AROUND TOWN - March 23, 2007

FRIDAY

SCHOOL PLAY

Laguna Beach High School will present its production of “Beauty and the Beast” at the Artists’ Theatre on the high school campus, 625 Park Ave.; also Saturday and March 29, 30, 31 and April 1. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $10 for students, $12 for adults and $15 for reserved seating. For more information, call (949) 497-7769.

BOOK SIGNING

Barry Golson, author of the book “Gringos in Paradise,” will speak about baby-boomer retirement in Mexico at Laguna Beach Books, 1200 So. Coast Highway, at 3 p.m. Call (949) 494-4779 or visit www.lagunabeachbooks.com for more information.

SATURDAY

BEACH CLEANUP

The Clean Water Now! Coalition will hold its first beach cleanup event of 2007 from 9 a.m. to noon at Main Beach, Oak St. Beach and Treasure Island/Aliso Beach. Trash bags, gloves and free parking vouchers will be available at all three sites. Community service hours are available for students. For more information, call (949) 280-2225.

SUNDAY

WINE SEMINAR

The Montage Resort & Spa holds weekly wine seminars from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Loft Bistro, 30801 So. Coast Highway. This week’s seminar is “Australia, More Than Just Shiraz.” $25 per person; call (949) 715-6420 to make a reservation.

MONDAY

ART WORKSHOP

Art Escapes will feature a workshop by Mada Leach in marbleizing and paste papers for collage projects at the Aliso Creek Inn, 31106 South Coast Highway, from 9 a.m. to noon. The class is $35, including materials, and requires pre-registration. Call (949) 363-4700 for more information.

TUESDAY

PLAY PREVIEWS

Previews of the Laguna Playhouse’s latest show, “The Master of the House,” will run tonight through March 30. The regular run will be April 1 through 29. Performances are Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m.; Thursday matinees on March 29 and April 12 at 2 p.m.; and Sunday evening, April 22, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 to $65, at (949) 497-2787, ext. 1, or www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

THURSDAY

MUSICAL PERFORMANCE

The Great Notes Ensemble performs at a free First Thursdays concert, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Laguna College of Art & Design’s gallery; gallery opens at 2 p.m. Information: (949) 376-6000.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST

Melinda Masson, founder and CEO of The Merit Companies, will speak about the importance of business and the arts at the Laguna Playhouse’s business breakfast circle at the Surf & Sand Resort, 1555 So. Coast Highway. Check-in at 7:30 a.m., breakfast is at 8 a.m. and keynote at 8:30 a.m. Tickets are $25 for non-members; fee will be waived for those who sign up at the event. Call Greg Patterson at (949) 497-2787, ext. 216 for more information.