For the past 25 years, the Bach Festival and the City of Seaside have worked together to bring a light-hearted and highly entertaining performance to the city’s Oldemeyer Center.

Featuring several of the Festival’s musicians and a couple of its singers, the free “Bach Tops” concert is a truly delightful tradition that brings the spirit of the Festival to the residents of Seaside.

Upon our arrival, the Oldemeyer Center’s auditorium was filled with several rows of empty chairs that were soon to be filled by the growing crowd that began lining up 20 minutes before doors opened. Within 10 minutes of allowing patrons to enter, more seats had to be set up in order to accommodate the number of people.

While a few wore casual t-shirts and jeans, several came dressed to the nines — including one woman who proudly wore a long, polka-dotted dress and a massive matching hat. It was apparent that this event was something that had long been inked on the calendars of those in attendance, rather than a last minute “what-should-we-do-tonight?” decision.

As the program began, speakers including Mayor of Seaside Ralph Rubio, CBF Executive Director Camille Kolles and President of Seaside’s Cultural Arts Group Ewalker James addressed the crowd of over 200. It was clear that all involved parties were proud of their roles in making the event possible for the community.

The program itself was most enjoyable— combining elements of classical music, show tunes and humor. On several occasions, I laughed much louder than what I’m sure would be considered appropriate for any normal human being. Sitting cross-legged on the floor at the back of the auditorium, it felt rather surreal to be hearing world-class live music while guffawing at the puns in (fictitious) composer P.D.Q. Bach’s parody, “Twelve Quite Heavenly Songs.”

Michèle Eaton and Tim Krol, the Festival’s two singers for the evening, kept the audience giggling at their portrayal of lovers in various songs, including “Wunderbar” from Broadway musical smash, Kiss Me Kate.

Suzanne Mudge, Festival trombonist and program director for the evening, has performed at the community concert for a majority of its 25-year existence. As a token of her esteem for the event, she composed an “Oldemeyer Fanfare” that the ensemble proudly performed.

Following the performance, audience members had the opportunity to attend a reception and meet the musicians. The line to enter the room where it was being held was so large, it created quite the traffic jam. The patrons, however, waited patiently to mingle with the artists.

This event was one of those things that I think I will remember fondly for the rest of my life. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about… sittin’ on a park bench eating a sandwich; takin’ a break from studying at the library; drivin’ my currently nonexistent offspring to ballet and soccer practice in my currently nonexistent minivan; knittin’ my also currently non-existent grandchildren sweaters that they’ll never wear because they’re too itchy (you get the picture…). I have a feeling that thinking about last night will bring a smile to my face.

I got goosebumps listening to Ewalker explain how much it meant to the community to have the Festival “set up shop” in the city of Seaside for a free concert (which, by the way, wasn’t always free… When Ewalker noticed that some families weren’t attending because they couldn’t afford the tickets, he worked to obtain a grant in order to make it a free community event).

While this performance was unlike any other that I’ve attended since the Festival started last week, the “Carmel spirit” that Maestro Bruno and Concertmaster Libby are always talking about was unmistakeably present. This music, whether it’s performed on a massive stage in Carmel in front of 700 people for 60 bucks a pop, or in front of 250 in an auditorium in Seaside for free, delights its audience.

Man, if that doesn’t say something about our musicians, singers and music, I gosh darn don’t know what does.

Cassidy