Fair Game
By TOM JOHNSON
Enjoy the Fourth, but expect a mess on the Fifth; but everyone can help
Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is the lever that last week overturned Roe v. Wade & Parenthood of Southeastern PA v. Casey, ending guaranteed abortion access for American women.
Several local leaders shared their initial responses.
Katrina Foley, candidate for Orange County Supervisor District 5: “This decision is one of the largest cases of government overreach in my lifetime and sets a dangerous precedent for our personal liberties and freedoms. This cruel and unconscionable act will harm millions of women across the country and reaches into our unalienable right to liberty – long protected for Americans.
“The Supreme Court’s opinion is out of touch with mainstream America. It opens the door for the courts to overturn same-sex marriage, access to contraception and the fundamental right to privacy, even reaching into your digital privacy. At least one Justice, Thomas, supports reaching back into cases relying on Roe v. Wade and Casey to ‘correct the error’ established in those precedents.”
Cottie Petrie-Norris, our current Assemblymember for the 74th District: “I am horrified and heartbroken. And I am also angry. The Supreme Court’s conservative justices lied in order to get confirmed and now they are following through to destroy one of the most basic rights women have – the right to make decisions about their own bodies. And let’s be clear: The Supreme Court will not stop here. They have already indicated they will continue to further dismantle rulings preventing gun violence and protecting access to contraception and same-sex marriage.
“This is a dark moment for all of us. It’s ok to recognize that. But we need to stand up, dust ourselves off, and fight back with everything we have.
“What other choice do we have?”
What does this mean to California? Apparently not much because California is already working to move in the opposite direction. According to Cal Matters, “Lawmakers are already ramping up legal protections for abortion providers and pouring resources into expanding access as clinics prepare for a possible surge of patients traveling from other states to terminate their pregnancies.”
Protests, including those taking place in Laguna Beach, have been vocal about the change.
• • •
Everyone is familiar with July 4th. It’s the day Americans celebrate our independence. That translates to parades, celebrations in our parks and on our beaches, backyard family barbecues and fireworks.
Here in Laguna Beach, we can expect our beaches to be filled, wall-to-wall with people. And with people, unfortunately, comes trash. Lots of it, making July 5th “easily the most polluted day for U.S. beaches across the nation,” according to the Surfrider Foundation.
Last year, in fact, 15,864 volunteers joined the Surfrider Foundation to remove 170,000 pounds of trash from more than 1,230 beach clean ups on July 5th.
This year, the Surfrider Foundation is attempting to educate beachgoers with tips to minimize environmental impacts, particularly with plastics, as they celebrate the holiday at our beaches.
–Avoid expanded polystyrene foam products, including foodware that can easily break into a number of small pieces and litter the beach.
–More than 100 billion single-use bags are used per year. These should be replaced with reusable bags and all should be taken home for another use when you’re done.
–Plastic straws are extremely harmful to marine life, like blocking the airways of a turtle. Avoid using a straw or, if you do, opt for a reusable one.
–Cigarette butts account for approximately one of every five litter pieces picked up on beaches. Simply translated, don’t smoke on the beach, PERIOD!
–And, despite the fact that plastic bottles can be recycled, less than 1/3 are. If you’re heading to the beach, take a reusable bottle or a more sustainable alternative.
Remember, what you carry in, please carry out…everyone will be appreciative.
• • •
You might just love the 2022 Art-To-Go collection at Festival of Arts. Here’s why, more than 100 exhibitors have donated their original works under the theme “What the World Needs Now.” You may buy any or all of these beginning the Saturday, July 2 through August 28 during regular Festival hours at https://theartistsfund-foa.org/buy-art/.
You simply click on the ones you like, add them to your cart and they’re yours, after you pay, of course.
The public is also invited to vote for People’s Choice artwork from July 2-8 online (https://theartistsfund-foa.org/contact/) and in person. The theme here was inspired by the Pageant of the Masters “Wonderful World” program and a 1965 song by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of The Artists Fund at Festival of Arts
Brad Neal’s “Sweet Love Sweets” is among the Art-To-Go items for sale
There are some great pieces, including “A Big Kiss” by Carol Heiman Green, and “Sweet Love Sweets” by Brad Neal; a blue topaz pendant by Dan Miller, a colored pencil botanical by David Kizziar and ceramic whale silhouettes by Sharon Jackman.
Those casting votes for the People’s Choice artwork will qualify for a drawing and a free gift. Winning artists will be presented awards on Sunday, July 10 at 5:15 p.m. on the Festival Stage. A brief reception will follow at Art-To-Go and the public is invited.
All Art-To-Go buyers also qualify to be entered to win a two-night stay at The Tides Inn, Laguna Beach.
Proceeds from Art-To-Go sales benefit The Artists Fund at Festival of Arts Hardship Fund for artists in need. And this is important because, for obvious reasons, we need these artists to keep Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach.
For more information, visit www.theartistsfund-foa.org/, or call 949.612.1949.
• • •
This should be fun. You’re invited to start your July 4th holiday weekend at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center for another evening of “Opera Re-Imagined.” This will be the fourth edition of the LBCAC classical music series, this one titled “Sounds of Freedom.”
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of LBCAC
“Sounds of Freedom” will feature arias from popular operas, spotlighting independence
The audience will enjoy arias from popular operas that spotlight “the dearly held notions of freedom and independence.”
Included will be a medley from Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, including the Queen of the Night’s popular aria Der Hölle Rache, which will be sung by world-class coloratura specialist, Kit Navarro.
Soprano Caroline Nelms, a Southern California native, will perform the Princess Paminas aria “Ach, ich fühl’s.”
And, Laguna Tenor, Rick Weber, his goddaughter, Bella Rusin and some of Southern California’s most notable up-and-coming operatic voices, will also perform during the evening.
Proof of vaccine, a negative test, or a mask is required.
It all takes place Saturday, July 2 at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7). Seating is limited, so for tickets go here.
City Manager Shohreh Dupuis: A passion for transforming ideas into reality
By DIANNE RUSSELL
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
Over three decades ago, while working for the County of Orange, Shohreh Dupuis discovered her passion. Having just graduated from the University of California at Irvine (UCI) with a degree in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Engineering, her first project was mapping Toll Roads 73, 241 and 261. Using both traffic modeling and engineering, it was Dupuis’ responsibility to determine the location of the roads, how many ramps were needed, and the alignment of the exits and on-ramps.
“I found that I really loved the area of public infrastructure – to provide services and amenities to the community,” she said. “There was great satisfaction in taking a good idea – a concept – and turning it into a reality for the community. It was always my dream to become a City Manager and after 30 plus years of working in municipal government, it finally happened.”
Journey to Laguna
However, the journey to Dupuis’ fantasy job has not been without its share of struggles.
Dupuis immigrated from Iran to the U.S. in 1984, just after she started her senior year of high school.
