Fireworks show adds some brass

When the Marine Corps’ Miramar Third Marine Aircraft Wing Band returns to the stage at La Jolla Cove for the 25th annual Fourth of July, they’ll bring some extra brass — the Bones Apart Trombone Quartet.

The all-female British group recently added La Jolla to its international tour marking their 10th anniversary, said Deborah Marengo of the La Jolla Community Fireworks Foundation.

“We want to promote both patriotism and community spirit by preserving the annual Fourth of July observance for La Jollans and visitors from San Diego and beyond with our fireworks display and concert,” she added. “This is such a fun event — we wanted to add a little more sparkle.”

Among their repertoire, which has earned them the chamber music prize from the Royal Over-Seas League, is a stirring rendition of “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

The Marine band, which played its first July 4th performance last year at the Cove, brought the audience to its feet and is sure to do the same again this year.

The fireworks foundation, organized a year ago to keep the pyrotechnic display alive, was about half way to its $35,000 target at press time. Adam Harris, who heads the group, and Marengo are in the midst of another community networking campaign, with e-mails to their own list and other community groups.

They are encouraging small donations as well as corporate sponsorships, noting that if every La Jolla resident gave just $5 or $10, the fund would be well on its way to having a significant base to build for the future.

Meanwhile, no further action has been taken since a letter they received from the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation threatening legal action if the show goes on. Harris said he has been advised that there is “a very small chance that legal efforts” will affect the display.

To date, the list of corporate donors includes the La Valencia Hotel, Jorden Ink, Calacles Interactive, Marengo Morton Architects, Goldfish Cafe, Red Bull, George’s at the Cove and La Jolla Suites.