California Corner : Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

LAGUNA BEACH--Works by Renoir, Van Gogh, da Vinci and other masters come to life at the Pageant of the Masters, Thursday through Aug. 29. Real people pose in staged re-creations of contemporary and classical paintings, statuary and other art forms. The pageant is at 8:30 p.m. nightly in the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. The accompanying Festival of Arts is 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m. daily, with art exhibits, workshops, demonstrations and live music. Entrance: $3 general, $2 seniors and students. Pageant tickets: $9-$38 (includes grounds admission). (800) 487-3378 or (714) 494-1145.

NEWPORT BEACH--The Newport Beach ’93 Collector Car Auction is 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday to next Sunday at the Hyatt Newporter Hotel, 1107 Jamboree Road. $10 general, $2 kids under 12 and seniors. Preview hours for potential bidders are 8:30-10:30 a.m. both days. View collectible and exotic cars, including cars of the stars, and enjoy music and food at this family event. (818) 506-6533.

SAN DIEGO--Four dance/music events are scheduled for the “Summer Beat: Get the Rhythm” series at the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla. Each presentation at 2 p.m. includes a dance/demonstration and is followed by a discussion and refreshments with the performers. Performers are The Jazzart Dance Co., next Sunday; Teye Sa Thiosanna (a West African dance company), July 18; Ballet Folklorico in Aztlan, July 25, and La Jolla Festival Ballet, Aug. 1. Events are in the Sherwood Auditorium, 700 Prospect St. $4 general, $3 museum members, $1.50 kids under 13 (includes museum admission). (619) 454-3541.

SAN BRUNO--Effervescence dominates the ninth annual Bayhill Champagne Festival, July 17-18. Taste California champagnes and enjoy exotic foods, arts and crafts, entertainment, children’s events and antique cars, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Festivities are at the Bayhill Office Complex at San Bruno Avenue and El Camino Real. Free. U.S. 101 north; exit at San Bruno Avenue West. (415) 871-9425.

PALO ALTO--Bowls, plates, sculpture and jewelry are among the handcrafted treasures at the Palo Alto Clay and Glass Festival, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 18. The free festival, presented by the Association of California Ceramic Artists, is in the Cultural Center, 1313 Newell Road. Exit U.S. 101 north at Embarcadero Road West/Stanford University; continue on Embarcadero for one mile to the intersection at Newell Road. (415) 329-2366.

CARMEL--Johann Sebastian Bach and composers he inspired are celebrated at the Carmel Bach Festival, July 17-Aug. 8. Bruno Weil is the music director for the event, held at venues around Carmel, including the Sunset Theater, Carmel Mission Basilica and Casa Serrano. Many free events, such as lectures and open rehearsals, are scheduled; concert tickets are $22-$45. Pianist Janina Fialkowska and organist John Butt are among the performers presenting works by Bach, Haydn, Vivaldi and others. (408) 624-2046.