“I am Persian and was born and raised in Iran,” she said. “When the Iranian Revolution happened in the late 1970s (the borders closed in 1979) and the war between Iran and Iraq broke out, the conditions were harsh for us as a family. My dad was in private business in Iran and as a result of the revolution, all the private commerce was closed and made public. My father lost his livelihood.”
Dupuis continued, “When the borders reopened in 1984, my dad said, ‘we are leaving.’ Of my three brothers (Sonny, Jean and Will), the two older ones had already come over here 10 years earlier for higher education.” At the time, one lived in Kansas City, one attended Georgia Tech and the other was in France.
Click on photo for a larger image
City Manager Shohreh Dupuis
“My father decided he wanted to move his family to be closer to my brothers in California and to be able to provide for his family where we could be free, enjoy an education and free commerce,” Dupuis said.
Dupuis and her mother and father left for America with only a suitcase, a dream and a small amount of cash in their pockets. On July 4th, the family arrived in Kansas City, where her second oldest brother lived. “I remember seeing the fireworks and wondering what is this, do they do it all the time?” she said. “I hadn’t seen my brother for 10 years and I hardly recognized him.”
After staying in Kansas City for two months, they came out West to visit her father’s sister in Huntington Beach. Dupuis said, “When we got here, my father quickly admitted, ‘this is better than Kansas City.’ We lived in Huntington Beach and my brother in Kansas City came out here as well. I’ll never forget the Don Henley song ‘Boys of Summer’ was popular at the time and now whenever I hear it, it takes me back to my first summer of freedom in Orange County. I fell in love with the area and I have never left.”
Dupuis’ father opened a restaurant in Mission Viejo named La Ferme, where she worked 60 hours a week while also going to school full time, putting in the long hours on the condition he’d pay for college.
Dupuis went to Saddleback JC for two years and then transferred to UCI.
“My brother Sonny signed me up for the classes – computer science and applied mathematics, which is really software modeling. He said, ‘You’re going to take one of these, pick one.’”
Tragic times
Although Dupuis loves Laguna and her life here, the city holds its share of sad memories.
“On Sundays – my day off from the restaurant – I’d come down here to Laguna with my brother Sonny, and we’d go to the beach and then to the Boom Boom Room. In 1987, Sonny was killed in an auto accident on the way home from the Boom Boom Room. The accident site was just a block from where I live now, so I go past it all the time.”
Her daughter Sunnyjoy is named after him.
Dupuis’ first husband, who she met while working for the OC Transportation Authority, also died in Laguna. After suffering a cardiac fibrillation in Catalina, which resulted in a severe brain injury, he died in 2007 in a house they were renting on Circle Drive. He was the father of Sunnyjoy, who was only 12 years old at the time.
“Laguna is a special place to me. I’m surrounded by memories of the men I lived my life with,” she said.
In 2009, Dupuis was still grieving when she met her current husband Farzad (Tino as most call him). “I was in the salon one day, and my hair stylist said, ‘last night I ran into a guy I went to high school with, and I’m going to fix you up.’ I was still very raw with grief and not ready and he was recently divorced. But we met for coffee. Farzad made me laugh for the first time in a long time. He was a huge part of my recovery.”
They were married in 2010 in Seal Beach and Sunnyjoy served as her maid of honor. “He’s retired now,” Dupuis said. “When I decided to take this position, we knew he would need to do everything at home, so he does all the shopping, cooking and cleaning.” She added that he’s an excellent cook.
Click on photo for a larger image
Administrative Assistant Mariann Tracy in Dupuis’ office
Lifelong professional dream
Dupuis has worked her entire 32-year career in municipal government in Orange County. Prior to assuming her role as city manager, Dupuis served as Laguna Beach assistant city manager and director of public works for five years. Before that, she put in eight years as the deputy director of public works for the City of Irvine. In addition, she previously held management level positions at the City of Anaheim, the consulting firm of Parsons Brinckerhoff and the Orange County Transportation Authority and County of Orange.
The recipient of several awards for her dedication to teamwork, customer service and outstanding performance, Dupuis has been recognized as the Woman of the Year for her contributions to the transportation industry in Orange County. She was further honored as a leader by the National Iranian American Women’s Foundation.
Click open story button to continue reading…
56th Annual Sawdust Art Festival opens
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
The 56th Annual Sawdust Art Festival officially opened on Friday, June 24. This year, guests will enjoy the handcrafted art of 162 Laguna Beach artists, complimentary art classes offered for free with admission, entertainment on three stages, glassblowing, art demonstrations, special events, the iconic café – A la Carte – added to the concessions line up and Sawdust Saloon.
Click on photo for a larger image
Sawdust Art Festival Board of Directors President Rachel Goberman and daughter Alice with Laguna Beach Mayor Sue Kempf, who cut the opening day ribbon
Sawdust Art Festival draws 200,000 visitors annually to shop unique artwork along sawdust-covered paths in the festival’s renowned outdoor venue featuring an eclectic, handcrafted artist village that is located in the heart of a historic eucalyptus grove.
Click on photo for a larger image
Cliff Wassmann’s cool booth
Click on photo for a larger image
Jesse Miller’s booth features her mixed media in painting, woodworking and stained glass
Click on photo for a larger image
Metal sculptor Nevada Silva’s booth
Click on photo for a larger image
New exhibitor, Ed Chang’s Rabbit in the Moon Photography booth
Click on photo for a larger image
New exhibitor Tyra Vassallo’s painting and mixed media booth
Click on photo for a larger image
Exhibiting artists (L-R) Nansea Williams, Nikolai Erngren and Patsee Ober
Making their debut this summer are 28 up and coming young artists from Laguna Beach High School, who will have their own gallery displayed on the grounds as High School Hall.
And you won’t want to miss these special upcoming events:
–“Sip, Talk and Walk,” an insider’s tour with artist introductions and a complimentary wine tasting every Wednesday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
–“Bizarre Bazaar,” a fashion show on Sunday, Aug. 7
–Artists’ Benevolence Fund Art Auction on Sunday, Aug. 14, which features the original work of Sawdust artists in both silent and live auctions.
Click on photo for a larger image
Stroll down the main aisle laden with sawdust
Sawdust Art Festival is open daily through Sunday, August 28. Hours of operation are 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday and Saturday. For more information on exhibiting artists, special events, entertainment and art class schedules, visit www.SawdustArtFestival.org. Tickets may be purchased in advance online, or in person at the Box Office during festival hours: $10 for adults, $7 for seniors (65+) and $5 for children (6-12). Children ages 5 and under receive free admission and don’t require a ticket to enter.
Sawdust Art Festival is located at 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.
Laguna Beach – A Look Back: Festival of Arts’ “tableaux vivants”
By Dr. Gregg DeNicola, Laguna Beach Historical Society
In a week, our unique “tableaux vivants” at the Festival of the Arts will declare it summer in Laguna Beach and begin a two-month run at our own Irvine Bowl (July 5-September 2).
It was in 1932 that the Festival of the Arts was born by our local artists hoping to capitalize on the throngs of tourists coming to Los Angeles for the Summer Olympics.
