Idyllwild Arts Academy held its annual Black History Month Concert Saturday night in the William M. Lowman Concert Hall on campus. The hall was filled to capacity with jazz fans, as well as students, faculty and staff. “Afro-American Symphony” by William Grant Still and special performances by Seahawk MoJO (Modern Jazz Orchestra) featuring music from Duke Ellington, Thelonious Sphere Monk and Daniel Jackson rounded out the evening. At left: Black History Month Concert Founder, Conductor, Arranger and Composer Marshall Hawkins (right) watches with the orchestra as the percussionists and traditional dancing take to the stage before intermission. Above: Idyllwild Arts Academy music major Sumi Onoe performed as the piano soloist with the Idyllwild Arts Orchestra, opening the Black History Month Concert with “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin. Sumi and the orchestra received a standing ovation for the performance.

It’s that time of year again, when, with the promise of spring, or snow, Pacific Crest Trail thru-hikers begin arriving in Idyllwild. Friends of the Idyllwild Library is hosting a talk at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, by two veteran PCT thru-hikers, Paul and Alice Bodnar. Paul has completed the 2,650-mile trek three times, the…

Idyllwild Assembly of God is celebrating its first year of ministry in Idyllwild.  At 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 8, Town Hall will be the site for IAG’s special service with guest speaker Fred Rodriguez and a home-style lunch to follow, marking the first year as a congregation in Idyllwild. The entire community is welcome.  IAG…