In The Arts

East Bay Soul at Festival of Arts

A contemporary jazz group, East Bay Soul, will perform from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday as part of the Festival of Arts Summer Smooth Jazz Concert Series.

Comprised of musicians Greg Adams, Phil Perry, Tom Scott, Lee Thornburg, Johnny Bamont, Joey Navarro, Evan Stone, Brian Allen, James Wirrick and Johnny Sandoval, the group is a combination of instrumental soul, funk, and rhythm and blues vocals built on a design to discover new achievements in jazz music. Their sound has roots in the uniquely soul-based genre associated with the San Francisco East Bay Area.

Hands-on art, music at Art-A-Fair

The Art-A-Fair has a variety of hands-on art activities as well as live music performances.

Today, attendees can create their own paintings at a watercolor workshop between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

From noon to 3 p.m. “See the World Through Artist’s Eyes,” as several exhibiting artists work from the same live model to create different works of art in various mediums.

On Saturday, make original art cards from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at a colored-pencil workshop. Then, 2AZZ1 performs jazz from 1 to 4 p.m., with Shades of Blue on stage from 6 to 9 p.m.

On Sunday, dog lovers can make an art treat for their pets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Upstream will be performing their original reggae tunes from noon to 3 p.m. and Fuzzi Logic plays jazz from 4 to 7 p.m. During the show, fine food and beverages are offered by Tivoli Too.

Art-A-Fair is at 777 Laguna Canyon Road. For more information, call (949) 494-4514 or visit art-a-fair.com.

McGee wins president’s award

Laguna Beach artist and published author September McGee was recently awarded the President’s Award at the International Juried Pastel Society of the West Coast, Pastels USA 2009 Exhibition at the Triton Museum in Santa Clara.

Her piece, “Symphony Series “” The Cellists” won the 12th award she has obtained in the past year. The society, with more than 400 members, is the second largest pastel society in the United States.

McGee has also been accepted into the Bowers Museum Invitational Exhibition, which will be Sept. 19 and 20 at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana.

McGee’s work is in many private and public collections throughout the world. Her paintings are currently displayed at the Sawdust Festival.

For more information about the artist, visit www.septembermcgee.com.

OsCene accepting submissions

Laguna Art Museum is currently accepting submissions from Orange County and Long Beach artists working in all media for OsCene 2010, which will run from Feb. 20 to May 16 at the museum.

OsCene 2010 will be curated by Grace Kook-Anderson, Curator of Exhibitions at Laguna Art Museum. The deadline for submissions is noon Sept. 28.

OsCene is a survey exhibition drawn from artists working in all media including painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, multimedia installations, video, architecture, performance and design.

Artists who have an ongoing presence within the county, but may not live in the region and commute, are encouraged to submit, such as employees, university faculty and students (university seniors, or graduate students are welcome). Work produced within the last two years will be considered.

OsCene 2004 was the first survey of Orange County artists in more than 20 years. The museum received more than 400 submissions. Curators from Laguna Art Museum conducted nearly 100 studio visits and then 40 artists were selected.

Interested artists should submit the following: 1) resume; 2) artist statement; 3) materials in any format that best presents the work such as print-outs, CDs or DVDs; 4) a self-addressed envelope with enough postage for the return of materials

Artists should not send original artwork.

Materials should be sent to Laguna Art Museum, Attention: Grace Kook-Anderson, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.

Playhouse Women to host luncheon

Playhouse Women, a support group of the Laguna Playhouse, will host a luncheon for men and women from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Pacific Club, 4110 MacArthur Blvd. in Newport Beach.

The event will feature keynote speaker Sheriff Sandra Hutchens.

“We are extremely honored that Sheriff Hutchens can join us,” Ilona Martin, a charter member of Playhouse Women said. “We are looking forward to hearing more about her accomplishments during her first year in office and her vision for the Sheriff’s Department.”

Reservations are due by Sept. 4. Tickets are $55 for members, $65 for nonmembers. Complimentary valet parking will be provided. Net proceeds benefit the Laguna Playhouse.

For more info, call (949) 497-2787 ext. 225 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

Creative writing workshop offered

Quill Studios will host its Second Saturday Writing Workshop, “Practicing Key Techniques,” from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 12 at Hotel Laguna. Registration and a fee of $75 are due Sept. 1.

Second Saturday Writing Workshops provide substantial instruction while using innovative learning methods. Workshops are developed so that beginning creative writers as well as professionals can advance to higher levels.

The September workshop will focus on storytelling techniques that help writers develop vivid characters and lively scenes using concrete details, description, and dialogue to breathe life into fictional or true stories, as well as poetry and plays or screenplays. For more information, call (602) 703-5308 or e-mail trina@quillstudios.com.

Bluegrass, barbecue set at Aliso Creek Inn

Laguna Beach Live! will feature a fun family afternoon of bluegrass Americana music and barbecue from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 13 at Aliso Creek Inn, 31106 S. Coast Highway.

The young and up-and-coming Bearfoot Band will perform unique music that ranges from traditional bluegrass to original jazzy compositions and has captivated audiences across the nation.

People are encouraged to save the date and to order tickets now as the event sold out quickly last year. To reserve, leave a message at (949) 715-9713.

Concert ticket prices are: adults $12 advance and $15 at the door, and children 12 and younger $7 advance and $10 at the door. To purchase, call (800) 595-4849 or visit www.lagunabeachlive.org.