Twenty years on: LagunaTunes is still making music and ready to deliver its “Greatest Hits” in upcoming performance

By THERESA KEEGAN

For the past two decades, members of LagunaTunes Chorus have been proving that music truly is the universal language of mankind. Whether they’re performing songs celebrating the joys or tragedies of life, this vocal group delivers it all in their community concerts. And their upcoming concert “Laguna Tunes Greatest Hits” will be delivering the best of the best of prior shows.

What started in 2003 with a dozen people in the basement of the American Legion, is now a 60-person choral group that performs standing-room only shows at the Artists Theater in the Laguna Beach High School.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photos courtesy of LagunaTunes

The LagunaTunes’ concerts often focus on a musical theme or artist. One year, the group performed a Beatles show, including the fun-filled “Yellow Submarine” song, complete with props. Some music by the Beatles will be performed in the upcoming anniversary show “Laguna Tunes Greatest Hits.”

“I honestly didn’t think it’d last this long,” said Lisa Morrice, who, as a founding member, arranged the group’s paperwork and secured its nonprofit status. With Roxanna Ward’s enthusiasm and skill as the initial director and Pat Kollenda’s desire to have a community vocal group, LagunaTunes has a solid foundation.

“Nobody has to audition, it’s open to everyone,” said Kollenda. “It’s great because when you sing with other people there’s a camaraderie – a family feeling – and laughter.”

Ward explained that initially membership ebbed and flowed, but as LagunaTunes became established in the community – and started giving out scholarships to area students – the weekly rehearsals which culminated in two annual shows, became an integral part of Laguna’s music scene.

“When you come to sing, everything just goes away,” said Ward. “It’s therapy and when you’re all agreeing on something, harmony happens.”

Click on photo for a larger image

LagunaTunes Chorus may be known for their annual spring and holiday concerts, but they are also active members in the community and joyfully participate in the Patriot’s Day parade

These three founding members are quick to recount tales of formative days when Hospitality Night performances were interlaced with various refreshing pit stops, securing rehearsal spaces involved negotiations, plans for participating in the Patriot’s Day parade were hatched and closing songs were rousing multi-generational performances. They finish each other’s sentences, quickly laugh at fond memories and are passionately dedicated to keeping this vocal group thriving in Laguna Beach.

Click on photo for a larger image

Members of the community LagunaTunes Chorus are serious singers who, in the past 20 years, have also developed many ways to have fun with their music

Kollenda, who is also a member of the city’s Arts Commission, explained that when you foster one type of art, it enhances other art throughout town. “Music is my love – it’s an expression of who I am.”

Ward believes the choral experience is critical not just for the singers, but also the audience.

“You really have to listen to live music,” she said. “It seems in many places today we’ve lost the art of listening and singing is a way to get that back.”

Having a choral group welcoming to all is the fundamental mantra of Laguna Tunes said Ward. “We never tell somebody you can’t.”

When Laguna Beach resident Nora Keane visited the group in 2010, she had a good ear, and loved to sing but without the ability to read music, she was “terrified” about what she would encounter. Her fears were quickly allayed.

“I was welcomed whole-heartedly by this eclectic, free-spirited group and was immediately hooked,” she said. “I’ve been singing with them ever since. It just feels good to be part of a collective whole making beautiful music.”

Click on photo for a larger image

Musical Director Bob Gunn and President Patti Jo Kiraly enthusiastically support the weekly practices and two annual shows performed by the LagunaTunes Chorus

The collaborative process is critical for success, said current Director Bob Gunn. (Christin Cornell has also directed the group.)

Click open story button to continue reading…

Murder (and more) on the Links

By Nancy Carpenter

The Laguna Playhouse has been around for more than 100 years. You’d think by now there would be very little to report. For me, it was a matter of where to begin.

An opportunity to speak with David Ellenstein was the perfect starting point. The Laguna Playhouse board of directors recently named him artistic director, and that is no surprise. For nearly five decades, Ellenstein has carried his talents and the traditions of his theatrical family to more than 300 productions staged across the country.

For us, he has been a familiar fixture in a variety of capacities since the mid-‘90s, and artistic director at North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach since 2003. There, he helmed more than 60 productions, including well-known plays (Travels with My Aunt and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), translations (The Father) and several world premieres (Becoming Cuba and Words by Ira Gershwin). When asked, Ellenstein wisely hesitated to say he has a favorite. “I love both old and new genres, drama, comedy and anything in between, the whole field of entertainment. And I always like to include a musical in every season.”

If his face is familiar, it’s because he also acts. Locals might remember him as Einstein in the LP’s staging of Picasso at the Lapin Agile. He has performed readings, including Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap. He’s found time to be cast in more than two dozen film and television roles. Versatility has worked for him.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photos by Aaron Rumley

(L-R) Jessica Mosher, Matthew Salazar-Thompson, Kim Morgan-Dean, Omri Schein, Brian Mackey and Jennifer Erdmann

 The board also announced the appointment of Bill Kerlin, an expert in the business side of things including finance, marketing and sales. For the last 12 years, he was managing director at North Coast, so he and Ellenstein are no strangers. Kerlin’s experience is not limited to live theater entertainment. He has worked with diverse companies focused on retirement strategies and insurance, and a performing arts company – Camposition – involved in artistic activism, interactive outreach programs and professional development training. While that all sounds less glamorous, financial savvy and the breadth of his hands-on knowledge is critical to theatrical success.

The two men are not abandoning their commitment to North Coast and that makes this newsworthy. They came up with the idea of leveraging and applying what they have done so well together and “transfer” that success – that production – to another venue. Thus, they create a financially and geographically feasible synergy that complements more than one organization and audience.

