Monday, 22 August 2016

London Leicester Square Theatre – London, UK Margo Rey- Presented by Ron White August 30, 2016

WHO: Margo Rey In Concert

WHAT: Seven-time Billboard charting singer-songwriter Margo Rey will grace the stage of the London Leicester Square Theatre on August 30, 2016.

Hollywood, CA, August 23, 2016 - Margo Rey is known for the creation of her own style of ‘Organica’ music that can be explained as an unorthodox hybrid of pop music that is rooted in Jazz with deep ethno-rhythmic grooves, textural guitars, keys and lush vocals. Margo continues to deliver her array of vibrant and sultry singing talents that easily compliment her gentle and uplifting melodies. Margo is known to combine a variety of organic sounds and pour every bit of emotion into each song she creates. Her alternative pop singles have captured a worldwide audience with her enduring, socially conscious lyrics and her unforgettable, groove oriented musical arrangements.


Margo’s musical efforts have not gone unnoticed. Margo has earned nine Top 20 charted hits on Billboard and others including, “Let The Rain,” “Between Us,” “Habit,” “Tempted” and more! AXS has touted, “Rey [is] one of the most in demand and inspiring singer/songwriters of our day.” Songwriter’s monthly praised, “‘Margo Rey is elegance personified. Her exquisite look, impeccable poise, effortless grace and sublime talent.”

In more recent years, Margo became the National Ambassador for non-profit organization Brides Against Breast Cancer. Margo has battled breast cancer herself and while striving through her struggles she continued to pursue her music career. She also has received much recognition after performing at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel for a special one-night event benefitting The Noreen Fraser Foundation, a non-profit organization that focuses on raising funds for women’s cancer research.

Margo Rey’s philanthropic efforts and her distinctive style of ‘Organica’ have generated her prosperous fan base across the world. Margo Rey is a must-see performer and if you cannot catch her in California she will be continuing her residency as an opening act of her husband, and well-known comedian Ron White at the Parlor Lounge in Las Vegas.

WHEN: August 30, 2016

WHERE: LEICESTER SQUARE THEATRE
6 Leicester Pl,
London WC2H 7BX, United Kingdom
MARGOREY.COM/TOUR

SHOW TIME: 6:45 PM

TICKET PRICE: £16

CONTACT INFO: For Margo Rey (Chip Schutzman, Miles High Productions, 323-806-0400, chip@mileshighproductions.com)

Contact:
Chip Schutzman
Miles High Productions
PO Box 93157
Hollywood, CA 90093
323-806-0400
http://margorey.com

Saturday, 20 August 2016

The Monterey Symphony Announces its 71st season, entitled "Shakespeare in Music"

The Monterey Symphony has announced that its 71st season, entitled "Shakespeare in Music," will feature four eclectic chamber concerts, including two in October and a Christmas concert in December

Monterey, CA, August 20, 2016 - The Monterey Symphony has announced that its 71st season, entitled "Shakespeare in Music," will feature four eclectic chamber concerts, including two in October and a Christmas concert in December, (each at All Saints Episcopal Church in Carmel) plus one more event at Carmel's fabulous Sunset Center on back-to-back dates in January.

Tickets
Single Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by phone at 831-646-8511 or online at www.montereysymphony.org. Tickets will also be sold 90 minutes before show time at the venue.

General admission tickets for concerts at All Saints’ Episcopal Church (Dolores & Ninth Ave, Carmel) are priced at $25 for general admission and $10 for students and active military.

General admission tickets for concerts at the Sunset Center (San Carlos at Ninth Avenue, Carmel) are priced at $50 for Premium Seating and $25 for general admission.

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 1 - CHAMBER MUSIC WITH CLARINET
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
October 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

The first program in the Monterey Symphony’s 2016/17 Chamber Series will feature the clarinet, including works by Kokai, Debussy, and Brahms. The music on this program may not often be heard, but it will be masterfully presented by musicians from the orchestra, including Concertmaster Christina Mok, violin; Steve Sanchez, clarinet; Tina Minn, violin; Chad Kaltinger, viola; and Drew Ford, cello.

Program:
Kokai - Quartettino for Clarinet and String Trio
Debussy - String Quartet in g minor, Op. 10
Brahms - Quintet for Clarinet and String Quartet, Op. 115

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 2 – MYRIAD FACES OF RUSSIA
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
October 18, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Presented as a part of the ICONS in Transformation International Contemporary Art Exhibit at All Saint’s Episcopal Church that runs from September 25 – November 20, 2016. An exhibition of contemporary art and traditional icons with 130 selects pieces by Russian-born artist, Ludmila Pawlowska.

This all-Russian program presented by our October concert Guest Artists: Anna Petrova, piano; Rebecca Anderson, violin; and JeongHyoun Christine Lee, cello; will feature composers from around the turn of the twentieth century - Arensky, Stravinsky, and Prokofiev. Stravinksy’s Suite Italienne is an arrangement of music from his ballet Pulcinella for cello and piano, and the deep and dark Prokofiev Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano was composed for friends lost during the Stalin regime. The Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor by Arensky may not be well-known, but it is a highlight of the program!

