Another Outdoor Festival?
At the urging of our fearless editor I drove downtown to the Civic Center Lawn this past Saturday—always a daunting task with the beach weather and an unreliable Highway 17.
An article was needed to cover the 52nd Fiesta de Arts. Oh, correction here. It is the Los Gatos Art & Wine Fiesta de Artes (yes that is the correct—fancy—spelling of art) Festival 2024, Sept. 21-22.
Our Wonderful Kiwanis Club
The Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos—which also represents Saratoga, Monte Sereno, Almaden Valley and beyond—provided us with another great Fiesta/Festival. Local since 1923, the Kiwanis have been, humbly, helping our communities for over 100 years.
The mission of the Kiwanis Club is to “improve the world by serving children and communities, one at a time.”
Their motto is: “Serving the Children of the World.”
And there is also a golden rule: “To encourage the daily living of the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have them do unto you) in all human relationships.”
The Kiwanis raise funds as we enjoy this Fiesta of music and arts—with a dash of wine and beer.
All proceeds go toward supporting important programs, especially scholarships for students who have turned their lives around.
Students are referred to the Kiwanis by school counselors to become eligible for these scholarships.
Hail Mary
Heading out to the Civic Center Lawn Fiesta, I began reciting my “parking prayer.” This parking prayer, which I decline to share here, usually works. And when a parking place magically appears, gratitude is given.
Magically, a parking space appeared right in front of my face. What luck! As I hopped out of my car thanking Mary, one of the vendors came out and notified me that this is a temporary No Parking zone.
Back to the mantra: “Hail Mary, Mother of grace…” Okay. No more clues.
Mary only has so many magical parking spaces.
An Expense Account, Please
Covering this Music and Art fiesta was costly for this contributor.
I was determined to not buy anything.
However, a friend pointed out an interesting political booth in one of the corners.
So, being a curious writer, I set out to see what was happening.
However, along the way: the sweet potato pies were calling; and the sparkly earrings; and the hanging wind art. It was distracting.
You know all of those things that you do not really need but must have?
After all, it is a festival to raise money for a very good cause.
Uninvited Guests
While at the Fiesta, I’d noticed a few unusual/questionable tents on the fringe of the main areas. Afterwards, I emailed Kiwanian Nancy Pearson about what was going on.
“This was the first time that we’ve had people just show up at our event and set up a booth for their ‘cause’ with no prior contact or permission,” she stated. “There was a political group, a wellness group, a religious group and a few more, but by Sunday they were either gone or at least not in the footprint of our event.”
Kiwanis is not a political organization, she noted.
“It’s even written in our bylaws, so we had to ask them to leave,” she said. “We are also not affiliated with any religion. Fortunately, we were able to get them to move on easily. Otherwise, it was a fantastic weekend that broke all of our past records!”
Again congratulations to the Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos for this year’s “Fiesta de Artes.”
Going Strong
Their 52nd Festival was outstanding.
The music, the crafts, the food—and most of all the people—all made for a huge success for the Kiwanis and the youth they serve.
Thank you, Kiwanis Club of Los Gatos and volunteers. And see you all next year.
“Final numbers aren’t in yet, but we definitely raised over $150,000,” Pearson said in an email afterwards. “All records were broken on attendance, number of sponsors, number of artisans and wine sales. To add to that, all of the musicians were just fantastic—best ever.”
If you missed The Houserockers, who headline the entire weekend, you missed arguably the most special moment.
“Paul Kent—after their finale of ‘Love Train,’ where we all joined the conga line—asked the Kiwanis volunteers (club members and Key Clubbers) to come on stage, and they played ‘All You Need is Love.’ It brought tears to my eyes.
“I’m still reeling from all of the love and support of this fabulous community,” Pearson continued. “By the way, there were a lot of folks who came to the event from out of town—more than normal. Hopefully we helped to make an impact on our local economy.”
In addition to funding Turn-Around Scholarships for Los Gatos and Saratoga high schoolers who have been through tough times, the money will also go toward Special Games for specially abled kids, youth leadership and community service clubs at schools like Van Meter, Daves, Blue Hills, Fisher, LGHS, Bellarmine, Prospect, Leigh, Stratford, Pioneer and Leland, as well as education supplies for underserved communities.
“We couldn’t be more thankful to all for helping us put some smiles on kids’ faces,” she said.
Rewinding the Clock to the ’40s
Los Gatos Music & Arts (LGM&A) GALA and live auction was held at Hotel Los Gatos this past Sunday evening.
Volunteers and supporters came together to raise money for this non-profit organization.
With dollars raised over the summer (Sounds of Summer, Wednesday Jazz in the Plazz) and what was collected at this event, a 22-year town tradition will continue.
El Camino Hospital along with Star One Credit Union were major supporters of this event.
There was, of course, the live auction.
And after, Gunhild Carling and her mostly family band entertained us.
Carling, also known as the Queen of Swing, highlighted the evening with rousing music as well as tap dancing.
Serious Bidding and a Key to the Vault
Several very nice vacation get-aways had been offered up.
A villa in Carmel; a luxurious Lake Tahoe condo; and there was the wine vault.
Keys were sold to open the vault; the one that unlocked it got to keep the wine.
The excitement mounted as the almost-very-last key was the one that turned.
Or, you could buy a playing card, and if it matched one drawn on stage, you’d be a winner.
A Song Dedicated to Los Gatos Town
For the first time ever, Carling performed her original piece “Los Gatos Town Jazz,” played on a medieval recorder.
It is a happy, uplifting tune, much like our town.
And the audience appreciated it with a standing ovation.
Well done.
What Was Worn
Many attendees took the ’40s Glam (with black tie suggested) dress code seriously.
Ladies chose to wear fascinators, those flirty, ornamental head pieces that fall somewhere between a headband and a hat.
Kudos to Organizers
After summer’s end and the Los Gatos Town Plaza goes quiet, the GALA is held.
The event organizers deserve kudos, as does the Morning Rotary Club, and the volunteers for their commitment and dedication to producing the Jazz in the Plazz concert series (and the Gala).
They all make it look very easy.
Yet, behind the scenes they put in many hours of preparation.
See you next summer!
The Quadruple-M Gathering
A screening of “Out of Africa” will be held at Cinelux Los Gatos, 43 North Santa Cruz Ave. on Oct. 7. Doors open 9:45am. Movie starts at 10:30am.
This renovated 1915 Art Deco-style cinema offers state of the art digital entertainment. No, not Netflix—real movie magic in comfy seats, with an amazing sound system.
This 1995 Sydney Pollack film, which was awarded seven Oscars, including for Best Picture, Best Original Score and Best Director, stars Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. It tells the story of a man who could not be tamed, and the woman he loved who tried to.
The event is part of the Monthly Monday Morning Movie (MMMM) series in support of the Los Gatos Thrives Foundation. Wheelchair accessible. Assisted listening devices are available upon request.
Other Notable Dates
-Planning Commission meeting, Wednesday, Sept. 25, 7pm.
-Town of Los Gatos Council meeting Tuesday, Oct. 1, 7pm.
-Los Gatos Women’s Business Networking Group: Wednesday, Oct. 9,
8-9am, 10 Station Way, Los Gatos (Second Wednesday of each month).