That venue is Laguna Playhouse.

“Both Bill and I are excited at being at LB,” he said. “We are looking forward to getting to know everyone in the community.”

Click on photo for a larger image

 (L-R) Kim Morgan Dean, Omri Schein and Brian Mackey

And that success: Under their watchful eyes, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Links premiered at North Coast to become their longest and highest grossing non-musical production in their 41-season history. Why not take the show up the road to the Laguna Playhouse for a run from May 31 through June 18? This could be their perfect win-win example of what can happen when people, theatrical venues, communities and commitment come together.

Let’s look at the logistics. Typical to theater, once the final curtain drops and the applause dies, the cast has a closing night party, stages are struck, everything is packed up and everyone goes home. But what if backdrops and props are moved to another location? Even if that stage is bigger (as it is in this case), it’s a matter of reassembling and repositioning what they already have. According to Ellenstein, Scene Designer Marty Burnett is the “Staff Wizard” when it comes to staging, particularly when you consider the action occurs in England and France, on trains and boats, in cars and speakeasies and bedrooms, and of course, on the links. Burnett created a playground that is “colorful, bright and funny.” Pop-up panels allow props to enter and exit as seamlessly as the actors themselves. Indeed, Burnett is a wizard.

As for the cast of six, their costumes have already been fitted. They know their lines, their cues and each other. They were all-in for another run less than an hour away.

Click on photo for a larger image

 (L-R) Jennifer Erdmann, Jessica Mosher, Kim Morgan Dean and Omri Schein

For those of you familiar with Christie’s iconic detective Hercule Poirot and plots with spiraling numbers of suspects, you might wonder how six people can carry off a masterful whodunit with 24 speaking roles. Start with the two main leads played by Omri Schein as Poirot himself and Kim Morgan Dean as Captain Hastings. Yes, Poirot’s righthand is cast as a woman dressed smartly in a man’s dapper suit.

Click open story button to continue reading…

Going BANANAS! in Bluebird Canyon

By Nancy Carpenter

One recent weekday afternoon, I caught up with Abigail Munn, co-founder along with David Hunt of Circus Bella, and took an immediate liking to her. She loves circuses. I love circuses. She loves acrobats defying gravity. I love acrobats defying gravity. She loves events featuring live music. I love events featuring live music. She loves the art of clowning around. I love the art of clowning around – well, not really clowning around. Maybe not clowns at all. But after talking with her, I got a whole new perspective of what clowns and circuses are all about.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of Circus Bella

Founders Abigail Munn and David Hunt realizing their dream

The fact that Munn grew up quite literally in the backstage maze of the San Francisco Opera – her father was lighting director – was all she needed to kick-start her passion. Her talents as dancer, choreographer and aerialist gave her the ingredients to join a circus. But that would be too easy. Instead, why not turn her aspirations into a circus. Hold on: That doesn’t sound quite right.

Enter David Hunt. The two connected, conversed, compared visions and concluded, let’s not wait for the circus to come to town, the town being San Francisco. Let’s make one. Let’s name it, hmmm, Circus Bella! That was back in 2008.

What does a circus look like? More important, what was the look they wanted for Circus Bella? Way back, Ringling Brothers with its big animals and bigger tents, was the definition of circus. Now it’s Cirque du Soleil, a more intimate experience with live music and in-the-round performances. Less about the talents of animals (except for “Cavalia”), and more about very talented people achieving superhuman feats. I can attest to an addiction to Cirque du Soleil.

Munn and Hunt wanted their circus accessible and available (code for free) to everyone, staged in parks or other open spaces that are part of their communities. They wanted an immersive experience minus the brick and mortar of a Big Top. Not that they haven’t done that albeit on a smaller scale that doesn’t compromise the intimacy. Tents, after all, do take the worry out of weather issues. “Kaleidoscope” was first performed in the winter on Treasure Island before they packed their tent pole for Snowmass and Avon, both in Colorado. 

Circus Bella is also available for corporate occasions or private venues, customizing the event to fit their client’s vision.

But the open-air concept under the umbrella of Circus in the Parks is where they put most of their efforts. Circus Bella has delivered more than 160 performances attended by more than 80,000 people in 37 locations. In 2017, they were invited to participate in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival’s 50th Anniversary event held in Washington D.C.’s National Mall. That production was called “Bay City Rhapsody.”

But not everyone can go to Washington. Nor does Circus Bella wait for communities to discover them. They are a nonprofit that reaches out, often to those that are underserved. They merge themed concepts with their own talented employees to bring the vision alive. For each production they go through three weeks of half-day rehearsals.

Courtesy of Circus Bella

Two shows on Saturday, June 10 – at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Laguna Beach is not a stranger to Circus Bella. Last year we got to experience “Flip*Flop*Fly.” This year’s show is titled “BANANAS!” because, as Munn put it, “Sometimes it feels like the whole world is going a bit bananas.” We agreed, bananas are a funny fruit. Hard not to smile when you think of a banana. But before we start peeling that bunch…Sorry.

We settled into a discussion about various forms of entertainment that embrace a universal across-languages-and-borders appeal. Music is obvious, including opera. Anywhere in the world, weary from travel, you can stumble onto musicians and singers, formal or informal, indoors or out, sit back, connect with others and let yourself be taken to another universe.

