Press Releases
San Clemente, CA – Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, a nonprofit southern California cultural center, is unveiling its first-ever illuminated garden walk. The two-week event, named Casa Lumina, highlights the beauty of the Native Bowl garden with unique lighting effects and light projections. Families and people of all ages are invited to enjoy the walk, which costs $7 per person. Casa Lumina opens on Sunday, September 22, the night after the cultural institution’s annual gala Toast to the Casa (gala guests get to enjoy an exclusive preview of Casa Lumina). The event runs from 7-9 PM nightly through October 3 (Sundays-Thursdays only; closed on Fridays and Saturdays) and tickets are now available for each night of the event.
“Access to the Casa’s beautiful vistas after sunset is a frequent request of visitors, and we are excited to bring our community an experience even more incredible – a perspective of the Casa gardens that has never before been seen,” says Casa Romantica Executive Director Berenika D. Palys. “It’s experiential, immersive and ‘Instagrammable’ — truly 21st century entertainment.”
Inspired by the Enchanted Forest of Light in Descanso Gardens, one of Casa Romantica’s northern neighbors, Casa Lumina seeks to bring a new perspective to the beloved Native Bowl garden. This garden is home to many California Native species, such as ceanothus and laurel sumac, which are landscaped with horticultural pedigree. The Native Bowl garden is also home to the institution’s popular “Beauty of the Butterfly” outdoor sculpture, which was commissioned by Casa Romantica and created by artist Matthew Placzek in 2017.
Casa Lumina will utilize outdoor projection technology with animated, multicolored lights to create an immersive physical space for guests to enjoy.
Guests seeking a moment of respite can purchase beverages and light snacks from a hospitality station onsite. For those old enough to imbibe, wine will be available at a cash donation bar. Kids (of all ages) will enjoy waving glowsticks throughout the walk, which will be available for purchase at the front door.
Casa Lumina: Casa Lumina is running 7-9 PM on Sundays-Thursdays from September 22, 2019 until October 3, 2019 at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. General admission is $7. Member admission is $5. Buy tickets online at CasaRomantica.org, via phone at (949) 498-2139, or in-person at Casa Romantica.
About Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens maintains a robust series of year-round programs in arts, music, history, horticulture, and literature for all ages. Under the leadership of Executive Director Berenika D. Palys, Casa Romantica has commissioned several critically-acclaimed works, including Casa Coastal: Murals of Levi Ponce (2019; visual art), Casa Theater: The Odd-Essy (2019; theater), Casa Kinetic: Culture Shock LA Hip Hop (2019; dance); Casa Coastal: The Art of Baja California (2018; visual art), Casa Theater: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2018; theater), Casa Kinetic: Celebrating Tap Dance Legends (2018; dance), Casa Coastal: Rebecca Louise Law (2017; visual art), Casa Kinetic: Contemporary Dance Collective (2017; contemporary dance), The Beauty of the Butterfly (2017; visual art), Casa Kinetic: Carrie Lee Riggins (2016; contemporary dance), Casa Drama: Slings & Arrows (2015; theater), and Open Casa: The Photographs of Douglas Kirkland (2015; visual art). The 2019-20
Casa Captivating season includes a new music program (Casa Vibes), visual and performing arts commissions, and an expanded Casa Kids education program.
“Casa Romantica strives to be the epicenter for innovative artistic experiences in our southern California community,” says Casa Romantica Executive Director Berenika D. Palys.
Casa Romantica also hosts a variety of free arts education programs for children year-round. The institution’s annual Casa Romantica Music Festival and Academy has received critical praise for its comprehensive two-week music studies program in cello, piano, viola, and violin. Casa Romantica also offers a Summer Dance Workshop, a Spring Break Arts Week, various art, literature, and horticulture events to grades K-12, and welcomes over 6,000 children from the Capistrano Unified School District each year for STEAM-based field trips that examine the history of San Clemente and the coastal environment.
Mission Statement: Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and is the historic home of the founder of the City of San Clemente. Casa Romantica provides programs for all ages in arts, music, history, and horticulture and is a premier Southern California cultural center.
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is located at 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672. Hours: Tuesday—Thursday 11 am—4 pm; Friday—Sunday 10am—2pm; closed Mondays and holidays. General admission is $5; Casa Members and children under age 13 visit for FREE. For more information, call (949) 498-2139 or visit CasaRomantica.org
