Marina del Rey - A Summer Destination for All
Press Release: June 2008
MARINA DEL REY, CA
Media Contact:
Brian Garrido
briang@burditchmc.com
415-874-9696 / Burditch Marketing Communications
San Francisco Office
Valerie Arias
valerie@burditchmc.com
323-932-6262 / Burditch Marketing Communications
Los Angeles Office
MARINA DEL REY SIZZLES THIS SUMMER WITH SPECIAL SEASONAL EVENTS
MARINA DEL REY, CALIF., (June 3, 2008) - Along with the bright sunny days and the warm starry nights that make outdoor activities inviting -- from swimming and biking to sailing and dining alfresco -- Marina del Rey adds sizzle to summer with special free seasonal events that are fun for every age.
On Wednesdays all summer long, the California Yacht Club presents the Sunset Series Sailing Regatta, a series of races that lead to a grand finale sail-off for the coveted "King of the Hill" trophy. The races start at five minute intervals from 5:55 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and continue until 8:00 p.m. Enjoy watching the Marina's largest sailing event from waterfront restaurants, Fisherman's Village, aboard a Sunset Cocktail Cruise or from the North or South Jetty as scores of sailors compete. The race ends at the California Yacht Club and the jetties are good spots to watch the boats come back to port. The races end on Sept. 3. Visit calyachtclub.com or call 310-823-4567 for more information; visit hornblower.com for information on cruises.
Free Music in the Marina
Sounds of summer fill the Marina air with free community concerts that are open to the public in several area locations. Burton W. Chace Park plays host to the Marina's famed concert series on Thursday and Saturday evenings that features both classical and pop music, including performances from Melissa Manchester and piano soloist John Novacek; and in nearby Playa Vista, Concert Park hosts evenings of salsa, rock and soul.
The Marina del Rey Summer Concerts return to the Marina for its eighth season, offering classical and popular music to concert goers. The concerts are held on eight select Thursdays and Saturdays in the summer beginning Thursday, July 10 and ending Saturday August 30. Thursday evening concerts feature classical music performed by the 75-member Marina del Rey Summer Symphony while Saturday evenings feature pop music. All concerts begin at 7 p.m. and are held in the outdoor, waterfront Burton W. Chace Park at 13650 Mindanao Way. For more information about the series call the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors at 310-305-9545 or access its web site at marinadelrey.lacounty.gov.
Performance Schedule:
- Thurs., July 10 - Classical concert with cello soloist Marek Szpakiewicz
- Sat., July 19 - Melissa Manchester
- Thurs., July 24 - "An Evening at the Opera" with finalists from the Loren Zachary Vocal Competition
- Sat., August 2 - Singer Steve March Tome and his band
- Thurs., August 7 - Classical orchestral concert with the Marina del Rey Summer Symphony
- Sat., August 16 - The 5th Dimension
- Thurs., August 21 - Classical concert with piano soloist John Novacek
- Sat., August 30 - Cleo Laine and The John Dankworth Group
The Marina's year-round free concert venues also heat up in summer. Fisherman's Village offers the Fisherman's Village Weekend Music Series. Held on weekends in quaint Fisherman's Village, live performances take place near the lighthouse. Acts range from R&B, Blues and Jazz artists to Latin and Pop acts. In summer, concerts take place from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Fisherman's Village is located at 13755 Fiji Way. Parking is free for the first two hours with validation.
Every third Sunday, the Marina's Waterside Shopping Center hosts the Sunday Music Series at the Waterside, where live bands perform standards, R&B, Golden Oldies, pop and soft rock from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Check the Waterside website for upcoming concerts at shopwaterside.com, by clicking on the "What's New" section. The Waterside at Marina del Rey is located at 4700 Admiralty Way between Fiji and Mindanao Ways.
From June through August the free Playa Vista Concert Park Summer Series takes place outdoors at Concert Park in Playa Vista on the last Sunday of the month. Concerts begin at 5:30 p.m. and last until 7 p.m. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket or a beach chair and enjoy everything from jazz to pop. Last year's concerts included Latin band leader Johnny Polanco and 80's cover band the Spazmatics. Concert Park is located at the end of Concert Park Drive in the Playa Vista community. Parking is free and available on the street and at the Shops at Concert Park. Call 310-745-5200 for more information, or visit playavista.com.
Fireworks on the Fourth
The Marina is famous for its July 4 Fireworks Extravaganza, which features spectacular fireworks over the main channel choreographed to patriotic music. Viewers in Burton W. Chace Park will hear the music over loudspeakers and those watching elsewhere can tune in to KXLU 88.9 FM. The fireworks start promptly at 9 p.m. Visit marinadelrey.lacounty.gov or visitmarina.com for a map of street closures and more information.
In nearby Westchester, the annual chamber of commerce Westchester on Parade Fourth of July celebration begins at noon and features floats, marching bands and community groups as they travel along Loyola Boulevard from Westchester Park to Loyola Marymount University. Visit laxcoastal.com or call 310-645-5151 for more information.
More Summer Events
The 33rd Annual Marina del Rey Boat Show comes to town June 12 - 15. This in-the-water boat show, set around Burton Chace Park, showcases more than 2,000 feet of boat space including the latest from 2008. A number of remaining 2007 boats will also be available to board and inspect. Hours are 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. during the weekdays; 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. For more information, please visit marinadelreyboatshow.com.
On July 28th, the Marina celebrates everything antique with its annual Old-Fashioned Day in the Park event. Watch ship models and modelers do their work or take a free ride in the harbor aboard a steam engine yacht at this unique event which features vintage yachts, antique and classic cars and motorcycles and musical entertainment from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information please visit marinadelrey.lacounty.gov.
Summer Transportation
During the weekends and on holidays in summer months, the Marina del Rey Summer WaterBus makes travel in and around the harbor a breeze. This year, the WaterBus runs from June 27 through Sept. 1 and also includes special service on Thursday concert nights. The cost per person is $1 each way and stops also include The Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey, Marina Beach, Fisherman's Village and several residential areas. On-call pick up is also available by calling 310-628-3219 during operating hours. Visit marinadelrey.lacounty.gov for specific weekend hours and more information about the WaterBus.
The Marina del Rey Beach Shuttle also operates on summer weekends and holidays through September 1 and connects Marina del Rey to Playa Vista and Venice Beach. This free shuttle provides transport every half hour from 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sundays and holidays. The shuttle stops at ten locations including Admiralty Way, Fisherman's Village (connecting riders to the WaterBus) and Washington Boulevard. The shuttle also operates on concert Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Contact the Playa Vista Guest House for more information at 310-745-5200 or visit marinadelrey.lacounty.gov.
Marina del Rey is Los Angeles' premier waterfront destination lined with million-dollar yachts, sleek hotels and lounges, acclaimed waterfront dining and fine shopping boutiques. Known for its plethora of water activity, the Marina is also a 10-minute cab ride from LAX making the area a prime destination for business travelers. With the famed Venice Beach as its neighbor to the North, Marina del Rey is, indeed, a popular destination for locals, entrepreneurs and travelers alike. For more information, please contact Marina del Rey Convention and Visitors Bureau at 310-306-9900 or visit www.visitmarina.com. Photography is also available upon request.
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