Program:
Igor Stravinsky
Suite italienne for Cello and Piano (arr. from Pulcinella)
Sergey Prokofiev
Sonata No. 1 in f minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 80
Anton Arensky
Piano Trio No. 1 in d minor, Op. 32

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 3 - CHRISTMAS POTPOURRI
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
December 8, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

This delightful program features concertos, sonatas, interludes and tangos! Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” and Bach’s Brandenburg No. 5 highlight this concert program that parries itself with the Hampton String Quartet’s Mozartian rendition of holiday favorites. Do not miss this performance of passionate players including guest artist Michael Peterson, harpsichord, and Monterey Symphony musicians including Dawn Walker, flute; Concertmaster Christina Mok, violin; Jessica Poll, violin; Chad Kaltinger, viola; Isaac Pastor-Chermak, cello; and Bruce Moyer, bass, in a concert that will also include works by Ibert, Leclaire, and Piazzolla.

Program:
Corelli - Concerto Grosso, Op.6, No. 8 "Christmas Concerto" (arr. for String Quartet)
Piazzolla - Tangos for Violin and Double Bass
Leclair - Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord in D Major, Op. 9, No.3
Ibert - Deux Interludes for Flute, Violin and Harpsichord
Christmas Carol Selections from the Hampton String Quartet's What if Mozart wrote, 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas'
White Christmas - Winter Wonderland - Let it Snow
J.S. Bach - Brandenburg Concerto No.5 in D Major, BWV 1050

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 4 - CURTIS ON TOUR: CURTIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Sunset Center, Carmel
January 13, 2017 at 8:00 p.m & January 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

Presented in cooperation with the Sunset Center.

CURTIS ON TOUR: CURTIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – the Nina von Maltzahn Global Touring Initiative of the Curtis Institute of Music

Do not miss this special treat to hear some of America’s greatest young musicians from the renowned Curtis Institute of Music! Featured will be legendary violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi and violist and Curtis president Roberto Diaz, along with five outstanding violin students performing Mozart’s five violin concertos – a truly unique and profoundly musical event!

Performance 1 – Friday, 13 January 2017, 8 p.m.
Violin Concerto No. 1 in B-flat major, K. 207
Violin Concerto No. 3 in G major, K. 216
Violin Concerto No. 5 in A major, K. 219

Performance 2 – Saturday, 14 January 2017, 2 p.m.
Violin Concerto No. 2 in D major, K. 211
Violin Concerto No. 4 in D major, K. 218
Sinfonia concertante in E-flat major, K. 364

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.montereysymphony.org/

Tuesday, 16 August 2016

Monterey Symphony's six-concert season opens in October, celebrates Shakespeare, Big Sur

The magic of one of the world's most-celebrated coastlines was the inspiration for Big Sur: The Night Sun, an original piece by Emmy Award-winning composer John Wineglass that will highlight the first of six concerts comprising the 71st season of the Monterey Symphony.

Monterey, CA, August 17, 2016 - The magic of one of the world's most-celebrated coastlines was the inspiration for Big Sur: The Night Sun, an original piece by Emmy Award-winning composer John Wineglass that will highlight the first of six concerts comprising the 71st season of the Monterey Symphony. The three-time Daytime Emmy winner composed the music in honor of the Carmel Centennial Celebration, with the support of the Big Sur Land Trust, to premier at the Symphony’s season-opening program, scheduled Oct. 21-23.

The season, entitled "Shakespeare in Music," will run through May under the direction of Monterey Symphony Music Director and Conductor Max Bragado-Darman. Each concert will feature at least one work influenced by Shakespeare.

MAIN CONCERTS:
Concert times
The six concert programs, which run October 2016 through May 2017, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. at Sherwood Hall in Salinas on Fridays, and at Carmel's Sunset Center on Saturdays (8 p.m.) and Sundays (3 p.m.). A pre-concert lecture will be offered an hour before each event.

Youth Concerts
The Symphony’s long tradition of youth outreach and education continues this season with eight free Monday Youth Concerts on October 24, November 21, and April 24 at Sunset Center and March 20 at Sherwood Hall. Youth Concerts are held on Mondays at both 9:30 and 11:00 a.m., allowing thousands of students from Monterey, San Benito and south Santa Cruz Counties to experience the magic of Great Music Live. Contact dross@montereysymphony.org to reserve space for your school group.

Tickets
All Subscription packages (6 concerts/4 concerts/3 concerts) are available now by phone or online. The 4 concert mini-series option requires selection of the concerts when purchased and the same seats are guaranteed for each concert; whereas the 3 concert flexpass option allows concert selection at any time with the same seats attempted, but not guaranteed.

Single Tickets may be purchased beginning September 1 by phone at 831-646-8511 or online at www.montereysymphony.org. Tickets will also be sold 90 minutes before show time at the box office at Sherwood Hall or Sunset Center.

General admission tickets for Friday concerts at Sherwood Hall (940 N. Main Street, next to the Salinas Sports Complex) are priced at $25.

