SPECIAL EVENTS : Day Without Art Is Designed to Make the Heart Grow Fonder

Imagine no museums, no concerts, no plays, no dance events. That’s what A Day Without Art is designed to make you do. Thousands of institutions Wednesday will take part in the international observance, a commemoration of those in the hard-hit art world who have died of AIDS.

(The following activities take place on Wednesday unless otherwise noted.)

* South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa: “Vital Readings,” music, song and a dramatic reading of AIDS-related fiction, poetry and news stories staged by SCR’s literary manager, John Glore. Songs performed by members of the Pacific Chorale and Master Chorale of Orange County. SCR resident and guest artists will read. Pacific Symphony members will play before the performance. Runs from noon to 1 p.m.; patrons may bring lunches to eat in the theater. Free, with $10 donation suggested. Benefits AIDS Walk Orange County and AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County. (714) 957-4033.

* Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach: A list published by the Witness Project, a New York-based AIDS awareness effort, of arts professionals who have died from AIDS will be posted in the museum’s front windows. Red ribbons (an AIDS awareness symbol) and AIDS literature will be distributed. “Encore: Dance on a Star,” an AIDS-related performance-music piece staged by Molly Hardy Productions, will be presented at 7 p.m. Free with museum admission of $3 for adults, $1.50 for seniors and students. (714) 494-8971.

* Newport Harbor Art Museum, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach: “Artists Respond to AIDS,” a free panel discussion from 3 to 4 p.m. with Lilla LoCurto and William Outcault, who created “Self-Portrait,” an AIDS-related installation at the museum, and Los Angeles video artist Ed. de la Torre. “Every Ten Minutes,” an audio piece, and a Barbara Kruger photographic work also will be installed. In lieu of admission, donations will be collected for the AIDS Response Program. (714) 759-1122.

* Orange Coast College Art Gallery, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa: Gallery closed for the day, but the gallery’s annual “Artists’s Reflection on AIDS,” a group show in recognition of AIDS Awareness Month, is on view through Dec. 16. Regular hours are Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and first and third Monday and Thursday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Free admission. (714) 432-5039.

* Fullerton Museum Center, 301 N. Pomona Ave., Fullerton: “Impact,” a classical and contemporary music performance at 7:30 p.m. by Ann Patrick-Green, Aimee Grodsky and Greg Adamson. Followed by a talk by Placentia resident Clairee Tyne, who lost her son to AIDS. A large panel of the International AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on view. All proceeds from $5 admission will benefit AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County. (714) 738-6545.

* Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana: Museum will remain open but will post a large sign explaining Day Without Art. Staff will wear red ribbons. Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays open until 9 p.m. (714) 567-3600.

* Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach: “Son of Lagunatics,” a sequel to last year’s original revue spoofing Laguna Beach life. Benefits Laguna Shanti, an AIDS service organization, and Ballet Pacifica, which lost its costumes and sets in the Laguna fire. Performances at 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and Dec. 6. Silent auction at 7 p.m. each night. Tickets are $50. (714) 497-9244.

* UC Irvine Fine Arts Gallery, UC Irvine campus, near Bridge and Mesa roads: “The AIDS Show: Community Responses to a Crisis,” a non-juried exhibit of works in all media solicited from the community. Runs Tuesday through Dec. 11. On Wednesday at noon, Los Angeles artist Leslie Ernst will give a free lecture on her work, which focuses on women and AIDS. Gallery hours: Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free. (714) 856-8251.

* Cal State Fullerton, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton: Main Art Gallery is closed on Wednesdayin commemoration. “HIV-AIDS: Aiditive Art,” a student and faculty exhibit relating to HIV and AIDS, will be on view from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in classroom 160, Visual Arts building. Restrooms and glass art exhibit cases in the VA building will be draped for the day. Student performance art in the Performing Arts building lobby. (714) 773-3253.

* The Works Gallery, in Crystal Court, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa: Donations will be taken for ASF/OC. A group show, unrelated to Day Without Art, is on view. Hours on Wednesday are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (714) 979-6757.