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Children's Summer Festival Workshops & Final Week at the Bowl

The Vanaver Caravan, who performed at Friday night's Redlands Bowl concert (which was toe-tapping, hand-clapping, good), will present a free Children's Workshop this Saturday morning, for kids, ages 4 to 10 years old - at the Redlands Community Center, 111 W. Lugonia, Redlands, from 10 am to 10:45 am.

Judging by the great Friday night performance of the Vanaver Caravan, and the lucky local kids who worked with them earlier in the week (joining them on stage for a couple of dance numbers), these performers have a way of making traditional American folk music and dance really come alive, for kids and adults alike. Check out their website to learn more about these amazing performers.

After Saturday's workshop, there's only one more Redlands Bowl Children's Summer Festival Workshop left to come. Coming up on Tuesday, August 29th, will be the Quartetto Gelatto, a quartet of many flavors :). That workshop will be from 3 - 3:45 pm, at the First Congregational Church, 2 West Olive Avenue in Redlands.

After the Tuesday Children's Workshop, Quartetto Gelatto will be performing at 8:15 pm, that evening, at the Bowl. This Tuesday is also the last chance of the summer to come out for the community sing that precedes the concert, at 7:20 pm.

The final performance of the 2007 Redlands Bowl Summer Concert series, will be at 8:15 pm, on Friday, August 24. The Redlands Symphony Orchestra, Frank Fetta, conductor, will present a "Centennial Celebration" tribute to 100 years of the University of Redlands.

There is no admission charge to either the Redlands Bowl concerts or the Children's Summer Festival Workshops. At that price, why not give your kids the gift of music?

Woody Guthrie Tribute at the Bowl

The Vanaver Caravan's 'Pastures of Plenty: Tribute to Woody Guthrie in Dance and Music' is presented,  8:15 pm,tonight, at the Redlands Bowl, between Eureka and Grant Street in Redlands (just across the street from the A.K. Smiley Library and the Lincoln Shrine).

Gypsy Jazz Guitar at the Redlands Bowl - John Jorgenson Quintet

Why not pick up a pizza from the Gourmet Pizza Shoppe, on your way to the Redlands Bowl tonight - it will fortify you for a night of gypsy jazz guitar. Tonight's performance is by the John Jorgenson Quintet. A little sample of their music is here.   Remember, to come early - Tuesday's concerts are preceded by the community sing at 7:20 pm.

Opera Under the Stars

Ready for a little Friday night romance?  Then consider coming to “OPERA UNDER THE STARS,” at the  Redlands Bowl tonight, to hear music from the grand operas, Frank Paul Fetta, artistic director/conductor - featuring some of the greatest arias of all time. What could be more romantic, than sitting on a blanket under the stars (or snuggled close on a bench - your choice  :)  - with your sweetheart, listening to the passionate sounds of opera...

Performance begins at 8:15 pm. Arrive early for your choice of seats. No admission fee; freewill donation at intermission.

Redlands Bowl - Navy Band Southwest

Tomorrow night, Tuesday, August 7th, the Navy Band Southwest will be performing at the Redlands Bowl.  The performance begins at 8:15 pm, but a community sing-along precedes it, beginning at 7:20 pm.

Remember all those fun old songs from when you were a kid - the ones you sang in music class, or at camp - or the ones your grandparents used to sing? Camptown Races; Oh Susannah; She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain, to name just a few fun ones - there are plenty of different fun songs to sing every Tuesday night. If you arrive early for the concert, not only will you get a better seat - you can relive those memories by singing those songs again, and your kids can learn the songs, too. 

There's something magical about a whole community of people of all ages singing together - so come sing with us and help keep the music alive!

Where: The Redlands Bowl is located on Eureka Street, south of the Redlands Mall, directly across from the Smiley Library/Lincoln Shrine Memorial. Many people park either at the Redlands Mall parking area and walk down, as parking on the street in the immediate area is limited.

Seating: both bench seats and grassy areas are available, on a first-come basis. If you plan to sit on the grass, bring your chairs or a blanket and come early, by 6 or 6:30, if you can - the grassy areas tend to fill up first.

Eating: Snacks/refreshments are sold at the Bowl by various service organizations, though many people also bring their own coolers or picnic baskets to eat dinner there.

Cost: There is no admission charge. Ushers do 'pass the hat' for a free-will donation at intermission, so the price of admission can fit anyone's budget, whether it's pennies or bucks.

When: On Tuesday nights, the community sing begins at 7:20 pm. On both Tuesdays and Fridays, the actual concerts begin at 8:15 pm. There is an intermission mid-way through (when you can visit the new restroom facilities, if needed - so much nicer than the former old park restrooms - hooray for the Bowl Association! :) . The performance usually ends around 10:15 pm. Many people with young children choose to leave at the intermission, which is usually around 9:15 - 9:30 pm.

Wake the Bard!

We saw this great Celtic music band, Wake the Bard, playing at the Riverside Plaza a couple of weeks ago. Normally, when we hear a band playing outdoors at a marketplace or other venue,  we  might  only  stay for a  song or two , then move on  to other things. 

But this group so captivated us, that we found a bench, and ended up staying for the whole set.  We weren't alone - it was SRO throughout most of the night, with many families and couples, vying for a good vantage point.

One passing teen, who'd obviously studied Irish-dancing, was seen kicking off her trendy sandals, to jump in and join the performance for the duration of a song (she was quite good, too). There were numerous fans in the 3 - 5 year old set, as well, who felt the call to join in moving to the music.  The rest of us confined ourselves to clapping and tapping our toes in time. I know why they call themselves 'Wake the Bard' - it would be impossible for him to sleep through such lively music :)

  I think I can safely say we weren't alone in enjoying this music - the band sold out of the CD's they'd brought with them, and started taking orders for more.

So, attention all of you Celtic music fans in Southern California: There are two upcoming opportunities to enjoy this band live - at 8 pm, September 2nd (TONIGHT!) and again on September 9th, 2006, at the Lake Inn, Green Valley, CA (sorry, I can't get the link to copy properly - but Google turned up a map for it, if you'd like to try Googling it). It's right across from Green Valley Lake, though.

I hope they bring more CD's with them this time!

Update: To find out more about this band, click on this Green Valley Lake website link . It has bio's on the band members, and you can hear a bit of their music; order their CD's; find out when they're playing next or how to book them for your next event!