BRIEFLY IN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Holiday ballet to appear at Forum Theatre

California Danse Theatre’s Youth Ballet will present “The Enchanted Toy Shoppe,” an original production, Nov. 30, Dec. 1 and 2 at the Forum Theatre on the Festival of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road.

The production was written and choreographed by company founder Melissa Allen Bowman, who was recently named director of American Ballet Theatre’s summer program.

The story, a prequel to “The Nutcracker,” takes place in a toymaker’s shop where dolls come alive to tell their stories to the delight of village children. When night falls, the dolls gather to encourage a broken wishing doll, the Nutcracker’s lost sweetheart. Meanwhile, two sisters from a poor village family struggle with their disappointment when they see the beautiful dolls being given as presents to other children.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Nov. 30; 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 1; and 2 p.m. Dec. 2.

Children are encouraged to wear tutus for the matinee performances, after which they may have their picture taken with the doll of their choice.

Tickets are $20; for more information, call (949) 218-1818.

Shanti holds ninth annual wreath auction

Shanti Orange County will hold its ninth annual Wreath Auction from 6 to 10 p.m. Dec. 3.

The event has raised more than $120,000 in support of Shanti’s programs and services for the HIV and AIDS community of Orange County.

This year’s auction will be hosted by Mozambique Steakhouse, which will provide complimentary appetizers along with a cash bar in its Coastal Lounge.

This year, in addition to auctioning one-of-a-kind wreaths donated by Laguna artists, the event will also feature a holiday tree ornament silent auction.

Laguna Beach artist and Arts Commissioner Mike Tauber will serve as auctioneer.

Wreaths and ornaments need to be completed by Tuesday for display at Mozambique in the week prior to the event.

For more information on the event or to donate a wreath and/or ornament, call (949) 452-0888.

Laguna photographer publishes book

Laguna Beach photographer Faye Chapman has recently published “Faces of the Shadows, Life on the Street,” a photo journal that explores the pain and lives of homeless men and women in Southern California.

Chapman, who was once homeless for a short time, will donate a portion of the proceeds to benefit the homeless, shelters, missions and those who need a hand up.

She will hold her first book signing Dec. 6 at Laguna Beach Books; proceeds will benefit Laguna Resource Center.

For more information, visit www.facesoftheshadows.com.

College seniors exhibit at local galleries

The 6th Annual First Thursdays Art Walk and Laguna College of Art & Design Student/Gallery Professional Mentor Collaboration, 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6, will feature paintings by select senior students exhibited in 19 Laguna Beach galleries who have volunteered their time and talent to mentor an LCAD student.

Participating students enrolled in the Professional Studies course at Laguna College of Art & Design. The Professional Studies course, taught by Professor Robin Fuld, career and job placement officer, is designed to demonstrate the intricacies involved in the business of operating a gallery and professionally exhibiting artwork.

Proceeds from the sale of student artwork will benefit the student artists, Laguna College of Art & Design Scholarship Fund and the First Thursdays Art Walk. Maps are available at participating Art Walk galleries.

Meyer exhibits encaustic works

Marion Meyer Contemporary Art will debut “Earthly Meditations,” a collection of abstracted landscapes by Sylvia Torres, during First Thursdays Art Walk, 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6.

The medium used in the paintings is encaustic, a combination of pigments, beeswax and the resin of the damar tree.

Painted in many, many layers, each layer both reveals and conceals the layer beneath. The process requires both patience and skill and is considered meditative.

For more information, visit www.marionmeyergallery.com.

Playhouse offers free tickets to firefighters

To thank Southern California firefighters for their heroic efforts in battling the recent wildfires in Orange County and surrounding areas, The Laguna Playhouse invites them to attend a performance of the Off-Broadway musical Hank Williams: Lost Highway (running Tuesdays through Sundays, through December 16) as guests of The Laguna Playhouse.

“In 1993, the Laguna Beach wildfire came within 100 feet of The Laguna Playhouse, but firefighters were able to douse the flames before they did any damage,” recalls Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director Andrew Barnicle.

“We all know about the heroic efforts that hundreds of firefighters made last month battling local fires, so The Laguna Playhouse would like to offer them a token of our appreciation for their efforts. We thought a pair of tickets to our musical about Hank Williams would be perfect.”

“Hank Williams: Lost Highway” is a musical tribute that traces the brief but stellar career of country music icon Hank Williams, who touched the hearts of millions of people through his memorable performances and yearning songs. Packed with familiar melodies, including “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” the show recounts Williams’ often lonely journey from Alabama obscurity to super-stardom at the Grand Ole Opry.

To obtain a pair of complimentary tickets to any performance, firefighters should call the Laguna Playhouse box office at (949) 497-2787, ext. 1.

A valid firefighter ID is required to pick up tickets. Tickets are subject to availability””some performances may be sold out. No refunds on previously purchased tickets.

This play has mature themes and is not suitable for children.

For more information, visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.