Making music for our sister city, Menton

You’d think after months of preparation, sleepless nights and anxiety attacks event organizers would be able to kick back on the big day.

No way. If anything can go wrong, it will.

Is it worth it?

“You bet,” said Carol Reynolds, chairwoman of the second annual Fête de la Musique on Saturday on Forest Avenue and Main Beach.

But a capricious Mother Nature can sure give organizers a few gray hairs.

Last year, folks sweltered on the day of the inaugural fete. This year, Reynolds awoke to drizzling skies and the news that rain might be on the way.

Weather is always a concern for the Patriots Day Parade Committee, the Charm House Tour or those who plan outdoor weddings or garden parties.

“We know we can’t count on the weather,” Reynolds said. “But I just couldn’t see how we could cancel the fete.”

However, it was a worry — and losing 11 mariachi musicians didn’t help.

The fete began at 11:30 a.m. in the Rose Garden of Laguna Beach Presbyterian Church with a performance by the Third Street Strutters, the Dixieland component of the Laguna Beach Concert Band. They would have played later, but the parents of leader Matt Wood — Len and Toni Wood — were celebrating their 56th wedding anniversary that day.

Actually, Toni Wood was a member of Reynolds Fete Committee, which also included Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda, singer Lisa Morrice, and “Quilters” original cast member Karen McBride, with a special role played by Chic McDaniel in addition to his guitar.

“And we owe special thanks to Brian Cameron, president of the concert band who set up the sound system in the Rose Garden and then shlepped it down to Main Beach for the finale,” Reynolds said.

The Bolling League Classical Jazz Ensemble and Sax Appeal also entertained the crowd that gathered at the Rose Garden, welcomed by Mayor Kelly Boyd.

In the crowd: City Councilwoman Verna Rollinger, Festival of Arts Event Coordinator Susan Davis, Newport Beach Sister City Assn. member Justin Myers, Bushard Pharmacy’s Beth Major, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rose Hancock, Gary Jenkins, Jim Rue, Jean and Jack Paris, Sande St. John and tourists, tourists and more tourists.

Sophia Tupy sang the “Star Spangled Banner, followed by Samantha Smith singing the French National Anthem, “La Marseillaise.”

Smith, who learned her French in summers spent in France, was scheduled to sing again and play guitar, but by the time she finished her first vocal, her vocal cords gave out and she could barely whisper.

Laguna Beach Sister City Assn., a cultural exchange group with ties to Menton, France, sponsored the fete. Association President Karyn Philippsen greeted the crowd on behalf of the association, saying new members would be welcomed.

The fete celebrated the power of music, an equal opportunity art that has no boundaries.

“Music gives you soul and a way to go beyond language,” said Odile Dewar, Laguna Beach High School French teacher and a big supporter of the fete.

Dewar greeted the crowd in French but spoke in English to introduce School Board members Betsy Jenkins and Ketta Brown, who are active in connecting Laguna’s kids with the children of Menton.

Dewar also introduced the Honorable Yann Perreau, cultural attaché to the French Consulate in Los Angeles. Perreau was subbing for French Consul General Didier Rousseliere, who helped found Laguna’s sister city association, found the perfect sibling in Menton, and serves on the board of directors.

“I am reluctant to speak,” perreau said in a charming French accent. “This is an amazing event, thanks to Laguna Beach and Menton. We have great music here. Thank you so much. Merci.”

Dewar next introduced Amélie M’Baye, a member of the French Consulate, who was born in French-speaking Senegal.

“Odile is blond and white, and I am black and dark, but she was born in Madagascar, and I call her my sister,” M’Baye said, before breaking into song, backed by Kollenda, Tupy, Morrice and Cathy McItnyre.

Reynolds finally tracked down the group from San Juan Capistrano’s Community Mariachi Program at Zinc Café.

“I was considerably less stressed once we found them,” Reynolds said. “There had been a mix-up in the scheduling, which was exacerbated by the drizzle — some people thought the fete might be rained out.”

Reynolds first heard about the mariachi program from her housekeeper, Rocio Munez.

“She invited me to a posada and told me about the program,” Reynolds said. “There are about 90 participants, mostly kids.”

Reynolds dragged Kollenda to hear them practice, and they were invited to play at the fete.

The program is directed by Carmen Ceja and her brother, David. She plays and teaches violin and he plays the trumpet. They both sing. Their mother also participates and all three came to Laguna with eight youngsters in the program, accompanied by friends and relatives.

Soon the crowd in Rose Garden was singing along and clapping hands, to familiar favorites like “La Bamba,” which drew even more people.

Reynolds, who can outlast the Energizer Bunny, grabbed Bana Hilel for an impromptu dance to the familiar “Mexican Hat Dance,” sans sombrero.

Hilel had just arrived after being installed as the new co-president of the Laguna Beach branch of the American Assn. of University Women.

About 12:30 p.m. musicians Liz Royce, Ed Merrilees, McDaniel, Morrice, McItnyre, Doug Miller, the Gospel String Bank and Mike de Billis began playing at different locations along Forest Avenue.

The fete concluded at Main Beach, where the mariachi band picked up where they left off at the Rose Garden, drawing a large crowd.

Kollenda sat beaming like a proud stage mother when soloist performed. She practically breathed for them.

Philippsen took the microphone to recognize Reynolds’ contribution to the fete.

Reynolds praised all of the musicians who participated in the fete without being paid a penny and without complaint.

“One person cannot do this,” Reynolds told the crowd. “Please join the sister city association so we can do this more than once a year. “

The Laguna Beach Sister City Assn. was established in January 2003, with the primary goal of beginning and maintaining a long-term relationship with Menton that encourages an exchange of cultural, educational and business activities.

Events besides the fete, include educational programs like the one that featured author Marthe Cohn, a French spy during the Nazi occupation of her homeland, and other activities.

The board of directors includes Nancy Beverage, Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts; Helene Garrison, Laguna College of Art & Design; City Councilwoman Toni Iseman; Fred Karan, local businessman; Jennifer Karan, volunteer; Richard Schwarzstein, the attorney who worked pro bono on the incorporation and nonprofit status for the group; Steven Rabago; Kollenda; Jenkins; Reynolds; and McDaniel.

Membership fees are $25 per person, $50 for a family and $100 for a business. Sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, call (959) 492-0883.

OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, 92652; call (949) 380-4321 or e-mail coastlinepilot@latimes.com