FREE LONG BEACH FUN

PCH Raising Decibels: 2^ND & PCH live music concert series on Seaport Way will be 5-8 p.m. on select Thursday evenings throughout the summer. Featuring free face painting, airbrush tattoos, and a dance area. Guests are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for first-come, first-served seating beginning at 11:00 am.

Headlining acts include:

• July 20th: RagDolls, The Ultimate All Female Aerosmith Tribute Band
• July 27th: Tomorrows Bad Seeds (Reggae)
• August 3rd: Blue Breeze Band (Rhythm and Blues)
• August 10th: Rod the Mod, Never a Dull Moment Tribute Band

For the full PCH Raising Decibels line-up, visit 2ndandpch.com.

PCH Movies & Moonlight: Enjoy free weekly outdoor movie nights with the summer series of along Seaport Way. Movie nights will take place every Friday at sunset July 14th through August 18th. Pre-show entertainment and complementary airbrush tattoos will be available prior to movie start times.

August line-up includes: 

• July 14th: Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon
• July 21st: Lyle, Lyle Crocodile
• July 28th: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (2017)
• August 4th: Disney Pixar’s Turning Red
• August 11th: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
• August 18th: Disney Pixar’s Monster’s Inc.

For more info, visit: 2ndandpch.com

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After a two-year hiatus, the high-energy touring event is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a return to Angel Stadium of Anaheim for three consecutive weekends — beginning this Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 22 and 23, and returning Feb. 19, 20, 26 and 27. 

The much-anticipated tour will be the first Anaheim shows at full capacity since the Covid-19 pandemic halted its touring competitions in 2020. The family fun event will feature a roster of world-class drivers showing off their eye-opening speed and skill competitions in the dirt. 

Motorsports fans will witness the 12,000-pound Monster Jam trucks perform at their highest speeds around the stadium grounds, battling for points in freestyle, skills, donuts and speed. Twelve athletes will fight for the Stadium Series Championship to win an automatic bid to the Monster Jam World Finals to compete for the World Champion title in Orlando this May. 

Also returning will be the Monster Jam Pit Party fan experience prior to every event, in which fans can get up close to the trucks, have a meet-and-greet with drivers and crews, take photos and more. 

Monster Jam

Where: Angel Stadium of Anaheim – 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA 92803

When: 6:30 p.m. Jan. 22; 2:30 p.m. Jan. 23; 6:30 p.m. Feb. 19; 2:30 p.m. Feb. 20; 6:30 p.m. Feb. 26; 2:30 p.m. Feb. 27

Tickets: Tickets and Pit Passes will be available for purchase online at Ticketmaster.com

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Here are 8 notable highlights of the evening:

1. In true SoCal style, the Oklahoma-bred Chenoweth drank from a large In-N-Out cup throughout the show, stating the fast food joint is a “must” when she is in town.
2. She shared in excitement that her former professor was in attendance, and is a current professor at Chapman University. At one point she asked, “Where are my Chapman students at?” which received cheers throughout the venue. In true mentor style, she gave advice, pointed out vocal ranges, and even pointed out mistakes on her part to the students throughout the performance.
3. Her guitarist Josh Bryant took center stage with her to perform the Eagles’ rock ballad “Desperado.” At the end of the song, she leaned over and planted a smooch on the 38-year-old, snickering and saying, “I didn’t tell you how well I knew him.”
4. Before she sang a beautiful rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” she dedicated it to her dear friend, OC arts philanthropist Julia Argyros, who was also in the audience. Then she thanked her for buying her lunch at The Capital Grille earlier that day.
5. She paid homage to Julie Andrews, Judy Garland, Betty Buckley, and several Broadway stars that have influenced her throughout her flourishing career.
6. She made it Christmas in October, singing “(Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag/Jingle Bell Rock” from her new holiday album, Happiness is…Christmas! released on Oct. 22.
7. She shared her love for binge-watching crime documentaries, Bravo’s Real Housewives series, and the Britney Spears documentary throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. After she saw the Spears’ doc, she jokingly said she called Britney up to offer her some advice, before belting out her iconic Wicked tune “Popular,” with anecdotes for Britney in between.
8. Not a dry eye was left in the house when she concluded the concert with a breathtaking rendition of “Smile,” sung entirely without her microphone.

After the past year-and-a-half void of live concerts and performances, Chenoweth was a pro at carrying her audience from beginning to end with a lighthearted yet sentimental performance that allowed everyone to reflect on how much the arts are truly needed.

For more information on upcoming performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, visit scfta.org

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Performing at Irvine Barclay Theatre, Scott said he plans to provide the audience “with a dynamic and entertaining evening combining jazz, funk, and new versions of classic popular songs.” With over 30 solo recordings and over 500 as a guest artist, the saxman has garnered three Grammy Awards and 14 nominations and has worked with such diverse artists as Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Carol King, Paul McCartney, the Blues Brothers and Steely Dan.

The aptitude for music runs strong in the Scott family — Scott’s father, film and television composer Nathan Scott, had over 700 television credits and more than 100 film credits as a composer, orchestrator, and conductor, including the theme songs for “Lassie” and “Dragnet.”

We had the honor to chat with the music legend before his stop in O.C.

With your father being a notable composer, how did that inspire your own career in music?

