Casa Pacifica Announces 5th Annual “Best in Fest” Brewery Competition Winner

May 24, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

CAMARILLO, Calif. – On Sunday, April 29, 2018 at Bottle & Pint in The Annex at The Collection RiverPark, Casa Pacifica chose its 5th Annual “Best in Fest” brewery winner. This year, Topa Topa Brewing Co. took home the top prize with their Chief Peak IPA. Institution Ale’s Rx Pils and MadeWest’s Red Rye earned honorable mention.

This was the first year the “Best in Fest” judging was open to the public. Attendees tasted the twelve brews alongside the judges. The esteemed panel of judges included: Kevin Pratt, the nation’s second highest ranked beer judge; Jason Hendrick, General Manager of Barrelhouse 101; Zach Rosen, Certified Cicerone; Erin Peters, also known as the Beer Goddess; and Bec O’Neal, Sales Rep for Stone Distribution Company. Guests also received delicious small bites from other Annex tenants: Pancake, Scratch Sandwich Counter, and Seoul Sausage Co. Another welcome addition to the competition was the dispensing of beers via numbered taps. In years past, competition co-chairs Curtis Taylor and JC Lombardo collected the brews and stored them in coolers until the judging.

The breweries vying for the title were: 14 Cannons Brewery, Enegren Brewing Co., Institution Ale, The LAB Brewing Co., Leashless Brewing, MadeWest Brewing Co., Ojai Valley Brewery, Red Tandem Brewery, SLO Brew, Topa Topa Brewing Co., Ventura Coast Brewing Co., and Westlake Brewing Company. All twelve brews from the “Best in Fest’ Brewery Competition will be available for tasting at the 25th Anniversary of the Casa Pacifica Angels Wine, Food & Brew Festival on Sunday, June 3, 2018 at CSU Channel Islands.

Casa Pacifica and the Angels are excited to welcome back their generous Hosts, The Zarley Family; The Van Huisen Family; Nevers, Palazzo, Packard, Wildermuth & Wynner, PC; Conico Oil/MacValley Oil & Mission Produce. The VIP Lounge will be presented by Wells Fargo. The newest addition to the festival is the Ultra VIP Experience, sponsored by Union Bank. This special addition for the 25th Anniversary will only be available to high-level sponsors.

As always, the Festival will offer an unbeatable array of exhibitors offering delicious food samples from fabulous restaurants, caterers, bakeries, and specialty shops, to the palette-pleasing tastes of fine wines, smooth brews, and specialty beverages from throughout the region and California. A large online silent auction will tempt festival-goers with must-have, one-of-a-kind, themed baskets. The Yummie Top Chef Competition will crown winners for the best “Savory” and the best “Sweet” chef’s masterpiece among the participating exhibitors. Actor Oded Fehr returns as the Yummie Culinary Competition emcee. Live entertainment from the main stage throughout the day will keep the festival-goers rocking out and crowding the festival’s dance floor. Bruce Barrios, Ventura County’s favorite DJ, will emcee the day’s festivities.

All proceeds from the “Best in Fest” Brewery Competition and the Wine, Food & Brew Festival will benefit the vital programs and services Casa Pacifica provides to the community’s most vulnerable children and their families. Get your tickets today at http://www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com.

To purchase tickets or for more information about exhibitor opportunities, please visit http://www.cpwinefoodbrewfest.com. For further questions please contact Carrie Hughes, Director of Development & Public Relations for Casa Pacifica at (805) 366-4011, or by email at chughes(at)casapacifica.org.

Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for abused, neglected, or at-risk children in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. The agency is the largest non-profit provider of children’s mental health services in both counties and administers a number of community-based programs designed to strengthen families and keep children in their homes and communities. For more information about Casa Pacifica visit its website http://www.casapacifica.org or call the Development Department at (805) 445-7800.

Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza Announces the 2018 Lineup

May 14, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif. (PRWEB) – The 23rd Annual Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza in Mammoth Lakes, California is gearing up for its High Sierra summer party with four days of music and two days of craft beer tasting, August 2nd-5th, outdoors among the pines at The Woods at Mammoth Lakes.

More than 15 internationally known bands will perform on two stages. On the Bluesapalooza Main Stage, the Beyond Blues Thursday Night (5:30pm-9:30pm) kicks off with Harper and Midwest Kind with Lazer Lloyd. Friday Night Rock ‘N Blues (5:00pm-10:00pm) features headlining performances from TajMo: The Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ Band, Revered Peyton’s Big Damn Band, and Alicia Michilli, and Saturday’s Bluesapalooza (12:15pm-9:30pm) features Ozomatli, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, Eric Gales, Danielle Nicole and Wee Willie Walker and The Anthony Paule Soul Orchestra. Festivalgoers can unwind, kick back and relax on Soulful Sunday (12:15pm-5:15pm) with ZZ Ward, The Reverend Shawn Amos, and Vanessa Collier. On the Minaret Stage, Dennis Johnson and The Mississippi Ramblers, Dirty Cello, and The Bald Eagles will perform throughout the weekend, and during late night sets after the Main Stage performances.

