Tag Archives: Steve Oliver

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

Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Payne for bringing back Jazz at the Beach!

Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre (photo by David Hopley)

Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre (photo by David Hopley)

Pat Prescott (94.7 The WAVE), Jean Braxton (Permission to Talk), Willie Payne (owner, Payne Pest Management) & Kelly Cole (KPRi Lites-Out Jazz radio show host) at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

Pat Prescott (94.7 The WAVE), Jean Braxton (Permission to Talk), Willie Payne (owner, Payne Pest Management) & Kelly Cole (KPRi Lites-Out Jazz radio show host) at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

Before I even entered the venue, I was impressed with how well Kathy and Willie Payne and their staff organized their Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach concert last Sunday.

Clearly marked signs directed patrons to the VIP parking lot where volunteers waved us through and pointed to available spaces to park our car. From there, it was a few steps to the entrance where competent staff immediately exchanged our tickets for wristbands and meal/drink tickets.  When I entered the venue, I was thrilled to notice a “cooling station.” Even though we were a few sandy yards from the cool, wavy, waters, the two industrial-sized fans blowing cool air in this shady tented area was more refreshing than the ocean breeze.

I had my own chair, so I claimed my space in this coolness and sat there for the first two hours. San Diego County was suffering through record heat that weekend (nearly 90, plus humidity at the coast!), and as much as I love live jazz, all I cared about was surviving this intense heatwave. Although I couldn’t see the stage from the cooling station, I certainly could hear the wonderful sounds of Brian Simpson and Marc Antoine.

Steve Oliver performing at Jazz at the Beach in Oceanside, CA (photo by David Hopley)

Steve Oliver performing at Jazz at the Beach in Oceanside, CA (photo by David Hopley)

By the time Steve Oliver took the stage, the sun had moved far enough west that our seats were now in the shade. So, I was able to enjoy the rest of the performances in front of the stage, which also included Eric Darius as the closing act.

Brian Simpson & Marc Antoine sign autographs for fans at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

Brian Simpson & Marc Antoine sign autographs for fans at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

Fans not only got to meet the artists after each performance and get a CD signed, they also had photo opportunities at the step-and-repeat.

Food vendors at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

Food vendors at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

In addition to the men’s health awareness fair, wonderful food and beverage vendors lined the perimeter of the venue. Pulled-pork sandwiches, sausages with grilled onions and peppers, barbecue, gyros, Greek salad, home-made ice cream, chocolate kabobs and other tasty treats were available for purchase. And, even more convenience as wait staff served patrons at tables and those seated in rows of chairs.

Fresh fruit dipped in chocolate and other toppings at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

Fresh fruit dipped in chocolate and other toppings at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

And, on the practical side, there were plenty of clean, running-water restroom facilities as well as trash and recycle bins.

Sunset at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

Sunset at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

This first event offered all of the perks and comforts one could possibly hope for at an outdoor concert or festival, including spectacular beach views. And, there’s more good news…the Paynes are planning a full series at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre in 2015!

Bravo, Kathy and Willie Payne!

For more information, visit www.litesoutjazzatthebeach.com.

Pat Prescott & Marc Antoine at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

Pat Prescott & Marc Antoine at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach (photo by David Hopley)

Labor Day special for Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach!

Save $20 per ticket to Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach starring Eric Darius, Steve Oliver, Marc Antoine & Brian Simpson, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre!

Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre in Oceanside, California

Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre in Oceanside, California

This special promotional price is available from 10am today through Monday, Sept. 1, at 11:30pm. Enter promo code LABORDAY at checkout at http://www.litesoutjazzatthebeach.com/purchase-tickets-here.html.

Eric Darius (photo by Jeff Sciortino)

Eric Darius
(photo by Jeff Sciortino)

Steve Oliver

Steve Oliver

Brian Simpson

Brian Simpson

Marc Antoine

Marc Antoine

Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach is presented by Willie and Kathy Payne of Payne Pest Management. For additional information and ticket options, visit www.LitesOutJazzAtTheBeach.com or call 800-595-4849.

Eric Darius to headline Jazz at the Beach in Oceanside!

Eric Darius  (photo by Jeff Sciortino)

Eric Darius is scheduled to headline Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach on Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre (photo by Jeff Sciortino)

Eric Darius has been announced as the headliner for Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach on Sunday, Sept. 14, from 3-7pm, at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre! Also scheduled to perform are Steve Oliver, Brian Simpson and Marc Antoine.

For tickets and information, visit www.LitesOutJazzAtTheBeach.com or call 800-595-4849.

Steve Oliver is scheduled to perform at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach on Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre

Steve Oliver is scheduled to perform at Lites-Out Jazz at the Beach on Sunday, Sept. 14, at the Oceanside Pier Amphitheatre