Final summer concert by Community Concert Band and Swing Set

Pulling out all the stops, the Laguna Community Concert Band and the Laguna Big Band “Swing Set” will feature guest artists electric violinist Elizabeth Johnson and Jazz vocalist and female voice impressionist Bethany Owen, to join LCCB’s own jazz vocalist Linda Hughes at the Festival of Arts for their Summer Seasons Concert Finale. The two hour concert begins at 5:30, on Monday, August 17, and is free to Laguna Residents (small entrance fee for non-LB residents).

The LCCB and Big Band’s final summer program will be packed with diverse musical selections including traditional marches, classical selections, ragtime, Dixieland, and swing as well as the newly commissioned work “Sketches of Laguna” (with Mistress of Ceremonies, Mrs. Lona Ingwerson providing the narrative). The two bands are quickly becoming noted throughout Southern California for putting on “really big shows” with crowd pleasing results.

Electric violinist Elizabeth Johnson, playing with the full Concert band, brings rich and moving expressions in an inspirational interpretation of Johns Williams “Theme From Schindler’s List” as well as performing a special selection of her choosing. Johnson, an active freelance musician in the Los Angeles and Orange County area, has performed locally with the Pacific Symphony, Opera Pacific and the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and with various artists including Josh Groban, Bebe Neuwirth and Steve Perry.

Bethany Owen – a veteran of TV, stage and screen is a two time international winner and current reigning title holder of the IGCITA award for “Best Female Voice Impressionist”. Known as “The Woman of 1001 Voices and Faces”, Owen is a renown entertainer whose impersonations of Judy Garland, Cher, Marilyn Monroe, and Liza Minnelli just to name a few have earned her accolades worldwide. Who will show up?? … only Bethany knows!

Coming back for her fourth season with the LCCB is jazz vocalist Linda Hughes. Established as one of Laguna’s favorite performers, Hughes’s polished work will be heard with such classics as “Sunny Side of the Street”, “Come Rain or Come Shine” and “But Not for Me”.

The LCCB is also honoring the multi-talented Pat Kollenda as a guest conductor. As Secretary of the Festival of Arts Board of Directors, Chair of the Laguna Beach Arts Commission , Chair of the Laguna Beach Summer Bluebird Park Concert Series, and community Choral director (… and list goes on and on…), the civic-minded and much beloved Kollenda has been a tireless champion of the Arts in Laguna Beach.

A special treat for concert goers will come between the change from the Concert Band to the Big Band “Swing Set” as Laguna’s Third Street Strutters Dixieland Band will perform classic New Orleans style Jazz.

With beer, wine and food available, world class art and music that will keep your toe tapping and a smile on your face, the Festival of Arts is THE place to be on this upcoming Monday evening… and who knows, rumor has it that John Philip Sousa himself might make an appearance!