Preserving the Arts in Santa Clarita, Calif.

On Sunday, November 22, 2015, the Santa Clarita Philharmonic performed a two hour concert at Hart High School located in Newhall.   The ensemble is made up of local musicians professional as well as students and was first put together just a few years ago, under the direction of Jeffrey Gilbert.  They play a variety of arrangement including Tchaikovsky and Brahms.  The concerts are free to the public, though donations are encouraged.

Watch the complete edited performance from Sunday below and make sure to check the Santa Clarita Philharmonic for future performance dates.

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.

2015 Ventura County Music Awards

On September 5, 2015, the Redlight District Show in Ventura County hosted the 2015 Ventura County Music Awards to celebrate and support live music in the area. Musicians of all genres performed for a packed house on the lawn of the Musuem of Ventura County.

All in all, there were roughly 25 different awards handed out including best vocalists, breakthrough star award as well as individual genres.

There were also two hall of fame inductees this year to the Ventura County Music including Jim Salzer and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

To see performances from some of the nominees as well as learn who was chosen for this year’s Artist of the Year, click the video below.

The rest of the winners include:

  • New Artist- Square 1
  • Female Vocalist- Jay Lynn
  • Male Vocalist- Mitchell Blake
  • Jazz- Lola Hagg
  • Country- Lara Britt
  • Punk- The Boxheads
  • Cover band- The Bloody Reunion
  • Blues- Crooked Eye Tony
  • Reggae- Herbal Roots
  • Rock- Kings Ransom
  • Rap- King Harris
  • Hip Hop- Auxillerie
  • R&B- Chris Greer
  • Metal- Bone Maggot
  • Alternative- Holigram Empire
  • Live Band- Fallen Saints
  • Break Through Artist- Dosa Looch
  • Video of the Year: Heart 6
  • Song of the year: “Porcelein” by No Good Deeds
  • Album of the Year- Wild Ride
  • “Nothing Left to Give” Award- Grit Harbor
  • Showman Award- The Seaside Band
  • “We Bring It” Award- Magnificent Bastards
  • “OMG” Award- Velveteen Band
  • “Can You Feel it” Award- American Has

All of the finalists were voted on by the public through the Ventura county music awards website by way of a poll system. To be part of the voting process for next year’s awards, like the Facebook page for updates.

 

140 years of Fair Fun by the Ocean

It’s a Country Fair with Ocean Air, back again for its 140th year at the Ventura County Fairgrounds and and there’s a lot of fun things to experience from nightly musical performances by stars including Salt and Pepa, Leann Rimes, Neil Sedaka, Beatriz Adriana, Chaka Khan and its ever popular rodeo closing out the 12 day run on August 15 and 16, 2015 and all is included in the 12 dollar fair admission.

There are also nightly fireworks at exactly 10 p.m. that illuminate the sky over the fairgrounds by the ocean which makes fairgoers stop what they are doing and enjoy the sights.

Just a few more days, don’t miss out, click here to buy tickets for the closing days.

125 Years of Fun in Costa Mesa, Calif.

The fair is back at the Orange County Fairgrounds and there is a lot to do starting July 17 through August 16.  For just 12 dollars, fairgoers can view the baby animals that are born throughout the month and fast the fun fair foods at the various stands throughout the grounds.  There’s farm animals, floriculture, photography and more.  See it now, before it’s too late.

 

6th Annual Fireworks in Eagle Rock

Independence day came early to the city of Eagle Rock as residents came out to the Eagle Rock Recreation Center on Sunday June 26th, 2015 to enjoy a live concert and fireworks display at dusk.   The Neighborhood City Council and Congressman  Jose Huizar introduced the live entertainment to the thousands that gathered on the hill and in the park to listen to “Elvis” as they waited for the much anticipated fireworks that had only been brought back to the city a few years prior.

In addition to music and fireworks, there was also a classic car show, where residents could marvel over the cars.

And local groups came out to support the community while offering information about their groups.

Watch here, a selection of Elvis music as well as the 6th annual fireworks display for your viewing pleasure.

Happy 4th!

Strawberries in Encino

On the second Sunday in June, the California Strawberry Commission brought a miniature version to the city of Encino. Residents could buy, taste and take home their own strawberry plants. In addition to strawberries, the festival had fun bounce houses for kids, arts and crafts and even a cancer education group shared about the 43rd Annual Cancer Convention being held at a local hotel in Universal City on the first week in September.

Watch now and learn more about what the festival had to offer, including tips on how to grow strawberries.

1st Annual Music Festival in Canoga Park

To kick of the Summer Concert series, a music festival entertained crowds on Sunday Afternoon on June 8th, 2015.  Sponsored by Artists for Trauma, a group that rehabilitates people suffering from various injuries, kids could make their own art, while watching young woman perform despite limitations.

And the Family Stones performed on the stage as the event concluded as the sunset.

 

32nd Annual Strawberry Festival in Oxnard

This year’s annual celebration brought the community of Oxnard together for its 32nd year as residents got to see everything Strawberry at the Strawberry Meadows in College Park.  The two day festival took place on May 16 and 17 from 10 o’clock to 6:30 and featured a variety of different strawberry concoctions including chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry drinks and strawberry food.

There was also love music throughout the meadows of the college, arts and crafts for kids, strawberry themed rides and various food demonstrations including the much anticipated Berry Blast Off Recipe contest where the top two or 500 entries, compete in an hour-long competition for the title of best strawberry themed recipe, which includes a trip to a spa and a chance to compete in a national championship in November.

Watch the video below to see more about the recipes that won and the music that entertained crowds or click here to see past years.

Books Galore at USC

This year marks the 20th year of the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at the University of Southern California.  As previously reported, there were thousands of books ranging from children to young adult and many more in between.  There were also several celebrities that brought their own books for people to purchase as well as a cooking stage, music and much more.

Watch now to see just which books were the highlight of this year’s festival and stay tuned for a follow up with even more exclusive interviews from more of the authors at the 2015 LA Times Festival of books.