Dad was a great film and TV composer with over 700 credits. There was always a room where we lived (the dining room at first, later a separate studio behind the house) where he would be busy composing with an upright piano, a drafting table and score paper. It’s not that he taught me music directly, but when, in the fourth grade, I wanted to play the clarinet in elementary school, he paid for lessons by one of L.A.’s finest woodwind players. He also introduced me to jazz; he bought me a Benny Goodman Carnegie Hall concert recording from 1938 — 10 years before I was born. I wore that record out trying to imitate Benny on my student model clarinet.

Upon entering junior high, now they call it ‘middle school’, I took the only chair available in the sax section — the baritone sax. My Dad, once again wanting me to hear the ‘best’ on that instrument, presented me with a Gerry Mulligan record, which I also wore out. He was always so supportive, but he didn’t have to work too hard to keep me interested — by that time I was thoroughly hooked on jazz.

Do you have a favorite memory of witnessing your father’s writing process that has influenced your own process?

As a composer, Dad was a perfectionist. His scores, written in pencil, always looked like artwork. Although I never attained that level of neatness, he taught me to provide as much clarity to the players as possible. That includes not only the notes themselves, but also the dynamics and articulations that tell the players what to do on the very first rehearsal.

Which film or television score of yours in particular do you most treasure, and why?

I especially enjoyed composing the score for “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” (1972). I was inspired to build an instrument for the film — a ‘Bass Dakadebello’, a kind of large African marimba that was effective in providing the sound for a bunch of enslaved apes being taught how to serve their cruel masters.

You have accompanied some of the biggest names in music. Is there someone that you feel would be a dream to work with that you haven’t yet?

That’s a difficult question. Having had the privilege of working with so many pop and jazz icons, over 500 recordings, I feel so blessed already.

Soloist versus bandleader: if you could only choose one to perform live for the rest of your life, which would you choose?

Definitely bandleader. All I ever wanted to do was play with great musicians. The ‘soloist’ thing is nice, but the real fun for me is the musical interaction with other great players.

Where are your Grammy Awards currently?

I just moved, so currently they are sitting in a box in the garage!

Are there any special projects you are currently working on that you would like to share?

Yes — I’m currently working on a project for Jack Jones — he’s 82 years young! I’m also creating the music for a new L.A. Express CD project entitled “Back On Track.” In addition, I’m adding to the curriculum for my third year on the faculty of the New York University Summer Jazz Program.

Tom Scott & the L.A. Express

When: Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 8pm

More info: https://www.thebarclay.org/buy-tickets/tom-scott-the-la-express.html

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Dana Point Harbor Partners have extended the”Happy Harbor Days”magnificent light display until midnight on January 5. The illuminated harbor features intricate themed light creations including Candy Cane Lane, the “Merry Kiss Me” arch, and lighted trees. Dana Point Harbor Partners Joe Ueberroth, President of Bellwether Financial Group, and Bryon Ward, President of Burnham-Ward Properties, share why you can’t miss this year’s spectacular celebration.

What was the inspiration behind the “Tiki” theme this year? 

Ueberroth: This year marks the first year that Dana Point Harbor Partners are hosting Dana Point Harbor’s annual Boat Parade and activities, so we wanted a theme that is fresh, fun, and festive. The theme, “Tiki Holiday” gives the boaters an opportunity to get creative with their decorations and accompanying music. Dana Point Harbor Partners will also provide an exciting line-up of tiki-themed entertainment including hula dancers, a VW photo booth bus, and face painters. Restaurant offerings with a tiki twist will also be enjoyed.

What elements will make this year’s boat parade event unique from past events? 

Ueberroth: Dana Point Harbor Partners are expecting more boater participant entries than last year, creating a healthy rivalry among the boaters for the best display. We have also introduced exciting new award categories. A $1,000 donation will be awarded to the charity or youth sailing program of the yacht club with the most entries in the 45th Annual Boat Parade of Lights between Dana West Yacht Club and Dana Point Yacht Club. All award winners will receive cash prizes this year, with a total distribution of over $10,000 courtesy of Dana Point Harbor Partners.

How many spectators are you anticipating this year? 

Ward: We are anticipating more than 15,000 spectators across the four days of the Boat Parade alone. Dana Point Harbor is one of the most festive places to be in Orange County throughout the holiday season. We expect thousands of more visitors to enjoy the light displays, restaurants, and shops every evening in the harbor until January 2. Viewing the incredible lights display is a must for Orange County families and their out of town guests.

For those who have never attended the Dana Point Harbor event, what would you tell them? 

Ward: The Boat Parade of Lights is a holiday tradition in Dana Point and truly captures the SoCal holiday spirit. It’s the perfect time to gather your friends and family and enjoy boats decked out with twinkling lights and tiki-themed decor, whether viewing from the shore or onboard a vessel. For those unable to attend the Boat Parade of Lights, the vibrant light displays at the harbor such as the “Merry Kiss Me” arch, lighted trees, and much more will shine bright through January 2.

For more information visit DanaPointHarbor.com

The post 4 reasons why you can’t miss Dana Point’s 45th Annual Boat Parade of Lights appeared first on Backstage Socal.

This was just one of many remarkable moments of the elegant affair, which raised $1.5 million for student scholarships in the opening and gala night. The gala kicked off with a cocktail hour before leading its attendees to the Musco Center for the Arts for a full bloom show of over 100 talented theater arts and dancer students performing numbers by female icons, such as Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way.”

The evening paid tribute to women in the arts, with the theme Celebrating the Female Voice, and honored Williams with the University’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award prior to her two-song performance (her 1991 hit “Save the Best For Last” was the finale).

