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.

It's All About The Music

Playing at the Artists’ Theater and hosted by Laguna Beach Live, The John Jorgenson Quintet  played a night of energetic and toe-tapping music. There was no fuss when the Quintet took the stage to play, for these musicians made it clear that music was at the center. Each song could not easily fit into a box of a specific genre, rather they were influenced by many…blending into strong Jazz rhythms where the guitar ruled. The music took over the audience as each note floated into the air where nothing existed but melody, rhythm, chord and note.

The non-profit, Laguna Beach Live brought the John Jorgenson Quintet to our town. They offer a variety of musical experiences for residents and visitors of Laguna Beach.

Free concerts on First Sundays Enjoy these free afternoon concerts at the Laguna College of Art + Design. On February 6, enjoy the Colburn School, Conservatory of Music Quartet.

Jazz Wednesdays Winter Series  hosted at Hotel Laguna for a $10 cover charge.  Jazz Wednesdays are happening now through April 20^th.

Laguna Beach Music Festival 

The 9^th annual week-long festival is taking place February 7-13 and promises to be superb. Featured musicians include Brooklyn Rider, Kayhan Kalhor, and Kojiro Umezaki. You can purchase your tickets now HERE.

By Anne-Marie S.

The World’s Musical Rabbi

Hershey Felder in Maestro: The Art of Leonard Bernstein

Immediately when entering the theater, I knew that this was going to be a special show. What I saw was an elegantly stripped-down set; a black baby grand piano, two large stage lights and an old film camera against a backdrop of draped material resembling a torn piece of sheet music. Against the sheet music, a black and white film was projected of Leonard Bernstein speaking about music …Slowly the house lights are dimmed and before I realize, Hershey Felder, playing Leonard Bernstein, glides through the audience ascending to the stage. He turns and you SEE Leonard Bernstein.

We as the audience were immediately taken into the world of Bernstein. Learning of his strict and traditional Jewish upbringing. How at three he tickled the keys of a piano and immediately fell into “idol worship.” Against his Father’s wishes, he pursued music by paying for his own piano lessons where he quickly surpassed the abilities of his teacher and moved onto studying at the New England Conservatory of Music, and then at Harvard. Along with stories, we were also treated to beautiful music played and sung by Felder.  Being able to hear how great composers like Beethoven influenced Bernstein, brought a deeper understanding of the man. Or the effect that Gershwin had on him and his desire to become the next great American composer. Felder also showed us what conducting meant to him and how the music moved him. All of this was felt through the music more than through the actual words of the story.

Felder was able to weave this story of Bernstein through the music that identified and influenced who he was as a man; father, lover, conductor, composer and teacher. I, as a young 30-something learned a thing or two about Bernstein beyond the “Westside Story” melodies that made him a familiar name to me. I saw that he was a man that asks the questions we all do, “Where do I fit in?” “In this continuum of life and song, where will my mark land?” For Bernstein, he literally became the “world’s musical Rabbi.” His true and pure love of music has influenced generations and will no doubt continue to do so.

Be sure to see this play at The Laguna Playhouse now through February 6. For tickets, call 949-497-2787 x1 or www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

By Anne-Marie S.