18th Annual Fête de la Musique struck the right chord at the right time
By MARRIE STONE
The first day of summer began with a chilly bluster this year. Winds blew in from the coast as reports of an erupting war with Iran swirled around the news. But by 12 p.m., the sun broke through the clouds and Laguna enjoyed another postcard solstice as the 18th Annual Fête de la Musique kicked off in our streets. This time, it was not only the music festival the town wanted – it might also have been the one they needed.
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Photo by Haley Rovner
18th Annual Fête de la Musique took place on Saturday, June 21 across Laguna’s village. Local mime Stacy Dumas performed on the Main Beach cobblestones.
Longtime resident John Becknell reluctantly arrived with world events on his mind. “I wasn’t exactly in the mood for celebration,” he said. “The morning news was filled with rumors of war – just another layer on a year of relentless anxiety and chaos. On Third Street, I ran into a physician friend who teared up as she shared how some of the families she cares for in Los Angeles are being swept up in the ongoing ICE raids. The weight of it all felt too present to let go and lean into music. But as we made our way down Forest Avenue and paused to hear the gospel string band singing ‘Amazing Grace,’ something inside me shifted. I realized that a little fête – however small or local – might be exactly what we all need right now.”
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Grey Hill Gospel String Band have been longstanding performers at the annual Fête
Fête de la Musique (also known as World Music Day) began in France 41 years ago. Its popularity has now spread to more than 1,000 cities across 100 countries drawing millions of people worldwide. Estimates indicate that roughly 5,500 people attended Laguna’s Fête last Saturday afternoon, up a bit from last year.
“We’re so fortunate to be on the solstice this year and again next year,” said Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association Founding President Karyn Philippsen. “Realizing that music is going on all over the world on the same day and people are uniting with good food, good music and cultural awareness – that’s what Sister Cities is all about.
“There’s no agenda. We just ask people to enjoy the music, understand other cultural habits and genres, enjoy this beautiful weather and location. A lot of effort goes into providing a marvelous line-up of entertainment to send that beautiful, international message.”
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Karyn Philippsen kicks off the annual festivities surrounded by (L-R) Mayor Alex Rounaghi, Loulou and Francois Ross, and mime Stacy Dumas (with Ed Steinfeld from Voice of Laguna in the background)
Much of that effort is carried out by Fête Musique Chair Ken Aubuchon who, alongside Jean Fallowfield, has selected the entertainers for the past 13 years. Aubuchon and Fallowfield scour the local music scene all year – visiting the Cliff, The Ranch and the Sawdust Festival – to unearth new talent. Three newcomers – including The Long View Band (four San Diego siblings who play classic rock, folk, surf rock, country and bossa nova) – joined 30 returning bands. Fallowfield discovered The Long View when they played an event at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center and took their videos to Aubuchon, who agreed they had the chops.
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Photo by Haley Rovner
Enzo and Layse Johnson from The Long View Band
“We’ve been playing together for a year,” said Layse Johnson, The Long View’s vocalist and drummer. “We were previously a duo, just me and Enzo. During COVID, we took an interest in music. Enzo taught himself how to play guitar by ear, and I learned to play flute, guitar and drums. Our parents chose to homeschool us after COVID, and I believe that played a big part in our teamwork. We taught ourselves to sing.
“About a year ago, our younger siblings – Coco and Del – decided they wanted to join us. Enzo and I helped them learn to play bass, guitar, drums and sing harmony. This was the piece we had been missing, they filled in all the gaps. We’ve been playing music all over California ever since.”
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Drummer Del Johnson joined The Long View alongside his siblings last year
Laguna’s Fête has proven the perfect incubator for launching young talent. Zaire Franklin, who has released multiple albums on his Spotify account “Zaire King,” played in last year’s student showcase. He and his band returned this year for a coveted spot on Coast Highway in Forest Alley. The crowds packed the sidewalk. No surprise King recently received a full-ride scholarship to USC’s jazz studies program.
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Zaire King got his start at the Fête last year. This year, he won a full-ride scholarship to USC’s jazz program and earned a coveted spot on Coast Highway where he wowed the crowd.
