Hats off to Ivan Spiers who’s found yet another way to bring phenomenal musicians to Laguna Beach, even if just for a Tuesday evening at his Mozambique Laguna Voice.
Laguna Voice, O.C.’s largest singing contest, debuted just last October, but has already seen more than 80 regional musicians take to the stage to vie for spotlight fame and cash-prize glory.
At Saturday’s Fete de la Musique, the Laguna Voice stage in the heart of downtown Laguna rocked all afternoon with past winning contestants wowing the crowds, while an additional handful of winners from the same Mozambique event populated street corners throughout Laguna.
“I can’t believe it myself,” says Spiers. “Every Tuesday night, I hear new musicians who are just bringing the house down. It’s turned out to be a very anticipated weekly event.”
Kids In a Deserving Spotlight
Now, that anticipation can only expand as Junior Laguna Voice debuts this Tuesday night, June 20th. Dedicated to younger musicians between the ages of 7 and 17, the monthly event starts at 5:30 with six singers scheduled for the debut fold.
“Many of these kids can certainly hold their own against the adults in this contest,” says Spiers. “But we thought it would be more fair and supportive if we gave them their own stage and spotlight to really shine.”
Junior Laguna Voice plays just like the “adult” version on the 2nd floor Shebeen Lounge stage. Each junior singer will have full band ensemble accompaniment, Francois Dean as the event’s host, 3 pro musicians as judges (including an American Idol finalist), and cash prizes if they finish in the top three (all participants receive Mozambique gift cards, too.)
On Tuesday, expect to hear guitar-strumming country, pop, ukulele folk and even “Vissi d‘arte” from the opera, Tosca, sung by 12-year-old Chelsea Snow.
Come Support These Brave Kids!
Doors open at 4:30, and there’s no cover charge all evening. Happy Hour menu reigns until 6:00 p.m., with dinner menus available all evening.
The Junior Laguna Voice will wrap at about 7:15 p.m., with Francois Dean & Friends returning to the stage at 8:00 p.m. for an evening of their great R&B music as well as the adult contest for Laguna Voice.
I’m getting a front row seat! See you there!
P.S. Adult and Junior applicants can apply to sing here: Sing To Win!