In honor of art and humanities

In honor of Arts and Humanities month, the Laguna Beach Alliance

for the Arts hosted a Cultural Arts Celebration Evening at the Surf

and Sand Hotel.

In an outside courtyard area on Oct. 9, the evening commenced with

wine and hors d’oeuvres while the Laguna Beach Community band played

to a mingling crowd.

Members of the Pageant of the Masters, California Choreographers

Dance Festival and No Square Theatre gave performances throughout the

evening.

No Square Theatre had those in attendance roaring with laughter

with snippets of this year’s “Lagunatics,” while the Dance Festival

and Pageant chose a different approach to elegance.

Poeschl, who was the star of the evening, was surprised when she

was called to accept two awards and received a standing ovation.

Poeschl instigated First Thursday’s Art Walk, California

Choreographers Dance Festival and many events and art happenings in

the city.

The other two people honored were Sharbie Higuchi for her

development and creation of the arts calendar and Alan Barkley for

the achievements of the Laguna College of Art and Design.

“What a pleasant surprise,” Higuchi said. “I am thrilled and

honored to be recognized for my efforts of creating and producing an

arts calendar by members of the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts,

all of whom I deeply respect.”

“But, the acknowledgement belongs to all the art organizations for

their desire and cooperation in making the Alliance Calendar a

reality,” Higuchi said.

Blaise Bartels hosted the event, which included a slideshow and

interesting and delightful commentary in celebration of the successes

of 18 Laguna cultural art organizations.

“It was absolutely fabulous to be able to recognize some of the

people in the arts organizations that do so much for Laguna Beach,”

Thomas said.