Believe it or not, it’s been 12 years since Laguna Beach officially announced its winter Music Festival. It’s been an extraordinary 12 years, though, as the festival has virtually exploded into multiple events at multiple locations with world-class talent at each.
This year’s Laguna Beach Music Festival, “From Brooklyn With Love” runs Feb. 3 – 9 with the largest draw likely being a world premiere by Carnegie Hall sensation, the composer/musician Gabriel Kahane. The entire event will be exploring the Brooklyn music scene, from classical to contemporary and indie folk pop, and you’ll see music in every nook and cranny of Laguna Beach. It’s really a spectacular event in which to immerse yourself.
The Opening Night Gala takes place again at the Laguna Art Museum on Monday, Feb. 3rd. Festival headliners including Kahane, the fabulous Linden String Quartet and Rob Moose of yMusic will be mingling and presenting teasers of their performances in the week to follow. It’s a classic wine and appetizer reception that always sets the stage for a great week of the Laguna Beach Music Festival.
The Hotel Laguna will also produce its Festival Feast on Wed, Feb. 5th with a champagne reception, gourmet dinner with wine pairings, concert and post-concert reception. (It’s a big night for a Wednesday night!)
Four concerts will take place at the Laguna Playhouse. An additional Salon Recital with Jeffrey Kahane on piano will take place at a private home in Corona Del Mar (yes, tickets available for this as well.)
Free events prove just as interesting with sessions on “How to Write a Song,” “Meet the Linden Quartet” Q-and-A, a free concert at Sage Hill School with Gabriel Kahane and Rob Moose, a “Young Composer Coaching” course with Gabriel again, and two more sessions with Gabriel (one of which includes his father … now THAT ought to be interesting!).
Even the free Open Rehearsal on Sat, Feb. 8th, requires that you RSVP well in advance, so use this quiet week in January to explore the Laguna Beach Music Festival site and snatch up your tickets.