Chapman President Daniele C. Struppa also presented philanthropists Ron and Sandi Simon with the Citizens of the Year Award, and announced the $9 million gift from the Simon Foundation which will support the new Simon Scholars PA program. The program will enable future students in the Chapman’s Physician Assistant Program the opportunity to complete their education tuition-free.

After the high-energy, entertaining production, guests enjoyed a beautiful fine dining reception with dancing, open bar and live music. Check out photos from the dazzling, charitable evening:

The 40th year for the scholarship gala will be next year, and the Gala Night is set for Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. For more info, visit chapman.edu

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Emmy and Grammy Award-nominated triple threat Megan Hilty has shined on Broadway, film and television — including recently playing country icon Patsy Cline in the Lifetime television movie “Patsy and Loretta.” Probably most recognizable for her portrayal of Broadway performer Ivy Lynn in NBC’s musical drama “Smash,” Hilty has earned Tony and Drama Desk nominations for her role as Brooke Ashton in the revival of Michael Frayn’s classic backstage farce Noises Off.

She has performed in Broadway’s most iconic roles, including making her Broadway debut as Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked. Her film, television and theater repertoire is full of fun, catchy and sweet tunes and numbers that have captivated audiences all over the world. Now she will perform some of these charms in cabaret form, including songs from her live album Megan Hilty Live at the Cafe Carlyle and Christmas album titled A Merry Little Christmas with Megan Hilty, at Segerstrom Center for the Arts for three nights in a row, Nov. 14-16.

MEGAN HILTY

Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Samueli Theater
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA

When: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 14 – 16, 2019

Tickets: $89

Online:SCFTA.org

Phone: (714) 556-2787
   

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“Sunday Summer Sounds” takes place every Sunday afternoon from 4:30 – 7:30 and offers guests drink specials and bar bites, along with some of OC’s top local solo performers. Styles ranging from classic rock, alternative, Americana, soul and more.

Phil Vandermost can be seen throughout Orange County in a variety of venues performing solo or with his band, Telesound. Paying homage to his influences at live performances and events, Vandermost is known locally for an almost encyclopedic playlist of classic and modern rock. From brit-pop to Americana, from mellow ballads to rousing rockers, and dirges to dance tunes, Phil Vandermost and Telesound tailor each set to their audience. 

Old Vine Kitchen & Bar

Where: 2937 Bristol St. Suite A-103, Costa Mesa

More info: Old Vine Kitchen & Bar: oldvinekitchenbar.com

Phil Vandermost: telesoundmusic.com

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Patti Compton, recent Public Relations Director for Omega Events and music history buff created the idea of building a music foundation in Dana Point to capture the magic of the music played at the festivals and transform it into year-round enrichment for the community. Compton is proud to be launching a foundation to broaden the reach of the music. “The foundation provides valuable music and arts education and cultural learning opportunities for local students and the community,” states Compton. “Music is about connection and there is a great opportunity to capture the allure of the music that flows through Dana Point and use it to create educational opportunities and forge greater connection and understanding through music.”

Anthony Small, Dana Point Arts and Culture Commissioner, and local musician is co-founding the foundation with Compton. “Providing music education to the community and encouraging artists has been a passion of mine for years and I am excited by this opportunity to enrich the lives of the people of Dana Point and South Orange County on a larger scale,” insists Small. “Working with city officials and community members to bring this idea to fruition has been a great honor. The support for Music Preserves Foundation demonstrates the commitment to providing year-round cultural
opportunities.” The strategic relationships developed with city officials, festival producers, musicians and other key players over the years by both Compton and Small serve as an important advantage when it comes to the launch of the foundation.

Festival producers have partnered with Music Preserves Foundation to give back to the community, Doheny Blues Festival founder, Rich Sherman of Omega Events, is looking forward to the partnership. “Having experienced working with Patti and Anthony in the past, I am excited to see the foundation unfold and partner with them at the Doheny Blues Festival to develop a creative educational component at the festival.”

Music Preserves Foundation will host a music history education stage at the Doheny Blues Festival and also bring students backstage to meet and be
inspired by musical artists. Festival producers, John and Elenie Reese of Synergy Global Entertainment are committed to giving back to the community and partnering with Music Preserves Foundation at their events at Doheny State Beach. “It is an integral part of our mission that we support nonprofits and make a difference. We look forward to creating unique opportunities for students and the community through our partnership with Music Preserves Foundation.”

The education programs will be delivered to students through a partnership with the Capistrano Unified School District. Amy Hanacek, CUSD board member, states “We are overjoyed by this unique opportunity to ignite our students’ passion for music through our partnership with Music
Preserves Foundation.”

Dana Point Mayor, Joe Muller, is serious about providing greater music and arts education in the city, “I’d like to congratulate Music Preserves on their hard work, and for building significant partnerships in Dana Point and I encourage our community to support them. Music is a huge part of
Dana Point’s identity. Music is an art form that builds analytical skills and then allows one to express them creatively. For Music Preserves to combine that with exciting opportunities to learn about our history from a unique perspective is truly forward thinking.”

Music Preserves Foundation programs include two main strategies, each developed to accomplish a strategic goal aligned with the mission of the foundation.

Youth Education Program: Educates students about the history of American music and the cultural history of the United States to inspire a deep understanding and a lifelong appreciation for music.