In 1933, to increase attendance, board member Lolita Perine thought of the idea of “living pictures” where local residents dressed in costume, while mimicking famous paintings, with a wooden frame surrounding them. Naming it the “Spirit of the Masters Pageant,” it ran again for eight days in 1934, but was under intense criticism by local artist and construction worker Roy Ropp. He felt the productions were of poor quality and amateurish.
The Festival Board did what any smart thinking board would do – they put Ropp in charge of the Pageant. The first thing Ropp did was rename the event “The Pageant of the Masters.”
With a major contribution from his wife Marie, the Pageant was retooled and upgraded. In his second year, 1936, Ropp had the idea of a grand finale and introduced DaVinci’s The Last Supper, which has gone on to end every pageant since, save three times.
The first eight years, the Pageant had no permanent home, but Ropp had a vision for a large stage in the canyon, with a Hollywood Bowl-esque feel. A land donation from the James Irvine Trust was reflected in naming the site the Irvine Bowl. It was dedicated on June 30, 1941, just in time for the summer Pageant. But beginning 1942, with World War ll in full swing, the Pageant was dark for four years.
Reopening in 1946, Ropp was not invited back, having burned too many bridges with the board. He did direct one more Pageant in 1950. Ropp died in 1974 and is still remembered as the “Father of the Pageant.” The Pageant would go on each summer for 74 more consecutive years until shutting for the COVID epidemic one year in 2020.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Laguna Beach Historical Society
The newly built Irvine Bowl, showing box seating ala the Hollywood Bowl in front, with bench seating toward the back, circa 1940
In this 1941 photo, workers in overalls are seen wearing fedoras working hard to finish the stage at the Irvine Bowl for its inaugural show.
Folding chairs provided seating for patrons, and three large loudspeakers adorn the top of the stage for 1941 state-of-the art acoustics. The absence of hillside homes is glaring.
Ropp had worked for seven years to design and build the stage. It only lasted 10 years when it was replaced by a more permanent cement block stage at a cost of $110,000.
This summer, as we sit in the Bowl under the stars, enjoying the Pageant of the Masters orchestra, the wonderful narration of Richard Doyle and the “tableaux vivants,” we should raise a toast to Roy and Marie Ropp – whose vision of the Pageant and Irvine Bowl has served us well for almost 90 years.
“Art in Public Places” – Pearl by Dan Skaggs
By DIANNE RUSSELL
Photos by Mary Hurlbut
Some of the art you see around Laguna Beach is the result of two city programs: “Public Art and Murals” and “Art in Public Places.” The goals of the Public Art and Murals and Art in Public Places (adopted in 1986) initiatives are to create diverse art installations of the highest quality that will, over decades, reflect the city itself and its citizens, and improve the quality of life; and to be a source of pride to all Laguna Beach residents.
Click on photo for a larger image
“Pearl” on the corner of Pearl Street and Pacific Coast Highway
Installed in 2007, Pearl was created by sculptor Dan Skaggs. Located on the corner of Pearl Street and Pacific Coast Highway, the sculpture is comprised of stainless steel with glass marble tile and was funded by Bowers Perez Associates.
Skaggs holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Art Education and a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts with an emphasis on sculpture. He spent 15 years teaching art at both public schools (Long Beach Unified School District) and college and was a 30-year exhibitor at the Festival of Arts.
Click on photo for a larger image
The sculpture is comprised of stainless steel and glass marble tile
After bouncing around the world as a surfer and a self-employed cabinet maker, Skaggs returned to his first love, sculpture.
“One year I displayed a sculptural water wall at the Festival of Arts,” Skaggs said. “I was taken aback by the interest it received. It was chosen for purchase by the Festival of Arts for its permanent collection. The next summer, I decided to show another water feature along with my sculpture. With a family to support and a public hungry for water features and ‘feng shui,’ I was discovering this was a viable way to earn a living as an artist.”
Click on photo for a larger image
A burst of sun
In describing his work, Skaggs said, “Pearl is a term surfers would use to describe the wave that breaks off the rocks at the beach at the end of this street. This sculpture was inspired by the large rock sitting in the sand at this beach and the waves breaking on it at high tide.”
This is the 65th article in our weekly series featuring Art in Public Places. Since there are more than 100 pieces of public art scattered throughout Laguna, it will take a while to cover them all.
For a map of Art in Public Places (not every piece is listed), click here.
To apply for the Arts in Public Places program, click here.
In Memoriam
Nancy Lee Farrand
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Grandson Ty Farrand
Nancy Farrand
(pictured at a Myasthenia gravis fundraising event)
On June 13, 2022, Nancy Lee Farrand of Laguna Beach passed peacefully of natural causes at the age of 88. Nancy was born to Edwin and Adelaide Tate in 1934. She attended Canoga Park High School and married Jim Baker at age 19 resulting in the birth of two girls. After her marriage ended in divorce, she met Howard Farrand through the Southern California Nurseryman’s Association and they married in 1978. Nancy and Howard made Laguna Beach their home for many years. After Howard passed away in 2006, she remained a longtime resident of Laguna Beach. Nancy is survived by her brother Thomas Tate (wife Judy), her two daughters Laurie McNally (husband Jay) Baker and Janice Cox. She was grandmother to Christina (Nate) Jones, Lana (Mike) Farrand, Brent (James) Farrand, Ty (Gabe) Farrand, Leek (Katie) Deng, Karen Farrand, Ryan Nolan, Taeya (Doug) Olson and Christopher Cox. She was also Aunt Nancy to Betty Zenkner, Mike Baker, Thomas Lee Tate, Lindy Moriarty and Scott Tate. Nancy had numerous great-grandchildren and an abundance of dear friends that were special to her and whom she considered family.
Nancy was very active in the Laguna Beach community, volunteering and supporting various charitable non-profits including Boys & Girls Club and Waymakers Youth Shelter. She also volunteered her time and resources to other worthy causes such as Myasthenia Gravis Foundation, Huntington’s Disease Society, Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross and Mission Possible. Until her retirement, Nancy was active in the Southern California Nurseryman’s Association and loved working with plants. She had a generous spirit and welcomed many family and friends from around the world to visit and stay at her home in Laguna Beach. Nancy’s positivity and zeal for life was a hallmark of her personality, even daring to move to Taiwan for a year with her two teenage daughters during the Vietnam War. Nancy never shied away from a challenge and saw obstacles as opportunities. She was quick to adapt as circumstances required, equipped with the belief that things would always work out. She was a loving and gracious friend to everyone, possessing an award-winning smile, an infectious laugh, an enormous heart and beauty that we will never forget.
A Celebration of Life will be held in her honor at 11 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club in Laguna Canyon on Sunday, July 10.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name will be accepted by the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach and Waymakers Youth Shelter of Orange County.
For donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, go online to www.bgclagunabeach.org, or mail a check to Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 (make sure to note on the memo line “Nancy Farrand” so your donation can be acknowledged), or call Abby Ryan at 949.715.7931.
