The 5th Annual Long Beach International Film Festival announced last week the musical entertainment line-up at this year’s event, which runs Aug. 3 – 5 in the City of Long Beach.
The beachfront film festival, presented by SVS Fine Jewelry Featuring Forevermark Diamond will screen an international slate of more than 40 films, including feature-length narratives, documentaries, as well as short and animated movies suitable for all ages.
On Friday, Aug. 5, for the second consecutive year, the festival will showcase a diverse line-up of local musical acts right on the beach at the National Boulevard stage located beachfront at the Allegria Hotel.
The concerts kick-off at 4 p.m. and conclude at 9 p.m., when everyone will be invited into a custom built movie theatre on the beach — Beach Theatre — for the Shorts on the Beach Film Series, which will exhibit short films from around the world.
The beach concerts and films shown on the beach are free and open to the public.
The beach concert offers genres and talent as diverse as Long Island itself. The line-up will showcase local stars featured on NBC’s “The Voice,” including Raquel Castro, who sung alongside Christina Aguilera in Season 1; and Marissa Ann (Season 3), the show’s youngest competitor who has sang the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden countless times.
Attendees should be sure not to miss the sultry sounds of INAS X, who was recently on tour opening up for hip-hop artist Fetty Wap in over 20 venues nationwide. INAS’s hit single, “Love Is,” was on Top 20 of the Billboard “Dance Club Songs” chart earlier this year and recently, the singer launched a new single, “Gets Me High”.
Long Island-born “American Idol” contestant Robbie Rosen is returning to the lineup this year and Long Beach will welcome the newest female super group, The Janes, who work with “MTV Making the Band” winner and recording artist Donnie Klang and Matthew Laporte at The Loft Sound Studio.
Pop sensation Brooke Moriber will also be a highlight of the Festival performing her edgy pop tunes, which have been described as “Evanescence meets Katy Perry.”
Moriber has made acting appearances on “Law and Order,” “A Town’s Revenge,” and “Off-Track Betty.”
She began her career as a Broadway performer in “Les Miserables,” along with seven other shows, starring beside Alan Cummings, Cyndi Lauper and others.
Enjoy the sounds of summer from Groundswell, a Long Beach native band playing original reggae and acoustic rock and covers of classics.
Additional performers new to the lineup this year include: The Annie Minogue Band and more. Audiences can also enjoy performances by returning favorites like Joe Horowitz.
“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,” said LBIFF Co-Founder Craig Weintraub.
“So many world renowned filmmakers and musicians come out of Long Island. It’s a breeding ground of talent. The Atlantic Ocean will be the backdrop as we showcase these stars, under the stars. It’s magical,” said LBIFF Co-Founder, Ingrid Dodd.
“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.
The events on August 5th will be hosted by Emmy-winners Rob Petrone of FiOS1 Long Island’s “Restaurant Hunters,” News 12 Long Island Reporter, Erin Colton and renowned arena announcer and host, Chuck Lott.
There are no costs to enjoy these sounds of summer on the beach but concertgoers are encouraged to participate in Taste on The Beach, a collaboration of more than 40 of Long Island’s premier wine, sprits and restaurants offering their most popular dishes for festival attendees on the beach on Aug. 5.
Tickets are available online, and a portion of the proceeds benefits The Long Beach Food & Friendship INN and Surf For All.
