Summer in Laguna means the Festival of the Arts (FOA) with its free concerts. Some of these concerts are outstanding! Combine that with the reasonable entry fee, the canyon vibe, permitted picnic baskets and the art and you have the ingredients for a memorable day. The choices are overwhelming since FOA has live music every day, sometimes several times per day. Thankfully, you have me to call out the hidden gems.
I plan to cover the Sawdust and Art-a-Fair music in a separate entry.
READ THIS FIRST – NEW SEATING AT FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS
FOA has some reserved seating for the concerts. This is new. Reserved seating costs $20 – $40 depending on the event. These are roped off lawn tables on the bandstand grounds. Free seating is on the tiered cement bench along the green as well as the tables/chairs concentric to the lawn. Unfortunately, there is no seating map I can link to, but it will be obvious when you see the place or if you’ve been there before.
Reserved seating is not assigned. It is still a general admission scenario where you get the better table the earlier you arrive. Pageant ticket holders do NOT have free access to reserved concert seating, but they still get the usual access to the FOA and the free concert seating. You can buy reserved seating online at this link (but you can’t buy FOA general admission online) The ticket is a wristband, which gives you access to the reserved area. I believe that purchasing a reserved seat also gives you free access to the FOA for the day.
The Concerts
Rating and ranking music is a slippery slope. There is no accounting for taste and I am bound to offend somebody. That said, here are some local bands that impress me and deserve a close listen. All these and more are listed in my calendar section.
Show links and pricing information are at the end of this article.
July 16 – Nick Mancini with Evan Stone.
You must experience Nick Mancini! He plays the vibraphone with such expression and gestures. It is like watching an old movie mad scientist. Here is proof. Evan Stone runs a very tight backing jazz ensemble. I’ve seen him many times when he’s backed (and produced) Nancy Sanchez, one of my favorite local songbirds.
Tuesday, July 17. Darryl Walker Sings Al Jarreau
“Darryl Walker has a voice like butter.” So says Andrea Miller, one of my favorite jazz singers. He is also a fine sax player. Combine that with Al Jarreau songs and you have a great show!
Sunday, July 22. Black Market Trust.
Black Market Trust play oldies and the Great American Songbook with a gypsy jazz accompaniment. I’ve seen them several times. Don’t miss them! Here they are from last year.
Thursday, July 26. Spencer Day.
I haven’t seen Spencer Day, but I want to. He reminds me of Michael Bublé and the other telegenic young singers who pay homage to the old school song stylists.
Friday, July 27. Stephan Oberhoff and Heartbeat Brazil.
These guys stand out because of their harmonized vocals and the inclusion of a violincello. Of course, when it comes to this type of music, always have your beloved beside you.
Saturday, July 28. The Salty Suites.
Salty Suites plays a combination of bluegrass, depression-era and Americana. Here is their YouTube channel. Their singer, Chelsea Williams, was such an magnetic celebrity busker in Santa Monica, that she was recruited to act and sing in a Chevrolet commercial.
Sunday, July 29. Tony Guerrero Quintet.
Tony specializes in jazz sounds from the mid-century. I’ve seen him many times and his quintet is tight tight tight! FOA is replete with smooth jazz. This is not smooth jazz.
Friday, August 3. Tony Guerrero presents “Girls Jazz Night”
This is my favorite event from previous festivals. Tony’s ensemble accompanies 3 – 4 fantastic female singers who take turns singing from the Great American Songbook. It is like having Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Anita O’Day and Julie London on the same stage! Here is some footage from last year.
Sunday, August 5. Darryl F. Walker Band
Darryl is the guy with the voice like butter. His jazz credentials are first rate but expect him to do familiar R &B tunes beautifully.
Monday, August 6. Nick Mancini and Evan Stone.
See the above description.
Tuesday, August 7. Anne Walsh and Tom Zink – the music of Sergio Mendes and Brazil ‘ 66
They did a similar show last year (here is some footage: link). Loved it! This music is so appropriate for people in love.
Saturday, August 11. Quattrosound
I’ve seen Quattrosound multiple times. They overflow with talent, originality and playfulness. They pull from the entire pop spectrum (and global spectrum, too). The big draw for me is Leah Zeger, their violinist/vocalist. I’ve seen her as part of Gonzalo Bergara’s gypsy jazz quartet. Here is one of my videos of them in action.
Tuesday, August 14. Tony Guerrero – a tribute to 1950’s West Coast Jazz
Tony specializes in jazz sounds from the mid-century. Sometimes west coast jazz is called cool. I say Tony and his ensemble is hot hot hot!
Saturday, August 18. Black Market Trust
See the above description.
Monday, August 20. Anne Walsh and Tom Zink
See the above description. They likely will stay within their Brazilian catalog.
Sunday, August 26. Phil Salazar and the Kinfolk
Bluegrass. It’s hard to find bluegrass in the OC.
Monday, August 27. Buzz Campbell and Hot Rod Lincoln.
Rockabilly. One of my favorite genres. If you like Stray Cats and what inspired them, you will like this. Check out this track.
Friday, August 31. Tony Guerrero presents Leslie Page.
If Tony likes her, then I love her! This vocalist has a broad repertoire and she nails it: Sinatra, Al Green, show tunes, etc. See for yourself on YouTube.
Prices and Tickets
FOA tickets are $15 on weekends, $10 on weekdays. FOA tickets are not online sales. However, you can buy reserved seating online.
Consider purchasing a Passport To The Arts ($29) if you are visiting more than once this season. The passport gives you unlimited access to FOA, The Sawdust Festival and The Art-a-Fair plus one free day of parking at the Act 5 lot. Note that the passport does not give you free seating in the reserved section.
FOA contact info: https://www.foapom.com/about/contact/