PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff and pick up your arrival packet which we'll review during our orientation session before dinner.
ORIENTATION: Begins before dinner. We'll have an overview of the program ahead and review the up-to-date schedule, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, any other administrative issues, and answer your questions. Please be aware that local circumstances may require adjusting program elements. In the event of changes, we will notify you as quickly as possible. We appreciate your understanding.
Dinner: Dinner at hotel
Menus are contracted for the program and are designed to offer balanced, healthy meals for the participants. Evening: VENTURA MUSIC FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE
Featured Performer: ELDAR DJANGIROV
The Festival opens Friday with piano jazz prodigy Eldar Djangirov. Born on January 28, 1987, Eldar came to the U.S. from the former Soviet Union when he was ten. When Djangirov (pronounced john-'gear-ov) was signed to Sony Classical at the age of 17, the young pianist from Kansas City was already well known for his prodigious pyrotechnics and precocious knowledge of the bebop tradition. He was nominated for a Grammy in 2008 for his album "Re-imagination." Eldar has appeared at numerous major jazz festivals including the Tokyo Jazz Festival, Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Java Jazz Festival, Vienna Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival and San Francisco Jazz Festival, and has toured extensively throughout North America, Europe and Asia. He has performed at venues ranging from the Hollywood Bowl to Carnegie Hall and has played at the most notable jazz venues across the world.
“Eldar’s keyboard technique can be blisteringly electric one moment, tender and thoughtful the next … boundless range and talent.” - San Francisco ChronicleLodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Dinner
CLASS: A Conversation with Nuvi Mehta, Artistic Director, Ventura Music Festival Lunch: Lunch at hotelAfternoon: CLASS: History of Ventura and Downtown Historic SitesDinner: Dinner at hotelEvening: VENTURA MUSIC FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE
Featured Performer: PETRIT CEKU
2012 Gold Medal Winner of the Christopher Parkening International Guitar Competition
Program to include works by Manuel de Falla, William Walton, Manuel Ponce, Giulio Regondi, and Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco
“Born in Kosovo in 1985, Petrit Ceku has established himself as one of the leading classical guitarists of the younger generation. Along the way he has won a slew of competitions, including the Andres Segovia Competition, the International Anna Amalia Guitar Competition, the Emilio Pujol Guitar Competition, and the Michele Pittaluga Guitar Competition.” – Nuvi Mehta, VMF Artistic Director
What’s the Score? Pre-Show Talk with Nuvi Mehta at 7:15 pmLodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Otherwise another activity will be scheduled. Lunch: Lunch at the hotelAfternoon: VENTURA MUSIC FESTIVAL JAZZ CONCERT
The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra with Dennis Mackrel, Conductor and featuring Guest Vocalist, Carmen Bradford
This afternoon concert at the Majestic Ventura Theater will have seats for young and old and a dance floor, too. Listen from your seat, bop ‘til you drop, or sip wine at the bar to the strains of the orchestra that made the big band era so big. 30’s and 40’s attire encouraged!
“Through its school and workshops in Kansas, young players have been trained in the style of the swing era down to the last comma, often playing alongside the musicians who played with Basie. For those who may think a swing era hit like “April in Paris” or Basie’s own “One o’clock Jump” are a bit sophisticated or buttoned down, wait till the new Basie Band lets loose with vocalist Carmen Bradford!” – Nuvi Mehta, VMF Artistic DirectorDinner: Dinner at hotelEvening: Evening PerformanceLodging: Crowne Plaza Ventura BeachMeals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
HOTEL CHECK OUT: This concludes the program. We hope you have enjoyed our Ventura Music Festival program and will join us for other rewarding adventures in the future. Best wishes for all your journeys!Meals Included: Breakfast
Ventura, CA 93001
(805) 648-2075 or (800) 333-2989
Ventura offers a variety of recreational opportunities such as beach walks, biking and hiking trails, bird watching, camping, golf, sport fishing, water activities and whale watching. The Crowne Plaza Hotel is situated next to the beach and an oceanside boardwalk that stretches for many miles. Some trail heads are within walking distance of the hotel.For additional information, visit: www.ventura-usa.com
(805) 653-5469
One of the museum's permanent exhibits explores the community's past from the Chumash era through the 21st century. It consists of a fascinating collection of artifacts and displays focusing on Native Americans, Spanish and Mexican pioneers, and European and Yankee settlers. Especially notable are the George Stuart Historical figures, which are intricately carved figures from history that are dressed in elaborate period costume.For additional information, visit: www.venturamuseum.org
(805) 643-4318
Mission San Buenaventura was founded in 1782. It is the ninth of California's 21 missions and the last to be established by Father Serra. Visitors will discover a small museum with mission artifacts such as Chumash basketry, a quiet courtyard, and 250 year-old paintings of the Stations of the Cross.For additional information, visit: www.mission.net/california/ventura