For donations to Waymakers, go online to www.waymakersoc.org. Please include a note that it is in honor of Nancy Farrand. Those gifts will be directed to use at the Youth Shelters. If anyone wants to mail a check, make it payable to “Waymakers” and mail it to 980 Catalina St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651. (Please write “Nancy Farrand” in the memo line so your donation can be acknowledged.)
Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris announces hiring of Michael Tou as district director
Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine) has announced hiring Michael Tou to serve as district director. In this role, Tou will lead the district team on community outreach, constituent services, and policy issues for the cities of Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Laguna Woods and Laguna Beach.
“I am thrilled to bring Michael Tou onboard as our new district director. We will benefit immensely from his two decades of experience in government affairs and community relations,” said Assemblywoman Petrie-Norris.
Throughout his public and non-profit sector career, Tou has built a diverse network of relationships and public policy accomplishments. He has more than two decades of legislative, public policy and public affairs experience at the federal, state and local level in California.
Tou’s career in public service began as a White House intern in Washington, D.C. He served in various senior roles over a 12-year period for a member of Congress in the California delegation. For the past nine years, Tou led government and public affairs for one of the largest health systems in California.
As a civically engaged resident of Orange County, Tou sits on the Equity in OC Taskforce, Costa Mesa Sanitary District Citizens Advisory Committee and the City of Costa Mesa Housing and Public Service Grants Committee. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from California State University, Northridge and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern California.
Laguna Art Museum presents Black and White
Laguna Art Museum will present Black and White: Contemporary Art from the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation on view July 2 through October 9. Curated by Foundation Director Billie Milam Weisman, the special exhibition features 30 artworks from the Foundation created by artists living and working in California across different generations.
“We’re pleased to partner with the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation and Billie Milam Weisman on this special exhibition, showcasing a unique variety of works from modern and contemporary California artists,” said Julie Perlin Lee, executive director of Laguna Art Museum. “The exhibition will celebrate Mr. Weisman’s legacy and passion for the arts, as well as our mission of presenting California art.”
Each of the 30 artworks featured in Black and White will demonstrate a diverse array of artistic approaches, materials and techniques used by Southern California-based artists over the past half century. The exhibition is a cross-section of works from the Foundation by artists who draw attention to black and white – as palette and, in some cases, as theme. Funding for Black and White has been provided by the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation. Additional funding has been generously provided by Angel and Tom Papa and the Joan B. Rehnborg Exhibition Fund.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Philip Martin Gallery, Los Angeles
“Pineapple Grit No. 36,” by Michael Rey, 2014, is featured in the “Black and White” exhibition
“Frederick R. Weisman would say that when you are fortunate enough to be able to collect art, you have a responsibility, not only to the artists but also to share their works with the public. The Foundation would like to thank the Laguna Art Museum for the opportunity to bring a sample of our collection to their community,” said Weisman, director and president of the Frederick R. Weisman Art and Philanthropic Foundations.
“The theme of this selection of works is variations on black and white as used by a diverse selection of California artists. Especially in California, the effects of sunlight greatly influence artists in the creation of their work, with black being the absorption of light and white reflecting it. Each of us sees color differently, and while the powerful contrast of a black and white palette creates visual drama, monochromatic works utilizing varying shades of gray or sepia may be more deeply engaging. This exhibition features artists who have explored the formal, conceptual and technical possibilities of black and white, monochromatic, and ‘in-between’ shades,” said Weisman.
Weisman was born in Minnesota and raised in Los Angeles, as was her late husband, Frederick R. Weisman. For more than nine years during Frederick’s lifetime, Billie worked closely together with her husband to acquire works for the Frederick R. Weisman collections, as well as to foster and expand the activities of the Foundations. Today, she continues to carry on the legacy of her husband’s art and philanthropic endeavors.
Billie received her Master’s of Arts degree in Art History with honors at the University of California Los Angeles, followed by a post-graduate internship in art conservation at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. She was senior art conservator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, as well as Conservator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture at the Getty Museum. In addition, she had her own art conservation and consulting business. She has traveled internationally with exhibitions and lectured in conjunction with exhibitions and professional meetings.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of the Ed Moses Estate/Frederick R Weisman Art Foundation
“Racko No. 2,” 1995
On Saturday, July 9 at 6 p.m., Laguna Art Museum will present “In Conversation with Billie Weisman,” a special event providing exclusive insight into the collection of the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation with Billie Weisman and Laguna Art Museum’s Curatorial Fellow, Rochelle Steiner. Join Weisman and Steiner as they engage the exhibiting artists in discussions about the artworks selected, which represent a cross section of the Weisman collection and demonstrate a diverse array of the artistic approaches, materials and techniques that Southern California-based artists have deployed over the past half century. Ticket registration will go live on Monday, June 27 at www.lagunaartmuseum.org/events.
For more information, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org. Additional information about the Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation can be found at www.weismanfoundation.org.
City Council accepting applications for Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Committee
The City Council is accepting applications for the Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Committee (EDPC).
Interviews and appointments will be conducted on Tuesday, July 19 at 4:30 p.m., by the City Council. All applicants may be interviewed. Applicants may be contacted by City Councilmembers prior to the interviews and appointments, so please be prepared to make a brief statement about your desire to serve.
Laguna Beach residents who are interested in serving on this committee should obtain an application from the City Clerk’s office or online from the city’s website at www.lagunabeachcity.net, and file by Monday, July 11 at 5:30 p.m.
Questions may be directed to the City Clerk’s office at 949.497.0705.
Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.
There will be one position open due to an unscheduled vacancy as a result of a resignation; however, the City Council may reduce or increase the number of positions at its discretion:
One two-year term on the Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Committee with term effective immediately, through June 30, 2024. The Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Committee is a nine-member body appointed by the City Council whose charge is to advise the City Council on all matters pertaining to disaster prevention, planning and preparedness. The committee will make recommendations to the City Council and will have staggered terms. Meetings are generally held on the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m.
Upcoming events at Laguna Art Museum
Check out these upcoming events at Laguna Art Museum (LAM). From topical discussions and participatory storytime to a book signing and figure drawing workshop, the line-up beckons.
Click on photo for a larger image
Join the discussion on “Introduction to Realism” on July 10
–Sunday, July 10 at 7 p.m. – Introduction to Realism: 1600 to the Present
Join Curatorial Fellow Jean Stern as he discusses Realism, from Dutch 17th century paintings to the present. Learn the differences between Traditional and Contemporary Realism with masterwork examples of the development of Realism throughout history. Advance tickets recommended. Museum members: $7; Non-members: $14. More information can be found here.
–Thursday, July 14 at 7 p.m. – Live! At the Museum: Duo Ondine
Join Duo Ondine as they perform on the harp and flute at the museum. Live! at the Museum is presented in partnership with Laguna Beach Live! Arrive early and enjoy the museum’s gallery and social time. More information can be found here.
