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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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Europa Village Unveils Lucia at the Cave, a New Wine Cave Cocktail Lounge

08.07.26

Europa Village Wineries & Resort in Temecula Valley has opened Lucia at the Cave, a new cocktail bar and lounge tucked inside the resort's Vienza Cave. The concept is the newest addition to Europa Village's food and beverage lineup, bringing a polished cocktail destination to the winery's underground setting.

Named for the Latin word for "light," Lucia balances elevated design with an inviting atmosphere. Custom furnishings, a central chandelier and a grand bar anchor the space, giving the subterranean cave a refined, moody feel suited to intimate dates or small gatherings. Guests can order specialty cocktails alongside Italian small plates.

Standout cocktails include the Golden Hour, made with reposado tequila, lychee cordial, sherry, elderflower and lime juice, topped with edible flower petals. The Lucia mixes mezcal, Chambord, watermelon juice, basil and jalapeño bitters, garnished with basil and cucumber. The Ember Reserve blends rye, simple syrup and walnut bitters, finished with an orange peel, rosemary and a Luxardo cherry. Other options include the Afterglow, a gin and mezcal cocktail with lavender syrup and salt spray, and the Jade Negroni, made with gin, vermouth, Midori, Luxardo Bitter Bianco and Green Chartreuse.

On the food side, the menu features gnocchi bruschetta, burrata caprese, truffle arancini, filet mignon arrosticini and a fig and hazelnut flatbread.

Lucia at the Cave is open Thursday and Friday from 4 to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 9 p.m., at 41150 Via Europa in Temecula.

For more information, call 951-506-1818.

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