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Arts & Culture

Festival on the Green is the brainchild of Music Director Victor Vener. A great idea was born and has become a treasured cultural event that Arcadia looks forward to every summer.

Lush, green sloping fields with tables and chairs in an open bowl are surrounded by sweeping, fragrant trees. As the sun sets and concerts begin, the smell of blossoms hangs in the air. Peacocks, that wander the grounds by day, fly into the trees at night and make their eerie, screeching sounds during pauses in the music. Such “fowlish” enthusiasm often brings on a hearty laugh from audiences.

Summer evenings in southern California are usually rainless with temperatures of around 72 degrees. Just in case, a light wrap is recommended for evening outings at the Arboretum.

Guests can purchase barbecue chicken, beer, wine, smoothies, espressos and lattes prepared by local restaurants or bring picnic baskets if they prefer. Cal Phil runs June to September at the LA County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007.

Arcadia City Hall produces and is the venue for free concerts every other Thursday night during the summer months in Arcadia. Residents are encouraged to bring camp chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner to relax and enjoy a variety of music under the stars in the early evenings. The summer edition of the city newsletter publishes the time, date, name and type of music to be featured on any given date. There is no charge for these Thursday evenings on the lawn at City Hall where you will hear everything from classic rock to country and western bands.

Every September, the Chamber of Commerce along with a very competent committee, local restaurants, wineries, breweries and various food purveyors, present Taste of Arcadia. This very popular evening of indulgence under the stars has hit sell-out capacity of nearly 1,500 persons every year. Tastings from local restaurants include BBQ beef sandwiches, ribs, polenta, pastas, fresh salads, tangy Mexican dishes, delicious bread pudding, fresh baked cookies, pizza, grilled shrimp, Dim Sum dumplings, martinis, wine, beer, ale and various coffees. Live music and door prizes keep the event exciting. Slated for Monday, September 22, 2008, tickets will go on sale August 1. A sell-out is expected.

Arcadia is the home of the Arcadia Band Review, which is scheduled on the Saturday after Thanksgiving every year. This is the most prestigious high school band review in California and has been held for nearly half a century. The Arcadia High School Band is held in very high esteem, has won many awards and marched in the 2004 Presidential Inauguration in Washington. This huge parade marches down Baldwin Avenue past the judging stands for nearly four hours every year.