IN THE ARTS

World music and wine series launches in May

Laguna Beach Live’s new Inside World Music & Wine series is set to debut at 5:30 p.m. May 14 at the Laguna Beach Woman’s Club.

Cuban Sonero sensation Adonis Puentes and his Afro Cuban Band will kick off the series, with wines from South America presented by California Taste owner Ken Spears, who will select reds and whites from Argentina and Chile.

The new series will offer concerts by some of the best World Music artists in an intimate setting with an opportunity for the audience to better understand the music through onstage interviews and interaction.

“Introducing wines from the area will add to the cultural experience and to the evening’s enjoyment,” said Lucinda Prewitt, president of Laguna Beach Live!

Puentes’ music bridges generations and cultures, from solo performances with piano or guitar accompaniment to fronting orchestras. He has shared stages with illustrious Latin music legends like Celia Cruz, Oscar De Leon, Juan De Marcos and The Afro Cuban All Stars, Orlando Valle “Maraca,” Cuban Timba All Stars, Pianist Hilario Duran, Jane Bunnett and Pancho Quinto.

This first Music and Wine Tasting is sponsored by Woman’s Club of Laguna Beach, the Festival of Arts Foundation and the lodging establishments and city of Laguna Beach.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. to begin wine tasting and the concert is from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door and may be purchased at www.lagunabeachlive.org or (800) 595-4849. Seating is limited. Students younger than 21 may buy tickets for $20 in advance and $25 at the door with ID.

Art That’s Small winners named

Mayor Kelly Boyd announced the winners of the 2009 Art That’s Small at City Hall Competition on April 2. The competition, facilitated by the Arts Commission, drew 104 entries from throughout Orange County.

The adjudicators for the competition were Michael Hallinan, artist Sawdust Art Festival; Lu Martin, Lu Martin Galleries; and Pat Sparkhul, artist Festival of Arts.

Winners are:

?First Place: Stephanie Cunningham/Betty Haight;

?Second Place: John Eagle;

?Third Place: Jodi Weitzman;

?City Hall Choice: Judy Baker; and

?Honorable Mention: Stephanie Abrahams, Ben Desoto, Kathy Jones and Suzette Rosenthal.

The art works will be on exhibit at City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday throughout April at City Hall, 505 Forest Ave. This program was funded by the lodging establishments and city of Laguna Beach. For more information, call (949) 497-0722.

Ukulele, comedy on tap today at concert

Ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro will be in concert today along with many special friends on hand, including Donavon Frankenreider, with Brushfire Records, and pro surfer Rob Machado are confirmed just to name a few.

This evening takes place at [seven-degrees], 891 Laguna Canyon Road. Show time is 8 p.m. and doors open to the general public at 6:30 p.m. General admission is $35. VIP tickets, with dinner, drinks and premiere seating, are available for $75. Proceeds from the concert go to the SurfAid International, Rell Sunn Foundation, Surfing Heritage Foundation, San Onofre Foundation and San Onofre Hawaiian Club.

Also on the bill for the evening is surf comedian Patrick Hanifin, whose tales of surfing the coast will be appreciated by the ocean-loving crowd. A silent auction will feature artwork and photography.

Also up for auction will be an Eddie Aikau Trophy, Laird Hamilton 10’ Standup Paddle Board, Sunny Garcia Surfboard, Andy Irons Surfboard and pieces by Phil Roberts, Jay Adler, Forever Stoked and art by French surf artist Celine Chat will be on hand for guests to bid on.

Tickets maybe purchased at www.rellsunn.com. For more information, call (949) 388-1966 or e-mail cinemaparadisio@live.com

Novel workshop begins soon

Aspiring authors are invited to attend “Draft a Novel in 30 Days,” a six-week class that will lead students through the writing process.

Students will need a computer, Internet access and a commitment of at least two hours per day for six weeks, from April 23 to June 4. The course is offered through Laguna Beach Community Services.

For more information, contact Trina Belanger at Trina@QuillStudios.com or (602) 703-5308. To register online, go to www.lagunabeachcity.net.

DjangoFest is at Forum Theatre

DjangoFest Laguna is returning April 24 and 25 for two performances at the Forum Theatre on the Festival of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road.

The shows features an international lineup of Andreas Öberg, Gonzalo Bergara Quartet, Fishtank Ensemble, and Jessica Fichot. Workshops are also offered.

DjangoFest Laguna presents concerts and workshops celebrating the music and spirit of the late gypsy jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt.

Gypsy Jazz fans, players and enthusiasts from around the world will congregate at the Festival. Concerts feature musicians from Argentina, France, Holland and Sweden.

At 8 p.m. April 24, the Fishtank Ensemble and Gonzalo Bergara Quartet perform.

At 8 p.m. April 25, Jessica Fichot, Andreas Öberg with special guest Gonzalo Bergara will perform.

Workshops with Bergara, Öberg and Fabrice Martinez will also be offered.

For more information, visit www.djangofest.com.

For ticket and workshop reservations, go to www.ticketleap.com or call 1-877-django3.

Art for restroom doors sought

Artists who live, work or exhibit in Laguna Beach are invited to apply to create artwork to decorate the upper walls between the entry doors to the public restrooms on Forest Lane in downtown Laguna Beach.

The budget for the project will range from $8,000 to $10,000.