Laguna Beach Chosen as Exclusive US Photo Shoot Location for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit "2012 Model Search"

The Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau in partnership with Montage Laguna Beach, recently hosted models for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit “2012 Model Search” appearing in the celebrated 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue debuting on February 15th on newsstands and on SI.com/ModelSearch. Laguna Beach is the exclusive continental United States location for one of seven destinations world-wide featured in the SI Swimsuit issue.
Sports Illustrated searched out eight beautiful models to participate in the SI Swimsuit Model Search, with the model getting the most votes appearing the 2012 issue of the iconic magazine. All eight models were brought to Laguna Beach on a special photo shoot where they were captured in both photographs and video. All this great content will be displayed in a custom website at www.SI.com/modelsearch where America will have the chance to meet the models and vote for their favorite. The winner will be guaranteed a spot in the 2012 SI Swimsuit issue.‬ Models included: Elisandra Tomacheski, Elena Baguci, Jasmine Tookes, Catrinel Menghia, Jessica Perez, Tamaris Freitas, Kathy Leutner and Kasia Gogolkiewicz.

“We are delighted to have partnered with Montage Laguna Beach and Sports Illustrated on this project which will highlight our beautiful, oceanfront, artist’s village on a world-wide stage,” said Judy Bijlani, Executive Director for the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau.

“To have Montage Laguna Beach be selected as a coveted location for this celebrated magazine’s photo shoot is truly exciting. It has been such a pleasure working with the Sports Illustrated team.” said Todd Orlich, General Manager, Montage Laguna Beach.

Well known photographer Walter Iooss Jr. responsible for 11 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue covers, traveled to Laguna Beach for the shoot.

Laguna Beach Music Festival

Another artistic expression of this great art colony is the Laguna Beach Musical Festival. The 9^th annual Festival is going on now thru the 13^th of February.  The festival is a collaboration between Laguna Beach Live! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County . Together they work to bring prominent and promising musicians to Laguna Beach. This year the festival features guest artistic director, Brooklyn Rider; a genre-defying string quartet.

I had the chance to hear Brooklyn Rider play with Kojiro Umezaki, a flute player, last night at the Laguna Playhouse . The show was appropriately titled “New World.” Brooklyn Rider is well known for breaking the barriers of the classical genre by incorporating a taste of world music and sounds. Umezaki grew up in Tokyo studying the western flute and then moved to studying the shakuhachi, a Japanese end-blown bamboo flute. The instrument was first introduced in 7^th century Japan and was used to create music for Zen Buddhist meditation. I could sense the calming spirit of the instrument as he played. Sometimes haunting but always soothing and pure. Mixed with the expressive melodies of Brooklyn Rider it was a feast for the ears, mind, and soul.

There are several shows left for the Laguna Beach Music Festival. Be sure to treat yourself to one of these fantastic performances.

For tickets and information click HERE. 

By Anne-Marie S.