Entertainment | Julie Moree's News Watch

May 25, 2024May 25, 2024

“One Night Only: Best of Broadway” Recap

December 5, 2016

Holiday Cheer in Solvang, California

This year’s Julefest on December 2, 2016. It’s theme, “Celebrating Together”, was co-hosted by Tracy Farhang, executive director of the Solvang Conference and Visitors Bureau and Alan Satchwell, worship leader at the Santa Inez Valley Presbyterian Church. They welcomed hundreds of visitors and residents to the iconic Hans Christian Anderson Park for a night of hot chocolate, pictures with Santa and performances by local musicians and dancers who entertained as they waited for the tree to be lit in the center of the park.

The Grand marshals for this year’s festivities were the Neilson Family, a familiar whose heritage goes back 105 years as being one of the founding settlers in the Danish Village.

The stage was set as music filled the Hans Christian Anderson Park beginning at 5 p.m on Dec. 3 for a holiday tradition.

The Valley Ensemble directed by Stephanie Douglas played classic holiday tunes for a full 30 minute set.

Christmas lights illuminated the main street through the villiage.

the stage also was decked out with lights for the occasion.

At 6:50 the tree was lit up with ballerinas dancing around it gracefully.

Music Performance included ballet and tap dancing courtesy of the Fossmall dancers, musical performances by the Santa Ines Valley Jazz Band as well as the Valley Wind Ensemble and an extra special performance by World renown Violinist Maurice Skahill and resident pianist, Leta Wright. Watch the video for a sample of the performances below.

And the fun didn’t stop because Santa’s village was open all weekend Dec 2-4 and is open select weekends up to Christmas free of charge, as well as the annual Winterfest Parade which commenced Saturday Dec 3, 2016 around the edge of the Danish Village of Solvang.

The Winterfest parade commenced at 11 am down Mission Drive in Solvang, CA and went around the outer edges of the danish village.

Floats including this viking ship reminded crowds of the heretage of the village.

And the Solvang trolley allowed people and up close look while being pulled down the road in a horse drawn trolley.

Solvang, as one of the oldest danish areas is also very much dog friendly as one of the dog boarding places marched its four legged friends proudly in the parade.

one of the local bands, carried tunes down the parade route.

The annual Christmas Nativity Pageant shared the message while letting people know about the upcoming free performances next Saturday in the outdoor theater.

This year’s theme for the parade and yulefest is “Celebrating together”.

Local radio stations, were also decked out for the holiday season.

Motorcycles carried the message and brought in the big guy.

This year’s Danish Maid Natylia Neilson and the Neilson Family who recieved the ultimate honor of grand marshall rode in style in the Winterfest parade.

And of course Santa Claus himself welcomed the holiday season officially culminating the end of the parade.

Solvang is known worldwide as the third most popular Christmas destination.

August 6, 2016

Art Walk in Wilmington, Calif.

On Friday August 6, from 6-10, residents came out to the Wilmington Art Walk on Banning’s Landing. The night included music, activities for kids as well as hand crafted items by Wilmington artists.

The event was started by a group of 7 individuals whose goal was to enrich residents with hand crafted items.

Less than a year old, the Wilmington Art Walk was started November 2015 as a way for local artists to showcase and sell their work to the public.

Photography was also includes inside for spectators to enjoy.

It was a Tiki Party for the art walk as all the tables had a hawaiian theme on the dock of Banning pier.

Masterpieces like this were on display for purchase all night long.

And Mermaid Ginger was even around for free digital photos.

The next Art Walk in Wilmington will be on November 4, 2016, as they celebrate their one year birthday.

June 28, 2016June 28, 2016

Obon Festival In The San Fernando Valley

On the last weekend in June, the Obon festival took place at the Japanese American Center in Pacoima, California. It was a night of authentic style food, dancing and more as thousands came out to pay their respects to past generations and to get in touch with their Japanese roots.

The Japanese American Community Center hosted a 2-day event for the community to come out and experience authentic Japanese food, dancing and games on the last weekend in June.

The main purpose of the Obon Festival was to bring the community together for a time of reflection and gratitude to past generations.

Residents could view various bonzai trees on display at the festival.

Seasoned dancers invited the community to join in a night of communal dancing.

Young and mature dancers gathered together in rhythm

Taiko drummers kept the beat for the night’s festivities.

There were also games where people could try their look in winning a prize.

And handcrafted dolls entranced crowds as they marveled at the detail and authenticity of the collections.

Even select proverbs as the “see no evil” collection, showed a diversity in the doll collection.

Children were able to create their own Japanese themed bookmarks in the kid’s area.

And Senior crafts were on display in the hall for reasonable prices of only a few dollars.

And Bingo was the highlight of the senior craft area as the community came out to try their luck for just one dollar per card.

Homemade donuts by a local foursquare church enticed people to try for only 2 dollars a bag.

And of course people could partake of Japanese style Udon in the kitchen.

April 12, 2016April 12, 2016

Celebrating 20 years of Books at USC

Hosted once again by the Los Angeles Times on the campus of USC, the LA Times Festival of Books saw thousands of different types of books and art forms this year. The festival took place on Saturday April 9 and Sunday April 10 and there was a little something for everyone to enjoy from poetry, music as well as a few select cooking demonstrations.

The Los Angeles Times offered visitors a unique subscription opportunity of just 20 dollars for the Sunday and Thursday paper.

The Greater Los Angeles Writers Society were on campus promoting new writers here.

And there was even a little diversity with Books in other languages at the “Hoy” Section.

Medical students provided free screenings while people browsed the many books.

And of course, politics were around promoting the candidates for this year’s presidential election.

A variety of children’s books enticed the youngest of readers.

As well as suspense books for the older crowds drew the readers.

And cooking demonstrations enticed people to try their hands at new concoctions such as Katie Chin’s Pineapple Fried Rice, from her cookbook, Everyday Chinese Cooking

To see more exclusive interviews, including the musical talent on the campus of USC, watch the video below.

November 22, 2015

Light Up Santa Clarita 2015

On November 21, 2015, thousands of local residents came out to Old Newhall in Santa Clarita, Calif. as council members and Mayor Marsha Mclean lit up the annual Christmas tree in front of the Santa Clarita Public Library.

There were various musical performances in an hour long show that preceded the lights, including the Hart High School Dance troop, Hart Beat- An Acapella choir, the Santa Clarita Master Chorale, the Canyon Theater Guild and The Men of Harmony.

Watch here to see Santa Clarita Lit Up and hear the various musical performances.

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