concert

In 1985, four of the biggest names in country music, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson, joined forces to create one super-group. Calling themselves The Highwaymen, the pioneers of the subgenre called Outlaw Country delighted fans, off and on, for almost a decade.

On December 31st, 1961, at the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, five young men from Southern California performed their first paying gig; a memorial concert and dance show honoring the late Ritchie Valens. The group, comprised of brothers Carl, Brian and Dennis Wilson, their longtime friend Al Jardin and cousin Mike Love, were being promoted for the first time on radio and in print as The Beach Boys.

The Old Town Temecula Community Theater continues their lineup of wonderful holiday entertainment this Sunday, December 14th and again on December 21st, with their annual Candlelight Classics. Presented by the Golden Valley Music Society and Temecula Presents, Candlelight Classics is a special holiday edition of the popular monthly series, Classics at the Merc, which brings some of Southern California’s finest classical musicians into the intimate setting of the 48-seat theater for a truly unique and personal experience for the audience.

The holidays are about inviting friends to join your celebration and the Inland Valley Symphony is getting into the spirit of the season by inviting some special guests to the stage with “A Soulful Christmas,” this weekend at the Gershwin Performing Arts Center at Murrieta Mesa High School. Under the musical direction of nationally known conductor John Mario, “A Soulful Christmas” will include the Symphony itself, featuring flutist Kate Prestia-Schaub, and the stylized vocal group, the Sylvia Cotton Singers.

The musical series, Cabaret at the Merc, is decking halls of the popular Old Town venue for their very special Holiday Edition and Co-Producer Jordan Beck is thrilled to have the chance to celebrate the season. “A holiday-themed show is something we’ve wanted to do for a long time but this is the first time we’ve had the chance because our usual last-Sunday-of-the-month schedule always lands us after Christmas,” Beck said.

The Christmas season is filled with delights for our senses, including the sight of beautiful light displays, the smell of cookies baking in the oven and, of course, the sounds of carols we wait all year to hear. And when it comes to Christmas music, the Southwest Women’s Chorus enhances the holiday cheer every year with their annual “Christmas in the Air,” winter concert.

If you’ve ever been to a winery or restaurant that features great live bands, chances are you’ve had a experienced the music of Lifetime Rocker; four local guys who are constantly in demand and never wanting for a gig. Consisting of Geoff Ryle (vocals, keyboards), Kelly Cowan (vocals, guitar), Joe Schiavone (vocals, bass), and Ray Ortega (vocals, drums) the members of Lifetime Rocker truly live up to their name in talent and experience.

If you’ve been anywhere in wine country lately, there’s a good chance you’ve seen Missy Andersen’s face on a sign, poster or tabletop advertisement because the singer and her band are a hot commodity. Performing at a handful of Temecula wine country locations this month, R&B vocalist Andersen started as many performers do, in New York City as a backup singer for other artists.

Every Sunday afternoon, the Old Town Temecula Community Theater and the California Chamber Orchestra present the community with an opportunity for not only cultural enrichment but also to enjoy an afternoon of excellent music in an intimate setting. The weekly series, Classics at the Merc, brings the finest of classical musicians to the Inland Empire and there isn’t a bad seat in the house, by way of the popular 48-seat Merc theater.

The City of Temecula Community Services Department and the Inland Valley Symphony are showing their gratitude to the men and women of the armed forces with a Patriotic Salute to Veterans, this Tuesday, November 11th at 5:30 pm in the quad in front of City Hall.