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Library Foundation Brings the Voice Behind Williams’ Music to Witte Hall

08.07.26

The Library Foundation of Newport Beach is bringing a rare treat to Witte Hall this month: an evening with the person who spent years researching the life of John Williams, the composer behind some of the most recognizable film scores ever written.

Arts journalist and educator Tim Greiving will speak Thursday, Aug. 13 at 7 p.m. as part of Newport Beach Art Week. Greiving is the author of the first full biography of Williams, whose Oscar nomination count remains unmatched in Motion Picture Academy history.

Williams' scores have shaped generations of moviegoing, including "Star Wars," "Indiana Jones," "Jaws," "E.T.," "Jurassic Park," "Schindler's List" and the "Harry Potter" series. He served as principal conductor of the Boston Pops from 1980 to 1993 and has conducted the Los Angeles Philharmonic, New York Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra and Vienna Philharmonic, among others. He has also written classical concertos and orchestral works performed in concert halls worldwide.

Greiving is based in Los Angeles and knows this world well. He has written program notes for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Royal Albert Hall and the Walt Disney Company, and liner notes for more than 100 soundtrack albums. He also contributes to the Motion Picture Academy's Visual History Program and teaches film music history at the USC Thornton School of Music.

The talk will include film clips of key musical moments from Williams' career, shown on Witte Hall's high-definition video wall.

Tickets are available through the Library Foundation website.

Witte Hall, 998 Avocado Avenue in Newport Beach.

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Alisal Ranch Marks 80 Years with a Summer of Celebration

08.06.26

Alisal Ranch, the 10,500-acre working ranch and resort in the Santa Ynez Valley, is celebrating its 80th anniversary this summer. The property first welcomed guests on July 16, 1946, and has spent eight decades building a reputation for Western hospitality and family tradition. I've never stayed there myself, but I have friends who have, and they can't stop raving about it. It's firmly on my bucket list.

To mark the milestone, the ranch is rolling out a summer's worth of experiences and keepsakes. The centerpiece is the 1946 Legacy Package, a two-night stay for six adults priced at a symbolic $19,460. It includes a private stay at the Jackson House, a candlelight dinner in the historic library, a falconry and whiskey tasting experience called "Wild at Dusk: Birds & Bourbon," a sunrise hot air balloon ride and a private horseback ride through the ranch's hills.

On Nov. 8, the ranch will host its Chapter & Hearth Dinner, complete with a haywagon ride, storytelling from a local historian, a Western cookout, live music and dancing under the stars.

The anniversary also brought a few new collaborations worth knowing about. Alisal partnered with Goleta's M.Special Brewing Co. on a limited-edition 4.7% ABV lager called 1946 Alisal Beer. There's also a new 1946 Collection of retail goods, including caps, tees and a crewneck sweater, plus handmade ceramic mugs from a local ceramicist featuring artwork of the ranch's oak-studded hills.

A commemorative coffee-table history book traces the property's roots back to 1843 through eight decades of Jackson family stewardship, with archival photos and guest stories throughout.

The retail collection, beer and history book are available now at the ranch and at shopalisalranch.com. The ceramic mugs arrive later this summer. For details on the 1946 Legacy Package or the full slate of anniversary events, call (805) 688-6411 or visit alisalranch.com/1946-2.

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