Arts festival changes its tune to offer ‘a taste of different forms of jazz.’

All that glistens is not gold, but jazz prospectors in search of the real thing can strike the musical mother lode this weekend at the “All That’s Jazz” fall arts and crafts festival on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

“We wanted a catchy theme and ‘All That’s Jazz’ encompasses various jazz idioms,” said Anne Ferrell of Mark Conte Productions, the firm managing the festival. “We’re giving people a taste of different forms of jazz.”

And a taste of more, because “All That’s Jazz” is not all jazz. International food, arts, crafts, auto exhibits, health tests, a business expo, camel rides and puppet shows await festival-goers.

The festivities run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.

As an added attraction, legendary pianist Les McCann and the Magic Band will perform Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Norris Theatre. Tickets are $25 at the box office or through Ticketmaster. A wine and cheese reception will be held at 6 p.m.

“A theater this size is almost my dream place,” McCann said. “The smaller the audience, the better we play. But we draw energy from big crowds, too.”

Asked to explain his musical style, McCann said, “We don’t play styles, we just play music. We don’t limit ourselves. Our music is not something to explain, it’s something to experience.”

Over the weekend, area restaurants will offer a different kind of experience. Food from Ruby’s, Frogg Lane Bar & Grill, Trattoria Portofino, Jolly Roger, Wallaby-Darned’s Australian Cafe and Cego’s will be on sale inside pavilions at the festival grounds.

There will be musical performances on three stages.

On Saturday, the Silver Spur stage features Russ Guarino’s Friday Night Dixie Band, the contemporary jazz sounds of Mike Gealer and Euphoria, and the saxophone of Cal Bennett. The Indian Peak stage will offer the soft strings of the Lenny Beck Quintet and the Latin rhythms of Kleber Jorge and Brazilliant.

Guitarist Douglas Michael Aus, the Dave Winstone Trio and Dayton Borders round out Saturday’s entertainment at the Deep Valley stage.

Sunday’s lineup at the Silver Spur stage opens with the reggae beat of Jazz Caribe, followed by the jazz tunes of Janine del Arte and Slightly Altered and the big band swing of the Dan Walker Band. The Indian Peak stage features the contemporary jazz of Aerial Display, the “African-Japanese-Jewish Bebop” sounds of David Zasloff, and the traditional jazz repertoire of Al Aarons and the Los Angeles Jazz Society’s Jazz Caravan with emcee Chuck Niles of radio station KLON-FM. The Dan O’Sullivan Trio and Bob Griffiths will perform on the Deep Valley Stage.

“The seating is centered around the food areas,” Ferrell said. “The idea is to let people enjoy the music while they’re enjoying the food.”

The festival also includes displays of works by more than 150 artisans, among them those who specialize in fine art, clothing and jewelry. Camel and pony rides, an animal petting zoo, games and puppet shows will be available in the children’s area.

The annual festival, sponsored by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, attracted 10,000 people each of its first two years. Organizers say they expect an even bigger crowd this year.

“This is the pilot for the jazz theme,” said Ferrell, “and if it’s all we anticipate it to be, the fall festival will be a jazz festival from now on.”

What: “All That’s Jazz” fall arts and crafts festival, featuring a special concert by jazz pianist Les McCann.

When: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The McCann concert is Saturday at 7 p.m.

Where: The festival grounds are off Hawthorne Boulevard along Crossfield Drive between Indian Peak Road and Silver Spur Road on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The McCann concert is at the Norris Theatre, 27570 Crossfield Drive, Rolling Hills Estates.

Admission: Festival admission is free. Tickets for the McCann concert are $25.

Information: 798-2488 for festival information, 544-0403 for Norris Theatre.

Here is the complete performance schedule:

Saturday:

Silver Spur Stage: 11 a.m.: Russ Guarino’s Friday Night Dixie Band 1:30 p.m.: Mike Gealer and Euphoria 4 p.m.: Cal Bennett

Indian Peak Stage: 11 a.m.: Lenny Beck Quartet 1:30 p.m.: Kleber Jorge and Brazilliant 4 p.m.: Friday Night Swing Band

Deep Valley Stage: 11 a.m.: Douglas Michael Aus 1:30 p.m.: Dave Winstone Trio 4 p.m.: Dayton Borders

Sunday:

Silver Spur Stage: 11 a.m.: Jazz Caribe 1:30 p.m.: Janine del Arte and Slightly Altered 4 p.m.: Dan Walker Band

Indian Peak Stage: 11 a.m.: Aerial Display 1:30 p.m.: David Zasloff 4 p.m.: Al Aarons and the Jazz Caravan

Deep Valley Stage: 11 a.m.: Dan O’Sullivan Trio 2:30 p.m.: Bob Griffiths