There are plenty of summer activities right here in Claremont—from Friday Nights Live, to the opening of community wading pools for toddlers and the much anticipated Claremont Folk Festival at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden. The event features live music, garden tours, art and craft booths, and of course gourmet food—all happening this week.
In Janet Klein’s world, everything old is new again—from her perfectly coifed 1920s-era bob to her musical repertoire of historic ballads from the 1910s, ‘20s and ‘30s.
The historical preservationist and seasoned songstress of Janet Klein and her Parlor Boys is happily at home in a bygone era reclaimed as her own. She invites the Claremont community to join her on the journey at this year’s Claremont Folk Festival, to be held at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden on Saturday, June 15.
“Nowadays [artists] don’t spend much time setting up the story. They just get to the hook of the song and are too busy with fancy instrumental sections and showing off musical prowess, " she said.
Claremont Symphony Orchestra and Spectrum present "A Tribute to Motown and R&B." Nationally known Las Vegas-based vocal quartet will perform its unique adaptations of 22 familiar Motown songs from the 1960s and 1970s. The concert on Sunday, June 9 begins with the Claremont Symphony performing selections from Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story. Spectrum harmonizes favorites by the Temptations, Righteous Brothers, Four Tops, Supremes and Stevie Wonder.
Claremont Art Walk takes place the first Friday of each month between 6 and 9 p.m. Wander through the Village to various exhibitions listed here in the COURIER's gallery section. The image to the left is by artist Lucien van Oosten. See his artwork at the Claremont Community Foundation Art Gallery in the exhibition “From a Point” through June 28. The Claremont Community Foundation Art Gallery is located at 205 Yale Ave. within the Claremont Chamber of Commerce.
Check out our 9-day calendar for a listing of Claremont activities. This week's calendar offers a full list of live music opportunities—from Friday Nights Live to local choirs, jazz bands and symphonies.
Looking forward to a summer day trip? Tickets for Laguna Beach’s famed Pageant of the Masters, which runs nightly at 8:30 p.m. from July 7 to August 31, are currently on sale.
The theme for the 80th annual event—which features stunning tableaux of performers and sets made up to look like famous artworks, set to live music from an orchestra and performed in an outdoor amphitheatre—is The Big Picture. The 90-minute show will feature presentations of classic masterpieces that inspired legendary filmmakers.
You might think fitting the folk orchestra Round Mountain—a gypsy swirl of accordion, trumpet, guitar, bouzouki, kora, bagpipes and drums—on stage at the Claremont Folk Festival would be a logistical nightmare.
In fact, the group is just a duo, consisting of multi-instrumentalist brothers Char and Robby Rothschild. They will be stopping by the festival, set for Saturday, June 15 at the Rancho Santa Anta Botanic Garden, as part of a tour in support of their fourth album, The Goat.
As is the case with many good things, it all began with Willie Nelson.
"Sycamore Celebrates" with dinner, dancing and live auction. Proceeds benefit Sycamore Elementary School. 5:30 p.m. $50. Spring evening attire. Frary Dining Hall at Pomona College, 347 E. Sixth St. Claremont. For ticket and event information, visit www.sycamorecelebrates.org.
The Claremont Chorale presents “Thirsting to Sing” with a repertoire about life’s great appetites. This performance is an exploration of songs about food, wine and love. The event features guest soloists form the Repertory Opera Company production of La Traviata. Catch the performance at Bridges Hall of Music on Saturday, June 8.
Mary Lynn Rasjkub is an actress, comedienne and singer best known as a co-star of Kiefer Sutherland on the popular television series 24. Ms. Rajskub made her debut on television in 1995 as one of the original cast members of Mr. Show with Bob and David. In 1999 she joined the cast of the television series Veronica's Closet, appearing in 15 episodes of the show. As a skilled guitar player, Ms. Rajskub has also been part of the comic duo called Girls Guitar Club and appeared on the NBC's Late Friday TV show. In the 2000s she ventured into more dramatic roles, most notably her role as analyst Chloe O'Brian on the popular TV series 24. While she has been mainly a television star, Ms. Rajskub also offered performances in Mysterious Skin, Sweet Home Alabama, Punch-Drunk Love, Firewall, and Little Miss Sunshine. She has been nominated for 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards. See her perform at Flappers Comedy May 31 and June 1.
Native American art featuring Steve Rushingwind and his daughter Sienna with an exhibition titled “The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far.” An artist reception will be held Friday, June 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy light refreshments, live native American flute music and meet the artist. The exhibition will be on display June 1 through 30 at Buddhamouse Emporium.
Tuesday night at Bridges Auditorium epitomized the musical theater experience.
At the first dress rehearsal for their season finale, Claremont High School theater students attempted to wrest perfection from the chaos of an in-the-works production. They entered stages left and right, sang, pirouetted, listened for cues and occasionally flubbed a line.
Despite the perennial question—“Can we make this happen?”—that looms before the opening of any show, it is clear that the musical, with its spot-on period costumes, elaborate set and dozens of enthusiastic performers, will charm audiences. Performances of “The Drowsy Chaperone” are set for Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1 at 7:30 p.m.
COURIER photo/Collette Weinberger
The Claremont Chorale presents “Thirsting to Sing” with a repertoire about life’s great appetites. This performance is an exploration of songs about food, wine and love. The event features guest soloists form the Repertory Opera Company production of La Traviata. See them perform on Saturday, June 8 at Bridges Hall of Music.