“At 8,000 feet, we’re the highest elevation beer and music festival on the West Coast,” says Sean Turner of Mammoth Brewing Company, host brewery of the event. “In 23 years, we’ve built a solid reputation of mixing legendary blues performers, exciting new acts, and the best craft breweries from around the west so we’re the best festival to find your new favorite band and your new favorite beer and meet some of the brewers.”

And when it comes to craft beer, attendees have a mammoth supply to choose from and taste. The Mammoth Festival of Beers features two days of beer tasting, both Saturday (12pm-5:00pm) and Sunday (12pm-4:00pm), showcasing more than 60 plus breweries pouring over 200 craft beers, such as Mammoth Brewing Company, Bear Republic, Figueroa Mountain Brewing, Firestone Walker, Pizza Port Brewing, Russian River Brewing, San Diego, Sierra Nevada, Stone, and many more. The event benefits the California Craft Brewers Association, Infinite Music Foundation and many local nonprofit organizations. Along with the beer and blues, plenty of tasty food from some of Mammoth’s best restaurants will be served in the Blues Food Court satisfying the heartiest of appetites. And for those that prefer grapes to hops, Paso Robles winery Castoro Cellars will offer their signature wines.

Multi-day tickets are the festival’s best buy and those that purchase the Blues/Brews Ultimate Pass receive early festival entry to the festival and beer tastings each day in addition to complimentary food vouchers.

Advance tickets are on sale now and this year’s event is again expected to sell out. Tickets are available online at http://www.MammothBluesBrewsFest.com/tickets; and locally at the Mammoth Brewing Company Tasting Room. For festival updates and additional information, visit the event’s responsive website, http://www.MammothBluesBrewsFest.com which features music videos; links to bands, breweries and ticketing; a photo gallery; email signup; live social media updates; FAQ section; an informative blog on festival happenings; and more. According to the event producers, this is the best place to obtain up-to-the-minute information about the festival. Or, contact the event hotline, 888-99-BREWS (992-7397).

The event venue, The Woods at Mammoth Lakes, is located at 5701 Minaret Road between Main Street and Meridian Boulevard. Mammoth Lakes is a mountain resort located near Yosemite National Park in the Eastern High Sierra off Highway 395, offering world-class golf courses, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, and resort facilities. For additional information about camping or local accommodations, call 800-GO MAMMOTH or visit http://www.visitmammoth.com or http://www.mammothbluesbrewsfest.com/lodging.

Great Vegas Festival of Beer to Host Beer and Sear Craft Beer and Culinary ‘Beerunch’ at Searsucker

March 26, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

LAS VEGAS – Motley Brews will host a Beer and Sear craft beer and culinary ‘beerunch’ at Searsucker Las Vegas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 19. In addition to exclusive beer tastings, the event will include music and culinary stations.

Stephen La Sala, executive chef of Searsucker, will prepare a sampling of brunch selections to pair with the beer offerings. Three food stations will offer fresh salt and brine offerings, including poke hand rolls, oysters on the half-shell served with a spicy cocktail sauce and lager mignonette and Bloody Mary shrimp cocktails; brunch favorites, including beer-brined pork belly bennies, served with homemade bread, lemon-dill hollandaise and beer-cured salmon, Mexican poutine served with stout-braised carnitas, rajas and Oaxaca cheese and short rib fries, made with beer-braised short ribs and topped with Vermont cheddar and egg; and Chef La Sala’s traditional taco bar, with an authentic pastor taco, an infamous charred octopus taco and beer-braised crispy pig ears.

Guests attending this exclusive event will experience a decadent taste of the eighth annual Great Vegas Festival of Beer, where Chef La Sala will cook a variety of beer-inspired dishes created specifically for festival guests with VIP tickets. This year’s Great Vegas Grand Tasting will be held on Saturday, April 7. The Mad Craft Experience, added to the Great Vegas lineup last year, will be held on Friday, April 6.

Tickets to Beer and Sear are priced at $55, plus tax and fees, and are available for purchase on the website at http://greatvegasbeer.com/great-vegas-presents-beer-sear/.

About Motley Brews:

Founded in 2010, Motley Brews was created for locals, breweries and brew fans alike to share great libations in a true local setting. Motley Brews develops beer-centric festivals and events throughout the Southwest, including San Diego, Las Vegas and Pasadena, Calif. Motley Brews’ annual Great Vegas Festival of Beer, founded in 2011, is Nevada’s largest craft beer festival. Motley Brews supports local non-profits with every event, raising more than $125,000 to date. More information about Motley Brews is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MotleyBrews, or on their website at http://motleybrews.com/.