–Sunday, July 17 at 10 a.m. – Artist Workshop: College – An Artistic Composition Made of Diverse & Unexpected Materials
Join recent MFA graduate from LCAD, Jill Maytorena as she leads a workshop on collage. Discover the surprising impact that can be created by incorporating various elements as you blend decoration and craft with fine art. Supplies included with purchase of a ticket. Limited space availbler. Advance tickets recommended. Museum members: $20; Non-members: $30. More information can be found here.
–Wednesday, July 20 at 9:30 a.m. – People, Portraits, Personalities Summer Day Camp
Join these single-day summer camps that transform the museum into a space exclusive for kids! Students take over the galleries on Wednesdays when the museum is closed to the public for all kinds of artful engagement. You’ll fill the day with opportunities for making, exploration and play that you wouldn’t usually get at the museum. Camps place students into two groups by age and include activities suited to diverse learning abilities. Two camps are available for both age groups. Curricula are different for each camp, so students can sign up for both of their age group’s sessions. Geared to ages 10-12 only. Camps run from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. A healthy snack will be provided by the museum. Campers should bring their own lunches. Cost: Museum members: $35; Non-members: $45. Registration fees are fully refundable up to four weeks prior to the scheduled day camp session. More information can be found here.
Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach. For more information, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org.
Crystal Cove Conservancy to hold first 2022 speaker series
You’re invited to the first 2022 Speaker Series experience in the fresh air and golden light of Crystal Cove.
Join this program on Thursday, July 14 in the Historic District. The reception begins at 4:30 p.m. with wine and hors d’oeuvres, followed by the main program from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Tickets for Conservancy members are $10 each and $20 for non-members/ Register today.
The first 20 registrants will receive a signed copy of Janice Munemitsu’s book, The Kindness of Color.
Crystal Cove Conservancy CEO Kate Wheeler will lead a panel discussion on the Japanese American community at Crystal Cove and Orange County. You’ll hear California State Parks Interpreter Blythe Wilson share the history of the Japanese American farming community at Crystal Cove, as well as their efforts to gather records and tell the story of those families in the interpretative space in the Japanese Language Schoolhouse at Crystal Cove’s Historic District. Learn a broader context of the times in Orange County during the World War II era from author and activist, Janice Munemitsu and Sandra Mendez Duran.
For more information, visit https://crystalcove.org/2022speakers/.
Guest Column
An easy technique to amp up your attracting power
By Dr. Vidya Reddy
I’d like to share a Kundalini yoga mantra practice that you can use pretty much wherever and whenever you need it.
It’s called “Peace Begins with Me.” Even if you have just one minute to spare, this easy practice will bring you to a place of stillness and happiness.
I’m sharing this relaxing practice now because it’s a very effective way to calm your nervous system when you feel anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, annoyed or just out of alignment.
By calming your nervous system, you shift into a higher, more positive energetic vibration instantly. Meditative practices activate our parasympathetic nervous system, which is what allows us to physically relax.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Johnny Antezana
Dr. Vidya Reddy
When we relax through meditation, we turn down the volume on our fearful ego and welcome our wise inner guide to come forward and lead the way. In a state of relaxation, we are in receiving mode, which allows us to truly manifest.
The awesome thing about “Peace Begins with Me” is that you can bust it out anywhere for quick relaxation.
You can practice it while you’re walking down the street, while you’re at work, or while your kids are freaking out and causing chaos. In fact, teach it to your kids! This is a simple and effective tool they can use to calm down when they feel nervous, angry or frustrated.
By calming your nervous system, you shift into a higher, more positive energetic vibration instantly. In short, you help yourself feel good and feeling good is what manifests your desires.
Whenever you feel funky or out of alignment today, bust out your “Peace Begins with Me” practice. You can do it under the table during a meeting, while waiting in line at the grocery store or while sitting on the bus. This is one of the greatest techniques to keep in your back pocket.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Kavita Reddy
A technique that can be used at any time
Peace Begins with Me: Written instructions
The practice combines a mantra and a mudra. A mantra is a word or phrase you repeat silently or out loud while meditating. It’s a single, pointed focus that calms your mind and shifts your vibrational frequency.
The mantra for this meditation is “Peace begins with me.”
A mudra is a hand position. For this meditation, you touch your thumb to a different fingertip on each hand while repeating the words of the mantra. (Do it on both hands at the same time.)
Thumb to index finger: Peace
Thumb to middle finger: Begins
Thumb to ring finger: With
Thumb to pinkie finger: Me
Repeat for at least a minute, or longer if you wish.
As a thought exercise, I’ve learned a lot of things over the past few months and feel compelled to share them with you in the spirit of robust helpfulness. If you would like more information, techniques and meditation based on Life Lessons, please refer to my blog: https://naturally-happy.com/blog/.
In Peace, Love and Gratitude.
‘Til next time,
Dr. Vidya Reddy, ND, AMS, DAC, CLC
Meet Pet of the Week Molly
Molly is currently taking over Pet of the Week. She is a 7-year-old golden doodle. She came from an abusive environment, and the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter has been treating her for the last six months. She has made great progress and is very well behaved. Molly is sweet hearted and loves all animals. She will also gain a beautiful coat of fur as she continues to grow. Nancy Goodwin, shelter director, is hoping to have Molly adopted as soon as possible.
Click on the photo for a larger image
Courtesy of the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter
Molly is on the lookout for a new place to call home
The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter adoption procedures are designed to make sure that both the potential family and the animal adopted are in the very best situation possible. Due to their approach to adoption, their return rate is five percent as compared to the national return rate of fifty percent.
The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is located at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. Call 949.497.3552, or go to the website for information on adoption procedures, www.puplagunabeach.org/our-pets.php.
Fireworks show planned for July 4th from Monument Point
The City of Laguna Beach fireworks show originating from Monument Point at Heisler Park will begin at approximately 9 p.m. on Monday, July 4. Large crowds are anticipated, so the city is requesting the public’s cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors.
The Monument Point area will be closed all day on Monday, July 4th. Additionally, at approximately 5 p.m., the area of Heisler Park from Myrtle Street to the Rockpile Beach stairs at Jasmine Street will be closed to the public to allow for fireworks preparation.
City trolleys will operate under a modified schedule: the Coastal Route will run from 9:30 a.m.- 7 p.m. and the Canyon Route from 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. The normal trolley schedule will resume on Tuesday, July 5.
After the fireworks show, expect heavy traffic as many visitors will be leaving via Laguna Canyon Road and Coast Highway. Members of the Police Department will be conducting increased traffic control to facilitate the flow of vehicles out of town.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of City of Laguna Beach
The City of Laguna Beach is anticipating large crowds for the July 4th holiday and is requesting the public’s cooperation to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors
The City of Laguna Beach is reminding visitors and community members that all kinds of fireworks are illegal at all times within the City of Laguna Beach. Any member of the Police Department or the Fire Department can seize any fireworks, and persons in possession of or discharging fireworks of any kind – including firecrackers, bottle rockets, mortars, roman candles, or anything that flies/shoots through the air – may be cited for a misdemeanor offense, which carries a fine of up to $1,000 and jail time of up to six months.
