Notes from the Publisher

Photos: Pat Benter

Mother’s Day brunch at Thornton Winery

It’s no secret that summer is the best time to be a smooth jazz fan in Southern California: You can see nearly every genre star performing at a concert or festival somewhere.But, did you know that you can arrive at a popular venue by helicopter?

I was surprised to see one landing on Thornton Winery’s parking lot in Temecula, California, last month. A very generous and appreciative daughter chartered the flight to take her mom to brunch there on Mother’s Day. “They land here all the time,” said Tonya Wake, Thornton Winery’s general manager. “Normally, a couple times a week. We cone off a space for them on the lower parking lot.” I’ve seen several limousines, a few Bentleys and a Rolls-Royce parked at Thornton when I’ve attended smooth jazz concerts there, but never a helicopter. Who knows, maybe hot air balloon travel will be next in Temecula Valley Wine Country transportation? Patrons of Thornton Winery’s popular Champagne Concert Series will have to wait a little longer to see if such an occurrence happens during their visit (unless they stop by for lunch, brunch, dinner or wine tasting), because it is starting later than usual this year. The first show, featuring The Brian McKnight 4, is scheduled for Saturday, July 20, with Jeffrey Osborne closing out the season on Sunday, Oct. 20. Meanwhile, 75 miles west in Laguna Beach, Festival of Arts kicks off on July 5. This 87th annual art show features 140 top Orange County artists exhibiting sculptures, mosaics, ceramics, photography, plein air paintings, fine jewelry, glass creations, wood works, watercolors, functional pieces and mixed media. Daily music offerings add to the ambience. Two of the most popular are the weekly Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate on Thursdays beginning July 11, which features GRAMMY-winning keyboardist-composer Gregg Karukas on July 25; and Concerts on the Green each Saturday (except Aug. 24, when the Celebrity Benefit Event is held) beginning July 13 with saxophonist Grace Kelly, and includes a performance by The Eric Marienthal All-Stars on Aug. 17. On July 7, the crown jewel, Pageant of the Masters, lights up the Irvine Bowl behind the arts show. With a live orchestra and narration, art comes to life through amazing human re-creations of works of art with real people posing to look exactly like their counterparts in original pieces. This year’s Pageant theme, The Time Machine, inspired by science fiction and steampunk fantasies, travels around the globe into the past, present and future to thrill, humor and awe the audience with beautiful music and extraordinary living art under the stars. I always plan my visits to Festival of Arts on a day when I can take in all of the exhibits, enjoy a jazz concert (preferably one with wine and chocolate!) and stay for Pageant of the Masters. Each time, I leave

Dave Koz is celebrating the launch of his new Koz Rosé at Spaghettini on July 16, featuring Spencer Day feeling like a little kid bursting with excitement and amazement after experiencing the newest Disneyland ride for the first time. And, with all of the special programs Festival of Arts offers, families can load their kids into an SUV on a day when the youth art classes are happening, so the adults can also enjoy it all. A dream of mine is to arrive on a Thursday and stay through Saturday night, so I can spend every waking minute at this venue viewing art, chatting with the artists, listening to music, attending a class, taking a tour, sitting in on a demonstration, corking my creativity with a wine-and-paint workshop, and leaving inspired for more. Plus, if I did that, I’d only be 27 miles away from Spaghettini Fine Dining & Entertainment in Seal Beach, where I could enjoy Sunday brunch and a performance by DW3. With traffic so backed up, I would love to travel by helicopter. However, I think I can make this dream triangle trip from Temecula to Laguna Beach, then over to Seal Beach by driving my own car. In the spirit of Brenda Russell’s song, “Get Here,” my advice to anyone wishing to summer in Caramelized king salmon with jasmine rice, Southern California’s smooth jazz scene is, “I don’t care how you get here, just get here bok choy, lemongrass butter and soy Grand Marnier sauce, a popular Spaghettini entreé if you can.”

Photo: Baldemar Fierro

Photo: Baldemar Fierro Festival of Arts in Laguna Beach, California (left to right): Hugo Rivera’s painting demonstration; wine and chocolate samplings during Art, Jazz, Wine and Chocolate; staff directing volunteer for the 2018 Pageant of the Masters