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For a certain generation of young women determined to express professional polish in the working world, a classic St. John knit ensemble defined de rigueur office wear. Yet at Alila Resort in Saint Helena on July 16, amid the extensive cultural programming which defines Festival Napa Valley, this venerable American luxury house (founded in 1962 by model Marie Gray and headquartered in Irvine), turned that iconic knit dress on its head.

Rick Walker has created magic in the Napa Valley. On Sunday, July 14, that magic reached a new crescendo with $4.5 million raised in one evening at Festival Napa Valley’s Arts for All Gala to support access to arts education programs. Nickel & Nickel in Oakville was the idyllic setting for the affair, chaired by Festival board member Leslie Frank. Dinner, by chef Elliot Bell of Charlie’s and Componere Culinary & Events, was paired with wines from Nickel & Nickel and Dolce.

Like wine, the quality of an artist’s work is not determined by age, nor is the vigor of an audience. This was evident at Festival Napa Valley on Thursday, July 18. The day began with a book launch for 90-year-old Gordon Getty and concluded with a showcase of vocalists mostly in their 20s, with all events attended by a multigenerational audience flocking to wine country from all over this country and several continents.

Festival Napa Valley's Arts for All Gala held on Sunday, July 14, was an unforgettable evening, not just for the record-setting amount raised to support inspiring education programs, affordable concerts, and scholarships in the region. The event, held at the stunningly elegant Nickel & Nickel Winery, was a welcome fusion of philanthropy and celebration. 

On May 9, guests gathered in the penthouse suites on the 56th floor of  The Avery luxury condominiums in San Francisco to sip fine Napa Valley wines and experience an intimate performance by Solidaire Trio. Presented by Festival Napa Valley in partnership with The Avery, the event was part of the year-round Olivia Decker Power of Music Series.

Lionel Richie performed at Festival Napa Valley’s Arts for All Gala at Nickel & Nickel on Sunday, where $4.5 million was raised for education programs, free and affordable concerts, and scholarships.

On a very special Monday morning I found myself, along with a good friend, heading to Napa to visit Festival Napa Valley. This festival extends for about two weeks, offering 100 events, and half of them are free. Jennifer Grim states, “Festival Napa Valley is a special place where artists of the highest caliber gather in a beautiful setting for incredible performances.”
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On Friday evening, in a mercifully shaded meadow at Charles Krug Winery in St. Helena, the South African soprano Pretty Yende was finishing the final notes of “É Strano,” from La traviata. If you know the aria, you know its demanding final runs and challenging final notes. And, if you were present on Friday, you also know that Yende nailed it, immediately winning over the crowd and sparking the first standing ovation of the night. Such world-class talent in a casual, accessible environment is what Festival Napa Valley, now in its 19th year, seems to do best.

Bending and blending genres was not necessarily what the classically trained string trio Time for Three (TF3) set out to do. The group’s unique and highly unconventional style evolved over a period of years, and its repertory includes everything from classical to bluegrass to roots rock to pop. On its Facebook page, TF3 describes itself as “just three dudes traveling the world playing music,” which suits its members perfectly.