Holiday happenings in Laguna

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

I am quite chipper that the holidays are approaching.

Laguna Beach is a phenomenal place to be -- the trees dressed in

their white lights Downtown thanks to the Laguna Beach Chamber of

Commerce. The community Thanksgiving in Bluebird Park is another

thing that makes Laguna great with all the dedicated Lagunans who

volunteer their time in any way they can. Hospitality Night is

probably acknowledged as the best night to enjoy Downtown and Laguna

Beach. They truly are quintessential Laguna happenings that exemplify

what we’re all about.

PENDYRUS MALE VOICE CHOIR

Tonight at 8 p.m. at Laguna Beach High School’s Artists’ Theatre,

one of the most revered male choirs from Wales will perform a benefit

concert to support the Laguna Beach High School Chorus. The

internationally known Pendyrus Male Voice Choir was founded in

Tylortown, Rhondda, Wales in 1924 and has performed in Europe,

Australia, Canada and throughout the United States, with shows at the

White House, the Kremlin and some of the British embassies.

Roxanna Ward, program director, is thrilled the choir will be

performing.

“They were doing a show in San Francisco on Thursday night and

Saturday night in San Diego,” Ward said. David Evans has a connection

with them and asked if they could make a stop here for the benefit.”

The Pendyrus choir is 60 men strong and is directed by John

Samuel. Ward said that they would be performing a varied repertoire

ranging from classical to Broadway show tunes and Welsh to American

hymns.

Ward said she was looking forward to the experience for the high

school chorus for the opportunity to work with them and perform with

Pendyrus.

Ward has been trying to resurrect the program and, since last

year, she’s been working diligently toward that goal. It’s the

program’s first fund-raiser. They are also going to try to get the

choir to sing the National Anthem for tonight’s football game at the

high school.

The funds raised will help pay for the chorus’ expenses, much

needed music and textbooks.

Tickets for Pendyrus are $12 for adults, $8 for students and

reserved seats at the front -- Special Choir Angel reserved seats are

$50, which will really help the chorus out. The box office opens at 4

p.m. Information: 497-6843. Laguna Beach High School Artists’ Theatre

is at 650 Park Ave.

DIANE DEBILZAN GALLERY BENEFIT

From 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15, the Diane DeBilzan Gallery

will celebrate its one-year anniversary with a benefit party with

proceeds going toward the Orange County Child Abuse Prevention

Center.

“It’s our first year anniversary,” DeBilzan said. “I taught

elementary school for 17 years -- I didn’t want to celebrate without

making a connection that’s important. It’s great to benefit them.”

Together with her brother William DeBilzan, she is thrilled to be

able to celebrate their anniversary and offer it as a benefit to the

Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center.

Well-known artist William DeBilzan will exhibit a new body of work

especially for the event.

The exhibition will also feature the new works of bronze sculptor

Louis Longi and sculptor John Geldersma.

“Louis will be doing a special bronze piece for the event -- it

will be in wax and it will be interesting to see that phase of the

sculpture,” DeBilzan said.

The anniversary event will have a cocktail reception, hors

d’oeuvres and a dance performance by Treva Swersky, who has performed

with the New York City Ballet.

“Everything has fallen into place,” DeBilzan said. “I can’t think

of a better way than to have a benefit helping children -- and for

the holidays. It’s going to be exciting.”

The Orange County Child Abuse Prevention Center began in 1984 and

last year the center helped more than 26,000 children and 9,500

families. Their goal is to prevent child abuse before it occurs.

The event is at the Diane DeBilzan Gallery, 224 Forest Ave.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. All proceeds from

ticket sales go directly to the center, as will a percentage of the

art work auctioned. Information: 494-5757; or for tickets, call (714)

543-4333, ext. 503.

ROOTS FOUNDATION JAM

Laguna-based reggae band Roots Foundation will be jamming Friday

and Saturday night at the Laguna Beach Brewing Company at 422 S.

Coast Highway. The show is free and should offer some great music

according to the band’s singer Kurt Mahoney. Information: 499-2337.

PARK AVENUE PLAYERS TAKE ON ‘THE CRUCIBLE’

The Laguna Beach High School Park Avenue Players will be

performing the Crucible on Nov. 14, 16, 17, 21, 22 and 23. The

performances are at the Artists’ Theatre, 650 Park Ave. Information:

497-6843.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or suzie.harrison@latimes.com.