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 annual yulefest in Solvang, CA.
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.
On November 6, 2016, the Santa Clarita Philharmonic held their annual winter concert and invited the public to an afternoon of music free at the Hart High School auditorium. As previously reported, the nonprofit organization has been performing for four years now and play a variety of classical selections throughout the year including Copland, Hovhaness and debuting at this concert a piece composed by concert master, Sarah Walin Huff. Listen below for the complete concert highlights.
Dreamworks newest animated movie Trolls, starring Anna Kendrick as the happiest troll to be born, Princess Poppy and Justin Timberlake as Branch, the troll who just can’t be happy, is bringing families to the theater as it has already brought in over 46 million for its first weekend, coming in number two at the box office.
Trolls tells the story of the happy, dancing, hugging childhood toy made popular from the 60’s and again in the 90’s, who all they can do is be happy, while their counterparts, the Bergens can’t dance and sing and the only way for them to be happy is to eat the trolls from the Troll tree in a symbolic day called Trollstice, but the King of the trolls decide to relocate to save from another Trollstice.
But will the trolls truly be safe or will the Bergens have another Trollstice so they can be happy again.
Trolls also stars the voice talents of Russell Brand as Creek, John Cleese as King Gristle sr., Jeffrey Tambor as King Peppy, Zooey Deschanel, as Bridget, the maid in the Bergen King’s palace, who holds the true secret to happiness for the Bergens and Gwen Stefani as DJ Suki.
At just over an hour and a half, Trolls will have you laughing, crying and singing along with the fun loving trolls as Princess Poppy and Branch set out on a adventure to save their friends once more when the Bergens discover their whereabouts and long to be happy once again.
It’s a pirate invasion at Shoreline Village in Long Beach as hundreds of pirates take over the beach area for their 11th annual Pirate Festival on September 24 and 25, 2016. With their landing, the “Pirates” brought their own music in the form of two distant pirate Bands as well as Time traveling gypsies who shared tales of the sea while creating blacksmith objects for the crowd and even their friendly parrots enticed crowds for picture taking opportunities.
Residents could take a picture in front of this banner commerating the event.
Pirates mounted ships like this at Pirate Cove Hideaway in Long Beach.
And the memorable pirate flag that marks the iconic pirate ship in the water.
And photos could be taken with the always popular parrot that keeps pirate company while away at sea.
Of course the place to find pirates is at the local tavern where they had a drink in their hand.
The iconic Captain Hook warranted pictures from fans.
And Pirate Queens were also all around the villiage.
Even Pirate dogs entertained the crowds.
And the youngest pirates were learning the trade.
There were sword playing
and the Joust Kidding pirate band entertained with their sea chanties.
A dolcemer could be heard off the port with a guitar accompanment.
And pirates danced to a rock type band while enjoying the sights of long beach
There were a total of five different stories told by the Gypsy time travelers while a real blacksmith created one of a kind gifts for select audience members.
As previously reported, this year marks its 80th year and the little Danish town of Solvang, located just north of Santa Barbara, California is still coming together as a community to celebrate their annual Danish Days over the three day weekend on the third weekend in September from the 18th to the 20th.
The Healing Hearts Sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates animals so that they can live normal lives.
This little goat who has trouble moving his back legs was brought out for people to see and pet in the Hans Christian Anderson Park.
The color guard carried both the American and Danish flag in the Danish Days parade.
This year’s Danish Maid is Natalya Nielsen, of Nielson Market who grew up in the Solvang community and who’s family has been involved in Danish Days since 1911.
Bands including the Nordoff High School Marching Band marched in the parade that celebrates danish heritage in the town.
The culture of the Vikings alao play a key role in the Danish Days parade as this boat made its way down the street.
And the neighborhood actor Randel McGee as Hans Christian Anderson rode in his car for all to see.
Folk dancers entertained crowds both in the parade and in the villiage with Danish Dancing.
Motorcycles trailed behind wearing viking attire for all to see.
And lego was a proud sponsor this year as they celebrated generations of fun and allowed kids to put together lego projects.
The Carlsberg Pilsner band of veterans performed both in the parade and in the villiage.
The Old World Artisans was a place where different trades including jewelry and more could showcase what Solvang shops do best.
In addition wood work was on display as visitors could watch them at work.
This turtle was crafted out of a tree trunk on that very day.
There was live entertainment including Danish dancers, a youth band and a bit of rock and roll to conclude the evening.
Saturday’s festivities concluded with a music concert by a local band called Echoswitch on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage.
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.
This year’s 8th Annual Cars and Stripes Forever on the Port of Los Angeles brought the community to San Pedro on Friday July 1, 2016 for a night of classic cars, music and of course a complete fireworks show.
The fireworks included various pop and patriotic songs that were fitting for the lights over the port of Los Angeles.
There were also various musicians who performed between 5 and 9 p.m as spectators viewed the classic cars displayed below.
And a dancing water fountain kept children entertained all night long with lights triggered to various patriotic tunes.
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.
Festivities start early in Downtown Riverside as the 6th annual Asian Pacific Lunar New Year kicks off the Year of the Monkey on Saturday January 31, 2016. Roughly 70 thousand people turned out for the celebration which included a Parade of Nations, opening welcome, entertainment throughout the streets as well as food and culminating with fireworks to officially kick of the New Year.
Watch the video below to see just what kind of performances people saw throughout the day’s free event.
The Year of the Monkey official starts on the first new moon between January 20 and February 15 and concludes with the Lantern festival in Los Angeles on March 5, 2016. Stay tuned for the conclusion coming in a few weeks.
