Rohrer closes doors
After four years in Laguna Beach, Rohrer Fine Art has closed its doors permanently.
The upscale gallery, where a multi-million dollar sale of works by Monet and Degas made local history in 2007, has moved its wares to Palm Desert and a new location in Jackson, Wyo., according to gallery spokesman Carey Conklin.
“We are closing Rohrer Fine Art to focus our effort on developing unique art offerings and dynamic exhibitions at Heather James Fine Art,” Conklin said. “With three fantastic galleries, two located in Palm Desert, Calif., and our newest in Jackson, Wyo., Heather James Fine Art features a wide breadth of art from blue chip to cutting-edge contemporary.”
The Craftsman-style gallery at 346 N. Coast Hwy., which opened in 2006, has been up for lease for several months.
Mandarin hosts Chinese tea ceremony
Lifelong tea enthusiast and student of tea culture Linda Louie will host a Chinese tea ceremony from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Mandarin Fine Art Gallery, 1294 S. Coast Hwy., where she will share her knowledge about Pu-erh tea and her traveling experiences in pursuit of fine teas.
More than 1,700 years ago, in the high mountains of southwest Yunnan, the unique broadleaf variety of the tea plant, Camillia sinensis var. assamica, was first cultivated and harvested by the indigenous people of the region. To this day they practice the same time-honed methods that have bee used for centuries. Pu-erh tea is unlike any other tea in that as it ages, its flavor becomes enhanced.
For reservations, call (949) 376-9608. Seating is limited.
Jazz Wednesday with Coltrane and Cannonball
Laguna Beach Live! will feature Luther Hughes and the Cannonball-Coltrane Project from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Rose Garden of the Hotel Laguna, 425 S. Coast Hwy.
The former bassist to the late Gene Harris, Hughes has played bass with some of the biggest names in jazz over the past 30 years. Joined by Glenn Cashman and Bruce Babad on tenor sax, pianist Ed Czach and Paul Kriebich on drums, the group will play great jazz inspired by the music of Cannonball and Coltrane as well as new arrangements of some classic jazz standards.
Cost is $10, with food and beverages available for purchase. A light jacket is suggested at sun down. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Reservations for groups of eight or more may be made at (949) 715-9713. For more information, visit https://www.lagunabeachlive.org.
Summer jazz at French 75
Grammy recording artist, producer and keyboardist Ronnie King will bring his distinctive jazz styling to Laguna for a weekly series Tuesday and Wednesday nights at French 75, 1464 S. Coast Hwy.
A well-known session musician, King has recorded with Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dog, the OffSpring and Rancid. The Palm Springs native is producing eight different musical acts around the country.
He will bring in a weekly assortment of jazz musicians to join him, a throwback to the local jazz scene in Paris in the ‘50s.
“There are so many talented musicians in Laguna and beyond, we’re gonna ask some local favorites to sit in, many of whom don’t normally play jazz,” King said. “It will be a night of surprises and improvisations.”
He will be joined by Tori Lynn and the Newport Crew in honor of Bastille Day on Wednesday.
Executive Chef Pascal Ohlats said French 75’s new management wants to create a relaxed, lounge scene that appeals to younger people before they go clubbing.
“Ronnie King is just the multi talented musician to create the vibe,” he said.
The show starts at 8 p.m.
Ray Bradbury’s “2116” is Thursday
Gallimaufry Performing Arts will present a single preview performance of Ray Bradbury’s “2116” at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Artists’ Theatre, 625 Park Ave.
Last fall, Gallimaufry presented a world premiere workshop of “Merry Christmas 2116.” Developed by artistic director Steve Josephson, the show was the culmination of a 50-year dream of famed author Bradbury. It began as a short, one-act musical for Hollywood husband-and-wife legends Charles Laughton and Elsa Lanchester, but after their deaths was never produced.
The production seen earlier in the year will become the first act, subtitled “The Tale of the Wycherlys,” and features book and lyrics by Ray Bradbury, music by John Hoke and additional story by Josephson.
Celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Wycherly, disillusioned with their reflections in the mirror and mindful of their spouse’s demise, decide on the most affectionate but unusual of gifts. With visits to the enchanting Mr. Marionette and his shadow show — a company of robots, dancers, marionettes and fugitives from the law — each commissions their robotic replacement: younger, idealized avatars to function as future companions.
The second act, simply titled “2116,” further explains the characters, stories and world of Mr. Marionette’s troupe of performers.
The new material draws upon stories, characters and ideas from Bradbury’s previous works. Featured are characters and stories from “Fahrenheit 451,” “The Martian Chronicles,” The Illustrated Man,” “Golden Apples of the Sun” and many other short stories.
Tickets are $5 to $20, depending on seating. For more information, visit https://www.gallimaufry.org or call (949) 499-5060.
Love, lust and other human oddities
Gallimaufry Performing arts will also present Naomi Grossman’s “Carnival Knowledge: Love, Lust and Other Human Oddities,” for a single performance before heading overseas for its European premiere as part of the 2010 Edinburgh Festival.
The “sneak-peek” performance will take place at 9 p.m. July 23 at the Artists’ Theatre, 625 Park Ave.
Set on a carnival midway, the award-nominated solo performer chronicles her dizzying dating history by depicting a freak show full of suitors and ultimately leads her to rethink her strategy in the quest to find “the one.”
Presented as part of the 2010 Gallimaufry Arts Festival, the show is intended for mature audiences due to its adult content.
Tickets are $15. For more information, visit https://www.gallimaufry.org or call (949) 499-5060.