In The Arts

Buddhist monk to speak Saturday

Gen Kelsang Rigpa, an American Buddhist monk and resident teacher of Kadampa Meditation Center California, will present the work of Geshe Kelsang Gyatso, the first American edition of “Eight Steps to Happiness” at 4 p.m. Saturday at Latitude 33 Bookshop, 311 Ocean Ave.

Due to the author’s age and Tibetan accent, he requested that Rigpa speak on his behalf.

The book explains how to meditate on eight verses that comprise one of Buddhism’s best-loved teachings, Eight Verses for Training the Mind. Composed by the Tibetan Bodhisattva Geshe Langri Tangpa, the poem shows how to transform difficulties into spiritual insights. Gyatso is an accomplished meditation master and internationally known teacher of Buddhism. He has published a series of books on Buddhism and meditation, from basic introductory books to advanced philosophical texts and meditation manuals.

For more information, call (949) 494-5403 or e-mail latitude33@earthlink.net.

Collector’s Choice event is Saturday

Laguna College of Art and Design’s 21st annual Collector’s Choice Fine Art Event and Auction will take place at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

The 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.

All proceeds will benefit student scholarships and provide funds to enhance college facilities.

“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,” said trustee and event co-Chairwoman Mary Ferguson.

Tickets are $150 per person, and include an opportunity to win artwork in the raffle. For more information, call (949) 376-6000, ext. 241 or e-mail thartman@lagunacollege.edu.

Tea party at Mandarin

Linda Louie, tea enthusiast and student of tea culture, 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.

Pu-erh tea is unlike any other tea in that as it ages, its flavor becomes enhanced, according to Louie.

The cost to attend is $30. To attend, call (949) 376-9608.

Documentaries depict locals

The Laguna Beach Film Society will air two documentaries about locals by Laguna directors at 7 p.m. Thursday at South Coast Cinemas in Laguna Beach.

“The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club” is about early aviatrix Florence “Pancho” Barnes and her notorious hangout, the Happy Bottom Riding Club, in Laguna Beach.

The second film, “Daisy,” tells the story of Laguna’s flower lady, Daisy Messer.

Cost is $15 for both films; $20 for the pre-film reception at 6 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank Community Room. Attendees will also have a chance to meet the directors. For more information, e-mail jstory@lagunaartmuseum.org.

WOW Factor to perform June 23

Laguna Beach Live! will present the WOW Factor in concert at the Hotel Laguna’s Rose Garden from 6 to 8 p.m. June 23 in a First Wednesdays performance.

WOW Factor is led by drummer Bill Wysaske and trumpet player Bijon Watson, who perform an array of original compositions as well as jazz standards. The most recent permutation of the group includes: Bijon Watson, trumpet, flugel; Bill Wysaske, drums; Llew Matthews, piano, keyboards; Lyman Medeiros, bass; and Yarone Levy, guitar. Individual group members have performed with many noted singers and bands.

Hotel Laguna is at 425 S. Coast Hwy. Cover charge is $10 and food is available for purchase.

Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Reservations for groups of eight or more may be made by calling (949) 715-9713. For more information, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org.

College offers new degree programs

In the fall, LCAD will offer a post baccalaureate program in drawing and painting and a master of fine arts degree in drawing.

“The MFA in drawing will complement our painting degree and offer the same innovative curriculum to graduate students who work exclusively in drawing media,” said Progam Chairman Perin Mahler. “The post baccalaureate is designed to prepare students who wish to develop their skills and concepts in representational art-making.”

The post baccalaureate degree will be a one-year, 30-unit program to prepare students for professional activities or to progress to graduate programs in studio art.

In accordance with the college’s aesthetic philosophy, the program will focus on the skills associated with representational drawing and painting.

It is also intended to give students time to develop individual content in their studio practice before embarking on a professional career or beginning graduate study.

The master’s degree is a terminal degree for students who wish to further investigate their formal and conceptual ideas through drawing, while continuing to improve their technical skill.

About 25 working artists teach in the master’s of fine art program.

For more information, visit www.lagunacollege.edu.