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Gregg Karukas, Adam Hawley, and Pamela Williams

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SEPTEMBER 10

Saxman Michael Paulo with special guests Larry Braggs & David Garfield

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Brian Simpson and Jessy J

OCTOBER 8

Kalapana

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OCTOBER 22

Steve Oliver and Blake Aaron

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The 34th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival is happening Aug. 11-13 at Rainbow Lagoon Park in Long Beach, California, and offers VIP seating, general admission and waterfront cabanas. For more information on this, and other events happening in August and September, check out the calendar section, beginning on page 24.

8 Notes from the Publisher Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, California, celebrates 90th year of Pageant of the Masters and honors artists from around the world who embraced their communities and were inspired by one

18 Catalina Island Travel Planning Guide How to get there and where to stay

20 Brian Culbertson the drive, artistry and vision of this smooth jazz superstar

24 Calendar of smooth jazz events

Jazz Buzz Dave Koz and his sax crew Candy Dulfer and Eric Darius storm the stages this summer, with special appearances by vocalist Maysa

34 Cashmira’s Starguide

35 Smooth Jazz News merchandise Get festival-ready with our gear and summer sale prices

Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach, California, offer sumptuous, sensory experiences for eyes, ears and taste buds

When I asked my friend Rhonda Kilpatrick if she’d like to see Pageant of the Masters with me, she said, “Is that a golf tournament?” It’s not. But I’m guessing that might be the first impression most people have who aren’t familiar with the Festival of Arts’ world-famous theatrical interpretation of art through the magic of tableaux vivants or living pictures.

But the festival is not just for art enthusiasts. Jazz and music fans might appreciate Festival of Arts, not only for its professionally juried fine art show featuring paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry and more from Orange County, California, artists, but also for the daily musical performances it offers. Nathan East is scheduled to perform at their Concerts on the Green on Aug. 19, and Gregg Karukas will bring his GK Soul Jazz Party to the Art, Jazz, Wine & Chocolate series on Aug. 24.

However, as dusk falls, more enchantment awaits a few feet behind the exhibits in the 2,600-seat amphitheater of the Irvine Bowl. That’s where the 90-minute, spine-tingling spectacle of music, storytelling and grand illusions of Pageant of the Masters begins. This unique theatrical production replicates famous art masterpieces staged by an all-volunteer cast of people in full makeup and custom-made costumes. They are posed to look exactly like their counterparts in the original masterpieces, with large-scale, intricate sets and sophisticated lighting, accompanied by a live, 20-piece orchestra and engaging narrator.

This year’s Pageant celebrates its 90th anniversary with the production of “Art Colony: In the Company of Artists.” This theme draws inspiration from the works of renowned artists from around the world who embraced their communities where they lived and worked and, in turn, influenced one another. The first act brings to life En Plein Air: Monet et Cie with Claude Monet’s “Women in the Garden”; Denizens of the Demimonde: Paris with Henri de ToulouseLautrec’s “Dancing at the Moulin Rouge”; Land of Enchantment with Ernest L. Blumenschein’s “Plaza de Ranchos de Taos”; and, in the second act, East L.A.: Chicano Art with “Lucha Reyes, Mother of Ranchera,” among others. However, one of the sets that makes this year’s Pageant so special is New York’s Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement that celebrated art and African American culture in the 1920s and ’30s.

“The Harlem Renaissance was painting and sculptures, but it was also poetry, politics and literature. A time of freedom of expression for people of color previously unknown in America,” explained Diane Challis Davy, Pageant of the Masters director. “African American art and art by women have been underrepresented in the history of American art. I’m pleased we can present the Harlem Renaissance along with other important art colonies of the USA and the world.”

The Harlem Renaissance is considered a golden age in African American culture, manifesting in literature, music, stage performance and art. The era is widely known in pop culture for its nightclubs and music by Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway of the Cotton Club, and Bessie Smith, to name a few. Lesser known to many are the painters and sculptors associated with this vibrant movement. This year’s Pageant shines a light on sculptors Meta Warrick Fuller and Augusta Savage, and painters Archibald Motley and Aaron Douglas.

Kicking off the second act, audiences will see these artists’ work pop to life onstage, including the signature 16-foot sculpture

“Lift Every Voice and Sing” by Savage, the late Harlem Renaissance artist, activist and educator. The “Song of the Towers” is part of a four-mural collection series by Douglas, who felt that jazz was a great contribution of African American culture to the world. Fuller’s bronze statue “Emancipation” and Motley’s extraordinary painting “Holy Rollers” are also key highlights during the Harlem Renaissance art colony portion of the show.

“All four of these works of art are new to our stage. I especially admire Aaron Douglas’ style, his colorful silhouette paintings and murals depicting Black history,” added Challis Davy.

“I have selected uplifting musical pieces to complement the four tableaux. Jazz, spirituals, gospel will be represented, along with a song that’s considered an anthem, ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing!’ There will be singers!”

The art colony established in Laguna Beach, California, in the early years of the 20th century was the primary inspiration for the 2023 theme.

“We’re excited about the theme, ‘Art Colony,’ because Laguna Beach was really put on the map as such more than 100 years ago,” Challis Davy said. “We don’t acknowledge our local art colony status until the finale of the show, and along the way we will show other art colonies where artists offered support and inspired one another,” she concluded.

With the Pageant’s breathtaking performances and the artistic creations and jewelry in the exhibits, plus classes, tours, a fashion show, and live music every day, all in one scenic location, Festival of Arts is among the best entertainment values and experiences of the summer. Rhonda loved it so much, she’s planning to bring her creative, art-loving daughter!

Pageant of the Masters is presented nightly through Sept. 1, 2023. Tickets start at $35 per person. For more information about the Pageant and Festival of Arts, located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, California, visit www.foapom.com or call 800-487-3378.

“We’re excited about the theme, ‘Art Colony,’ because Laguna Beach was really put on the map as such more than 100 years ago. We don’t acknowledge our local art colony status until the finale of the show, and along the way we will show other art colonies where artists offered support and inspired one another.”

Diane Challis Davy Pageant of the Masters director