It just seemed natural. Play off Arizona Biltmore's timeless history and its connection with celebrities. Add wonderful food and drink, plus a whole calendar of entertainment and activities, and Hollywood & Wine became a blockbuster hit with guests and the local community.
2010, Hollywood & Wine's debut year, served to bridge the generation gap. From Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and Sammy Davis, Jr. giving an impromptu concert in the lobby back in the day, to the Bacon Brothers' passionate following. And, from Irving Berlin penning "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" at the Paradise Pool, to bass phenom Miles Mosley laying out the licks.
Other celebs uncorked fruit of the vine, revealed creative secrets, screened movies, opened productions, and even created culinary theater.
As the curtain pulls back on Hollywood & Wine 2011, we invite you to share in the continued success of this annual event that is quickly becoming another of Arizona Biltmore's legends.
The summer of Hollywood & Wine is arranged into three acts:
"Hollywood Live On-Stage" kicks-off June and Memorial Day weekend, with The Bacon Brothers, Shakespeare at the Biltmore and bass phenom Miles Mosley.
July is "Hollywood Blockbusters," featuring fireworks on the 4th, and explosive sights, sounds and sensory experiences all around you with an exclusive Disney in Concert production, performed by members of The Phoenix Symphony.
August continues the fun with "Hollywood Rising Stars," a salute to the future stars of celluloid, the stage and sound.
Finally, as an encore and grand finale, Labor Day weekend wraps the show, with "Musicians and the Movies."
THE BACON BROTHERS - MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, 2010
The summer-long celebration kicks-off Memorial Day weekend with The Bacon Brothers, May 2010.
SHAKESPEARE AT THE BILTMORE - JUNE 3 – 12, 2010
The Arizona Biltmore is proudly partnering this summer with the Southwest Shakespeare Company to present two classic productions at the resort: William Shakespeare's COMEDY OF ERRORS and Noel Coward's BLITHE SPIRIT. Enjoy an evening at the Biltmore in the historic Aztec Room for Blithe Spirit or under the stars in Cottage Court for Comedy of Errors.
MILES MOSLEY - JUNE 18 & 19, 2010
Miles Mosley is an upright Bassist, vocalist and song-writer from Hollywood, Ca. Backed by a four-piece band, his original music is a unique blend of funk and pop/rock with classic jazz arrangements. In addition to his solo career with his band, he has performed, recorded, produced and toured with artists including Chris Cornell, India Arie, Lauryn Hill, Terrence Howard, Jonathan Davis of Korn, Jason Mraz, Gnarls Barkley and Jeff Beck. He has been a featured artist in many publications, including the March 2009 edition of Bass Player Magazine. Considered "one of the world's premier upright bassists," many have called him the "Jimi Hendrix on the upright bass," and a "master musician and live performer." Mosley is currently working on a new CD and continues to perform his live show to capacity crowds in venues, both on the national and international music scene.
It's what made Hollywood great: the blockbuster and the films that created and perpetuated Americana around the world. Both are celebrated in high style as we enjoy American classics such as Singing in the Rain, Old Yeller and Meet Me in St. Louis. The Phoenix Symphony Orchestra Pops and fireworks will also salute America on the 4th. Plus, you'll also hear from a variety of Hollywood insiders, sharing their stories, secrets, and interesting information on the real Hollywood.
July 4th - Disney in Concert with the Phoenix Symphony
Experience fireworks in the sky, and explosive sights, sounds and sensory experiences all around you with an exclusive Disney in Concert production, performed by members of The Phoenix Symphony.
July - Blockbuster Weekends - Experts Speak
The entire month of July is dedicated to the magic of making BLOCKBUSTER MOVIES! Each weekend in July will feature Hollywood Experts whose talents create movie magic. All lecture series are FREE. HOLLYWOOD & WINE SUMMER LECTURE SERIES
July 3 & 4, 2010 All the Right Moves: The Power of Dance in Animation
Description: Saturday, July 3, 2010: Childrens' Workshop
Kids can learn the secrets of how dance inspires animation, how to move like a cartoon and how to draw classic Disney characters.