Circus is the same, but also different. International roots run deep in a circus. Stilt-walking was first seen in Africa, foot jugglers in China and contortionists in Mongolia. They roamed about with their gifts of entertainment, gathering more talent. The art of circus is often a family affair, the traditions passed down from one generation to the next. But for those new to the trade, a circus can be a lifesaver that requires both discipline and dreams of achieving something different, something bigger than ourselves.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by John Little/Haphazard Imagination

Jefferson Freire juggling 

Juggling is as synonymous with the circus as clowns. Impossible to highlight all the performers, but we agreed, Circus Bella’s own Jefferson Freire stands out. Freire lived with his mother in one of Sao Paulo, Brazil’s tougher suburbs noted for its lack of opportunities underscored by crime, poverty and drugs. Rather than following any of those paths, Freire picked up clubs and started to juggle. Eventually he studied under Anderson Pereira de Silva, now considered one of South America’s best jugglers. Pereira de Silva would be proud of him.

Juggling saved Freire’s life. In the tradition of paying-it-forward, Munn insists his juggling is magical and has saved many other lives. As for his talent, she adds, “Gravity applies to all of us except Jefferson.”

Click open story button to continue reading…

Laguna Live! Music for Summer

Click on photo for a larger image

Photos courtesy of LagunaLive!

Jodi Siegel 

–Tuesday, June 6 at 7 p.m.

Beth’s Tuesdays

Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center, 235 Forest Ave.

Popular monthly singer/songwriter showcase hosted by Beth Fitchet Wood. Joining Beth in June are Jodi Siegel and Harold Payne. Tickets are $15 in advance; $20 at the door.

Click on photo for a larger image

April Kim and Friends, June 8 

–Thursday June 8 at 7 p.m.

Live! at the Museum

Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive

Laguna Live! welcomes April Kim and Friends, string quartet to their monthly chamber music concert in collaboration with Laguna Art Museum. The concert is free to Laguna Live! members and Museum members; $14 nonmembers. Reservations are recommended.

Click on photo for a larger image

MohaviSoul, Bluegrass & BBQ, June 11

–Sunday, June 11, 4-7 p.m. (BBQ 4-6 p.m., Concert 5-7 p.m.)

Bluegrass & BBQ

Laguna College of Art + Design, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

A delightful afternoon of outstanding Bluegrass music from MohaviSoul and delicious Texan BBQ by Richard Jones Pit BBQ. This Laguna Live favorite takes place in the picturesque grounds of LCAD. Tickets are $25-$110.

Tickets for all events are available at www.lagunalive.org.

Laguna Craft Guild to hold show on June 11

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of Laguna Craft Guild

The Laguna Craft Guild will return to the Main Beach Cobblestones on Sunday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to dusk. Come by and meet the local artists and find great gifts. This is their last show until the fall. For more information and the schedule of future shows, visit www.lagunacraftguild.com. (Pictured are Blue Wave Bath and beauty cold process soaps.)

Sawdust Art Festival’s calendar is full in June and the 57th Annual Sawdust opens on June 30

Sawdust Art Festival is offering a variety of art classes for June – a program that operates in the festival off-season. From Van Gogh to fused jewelry and castles, they offer myriad experiences from which to choose to get creative, so sign up now.

The 57th Annual Sawdust Art Festival will open on Friday, June 30th and continue through Sunday, September 3rd. It will be open Fri/Sat, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sun-Thurs, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. For tickets, click here.

These are a few of the workshops coming up soon. For a complete listing of classes (and to register), click here.

Click on photo for a larger image

Submitted photos

Basic Cartoon Drawing on Thursdays throughout June

–Thursday, June 8, 3-5 p.m.

–Thursday, June 15, 3-5 p.m.

–Thursday, June 22, 3-5 p.m.

–Thursday, June 29, 3-5 p.m.

Basic Cartoon Drawing with David Fleischmann

Tap into a powerful art-form to entertain and influence. This expressive medium is simple to learn and accessible to all skill levels. An hour of instruction with demonstration, followed by an hour of workshop time, questions and one-on-one training.

Cost: $95, includes all materials.

After Dark: Van Gogh Cypress Tree and Star on May 27 and June 9

–Saturday, May 27, 4-6 p.m.

–Friday, June 9, 5-7 p.m.

After Dark: Van Gogh Cypress Tree and Star with Lisa Rainey

Learn the techniques of Master Impressionist Vincent Van Gogh while sipping on a glass of wine! Brush work, color, light and movement are the key elements of what you will be focusing on in this class. Leave with knowledge and appreciation for this famous artist who pioneered new territory and techniques. Gain a sense of freedom of expression, as you play with shapes and color.

High quality art materials will be provided including acrylic paints, a variety of brushes, 11”x14” canvas, palette knife and printed colored reference image. And of course, wine.

Cost: $95 per student. Includes all materials and wine.

I Spy Your Eye Photography on June 16

–Friday, June 16, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

I Spy Your Eye Photography with Mary Church

Join artist Mary Church in this three-part class covering the key principles of photography. In the first part of the class, Church will talk you through the key elements including perspective, composition, color, design and imagery. Then, under her guidance, you will explore the grounds of the Sawdust Festival to create three different printed images (one 8.5”x11” and two 4”x6”) that you will take home. The final element of this class will be a display of your images and discoveries that you made during your time with us.

To participate in this class, you will need to have either a digital camera, an iPhone/iPad, or Android/smart phones (all digital devices welcome!). This class is suitable for ages 10-110.

Cost: $95 per person. To register, click here.

Make your own Indigo Sarong on June 16

–Friday, June 16, 2-4 p.m.

Make your own Indigo Sarong with Reem Khalil

Learn how to make Organic Indigo dye vat and original patterns using the ancient technique Shibori. In this workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of Shibori pattern making and how to create a variety of shapes focusing on folded, tied and clamped resist dyeing. You will leave with a stunning indigo dyed, 100% cotton sarong or scarf measuring 45”x 72”.

Cost: $120.