Tickets for 8pm Saturday and 3pm Sunday concerts at the Sunset Center (San Carlos at Ninth Avenue, Carmel) are priced at $80, $60, $40 and $30.

SUNSET CENTER


Saturdays at 8:00 PM
Sundays at 3:00 PM
6 CONCERTS
Full Series
4 CONCERTS
Full Series
3 CONCERTS
Flexpass
SINGLE TICKETS
TIER 1
$474
$316
$237
$80
TIER 2
$354
$236
$177
$60
TIER 3
$234
$156
$117
$40
TIER 4
N/A
N/A
N/A
$30
SHERWOOD HALL
Fridays at 7:30 PM
6 CONCERTS
Full Series
4 CONCERTS
Full Series
3 CONCERTS
Flexpass
SINGLE TICKETS
GENERAL ADMISSION
$120
$80
$60
$25

Concert I: Oct. 21-23
The Monterey Symphony gloriously opens its 71st season with Big Sur: The Night Sun, a commissioned orchestral work from local Emmy-winning composer John Wineglass, written for the Carmel Centennial Celebration in conjunction with the Big Sur Land Trust. Wineglass, a Washington D.C. native, lives today on California's spectacular Central Coast, 20 minutes from Point Lobos, one of the breathtaking locations he says inspired Big Sur: The Night Sun, which he characterizes as a "symphonic tone poem."

Ludwig van Beethoven’s magnificent concerto for Piano, Violin and Cello in C Major, Op. 56, the “Triple Concerto”, will showcase the talents of three rising stars: Anna Petrova, piano; Rebecca Anderson, violin; and JeongHyoun Christine Lee, cello, in an exciting performance of the only concerto that Beethoven composed for more than one instrument.

In a season that honors Shakespeare in Music, exactly 400 years after the great artist’s death, the second suite from Sergei Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet adds a moving and profound tone. This work utilizes some rarely used instruments in the orchestra, such as tenor saxophone and cornet, and concludes a colorful and riveting season opener!

Pianist Anna Petrova, a native of Bulgaria, has been honored at numerous international competitions, including the José Roca (Valencia), Val Tidone (Italy) and Maria Yudina (St. Petersburg) Competitions, and was a semifinalist at the prestigious Queen Elizabeth International Piano Competition in Belgium in 2010, where she performed as soloist with the Royal Chamber Orchestra of Wallonia under Paul Goodwin.

Violinist Rebecca Anderson is a versatile soloist and chamber musician whose recent performances range from solo appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, contemporary music premieres with A Far Cry and eighth blackbird, and collaborative projects with Questlove and Ben Folds. She has appeared as a soloist with the Oregon Symphony, Olympia Symphony, and Columbia Symphony orchestras, and in Europe with a recital concert at the Conservatorio de Bologna in Italy. Most recently, she was a first-prize winner at the 2013 American String Teachers Association National Solo Competition for senior division violin.

Cellist JeongHyoun Christine Lee, a native of Seoul, Korea, has appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Seoul Philharmonic, Korean Broadcast Symphony Orchestra, and Calgary Symphony Orchestra, among others, and has served as the Co-Principal of the Curtis Symphony Orchestra. Lee has performed in Europe and Asia with Curtis on Tour and was recently featured as a Young Artist at Music from Angel Fire and a Caramoor Rising Star at the Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts. She recently performed with Juilliard’s contemporary ensemble, AXIOM, and has attended summer festivals such as the Taos School of Music, Encore, the Great Mountains Music Festival, Orford, and Hotchkiss Summer Portals. She has participated in Prussia Cove Master Classes with Ralph Kirshbaum and the Académie Musicale de Villecroze with Miklós Perényi.

Preview Luncheon with Guest Artists
Wednesday, October 19, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.
Glen Deven Ranch, Big Sur, CA
$50/person
Register at 831-646-8511 or www.montereysymphony.org/special-events

Symphony of Flavors
Pre-show soiree pairing local musicians with featured local wine, beer, and tasty bites included with concert ticket
Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.

Sunset Center Terrace
Concert II: Nov. 18-20
The Romantic music of Johannes Brahms and Felix Mendelssohn distinguish the Monterey Symphony’s second concert of the season, opening with Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56 by Brahms, an elegant and well-orchestrated theme and variations on the popular “St. Anthony Chorale” featuring the Honors Orchestra of Youth Music Monterey County in their annual Side-by-Side Program appearance, playing onstage with Monterey Symphony mentors.

This concert will also feature the Overture, Op. 21 and Incidental Music, Op. 61 from Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with a burgeoning stage that highlights the local talents of singers Mary Young Bragado and Angelique Zuluaga, actors Michael Jacobs and Doug Toby, and community chorus I Cantori di Carmel, directed by Dr. Sal Ferrantelli. You will not want to miss this exciting and entertaining collaboration celebrating Shakespeare in Music!

Mezzo-Soprano Mary Young Bragado, wife of the Monterey Symphony’s Music Director Max Bragado-Darman grew up in Princeton New Jersey and graduated as a singer/choral conductor from the University of Michigan. She has directed numerous works throughout the U.S. and in Spain. She has sung in recital and with many choral groups in the U.S. and Europe. Including the prestigious University of Michigan Chamber Choir, the Kenneth Jewell Chorale in Detroit, and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus.

