The will return for its 16th year on Saturday, June 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Lavinia Campbell Park in Los Olivos. This sell-out event, presented by the Los Olivos Rotary Club, will showcase a variety of carefully selected wines from thirty local wineries. Each wine will be uniquely paired with fresh olive inspired appetizers created by local volunteer chefs.
Back by popular demand, Grammy nominated vocalist Denise Donatelli and her band will be on hand to lend their special blend of smooth jazz to the festivities.
Over the past 16 years the Jazz and Olive Festival has been the Los Olivos Rotary Club’s primary fundraiser that supports its charitable works. All proceeds raised go directly to local scholarships, well managed community projects, and nonprofit organizations.
This year’s event chair, John Matthews, states: “The Jazz and Olive Festival is an all-hands-on-deck event for our club. Every member is involved, keeping our costs low, and allowing us to maximize the proceeds that fund our charitable giving. We work really hard, but we know it creates tremendous impact.”
Photo Credits: Andy Doerr
This past year alone, the Los Olivos Rotary Club awarded over 30 grants to local nonprofits including, to name just a few: the Buellton and Solvang Senior Centers, SYV Cottage Hospital, Solvang Friends of the Library, ADCAP (People Helping People), the Santa Ynez Botanic Garden, Friendship House, Veggie Rescue, Rancho Alegre Outdoor School, and the Community Aquatics Foundation. The club also built fifteen ‘Little Free Libraries’ which are installed throughout the Valley.
Additionally, a certain portion of the proceeds are earmarked each year to assist international organizations. These organizations have included Shelter Box, Unite to Light, Mia’s Children (Romania), Constru Casa (Guatemala), CDC (Nicaragua), Senait Learning Center (Ethiopia), and Wings (Guatemala).
To support the philanthropic works of the Los Olivos Rotary Club, and purchase tickets to this delightful afternoon of wine, food, and music for an all-inclusive price of $75.00, go to: jazzandolivefestival.org or call (805) 335-9280.
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Los Olivos Rotary was chartered in 2002 and currently has 35 members. It is one of over 35,000 Rotary International clubs worldwide with 1.2 million members. Rotary believes in “service above self” and internationally club members work to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water and sanitation, promote education and more.