Click open story button to continue reading…

LBCAC celebrates a summer of exciting events and Juneteenth Jubilee

The Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center (LBCAC) is looking forward to a fun-filled May and the onset of summer and the celebration of Juneteenth Jubilee.

Click on photo for a larger image

Jodi Siegel - June 6

Harold Payne - June 6

–Tuesday, June 6, 7 p.m.

 Beth’s Tuesdays, featuring Jodi Siegel and Harold Payne

Concerts are in person and held at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center on a Tuesday of each month. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door.

For tickets, click here.

Click on photo for a larger image

The Jordan Ferrin Storyband - June 9

–Friday, June 9, 8 p.m.

The Jordan Ferrin Storyband

The Jordan Ferrin Storyband combines melodic-groove jazz and live storytelling into an experience of connection. It is an experience as unique as it is engaging.

California-born woodwind player Jordan Ferrin spent years traveling the world as a cruise ship musician, inspiring The Jordan Ferrin Storyband. The band’s debut album Tales of Transcendence was released in March 2022 to acclaim throughout Europe. For tickets, click here.

–Session 1 | June 12 and 14

–Session 2 | June 26 and 28

–Session 3 | July 10 and 12

–Session 4 | July 24 and 26*

Essay Hell Workshops: Janine Robinson

(For college-bound students), Monday and Wednesday, Noon to 2 p.m.

$300 pp (Max. 12)

This summer, writing coach Robinson will offer narrative writing workshops for both high school students and aspiring writers. The first will teach college-bound students how to power their college application essays with their real-life stories so they stand out from the crowd. The second will work with participants who want to discover their most compelling personal stories and express them using a variety of storytelling writing techniques. To register for Robinson’s workshops, (#1 and/or #2) click here.

Workshop #1: Ready to Escape Essay Hell?

College application essays can be critical in helping students get into their target schools – especially for the most sought-after colleges and universities. The pressure to write them can be unbearable. A former journalist and writing coach, Robinson believes anyone can craft personal essays that reveal who they are, what they care about and why it matters. Using her self-discovery framework and storytelling strategies, Janine teaches students how to tap their real-life stories to craft slice-of-life essays that set them apart from the competition.

Workshop #2: College Application Essays: A Crash Course in Narrative Writing

In this workshop, Robinson teaches how to write an effective college application essay (for the CommonApp, transfer, scholarship, UC and other admissions essays) and escape Essay Hell. Following her step-by-step writing process, students brainstorm compelling topics and craft them into slice-of-life essays using narrative writing techniques. 

This last workshop is free to students who can’t afford the enrollment fee. Contact Janine Robinson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and ask how to qualify.

–Session 1 | June 19 and 21

–Session 2 | July 17 and 19

How to Find and Tell Your Best Stories

Storytelling Jam: For Aspiring Writers of All Ages

(For aspiring writers 18+), Monday and Wednesday, Noon to 2 p.m.

$200 pp (Max 10)

We all have stories, but how do we remember and recognize the good ones? And then, how do we tell them in ways that make others want to listen? In this lighthearted workshop, Robinson helps participants discover their real-life stories and teaches narrative writing prompts and techniques to make them engaging and meaningful. All writing levels welcome.

Robinson, a Laguna Beach writing coach, spent the last decade teaching students, parents and teachers how to find their unique stories to power college application essays. Her business is called Essay Hell. Before that, she spent several decades as a journalist, working as a reporter for The Miami Herald and OC Register, as well as the editor of local magazines and Internet companies. She also is a credentialed high school English teacher. In her writing workshops, Robinson helps her students conjure up their personal stories and share them using narrative writing techniques. Learn more at www.essayhell.com.

Click on photo for a larger image

“Summer of Soul” - June 21

Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center partners with Neighborhood Congregational Church to offer Juneteenth Jubilee, a week of cultural history celebration and education June 19-24.

For tickets to events, click here.

Juneteenth Jubilee – Event and Artist Details

–Monday, June 19 Ted Hawkins: Amazing Grace a film by Janice Engel with post-screening discussion, 1 p.m. $15/$25/$50 inclusive

Ted Hawkins was often called the world’s greatest street singer. Abandoned by his parents as a boy, Hawkins came to California in his early 20s, determined to make a career for himself as a musician. When record deals didn’t pan out and paying gigs failed to come his way, Hawkins would set up on the boardwalk of L.A.’s Venice Beach, singing to passersby for tips. In 1994, Hawkins was signed to a major record deal and released an acclaimed album, The Next Hundred Years, which earned rave reviews and paved the way for a successful international concert tour.

–Conversation with the Sage: Dorothy Randall Gray Speaks – 2:30 p.m. $15/$25/$50 inclusive

Dorothy Randall Gray is a teacher, poet, global activist and author of the bestseller Soul Between The Lines: Freeing Your Creative Spirit Through Writing, as well as Taste of Tamarinda, Muse Magic, Family, Creative Rituals for Daily Living and The Passion Collection. Her work has been published in many notable periodicals and anthologies: The New York Times, Drum Voices, Heart&Soul, SisterFire, HealthQuest and Conditions.

–Chicago Blues musician Brother Yusef – 3:30 p.m. $15/$25/$50

Brother Yusef is a self-taught musician, master solo guitarist and unique vocalist. His performances are raw, honest and as real as the genre has ever aspired to be. Honed over 30 years, he calls his multifaceted style “fattback blues” for its a rich mix of Delta, Chicago and Texas blues with a hard-driving Louisiana stomp.

–Wednesday, June 21, 7 p.m.

Summer of Soul Film – Free admission

In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary – part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Over the course of six weeks in the summer of 1969, just 100 miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park).