Rules and regulations include: no alcohol on the beaches, no smoking in public places and no single-use plastics are allowed on beaches, trails or in parks. There is no drone use over city beaches, Heisler Park, Main Beach Park, Treasure Island Park, or Crescent Bay Park without a valid Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA. No canopies, awnings, umbrellas, tents or covers over six feet in height or wider than six feet square on or in any public beach, park are allowed. Any canopy, awning, umbrella, tent or cover installed, shall have no more than one side closed to public view. No portable barbecues are allowed on city beaches or in parks. No dogs are allowed on city beaches from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. during the summer season, which extends from June 15 through September 10. Note that all OC Park trails will be closed at sunset. The Laguna Beach Police, Fire and Marine Safety Departments will be strictly enforcing all the ordinances.
Guided by art: The Laguna Beach Poetry Trail offers visitors and locals alike a new way to explore our town
By MARRIE STONE
This story is a part of our Arts section. Visit www.stunewslaguna.com/arts for more arts stories as well as our arts calendars.
Regardless of how long you’ve lived in Laguna, the town always seems willing to show you something new. Even for those who know every nook and cranny, and all the city’s hidden secrets, there are nonetheless fresh ways to experience old gems. Last week, when local poet and writer Ellen Giradeau Kempler offered me a guided tour of Laguna’s Poetry Trail, I expected to discover some creative voices and original perspectives on our public art. But I never imagined how much I’d learn about the places I pass every day.
After living in town for nearly 25 years, I’d never seen the koi pond, stocked with swimming turtles, tucked inside the Water District’s “Waterwise Garden.” While I’ve walked by Road Blossoms (a seating sculpture created by Kyungmi Shin and Todd Gray) countless times on my way into Whole Foods, I’d never paid attention to all those mosaic details. And though I’ve seen several photos of Raymond Persinger’s poetic stained-glass screen located in Brown’s Park (entitled Sight and Sound), I’d never visited in person.
Beyond that, though I’ve seen much of our town’s art, I haven’t taken enough time to reflect on it. Nor have I experienced it through someone else’s imaginative point of view. That’s what the Poetry Trail offers – lots of art, some Laguna history, local poetry and a little exercise. It’s a reminder to slow down and take our town in and it gives us an opportunity to see old treasures anew.
“Laguna was founded as an art colony, and visual art has always had a strong presence here,” said Kempler. “But we have also become a cultural arts destination. It’s time we recognize the role creative writers have in contributing to a healthy and thriving arts community.”
Click on photo for a larger image
Submitted photo
Local poet and writer Ellen Giradeau Kempler created the Poetry Trail after receiving a grant from the City of Laguna Beach. Kempler chose 10 poems written by community members in response to 10 pieces of public art.
“Groups like Third Street Writers, Laguna Poets and the Laguna Beach Arts Alliance, the library’s annual poetry contest and the Cultural Arts Commission’s literary laureate program have encouraged adult writers,” Kempler said. “But we need more recognition of the ways all the arts can inspire each other. We also need to encourage young people to explore the written word with creative writing classes, workshops and projects like the Poetry Trail. I have long advocated a literary festival that would bring people together to celebrate books, reading and writing of all forms.”
In 2020, Kempler received a Fostering Creativity in a Time of Crisis Grant from the City of Laguna Beach. Funded by the city with a donation from the Wayne Peterson Trust through the Laguna Beach Community Foundation, the funds allowed Kempler to partner with the Friends of the Laguna Beach Library and produce a 26-page free booklet that guides visitors throughout Downtown Laguna to explore 10 different pieces of public art and their accompanying poems. The roughly 1.7-mile walk takes visitors through City Hall, down Ocean Avenue, over to Forest and eventually to Brown’s Park and Main Beach. The trail ends in North Laguna at the opening of Jahraus Park.
Click on photo for a larger image
Submitted photo
Local artist Jessica DeStefano was inspired by Ralph Tarzian’s bronze sculpture, “The Discussion,’ located at the corner of Ocean and Forest avenues in front of Anastasia Café
“When I found out about the Poetry Trail, I was very excited to walk it and let each art piece inspire prose,” said local artist Lisa Mansour. “I’ve always loved the concept of Art in Public Places. A few of the public art pieces were installed during my tenure as a Laguna Beach Arts Commissioner, so it was particularly fun visiting those stops.”
Between November 2020 and April 2021, after choosing 10 pieces of contemplative and thought-provoking art, Kempler solicited community members to contribute poetry that engaged with the pieces. In the literary world, the exercise is known as ekphrastic poetry – works written in response to art. Ekphrasis paints a picture with words. But, of course, those words are refracted through the creative lens of the writer and reflect their own experiences and vision of the art. Of the 127 submissions anonymously submitted, Kempler blindly chose 10 poems to represent each of the 10 public art pieces. The contributors represent a range of ages, backgrounds and life experiences.
The first stop on the poetry trail is Gerard Stripling and Michele Taylor’s collaborative sculpture Moving Forward. Installed in front of the Susi Q Community Center, the limestone bench protects an array of bronze shoes and one pair of glass ballet slippers enclosed in protective glass.
Click on photo for a larger image
Submitted photo
Joy Dittberner, executive director of the Laguna Dance Festival, wrote about her bygone ballet days in response to Stripling & Taylor’s 2009 installation, “Moving Forward”
“I’m not a poet, but I decided to submit something,” said Joy Dittberner, executive director of the Laguna Dance Festival and board member of the Laguna Beach Arts Alliance. “Since I’m involved in the Laguna Dance Festival, it was appropriate to write about the ballet shoes under the bench at the Susi Q. It was fun to try something new, stretch to find some creativity and be involved in the project. I cannot wait to walk the Poetry Trail with friends and share the artistic vibrancy of Laguna Beach.”
Click open story button to continue reading…
Laguna Beach – A Look Back: Celebrating the 95 years of incorporation, 1927
By Dr. Gregg DeNicola, Laguna Beach Historical Society
The year was 1927.
–Lindbergh flies solo over the Atlantic.
–Babe Ruth swats 60 home runs enroute to the Yankees winning the World Series and being considered the best baseball team of all time.
–Prohibition begats bootleggers and speakeasys across the country.
–Al Capone’s wealth was estimated to be $100 million.
–The top grossing film in the U.S. was the Jazz Singer with Al Jolson, introducing the country to the idea of “alkies.”
–The No. #1 song in 1927 was “Stardust” by Hoagy Carmichael.
–Henry Ford stops production of the Model T and sells the first Model A for $384.
–Actress Mae West is sentenced to 10 days in prison for “Corrupting the morals of youth.”
–John T. Scopes is found guilty of teaching evolution to his students, with the Supreme Court overturning his conviction on a technicality.
And in Laguna Beach…
Click on photo for a larger image
Photos courtesy of Laguna Beach Historical Society
Laguna Playhouse, 1920s. In 1920, a group of local thespians banded together to form what they called the Community Clubhouse at 319 Ocean Ave. They called themselves the Laguna Players and the birth of the local theater was complete. This circa 1920s photo shows the rich ivy and beautiful cursive font used fashionably in that era.