About Searsucker:

Searsucker, a restaurant brand conceptualized by chef Brian Malarkey, brings sharable comfort cuisine coupled with a casual, feel-good atmosphere to Austin, Texas, Del Mar, Calif., San Diego, Calif., and the newest Las Vegas location in Caesars Palace. Named after the simplicity of the seersucker fabric, which is casual and emanates a relaxed vibe among those who wear it, Searsucker evokes that same feeling in its dishes and atmosphere. Each of its four locations features comfortable couches, eclectic music and extreme flavors, all which combine to create the perfect social dining experience. For more information, please visit Searsucker.com.

Motley Brews to Bring Eighth Annual Great Vegas Festival of Beer Back to Downtown Las Vegas in April

March 11, 2018 by evebushman Leave a Comment

LAS VEGAS – Great Vegas Festival of Beer will return to Downtown Las Vegas for two days on Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7 – which coincides with National Beer Day. The experiential event, produced by Motley Brews, is expected to be the state’s largest craft beer festival for the eighth time with more than 500 beers and 10,000 attendees anticipated throughout both days.

The weekend will begin with the return of the Mad Craft Experience, which was added to the Great Vegas lineup last year, from 7-10 p.m. on April 6, with culinary competitions and select beer tastings from notable breweries. The Grand Tasting will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 7, with early entry at 2 p.m., and will offer more than 500 craft beers from more than 120 local, regional, national and international breweries, in addition to beer-inspired and infused cuisine from some of Las Vegas’ top chefs.

“We have separated Great Vegas from any other beer festival in the nation by introducing new interactive and experimental experiences for craft beer lovers,” said Brian Chapin, founder and CEO of Motley Brews. “This year, we’re adding even more entertainment, culinary options and of course, beer.” Chapin demonstrated Las Vegas’ thirst for craft beer with the inaugural Great Vegas in 2011, which quickly sold out to more than 2,000 attendees. The event has grown from year to year, prompting an expansion to two days in 2017.

Tickets for the Mad Craft Experience start at $55 plus fees. Tickets start at $40 plus fees for Saturday’s Grand Tasting, providing access to the festival from 3 to 7 p.m. along with a tasting glass, unlimited beer samples and entertainment options including a silent disco, BrewLogic seminars and more. Early admission tickets are also available, providing entry at 2 p.m., priced at $50 plus fees.

VIP tickets to the Grand Tasting, Great Vegas’ most coveted credential, are priced at $90 plus fees, and include early entry at 2 p.m., access to the VIP Brewers Lounge, which includes a rotating tap of limited release and rare beers, a decadent spread of top-notch cuisine prepared by celebrated Las Vegas chefs, a lounge area and more. VIP tickets are limited, and all tickets are available for purchase now at www.greatvegasbeer.com.

A portion of the proceeds from the event always benefit local non-profits, this year including The Folded Flag Foundation, the Vegas Golden Knights Foundation, Goodie Two Shoes Foundation and the Nevada Craft Brewers Association. More information about Great Vegas Festival of Beer is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @GreatVegasBeer, or on the website at http://greatvegasbeer.com/.

Motley Brews will host a Beer and Sear craft beer and culinary ‘beerunch’ at Searsucker Las Vegas from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24. In addition to exclusive beer tastings, guests will experience a decadent preview of what is to come at Great Vegas, where Stephen La Sala, executive chef of Searsucker, will cook a variety of beer-inspired dishes created specifically for festival attendees with VIP tickets.

About Motley Brews:

More information about Motley Brews is on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MotleyBrews, or on their website at http://motleybrews.com/.

Perlis and Haig Pick: South Bay Beer & Wine Festival

July 1, 2017 by Michael Perlis Leave a Comment

Recently, thanks mainly to the efforts of my sister-in-law Elizabeth (Liz) Haig, we attended the 4^th Annual South Bay Beer & Wine Festival. Our spouses Karen and Brian tagged along.

Since Liz went to all this trouble. I’d like to share her thoughts on the event and introduce you all to the person who has really been like my sister for about half [geez!] of my life.

Here’s Liz…

The South Bay Beer and Wine Festival in Rolling Hills Estates is a fundraiser for the El Segundo, Palos Verdes Peninsula and South Bay Sunrise Rotary clubs who volunteer and contribute to many worthwhile charities in our community.

It was a sold out event with nearly 1,300 guests. There were about 30 breweries and almost 20 wineries scheduled to pour and many local restaurants and other vendors serving up great food. I enjoyed several tastings that I thought I’d comment on a few that I really liked. I couldn’t get to all of them.

Kinship Winery in Paso Robles had a very nice Pinot Noir, it was light and refreshing and not too sweet. The Chardonnay was mild and had a fruity after taste. A portion of their proceeds goes towards helping children in Guatemala.

I tasted a flavored cognac, vodka and fruit juice blend called Mascarade with club soda and a mint leaf. It was very good and reminded me of a Mai Tai. And I really like Mai Tais.

Common Cider Company had several interesting flavors and their drinks were about 8% alcohol. We tried the Hibiscus Saison and Blackberry Sangria. Hibiscus Saison tasted like a mild cranberry drink without the tartness. The Blackberry Sangria was fruity and smooth.