• Youth Immersive Storytelling educating about the history of American music and the cultural history of the United States
• Backstage Opportunities inspiring students by one-on-one time with artists
• Educational Camps providing youth with in-depth music history to foster greater understanding and a lifelong appreciation for music and the arts
• Scholarships will be awarded to students who aspire to study music as musicians or music historians

Cultural Enrichment Program: Provides exposure to all types of music, art and cultural collaborations for the community year-round to foster greater understanding and connection.

• Music Events include a series of curated acoustic concerts with historical context and cultural collaborations
• Art Events comprised of art and photography exhibits and documentary film series
• Ongoing Education provided year-round through artist and historian interviews, oral histories and live performances
• Blues and Jazz Series highlighting the originators of unique American art forms

MORE INFO: www.musicpreserves.org

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It’s the great battle of creativity and invention with Thomas Edison versus Nikola Tesla in their quest for finding energy sources for the world in the spectacular new show “Currents” presented by the song, dance and percussion troupe Mayumana. Blending physical movement with technology, the lively show will bring a journey between two troops — each representing a different view of the essence of light and electricity — to the Segerstrom Center of the Arts on April 6. 

“Currents” artistic director Boaz Berman chatted with Backstage SoCal about the inspiration behind the heart-pounding production. As a professional percussionist, music director and musician, Berman is also co-creator of the shows and was one of the original 10 cast members of Mayumana.

What inspired the story behind “Currents”? 

The show ‘Currents’ was inspired by the war battle of currents between Tesla and Edison, we picked this as inspiration to create a show that talks about different forms of energy. Once they are coordinated and synchronized, it became harmony. The show presents different forms of energy and we are doing it by the music and movement; one thing synchronizes and works together in harmony and becomes much stronger. That’s the idea. 

What unique elements separate “Currents” from other Mayumana shows?

Well, each element in the show is completely different than the other. So this show is about forms of energy and how it works together and it is accompanied by a very dynamic and powerful video. So what we do in this show is we are visualizing the music, basically, when we use the video projection. And this is the most unique thing for our shows. Usually we are not doing video projections in our shows. And each show is having a different storyline or inspiration. The DNA always is the same. We are doing rhythm, movement. Sometimes with the back story, sometimes just as inspiration in the background; music, rhythm, movement, and basically we try to bring some energy and joy to the audience. 

Can you describe acts/parts of the show that get the audience’s largest reaction? 

Well there are two parts that get a lot of applause. One is, we call it boys table. It’s three boys and a girl sitting behind a table, and we invented this language that they are talking with their hands on the table using rhythm patterns and then with cups. So, and there are different solos that each one of them do and the other imitates the end of the solos. This is something very, very unique and classic for Mayumana and gets a lot of applause. The second is a virtuosic water buckets solo, which one of the actors is doing a solo on a water bucket that I think is very surprising for the audience. 

What does the stage look like? Can you describe the stage production? 

The stage basically is a black box, but half of the stage we are putting up video screens, seven of them, and they are put into lines. So the actors sometimes walk between them, and the video projections are cut into seven stripes and from different angles you can see different shapes of video. This is the stage and then props goes in and out with the parts. 

What is the inspiration behind the various costumes? 

In the beginning, the inspiration was to create a tribe, a Mayumana tribe, because we had two kinds of forms of energy so we had two kinds of costumes. Today, as the show evolved and we’ve become longer. Our new part is mainly about energy. So the costumes are like a mixture from the dance worlds.  

Are there any particular acts/dancers/artists that you feel readers should keep an eye out for?

There are no stars in Mayumana on purpose. Everybody is different. When you talk to the audience after a show, each one can point out different actors that they really connected to. And this is our goal. They are very different. Each one is coming from different backgrounds and have different energy on the stage. The crowd usually connects to not one specific a performer. 

What do you want people to know about the “Currents” production? 

The thing that is important to us for people to understand is basically we are doing art. We are doing what we like. We are trying to enjoy the stage. The actors really love what they’re doing. And the slogan of Mayumana is the art of joy. So if people are finishing the show and they have a boost of energy, they want to go dance, sing and basically feel very optimistic, we did our job. Then we are very happy and our battery is charged and good. 

MAYUMANA — ‘CURRENTS’

Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 6

Tickets: Start at $39

Phone: (714) 556-2787

Online: SCFTA.org

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For the first time ever, Costa Mesa will be introduced to a whole new world.

The dazzling, colorful, tuneful, highly anticipated Broadway musical “Aladdin” is making its way to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a three-week run, March 6-23. Inspired by the Academy Award-winning Disney film, the musical has it all: an action-filled premise, memorable love story, quotable comedy, exciting choreography and a load of recognizable songs that are sure to stir memories.

The production crew alone is a cast of all-stars. Produced by Disney Theatrical Productions, the show features music by Tony Award and Academy Award-winner Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “Newsies,” “Sister Act”), lyrics by Academy Award winner Howard Ashman (“Beauty and the Beast,” “The Little Mermaid”), Tony Award and Academy Award winner Tim Rice (“Evita,” “Aida”) and Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (“The Wedding Singer”), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (“The Book of Mormon”).

Clinton Greenspan who performs in the lead role of “Aladdin” and Lissa DeGuzman who performs as “Jasmine” share the magic behind the beloved musical:

What inspired you take on these roles?

