With the 8th Annual Long Beach International Film Festival on its way featuring an action-packed line up of independent and studio films from around the globe July 31st – August 3rd, the festival will once again set the stage for its outstanding “Shorts on the Beach” alongside LIVE music with the annual “Concert on the Beach” as well on Friday, August 2nd beginning at 6PM! This year’s featured artists/bands include Reggae-Rock band Aqua Cherry, Singer-Songwriter Sammi Rae with Reggaetón Artist Los Vegas, and Long Beach’s own DJ CHEF!
This year the Long Beach International Film Festival (LBIFF) will screen an international slate of over 50 films, including feature-length narrative, documentary, short and animated that will compete for a series of Jury, Festival Honors and Audience Awards.
During its four-day run, the Festival will feature an array of nightly special events, including red carpet premieres, gala celebrations, filmmaker receptions, compelling filmmaker Q & As, international spotlights, industry seminars and musical performances. The Festival will host numerous opportunities to connect with enthusiastic new audiences, fellow filmmakers, film industry professionals, non-profit organizations and the media in the beautiful oceanside locale of Long Beach, New York. The LBIFF is committed to providing an outstanding experience for both our filmmakers and our audiences.
With the “Concerts on the Beach” having brought so many great acts over the years, here’s a bit more info on those taking the stage in 2019:
Aqua Cherry is a Riff Reggae band out of Port Jefferson, NY consisting of Chad (vocals), Cortney(vocals), Stu (bass), Bryan (guitar/vocals), and John (drums). The band has shared the stage with artists like Junior Marvin and The Wailers, Everlast, The Spin Doctors, Pat DiNizio of The Smithereens, BadFish, Underground Junction featuring Steven Bauer, Corky Lang and The Mind Thieves, and Wonder Mike from The Sugar Hill Gang. The band has four studio albums, “Auto-Kiss Proof”, “So Pretty” EP, “Drowning in the Shallow End”, and the recently released “The Sum of Love” which “The After Hours Review” has called an “instant classic and will be your anthem for Summer 2019!”
A Long Island native, Sammi Rae has been singing for four years, and garnering a ton of praise from audiences nationwide. Her strong and soulful voice shows an incredible amount of talent and dedication, yet knowing that ‘you have to believe in yourself and have confidence to be successful,’ has been her continued mantra. On her most recent collaboration with Los Vegas – “Escápate”, the magnetic collaboration brings to life the sentimental romance often featured in Reggaetón hits with an energetically pumping backbeat and laid-back flow that is sure to make it a club hit. Trading lyrics like “If I leave with you, I want to be there with you through the night // I want to feel your arms around me, hold me tight // Your body next to mine, you make me feel so high” with Los Vegas, and the refrain “Never mind what anybody says, I just want to dance the night away, I just want to know if we can escape”, Murciano shows off her vocal prowess in a new genre which she seems just as at home in as her past pop-driven tracks. On working with Vegas, Murciano says “It has been amazing to work together. To collaborate with someone who has the same passion and dedication for music as I do. We are very excited for what’s to come and have a lot of new music coming soon.
Penelope Robin is an 11-year-old singer-songwriter from Miami, Florida. She began acting as well as developing her musical calling at the age of five. Her professional journey began to blossom after writing her first song ‘Little Bitty Heart’ which appealed to young audiences, and in turn, opened many doors in her career. The young artist has a loyal and growing fanbase that she has penned as her ‘Little Robins’ and is known on her social media as @thepennyrobin. Her YouTube channel has reached over 10 Million views and her social media continues to grow. This young talent has already shared the stage with music icons such as Phil Collins, Karol G, Yandel, Fat Joe, amongst others. Currently, she is working on new music she will be releasing this year for her fans to enjoy. She is also actively involved with various Foundations such as Crystal Academy, 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida, and Celebration of the Sea; engaging, educating, and inspiring others about autism awareness, animal cruelty, and protecting our environment.
DJ CHEF “The Chef That Rocks!’ is the only entertainer who simultaneously cooks & deejays for special events worldwide. DJ CHEF recently flexed his culinary skills by winning Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen beating out 3 other chefs. His recipe was simple, “Spin the beats while cookin’ the treats”. Throw in some celebrity soirees along with a TV pilot and a dash of media buzz. For nearly 10 years, DJ CHEF has been hitting up a scene that has never been tapped. He is “the only entertainer who simultaneously cooks & DJ’s for special events worldwide”. While his experience and determination have guided him to the top of his game, DJ CHEF has been hailed as a pioneer and innovator for successfully fusing his two passions and becoming a national crowd-pleasing culinary entertainer. His culinary point of view is “Remixing American Cooking” by updating classic dishes with a modern, creative & sometimes healthier twist. DJ CHEF recently co-hosted the World Food Championship in Las Vegas with “Man vs Food” star Adam Richman & performed at the Nokia Lumia launch party at the Playboy club & with Jersey Shores Snooki at the iHip Headphones booth, both at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. He is the official dj/chef/mc for NY Knicks John Starks Foundation & he performs annually for NY Jets Marty Lyons Foundations charity events.
“Our live musical performances really set the tone for a great evening of food and film appreciation in a unique setting. It’s a wonderful treat for our community,” says LBIFF Co-Founder, Craig Weintraub.
“Each year the festival draws more and more local musical talent and I’m excited to showcase these rising stars in front of film makers and producers from all over the world,” said Rick Eberle, LBIFF’s Live Music Director.
There is no cost to enjoy these sounds of summer on the beach on Friday, August 2nd at 6PM!
