California
Monterey's Jazz Bash by the Bay
Program No. 7567RJ
Immerse yourself in the culture and history of jazz at Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay. Attend as a patron with seating privileges at performances, and enjoy the special Patron’s Lunch.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
11 meals (
5B, 3L, 3D
)
5 expert-led lectures
3 hands-on experiences
7 performances
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Lubow Lodge
Activity Note
Check-in available from 2:00-5:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 2:00-5:00 p.m. When you arrive at Hidden Valley’s campus, come over to the main office next to the parking lot to register with the program staff, get your updated information packet, your Jazz Bash patron tickets, and official festival program and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you will be arriving late, please call the Hidden Valley office and let them know; when you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. At 5:00 p.m., we’ll meet our fellow participants for a wine and cheese reception in the Fireside & Dining Room. We’ll enjoy some California wines and/or juices and savor cheese and crackers before dinner.
Dinner:
In the Dining Room.
Evening:
Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. br> This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Our programming, when at the retreat, Hidden Valley, includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, locally sourced meals, and evening entertainment. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free Time” and “On Your Own” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
History of Jazz & Ragtime
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Lubow Lodge
Activity Note
Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Toast and juice will be available in the dining room before class. Minimal walking on flat terrain.
Breakfast:
In the Dining Room.
Morning:
Teaching from the keyboard, Hidden Valley’s music faculty will introduce us to the music, composers, and history of American Ragtime. Ragtime emerged in African-American communities like St. Louis in the late 19th century and became popular nationally into the early 20th century thanks to the works of great ragtime composers, including Scott Joplin and his work “Maple Leaf Rag”. Ragtime fell out of popularity with the rise of jazz in the 1920s but has seen several revivals throughout the 20th century in ragtime-influenced jazz music.
Lunch:
In the Dining Room.
Afternoon:
Musicians performing at Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay will join us in Hidden Valley’s Theatre to explore the history of jazz through lecture and live performance. We will explore the roots of classical jazz, swing, ragtime, and other historically related music of the 1920s and ‘30s that are such an important part of our American musical heritage.
Dinner:
In the Dining Room.
Evening:
Another talented musician performing at Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay will join us in Hidden Valley’s Theatre to explore the history of jazz through lecture and live performance.
Day
3
Jazz Class, Jazz Bash by the Bay
Location:
Monterey, CA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Merritt House Hotel
Activity Note
Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Getting on/off a motorcoach; the drive to Merritt House Hotel is about 16 miles, approximately 1/2 hour. Parking is available for $15/night at the Merritt House Hotel for those who wish to take their own vehicle. Walking a couple of small city blocks to performance venues.
Breakfast:
In the Dining Room.
Morning:
Members of the Festival will continue their review of jazz history and take a look at the performers for this year’s festival. The Jazz Bash by the Bay festival was established in 1980 and celebrates the roots of classical jazz, swing, and ragtime. The festival’s mission is to facilitate “live performance and broader appreciation of early jazz and other historically related music of the 1920s and ‘30s as part of our American musical heritage.” The festival brings together the best traditional jazz and swing bands from across the U.S. and around the world.
Lunch:
In the Dining Room.
Afternoon:
Before we depart to Monterey, remember to double check that you have your Jazz Bash Patron Badge and festival program. The Patron’s Badge enables us to have reserved seating at all concerts and enjoy a stunning Patron’s Lunch Party on Saturday, hosted by the festival. We’ll then depart to Monterey where we will check in at the Merritt House Hotel, an historic adobe bed and breakfast conveniently located in downtown Monterey, a couple of blocks from the festival venues. Monterey’s Jazz Bash by the Bay begins. Flex Time. Enjoy personal independent time during the festival weekend to see performances and do what interests you the most. We’ll roll through downtown Monterey to the festival venues at the newly renovated Monterey Conference Center and the Portola Hotel & Spa, located right next to the Monterey Historic State Park, marina, and Old Fisherman’s Wharf where we can watch the seals, pelicans, and boats.
Dinner:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. In downtown Monterey is a variety of interesting restaurants to choose from – all conveniently located in a couple block radius to the performances and our lodgings.
Evening:
We’ll continue to enjoy the opening night performances at Jazz Bash by the Bay.
Day
4
Jazz Bash by the Bay, Patron's Lunch
Location:
Monterey, CA
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Merritt House Hotel
Activity Note
Walking a few blocks or more due to personal preference around historic downtown Monterey. Some inclines on city sidewalks. Sitting up to 1 ½ hours during performances.
Breakfast:
In the Merritt House Hotel breakfast room.
Morning:
Jazz Bash by the Bay. On your own to see and do what interests you the most. We’ll continue to explore the world of Dixieland Jazz through festival performances.
Lunch:
As the festival’s guests, we’ll enjoy a special Patron’s Lunch, a gorgeous musical brunch with all Patrons of the Festival at the Monterey Marriott hotel located across the street from the festival venues.
Afternoon:
Jazz Bash continued.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy local cuisine.
Evening:
Jazz Bash continued.
Day
5
Jazz Bash, Return to Hidden Valley, Local Wines
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B,D
Stay:
Lubow Lodge
Activity Note
Walking a few blocks or more due to personal preference around historic downtown Monterey. Some inclines on city sidewalks. Sitting up to 1 ½ hours during performances. Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 16 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time.
Breakfast:
In the Merritt House Hotel breakfast room.
Morning:
We’ll check out of the Merritt House Hotel and return to the Jazz Bash for more performances.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy local cuisine.
Afternoon:
We’ll see any concluding performances at the Jazz Bash festival and return to Hidden Valley.
Dinner:
In Hidden Valley's Dining Room. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
A local wine expert will join us in the Dining Room for an introductory class during which we will learn about new wines, the process that goes into producing them, and ultimately experience them through a tasting. Carmel Valley is one of the seven appellations comprising Monterey County’s diverse wineries; of these, Carmel Valley is perhaps the most distinct. Nestled in the Santa Lucia foothills, our summers yield exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and other red varietals. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Carmel Valley, CA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Stretching and breathing class in dance studio before breakfast. Casual check-out 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast:
In the Dining Room. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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