In The Arts

Winning combo with wine, chocolate and jazz

Thursday nights just got a lot more delicious.

The “Art, Jazz, Wine & Chocolate: What Could Be Better?” series continues from 5 to 8 p.m. every Thursday until Aug. 25 at the Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. The event features select wines by Kendall Jackson, gourmet chocolates by Xan Confections and a broad variety of jazz styles and performances.

The musical lineup includes Max Bennett and Private Reserve on Thursday; jazz vocalist Kate Reid with the Evan Stone Trio on July 28; jazz vocalist Annie Sellick on Aug.4; jazz vocalist Denise Donatelli with the Evan Stone Trio on Aug. 11; jazz guitarist Steve Oliver on Aug. 18; and jazz vocalist Anne Walsh on Aug. 25.

The event is for those 21 and older. Tickets are $15 in addition to Festival of Arts admission, which is $7 for adults and $4 for seniors. Each ticket includes three wine and chocolate pairings. For more information, visit https://www.lagunafestivalofarts.org.

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Gallimaufry conjures up a night of magic

Gallimaufry Performing Arts will feature Brandon Scott’s “Magic Cabaret” at 8 p.m. July 22 and 23 at the Artists’ Theatre, 625 Park Ave.

Scott, a magician who has headlined the Hollywood Bowl, Disneyland, Caesars Palace and the Magic Castle in Hollywood, will come to Laguna for a two-night engagement filled with storytelling, magic, comedy, optical illusions and more. His act has been known to touch on random subjects, such as quantum physics and Shakespeare, mixed with a twist of humor, according to a news release.

The program will also feature performance painter Norton Wisdom and his own take on magic. He creates improvisational paintings set to music. His images tell their own story and are constantly changing.

Tickets are $15 to $20 for adults, and $10 to $15 for students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://www.gallimaufry.org or call (949) 499-5060.

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Shakespeare-inspired work at Wells Fargo

The Festival of Arts presents “The Shakespeare Series” at Wells Fargo’s third-floor gallery, 260 Ocean Ave.

The exhibit of 24 paintings based on Shakespeare’s plays is open through Sept. 15. A wine and cheese reception will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Guests will be treated to a performance by Shakespeare’s Fool with Jason Feddy and Ava Burton. The event is free.

The display is a tribute to the late artist David Rosen and showcases some the most critically acclaimed works of his career, according to a news release.

Rosen’s work has been shown in 17 major national annual exhibitions, including the Festival of Arts, where he was the first non-traditional painter allowed to exhibit.

The Wells Fargo gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

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Artists needed for ‘Summer Reflections’ show

Gallery Q at the Susi Q Senior Center, 380 Third St., will be hosting a “Summer Reflections” show from Aug. 1 to the end of September.

Artists participating in city-sponsored art classes, Irvine Valley College art courses, Laguna Outreach for Community Arts or the Art Salon are encouraged to submit their work for the show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 28.

There is a $15 fee to submit, and one piece per artist only is requested. Oils, acrylics, printmaking, photographs, watercolor and mixed-media works will be accepted. Registration forms are available at the center or at https://www.thesusiq.org.

For more information, call the Susi Q at (949) 497-2441 or email Carole Zavala at czavala831@gmail.com.

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Crystal Cove hosts art show and sale

“Summertime at the Cove,” a plein air art show and sale, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Education Commons in the historic district of Crystal Cove State Park.

About 30 artists will have their paints on display and for sale. Proceeds from the event will go to the Crystal Cove Alliance, which focuses on restoration, education and conservation efforts in the park, according to a news release.

“We hope art lovers from throughout Orange County will join the Crystal Cove community by attending ‘Summertime at the Cove’ as every sale will benefit the unique cultural and historical heritage of Crystal Cove,” Carol Robinson, interpretive store manager at Crystal Cove, said in a news release.

Guests may park in the Los Trancos parking lot for $15, but the fee is waived for those who dine at the Beachcomber Café.

For more information, email Robinson at robinson@crystalcovealliance.org or call (949) 376-6200 ext. 202.

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When cupcakes and the arts mix

Laguna Beach and its Pageant of the Masters will be featured on an upcoming episode of the Food Network’s “Cupcake Wars” at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

In the episode, four cupcake bakers battle it out to win the opportunity to showcase their creations during an exclusive party for the Festival of Arts.

— Compiled by Kelly Parker