Tito’s Vodka was serving up cool, refreshing cocktails and since it was extremely hot, it helped cool things down.

As for the beers, there were so many to choose from with a wide variety to sample. Absolution, Arts District, Knee Deep, RIPP Beer, Ironfire, Mother Earth Breweries and Scholb Premium Ales had some interesting new beers.

Red Car Brewery, Rock & Brews and Truxton’s had delicious sliders. Wa Dining, Pei Wei Asian, Silvio’s Brazilian BBQ, Tamiza’s Treats and Luna Grill had very tasting offers and it was nice to have a variety of different food choices.

Live music from the band, Detour, who played pop rock classics made us feel like dancing and really added to the atmosphere. I would definitely go again next year!

Thanks Liz.

I have a few more things to add.

On the day of the event [May 21^st] we were experiencing unseasonably warm weather, which made it a perfect day to get out of the Santa Clarita Valley and head down to the South Bay. It was somewhat warm down there too [although not like here] so it was a perfect day to focus on beer, which is what I did.

I had no idea there was such a craft beer movement going on in the South Bay. That area was well represented as well as other parts of LA and beyond.

Here were some of my favorites…

Arts District Brewing Company

Avery Brewing

Brouwerij West

Eagle Rock Brewery

House Beer

Iron Triangle

Phantom Carriage

Smog City Brewing Company

Three Weavers Brewing Company

Iron Triangle’s Dark Ale got my nod a second time [see my Masters of Taste article] for my favorite beer.

Also, Phantom Carriage gave me a good education on the purposeful use of brettanomyces in beer, which is usually a no-no for wine. They are definitely worth a trip to Carson to check out.

All in all, a nice way to spend a warm day out of the SCV.

Michael Perlis has been pursuing his passion for wine for more than 25 years. He has had the good fortune of having numerous mentors to show him the way, as well as a wonderful wife who encourages him and shares his interest. After a couple of decades of learning about wine, attending events, visiting wineries and vineyards, and tasting as much wine as he possibly could, he had the amazing luck to meet Eve Bushman. Now, as Contributing Editor for Eve’s Wine 101, he does his best to bring as much information as possible about wine to Eve’s Wine 101 faithful readers. Michael is also Vice President of Eve Bushman Consulting (fka Eve’s Wine 101 Consulting) http://evebushmanconsulting.com/ and President of MCP Financial. Michael can be contacted at michaelthezinfan@aol.com or michael@evebushmanconsulting.com.

Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza Unites the Best in Craft Beer and Legendary Blues

May 24, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Mammoth Lakes, CA (PRWEB) – The 22nd Annual Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza in Mammoth Lakes, California is gearing up for its High Sierra summer party with four days of music and two days of craft beer tasting. It’s Mammoth’s strongest rockin’ blues lineup yet, August 3rd-6th, outdoors among the pines at The Woodsite.

More than 20 internationally known bands will perform on two stages. On the Bluesapalooza Main stage, the Beyond Blues Thursday Night (5:15pm-10:00pm) kicks off with Robert Randolph and The Family Band with special guests Flow Tribe and Dreddie Poppins and The Professionals. Friday Night Rock ‘N Blues (3:00pm-10:00pm) features headlining performances from Mavis Staples, Valerie June, Eric Sardinas & Big Motor, Jason Ricci & The Bad Kind, and Saturday’s Bluesapalooza (11:30am-9:30pm) features Walter Trout, Sonny Landreth, Malina Moye, Samantha Fish, Dirty Revival, and Anthony Gomes. Festivalgoers can unwind, kick back and relax on Soulful Sunday (11:00am-5:30pm) with Vintage Trouble, Janiva Magness, Cedric Burnside Project, and Griff Hamlin & The Circle City Horns. On the Minaret Stage, RJ Mischo & Paris Slim, Brother Yusef, The Bald Eagles and additional special guests will have scheduled performances throughout the weekend.

“At 8,000 feet, we’re the highest elevation beer and music festival on the West Coast,” says Sean Turner of Mammoth Brewing Company, host brewery of the event. “And it takes place under the pines in one of the most beautiful venues in the West! It’s a great place to come find your new favorite band and your new favorite beer and meet some of the brewers.”

And when it comes to craft beer, attendees have a mammoth supply to choose from and taste. The Mammoth Festival of Beers features two days of beer tasting, both Saturday (12pm-5:00pm) and Sunday (12pm-4:00pm), showcasing more than 90 breweries pouring over 200 craft beers, such as Mammoth Brewing Company, Bear Republic, Figueroa Mountain Brewing, Firestone Walker, Green Flash, Hangar 24, Russian River Brewing, Santa Cruz Mountain, San Diego, Sierra Nevada, Stone, and many more. And for the progressive taster, this year’s new-dedicated Barrel-Aged Sour Beer Bar will serve specialty beers all four days of the festival. The event benefits the California Craft Brewers Association, The Infinite Music Foundation and many local nonprofit organizations. Along with the beer and blues, plenty of tasty food from some of Mammoth’s best restaurants will be served in the Blues Food Court satisfying the heartiest of appetites. The popular Cigar Bar returns. And for those that prefer grapes over hops, returning winery J. Lohr will offer their signature wines.