Soprano Angelique Zuluaga has performed opera, oratorio, and chamber music throughout the U.S. and South America and can be found frequently collaborating with composers in new works. Performance highlights include: soloist in Brahms’ Requiem with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir; Handel's Ode to St. Cecilia with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Zankel Hall under the direction of Ton Koopman; and soprano soloist with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas’ St. Matthew Passion Brazilian tour under the direction of Kent Nagano.
Actor Michael Jacobs received his B.A. from Whitman College, then went on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts/West and became a member of the first graduating class in 1976. In New York, he studied at the Herbert Berghof Studios with Uta Hagen and Michael Beckett and in California he became a member of the Shakespeare Santa Cruz Company for 3 years, working and studying with members of the Royal Shakespeare Company from England. In 1987, he was cast in The Normal Heart at the GroveMont Theatre, which began a 27-year stint as actor-in-residence for what is now the Pacific Repertory Theatre.

Doug Toby worked as an actor in the film industry for several years and appeared in a number of films and television shows such as Hill Street Blues, The Rockford Files, and the 1984 film Red Dawn. Doug has been involved with many amateur productions since relocating to Monterey County including the Renaissance Festival and the annual Mystery plays of the Friends of the Monterey Symphony.
I Cantori di Carmel (Italian for The Singers of Carmel) conducted by Dr. Sal Ferrantelli, has been bringing choral classics to the Monterey Peninsula since 1981, performing concerts twice annually, in the spring and fall, at the Carmel Mission Basilica and at other venues throughout the year.

Preview Luncheon with Guest Artists
Wednesday, November 16, 2016 at 11:30 a.m.
Sardine Factory, Cannery Row in Monterey, CA
$50/person
Register at 831-646-8511 or www.montereysymphony.org/special-events

Symphony of Flavors
Pre-show soiree pairing local musicians with featured local wine, beer, and tasty bites included with concert ticket
Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 6:30 p.m.
Sunset Center Terrace
Post-concert Supper Club with Guest Artists
Sunday, November 20, 2016 at 5:30 p.m.
Il Fornaio, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
$70/person
Register at 831-646-8511 or www.montereysymphony.org/special-events

Concert III: Feb. 17-19
The Monterey Symphony opens its third program of the season with one of Arturo Toscanini’s favorite works: the Coriolan Overture, Op. 62 by Ludwig van Beethoven. The tragic story of Gaius Marcius Coriolanus – who unsuccessfully invaded Rome – was dramatized by both William Shakespeare and Viennese poet and author Heinrich Joseph von Collin.

Acclaimed violinist Sergej Krylov will dazzle audiences with his exhilarating performance of the Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op.47 by Jean Sibelius, the only concerto composed by the brilliant Finnish composer. Rounding out this program will be the legendary Symphony No. 3 in F Major, Op. 90 by Johannes Brahms, an audience favorite that has thrilled listeners since it premiered in 1883. Do not miss this opportunity to hear three monuments of musical perfection!

Sergej Krylov, born in Moscow, began playing violin at age 5 as the son of an outstanding violin maker, Alexander Krylov, and a famous Russian pianist and teacher, Liudmila Krylova. He performs with world-famous orchestras such as the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of Saint Petersburg Philharmonic, the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, Camerata Salzburg, and the Chamber Orchestra “Moscow Soloists,” among others. He was lauded by late conductor Mstislav Rostropovich as "one of the top five contemporary violinists".

Concert IV: March 17-19
Bruno Aprea will guest conduct the Monterey Symphony for the fourth program of the season, featuring works by Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Berlioz, and Bernstein. The fiery overture from Giuseppe Verdi’s La Forza del Destino – or ‘the force of destiny’ – sets the tone for this musically broad and brilliant concert.

Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s fantasy overture Romeo and Juliet and two movements from the dramatic symphony Romeo and Juliet (“Love Scene” and “Romeo Alone”) by French composer Hector Berlioz, one of the greatest orchestrators of all time, amplify this performance of powerful and passionate themes. The Symphonic Dances from the ever-popular West Side Story by American composer Leonard Bernstein will conclude this rich and rousing concert.

Bruno Aprea, former Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Palm Beach Opera, began his musical career as a pianist studying under his father, Tito Aprea, at the Conservatoire of S.Cecilia in Rome. He met with considerable success at a very young age, paving the way to a career on the international concert circuit and playing on numerous occasions with the Accademia di S.Cecilia Orchestra.
He conducted at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, in a Gala evening with Mirella Freni and in a number of concerts at the Opera of Monte Carlo, including one in aid of Unesco, broadcast in Eurovision in 1979. In Italy he conducted all the main symphonic orchestras and toured in Poland, Czechoslovakia and Romania. In Israel, invited by Shlomo Mintz, he conducted the Israel Chamber Orchestra of Tel Aviv, in South Africa the SABC of Johannesburg, and in Brazil, invited by Eleazar de Carvalho, the Orquestra Sinfonica of Sao Paolo. He has also conducted the Philarmonia Hungarica, the Presidential Symphonic Orchestra of Ankara and the Bilbao Symphonic Orchestra.

