Big weekend on tap

SUZIE HARRISON

This weekend calls for a healthy aerobic pace to get in all the fun.

Today of course is the holiday and many of the local bars will be

offering Halloween-based happenings. And the arts too are making a

full pass into the end zone with various functions going on.

My black cat Pacific will not be partaking in the festivities --

this black cat will be safely indoors -- but he does offer the spirit

of the holiday through his color. Call it childish, but the first

time he stretched and arched his back I laughed thinking of the

classic image that has been embedded in my mind since preschool.

CELEBRATION OF THE ARTS

“The Celebration of the Arts” event at Tivoli Terrace was one of

the best art-related events that I’ve attended and is a combo benefit

for the Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts and a celebration of Arts

and Humanities month. Now into its second year, the Laguna Beach

Alliance for the Arts is a coalition of Laguna Beach-based arts

organizations and is an advocate of community-based collaborations to

support the arts. Proceeds from the silent auction will go toward art

alliance programs, including the Cultural Arts Calendar and Web site.

The dinner and reception was held on Oct. 23 with the Laguna Beach

Visitors and Convention Bureau honored for its role in facilitating

the arts through the city’s Business Improvement District. The event

also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Arts Commission and had

many of the commissioners their to be recognized through the years

since its inception.

A cornucopia of artists, as well as members of the various art

organizations, were there to show their support. It was a very social

scene and Nancy Beverage needs to be thanked for all her hard work in

putting it together.

Les Thomas, president of the arts alliance and chair of the arts

commission was the emcee. His wife, ever chipper, Marilyn manned the

camera snapping photos fastidiously, as she does for every Music in

the Park Concert in the summer.

“The Laguna Beach Alliance for the Arts is an amazing group of 23

organizations, we’re all about collaboration,” Thomas said. “We’re

honoring people tonight who have stepped up to the plate to be

leaders, making an impact on the arts in Laguna Beach, who have given

part of their life and energy for Laguna Beach arts. It’s just a

powerful thing.”

The Laguna Community Concert Band provided the entertainment

before the festivities began. But the highlight was a performance by

Roxana Ward. She had everyone roaring with her wit and talent. Also

the ever talented Pat Kollenda and Laguna Tunes added their funny

shtick. Mike Tauber and Suzi Chauvel did a fantastic job selling

raffle tickets to help make it a successful event. Stuart Byer came

out a big winner in the raffle and Bob Dietrich helped earn funds for

the cause with his generous bid in the auction. Though I miss seeing

Linda Dietrich at as many art events that she used to attend. That

number has had to slim down because of her role on the planning

commission.

It’s amazing that there is so much support for the arts in Laguna

with about 250 people attending the event and making the arts in

Laguna Beach such a wonderful treasure. We are lucky to have all

these dedicated people who make Laguna the unique cultural community

that it is.

DANCE FEVER

For the second year, California Choreographers Dance Festival is

bringing a free day of dance lessons, performances and a great dance

experience to Laguna Beach. Staring at 10 a.m. through 3 p.m. will be

dance classes at No Square Theatre’s Rehearsal Studio located at 221

Broadway. Other free activities include a dance performance at Main

Beach from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. followed by a physical comedy for

dance workshop from 6 to 9 p.m. back at the studio. All the classes

and performances are done by master instructors. Last year the

renowned Lila Zali taught one of her last ever ballet classes. It was

an honor to meet her and she will forever be an icon and inspiration

to the world of dance. For information, go to www.cadancefest.com.

SURFRIDER BENEFIT

Saturday at the Women’s Club the Laguna Beach chapter of the

Surfrider Foundation is having a fun fund raiser, “El Dia de los

Muertos,” with a raffle, dancing drinks, food and prizes and live

entertainment by local band “The Blues Offenders.” They’ll be dressed

in masks, ponchos and sombreros, illustrating the spirit of the

theme. The band offers an array of songs that keeps its audience of

its feet. The event will run from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and tickets are

$30 at the door. Attendees must be 21-years-old to attend. The

Women’s Club is located at 286 St. Ann’s Drive.

CARNEVALE COMES TO LAGUNA

The first ever Carnevale is coming to Laguna on Saturday from 5

p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Festival of Arts grounds at 650 Laguna Canyon

Road.

It’s being called “Carnevale Zali,” and is being dedicated to the

great Lila Zali, who has forever changed the world of dance.

“Carnevale Zali” promises to be a whirlwind of costumes, fun and

extravagance with music, dance, art, beverages and cuisine with a

costume contest offering a $500 cash purse. Some of the costumes will

be very intricate with many of them having made their debut at the

Carnevale in Venice and other well-known Carnevales in Europe.

Costumes are encouraged but not required.

The event is a benefit for artist live/work spaces in Laguna

Beach. Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door. Advance tickets

can be purchased at the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce, 357

Glenneyre St., and Laguna Beach Ballet Studio at 1863 S. Coast

Highway or online at www.laguna-carnevale.com. For information, call

(800) 762-5278.

I’m not sure how to make it to all the different happenings this

weekend, perhaps a bit of carbo-loading will facilitate. I’ll have a

good time trying.

TREASURED TIME OF THE MONTH

After a tiny respite from this weekend’s events, I’ll be looking

forward to First Thursdays Art Walk. I’ll don my special green Pumas

that I got in my favorite big city San Francisco, and head to the

pre-event at the bus depot for a dedication of the mural

installations. Then it’s on to enjoying the 40-plus galleries around

Laguna.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at (949) 494-4321 or

suzie.harrison@latimes.com.