Happy summer, OFWC Members! In this edition of our newsletter, In Touch, we are keeping it short and sweet.  We will be sharing with you information about recent and upcoming events that you will want to put on your calendar. Most important, don’t forget, It is time to renew your membership if you haven't already. Do you have friends who you know would be ideal members? Please forward this email to them and invite them to join us at The Wine and Design on August 15 at 4:00.at Gayle’s home.

From our longtime members to our new and prospective members, we are so glad you're here. 

Sincerely, 

Laurel Crary
President, Ojai Festival Women's Committee

We invite you to learn a few tricks and tips in making a cocktail.
Our own Amber Young-Gay will share her secrets to concocting a drink that will make you the hostess with the “toastess.” This event is free, RSVP today!

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.

- John Quincy Adams

On March 8th of this year, the Ojai Festival Women’s Committee invited all past presidents to come together for another round of shared remembrances, genial conversation, and suggestions for the future.  Hosted by Judy Norris and current president, Laurel Crary, it was an occasion to celebrate past leadership and cull new ideas from experienced minds.

One of the stars of the meeting was Joan Kemper, who gave an inspiring pep talk on the leadership of the Women’s Committee, pointing out that without its guidance and enormous financial contribution each year, the Festival would not be able to provide music in the area schools.  And, of course, we all should remember that it was Joan, during the time she was on the Festival Board, who literally took charge in 1992, when the Festival was in danger of dissolving and brought it back into the black.  She is very modest in accepting any recognition of this fact.

However, the other star at this event was Ara Guzelimian, Ojai Music Festival Artistic and Executive Director, and he let all of us know that Joan truly was the Pied Piper in leading the way toward solvency, with her charismatic style of persuasion.  Ara also shared his personal history with the Festival, starting as a member of the UCLA a cappella singers who performed in 1974.  Later, as a KUSC radio announcer, he rubbed elbows with all the greats of the classical music realm.  He told amusing anecdotes about the near disasters throughout the years of putting on the Festival.

Although the Music Festival is in very good financial shape these years, the challenge is to keep it in the public eye.  Attendance needs to be cultivated from all areas of the community and surrounding areas.  What can the Women’s Committee do to help increase recognition of the Festival to the public?  It is a question with no clear answers but certainly deserving of deliberation.  As a leader in the Ojai music community, we owe it to ourselves to carve out some time to do so.

The 2024 Ojai Music Festival took place June 9-11. Led by music director Mitsuko Uchida, it was a lovely 4 days of beautiful concerts with nearly perfect weather. Click here to see some of of our favorite Festival moments, and click here to learn more about what's in store for next year, June 5-8 with music director Claire Chase.

It was an afternoon dedicated to friendship and togetherness. We enjoyed the delicious offerings of Ojai Rôtie, and making connections with friends both old new. Thank you to those of who were able to attend and for those who were not able to attend, we hope to see you at our fabulous future events!

A highly successful BRAVO Camp Week One was held June 24-28 with almost 70 eager 5-14 year olds in attendance. Led by the amazing Miss Laura, the kids sang with Miss Roseanne, heard stories and wrote their own with Miss Barbara and did a variety of amazing art pieces with Miss Kitty, assisted wonderful volunteers. As always the highlight was Tie-Dye Tuesday, a BRAVO Camp tradition. Parents, siblings and grandparents were treated to a finale of singing, stories, and art presentations.  

It's nearly time for BRAVO Camp 2024 Week Two: August 12-16 from 8AM-12PM for 5- to 14-year-olds. We can't do camp without volunteers, especially on Tie Dye Tuesday (where you'll get to make your own shirt!). Contact Laura at lwalter@ojaifestival.org if you are available to volunteer any or all days.

There will be lots of singing and dancing, storytelling and art projects, plus snacks are provided. Space for campers is still available if you have children in your life who may be interested in joining!

Save the date for our annual Fall Mixer. It will be an evening of mingling and small bites with the possibility of a fun activity! Stay tuned in to your email inbox for more details as we get closer to September. 

The HHTM is the Ojai Festival Women’s Committee’s largest fundraiser. We are working hard to find four beautiful homes to feature on 2024's Tour. Shopping at the Marketplace will be easier than ever this year, as the vendors will now be responsible for their own point of sale methods (as opposed to the ticket systems used in year's past).

We wish to honor the memory of these four beloved OFWC members by sharing remembrances from their friends. Would you like to submit your thoughts to us? Respond to this email to write to us, and we will compile our memories in the next newsletter.

These four women were extraordinary in their commitment to philanthropy and service. Your memories will honor them.