FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

Sawdust welcomes Laguna’s neighbors

The Sawdust Art Festival has announced a limited-time promotion for nearby South County residents.

Only offered Sunday through Wednesday afternoons, Aug. 26 to 29, residents of Aliso Viejo, Corona del Mar, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach and Newport Coast are being offered free admission to the festival.

Visitors are asked to go to www.SawdustArtFestival.org, print the promotional coupon and bring it to the festival’s ticket window after 4 p.m. on the dates indicated and show picture ID indicating one of the above towns in their address; they will then be able to enter the festival for free.

“This promotion is the Sawdust’s way of welcoming our neighbors — we want the local people who might not be familiar with the festival to come down and see what the excitement is all about,” said Community Relations Manager Rebecca Meekma.

The 41st Annual Sawdust Art Festival, featuring 200 Laguna Beach artists, runs through Sept. 2. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults; $6 for seniors 65 and up, $3 for children 6 to 12 and free for children 5 and younger.

For more information, call (949) 494-3030 or visit www.SawdustArtFestival.org.

Big finish for Art-A-Fair

During Labor Day weekend, Laguna residents can show their ID to receive free entry. Other patrons who have already visited can use their season ticket for admittance Saturday. All patrons will receive free entry Sunday.

Sept. 1 will feature live music from two bands. From 1 to 4 p.m., Upstream will present their reggae, calypso and soca melodies.

From 6 to 10 p.m., the popular Augie’s Side Effects entertain with their doo-wop, 50s style songs.

Tivoli Too will offer its full bar in the Gazebo, and refreshments and snacks will be provided by the artists at their booths starting at 6 p.m.

The first 150 buyers of art totaling more than $100 will receive a commemorative Art-A-Fair T-shirt.

The winners of the season-long silent auction will also be announced at 5 p.m.; items open for bid include a pair of Swissair business class tickets, art supplies and a Trader Joe’s basket.

On Sept. 2, Art-A-Fair will be open from 10 a.m to 6 p.m., and Redd Street will play Motown and R&B; hits from 2 to 5 p.m.

Festival’s last jazz, blues shows this week

The Festival of Arts will have its last Sunday Blues Fest from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday with Larry Horne & Small Change.

Patrons who arrive between 1 and 2 p.m. that day will also enjoy a cooking demonstration by chefs from throughout the county, who will share some of their favorite recipes for the summer.

Attendees will be invited to sample the finished culinary creations and to take away copies of the recipes.

The festival will also have its last Thursday Night Jazz & Wine Tasting Series evening Thursday.

The Banda Brothers will perform Latin jazz from 5 to 8 p.m. on the festival grounds while festival guests enjoy fine art and wine tasting.

Admission is free to the Blues Fest and cooking demonstration with the purchase of festival admission. Patrons are invited to picnic on festival grounds during the show.

A $7 fee is required to participate in wine tasting, plus Festival of Arts admission. Participants must be 21 years of age or older.