Multi-day tickets are the festival’s best buy and very important ticket holders, aka VIP ticket holders, receive early festival entry each day; special VIP bar lines with complimentary Sour Bar Beer tastings; a Lair of the Bear lounge access with special amenities; VIP porta-potties, and more.

Advance tickets are on sale now and this year’s event is again expected to sell out. Tickets are available online at http://www.vallitix.com or http://www.MammothBluesBrewsFest.com or phone at 888-825-5484; and locally at the Mammoth Brewing Company Tasting Room. For festival updates and additional information, visit the event’s responsive website, http://www.MammothBluesBrewsFest.com which features music videos; links to bands, breweries and ticketing; a photo gallery; email signup; live social media updates; FAQ section; an informative blog on festival happenings; and more. According to the event producers, this is the best place to obtain up-to-the-minute information about the festival. Or, contact the event hotline, 888-99-BREWS (992-7397).

The event venue, The Woodsite, is located at 5701 Minaret Road between Main Street and Meridian Boulevard. Mammoth Lakes is a mountain resort located near Yosemite National Park in the Eastern High Sierra off Highway 395, offering world-class golf courses, mountain biking, fishing, hiking, and resort facilities. For additional information about camping or local accommodations, call 800-GO MAMMOTH or visit http://www.visitmammoth.com or http://www.mammothbluesbrewsfest.com/lodging.

South Bay Beer & Wine Festival

May 11, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

South Bay Beer & Wine Festival

May 21^st 2017 at Ernie Howlett Park in Rolling Hills Estates

1 PM to 5 PM

VIP – 12 NOON to 5 PM

The South Bay Beer & Wine Festival invites you to enjoy the wares of approximately 70 Craft Beer, Wine & Restaurant exhibitors this May. The best of Southern California’s regional breweries, wineries and restaurants are featured, yet the Festival in its fourth year is a mecca for craft brewers from throughout the west. Tasting of all beer, wine and food is unlimited, and each festival attendee receives a great souvenir glass to take home.

The VIP upgrade adds tastings of assorted spirits, preferred parking, and entry to the Festival one hour before general admission. We applaud the generosity of all our exhibitors who energetically participate each year to raise money for our charitable beneficiaries. Treat your palate and have a blast with your friends this Spring on the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula.

All proceeds fund the community outreach programs of Rotary Clubs within the South Bay and Harbor cities of Los Angeles. It’s a Springtime event that can’t be missed.

Tickets Prices

Tickets for the South Bay Beer & Wine Festival includes unlimited tasting of craft beers, fine wines, delicious food, live music, and silent auction.

General Admission $75.00 online; Day of the event, if any are still available, $75.00 at the gate.
Your Ticket includes:

Festival Access from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Souvenir Tasting Glass
Unlimited Tastings of Craft Beer, Fine Wines, and Foods from ~70 Great Exhibitors
Live Music
Art Exhibition
Free Parking

Unlike many festivals, your ticket price provides an “all-inclusive” experience. No hidden costs (like food trucks or parking). It’s a great value!

VIP Upgrade $30; Limited; advanced online purchase only. Day of the event: Not available.

Access to VIP Tent with seating and shade for relaxing
Premium distilled spirits tastings
Preferred parking next to event field
Early entry to event. Access at 12 noon — 1 hour before General Admission
To be used with a General Admission ticket

Fine Print: You must be at least 21 years old to enter the Festival. No smoking in the Festival. And, please, no pets.

Music (and wine) Lover’s Williamsburg: The Best Festivals and Concerts

May 10, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – Start counting the long list of famed musicians hailing from Virginia – including Patsy Cline, Bruce Hornsby, Dave Matthews and Pharrell Williams – and it’s no surprise that the state, and the Greater Williamsburg area, are home to an equally eclectic array of music events.

Among the highlights of this year’s spring and summer concert season are Bruce Hornsby’s Funhouse Fest that finds him reconnecting with old friend, Sheryl Crow, who headlines the first night of the three-day festival in June; and multi-platinum-selling artist, LeAnn Rimes, at Uncorked and Unplugged at The Williamsburg Winery, also in June.

Check out our round-up of the top music festivals and concert series in Greater Williamsburg to get on your calendar for 2017, and see more here. Be sure to make your plans early – tickets sell out far in advance.

Have Fun, Fun, Fun on the Big Lawn
Funhouse Fest, a three-day celebration of music curated by Grammy-winner Bruce Hornsby in partnership with the Virginia Arts Festival, is back for a second year after attracting more than 6,000 people. This year’s lineup means those crowds will be even bigger. Sheryl Crow and Hornsby, with his band The Noisemakers, open the fun on June 23, promising one hit after another. The following night, Hornsby returns to play the music of The Grateful Dead after sets by guests including Lake Street Dive, jazz man Kenny Garret, and The Staves, a British folk trio. On the final day, critically acclaimed singer Rhiannon Giddens, once part of Carolina Chocolate Drops and now a recurring character on the show “Nashville,” steps on stage, but — you guessed it — Hornsby is not finished. He will play a duo show with drummer Sonny Emory. It all takes place on the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg from June 23 to June 25.