Greenspan: Honestly, my personal life was one of my biggest inspirations in taking on this role. I think back on all of the times I found myself getting into trouble, but knowing I was going to do better. In the beginning of the show, Aladdin sings ‘Proud of Your Boy,’ which is directed to his mother who passed away months ago. It’s the moment we see Aladdin’s determination in making a change for himself and everyone who sees greatness in him. I have always been a mama’s boy and I relate that moment to my relationship with my mother because she’s been my leading lady and my inspiration to constantly look forward.

DeGuzman: This role means a lot to me. I find Jasmine a very, very important female character, especially for these times. I personally love how forward-thinking she is and that she’s not willing to settle. And I think that’s a very important thing to teach and ingrain in one’s life. I know I want to live my life not wanting to settle and reaching for the stars. And she has things working against her. She has societal norms and she has her father, and she has Jafar trying to get everything, but she knows what’s right for her and she is not afraid to say no and is a strong female character in that sense. And I think that’s really important for nowadays.

What special parts do you personally bring to the role?

Greenspan: I like to say I bring my own kind of goofy and youthful approach to the character.

DeGuzman: I think there’s parts of her that can resonate with every woman, and I help to bring them along for this two-and-a-half hour journey with her. She loves and she believes in love, but she’s also strong and is a leader. And I hope to achieve those traits that resonate with each woman who comes in and sees the show. I know that’s a lot to achieve, but I’ve always hoped to do that and leave the audience thinking of this memorable, strong, inspiring woman.

What special elements separate the Broadway musical from the beloved film?

Greenspan: The two have many similarities, but the Broadway show has added songs that were originally involved in the animated film but did not make the final cut. In addition, Aladdin has three friends who take on the much admired position of Abu. I believe this adds a new and meaningful dynamic to Aladdin’s lifestyle and the show’s overall approach. You have more ways of relating to our story.

DeGuzman: We all grew up with this story. But what’s really cool about the stage version is the songs. It has all the songs from the animated feature that you would want plus songs that were originally written for the animated feature but were cut, and then new songs written for the stage version. So we have songs from three different places. So it’s a timeless tale because this stage version has been in the making for so long.

What has been your most memorable experience so far with the tour?

Greenspan: I would have to say my most memorable experience, so far, with this tour was the day I was told I would be taking over the role of “Aladdin.” After a year in the incredible ensemble and understudying the title role, I was about to fill the shoes of the incomparable Adam Jacobs.

DeGuzman: What’s cool about Clinton is he was an ensemble member understudy and I was understudying Jasmine. So we actually got to learn the show together as Aladdin and Jasmine, but as the understudies and then also doing our ensemble and swing positions in the original cast. So we were always each other’s first and we’ve known each other for these full two years, and we get along great, and we can joke about old times when we didn’t play these rules. And how it’s so surreal and crazy that we are playing these roles and how grateful we are to be here together.

What is flying in the magic carpet like?

Clinton: I speak the truth when I say it’s still an emotional experience. Once you’re in the air, you can’t help but feel like you are flying in the night sky.

DeGuzman: The magic carpet is just as magical riding it as it is seeing it. Disney is amazing with magic and it’s so safe and so amazing. I love riding that carpet every night. I’m not terrified at all (laughs).

Disney’s ‘ALADDIN’

Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

When: March 6 – 23, 2019, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday – Friday; 2 & 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7 and March 21; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 & 6:30 p.m. Sunday

Tickets: Start at $26.50

Online: (714) 556-2787; SCFTA.org

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Progressive rock band Styx may have a devoted fanbase to help them sell out venues throughout the world for over 40 years, but they have continued to prove that it takes a lot more than a strong following to thrive.  

Guitarists Tommy Shaw and James “J.Y.” Young, keyboardist Lawrence Gowan, drummer Todd Sucherman, and bassist Ricky Phillips, have relentlessly performed over 100 shows a year for nearly two decades, with no intention on stopping any time soon. In addition, the band continues to add to their catalog — including putting out a full record in 2017.

The band followed a “keep it simple” mantra when they went into the studio to record their 16th studio album The Mission, spending nearly two years creating the concept album that chronicles the trials, tribulations, and ultimate triumphs of the first manned mission to Mars in the year 2033. The album was released by the Alpha Dog 2T/Ume label on June 16, 2017 and has received a positive reaction by fans and critics alike.

Styx is known for a collection of major classic rock hits including “Come Sail Away,” “Renegade,” “Blue Collar Man (Long Nights),” “Lady” and “Too Much Time on My Hands.” The band has also returned the song “Mr. Roboto” to its live show last summer after leaving it out of the setlist for 35 years — due to bad memories from the 1983 album Kilroy Was Here that eventually led to a seven-year split of the band.

The Chicago-bred band will return to the Grove of Anaheim on Friday, Jan. 18, before heading to Las Vegas, where they will perform the album for the first time in its entirety. Keyboardist and vocalist Gowan shares his sentiments about their fans, The Mission, and bringing “Mr. Roboto” back to the stage.

It sounds like Styx recaptured their distinctive sound with the new album. Songs like “Red Storm” brings back the 1970s sound with a contemporary twist. What has been the overall reaction to The Mission? 

We recently played side two of the album in its entirety, and oh my god, the reaction was so rewarding. So it tells us that even if half the audience hasn’t heard the record before, their reaction is very strong towards it because it seamlessly incorporates itself into the body of Styx’s work that people are so familiar with. And that was really a big part of making the record; that familiarity and the instant recognizable elements of Styx remain intact while still somehow showing that we have a reincarnation of the band. I’ve been with the band for 20 years now!