–Saturday, June 24 at 6 p.m. VISION, $35 includes Tibetan meal

VISION is the sultry vocal union of Sharetta, Leara (Measha), Shari and Ashley, four young Black women who have been singing in and around Los Angeles since childhood. They will perform all genres of music, from soul and R&B to gospel and jazz, with a natural adeptness at elaborate harmonies and challenging arrangements.

Note that the second-floor Center is not currently ADA-accessible from the street level.

LBCAC has installed a Patriot Air Purification System to ensure a virus free environment.

Grant funding was made possible by the lodging establishments and the City of Laguna Beach.

LBCAC is located at 235 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach.

For tickets and the LBCAC calendar, go to www.lbculturalartscenter.org.

LBCAC has installed a Patriot Air Purification System to ensure a virus-free environment.

Grant funding was made possible by the lodging establishments and the City of Laguna Beach.

LAM has a full June calendar

Many exciting exhibitions are on view at Laguna Art Museum (LAM) and the museum has added more public programs, including innovative workshops and musical performances.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photos courtesy of LAM

April Kim and Friends on June 8

–Thursday, June 8, 7 p.m.

Live! at the Museum: April Kim and Friends

Join this string quartet consisting of violins and a cello as they perform in the museum. Please arrive early to enjoy the museum’s exhibitions and social time.

April Kim is a Korean-American violinist and entrepreneur who seeks to utilize her bicultural background, musical passion and business leadership to share the art of music, cultivate partnerships and broaden her positive influence in the community.

Woojin Park began her musical journey at The Special Music School under Rimsky-Korsakov Conservatory in Russia, where she developed a strong foundation in classical music.

Hanna Kim, cellist, completed her M.M. in Cello Performance and B.M. in Cello Performance from California State University, Fullerton.

Sungjin Park, viola, is a violist, educator and innovative musician. Growing up in South Korea, Dr. Park took part in several competitions, placing first in the Yonsei University Concerto Competition.

Live! at the Museum is presented in partnership with Laguna Beach Live!

Laguna Live! concerts are partially funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach. Advance tickets are recommended.

Laguna Art Museum members & Laguna Beach Live! Members: Free, 

Non-members: $14 per person. For tickets, click here.

Click on photo for a larger image

LAM Goes BOOM on June 10

–Saturday, June 10, 6 p.m.

LAM Goes BOOM: A Pride Celebration

This is a vivacious event that honors the legacy of Laguna Beach’s bygone gay bars, specifically the historic Boom Boom Room, once a local hub that drew members of the Southern California LGBTQ+ community for decades before closing in 2007. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. on June 10, with a screening of Fred Karger’s documentary about the efforts to save the longtime gathering place, Save the Boom, in the museum’s galleries. Following the documentary screening, the atmosphere will shift into a lively dance party with DJ SoulFire. This event promises to be a night of celebration and remembrance, perfectly embodying the essence of Pride Month.

“Pride Month holds a special place at our museum, which has a proud history of being an important partner in Laguna Beach as a place of inclusivity,” said Julie Perlin Lee, executive director of Laguna Art Museum. “Art has the power to foster dialogue, promote understanding and inspire change. We are eagerly looking forward to welcoming the community to the museum this June as we come together to embrace the LGBTQ+ community and the vibrant spirit of Pride Month.”

Advance tickets are strongly recommended and admission includes one cocktail for guests aged 21 and above. Museum members can attend for $20, while non-members are welcome for $35. For tickets, click here.

“Quest for Perfection,” 1990, Russell Crotty, LAM Collection, Gift of Stuart Spence and Judith Vida-Spence

–Sunday, June 11, 2 p.m.

Artist Spotlight: Russell Crotty

Join Artist Russell Crotty and LAM Curatorial Fellow Rochelle Steiner for a special conversation on Crotty’s work that’s on view in Southern California Contemporary Art: Gifts from the Stuart Spence and Judith Vida-Spence Collection. Crotty will also discuss his engagement with subjects including astronomy, landscape, mapping and coastal studies. In this public event, Crotty and Steiner will explore ways his work interweaves the natural and manmade worlds.

 Limited space available. Advance tickets are recommended. Museum members: $20, Non-members: $35. For tickets, click here.

Interactive Storytime and art-making experience on June 17

–Saturday, June 17, 11 a.m.

Drag Storytime Saturday

Bring your little ones to Laguna Art Museum for an interactive storytime and art-making experience unlike any other. Read-alouds will be supplemented with mindfulness exercises, art-making projects, or in-gallery activities that promote meaningful connections with caregivers and others.

Drag Story Hour is just what it sounds like! Storytellers, using the art of drag, read family-friendly books to kids to capture the imagination of childhood and gives kids glamorous, positive and unabashedly queer role models. In spaces like this, kids are able to see people who defy rigid gender restrictions and imagine a world where everyone can be their authentic selves.

This Month’s Session

In honor of Pride Month, Pickle (our drag queen storyteller) will read It’s Okay To Be Different by Todd Parr and The Hips on the Drag Queen Go Swish, Swish, Swish by Lil Miss Hot Mess with a project afterwards to express yourself.

All children receive free admission. Tickets are required for accompanying adults only. Museum members: $7, Non-members: $14. For tickets, click here.

John Kleitsch, The Artist, 1907, LAM Permanent Collection Museum purchase with funds provided in part from Janet Barker Spurgeon and John Roger Barker

–Sunday, June 25, 2 p.m.

Exhibition Walk-Through: Kleitsch

Join Curatorial Fellow Jean Stern for a walk-through of the Laguna Art Museum’s newest exhibition Joseph Kleitsch: Abroad and at Home in Old Laguna. Gain insight to the curatorial process and learn about the works on view.

Advance tickets are recommended. Museum members: $7, Non-members: $14

For tickets, click here.