Sunday, July 4, 2010: Dance in Animation
Screenings of classic Hollywood interviews with famous stars and animators – including Red Skelton, Dick Van Dyke, Chuck Jones, Shirley MacLaine and Jerry Lewis – will be combined with a lecture and discussion on how visual comedy and dance have influenced animation to create stunning effects. The interviews with industry pioneers, many of which have never been seen before, reveal how "eccentric" dance moves inspired cartoon characters.
Betsy's Bio:
Animation works successfully when integrating the "eccentric" and exaggerated dance movement which Betsy Baytos discovered early in her career while working as a feature animator for Walt Disney. She has dedicated herself to the field and became one of the leading experts. Betsy will unveil the powerful link between animation and dance, and why this has been a key to creating vibrant, dynamic animated films. In bringing this fascinating subject to life, she will draw upon a multi-faceted wealth of experience that has included choreographing animation for major Disney films such as 'The Princess and the Frog," Eccentric Dance consultant for Cirque Du Soleil, appearing as the "Betsy Bird" on the Muppet Show, conducting "animation and dance" workshops for the Disney Channel, creating puppets for Shelley Duvall's "Faerietale Theatre," numerous stage and screen credits, lecturing and conducting master classes at universities, conferences and events.
July 3 & 4, 2010
Secrets of a Hollywood Set Decorator
Speaker:
Mel Cooper, VP, Set Decorators Society of America
Description:
How do you create New York on a sound stage in Los Angeles? Ask Mel Cooper – Set Decorator for the Jerry Seinfeld show, who managed, over 6 years, to bring the illusion of Manhattan to a California location. The movies run in Mel's veins – she comes from a three-generation film family. Her credits include numerous films, TV shows and movies of the week – from Diary of a Wimpy Kid to the Gilmore Girls and more. The world of Set Decoration is challenging, demanding and requires imagination and often, fast-thinking. Mel's work establishes the very essence of a film or TV show, and takes in everything from the colors of the costumes to the temperament of an actor. Yes, there are stories to tell ... and secrets to learn about creating an environment that turns a set into a believable location, and brings any era to life. Listen carefully .. you might take away some decorating hints for your home!
July 10 &11, 2010
Tears & Cheers: Making Music for the Movies
Speaker:
Sally Stevens, Director - Hollywood Film Chorale
Description:
Music is the magic that brings us to tears, and makes us cheer. Moviemakers understand its power – and so does Sally Stevens. She's mastered the art of making music, working as a singer, lyricist and vocal contractor in film, recording and television. Sally was born into a Hollywood music family (her mother was the one of the voices of the "Munchkins" in "The Wizard of Oz") and has worked on more than 1,000 theatrical and television film scores over the last three-plus decades. She's toured with Burt Bacharach, sung the main title of The Simpsons, and served as Chorale Director of the Academy Awards broadcast of the Oscars for almost 20 years. As Director of the Hollywood Film Chorale, she brings together voices appropriate for every emotion – creating powerful and moving music for such memorable films as The Last Air Bender, War of the Worlds, Matrix Revolution, Scorpion King, Van Helsing and more. Listen to Sally spin her musical tales, with stories that will have you laughing – and humming along.
July 17 & 18, 2010
Talent in Hollywood – Agents, Casting Directors, Producers and Actors
Speakers:
Jared Sakren - Actor and Artistic Director
Nanci Washburn - Talent Agent; President and Founder, Artist Management Agency
D. Candis Paule – Casting Director, President and Founder Candis Casting
Dave Blum – Producer Movie Trailers; Owner, Catalystfx
Description:
Ever wonder how talent is found and cast in Hollywood? How does one become a star or even get a part in a movie. A panel of those responsible for finding the best Hollywood talent comes together. Learn how the agent representing the talent and the agent casting the talent work with the producer to get actors in front of the cameras. They will describe how the agent qualifies who will be sent to audition, how the audition process unfolds, what casting directors and producers look for, and stories from their experiences. Video samples of how movie trailers come together from concept to completion.
