The 70-plus community members of the Laguna Concert Band, celebrating its 15th year, concludes its 2014 performance schedule with holiday shows at the Balboa Bay Resort’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. and at Laguna Beach’s Hospitality Night at 5 p.m., Friday, Dec. 5, at the Peppertree Parking lot on Forest Avenue across from the Presbyterian Church.
Both performances will feature holiday favorites highlighted by talented local guest artists. The trio of Tessa Mansour, Sydney Haik and Sara Gordon will be featured in the medley, “Christmas On Broadway,” and local Laguna artist Suzy Elghanayan will perform “Let It Go” from Disney’s film “Frozen.” Kim Sayer will be accompanied by the band on two traditional favorites. Ed Peterson shares the director’s stand with Pete Fournier during the two evening performances.
In a first, the Concert Band will perform with the Thurston Middle School band at 6 p.m. on the City Hall front lawn during Hospitality Night.
Tickets can be purchased at LagunaPlayhouse.com starting in early December for the return of local resident and Grammy nominated artist Lee Rocker with the Laguna Concert Band for Rock This Town Again for two shows on Feb. 21-22. Videos from this year’s previous sold out shows can be viewed at LagunaConcertBand.com.
Joy of Season Celebrated in Song
Resident Juliett Chesley’s gift to the community also takes place Friday, Dec. 5, helping organize the involvement of local churches in extending Hospitality Night activities to sacred spaces.
United Methodist, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and St. Mary’s Episcopal, both on Park Avenue, will open their doors to the public to welcome visitors. Expect a 5:30 p.m. concert at the Methodist church, a 6 to 9 p.m. live nativity and 100-voice choir at the Latter Day Saints, and a 6:30 p.m. prayer service at St. Mary’s.
The Little Church by the Sea worship team will set up at the Flower Stand on Forest Avenue while Laguna Presbyterian Church offers carolers and refreshments and a fundraising tamale and hot dog sale.
A free trolley will be running between 5 and 10 p.m. during Hospitality Night between Cliff and Wesley Drives along Coast Highway, said Ben Siegel, the city’s community services director.
“This town is so unique in that so many active churches are in close proximity to each other, I thought it would be fantastic to create a ‘festival’ with offerings to the community of song and fellowship,” Chesley said. “Well, this is what I came up with, and the all of the churches are excited about it!”
