Attending the Malibu Concert on the Bluffs
Although I’ve made it clear that summer is my least favorite season there are certain aspects of it that I love. Take the long evenings. They leave so much more time for me to spend outside and appreciate nature. One of my favorite ways to do this is to attend an outdoor concert or film screening. To sit outside having a picnic and enjoying entertainment is a true pleasure. Recently, I was lucky enough to be invited to attend the inaugural Concert on the Bluffs in Malibu – an outdoor concert in one of the most beautiful locations in Southern California. Happily, I made my way north to experience it.
The Concert on the Bluffs was held at Malibu Bluffs Park – a scenic space overlooking the mighty Pacific. I had never visited this park before and assumed it would be located on the inland side of PCH. Imagine my surprise when I found it to be located on the coastal side with the ocean right at it’s base. Talk about the perfect setting!
The concert was presented by Malibu Arts & Culture and only a limited number of tickets were sold. It was a good move because it left everyone with plenty of room to enjoy their picnics while watching the show. There were also food trucks available for those who didn’t plan their dinner ahead of time (i.e. me). I grabbed a quick bite before I realized my press pass offered access to the VIP tent. Inside I found a delicious array of bites provided by Jennifer Naylor catering.
I made sure to indulge in these treats especially the array of cheeses. Never have I had a more delicious cheese plate!
Soon, it was time for the concert to start and I found my spot on the lawn to enjoy the sounds of the Malibu Coast Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra featured members of the LA Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and was, at times, accompanied by members of the New Your City Ballet.
The theme of the evening was Simple Gifts and we were treated to an array of pieces from Tchaikovsky, Bach, Copland and more. I especially enjoyed the Filmscore Suite from the 2007 version of 3:10 to Yuma. It was presented by the composer of the piece, Marco Beltrami, and accompanied by violinist and vocalist, Lili Haydn. It sounded like a modern tribute to the Old West and rang out brilliantly throughout the park. Another highlight was Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring. I must admit I’ve never been a fan of this piece but here it was accompanied by a trio of ballet dancers. Their exquisite moves enhanced the piece so thoroughly that I was completely enchanted.
It was really the perfect day for an outdoor concert. The sun was shining, a cool breeze was blowing and the ocean was our backdrop. It was a quintessentially Southern Californian event and I couldn’t have enjoyed it more.