A new collaboration between Laguna Beach Live! and Laguna Beach’s Boys and Girls Club is striking the right chord, and promoters are hoping to see the alliance evolve even more with the public’s support at a fundraising concert next month.
It began last September as a monthly presentation by the musicians performing in the Live! at the Museum program of evening concerts. The program was so well received by students, musicians and club staff that it was expanded in February to weekly programs with a music teacher and more guest musicians.
“To move to a weekly program necessitated finding a project director and some additional funding,” said Cindy Prewitt, president of Laguna Beach Live!, which tapped former music teacher Sara Warner and obtained a Festival of Arts Foundation funding.
Sharing music with children underlies one of the objectives of Laguna Beach Live! Performances at each of the Laguna schools are part of its annual music festival, along with free or discounted concert tickets for students.
“Without Laguna Beach Live! there would be no music at all here – and music is such an important part of life,” said Pam Estes, the club’s executive director. “We are totally dedicated to helping young people discover their voice and exercising creative expression. Music transcends so many factors – language, culture, age — and brings us all together. Thankfully, Laguna Live! has opened that door for so many young ones here at the Boys and Girls Club.”
Prewitt intends to extend the music program to three times a week in July and August, when the club is fuller and children spend longer hours there. A benefit concert is planned for Wednesday, May 15 with bass player and vocalist Kristin Korb in her only Orange County appearance on her 2013 CD release tour.
Korb, a favorite in the Rose Garden series until she moved to Denmark, has been praised by critics as the upright bass player and vocalist who sings in the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan and plays with the swing of the great Ray Brown. Kristin will be joined by Jeff Hamilton on drums and Bruce Forman on guitar.
The trio will perform at Aliso Creek Inn, 31106 S. Coast Highway. Tickets are $30 online and a special VIP package for $100 includes premier seating, a visit with the artist and a bottle of wine for the table.
For more information, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org or call 949-715-9713.
Photos courtesy of Laguna Beach Live