In Laguna Beach, the Hotel Laguna was being rebuilt after the original building was demolished for general neglect. Downtown was a collection of clapboard buildings and bungalows on Ocean and Forest avenues, with Main Beach being literally the “main beach.”
Click on photo for a larger image
This is the Laguna Beach Elementary school, circa 1920. At the time of the incorporation, the enrollment was approximately 150 pupils. It was located on Park Avenue in the vicinity of the current high school. High school students in Laguna attended school in Tustin until 1934.
The population of Laguna Beach was 1,900 proud souls. High School students were taken via old buses and horse and carriage to the high school in Tustin, with the grade school open on Park Avenue.
Peace Pipe Pageant, 1921. Local artist Isaac Frazie created the Indian Peace Pipe Pageant in 1921 among the eucalyptus trees in Sleepy Hollow. The purpose was to raise funds for an art museum. This was more than 10 years before the Pageant of the Masters.
Plein Air painters were all the rage and the Laguna Beach Art Association was going strong. The White House restaurant was turning 9 years old and took on the role of the local watering hole.
The beautifully designed Water Treatment Plant, the Pageant of the Masters and the Downtown fire station were twinkles in God’s eyes.
Click on photo for a larger image
This was Laguna Beach’s downtown around the time of the 1927 incorporation. The gate hangs where it does today on the corner of Forest Avenue and Coast Highway, in front of the drugstore instead of an ice cream shop. The grocery store is shown doing a brisk business and a string of Model Ts wait their turn to go on South Coast Highway. Notice the “Temple Hills” sign in the background.
South Coast Highway is one year open, allowing tourists to access the Village from north and south as well as from the canyon on the west. With a population boom expected, a movement was in place to protect Laguna Beach’s small-town atmosphere. Locals calling themselves “Lagunatics” pushed for incorporation to assist in maintaining the quaint arts colony atmosphere.
Click on photo for a larger image
People on Bird Rock Pier off Heisler Point, circa 1927. According to legend, it was a favorite landing spot for prohibition rumrunners. When the city was incorporated, it was just 1 year old. Throughout history, Main Beach has only had two piers, Laguna’s residents built the first one in 1896 (known as Main Beach Pier) with a $100 contribution from James Irvine Jr. for materials. It lasted until approximately 1916. Then, in 1926, Tony Derkum constructed another pier – its 1,150-foot span extended out beyond Bird Rock, thus its name.
With grass roots support, the city was incorporated as the first south Orange County city on June 29, 1927 – 95 years ago this month.
This is the future lifeguard tower, a year after incorporation, 1928. It served as the attendants station for the Union 76 gas station on Coast Highway and Broadway Street. The station closed in 1937 and the iconic structure was moved across the street to its current location.
Those Lagunatics would probably not recognize their city today. But they would be proud to know Laguna Beach has continued in the role as a quaint arts colony surrounded by neighboring cities that appear to prefer large development.
Laguna Beach may appear to be a small quaint arts colony. But it’s our small quaint arts colony.
Building the stage at the Pageant of the Masters, 1941
And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
• • •
Laguna Beach Historical Society is located at 278 Ocean Ave. For more information, call 949.497.6834 or visit www.lagunabeachhistory.org.
• • •
Editor’s Note: Join Laguna Beach’s 95th Birthday Celebration taking place on Wednesday, June 29 from 4-6 p.m. at the Main Beach Cobblestone area. Enjoy live performances from local bands, ice cream and giveaways. If you are unable to attend in person, the anniversary celebration will be live streamed on the city’s Facebook page.
Chamber to hold ribbon cutting at Art-A-Fair
On Thursday, July 6 at 12 p.m., join the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce in a welcoming and grand opening ceremony with a ribbon cutting in celebration of Art-A-Fair.
“After a five-year hiatus as chamber members, Laguna Art-A-Fair is pleased to once again become a member of an organization that supports the community, small businesses, entrepreneurs and arts,” said Artist and Chamber Liaison Diane Lamboley.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Art-A-Fair.com
Art-A-Fair is open July 1 though September 4
“Laguna Beach is very fortunate to have such amazing art festivals,” said Paula Hornbuckle-Arnold, interim CEO of the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce. “Art-A-Fair is part of the fabric of our community and deserves a celebratory ribbon cutting!”
For those in attendance, Art-A-Fair will be offering a complimentary Paint Pouring, liquid art workshop valued at $45.
Art-A-Fair will be providing a light lunch including sandwiches, chips and dessert. Please RSVP to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Art-A-Fair is located at 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.
Gelson’s Laguna Beach presents Pet Adoption Day on July 9
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Catmosphere Laguna Foundation
Gelson’s Laguna Beach in partnership with the Catmosphere Laguna Foundation presents Pet Adoption Day on Saturday, July 9 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Gelson’s, located at 30922 Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. For more information, call 818.377.6494.
Laguna Beach hosts world-acclaimed dance groups with local ties
Laguna Dance Festival (LDF) announces the return of their festival on Friday, August 12 and Saturday, August 13 at the Artists Theater at Laguna Beach High School. Performances will feature Los Angeles-based BODYTRAFFIC and Laguna Beach native, Skylar Campbell and the Skylar Campbell Dance Collective (SCDC). Both groups bring world-renowned and accomplished dancers to the stage with unique styles and performances. Join this fun and entertaining weekend of dance theater and technical dance prowess.
“We’re thrilled to have our dance festival back in Laguna Beach, and to highlight such immense talent and two distinct types of performances,” said Jodie Gates, who is artistic director of and founded the Laguna Dance Festival in 2005. Gates is also the artistic director of the Cincinnati Ballet and founding director of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. “BODYTRAFFIC brings a great energy and contemporary style of group and solo dance that will be a lively and fun start to our weekend of performances and events. Skylar Campbell brings a group of classically trained ballet performers, providing more technically focused and individual solo performances.”
