With Christmas a week away, there is a wintry land situated in the middle of Hollywood Blvd celebrating the spirit of the holiday season. Winter Wonderland runs every year during the month of December, and is a haven for families; particularly small children wishing to meet Santa Claus. Incepted in 1983, L. Ron Hubbard donated a 60-foot Christmas tree to represent his message, “On the day when we can fully trust each other, there will be peace on Earth.”

In a city known for its anti-family atmosphere and liberal lifestyle unsuitable for small children, Winter Wonderland gives Hollywood an innocence forfeited generations ago in the town of indulgence. Surrounded by porn and tattoo shops, the small lot exudes with bright lights, the giant Christmas tree, and holiday decorations that might incinerate Scrooge instantaneously if he stepped foot on its premises. He would have been explicitly irate with the continuous regenerating line preparing to take a portrait with the jolly man in the red suit.

In addition to picture taking with Santa, children assaulted piñatas, which inevitably triggered a candy riot comparable to something taken right out of a prison movie. There was a pile of children fighting for every piece of candy, leaving nothing more than empty wrappers from consumed candy while overstuffing pockets during the quintessential act of selfishness!

The real treat was the free concert offered to all visitors. The Australian Institute for the Performing Arts was visiting, and three different singers rotated singing Top 40 and Christmas songs. Definitely voices in training, the young team sang with gusto!

Following their performance, Angelique took the stage with her six member band. A veteran artist, she performed songs from her independently released album “Around the World in a Groove,” as well as some music in the spirit of the holiday season. What can only be described as a musical buffet, Angelique’s style gave the audience a little bit of many different styles. Ranging from reggae, to Latin, to traditional R&B, the multi lingual vocalist exhibited diversity rarely seen. She classifies her style as funky neo-soul.

During the performance, Santa would shake his rotund figure while breaking from taking pictures. Occasionally stumbling across the actual beat, this stand in Santa (assuming he was not the real one) might wish for rhythm in that red bag when Saint Nick drops by on Monday night.

While Angelique performed, one thing stood out most; she loves to perform. It can’t be said that she had a smile painted on her face, because that was the only way she was observed on stage. Even when there was a mishap with one of the songs, she remained composed, and filled in the mistake with almost no glitch to be noticed. The musicians were very good, and demonstrated that when they gave brief solos while being introduced. Guitarist, Gemi Taylor, played his solo act by strumming the strings with his teeth, and only one hand. Yes, HIS TEETH! It was simply amazing.

As the show approached its conclusion, spectators endured the cold weather to take in the concert in its entirety. With this being the groups final performance of the year, Angelique is preparing to tour in Europe in January. According to the Los Angeles based artist, she has had more success in Europe, and hopes her success will soon transfer to the States. She is scheduled to start recording her newest project in February, and hopes to finish the project by the end of the year. Angelique writes and produces her music, and has been with her band for four years. She has recently incorporated hip-hop by adding rapper, Lyric, to her music. She gives a lot of her credit to musical director Noriko, who she says has, “Saved my butt more than once.” Dedicated to her music, Angelique is sure of one thing; she will continue to make good music, and will perform as often as possible.

Angelique’s CD can be purchased at www.angeliquemusic.com.

By Trent Hensley