UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS |
Q + A Cindy Prewitt , co-founder of Laguna Beach Live , which partners with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County to present the Laguna Beach Music Festival
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Striking a Chord LAGUNA BEACH MUSIC FESTIVAL BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR AN ANNUAL SYMPHONIC CELEBRATION .
By SHARON STELLO
B ringing acclaimed musicians to perform in town , the Laguna Beach Music Festival has been going strong for more than two decades . Every year , local nonprofit Laguna Beach Live and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County come together to present this multiday showcase of classical and contemporary concerts combined with special events and community outreach programs . This year , the 21st annual festival runs from Feb . 17-19 and features pianist Jeremy Denk , a recipient of the MacArthur Fellows “ Genius Grant ” and winner of the Avery Fisher Prize , as artistic director . Three concerts are planned at Laguna Playhouse ; some feature both Denk and special guests .
In addition to the festival , Laguna Beach Live offers music education outreach for kids in the community and more than 30 concerts a year — from chamber music at Laguna Art Museum to a winter jazz series , which starts and ends this year with Grammy-nominated artists . The series kicks off Feb . 8 with trumpeter Bijon Watson and an all-star band in their jazz tribute to a pop legend , followed by Dan Barrett ’ s Old-Fashioned Jazz Band in a New Orleansstyle Mardi Gras celebration Feb . 22 . Next up is Brazilian vocalist and guitar player Kleber Jorge with his Rio Life quartet on March 8 . The series is rounded out with trumpeter Tony Guerrero and vocalist Rachel Avalon performing straightahead jazz standards March 22 , all at sevendegrees in Laguna Canyon .
Laguna Beach Live co-founder Cindy Prewitt , who was also named Citizen of the Year for the Patriot ’ s Day Parade last year , recently shared some insight into the music organization ’ s history and mission as well as a hint of what ’ s to come at this year ’ s festival .
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Jeremy Denk , artistic director for this year ’ s music festival
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE : How did Laguna Beach Live and the Laguna Beach Music Festival come about ? CINDY PREWITT : Laguna Beach Live came about while I was on the [ city ] Arts Commission and saw the lack of music in town . Two friends , Sam Goldstein and Joe Byrne , and I formed a nonprofit and applied for the new money the hotels were making available to bring in more culture to town . … [ It ] started with free chamber
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LEFT : JENN CARDON ; RIGHT : JOSH GOLEMAN |