Concert V: April 21-23
The fifth concert program in the Monterey Symphony’s Season of Shakespeare opens with the demanding arias of Desdemona from Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Otello, with guest coloratura soprano Cyndia Sieden. Included are the famous “Willow Song” and the “Ave Maria” from Act IV.
Cyndia Sieden also appears in the monumental Symphony No. 4 in G Major by Gustav Mahler, one of his shorter symphonic works. Although the soprano is featured in the fourth and final movement only, this entire symphony was based on the song “The Heavenly Life,” which he composed for an earlier song cycle titled Des Knaben Wunderhorn. Don’t miss this chance to hear Mahler’s magical symphony and highlights from one of Verdi’s most mature roles in a spectacular Spring concert!

Soprano Cyndia Sieden studied with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in master classes in Carmel Valley, CA in the early 1980s and has moved among the Baroque, classical, romantic and modern/contemporary repertoire at most of the world’s great opera houses, including Munich’s Bavarian State Opera, Paris’ Opéra Bastille, Barcelona’s Gran Teatre del Liceu, Brussels's La Monnaie, and London’s Royal Opera House and English National Opera, as well as in Beijing and Australia. Her Metropolitan Opera debut was in the title role of Alban Berg’s Lulu, and she returned there in 2008 for the Queen of the Night in Die Zauberflöte. With a great sympathy for the works of Richard Strauss, she often performs Zerbinetta in Ariadne auf Naxos (Munich, Japan, Vienna), Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier (Paris Châtelet) and Aminta in Die schweigsame Frau (Palermo).

Concert VI: May 19-21
Come hear Michael Noble – winner of the prestigious Carmel Music Society Piano Competition in 2013 – perform Antonin Dvořák’s Piano Concerto in G Minor, Op. 33 with the Monterey Symphony! Dvořák’s violin and cello concertos receive ample stage presence, but the concerto for the piano is the most balanced of the three and a favorite of audiences and musicians alike.

The season of Shakespeare in Music concludes with the overture from Otto Nicolai’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, a German Singspiel based on the infamous Shakespeare comedy, and Belgian composer César Franck’s Symphony in D Minor, his most famous orchestral work. Make sure you do not miss this opportunity to hear an evening of beautiful, lively, and splendidly crafted music. Come close the 71st season of the Monterey Symphony in this concert programmed to delight fans of great classical music, live!

Pianist Michael Noble gave his first recital when he was six and has gone on to perform concerts across Europe, Asia, and North America. In addition to winning the Carmel Music Society competition in 2013, he was also the first-prize winner in the Crescendo Music Awards (Tulsa, OK) in 2009, and is a two-time laureate of the Chopin International Competition of the 1,000 Islands. He is a graduate of Idyllwild (Calif.) Arts Academy where he was awarded the Outstanding Musician Award of 2005-2006. In 2008, he attended the Paris Conservatoire to work with Nicholas Angelich, and made his debut with the Tulsa Symphony in 2011.

CHAMBER CONCERT SERIES:

Tickets
Single Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased by phone at 831-646-8511 or online at www.montereysymphony.org. Tickets will also be sold 90 minutes before show time at the venue.

General admission tickets for concerts at All Saints’ Episcopal Church (Dolores & Ninth Ave, Carmel) are priced at $25 for general admission and $10 for students and active military.

General admission tickets for concerts at the Sunset Center (San Carlos at Ninth Avenue, Carmel) are priced at $50 for Premium Seating and $25 for general admission.

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 1 - CHAMBER MUSIC WITH CLARINET
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
October 7, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

The first program in the Monterey Symphony’s 2016/17 Chamber Series will feature the clarinet, including works by Kokai, Debussy, and Brahms. The music on this program may not often be heard, but it will be masterfully presented by musicians from the orchestra, including Concertmaster Christina Mok, violin; Steve Sanchez, clarinet; Tina Minn, violin; Chad Kaltinger, viola; and Drew Ford, cello.

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 2 – MYRIAD FACES OF RUSSIA
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
October 18, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

Presented as a part of the ICONS in Transformation International Contemporary Art Exhibit at All Saint’s Episcopal Church that runs from September 25 – November 20, 2016. An exhibition of contemporary art and traditional icons with 130 selects pieces by Russian-born artist, Ludmila Pawlowska.

This all-Russian program presented by our October concert Guest Artists: Anna Petrova, piano; Rebecca Anderson, violin; and JeongHyoun Christine Lee, cello; will feature composers from around the turn of the twentieth century - Arensky, Stravinsky, and Prokofiev. Stravinksy’s Suite Italienne is an arrangement of music from his ballet Pulcinella for cello and piano, and the deep and dark Prokofiev Sonata No. 1 for violin and piano was composed for friends lost during the Stalin regime. The Piano Trio No. 1 in D Minor by Arensky may not be well-known, but it is a highlight of the program!