Live! at the Museum, Quarteto Nuevo on July 9

–Sunday, July 9, 1 p.m.

Live! at the Museum: Quarteto Nuevo

Join this quartet consisting of saxophone, cello, guitar and percussion as they perform in the museum. Please arrive early to enjoy the museum’s exhibitions and social time. Live! at the Museum is presented in partnership with Laguna Beach Live! Laguna Live! concerts are partially funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach. Advance tickets are recommended.

Laguna Art Museum members and Laguna Beach Live! members: Free, Non-members: $14 per person.

For tickets, click here.

For more information about Laguna Art Museum exhibitions and programming, visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org.

Laguna Art Museum is located at 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach.

Cultural Arts features Promenade musicians, concerts in the park and Circus Bella

–Friday, June 9, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Stage on Forest - Felisha Dunne

–Saturday, June 10, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Stage on Forest - Kelly Fitzgerald

–Sunday, June 11, 5-7 p.m.

Stage on Forest - Jason Feddy

Photos courtesy of City of LB

World Music Series - Twanguero, June 16

–Fridays, June 9 and 16, 6:30 p.m.-sunset

World Music Series at Heisler Park Amphitheater

June 9, Firebird Ensemble

June 16, Twanguero

Join the Arts Commission for this free live music series featuring authentic cultural music from around the world.

This program is funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

Click on photo for a larger image

Circus Bella: a modern twist on a one-ring circus…overflowing with Heart and Soul

–Saturday, June 10, showtimes at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Circus Bella at Bluebird Park, 14th Annual Summer Season 2023

BANANAS! with Live Music by Rob Reich & The Circus Bella All-Star Band.

All shows are free and for children of all ages.

Circus Bella is excited to announce their jubilant return to the park with its 14th annual all new, open air, outdoor show: BANANAS! - A Bombastic, Ballyhoo, and Celebration of Silliness. Circus Bella offers a modern twist on a one-ring circus…overflowing with heart and soul. This series of free performances will delight and amaze children of all ages in a treasured family event. The 60-minute shows feature the effervescent Circus Bella Company and a stellar array and diverse talented troupe of acrobats, aerialists, jugglers and clowns from the Bay Area and beyond performing to the live music of Rob Reich and the six-piece Circus Bella All-Star Band. BANANAS! is directed by Abigail Munn (Circus Bella co-founder and director).

More information is available at https://www.circusbella.org/.

These programs are presented by the City of Laguna Beach Arts Commission and funded by the lodging establishments and City of Laguna Beach.

For more information about the Cultural Arts Programs, click here.

Eco Weekend at the Sawdust Art Festival offers complimentary classes for three days in June

Sawdust Art Festival is partnering with Bank of America for a three-day weekend of complimentary art classes that will support eco-education and land stewardship within the community.

Eco Weekend at the Sawdust will feature 15 exciting projects on Friday, June 9 through Sunday, June 11 that will include the use of recycled paint, found objects, upcycled fabrics, eco-prints, natural plant dyes and more. Workshops will be taught onsite by exhibiting Sawdust artists in small groups of 10 students per class, and will be entirely free to the public.

Due to a limited capacity with a high demand, tickets are required to attend Eco Weekend classes and will be capped at one workshop per person.

This educational opportunity is provided by Bank of America, with additional funding through the Laguna Beach Arts Commission. Thank you to ENCORE Paints for its generous donation of recycled paints.

For more information and to sign-up, click here.

–Friday, June 9

Wildflower Tote Bag with Nancy Villere, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Create a unique tote using fresh flowers and recycled materials in this great introduction to a simple yet age-old flower pressing process.

Photography with Nature with Mary Church, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Join this discovery of looking at nature through a camera lens and explore the key principles of photography. An iPhone or Android smartphone is needed to take this class.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photos courtesy of Sawdust Festival

Natural Dyes - June 9

Natural Dyes 101 with Candice Brokenshire, 12-2 p.m.

Discover all the natural colors that are available to us locally and learn some basic skills on how to coax color out of a plant, as well as other various dye techniques.

Click on photo for a larger image

Create a denim whale on June 9

Upcycled Denim Plush Whale with Carmen Gundelach, 2-4 p.m.

Upcycle your old denim while you learn the basics of sewing to make a super cute plush whale. Bring your favorite fabric or choose from Carmen’s stash.

Repurposed Paper and Grocery Bag Collage with Charleine Guy, 2-4 p.m.

Turn paper grocery bags, old magazines and newspapers into a beautiful, mixed media collage.

–Saturday, June 10

Click on photo for a larger image

Make a sarong into a work of art with Shibori - June 10

Shibori Workshop with Reem Khalil, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Learn the fundamentals of folded, tied and clamped resist dyeing using the ancient technique of Shibori to transform a sarong into a work of art.

Click on photo for a larger image

ENCORE recycled paint - June 10

Responsible Abstract Painting with Hedy Buzan, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Paint onto recycled plywood with ENCORE recycled paint. Includes basic color theory instruction and a demo of proper disposal of paint and wastewater.

Mad Hatter Paper Bag Hats with Nansea Williams, 12-2 p.m.

A whimsical journey down the rabbit hole of recycled paper bags. Turn a humble paper grocery bag into a fabulous Mad Hatter Hat with twigs, feathers and leaves.

Click on photo for a larger image

Abstract Eco Bag of Love - June 10

Abstract Eco Bag of Love with Nancy Villere, 2-4 p.m.

Allow your creativity to go wild using recycled objects, found natural objects and recycled paint to create a custom tote bag.

Pollinator Plant Drawing with Julie Setterholm, 2-4 p.m.