July 24 & 25, 2010
Visual Effects: Where Movies Get their WOW!
Speaker:
Kevin Cain – Visual Effects Supervisor
Description:
Today, conjuring up movie magic is all about visual effects – imagination and artistry combined with computer technology and state-of-the-art innovation. Kevin Cain is a master of the medium – who has brought to the screen some of the most dynamic and memorable visual effects ever, in both the Star Wars and the Matrix trilogies, among many others. See how fantasy and reality combine to create fascinating scenarios, as Kevin Cain takes you on a journey into the magical world of visual effects. Using movie clips and computer techniques, his behind-the-scenes insights will demonstrate how fantastic visual effects are created, and how actors engage with imaginary others in convincing and inspiring ways.
July 31, 2010
Clothes Make the Movie: A Costume Designer's Inside Secrets
Speaker:
Anna Wyckoff, Costume Designer & Personal Stylist
Description:
Take a walk with Anna Wyckoff through the fascinating world of costume design – from conception to completion, it's an amazing journey. How does a designer define an era? Convey an attitude? Create a fashion statement from a screenwriter's words? Anna Wyckoff tells all in a talk filled with insights and stories about how costume design plays a key role in developing film characters. She will also explore classic movies, illustrating why costumes in films like Roman Holiday and The Godfather have only gotten better with age. Anna Wyckoff explains the evolution and demonstrates how costume design contributes to movie magic.
Hollywood loves the next big thing! Join us during the entire month of August at the Arizona Biltmore as we serve up an exciting calendar of events, including live local music every Saturday night, plus exclusive movie screenings & wine tastings. All shows and events are FREE and open to the public.
Saturday, August 7th, 2010 – Sugar Thieves
Grand Ballroom
The Sugar Thieves are one of the Phoenix valley's brightest up-and-coming bands. With their sultry blues roots foundation and upbeat dance-abilly groove, the Sugar Thieves will steal the sweetness right out of your bowl. They won the Arizona Blues Competition two years in a row (08, 09), being voted best blues band in the state by the Phoenix Blues Society. Visit Web Site
Saturday, August 14th, 2010 – Midnite Blues Band
Gold Room
Jimmy Peyton's Midnite Blues has performed in the Southwest for the past 30 years and is well known to the West Coast Swing Dancing crowd in Arizona. They've played various jazz and blues festivals around the state of Arizona, Phoenix Suns halftime shows and Alice Cooper's Town Concert Series: Blues For the City. The group was also inducted into the Arizona Blues Hall of fame in 1997. Visit Web Site
Saturday, August 21st, 2010 – Movie Screening & Wine Tasting:
"Blood into Wine" & AZ Stronghold Vineyards
Aztec Room
Take a look inside the life of one of rock music's most mysterious figures. With winemaking mentor Eric Glomski, multiplatinum recording artist Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle, Puscifer) began the long road to bringing credibility and notoriety to the Northern Arizona winemaking region amidst wine industry prejudice and the harsh Arizona terrain. Meet the movie producer and winery representative and taste AZ Stronghold wines. Visit Web Site See the trailer
Saturday, August 28th, 2010 – Pat Roberts & the Heymakers
Grand Ballroom
The Heymakers play authentic rockabilly/honky tonk music. The roots of rockabilly are blues, country, gospel, and jazz, and it is experience in these types of music that sets The Heymakers apart from other bands. Visit Web Site
Labor Day Weekend - September 4th & 5th, 2010 – The Fab Faux
Enjoy a Labor Day weekend concert at Arizona Biltmore with the Fab Faux — playing the music of The Beatles — and experience the British Invasion, all over again. Visit Web Site
Big names on the bottle, and larger-than-life taste, within! Character is key, in each of the featured selections. Stay tuned as we announce which stars will be pouring.
Saturday, August 14th, 2010 – Midnite Blues Band
Saturday, August 21st, 2010 – Movie Screening & Wine Tasting: 
Saturday, August 28th, 2010 – Pat Roberts & the Heymakers
Labor Day Weekend - September 4th & 5th, 2010 – The Fab Faux
