OUR LAGUNA -- Barbara Diamond

The Laguna Playhouse served up a tasty treat Monday, a dine-around

enjoyed by 500 supporters of the theater.

“It was our biggest Movable Feast ever, more than double the people

who attended in previous years,” said Rick Stein, playhouse executive

director. “We raised $50,000.”

Playhouse supporters paid $100 each for a three-course dinner, with a

choice of 12 restaurants for starters and entrees. The evening began and

ended at Seven Degrees, where a pre-dinner cocktail party and

after-dinner coffee and dessert were held along with a silent auction.

Councilwoman Toni Iseman and Steve Miller dined at Savoury’s and

Claes. Cedar Creek Inn, Five Feet, 230 Forest Avenue, French 75, Partners

Bistro, Sorrento Grille, Splashes, Sundried Tomato, Vertical Wine Bar and

Villa Romana Tratoria were other possible choices on the menu.

Playhouse trustee Martha Lydick and her son, Chip, Louise Arnold,

Claire Robinson and Tom and Joyce Murphy were among those who enjoyed

quail and foie gras for their first course at Sundried Tomato.

“We have been supporters of the playhouse and the Pageant of the

Masters for almost 30 years,” Tom said.

Otis and Barbara Healy opted to dine at Splashes. Former Mayor Lida

Lenney had her main course at Claes.

Longtime local playhouse supporters chatted together at Seven Degrees

about the theater’s history.

“I spent thousands of volunteer hours when it was a community

theater,” said Anne Wood, a lifetime member of the playhouse.

George Woods claimed bragging rights as one of the few actors who

worked at the theater under both systems.

Lynne Biscieglia has the distinction of being the last stage manager

before the theater went 100% professional.

The guest list also included locals Ilona Martin and Luis Marmol, Kim

Herbert, Chuck and Sheila Little, John and Gail Ueberroth, David Schaar,

Philo and Diane Smith, Joe and Susan Jahraus; playhouse board President

Ronald Schwartz and his wife, Sindi; playhouse trustees Eleanor Schmidt,

Salvatore Di Mascio and Pauline Chilton and Playhouse artistic director

Andy Barnicle.

YOU GOTTA HAVE ART

Arts Orange County honored Laguna Beach as the year’s outstanding

patron of the visual arts at the annual presentation held April 18 at the

Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach.

“It was wonderful to be recognized by the arts community,” said city

arts coordinator Sian Poeschl.

Sian accepted the award on behalf of the city, along with Arts

Commissioners Linda Dietrich, Nancy Beverage and Jan Sattler. More honors

were to come.

The Laguna Art Museum was named the outstanding visual arts

organization. The award was accepted by Jack Kenefick. Laurie Brown,

whose work was recently exhibited at the museum, was selected as the

outstanding visual artist.

Teri Ralston, who has appeared on the Laguna Playhouse stage, was

named outstanding performing artist and North Lagunan Vesta Curry

received the outstanding volunteer award.

Michael Gordon of Emerald Bay was one of the presenters.

NOT SO SMALL, AFTER ALL

Almost 200 people jammed into City Hall for the reception held April

17 to honor the artists exhibited in “Art That’s Small at City Hall.”

“I am not a miniaturist, but I like working in a smaller size,” said

James Otto, who was awarded second place.

John Piampiano took first prize and Stephanie Cunningham came in

third. Honorable mentions went to Carolyn Machado, Ken Auster and Marcy

Fitzgerrell. Marcy also has two holiday palettes are in the city’s

collection.

The artists propped their works on the chairs of the City Council

Chamber for the perusal of judges Scott Moore and John Barber. Scott is

president of the Festival of Arts Board. John exhibits at the festival

and the Sawdust Festival. The city recently approved his work for

permanent installation at the Laguna Beach Colony Hotel.

“One of the nicest things was that the city employees voted on their

favorite piece and presented an award to the winner, Marianne Brewer,”

said Arts Commissioner Pat Kollenda.

Forty-five artists entered 115 paintings for judging. Each artist was

allowed to enter three pieces. About 80 paintings were chosen for the

show. The tiny canvases were hung in a wave pattern, designed by Rob

Esterly. Joe Dill labeled the entries. The show will continue until May

3. Arts Commissioners Linda Dietrich, Mike Tauber and Joan Corman Block

were on the show committee. Laguna Beach High School student Josh Block

and Orange County School of the Arts student Jessica Gelber earned

community service credits by assisting the committee. Anyone interested

in buying one of the pieces may contact city arts coordinator Sian

Poeschl at 497-0716.

Among those who attended the show, city Community Services Department

Director Pat Barry, John Hoover, Robert Dietrich, and admiring artists

Olivia Batchelder and Patricia Turnier.

A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

The first guided tours of the coveted fifth Laguna Laurel parcel will

be held Saturday. Part of a ceremony, hosted by the Laguna Canyon

Foundation, is to celebrate the unprecedented gift of the land for open

space from Irvine Co. owner Donald Bren. The public is invited.

Activities are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Shuttle buses will run from 8 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Park at the Dilley

Preserve, just north of the intersection of El Toro and Laguna Canyon

roads.

For more information, visit the Web site at lagunacanyon.org or call

855-7275.

* Our Laguna is a regular feature of the Coastline Pilot.

Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box 248,

Laguna Beach, 92652, hand-deliver to 384 Forest Ave., Suite 22; call

494-4321 or fax 494-8979.