Our manager told us that the album has survived on the Billboard charts of the top 100 new rock records for over a year and at this point, we are the only band from the classic rock era that has been able to do that. Slowly as we go, people keep discovering the album and that’s exactly what we were after all along.

You guys kept that bare-boned “keep it simple” mantra throughout the whole recording process. Did you feel that method actually made it easier or more difficult to recreate the early Styx sound?

Well the “keep it simple”mantra is actually more deceptively simple (laughs). There were parts of it that are simple enough to play, like some of the best Styx songs. There is nothing particularly challenging, at least on my end, in some of the earliest songs of the record like “Hundred Million Miles From Home” or “Trouble at the Big Show”; they’re just fun songs that move the story along and have the familiar Styx vibe to them.

But as the record progresses, there are songs like “Red Storm” which is very challenging to me (laughs).Musically, it’s dense and takes a lot of quick right-hand and left-hand turns and twists. So we played that one last night and it went over great, but oh my god, you have to have your concentration going throughout the whole song. And quite honestly “Khedive” is pretty challenging on the piano, even though I came up with the part, I have to get my fingers and my brain together to play it properly. Sometimes I will walk up to the piano coldly and you just can’t do it. I really gotta warm up and prepare myself in every way to play that thing properly.

Like so many, “Mr. Roboto” was my gateway song to Styxwhen I was young. What does it mean to you to bring it back to the live show?  

Well, that song had quite a checkered history with the band prior to me joining it. I really liked the song, but the guys in the band were very reluctant to play anything from that record for the first number of years that I was with the band; primarily because they had such a difficult time on the tour that revolved around that album in the early 80s. But you know, time changes everything.

I mentioned it to Tommy one morning. We were having a chat and I said, ‘You know, that song is around justas much as any of your other songs. It’s got its own unique following. It’s got its own history and legacy with the band and I think we could probably do a pretty bang up job of it.’ He said, ‘You know, I’m starting to feel that way too. Let’s go in a rehearsal hall with everyone for a couple of days and run it and when we feel like it’s really strong, we’ll do it. And if we don’t feel it, we don’t have to do it.’ And that’s how we felt with making “The Mission” too. If we didn’t love it and we couldn’t all look eachother in the eye and say we really love this and this is worthy to put out, we wouldn’t have done it.

What is the audience’s reaction to the song’s greatreturn to the live show?  

I remember last year when we first played it, there was this huge gasp; this palpable gasp in the audience like, ‘Wow we never thought they’d play this again!’ Actually what’s funny is back when they used to perform it, Tommy and JY and Chuck never played it live because they always performed it with a backing track. So this is the first time that they actually played it live themselves. So it was really great for both sides of the stage.

I guess in some ways they felt like they had rectified, to some degree, their feelings about it from the past; but for me, I just really like performing the song. The character in it has something to hide, and I like that aspect of music. That character desperately wants to reveal something to the audience. I like to be in that skin so to speak.

Besides the new album, how deep into the band’s catalog do you go in the current show?

There are certain Styx mandatory standards that we never not play. So, for example, we have never not played “Blue Collar Man,” or “Renegade” or “Come Sail Away” or “The Grand Illusion.”Those are songs that are in every single show. So obviously we have those as a backbone to the rest of the show. And we’ve noticed younger people, to quite a degree, have a favorite song that Is not necessarily one of the singles from the past. They aren’t songs that have been played thousands and thousands of times on the radio. Album tracks like “Man in the Wilderness” for example, is one of the top five for younger people. So we play that one quite often.

But it really depends on the night on how the setlist comes together. I try to sit back on that discussion because it gets so involved (laughs), I kind of just wait back until the setlist is placed in front of me. But there is always a deep selection of the biggest hits the band has done in the past, and then the interesting part is whether we decide to play something new or something old that we feel like it’s time for us to do.

Styx

Where: City National Grove of Anaheim, 2200 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim

When: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18

More info: citynationalgroveofanaheim.com

The post Lawrence Gowan of Styx talks ‘Mission’ appeared first on Backstage Socal.

It is rare to experience jazz like a Las Vegas rock concert, but Brian Culbertson has spent over two decades making his show feel like one.

The award-winning multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer has invested in everything from giant LED video panels to large screens to custom films of guest artists that are synced up to his live music. While many artists pocket the money made from touring and record sales, Culbertson has put most of it towards developing his show, so that every night feels different.

“I could’ve easily just gone out and done the same show and pocketed a whole lot of money. But you know what? I’ve felt great every night doing my shows and that is worth way more to me than making a load of money,” said Culbertson, “When I’m on stage, I don’t want to feel like I compromise, ever. I mean, there’s no pyrotechnics or anything like that. But I want to push and do as much cool stuff as I can.”

In the past year alone, Culbertson and his band have traveled throughout the entire country, playing 77 shows in various cities, including the Newport Beach Jazz Festival in June. The band will return with its “Colors of Love” tour to the intimate Newport Beach Hyatt’s Back Bay Amphitheatre for the annual summer concert series on Friday, Sept. 21.

The Newport show will be unique for two reasons, says Culbertson: the 1,000 seat outdoor venue is so intimate that the night will focus more on the music and intimacy than the “rock show” feel of the band’s larger concerts. And a new lineup of musicians will be featured, including saxophone artist Marcus Anderson.

“Marcus is an artist in his own right. He recently played sax with Prince during the last three years before Prince passed away. He’s incredible and so awesome to see,” said Culbertson.

