Season of the band

Suzie Harrison

Mention music in the park in Laguna Beach, and memories of community,

friends and family are conjured -- neighbors gathered on blankets

picnicking and listening to an array of live music. Concertgoers

dance, socialize and keep their Sunday’s saved for this popular

tradition. This season marks its 20th year.

This season’s Music in the Park Concert series commenced with a

teaser concert at the Festival of Arts Grounds. On May 18, Laguna’s

Roxana Ward on vocals merged with the Laguna Beach Community Concert

Band, performing a show featuring big band and swing era music with

about 150 locals in attendance.

The rest of the series will run from July 20 to Sept. 25.

“It was a collaboration between Roxana Ward and the Community

Concert Band,” arts commissioner Mike Tauber said. “They were just

spectacular -- it was great to have local talent for Music in the

Park.”

Tauber said it was a warm, sunny day, and everyone had their

lounge chairs out and were picnicking and enjoying the festival

grounds.

“They did a couple encores also. Everyone begged them for that,”

Tauber said. “They sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Pat Kollenda’s

grandchild, which made it kind of a homey feeling.”

They played a march that Tauber loves, and hearing it one time

wasn’t enough.

“It was funny because after the concert, I wanted to hear the song

again, so I rented a movie I knew it was in,” Tauber said.

City arts coordinator Sian Poeschl said that they like to do an

off-season event because it can be enjoyed by residents without

having to worry about summer traffic and parking.

“We have an exciting lineup of bands with eight weeks of concerts

at Bluebird Park, one at Riddle Field on Sept. 14, and the last one

Sept. 25, ending it at the Festival of Arts with Elvis Schoenberg’s

‘Orchestra Surreal’ -- where Hendrix meets Brahms,” Poeschl said.

An array of genres and styles has been chosen for the shows from

the Red Elvises’ Siberian rock, to the Trailer Park Troubadours from

Tennessee, to a tribute Neil Diamond band.

A committee, Poeschl said, selects the bands. All year, they look

for different bands, going throughout Southern California to various

events and listening for the right talent.

“The first band playing in Bluebird Park is a tribute [Credence

Clearwater Revival] band, which should be really cool,” Poeschl said.

“The concerts vary from Latin, to surf, to rock and roll to an

orchestra.”

She said the concerts are paid in part by the city and partially

by Music in the Park Inc., which allows for free, fun entertainment.

Everyone is encouraged to enjoy the concerts, bring their picnics,

blankets and low back chairs to experience the Sunday night tradition

of live music.

“It’s pretty unique, with 11 concerts this year free to go to,”

Poeschl said. “It’s really a gift form the city to the community -- I

think it’s a wonderful gift.”

Ten concerts were performed last year. Each year, the number of

dates is increased by one.