In The Arts

Editor’s note: This corrects an earlier version.

Saim Caglayan hosts paintout

Plein Air painter and founder of Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn. Saim Caglayan will host a paintout from 8 a.m. to noon Sunday at Heisler Park.

Meet at the corner of Jasmine St. and Cliff Drive.

For more information about the artist and his work, visit www.saimcaglayan.com.

Songs in the Sand is Monday

The Laguna Playhouse and Laguna Community Concert Band will host a special Memorial Day concert, “Songs in the Sand,” from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Monday at Main Beach.

The free event will feature a diverse selection of music including patriotic favorites to Latin beats to New Orleans jazz.

Fore more information, visit www.lagunaconcertband.com.

Tony celebration at Laguna Nursery

Ruben Flores, owner of Laguna Nursery, will host a musical performance at 7 p.m. June 5 to celebrate Tony season.

The event will feature pianists Saif Eddin and Wayne Abravanel, with musical direction by Tedd Firth and singer Sally Mayes, who will celebrate songs she made famous on the Great White Way. Renowned critic and columnist Rex Reed will also make an appearance to sing a song or two from his newest concert, Ira Without George, honoring the songs Ira Gershwin wrote without his brother George.

Musicologists will enjoy free-flowing drinks and appetizers in the gardens, and artwork, while welcoming the rotating talent of Polly Bergen, Tom Wopat, Linda Purl, James Naughton, Marilyn Maye and Kurt Reichenbach.

Tickets can be pre-ordered for $45, $60 for VIP tickets (include an autographed copy of Sally Mayes’ latest solo CD). Call (949) 494-5200 or visit Laguna Nursery, 1370 S. Coast Hwy.

‘The Art of Storytelling’

Laguna Beach Books will host a new workshop, “Starting from Scratch: The Art of Storytelling” from 1 to 5 p.m. June 6 at the store, 1200 S. Coast Hwy.

The workshop, hosted by Marjorie Robertson, will aim to help participants move forward with their writing. The idea of how setting, theme, character development, and dialogue work together to make an artful whole will be explored. Students will share parts of their writing and will be prepared to provide feedback as part of the workshop experience.

Cost is $50. To enroll, submit a piece of up to 800 words to mpym.robertson@gmail.com by Monday.

All participants will receive electronic copies of participant writing to review the week before the workshop. Class size is limited to 10 to 12 participants.

Robertson taught English and writing at universities and community colleges on the East Coast where she also earned her MFA in creative writing at George Mason University. Since 2008 she has taught English and communications at UC Irvine. Her writing has been published in Inversion, Missouri Life, and The Sunday Journal.

Musicians raise funds for album

A group of jazz musicians will give a performance at 2 p.m. June 6 at Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Anns Drive in Laguna Beach, to benefit the completion of their new album.

The performance will include music and dance improvisation, jazz and original compositions by pianist Norman Beede and percussionist Erik Leckron, who will be joined by special guests dancers Mark Tomasic and Claire Calalo.

Suggested donation $20; $10 for students and seniors. Free parking in the church lot. For more information, call (949) 494-3100 or visit shortcutstomusicwisdom.com.

Collector’s Choice is June 12

Tickets are now available for Laguna College of Art & Design’s 21st Annual Collector’s Choice Fine Art Event and Auction at 5:30 p.m. June 12 at campus grounds, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

The festive summer evening will feature a fine art raffle and auction, in addition to a variety of fine artwork contributed by local and regional professional artists, which includes original paintings and drawings, sculpture and hand-blown glass.

The vital fundraiser provides financial assistance to promising students as all proceeds will benefit student scholarships and provide funds to enhance facilities.

The auction emcee will be Jim Nye, “The Benefit Auction Guy.” The public is encouraged to visit the college gallery June 7 to 11 to preview the collection of artwork that will be available for auction.

“Collector’s Choice is the principal fundraising event of the college each year. We are always honored to be the recipients of the extraordinary collection or artworks donated by well-known artists who generously support our students and programs. Each year guests attending Collector’s Choice take home incredible treasures, and have a lot of fun in the process,” said trustee and event co-chairwoman Mary Ferguson.

Tickets are $150 per person, and include an opportunity to win artwork in the raffle. The evening will also feature a silent and live auction, dinner, beverages and entertainment.

For more information, call (949) 376-6000, ext. 241 or e-mail thartman@lagunacollege.edu.

Fête de la Musique seeks performers

The Laguna Beach Sister Cities Assn. is now taking applications from musicians and other performing artists to participate in the third annual Fête de la Musique, from noon to 4 p.m. June 19, throughout the downtown area of Laguna Beach.

The Fête de la Musique, which was awarded this year’s Laguna Beach Arts Alliance’s “2010 Best New Arts Program,” is held in conjunction with “World Music Day” each June. The Fête de la Musique was originated in France and is celebrated worldwide on, or near, the beginning of summer.

The Fête de la Musique will begin at noon with an opening ceremony at the Rose Garden in front of the Laguna Presbyterian Church, 415 Forest Ave. Following the opening ceremony, musicians and singers will perform at a number of locations throughout downtown Laguna Beach. The day concludes with a sing-along closing ceremony at Laguna Beach Main Beach at 3:30 p.m.

The concept of Fête de la Musique was first suggested by American Joel Cohen in 1976 while he was working at a radio station in France. It wasn’t until 1981 that French Cultural Minister, Jack Lang, adopted the idea. The first Fête was held in France the following year.

“The Fête has spread to over 110 countries and 250 cities around the world, and Laguna Beach’s Fête de la Musique is now included in this circle of live music celebration,” said Assn. President Karyn Philippsen. “Anyone, any age, is invited to participate. Every genre of live performing music is welcome. Amateur musicians play alongside professionals, and the entire community engages in the experience. There is no admission fee charged and all are welcome to enjoy and participate in the festivities. In the tradition of the Fête, all performers donate their talents for that afternoon.”

Interested musicians and singers may register with Fête de la Musique chairman Chic McDaniel by contacting him at (949) 690-4444 or via e-mail at chic.mcdaniel1@cox.net. For more information, visit www.lagunabeachsistercities.com.

Workshops slated by MyArtistLoft

A series of workshops in acrylic painting and digital photography taught by Mary Gulino are being offered in June, July and August through MyArtistLoft.com. Workshops will be held at Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach. Advance registration is required. For more information and to register online, visit www.MyArtistLoft.com or call (949) 371-3375.

Veronica Khristov wins award

Veronica Khristov won first place in the juried Plein-Air Exhibition “Small is Beautiful” at the Gallery SOCALPAPA in Newport Beach. The exhibit will be open until June 13.

Khristov is represented by Studio 7 Gallery South in Laguna Beach. Her studio is located at the Laguna Canyon Artist Community. For more information call (949) 675-8915.