California Jazz and Wine Fest Follow up From May 2013
The weather was perfect when we drove up to the Conejo Creek Park, North in Thousand Oaks second annual California Jazz & Wine Fest on Sunday, May 19. And it only got better from there.
Sometimes a huge park is daunting. But somehow from the minute we got to the gate we knew it would be easy going because a Scout volunteer- one of the many volunteers hosting the event, not only directed us, but walked us over.
Presented by Rotary Club of Westlake Village Sunrise, event proceeds support high school music programs in the Conejo Valley. This was very fitting since you could already hear strains of the enthusiastic, talented high schools bands playing even as you entered into the event area.
A convenient little program even had an aerial photo looking over grounds, showing the bandstand with the covered open seating in front of it, the vendors in the middle of the grounds and the food and wine booths ringing the circle.
The vendors could not have been more happy to be there.
One even had a booth there buyers paid what they wanted, and were asked to “pay it forward.”
The event design was simple, pleasing and allowed a view of just everything from any space. For anyone who wanted a total overview, there were picnic tables across the rose and up on a little hill.
At the ticket gate, each guest received a plastic plate and event wine glass. Next it was on to tastings offered by representatives from 19 wineries, wine merchants and breweries. Local restaurants and caterers offered food samples.
Wineries represented at the festival were Alma Sol Winery, Bean Crazy, Casa Barranca, Cielo Farms, Felten Cellars, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Golden Star Vineyards, Herzog Wine Cellars, J Hamilton Wines, Lucas & Lewellen,Magnavino Cellars, Opolo Vineyards, Qupé, Roxo Port Cellars, Surf Brewery, The LAB Brewing Co., ViñAlegre Wines, Vinemark Cellarsand Malibu Sundowner Wines.
Local restaurants and caterers included just about a full meal from Lemonade (Westlake) with a friendly 9021PHO, BJ’s Brewhouse & Restaurant, Brendan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant, Chef Stroh’s Pesto, DJ’s California Catering, Don’s Smokin’ Salmon, I Would Rather Be Baking, Jinky’s Cafe, Lemonade , Mermaid Tavern, Pierre’s Catering Company, Pinkeberry, Robeks,Qdoba Mexican Grill, Sheraton Agoura Hills Hotel, Sprouts, Stonefire Grill, The Olive Vineyard, Vom Fass and Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewery.
Performing throughout the afternoon were professional jazz and blues musicians, many of whom live locally. They include former “Tonight Show” trombonist Matt Finders and the Matt Finders Ensemble, Tin Drum featuring keyboardist and vocalist Mighty Mo Rodgers, and the guitar virtuoso Carl Verheyen and the Carl Verheyen Band.
The crowd just would not let percussionist Luis Conte off the stand, inspired first by a crowd of dancers that thinned into one smooth Salsa dancer with his partner who performed just in front of the dance band – alone worth the price of admission.
The Conejo Valley All Stars, made up of legendary studio musicians and Grammy winners will also take the stage in a giant jam session. All Stars include keyboardist and composer Tim Heintz,Danny Seraphin, the drummer and founding member of Chicago and Grammy winners keyboardist Greg Karukas and guitarist Paul Brown.
Tickets are about half of what you would expect to pay at a similar event in at $55 per person ($80 VIP tickets include one hour early admission and reserved seating near the performance stage). Attendees must be age 21 or older.
Don’t miss upcoming events in the area, and watch for next year’s event. The crowd was relatively small because of the competition with other national events held in the area, but the organizers already proved that they could host a crowd even double or triple the size.
This was a memory-making day. They thought of everything. There were even cabs outside to take people home.
For Information:805-380-6010,[email protected], on Facebook, facebook.com/califjazzwine, Twitter, twitter.com/califjazzwine, or go to http://www.californiajazzandwine.com.