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Laguna Dance Festival
BODYTRAFFIC takes the Artists Theater stage on August 12
BODYTRAFFIC’s August 12 performance will start at 7:30 p.m. and will feature A Million Voices, by Matthew Neenan, which is inspired and accompanied by the music of Peggy Lee and Pacopepepluto by Alejandro Cerrudo, which will feature three solo performances set to the music of Dean Martin, the “King of Cool.” BODYTRAFFIC’s dancers come from around the world and now call Los Angeles home. Founded in 2007 by Artistic Director Tina Finkelman Berkett and Lillian Barbeito, they have been named one of the most talked about companies nationwide by the Los Angeles Times. BODYTRAFFIC has also been notably named as a cultural ambassador of the U.S. to Israel, Jordan, South Korea, Algeria and Indonesia. “We are so excited to return to Laguna Dance Festival and share what our company has been up to. BODYTRAFFIC has grown tremendously over the past challenging years, and it feels right to celebrate the return of live performing arts with the Laguna audiences. We always feel at home in Laguna and it’s always a treat to be a part of the community’s love for dance,” said Tina Finkelman Berkett, artistic director of BODYTRAFFIC.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photo by Nisian Hughes
Skylar Campbell Dance Collective features ballerina Lauren Lovette on August 13 at the Artists Theater
Campbell is an internationally renowned, award-winning dancer and native of Laguna Beach. The Skylar Campbell Dance Collective August 13 performance will start at 7:30 p.m. and feature an evening of acclaimed dance artists including Lauren Lovette, former principal dancer of the New York City Ballet performing Voices by famed choreographer Alexei Ratmansky and ballet’s iconic swan solo, The Dying Swan. Sydney Dolan and Ashton Roxander of the Philadelphia Ballet will be performing George Balanchine’s Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux, Jaclyn Oakley of the National Ballet of Canada and Naazir Muhammad of the Houston Ballet will be performing Orbit. Elle Macy and Miles Pertl of Pacific Northwest Ballet will be performing Ghost Variations by Choreographer Jessica Lang. The Skylar Campbell Dance Collective will also be performing Traveler, which was created for SCDC in 2020 and nominated for Best Dance at the 2021 Canadian International Fashion Film Festival. SCDC will also be joined by Los Angeles musician Josiah Johnson, formerly of the band, The Head and the Heart. Johnson will be playing throughout the night, accompanying dance performances for a truly special evening of art. “I am honored to be bringing back to Orange County so many of my friends and colleagues in dance, who have had a connection to this special community and showcase their incredible talent all in one evening,” said Campbell. “This evening has been three years in the making, as we had planned to bring this show to Laguna before the pandemic and are so thrilled to have it happen now and with an amazing musical accompaniment for this very special evening of dance.
Tickets for these performances are $50 for general admission and $30 for students, and they can be purchased at on the website at https://lagunadancefestival.org/project/2022festival/. “These shows are bringing an incredible level of talent to Laguna Beach unlike ever before. The community has a great opportunity to see these masters of dance perform iconic choreography in their own backyard and we’re thrilled to be presenting shows like this,” said Gates.
In addition to these performances, Artistic Directors Berkett of BODYTRAFFIC and Campbell of the Skylar Campbell Dance Collective will be hosting a special dance masterclass experience for advanced dance students. These master classes provide dance education from some of the most well-recognized and accomplished dancers and artistic directors in the world. Berkett will be hosting her masterclass Saturday, Aug. 13 from 3-5 p.m. and Campbell will be hosting his from 12-2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 14. Both will be taught in the dance studio at Laguna Beach High School. Students will be able to sign up for these classes at the end of June.
For more information about Laguna Dance Festival and to purchase tickets to these performances, visit www.lagunadancefestival.org.
Hortense Miller Garden to hold free children’s painting workshop
Hortense Miller Garden is holding a free children’s art workshop, geared to youngsters 8-15 years old, who will learn to paint outside in the wild hillside garden with dramatic ocean and canyon vistas. Students will learn to paint seascapes using tempera paint as they create two seascapes: one realistic, one pop art.
The workshop takes place on Saturday, July 23 from 9:45 a.m.-12 p.m. Space is limited and reservations are required.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Hortense Miller Garden
The Gazebo Garden at Hortense Miller Garden
Brianne Burtness will teach the fundamentals of tempera painting with composition, drawing, color and texture. This two-hour workshop will begin with a demo, followed by a fun morning of painting and personal instruction. All materials are included. Students should bring a snack and a bottle of water.
Parents will be given a brief tour of the house and garden during the instruction time, or they can relax in the garden. Bring a coffee or beverage of your choice and a good book to enjoy.
E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to request a spot with Student Name/Age/Parent Name/E-mail and Cell Phone Number.
The workshop is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information about Hortense Miller Garden, visit www.hortensemillergarden.org.
Hortense Miller Garden is located at 22511 Allview Terrace, Laguna Beach.
Groove the summer with a series of jazz
Laguna Live! invites you to experience the musical history of jazz in four outstanding concerts this summer with all-star groups. Concerts take place at the intimate and well-ventilated Woman’s Club on St. Ann’s Drive from 6-8 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. for social hour.
On Thursday, July 7, Natalie Hanna Mendoza and her All-Star Trio will be celebrating the swing era, the most popular style of music in the U.S. from the early 1930s until the late 1940s.
Click on photo for a larger image
Photos courtesy of Laguna Beach Live!
Natalie Hanna Mendoza
On Thursday, July 21, BEBOP with The Lineage Trio will perform, featuring vocalist & trumpeter Benny Benack III. Bebop came about in the mid-1940s as a reaction to swing that focused on music for dancing and it was meant for serious listening.
Adryon Deleon with the Will Brahm Trio brings soul, the blend of bebop with rhythm and blues and gospel music that began in the mid 1950s on Thursday, Aug. 4.
Click on photo for a larger image
Adryon Deleon
On Thursday, Aug. 18, the season will end with blues featuring vocalist Maiya Sykes with her All-Star Trio. The blues originated in the Deep South around the 1860s from roots in African American work songs and spirituals.
For this series of concerts, Laguna Live! is excited to partner with Mercado for pre-purchase light meals.
Concert tickets are $35 in advance; $40 at the door, or $140 for the full season.
All tickets are available at www.lagunabeachlive.org, or by calling 949.715.9713.
The Woman’s Club is located at 286 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. For more information, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org.
Join the Great Plein Air Art Experience
Celebrate more than 100 years of plein air art at Crystal Cove State Park. Come spend a relaxing day capturing the beauty of Crystal Cove on canvas with the guidance of a Crystal Cove plein air artist.
Click on photo for a larger image
Courtesy of Crystal Cove Conservancy
Plein air painting at Crystal Cove
Classes are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays from July 5 through August 30 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and are likely to sell out. Register now.
Sessions are held in Cottage #13 (The Beaches Cottage) in Crystal Cove State Park’s Historic District.
The cost is $100 per workshop; $85 for Conservancy members.
All supplies are provided. Class size is limited to 12 people, ages 18 and up only.
New dates have been added for their Family Plein Air Art Exploration classes for you artists 8 years of age and up. During the two-hour program, family teams will explore the basics of plein air painting, and then each family member will create a masterpiece that captures the summer spirit of the Cove. These classes from 9-11 a.m. are offered July 6 and July 20, so register now! Sessions are held in Cottage #13 (The Beaches Cottage) in Crystal Cove State Park’s Historic District.
For more information, visit www.crystalcove.org.
Police Beat Primer
Compiled by Suzie Harrison
Police Beat derives from information in the daily police and arrest logs published on the City of Laguna Beach’s website and required under CA Government Code Section 6254 (f). Additional information is obtained through communication with the Laguna Beach Police Department’s Public Information Officer.
Information in the logs is deemed reliable and Stu News Laguna is not responsible for any mistakes made available as public record by the Laguna Beach Police Department.
Any person arrested is innocent until found guilty in a court of law.
