Concert season is over but more fun is on the way
GRF RECREATION RECAP
by Gary Fitch
Recreation Coordinator
The first half of 2025 has been nothing short of a celebration at Leisure World. From mariachi trumpets and classic cars to bestselling authors and Beatles tributes, the Recreation Department has filled the calendar with events that brought neighbors together for food, music and memory-making.
We kicked off May with a spirited Cinco de Mayo party in Clubhouse 4, where residents filled the dance floor to mariachi music and enjoyed traditional Mexican fare. The evening was presented with generous support from Rose Health Insurance Agency.
Just a day later, a busload of fans cheered on the Halos at an Angels baseball game, proving once again that sports excursions remain a favorite outing. The month wrapped with a sellout Mother’s Day brunch, a multi-generational gathering in Clubhouse 4 featuring live music, an elegant buffet, and free family portraits, sponsored by Humana.
The summer brought more variety, starting with June’s Community Swap Meet, where neighbors filled the clubhouse lot with treasures and bargains.
June also launched the 2025 Amphitheater concert series. The lineup kept audiences singing along all summer long, with tributes to The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Tim McGraw, Elton John, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Rod Stewart, Neil Diamond and Creedence Clearwater Revival, as well as LW favorite Stone Soul. The season drew some of our biggest audiences yet.
July’s holiday centerpiece was the July 4 Classic Car Show, where rows of vintage vehicles sparkled in the summer sun and drew crowds of residents and guests. The event was presented with support from Rose Health Insurance Agency and the Primary Care Association of California.
That same month, Recreation buses took residents to Laguna Beach for the Pageant of the Masters, a summer tradition that never fails to impress.
The AuthorSpeak! series continued to grow in popularity, with bestselling thriller writer Chris topher Reich opening the season on May 9, followed by Sheila Yasmin Marikar in June, Jo Perry in July, and Nicholas Meyer in August. These talks have become a mainstay for Leisure World’s avid readers, with Stephen Witt scheduled for Oct. 3.
Entertainment also included two Movies Under the Stars in the Amphitheater, where residents settled in with blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy “The Bucket List” and “Senior Moment” on the big screen. Meanwhile, weekend dances remain a Recreation hallmark, with Vinyl Rock, Abilene, the Velvetones, and Legends of Rock packing the floor month after month. Special dance nights this year also featured sponsorship from Serenity Home Care Group and Primary Care Associates of California.
With swap meets, excursions, lectures, movies, concerts and dances already in the books, 2025 is shaping up to be one of our most active years yet. And the best is still ahead: the Harvest Festival on Oct. 25 promises toe-tapping bluegrass and autumn treats, followed by our traditional holiday celebrations to close the year in style.
The Recreation Department thanks residents for their enthusiastic participation and welcomes respectful feedback on all things Recreation. For more information, contact kathyt@lwsb.com.
LWers and guests enjoyed open-air concerts all summer long.Ziggy Romano
Ronstadt Revival performed Aug. 14.David Wolfe
