In The Arts

LBHS junior to sing at awards gala

Haley Castuera, a junior at Laguna Beach High School, has been cast as a singer at the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards Gala on Feb. 11 in Palm Springs.

Castuera is also currently cast as Mother Abbess in LBHS’s production of “The Sound of Music,” which will be staged in March.

At the gala, along with Broadway star David Burnham, Castuera will sing “One Day,” written by award-winning composer Mark Vogel.

Also performing are Queen Latifah, Wynonna Judd and Megan Mullally. The gala is hosted by Joan Rivers.

The annual gala raises money for the Desert AIDS Project. Tickets range from $425 to $10,000.

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Pageant tickets make great Valentine’s gift

The Pageant of the Masters is offering a sweet deal this Valentine’s Day.

For a limited time, guests may purchase $14 tickets for director’s tier side seating. These tickets usually cost $20 to $30, according to a news release. This offer only applies to Sunday through Thursday night performances.

The Pageant of the Masters runs July 7 through Aug. 31 with a theme of “The Genius.”

“It doesn’t get more romantic than watching the Pageant of the Masters under the stars,” Festival of Arts Marketing and Public Relations Manager Sharbie Higuchi said in a statement. “The show makes for a great date night, a fun outing with friends, or just a memorable evening to share with someone special.”

Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.pageanttickets.com or by calling (800) 487-3378.

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Playhouse offers stagings of book classics

The Laguna Playhouse is bringing childhood literary favorites to the stage this winter with adaptations of award-winning novel “The Giver” and a twist on two fairy tales, “Hansel & Gretel and Cinderella.”

“The Giver,” based on the book by Lois Lowry, will run Feb. 17 and 18.

“‘The Giver’ offers young theater-goers an opportunity to see one of their favorite books brought to life. With stark images and haunting themes, audiences will leave the theater with discussion material for days,” Director Donna Inglima said in a statement.

“Hansel & Gretel and Cinderella” will tell the fairy tales in two different acts. The show runs from Feb. 24 to March 4.

“These vibrant stories are full of magic, thrills and plenty of laughter. This is a wonderful opportunity for a cultural family outing,” Director Kelly Herman said in a statement.

Both productions will also offer 10 a.m. student matinees that include post-show discussion.

For more information or to buy tickets, call (949) 497-ARTS or visit https://www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

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Students, seniors to ‘Celebrate Heroism’

The Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club and the Susi Q Senior Center are teaming up for a media arts workshop program called “Celebrate Heroism.”

Part of the MY HERO Project, the workshop will have participants “contemplate heroism, discuss heroic deeds and figures, create inspirational media and share it with others …” according to a news release.

The 12-week program will begin in late February and will be led by MY HERO Media Arts Education Director Wendy Milette.

Kids at the Boys & Girls Club will watch films, hold discussions, hear from dynamic speakers in the community and take field trips. The club’s workshop will end with an exhibition of student work, which will be displayed in the children’s section of the Laguna Beach Public Library.

At the Susi Q, seniors will discuss their own experiences and ideas about heroes. The program’s schedule is still being worked out, according to the release.

All the stories, art or short films created by students and seniors will be submitted to the Laguna Hero Fest, an annual contest that celebrates local heroes, artists and filmmakers.

For more information on MY HERO Project, visit myhero.com.

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Jury Day for Art-A-Fair is Feb. 12

Art-A-Fair has scheduled the 2012 Jury Day for its 46th annual season on Feb. 12 at the Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club, 1085 Laguna Canyon Road.

In a news release, Art-A-Fair officials said that artists can bring their work for jurying between 8 and 11 a.m.

Art pieces made from oil, acrylic, watercolor, sculpture, mixed media, digital art, ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography or wood can be submitted, but artists must submit three original pieces per medium, the release said.

This year’s edition of Art-A-Fair will take place from June 29 through Sept. 2. For information and necessary forms, go to https://www.art-a-fair.com.

—Kelly Parker and Imran Vittachi