Also joining the band will be instrumentalist and singer Stanley Chance Howard, who has performed alongside notable artists such as Prince and Candy Dulfer. The Newport show kicks off the band’s first tour together and Culbertson ensures the Orange County audience will experience a “high energy, funky night” of old and new jams.

Just like most jazz artists, Culbertson said his music does not fall into one or two genres. He describes his sound – which has been influenced by the likes of band Earth, Wind & Fire, saxophonist David Sanborn, pop artist David Foster and jazz artist Marcus Miller – as a combination of funk, jazz and R&B.

“For lack of a better word or description, I’d say it’s a good mix of those three. When I tell that people that, they sort of go like, ‘Oh OK, I sort of get it.’ When you just say I’m a jazz artist, people have no idea what that means, because it’s so broad these days. They ask questions like, ‘Oh, is that the stuff that I can’t stand to listen to?’ (laughs) And I’m like, ‘No, it’s melodic, but it has a beat.’ So, yeah, if I just give those three descriptions, people get it.”

The 45-year-old Chicago-based musician may shudder an “oh my god” when reminded that his music career already spans over 25 years, but his 18 album catalogue, which includes over 30 Billboard No. 1 singles, proves that the past two-and-a-half decades have been a success. He has also performed and recorded with major artists such as Michael McDonald, Barry Manilow, Herb Alpert, Chuck Brown, and is the founder of the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway, in which he continues to serve as artistic director.

Culbertson has spent over 20 years touring incessantly all over the world with no plans of stopping any time soon. The band has a fairly heavy schedule ahead, including stops in South Africa, Hungary, and jazz festivals throughout the U.S. In addition, Culbertson is currently working on producing a live Blu-Ray and 2-Disc CD of his latest tour, titled “Live in Las Vegas: The Colors of Love Tour,” set to be released in mid-fall.

Staying connected and continuously growing his fan base is Culbertson’s main objective, and so he’s stays active on his social media platforms, including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He said that he is often recognized from his social media by fans throughout the world.

“I was actually on a little holiday in London recently and throughout the time I was there, I got stopped by several young people in their early 20s who recognized me from following me on Instagram. I didn’t even mention on my social media that I was in London,” said Culbertson, “I’m like in a chocolate shop and the girl working there was like freaking out getting pictures with me… it was so bizarre and cool to see young people accessing me and my music this way.”

Culbertson said he plans to continue to change up and develop his show as long as he is playing so that his fans will always experience something different from him.

“I want to continue to thrive in the industry. It’s important to do as much touring as possible. For many, many years, I honestly didn’t make money or lose money in touring because I was quote unquote investing in the show,” said Culbertson, “I really felt strongly about taking any and all money that I make and put it towards putting on the best show that I possibly can… I have been able to build up this dedicated fan base who come out because they know we are always going to put on the best possible show we can.”

Brian Culbertson

Where: Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 21

More info: series.hyattconcerts.com

The post Keepin’ the funk fresh: Brian Culbertson returns to Newport Beach appeared first on Backstage Socal.

Record stores and radio stations have spent nearly four decades situating the eclectic East-meets-West band Hiroshima into a defining genre – to no avail.  The multiple gold records of the Southern California music legends continue to be placed in every existing jazz to R&B to rock to soul category there is.

“We truly don’t fit into one genre and it’s been kind of an issue of us with all of the record labels we’ve been with; we’ve been with five different labels in different times. But not being categorized in one type of music has gone well for us so far,” said Dan Kuramoto, Hiroshima’s lead keyboardist, woodwindist, composer and producer.

“Gone well,” indeed – the Grammy Award-nominated group will celebrate 40 years next year of continuous recording, touring and creating chart-topping albums. With over 4 million in sales worldwide, the band has now reached that special part in their career where they can pick and choose when and where they want to perform and still count on a large following to show up.

One of this year’s west coast stops will be at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach’s annual summer concert series on Friday, Aug. 17. Dan said this Orange County show will be unique because it will feature Latin percussionist extraordinaire Richie Gajeta-Garcia performing alongside the group.

“Richie is really amazing and we haven’t carried a percussionist in a while, so this night will be special. We are going to play all of our most popular songs, but people haven’t heard them like this because they haven’t really heard them with the percussion element,” said Dan, “I think people are going to be really happy because it’s going to be familiar music but souped-up with Richie’s percussion. Also we are kind of coming up with a fresh approach just coming off from a break.”

Along with Kuramoto and Gajeta-Garcia, the Los Angeles-based ensemble includes virtuoso June Kuramoto (koto/composer), Kimo Cornwell (piano/ keyboards/ composer), Danny Yamamoto (drums/percussion), and Dean Cortez (bass). The group has blended jazz, pop, and rock with traditional Japanese folk music and instruments to create their signature sound – but it is June’s koto-playing that has truly distinguished the band.

Born in Japan and growing up in Los Angeles, June was mentored by and played with some of the top kotoists in the world. After she met Dan in the 1970s, she was inspired to form Hiroshima as a band that embraced the Japanese and American music culture. The pair were married but divorced in 1984, remaining good friends and bandmates throughout their careers and to this day.

“June is our star on the Japanese harp and she is considered the best in the world. She sort of redefined her genre of music in that regard; if you ever met her, she is very humble and very funny and you would never get a sense of that,” said Kuramoto, “All of the major jazz musicians, such as Stanley Clark, have all been quoted saying June is by far the best koto player in the world, and the only one that can play all of these diverse styles of music. She’s a genius and our sound is defined by what she does.”