Experience our native pollinator plant life and discover favorite botanical plants in this class where you’ll explore the grounds and create simple botanical drawings on what is seen.

–Sunday, June 11

Click on photo for a larger image

Twig Dolls - June 11

Twig Dolls with Nansea Williams, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Create a sweet folk family of twig dolls using found natural objects from the Sawdust grounds.

Transform trash into treasure - June 11

Household Trash Art with Candice Brokenshire, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Use household trash and natural materials to “feel” into new ways of thinking and working with cyanotype printing that will focus on exploration and composition.

Palm Frond Primitive Masks with David Fleischmann, 12-2 p.m.

Learn to make a decorative or wearable mask from repurposed palm fronds, salvaged from Queen Palms that grow all over Southern California.

Cyanotype Printmaking with Gabe Sullivan, 2-4 p.m.

Forage for found objects and watch as distinctive blue and white images come to life when the light sensitive paper is exposed to the sun, resulting in a unique print.

Natural Oil Painting with Anya Gourley, 2-4 p.m.

Learn the basics of mixing your own oil paints from natural earth pigments and non-toxic oil medium. 

LCAD presents Pacific Current MFA Thesis Exhibition at LCAD Gallery

Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) is presenting Pacific Current, featuring artwork by the 2023 graduates from LCAD’s Masters of Fine Arts programs in Drawing and Painting. This impressive exhibition acknowledges the refreshing surge of talent, creativity and drive that highlights the relevancy of merging time-honored skills and current ideas.

The exhibition on display at LCAD Gallery will continue through June 25.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of LCAD

Olivia Stude, “Mom and Dad,” Oil on board, 48”x36”

LCAD Gallery is pleased to share this opportunity to view and purchase artwork by the following dedicated and talented artists: Amanda Kazemi, Chapman Hamborg, Emma Yervandyan, Erika Bradberry, Jack Cai, Jackie Nagel, Jason Dowd, Kacy Yu, Kayla Janes, Kelly Jane Smith-Fatten, Marie Saporito, Olivia Stude, Rupy Kaloti and Sumire Kudo.

LCAD Gallery is located at 374 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach.

Gallery Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. LCAD Gallery admission is always free.

LOCA introduces new “Custom” Art Escapes for kids and families

LOCA continues to create exciting events and art escapes for both kids, families and adults to enjoy. Now, you can setup your very own art experience this summer. There are custom workshops for adults and groups, kids and families, and advanced sessions for those who want to improve their artistic skills with personal instruction. Designed for beginners to the most advanced student, lessons are in various Laguna locations, can be in your home or you can take a Zoom class.

“LOCA Certified” artists are offering classes and tours in a variety of Laguna Beach locations. Check out all the adventures and be inspired to receive individual attention, a wonderful time and unique access to some amazing artists. “Custom” Art Escapes are great activities for locals and visitors seeking unique art experiences in Laguna Beach.

This is just a sampling of the “Custom” Art Escapes LOCA offers, for the full listing, go to www.locaart.org/custom-art-escapes/.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photos courtesy of LOCA

Heisler Park Walking Tour of Public Art

–Heisler Park Walking Tour of Public Art

Instructor: Mike Tauber 

Enjoy a walk through this spectacular ocean-front park and get a close-up view of more than 14 works including sculptures, seating and floor murals in bronze, glass, metal, stone and ceramic. Unlike a regular docent – your guide Mike Tauber is a long-time Laguna Beach resident and artist who personally worked with many of the artists who made these pieces. The stories will amaze you!

Availability: Daylight hours. Available year-round.

Location: Heisler Park, Laguna Beach

Length of Time: 1.5 hours, five blocks

Fee: $290/event (1-12 people). To register, click here.

Watercolor & Ink Travel Journal Painting

–Watercolor & Ink Travel Journal Painting

Instructor: Mary Gulino

Have you ever wanted to capture the essence of a place by drawing or painting it? Join local artist, Mary Gulino, while she guides you through how to assess a scene and create a quick sketch, control paint flow and transparency with washes and glazes, and explore wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry painting techniques. Finally, each painting and inking will be brought to life with superfine permanent technical pens as you learn outlining and different texturing and shading techniques.

Availability: Upon Request

Location: Heisler Park, Laguna Beach or online over Zoom

Length of Time: 3 hours

Fee: $99 per person (min. 4, max. 8). To register, click here.

Paint-a-Donut Party

–Paint-a-Donut Party

Instructor: Lisa Mansour

Lisa Mansour, a Sawdust artist whose work can be seen at Quorum Gallery throughout the year, is offering this sweet treat. Gather your young friends and meet at Primi Donuts in Monarch Bay Plaza, Dana Point for a delicious snack and a painting lesson. Using one of Mansour’s donut paintings, you and your friends will “decorate” a donut using your imaginations and an array of acrylic paints and embellishments.

Availability: Anytime (two-week notice required)

Location: Primi Donuts, Dana Point

Length of Time: 1+ hours

Fee: $45 per person (Up to 12 people). Groups of four or more can be arranged with prior notice at their preferred park location and preferred day of the week (subject to artist availability.) To register, click here.

Block Printing Workshop

–Block Printing Workshop

Instructor: Reem Khalil

Learn the art of block printing with a variety of materials. In this workshop, you will focus on printing on fabric, but will touch on the techniques that will translate to other materials. Each participant will receive a cotton tote and lots of paper to print their original designs on and take home. If you really get the printing bug, they will also have extra blanks, T-shirts, scarves and cards if you really get into it…once you start you won’t want to stop. These make for great gifts. All supplies are included along with wine and refreshments.

Availability: Upon Request

Location: Artists Studio, Laguna Beach

Length of Time: 2 hours

Fee: $75/person. To register, click here.

Florals in Acrylics 

–Florals in Acrylics

Instructor: Lisa Rainey

Free yourself to be bold and expressive. Lisa Rainey will demonstrate her floral painting techniques step-by-step, encouraging you to capture the essence of the flower by working from life.

This class is about your creative expression through painting and your own view of what you see. Use your imagination and play with shapes, color and line. Rainey loves to use her knowledge and love of watercolor to bring a fresh way of painting in acrylics. Starting with warm washes first, you will build up the layers using thicker paint with brushes and palette knives. The desire is to create a floral painting that glows from within. Supplies are provided.

Availability: Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays

Location: Crescent Bay Park, Laguna Beach

Length of Time: 2+ hours

Fee: $220 for a private lesson, $150 each for 2-4 people. To register, click here.

Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund receives grant from the Festival of Arts

The Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund (SAEF) trustees are pleased to announce receipt of a generous $4,000 grant from the Festival of Arts Foundation. This grant will aid in funding in-person art classes and instructional art kits created by Laguna Beach artists for military personnel and families as well as other underserved populations.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of Sawdust Festival

The grant will help fund in-person art classes and art kits

The Sawdust Art Enrichment Fund (SAEF) is in year eleven of partnering with other organizations to fund art classes for these underserved populations taught by Laguna Beach artists. Not only has the military benefited from these opportunities, but others include at-risk youth, low-income seniors, homeless populations in rehabilitation and recovery, and more. Grants like this one from the Foundation afford SAEF the opportunity for greater outreach.

Artists Fund anticipates "Exhibit Opening Reception"

Sunday, July 2, 5-9 p.m.

“Exhibit Opening Reception” Invitational

Visit the Art-To-Go fundraising sale, along with 120 artist booths on the Festival grounds. Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road.

Summer is busting out all over for LPAPA’s June events

The best way to welcome summer is to spend time outdoors soaking up the beautiful landscapes. Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) has come up with some wonderful ways to do just that.

Click on photo for a larger image

Photo by Jeff Rovner

Kathleen Dunphy

–Tuesday, June 6 through Thursday June 8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Kathleen Dunphy: 3-Day Plein Air Painting Workshop

LPAPA is pleased to present a three-day “Signature Artist in Residence” Laguna Plein Air Painting Workshop with Kathleen Dunphy.

Frustrated with trying to catch the ever-changing light condition while painting outdoors? Always wanted to learn about plein air painting but have been afraid to try it? Need some inspiration to kick-start your work? This class is for you!

Join Dunphy, award-winning oil painter and LPAPA Signature Artist, for an intensive workshop of painting landscapes on location. Dunphy will walk you through her process for creating dynamic, light-filled paintings.

All levels are welcome from beginner to professional. This workshop starts with a comprehensive lecture on the fundamentals of good painting and tips for plein air work. The workshop includes lectures, hand-outs, demonstrations, lots of one-on-one instruction, and painting on location at various sites in and around Laguna Beach. Dunphy demonstrates her painting technique and students get the opportunity to paint several studies in this high-energy, three-day class. Students must provide their own art supplies, meals and transportation to and from painting sites. Maximum of 15 students, minimum of 10.

Tuition: $750 for LPAPA Members, $795 for Non-members

Locations: Day 1 meets at the LPAPA Gallery, 414 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. Call 949.376.3635. Other painting locations to be provided in advance, as well as a recommended supply list.

This workshop is currently full, but email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to add your name to the waitlist so they can contact you if a spot opens up.

Click on photo for a larger image

Courtesy of LPAPA

Paint Party Paint Along on June 7 and 21

–Wednesday June 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

“Home Sweet Home” Live with Debra Huse

The “Home Sweet Home” Paint Party Paint Along with Debra Huse will be lively brushstroke-by-brushstroke instruction filled with insightful tips.

Grab your paint and easel and join LPAPA Signature Artist Debra Huse for her Paint Like A Pro four-part Series 15 weekly live online Paint Alongs. Huse will provide the reference photos and guide you from start to finish as you paint along together, brushstroke by brushstroke, to complete a great little painting in less than two hours.

Paint Parties are fun for everyone, from beginner to more advanced painters. See, paint and learn with other artists from across the world. After the live Paint Party, the Paint Along video will be available in your online library for a lifetime of enjoyment. Sign up through LPAPA and Huse will donate a portion of her fee to support nonprofit LPAPA and its education programs.

Who doesn’t love a great farm with trees? Get clean color and thick, juicy paint. Design, light, shadow and color secrets revealed.

Tuition: $59 for an individual course. Go here to sign up.

–Wednesday June 21, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

“On the Lake” Live with Debra Huse

The “On the Lake” Paint Party Paint Along with Debra Huse will be lively brushstroke-by-brushstroke instruction filled with insightful tips.

Grab your paint and easel and join LPAPA Signature Artist Debra Huse for her Paint Like A Pro four-part Series 15 weekly live online Paint Alongs. Huse will provide the reference photos and guide you from start to finish as you paint along together, brushstroke by brushstroke, to complete a great little painting in less than two hours.

Paint Parties are fun for everyone, from beginner to more advanced painters. See, paint and learn with other artists from across the world. After the live Paint Party, the Paint Along video will be available in your online library for a lifetime of enjoyment. Sign up through LPAPA and Huse will donate a portion of her fee to support nonprofit LPAPA and its education programs.

Capture the sunset glow in the sky and on the lake, accentuated by beautiful dark trees. Enjoy and learn while you paint this sparkler of a painting that everyone will love.

Tuition: $59 for an individual course. Go here to sign up.

For more information about LPAPA, go to www.lpapa.org.