Something new in The Lab
GREER WYLDER
Two unique malls, The LAB and The CAMP, across from one another on
Bristol Street in Costa Mesa, are offering a giant sidewalk sale on
Saturday, July 17. Visitors can enjoy food, activities,
entertainment, learn outdoor skills at clinics and partake in
hands-on demonstrations featuring the latest outdoor gear. Select
apparel and gear will be reduced up to 60%.
The LAB is at 2930 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa and www.thelab.com.
The CAMP is at 2937 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa and
www.thecampsite.com.
The LAB has gone through a revamping and has designed a “Living
Room” in the heart of this alternative-shopping mecca, known for its
offbeat appeal. The gathering place features 1960s inspired kitschy
chandeliers, a hallway of mirrors, flowing drapery and a display of
poodle plates.
The LAB’s grown-up, glamorous decor reflects its new persona. It’s
a far cry from its youth of swap-meet-style sofas and campy decor.
The LAB attracts a loyal following whose tastes are maturing.
“We are seeing a shift in trends much similar to the ‘60s, as
young innovators inspire fashion, music and art itself,” said Julie
Shumaker from The LAB. “The ‘60s modern and luxurious influences
paved the way for social mobility, daring fashion photography, easier
travel abroad, the new music of the Beatles, pop art and more, in
which the youth became the leaders of fashion. We at The LAB have
always believed in the power of the ‘60s, and our current Living Room
pays homage to the era.”
The LAB was developed on the 3-acre site in the early 1990s. The
open and relaxed retail complex appeals to Orange County’s hip and
urban youth culture. It fits this group’s lifestyle demands by
supplying fashion, music, food and art merchants. It currently offers
14 specialty stores and restaurants including Urban Outfitters,
Buffalo Exchange, Black and Blue, The Gypsy Den Cafe, Crew Salon,
Habit, Carve, Blends, Roboculture, Habana Cuban Restaurant, Zipangu
Sushi Restaurant, Shine and Dr. Freecloud’s.
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Fashion Island’s Annual Summer Concert Series, a Newport Beach
tradition for 37 years, started yesterday. The six-week series is
held at 7 p.m. every Wednesday in the Bloomingdale’s Courtyard of
Fashion Island. Concerts are free, but VIP seating is available for
$20. On July 21, Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals perform their pop hits
from the 1960s and 1970s. Their songs earned them a spot in the Rock
& Roll Hall of Fame. Guests can enjoy classics such as “Groovin’,” “A
Beautiful Morning” and “Mustang Sally,” among many others. The Lovin’
Spoonful, another Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band, performs on July 28.
The group is known for its hits “Do You Believe in Magic?” and
“Summer in the City.” On Aug. 4, The Fixx will perform popular hits
from the ‘80s, including “One Thing Leads to Another” and “Saved by
Zero.” The band has had a dozen top-10 hits and will have its
original lineup, including lead vocalist Cy Curnin, Jamie West-Oram
on lead guitar, Rupert Greenall on keyboards and drummer Adam Woods.
The newest addition is bass player Gary Tibbs, formerly of Adam and
the Ants and Roxy Music. On Aug. 11, Dave Mason returns to the Summer
Concert Series. Mason was an original member of the group Traffic and
penned the hit “Feelin’ Alright.” He then left to pursue a solo
career and recorded four gold albums and had the top-10 hit “We Just
Disagree.” He also has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of
Fame as a member of Traffic. On Aug. 18, Grammy-winner Poncho Sanchez
will be the final performer in the series. Sanchez plays his popular
style of Latin jazz on his legendary conga drums. His band performs
along on percussion, brass and piano. His hit songs include “Mama
Guena,” “Prestame Tu Corazon” and “Watermelon Man.” Fashion Island’s
concert series debuted in 1967 and has attracted as many as 10,000
people in one night. Preferred tickets are available at the Fashion
Island Concierge. VIP ticket holders will have access to a no-host
martini and wine bar, with proceeds benefiting Project Independence,
a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping developmentally
disabled adults in Orange County live and work independently. (949)
721-2000.
SAY CHEESE
Figge Photography is offering two specials this summer. Figge is
in the process of remodeling the studio -- which should be finished
by Aug. 15 -- and its shooting room will be dark for several weeks.
In August, sittings are 50% off in the studio and 25% off at the
beach. The summer special includes 25 complimentary 5x5 prints,
perfect for holiday cards. Figge does really well with this offer, so
it’s best to call ahead to reserve a time. Figge Photography, 240
Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 644-6933.
RHYMES WITH ORANGE
For 20 years, the Orange County Museum and South Coast Plaza have
offered the public a free satellite gallery and museum store that’s
introduced the visual arts to millions. Now they’re expanding their
partnership by opening the Orange Lounge on July 31 at South Coast Plaza. The new lounge shares two innovations: it’s the first museum
space on the West Coast specifically devoted to audio works, digital
and video art; and the only space of its kind in a shopping mall. The
Orange Lounge offers a flexible project space for large-scale
projections, a lounge area with different seating configurations for
viewing works on monitors and plasma screens and a listening station
for presentations of audio works. The Orange Lounge also features
“curated” selections of items related to digital culture for
purchase. The space was designed to create a unique experience for
the visitor, expanding the viewing of media art beyond sitting on a
bench in a dark room or at a “workstation.” The Orange Lounge
provides a variety of social settings for interaction with
exhibitions and eight programs annually of related presentations,
performances and discussions to examine the impact of digital media
on contemporary visual culture. In addition to viewing temporary
one-person shows and thematic group exhibitions, visitors can access
two educational resources on an ongoing basis. The Orange Lounge
website will introduce visitors to the Internet art community. The
Orange Lounge video will provide access to the museum’s growing
collection of single-channel works by artists such as Douglas Gordon,
Gary Hill, Joan Jonas, William Kentridge, Christian Marclay, Paul
McCarthy, Nam June Paik, Pipilotti Rist, and William Wegman. San
Francisco-based artist Amy Franceschini and her collective,
Futurefarmers, will work with the museum to design the user interface
for both of these projects. “Hypermedia” opens the new Orange Lounge.
This exhibition features video works from the museum’s collection and
marks the launch of a new online exhibition site and new media
resource. Diana Thater’s “Wicked Witch” (1996) transforms the Orange
Lounge’s 800-square-foot project space into a psychedelic poppy field
inspired by the film classic “The Wizard of Oz.” Also featured in
Hypermedia is video work by Christian Marclay entitled “Telephones”
(1995). Marclay creates works that explore ways in which sound is
experienced. “Telephones” is a fast-paced single-channel video
featuring fragments of telephone conversations from well-known
films.Orange Lounge at South Coast Plaza. Level 3, Crate & Barrel
wing, next door to the Paul Frank Store. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to
Friday; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
Admission is free. (714) 662-3366. www.ocma.net.
IN THE GROOVE
At Tiffany’s, Paloma Picasso has designed a hip, graphic bracelet
and necklace called Paloma’s Groove. It’s summer’s hottest jewelry
item for men and women. It’s a grooved silver cylinder on a sleek
black rubber cord, intended to send a surge of energy through style.
The 17” long necklace is $195 and the bracelet is $125. Tiffany & Co.
Level 1 at South Coast Plaza. (714) 540-5330.
* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays. Send information to Greer Wylder at
greerwylder@yahoo.com; at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627; or by
fax at (949) 646-4170.
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