By Jake BOWMAN

Oceanview Bar and Grill in Montrose will be hosting local philanthropist and community member Janet S. Blake on Sunday, Aug. 4. Blake is considered a local celebrity with acting credits on TV shows including “Friends” and “Boy Meets World.” She recently returned to her musical roots and will be performing throughout the Los Angeles area.

On Aug. 4 Blake will be joined by pianist/composer Alexandra Caselli, marking their first appearance together as a jazz duo. They have performed together before at Gardenia, the Smoke House, the Cicada Club, Viva! and Cantina among other locales.

According to Blake, as longtime residents and supporters of Montrose, the pair are “thrilled that a venue for live music has opened up in their home town.”

This will not be Blake’s first performance in the Crescenta Valley. In 2016, she teamed up with the Crescenta Valley Fire Safe Council and other nonprofits and performed at St. Luke’s of the Mountains Episcopal Church. That event was hosted by the organizations as a way to share with the community their missions in a relaxing and entertaining format. Blake, a La Crescenta resident and a past member of the CV Fire Safe Council, donated her time to perform.

Alexandra Caselli has been creating and performing music for years. She is a regular at The Smoke House in Burbank and has recorded six CDs, including two as a member of the Jennifer York Trio.

Both women shared their gratitude to Alissa Hwang, the owner/operator of Oceanview, and her husband Eric.

“[They] believe in live entertainment and supporting local performers,” they said. “We hope our debut on Aug. 4 turns into a regular gig and becomes part of a larger live music scene in Montrose.”

Oceanview Bar and Grill plans to expand its entertainment offerings with stand-up comedy, karaoke and arts and crafts nights.

  Jake BOWMAN