Beth Peerless, The Buzz: Big Sur throws a whimsical fashion show
New column covers music and more
Posted: 06/11/2014 05:30:06 PM PDT
Salutations dear readers! Welcome to The Buzz. It's been awhile since we last shared some time together. I'm happy to be back contributing to the Monterey Herald after a nearly two-year sabbatical, give or take a few articles here and there.
The twists and turns of life and media business have allowed me to return to covering entertainment in Monterey County. This time around I'm broadening my horizons beyond only music, to include a variety of events and activities that I think define a good time in our beautiful and diverse county. It could include music, or fashion, or design of any kind really. My email is listed above if you'd like to send me a press release.
To put it simply, living in Central California is cool. While music will most likely be given the lion's share of attention — after all, I didn't spend 17 years covering music locally to just give up on it — the truth is, I enjoy a wide range of activities. And I'm guessing most everyone else does as well.
To get things rolling this week I'd like to share with you Monterey Jazz Festival updates, a couple of quick notices, and my experience attending the sixth annual Big Big Big Sur Fashion Show held at the Henry Miller Memorial Library last Thursday, June 5. There was a happening after-party at Bay of Pines in Monterey the following Saturday (I was unable to attend), but I can't imagine there being anything more successful than the original event that's been selling out every year since its inception.
Congratulations to all of the artists, musicians, designers, makeup artists, set builders, organizers, supporters and anyone else involved in the production of this fabulous event. I'd been hearing about it for years, and as a dyed-in-the-wool fashionista I was of course more than interested to attend.
While I'd like to say a few things about how it felt to be there, the story is in the pictures, and no one better than Patrice Ward could document this event, although there were several wonderful photographers present. He has posted his catalogue at patriceward.smugmug.com.
Despite its development over the years and its expanding popularity — when ticket sales were opened to the public online they sold out in 30 seconds — the event still feels like a local community presentation. The whimsically orchestrated multi-discipline production provided Big Sur locals and visitors a peek into what goes on in creative minds when given the challenge to create costumes out of recycled materials and to set them in theatrical vignettes.
Musical entertainment came on stage as well as off the roof of the library. A children's section started the evening, and the adult show was split in two with an intermission. Festive is an understatement. Exciting and fun a given. Please enjoy the photos. Organizers are really trying to find a way to include more attendees. We'll see what they come up with next year.
Jazz Fest news
The 57th annual Monterey Jazz Festival happens September 19-21 at the Monterey County Fair and Event Center. As always, there's a fabulous lineup, this year getting funky with Herbie Hancock and The Roots! All the info and the full lineup is at www.montereyjazzfestival.org.
Through Friday, there is an exclusive online pre-sale for single-day arena tickets, which go on sale to the public June 26. There are still three-day arena and grounds ticket packages available, but if you want to go to just one or two arena shows, this is the way. Go to the festival website ticket sales page, click on the single-day ticket you want and enter the password MJF.
Also, through June 20, the annual MJF Summer Jazz Camp is in session at Monterey Peninsula College, featuring workshops with this year's artist-in-residence, drummer Eric Harland (June 17-19), and 14 nationally renowned jazz artists. There are a number of free concerts open to the public next week. The Museum of Monterey at Custom House Plaza will host a student jam session at 6 p.m. Monday and a vocal open-mic night at 7 p.m. Tuesday. MPC will host a combos concert at 7 p.m. Wednesday and the big band and vocal concert at 7 p.m. Thursday. See the website for details.
Dead at the movies
For all you Grateful Dead fans out there, and I know plenty of you, a GD Meet-Up at the Movies event will be held July 17. Tickets are now on sale for this only-in-theaters film of the Dead, captured during their legendary European tour in 1972 with audio remastered from the original analog tapes.
Never officially released and never before seen in its entirety, the studio performance from the "Beat Club" TV program in Bremen, West Germany, features the classic 1972 lineup. It captures the Dead in their prime, with the last known video of Pigpen before his passing. Local theaters participating are at Salinas' Northridge Shopping Center and Santa Cruz 9. Tickets are available at theater box offices or online at www.fathomevents.com/event/grateful-dead-meet-up-at-the-movies-2014.
Passing of a friend
For those who knew Brazilian percussionist Helcio Milito, who spent a good portion of his life living on the Monterey Peninsula with a long-standing gig at Spanish Bay Resort in Pebble Beach, the news of his passing in Rio de Janeiro last Saturday at the age of 83 is indeed very sad news.
The music community here has lost a dear friend, and an amazing musician, internationally known for his innovative work with The Tamba Trio in the 1960s-80s. RIP dear Helcio. Your smiling face lives on in our collective hearts and minds.