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 3 - CHRISTMAS POTPOURRI
All Saints Episcopal Church, Carmel
December 8, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.
This delightful program features concertos, sonatas, interludes and tangos! Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” and Bach’s Brandenburg No. 5 highlight this concert program that parries itself with the Hampton String Quartet’s Mozartian rendition of holiday favorites. Do not miss this performance of passionate players including guest artist Michael Peterson, harpsichord, and Monterey Symphony musicians including Dawn Walker, flute; Concertmaster Christina Mok, violin; Jessica Poll, violin; Chad Kaltinger, viola; Isaac Pastor-Chermak, cello; and Bruce Moyer, bass, in a concert that will also include works by Ibert, Leclaire, and Piazzolla.

CHAMBER CONCERT PROGRAM 4 -
CURTIS ON TOUR: CURTIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
Sunset Center, Carmel
January 13, 2017 at 8:00 p.m & January 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m.

Presented in cooperation with the Sunset Center.

CURTIS ON TOUR: CURTIS CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – the Nina von Maltzahn Global Touring Initiative of the Curtis Institute of Music
Do not miss this special treat to hear some of America’s greatest young musicians from the renowned Curtis Institute of Music! Featured will be legendary violinist Shmuel Ashkenasi and violist and Curtis president Roberto Diaz, along with five outstanding violin students performing Mozart’s five violin concertos – a truly unique and profoundly musical event!

Max Bradago-Darman, Music Director and Conductor of Monterey Symphony
Max Bragado-Darman has served as the Music Director and Conductor of the Monterey Symphony since July 2004. Mr. Bragado-Darman was Music Director and Conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Castile and León in Valladolid, Spain, for nine years. From its formation in 1991, he built it into one of the most prestigious orchestras in Spain. Under his direction, the orchestra performed for enthusiastic audiences in all the major cities of Spain, Portugal, Switzerland and Germany. He recorded with this ensemble many unknown works of the Spanish repertoire as well as most of the orchestral works of Turina and Rodrigo on the Naxos label.

In May 1995, Max Bragado-Darman was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Louisville Orchestra. Under his direction, the orchestra grew in popularity due to his rapport with audiences, the community in general, and his innovative programming. He has worked with distinguished artists such as Alicia de Larrocha, Teresa Berganza, Horacio Gutièrrez, Elmar Oliveira, Dubravka Tomsic, Andre Watts, Angel Romero, Gary Graffman, and Aaron Rosand among many others.

As a guest conductor, Max Bragado-Darman has performed in the United States with the symphony orchestras of Honolulu, San Diego, Nashville, Delaware, West Virginia, Cedar Rapids, Savannah, Oklahoma City, Fort Worth, Austin, Fresno, and Boulder. He has led the National Orchestra, the Radio Television Orchestra and most other orchestras of Spain, as well as orchestras in Portugal, England, Argentina, Germany, and Mexico. In the fall of 2003, he made his debut at the distinguished Wexford Opera Festival with the Granados opera “Maria del Carmen,” in a version he researched and edited himself.

His conducting career has been guided by the knowledge he received from teachers and musicians such as Robert Fountain, Robert Baustian, George Szell, Igor Markevich and Franco Ferrara. Most recently, Max Bragado-Darman has appeared on the podiums of orchestras in Monterrey, Mexico and Mexico City. In the spring of 2009, in the heart of Andalucia he took on the challenge of presenting a fusion of flamenco and classical music featuring a pianist, guitarist, dancer, and full symphony orchestra. He has been the conductor for the prestigious “Iturbi Piano Competition” in Valencia, Spain for the last two editions.

Max and Mary Bragado have two children: Julio who was formerly a dancer with The American Ballet Theatre and is now studying acting in New York City, and Ilia who teaches dance in Valladolid, Spain and is married to José Manuel Concejo. They have two grandsons, 7 year old Max and 5 year old Alejandro. Both grandchildren are enchanted with their “Abuelito” and “Granny.”

The mission of the Monterey Symphony is to engage, educate and excite our community through the performance and continual discovery of symphonic music.

The Monterey Symphony, under the artistic leadership of Music Director & Conductor Max Bragado-Darman, is the only fully professional, full-season orchestra serving the communities of the Monterey Bay, Salinas, Salinas Valley, Big Sur, and San Benito County. It provides triple performances of a six-concert subscription series at Carmel’s Sunset Theater and Salinas’s Sherwood Hall, as well as youth education programs that include visits to classrooms by musicians and culminate in full-orchestra concerts for school children.

The Monterey Symphony is a nonprofit, public benefit corporation, supported in part through the fundraising efforts of the Friends of the Monterey Symphony, and through grants from The Arts Council of Monterey County, The Berkshire Foundation, The Buffet Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Community Foundation for Monterey County, Frisone Family Foundation, Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, The Harden Foundation, The Todd Lueders Fund for the Arts of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Monterey County Weekly Community Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Monterey Peninsula Foundation, Music Performance Trust Fund, The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, The Pebble Beach Company Foundation, The Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation, Samson Foundation, The Robert and Virginia Stanton Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, Warren and Katharine Schlinger Foundation, Alexander F. Victor Foundation, and many other generous foundations and individual donors.

