his wife, Marcia, and daughter, Kori, enjoyed the music and merriment.
Lance Abair hanging out around the fire pit during his daughter's birthday celebration (photo by David Hopley)

Lance Abair hanging out around the fire pit during his daughter’s birthday celebration (photo by David Hopley)

While a few of Mindi’s eclectic array of musical friends gathered around the glass fire pit, seated in comfy wooden patio chairs chatting with the birthday girl’s father, saxophonist Lance Abair, many of the guests negotiated the standring-room only crowd.

Ellis Hall & Mindi Abair jammin' at her birthday party (photo by David Hopley)

Ellis Hall & Mindi Abair jammin’ at her birthday party (photo by David Hopley)

Henry Duarte (rock fashion designer for Aerosmith, The Black Crowes, Lenny Kravitz, etc.) mingled with Tommy Coster, Jr. (Eminem’s co-writer of “The Real Slim Shady”), Keith Allison of Paul Revere and The Raiders, Adam Dorn (the man behind Mocean Worker) and Caprice Crane (best-selling author and the daughter of Tina Louise who played Ginger on the ’60s hit TV show “Gilligan’s Island.”)

Lisa Bradley, Steve Chapman, Patrick Bradley & his daughter, Heather Bradley (photo by David Hopley)

Lisa Bradley, Steve Chapman, Patrick Bradley & his daughter, Heather Bradley (photo by David Hopley)

Dick Blasucci, who used to head up MadTV toasted the birthday girl alongside other guests such as Felice Manicini (Henry Mancini’s daughter and president of The Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation) and Harvey Mason, Jr. (son of Harvey Mason Sr. and producer/writer for artists such as Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, etc.)

Holly & Tracy Carter, Pat Prescott & Randy Jacobs inside Mindi's house celebrating her birthday (photo by David Hopley)

Holly & Tracy Carter, Pat Prescott & Randy Jacobs inside Mindi’s house celebrating her birthday (photo by David Hopley)

Mindi Abair & Chris Standring (photo by David Hopley)

Mindi Abair & Chris Standring (photo by David Hopley)

Penny McGlure & husband, Madison Guerra, Pat Prescott & Mindi's boyfriend, Eric Guerra (photo by David Hopley)

Penny & Roy McGlure, Madison Guerra, Pat Prescott & Mindi’s boyfriend, Eric Guerra (photo by David Hopley)

In addition to Smooth Jazz News, members of the media included 94.7 The WAVE’s Pat Prescott, publicist Jalila Larsuel and music critic Bob Lefsetz.

One of Mindi's birthday cakes (photo by David Hopley)

One of Mindi’s birthday cakes (photo by David Hopley)

The birthday girl getting ready to light the candles on her cakes (photo by David Hopley)

The birthday girl getting ready to light the candles on her cakes (photo by David Hopley)

Mindi Abair blowing out candles on her birthday cakes (photo by David Hopley)

Mindi Abair blowing out candles on her birthday cakes (photo by David Hopley)

Mindi Abair & Madison Guerra (daughter of Mindi's boyfriend, Eric Guerra) - photo by David Hopley

Mindi Abair & Madison Guerra (daughter of Mindi’s boyfriend, Eric Guerra) – photo by David Hopley

Of course, there was also bowls of candy on every picnic table and a few birthday cakes, two of which were decorated with icing images of the sweetheart who loves sugary treats. Shortly before Mindi cut her cakes, also surrounded by her mother as well as high school and college friends, Ellis grabbed a guitar and started a brief jam session. And, when it was time to sing the “Happy Birthday” song, the melodic voices added to the magic of the evening.

Mindi Abair's birthday party at her home in Hollywood, CA  (photo by David Hopley)

Mindi Abair’s birthday party at her home in Hollywood, CA (photo by David Hopley)

Happy Birthday, Mindi!

Mindi Abair enjoying Ellis Hall's jam during her birthday party (photo by David Hopley)

Mindi Abair enjoying Ellis Hall’s jam during her birthday party (photo by David Hopley)

By Melanie Maxwell