Hiroshima released their latest new project #20, “Songs With Words” featuring two amazing guest artists Terry Steele and Yvette Nii, the vocalists who performed on the 2010 Grammy-nominated “Legacy.”  Hiroshima does a live recording of their vocal hits through the years including “Roomful of Mirrors,” “Never, Ever,” “Dada,” and more for the all-vocal album.

The band is planning their upcoming year with stops throughout the country beginning in the fall. They are also currently recording their newest album, which Dan says may include songs performed in their live set list, but their concerts mainly focus on the band’s greatest hits.

“Next year will be our 40th year in recording, which we are currently recording the album now. Whether or not we are going to tour, or how much touring we are going to do, we don’t know. So these dates are precious because we don’t know if we are going to do them again,” said Dan, “I don’t want to use the word retire but we are taking it as it comes. We all get together and have lunch and ask ourselves, ‘What do you feel like doing?’ (laughs) We are not the kind of band that is going to do a farewell tour, it just seems too weird. We will probably just stop playing one day when we’re ready. So these show dates are especially precious to us.”

Dan said the band is influenced by an eclectic variety of genres and artists since they first started, which has allowed them to be diverse and create their unique sound:

“We sort of defined ourselves as basically being reflective of Southern California music and culture. My father was born in L.A., I’m third generation Japanese American, and the band has always been multicultural; the drummer is Japanese, the bass player is Puerto Rican, the keyboardist is Hawaiian Chinese; we’ve never had a whole Japanese group. But we embrace a lot of Japanese culture and music because that’s in our roots and our star ketoist helps create that.”

For a band that has built such an influential career and legacy, Dan remains humble and in awe that they have had continued success and are still able to do what they started in the garage in the 1970s.

“Jimmi Hendrix and Miles Davis are the two artists we listen to most on the tour bus. We actually even toured with Miles Davis; he chose us to be his opening act on his 1990 east coast tour a year before he passed away. It was an amazing honor and awesome to sit on the side of the stage and see Miles play every night. We didn’t even know he knew we were alive, so for him to handpick us, that will forever blow my mind.”

In the ever-evolving music world that currently places an emphasis on digital fan followings and engagement, Dan laughs at how bad the group is at connecting with their fans on social media.

“We’re really not good at it. We haven’t really gotten on board with the social media aspect which seems to be the strong vehicle for music. But what drives us is our faithful fan base. Since there isn’t really radio anymore and we don’t have a large social media following, we have been so fortunate by word of mouth and our faithful fans,” said Dan, “What seems to work for us is that we don’t fit any category; the kindest genre people have placed us in is ‘timeless.’ We came up in a time where you would be called fusion, or jazz rock, or something like that, but we just want to be original.”

Concrete plans for the future include a new album, which does not have a title or release date as of yet, and several stops including jazz festival concerts along the east coast in the fall. The band’s more spiritual plan, however, is to continue to inspire young artists.

“We hope to hang in there and hold that door open so musicians can see the possibility that they can express themselves and see that they don’t have to follow some idiom or style. That they can be their own person with their own music done their own way. People see that in us and we hope that young artists see that through us.”

For more information on Hiroshima, please visit hiroshimamusic.com

Hiroshima

Where: Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Summer Concert Series, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach

When: 6 p.m. Doors; 7:30 p.m. show, Friday, Aug. 17

Ticket info: hyattconcerts.tix.com

The post Jazzy Hiroshima remain unique and undefined four decades later appeared first on Backstage Socal.

Get your walking shoes ready, it’s time to start preparing for the 2018 CHOC Walk in the Park, presented by the Disneyland Resort. This is the 28th year for the fundraising walk, which attracts thousands of participants eager to walk five kilometers around the Disneyland Resort, Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

The official walk ambassador for this year is Justin Helper. The 11-year-old was born with lissencephaly; which means his head and brain did not form to its full size. Because of it, he cannot walk or talk, and is fed through a tube. CHOC has helped Justin’s family as they continue to nourish and care for him, including helping get him to his many doctor visits. Because of CHOC’s help, his family wants to give back and have formed their own walking team for the walk called “Justin’s Helpers.” Justin and his team will be at the front of the walk, pacing the nearly 14,000 participants.

Participants can either walk with an existing team, or form their own, with each person getting a T-shirt. In addition, teams and individuals are encouraged to get sponsors that will donate money to CHOC based on each kilometer the person walks and a team’s number of participants – donations are tax deductible and participants can donate more to CHOC if they wish.

The actual walk takes place Sunday, August 26, 2018, at the Disneyland Resort, with the opening ceremony on Main Street U.S.A. inside Disneyland at 6:15 a.m. Participants are encouraged to get to the Disneyland Resort much earlier, as they will still have to go through the security checkpoints. The on-site CHOC Walk information booth will open that morning at 5 a.m. in the Esplanade.

While many under care at CHOC participate in the walk, some cannot. They will have their own special “Minnie Walk” (now in its 25th year) at the hospital in June. Only patients and their parents or guardians and family may participate in that special event.

Want to go?

What: Walk in the Park

Where: Disneyland Resort

When: 6:15 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26

How much: $85 early bird registration (3+ years); $95 late registration after Aug. 13

More info: To register or make a donation visit: www.chocwalk.org.

The post Disney and CHOC lace up shoes for charity 5k Walk in the Park appeared first on Backstage Socal.