Williamsburg Winery

Unplugged in True Williamsburg Style
Go Uncorked and Unplugged at Greater Williamsburg’s classy update of that MTV Unplugged phenomenon at The Williamsburg Winery on June 10. LeAnn Rimes is headlining this year’s event, which is a magic merger of wine and song featuring intimate acoustic sets from major-league acts and world-class Virginia wines.

Hot Time, Hot Summer Songs
Cool evenings at Busch Gardens during July and August get a shot of hot songs with Summer Nights, featuring rock, pop, country and contemporary Christian performers under the stars at the Royal Palace Theatre. The schedule is evolving, but mark July 15 for a show with country mega-star Josh Turner.

Second Sundays of Song
Second Sundays, Williamsburg’s Art and Music Festival, kicked off with its first event in March and will run through Dec. 10 in Colonial Williamsburg. The festival showcases numerous local and regional acts on several stages while as many as 100 artists offer their creations for sale in downtown Williamsburg. The music starts at 11 a.m. and continues until 5 p.m. That’s more seconds of song than you can count.

Listen Along with the Symphonic Masters
The Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra offers Masterworks Concerts in the Kimball Theatre in Merchants Square. On April 25 and 26, the symphony turns to hidden gems playing Verdi, Mozart and Neilson. The fireworks finale at Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall at the College of William & Mary on May 20 features violinist Elena Urioste and the symphony playing Falla, Korngold and Tchaikovsky.

A Triple Shot of Vitamin B
How better to get a shot of springtime energy than Yorktown’s fourth annual Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival May 6 from noon to 6 p.m. on Riverwalk Landing. Hear the best local blues bands. Quaff craft brews. And, of course, pick up extra napkins as you devour barbecue and other local favorites. Get your tickets early.

Sunset Songs on the Water
The Watermen’s Museum Yorktown Music Jamboree concert series starts Friday, May 5, and continues every Friday through August showcasing local musicians. What could be better than to watch the sunset and listen to songs echoing across the York River?

One Classy Coffee Concert
The Virginia Arts Festival has a sprawling calendar of events in southeastern Virginia throughout April and May. It brings the American String Quartet with pianist Andre-Michel Schub to the always-classy Williamsburg Winery in an intimate show where fans will be able to mingle with the artists following the performance. Make your escape from work for the 10:30 a.m. show on May 11.

Summer Breeze, Makes Me Feel Fine
Take a mid-week break at the Summer Breeze Concert Series on Wednesdays throughout July and August in Merchants Square with some of the best local talent. Shows start at 7 p.m.

To experience more culture in Greater Williamsburg, check out these fun cultural activities and plan your visit today!

Santa Clarita Valley’s Taste of the Town, aka TOTT, Returns May 7, 2017

April 30, 2017 by evebushman 2 Comments

Don’t miss Child & Family Center’s 29^th annual Taste of the Town coming Sunday, May 7. Held at the beautiful gardens of Mann Biomedical Park, guests enjoy delectable samples from 50 restaurants, caterers, and beer & wine purveyors for one all-inclusive price. All proceeds benefit Child & Family Center which provides therapy services each week for 650 children with emotional or behavioral issues. Guests who purchase the VIP Experience for $125 will enjoy a special one-hour pre-event reception from 12:00 to 1:00 pm, featuring access to all the booths and exclusive access to special beer and wine. General admission is from 1:00 – 5:00 pm and tickets are $75. The event is adults 21+ only.

Several exciting items are up for bid at the live auction including private catered dinners, Hollywood Bowl tickets, a week at a home in Maui, a week at a home in Mammoth and many more!

One lucky guest will win a $5,000 Princess Cruise premium vacation package. Princess Cruises is the destination leader sailing more than 150 itineraries visiting over 360 ports of call around the world. The package includes expert guidance from your own Princess Cruise Vacation Planner to make your vacation dreams, to the destination of your choice, come true. Tickets are $50 each or 3 tickets for $100 and are available now and at the event. You don’t have to be present to win. To buy tickets, contact Child & Family Center at 661-255-6847 ext. 3018.

Everyone knows that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Here’s your chance to win a beautiful diamond pendant courtesy of local jeweler Apo Yessayan of Classic Designs Jewelry. Just $25 per ticket and you receive a complimentary glass of champagne!

Back by popular demand, Mark LeVang has assembled his stellar group of musicians and singers for our event. Currently on a world tour with Neil Diamond, Mark will fly in to perform at the event! The band is highly acclaimed in the motion picture and recording session world.