Other younger musicians included 19-year-old Tomi Licon from the father/daughter duo The TomiTom Sho, Beau Stevens from the Beau Stevens Band and Morea Nahani, as well as the annual student showcase featuring Loose Fit and The Unknowns.
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Tomi Licon, of the The TomiTom Sho, first performed in the Fête at 10 years old
One of the Fête’s longest-running performers, French chanteuse April Walsh, returned for her 13th year. The former American Idol performer began busking in Downtown Laguna 15 years ago. “It was so pretty and stroll-worthy,” she said, “I thought I might add to the atmosphere.”
Although Walsh’s busking is now reserved only for the Fête, the event holds a soft spot for her. “I adore how, every block, people can hear a different kind of music. It’s like this delightful cacophony and it’s energizing to contribute to it,” she said.
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French chanteuse April Walsh has returned to the Fête for 13 years
“If you were a visitor strolling the Promenade and didn’t understand what was happening in Laguna during Fête de la Musique, you would find it to be the most curiously funky and fun town around. Isn’t that what we think when we feel the best about our little town?” said Carrie Reynolds, another longtime attendee. “Of course, being a local, it just feels like a day where a host of people you know all decide to go Downtown for no apparent reason with no apparent agenda and music pops up on every corner. What luck!”
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Courtesy of Carrie Reynolds
(L-R) Festival attendees Carrie Reynolds, Andy Schoembs, Tori Stalker and Victoria McGinnis
Those lucky moments, while sometimes spontaneous in a town like ours, require tremendous effort and coordination for an event like the Fête. Take the incredible husband and wife duo, Francois and Loulou Ross (otherwise known as Perfect Blend), who performed both the French and American national anthems to kick-off the opening ceremony this year. The couple flew home early on a red eye from their vacation in Spain to arrive in time for their annual performance. Landing at LAX late the night before, they made it to Laguna to play for three straight hours with no signs of jetlag.
“Taking two eight-hour flights to get here was pretty special,” Philippsen said. “That passionate commitment to the Fête is its own story.”
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(L-R) Mayor Alex Rounaghi, Sister Cities’ Founding President Karyn Philippsen, Loulou Ross and Francois Ross (otherwise known as the Perfect Blend) singing both the French and American national anthems
“Every year I end the Fête saying, ‘This was the best one ever,’ and it always is. But this year truly was,” said Sister Cities’ President Maggie Hempen, who thanked the city of Laguna Beach for being a steadfast partner. “The exceptional teamwork from our volunteers, musicians, generous merchants, and the city’s support, made it extraordinary. Having our event on the actual summer solstice created a magical energy felt worldwide. Seeing smiles, laughter and dancing in our streets was a testament to the unifying effect of a global celebration of music.”
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Kris Halvorsen & Friends were given props for their unique stage design. Artist Mandy Brasa of Brasa Gallery designed both the stage and the banner for the location. Local merchants and gallery owners collaborated to make for a special event.
“Music has a kind of magic,” Becknell said. “When it’s filled with heart, it lifts burdens and creates connections that fly past our political/philosophical beliefs. Over at the crowded bluegrass tent, I found myself singing along to a hilarious rendition of ‘Mama Don’t Allow No Guitar Playing ‘Round Here.’ Before I knew it, I was leaning in, harmonizing with a mandolin player standing beside me. All around me musician neighbors were laughing, singing, not taking it too seriously, leaning into their instruments and the moment. It felt good and grounding and even hopeful. I was glad I came.
“On the walk home, I thought about Pete Seeger and how his music brought people together from all walks of life. He once said that if the human race survives the next hundred years, it will be because we sang together. I believe that. So, let’s keep the Fête going. We need it.”
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Photo by Jeff Rovner
Elvis impersonator David Gorgie enjoying a dance with a festivalgoer
For more information on the Fête de la Musique or the Laguna Beach Sister Cities Association, visit their website here. Mark your calendar. The Fête will return next year on Saturday, June 20, 2026, for another summer solstice celebration.
For more photos by Jeff Rovner and Haley Rovner, go to the slideshow below:
