Art
“LCAD MFA ’14”
June 8-29; Laguna Art Museum
For a limited time this summer, the Laguna Art Museum will host the artwork of Master of Fine Arts students at the Laguna College of Art & Design. In its third year, the entirely student-created exhibition showcases the breadth of growth and research completed throughout the two-year MFA program and exposes the students to showing contemporary art in modern platforms. (949-494-8971; lagunaartmuseum.org)
Laguna Beach Art Festivals
June 27 – Aug. 31; Laguna Canyon
Visit one (or all) of Laguna’s premier art festivals—the Sawdust Art Festival (June 27 to Aug. 31), the Festival of Arts (July 6 to Aug. 30), the Pageant of the Masters (July 9 to Aug. 30) and Art-A-Fair (June 27 to Aug. 31). All are located within walking distance of one another in Laguna Canyon. (Sawdust Art Festival: 949-494-3030; sawdustartfestival.org) (Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters: 800-487-3378; foapom.com) (Art-A-Fair: 949-494-4514; art-a-fair.com)
“Rex Brandt: In Praise of Sunshine”
June 29 – Sept. 21; Laguna Art Museum
Take a look back through the life and art of Rex Brandt as depicted through his landscape works. “In Praise of Sunshine” pays tribute to the watercolor icon through approximately 50 of his paintings, all of which focus on the world in motion as illuminated by the sun. (949-494-8971; lagunaartmuseum.org)
Entertainment
“Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks”
Through June 8; Laguna Playhouse
“Six Dance Lessons” is a true triple-threat featuring the tale of a struggling widow (Emmy Award winner Leslie Caron) looking to find solace through dance with the help of her newly hired instructor. This musical comedy will get your toes tapping and hearts fluttering as the pair waltz through one another’s lives sharing more than just dance steps. (949-497-2787; lagunaplayhouse.com)
Live! at the Museum: AlmaNova
June 12; Laguna Art Museum
AlmaNova brings together melodic sounds of the flute with rhythmic guitar riffs to present an eclectic program of world music. The duo, which has traveled from the stages of Stockholm to Paris and San Francisco, provides a unique twist on classical music that keeps the audience engaged. (949-715-9713; lagunabeachlive.org)
“Jersey Boys”
June 24 – July 13; Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa
Widely reviewed as a must-see musical this season, “Jersey Boys” is expected to bring a thrilling performance to the Segerstrom stage with its rags-to-riches tale about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The 2006 Tony Award winner brings such hits as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry” and “Oh, What a Night,” which are sure to have audiences singing along. (714-556-2787; scfta.org)
Upcoming Concerts
Ongoing; The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano Honk, May 31, 8 p.m.; An Evening with Rickie Lee Jones, June 1, 8 p.m.; Justin Hayward, June 3, 8 p.m.; Lyvyn Skynyrd, June 7, 8 p.m.; Wild Child, June 14, 8 p.m.; Rod Piazza, June 15, 7 p.m.; Spencer Day, June 22, 7 p.m.; Cultura Profetica, June 24, 8 p.m.; The Winery Dogs, June 26, 8 p.m.; Strunz & Farah, June 29, 7 p.m.; Abba Fab, July 12, 8 p.m. (949-496-8930; thecoachhouse.com)
Activities
Keep it Wild Volunteer
Day June 21; Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Help maintain habitat for local wildlife in the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park by joining Laguna Canyon Foundation and OC Parks staff in the removal of non-native plants and replacing them with native plants. Volunteers will meet at the Nix Nature Center prior to setting out on a three-hour midmorning adventure on the park’s trails. (949-497-8324; lagunacanyon.org)
Laguna Beach Junior Lifeguards
June 23 – July 10; Heisler Park
In the first of two day camp sessions for kids ages 8 to 15 this summer, participants don the title of junior lifeguard as they participate in fun activities that teach ocean safety, rescue techniques, physical fitness and good sportsmanship during action-packed days at the beach. (949-497-0716, ext. 6; lagunabeachcity.net)
Laguna Beach Surf School
June 23 – Aug. 29; Thalia Street Beach
Children ages 8 and older are welcome to come catch their first wave and the accompanying “surfer’s stoke” under the watchful guidance of professional surfer Steven Chew and his Laguna Surf & Sport crew—the only requirement is knowing how to swim. The weeklong sessions run through August, and each culminates with a surf-themed pizza party. (949-497-0716, ext. 6; lagunabeachcity.net)
Charity Events
Taste of the Nation
June 8; Montage Laguna Beach
Sample dishes by six celebrity chefs and two local host chefs—including Montage Laguna Beach’s own Craig Strong and Lee Smith—while sipping craft spirits and fine wines amid live entertainment and auction activities. All proceeds benefit the Community Action Partnership of Orange County and Second Harvest Orange County Food Bank Capistrano. (949-481-7792; ce.strength.org)
June 12; seven-degrees
Laguna Dance Festival presents its 10th anniversary celebration—wine, food, live dance performances and a silent auction—to help raise funds to support the program and its mission of sharing the development of dance through presentation and education. Proceeds will benefit the 2014 performance season. (949-715-5578; lagunadancefestival.org)
Palette to Palate
June 13; Laguna Art Museum
The ninth annual Palette to Palate dinner event benefiting the museum and its educational efforts will once again “wow” attendees with an impressive four-course meal prepared on site by Craig Strong, executive chef of Studio at Montage Laguna Beach. His culinary creations will be paired with wines from Jonata Wines and a work of art—new to the museum—at each dining table. (949-494-8971; lagunaartmuseum.org)