IN THE ARTS

Museum to host Shire tour, other events

Laguna Art Museum will sponsor a walk-through of the current exhibition, “In the Land of Retinal Delights: The Juxtapoz Factor,” with Billy Shire at 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday.

Shire, a figure in the lowbrow art scene, is the owner and founder of Billy Shire Fine Arts and La Luz de Jesus Gallery. He is largely responsible for fostering a new school of artists in Los Angeles, prompting JUXTAPOZ Magazine to dub him “the Peggy Guggenheim of Lowbrow.”

La Luz de Jesus showcases mainly figurative, narrative paintings, and unusual sculpture. The gallery has exhibited more than 70% of the artists featured in “In the Land of Retinal Delights: The Juxtapoz Factor.”

The tour is sure to be informative for longtime lowbrow art fans and those new to the genre. The tour is free with Museum admission. For more information, call (949) 494-8971, ext. 207.

The museum is also hosting a Curatorial tour with Meg Linton at 11 a.m. Aug. 23 and Chris Mar will sign merchandise at 3 p.m. Sept. 14.

On Sept. 27, a closing reception will take place for “In the Land of Retinal Delights: The Juxtapoz Factor.”

Jazz trio Wednesday at Hotel Laguna

Laguna Beach Live!, will present The Kristin Korb Trio on Aug. 20 in its Jazz Wednesdays series. Korb is an upright bass player and vocalist who sings in the tradition of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, and plays with the swing of the great Ray Brown.

The concert is 6 to 8 p.m. in the outdoor Rose Garden of the Hotel Laguna, 425 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach. Cover charge is $10. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. Reservations for groups of eight or more can be made by calling (949) 715-9713. For more information, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org.

BC Space exhibits surrealist’s work

BC Space Gallery will host a reception for artist Pamela Diaz Martinez’ “Following Palindrome” at 6 p.m. Sept. 14. The exhibit of more than 40 oil paintings and mixed-media works opens Aug. 26 and runs through Sept. 21.

Many of Martinez’ paintings include portraits of red-haired children wearing traditional Jewish Kippah’s as a physical representation of their faith. The works also incorporate the artist’s hair, which has been kept with a daily journal of her emotional reactions to the world around her and the “hairballs” are in turn combined with battleships, helicopters, summoning fingers and silver charms woven into the landscape of the paintings.

During the reception of “Following Palindrome,” the children depicted in the portraits will serve guests hors d’oeuvres. Music will also be provided by child opera singer Einav Silverstein accompanied by a four-piece ensemble.

BC Space Gallery is located at 235 Forest Ave.

Viewing appointments can be arranged by contacting either the gallery or the artist.

For more information, call Martinez at (949) 497-1880, (858) 663-8481 or e-mail, pameladiazmartinez@ mac.com.

Bluegrass and BBQ on Sept. 7 at Aliso

Laguna Beach Live! is presenting a Sunday afternoon of Bluegrass and BBQ on Sept. 7. Overlooking the Aliso Creek Golf Course and canyon, Bearfoot Bluegrass, a fast-rising, young acoustic band based out of Anchorage, Alaska, will perform powerful vocals, arrangements and instrumentals backed up by solid rhythm. The band’s sounds range from traditional bluegrass to original jazzy compositions. The concert is 4 to 6 p.m. and chairs will be provided on the Magnolia Patio.

Aliso Creek Inn is firing up the barbecue for the event and proceeds will benefit the school outreach programs of Laguna Beach Live! The BBQ will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. and attendees are welcome to come early and stay late.

Aliso Creek Inn & Golf Course is at 31106 S. Coast Hwy. The concert is sponsored by Aliso Creek Inn, Tricia Nichols and City of Laguna Beach.

Concert tickets cost $10 for adults in advance and $12 at the door; children 12 and under cost $5 in advance and $7 at the door and are available online at www.lagunabeachlive.org or by phone at (800) 595-4849. For more information, call (949) 715-9713.