The success of Taste of the Town relies a great deal on the generosity of our sponsors. This year marks the ninth time that Bank of Santa Clarita has been the Title Sponsor. Joining them for the fourth time are Whitening Lightning and Gerard Cosmetics, both owned by local entrepreneur and philanthropist Jennifer Gerard. Other sponsors include Mann Biomedical Park, Boston Scientific, Santa Clarita Studios, Princess Cruises, Lundgren Management, Alliance Building Solutions, Harold & Jacqulyn Petersen, Telacu Construction Management, Chiquita Canyon, Classic Designs Jewelry, Salon 7, Animal Specialty Group, Sweat it Out, G. Marshall Hann, Heffernan Insurance, Nick Rose Insurance, The Walt Disney Company, Julie Sturgeon CPA, Stifel, Valencia Acura, City of Santa Clarita, Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewery, Martin & Company Tax & Wealth Advisors, Kaiser Permanente, Bill & Valerie Cooper, Lentini Insurance & Investments, LBW Insurance, Six Flags, Bruce Fortine & Gloria Mercado Fortine, Jack & Doreen Shine, the Kreyenhagen Family, Magazine of Santa Clarita, Signal Multimedia, KHTS AM 1220, SCV TV, Spectrum Reach, Burrtec, Andy Gump, Thomas Graphics and L.A. Party Rents.

For a complete list of participating restaurants, sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets visit: www.tasteofthetown.com

# # #

HERE IS OUR EXCITING LINEUP OF PARTICIPANTS

An Indian Affaire

Angel City Brewery

Anheuser-Busch

Bella Cucina

Bergies Bar & Grill

Big Wangs

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

Casa Canela Restaurant

Castaic Lake Water Agency

Clarice’s Cake & Candy Supplies

College of the Canyons Culinary School

Fireman’s Brew

Henry Mayo Café

Honu Coffee

J. Lohr

Jersey Mike’s Subs

Jill’s Cake Creations

Kona Ice

Larsen’s Steakhouse

Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que

Nature’s Bakery

New Moon Restaurant

Newhall Refinery

Nothing Bundt Cakes

Olive Terrace Bar & Grill

Parashars’ Indian Kitchen

Pinot’s Palette

Pocock Brewing Company

Rita’s Italian Ice

Rubios

Salt Creek Grille Restaurant & Catering

Signal Wine Club

Sisley

Solita Tacos

Summerhill Villa

Sweet Beams

The Blaq Square

The Paseo Club

TPC Valencia

Valencia Country Club

Vines Restaurant & Bar

Wolf Creek Restaurant

Wood Ranch

2nd Annual Masters of Taste: L.A.’s Top Tastemakers Savor the Finer Things On Field of The Iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl!

April 13, 2017 by evebushman Leave a Comment

Los Angeles, CA: Spring has sprung and the time has come to celebrate and savor the finer things at this year’s 2nd Annual Masters of Taste, an outdoor, luxury food and beverage festival being held on Sunday, May 7th, 2017 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the field of the iconic Pasadena Rose Bowl!

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Masters of Taste

The 2nd Annual Masters of Taste will bring over 2,500 food and beverage enthusiasts together from all over Greater Los Angeles for one afternoon to celebrate this exhilarating festival, which will include the finest fare from over 40 Culinary Masters and restaurants, delectable sweets prepared by L.A.’s top Sweet Masters, signature handcrafted cocktails and tastings from over 30 Beverage Masters, including L.A’s top bartenders and cocktail bars, local California wineries, local craft breweries, pressed juices, hand roasted coffee, live entertainment and much more.

100% of the proceeds from Masters of Taste 2017 will directly benefit Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to end homelessness in our community and offers an array of services including street outreach, meals, shelter, housing, case management and career development. Last year, Masters of Taste 2016 raised over $435,000 for Union Station Homeless Services, and this year Masters of Taste hopes to grow that number to $560,000.

Some of this year’s Masters of Taste 2017 participating Culinary Masters and Restaurants include:

118 Degrees Chef Jenny Ross (Tarzana)
Alexander’s Steakhouse Chef Matt Bata (Pasadena)
Bacchus Kitchen & Eatery and Claude & Co. Chef Claud Beltran (Pasadena)
Bone Kettle and Komodo Chef Erwin Tjahyadi (Pasadena and Los Angeles)
CAST at the Viceroy Santa Monica Chef Larry Monaco (Santa Monica)
Celestino Chef Calogero Drago (Pasadena)
Church & State and Spring Chef Tony Esnault (Downtown Los Angeles)
Crossings Chef Lalo Sanchez (South Pasadena)
HACHÉ LA Chef Michael “Mick” Schepers (Silver Lake)
HokePoke Chef Lauren Haas (Downtown Los Angeles)
Hamasaku Chef Yoya Takahashi (Los Angeles)
Hyperion Public Chef Paddy Aubrey (Silver Lake and Studio City)
INTRO Art Gallery & Chef’s Table Chef Paul Shoemaker (North Hollywood)
Little Beast Chef Jose Perez (Eagle Rock)
Magnolia House Chef Evan Colter (Pasadena)
Mama Lion Chef Michael Hung (Koreatown)
Mexikosher Chef Katsuji Tanabi (Los Angeles)
Milk & Honey Chef Lulu Cai (Hollywood)
Miro Chef Gavin Mills (Downtown Los Angeles)
Momed Chef Alex Sarkissian (Beverly Hills and Atwater Village)
Nerano Chef Michele Lisi (Beverly Hills)
Prince of Venice
Ramen Tatsunoya (Pasadena)
SpireWorks Chef Kuniko Yagi (Westwood Village and Eagle Rock)
Redbird Chef Neal Fraser (Downtown Los Angeles)
The Raymond 1886 Chef Tim Guiltinan (Pasadena)
True Food Kitchen Chef Phil Noresetter (Pasadena)
Venice Whaler Chef Nick Liberato (Venice)
Sweet Masters: A select group of Los Angeles Top Sweet Masters will showcase an assortment of delectable desserts such as the gourmet single-origin chocolate and vanilla ice creams from Choctal, homemade premium sorbets from Helados Pops, the finest globally-procured cacao from Chocolate Stars USA, and much more from Café Dulce, Icy Rush, Lark Cake Shop, Magpies Softserve, Mignon Chocolate, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Sprinkles, Street Churros and The Dirty Cookie.

Some of this year’s participating Beverage Masters include:

Brewmasters: Beverage Masters who specialize in barley and hops will be presenting top-notch ales, lagers, pilsners and more for guests to sample, sip and savor all throughout the event, including Southern California favorites Bootlegger’s Brewery, Indie Brewing Company, Iron triangle Brewing, MacLeod Ale Brewing Co., Three Weavers Brewing Company and 101 Cider House.

Wineries: A specially curated collection of Wine Masters will be showcasing their finest varietals including premium boutique winery Ascension Cellars, Antelope Valley’s Golden Star Vineyards, Jardesca, St. Helena’s Hall Wines, Anderson Valley’s Navarro Vineyards, San Antonio Winery in Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Barbara County’s Tercero Wines, Napa Valley’s Trinchero Family Estates and Vinemark Cellars.

Bars & Spirits: Some of L.A.’s top bartenders and cocktail bars will be creating first-rate craft cocktails, including Peter Lloyd-Jones and 1886 Bar, Garrett McKechnie of Downtown L.A.’s Bar Mattachine and Bar Manager Bethany Ham of the newly opened 1950s inspired hidden cocktail den Birds & Bees. Top brands showcasing their finest spirits will also include American Born Moonshine, Dulce Vida Tequila, Mezcal El Silencio, Glenlevit, Kikori Whiskey, Martell Blue Swift and ZYR Russian Vodka just to name a few.

Non-Alcoholic Beverages: A variety of premium non-alcoholic Beverage Masters will also be on hand for those who wish to hydrate, caffeinate or regenerate, featuring the “bevolutionary” Bai who will be presenting their antioxidant juices, teas and water infusions, Boxed Water, Califia Farms Juices and Cold Brew Coffees, Dry Sparkling, Kombucha Dog, Milk+T, cold-pressed juices from Nekter Juice Bar, Philz hand roasted customized blended Coffee, and all natural, refreshing beverages from Zico Coconut Water.

More Culinary Masters, Sweet Masters and Beverage Masters to be announced.

Sponsors: Masters of Taste is made possible through the generous support of our sponsors, which include HomeStreet Bank, Judith L Chiara Foundation, Western Asset Management, Capital Group, Floe Financial Partners, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Bank of America, Femino Family Foundation, Goldstar, HKG LLP, Kauffman Wealth Management, MUFG Union, Tournament of Roses, Wells Fargo, Westport Construction, Citizens Business Bank, Hahn & Hahn, LLP, Hybrid Foundation, Massage Envy, Tsan Tsun Memorial Foundation, Westmount Asset Management, RE/Max, Arroyo Insurance Services, Norton Rose Fulbright LLP, Individual FoodService, and California Linen Services.

Ticket Information: Masters of Taste will take place on Sunday, May 7th, 2016. A VIP Power Hour will be held from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm and General Admission will be from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Tickets to this event are only available for guests 21+ and over. For more information on Masters of Taste or to book your tickets directly, please visit www.MastersofTasteLA.com/Tickets.

Location: Pasadena Rose Bowl – 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103.

Transportation and Parking: Guests are encouraged to utilize car services – Lyft, Uber, Taxi, etc. – since this event does serve alcoholic beverages. To get 20% off your ride to and from Masters of Taste, please visit Lyft. Complimentary parking will also be available at the event.

Follow Masters of Taste for the latest updates on: Facebook: www.facebook.com/MastersOfTaste Twitter: @MastersofTaste

Instagram: @MastersofTaste

Masters of Taste

Pasadena Rose Bowl

1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, CA 91103

Masters of Taste Direct Line: 626.791.6677

E: info@MastersofTasteLA.com