For additional information, please call 831-646-8511 or visit our web site: www.montereysymphony.org.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.montereysymphony.org

Friday, 12 August 2016

Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa Announce tell us Your Favorite California Wine Month Contest in Honor of California Wine Month

We are lucky to live in a state abundant with fabulous wines…several of which we feature here at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa!

Monterey, CA, August 11, 2016 - We are lucky to live in a state abundant with fabulous wines…several of which we feature here at Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel and Spa! What’s your favorite California Wine we serve at TusCA or Knuckles and why? Post favorites on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/hyattregencymonterey/?fref=ts all month long (pictures encouraged) and our favorite posts will receive a dinner for two at #TusCA paired with California Wines selected by Chef Steve!

Contest runs September 1st-September 30th. Winner announced October 5th.

About Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course:
Nestled in 22 acres of soaring Monterey Pines, the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa on Del Monte Golf Course is a destination resort providing the discerning traveler the quintessential Monterey experience. Its location offers guests close proximity to downtown Monterey and Monterey Airport and easy access to some of the Peninsula’s most well-known attractions.

With its warm, contemporary ambiance, elegant furnishings and convenient amenities, the hotel offers both leisure and business travelers a Northern California respite of unmatched serenity and comfort. Features include 550 guestrooms including 32 suites, and the President’s house, TusCA Ristorante, Knuckles Sports Bar, Fireplace Lounge, a 2,000 square foot fitness facility, tennis courts, pools and whirlpools, and 12,000 square foot full service spa. The hotel is located at 1 Old Golf Course Road in Monterey, California. For information call (831) 372-1234 or visit www.hyattregencymonterey.com.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.hyattregencymonterey.com

Tuesday, 9 August 2016

Hofsas House Hotel Announces a Special Package in Honor of the Hotel’s 70th Anniversary November 2016 and Carmel-by-the-Sea’s 100th Anniversary October 2016

In Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Theis family is celebrating seven decades of European hospitality at its beautiful Bavarian-inspired Hofsas House Hotel

Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA, August 10, 2016 - In Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Theis family is celebrating seven decades of European hospitality at its beautiful Bavarian-inspired Hofsas House Hotel, which is as charming as the town itself. With firm roots in the past, the family is looking toward the future by keeping abreast of guests’ every need.

Owner and General Manager, Carrie Theis, announced today a special package in honor of the hotel and Carmel-by-the-Sea’s Anniversary.

Celebrate Carmel-by-the-Sea’s 100th Anniversary in October and Hofsas House Hotels 70th Anniversary this November with our History Tour! Delight in the special charms of Carmel on a leisurely, fun and informative two-hour guided walk past enchanting Fairy-tale cottages, through secret pathways, hidden courtyards and award-winning gardens. At the end of the tour, you’ll feel like a local. Cost is $25 per person. For September 1 – December 31st, 2016, guests who book this package will receive a Carmel-by-the-Sea history book complimentary upon arrival (value $26.00). . Learn about the 100-year history of Carmel-by-the-Sea. When booking use promotion code: HHWALKS. Promotion valid through December 31st, 2016. (block out dates apply)

Hofsas House Background:
Owned and operated by the Theis Family, Hofsas House Hotel is within walking distance of everything Carmel has to offer, including a stunning beach, fine restaurants and shops, and wine tasting. It provides peaceful respite and European charm just minutes from Monterey , Pebble Beach, Big Sur and Pacific Grove . The Hofsas House’s 38 spacious, one-of-a-kind rooms boast European comfort and lovely views, not to mention amenities like fireplaces, private balconies, wet bars, kitchens and patios. Large suites provide the perfect stay for newlyweds and everyone else seeking an extra special getaway. Dutch doors in every room allow guests to welcome in the ocean air, and free WiFi enables them to stay connected — if they want to.

The Hofsas House Hotel family works to ensure every visitor's experience is special, striving to offer the highest quality personal services. Consider the continental breakfast, abundant with fresh French Roast coffee, tea, juice, fruit and pastries from a neighborhood bakery, or the personalized concierge services for guests and their families, including their four-legged family members, who are welcome, as well.

For large groups — wedding parties, company meetings, family reunions and others — Hofsas House Hotel offers a spacious room equipped with a fireplace and full kitchen that can comfortably accommodate 40 people. A heated pool, dry saunas, decks with views and off-street parking are on offer as well.

Hofsas House Hotel is located on San Carlos Street, north of Fourth Avenue in Carmel-by-the-Sea. For more information, call (831) 624-2745 or visit www.hofsashouse.com. Like us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hofsas-House/155499294475480

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.hofsashouse.com

Monday, 8 August 2016

Enjoy California Wine Month at Carmel's only wine-themed hotel

The rich history and spectacular scenery of California's wine country will be celebrated throughout the month of September -- California Wine Month -- with special packages and promotions at Carmel's only wine-themed hotel.

Carmel, CA, August 09, 2016 - The rich history and spectacular scenery of California's wine country will be celebrated throughout the month of September -- California Wine Month -- with special packages and promotions at Carmel's only wine-themed hotel.

