A busy weekend

Suzie Harrison

Just because the fireworks are over doesn’t mean the fun is. There’s

still a full buffet of entertainment through the Fourth of July weekend

in Laguna -- but deciding what to do, that’s the hard part.

A quick rundown proves there’s almost too much to do.

Festival of Arts

The Festival of Arts fine art exhibit just opened and includes more

than 140 premiere painters, sculptors, ceramists, jewelers, glass

artists, photographers, wood craftsmen and other artists exhibiting and

selling original works at the festival’s juried art show.

There’s much more going on throughout the festival grounds.

Tie One On is a special exhibit, which began Thursday and runs through

July 19. There are more than 100 original handmade ties, designed by

Festival of Arts artists on view at the festival. On July 20 the ties

will be auctioned to the public.

Proceeds will benefit the artists in need fund.

The festival also will host its first Sunday Classical Music Series

from 2 to 4 p.m. this weekend.

On Monday, the California Choreographers Dance festival will take

place on the festival grounds, showcasing an eclectic mix of contemporary

and traditional dance performances beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The Thursday Night Wine Tasting and Jazz series will kick off at the

festival this Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The festival also has daily art workshops, entertainment,

demonstrations and art tours. Admission is always free for Laguna

residents with proper identification.

The festival opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 11:30 p.m. It is at

650 Laguna Canyon Road. For more information, call 494-1145.

Pageant of the Masters

The world-renowned Pageant of the Masters will open Sunday with

nightly shows at 8:30 p.m. through the summer.

“Heroes and Heroines” is this year’s theme, paying tribute to people

who have fulfilled their dreams throughout history to present day. As

always, the art pieces will come to life as living pictures and

recreations of master work’s of art in bigger than life form. The show

includes classical and contemporary paintings, sculptures and other

pieces of art, all created with exact detail.

The show is accompanied with a live orchestra and poignant narration.

Tickets range from $15 to $65. For further information or reservations

call 1-800-487-3378. The pageant is on the festival ground at 650 Laguna

Canyon Road in the Irvine Bowl.

[seven-degrees]

Laguna Beach’s cutting edge multimedia art and event venue will host a

plethora of first-rate exhibits throughout the summer.

Laguna legend Roark Gourley’s new solo exhibit will open today with an

artist reception from 6 to 9 p.m. Gourley’s work has its origins in

Laguna in the 1960s and he has also been noticed on the continental

scene, including a commissioned exhibit at the Smithsonian.

July 10 marks the date for local Louis Longi’s artist reception from 6

to 9 p.m.

Longi is a well-known bronze sculptor who has keenly developed his own

style and reputation of producing one-of-a-kind original bronze pieces,

which have been commissioned by the city, among others.

[seven-degrees] is at 891 Laguna Canyon Road. For information, call

376-1555.

Laguna Art Museum

On Monday, 50 of the best plein air artists in the country will be

coming to Laguna Beach for the Lincoln Plein Air Painting Invitational

competition hosted by Laguna Art Museum and Laguna Plein Air Painters

Assn.

During the seven-day invitational, the artists will be painting

throughout Laguna Beach, including Main Beach at Broadway and Coast

Highway, Heisler Park along Cliff Drive and in the Laguna Wilderness Park

off Laguna Canyon Road, among others.

The museum is at 307 Cliff Drive. For more information, call 494-8971.

The Sawdust Art Festival

There’s live entertainment every day at the Sawdust Art Festival.

Today:

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lagunatics (Dixieland Jazz); 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Jahnathon Sawdust Circus (deck); noon to 4 p.m. Dan Yablonka & Friends; 4

to 8 p.m. Cynthia Artish; 5 to 9 p.m. Jason Feddy; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Living Proof.

Saturday:

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Francisco Ruano; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gwinn & Turnbull;

10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The Meister Singers; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April Strong

(Balloon Artistry); 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eric Halverson (Juggler); 11 a.m.

to 3 p.m. High on Grass (Blue Grass Band); 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jahnathon

Sawdust Circus (deck); 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tyrone Anthony; 5 to 9 p.m. Juke

Box Scandle; 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Benise.

Sunday

10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lagunatics (Dixieland Jazz); 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. April

Strong (Balloon Artistry); 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eric Halverson (Juggler); 11

a.m. to 3 p.m. Gail Chasin with Peter Dobson; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jahnathon

Sawdust Circus (deck); noon to 4 p.m. Patty Booker & The Citibillys

(Country-West Coast Style); 5 to 9 p.m. The Mainlanders; 5:30 to 9:30

p.m. Riff Raff; 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. JJ & Habibis Belly Dancers.

Besides the live entertainment there is the main event, which is the

art show featuring 188 of Laguna Beach’s artists. Admission is $6.50 for

adults; $5.50 seniors and for children 12 and under; and free for kids 5

and younger.

The Sawdust Art Festival is at 935 Laguna Canyon Road. For

information, call 494-3030.

Hometown barbecue

The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce is hosting its seventh annual

Hometown BBQ & Pageant of the Masters party today at the Wells Fargo Bank

parking lot, 260 Ocean Drive from 5 to 8:30 p.m. It is sold out. So

remember that it sells out fast and get a ticket for next year by calling

the chamber at 494-1018, Ext. 1.

Art-A-Fair Exhibition

Free daily art workshops are offered at this national juried art

competition. Some of the country’s best artists exhibit at this festival.

The exhibit is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. except on

Friday and Saturday when it closes at 10 p.m. Cost of admission is $5.

The Art-A-Fair is at 777 Laguna Canyon Road. For more information, please

call 494-2163.

Adopt A Beach Clean Up

This Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to noon there will be a cleanup at

Main Beach sponsored by Clean Water Now. Why not pitch in because of all

the fun you’ve enjoyed for the holiday?