Oompah at Oktoberfest

German cuisine, polkas and plenty of oompahpah will highlight Oktoberfest, the annual festival to be held Sunday at Tivoli Too, sponsored by the Laguna Community Concert Band.

The 50-member Laguna band will be joined by the German American Brass Band, Golden West Pops and the Orange Symphonic Band in a series of concerts at the event, which starts at 11 a.m. and runs to 4:30 p.m.

A special area for schottisches, polkas, mazurkas and other dances -- including the chicken dance -- will make it possible for everyone to get up and dance.

Starting with eight members eight years ago, the Laguna Community Concert Band has grown to 50 strong.

Band members, whose ages range from 22 to 80, entertain crowds with a diversity of styles including show tunes, classical band, swing and Dixieland jazz.

Band director Ed Peterson said it is refreshing to work with musicians from various backgrounds.

“We all work out great; people really enjoy playing together,” said band president Sheryl Caverly, who had not picked up a clarinet in 48 years until joining the group five years ago.

“The more people know about us, the more they want to participate,” said first-year member Betty Everett.

Former CEOs and doctors are included in the ensemble, as are professional musicians, said Carol Reynolds, one of the band’s founding members.

Oktoberfest is one of three main performances the group gives each year, along with a Christmas concert and one in February.

The playlist for this year’s Oktoberfest will include the “Radetzky March,” “Bullets and Bayonets,” “Chicken Dance,” “Beer Barrel Polka” and “Blue Bells of Scotland.”

The music will begin with the German American Brass Band of Southern California. It will be followed at 11:45 a.m. by the Golden West Pops Band, the Laguna Community Concert Band at 1:20, and the Orange Symphonic Band at 3. Between each concert band, the German American Brass Band of Southern California will play.

Oktoberfest will be at Tivoli Too, 777 Laguna Canyon Rd. Entrance fee is $5 per person, $3 for children. For $13, the German buffet is included. Free parking is available.20051021iomultknDON LEACH / COASTLINE PILOT(LA)Saxophonists Armand Crump, Carol Sporleder, Dave Williams, Brian Cameron and Sebastian Vela of Laguna Community Concert Band practice at Laguna Beach High. The band will play at Oktoberfest on Sunday.