Vendange Carmel Inn and Suites has partnered with 15 Carmel Valley wineries to create a unique guest experience, celebrating the bounty of Monterey County’s vineyards.

Each winery sponsors one room or suite, providing its own creative touches to the famous charm of Vendange, a bed and breakfast nestled just minutes from one of the world's most-spectacular beaches.

From the McIntyre Vineyards room, with its impressive, 100-year-old section of grapevine, to J. Lohr’s wine barrel on the balcony, every winery’s room at Vendange offers a signature luxury experience.

Participating wineries -- each of which are only a short, scenic drive from the hotel, include Blair, Cima Collina, Dawn’s Dream, Galante, Holman Ranch, J. Lohr, Joullian, Manzoni, McIntyre, Otter Cove, Tudor, Twisted Roots and Ventana.

The rooms at Vendange feature sleek, modern bathrooms, with imported Spanish marble. Sleeping areas have memory foam-top beds, deluxe linens, and high-definition flat screen televisions.

The separate Cottage Suite -- perfect for a honeymoon or romantic getaway -- offers 650 square feet of space, with a California King bed, a 50-inch, high-definition television, and kitchenette.

Located at 24815 Carpenter Street, Vendange is only a short walk from the charms and delights of Carmel, which are not easily experienced in a single day . Book a second night, Monday through Thursday, for an additional $35, and receive a $50 gift certificate to Carmel’s popular seafood restaurant,‪ #‎FlahertysSeafood Grill & Oyster Bar, or ‪#‎AndresBouchee, the chic French bistro with a ‪‪‪#‎California coastal flair. (This special California Wine Month offer, valid through September 30th, can only be booked through our website at vendangecarmel.com while supplies last.)

Book three nights in Vendange King Deluxe rooms and receive a complimentary bottle of Holman Ranch or Twisted Roots award-winning Monterey County wine to help us celebrate California Wine Month. This package is only available Sunday through Thursday throughout California Wine Month, from September 1 through September 30. Use this code -- LoveWine -- to book this very special package. ( Wine will be selected by the manager on duty upon arrival, based on availability.)

Vendange is located a short drive from the Monterey Peninsula Airport, just off scenic Highway 1, with free parking for guests. The hotel is only minutes from downtown Carmel’s famous shopping and fine dining, scenic 17-Mile Drive, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Telephone 831- 624-6400; email: reservations@vendangecarmel.com

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
http://www.vendangecarmel.com

Sunday, 7 August 2016

Mesa Del Sol Vineyards & Retreat Celebrates California Wine Month this September

Ann Hougham, owner of Mesa del Sol Vineyards and Retreat offers guests an adventure in wine and eco-tourism.

Arroyo Seco, Greenfield, CA, August 08, 2016 – Ann Hougham, owner of Mesa del Sol Vineyards and Retreat offers guests an adventure in wine and eco-tourism. Family-owned for 10 years and recently made available to the public, the winery and vacation retreat offers guests award-wining wines as well as a haven to escape from the stress of the everyday world with its weekly rental program.

Mesa Del Sol is excited to celebrate California Wine Month this September with a Facebook Contest! Simply post on our Facebook Page what you love about Mesa Del Sol, from the wines to the property, and Ann’s favorite post will win a gift basket valued at $150 with fresh lavender from the property, signature wines and more! Entrants can simply post on the Mesa Del Sol Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/MesaDelSol) or email their submissions to marci@chatterboxpublicrelations.com.

About Mesa Del Sol:
Mesa Del Sol’s historic buildings date back to the late 1800's with a stone building Mesa Del Sol is the perfect setting for a memorable family reunion, get away with friends, birthday and anniversary celebration, corporate retreat or artisan adventure. Our private, historical estate encompasses 14 walkable acres in the heart of the Arroyo Seco Highlands looking out over the Arroyo Seco River Canyon. Once the site of an early California health retreat and a stagecoach stop, the Estate sets the stage for an unforgettable get away. The entire property has been lovingly restored and includes a gourmet country kitchen, lush ornamental gardens, 55' pool and large open social areas, with several updated outdoor BBQ areas.

The estate features 5 bedrooms in the main house. There are also two other living quarters close to the main house. The Cowboy Cottage and the Stonehouse Bedroom. The Safari Tent available from April thru Thanksgiving of each year. See the pdf of the floor plans for more details. Some camping and RV (no hookups) space available. In addition to the comforts of bed and bath linens, a fully-equipped kitchen and generous amenities, our accommodations have all the modern conveniences you've come to expect. Our ample acreage with separate living areas allow each guest a sense of privacy and space, including room for tent camping!

Enjoy magnificent views in every direction of the surrounding mountain wilderness, sample our organic vegetable garden which provides fresh produce and feel free to collect fresh eggs daily from our chickens! Kids will love watching the wildlife in the trout pond. The front acreage is devoted to the organic vineyard, producing award winning wines which are available for tasting and sale.

Contact:
Marci Bracco Cain
Chatterbox PR
Salinas, CA 93901
(831) 747-7455
https://www.mesadelsolvineyards.com/