IN THE ARTS

Gallimaufry presents new Kiraly comedy

The Promiscuous Assemblage, Gallimaufry Performing Arts’ permanent repertory company, will be presenting the world premiere of the comedy “Scared Money,” a new work by local novelist, playwright and screenwriter and Coastline Pilot columnist Sherwood Kiraly.

“Scared Money” will run for two weeks only at the Forum Theatre on the Festival of Arts grounds, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. Performance are at 8 p.m. April 10, 11, 17 and 18 and 2 p.m. April 11 and 18. Tickets are $5 to $20 and can be purchased through www.gallimaufry.info/ buytickets.html or by calling (949) 499-5060.

“We are thrilled beyond belief that Sherwood has chosen us to present the world premiere of ‘Scared Money,’” said Gallimaufry founder and director Steve Josephson. “This piece is comic gold. At our first reading there was nonstop laughter from beginning to end. I’m talking Neil Simon funny. I’ve worked a lot on developing new works and we didn’t expect this at a first reading. It was so finished, polished and rhythmically sound. He’s a brilliant writer.”

“I like the idea of doing ‘Scared Money’ with Gallimaufry because they’re a local company that’s done fine work. I recently spent several years working on a film with Steppenwolf, a famous theater group, which John Malkovich, Gary Sinise and Terry Kinney started as a small actors’ company outside Chicago, and I like the intimacy of that rep group feeling.”

The title of the play is from the gambler’s expression, “Scared money never wins.”

“It’s particularly timely now, when those of us with money worries are doing our best to keep our hysteria from showing,” Kiraly said. “I guess you could say it’s a play for those who want to know where the money really is. It’s a comedy and I think it’s my funniest one to date. It’s also a mystery, but it’s not a whodunit, it’s more of a where-is-it. I got the idea for it while walking the dog, and I got very excited and came home and told my wife, Patti Jo, who separates my good ideas from the raving. When she got excited about it too, I knew I had something.”

For more information, visit www.gallimaufry.info or call (949) 499-5060.

Blitt sculptures at Marion Meyer

Wall sculptures by Rita Blitt will continue though March at Marion Meyer Contemporary Art. The exhibition, titled “Sacred Moments” runs through March 28. A reception for the artist will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday coinciding with the monthly Laguna Beach First Thursday Art Walk.

Known for both monumental and smaller scale sculptures, as well as paintings and film, Blitt is introducing new wall sculptures created in bronze and stainless steel.

One of the show’s highlights is “Mystery and Grandeur,” a stainless steel wall sculpture that will be featured in Art News Magazine. “When I create, I feel like I’m dancing,” Blitt said. “This physical movement while drawing or painting results in unique lines that I rarely alter before turning them into three-dimensional pieces.”

Blitt derives pleasure from collaborating with dancers. “Caught in Paint,” a six-minute documentary collaboration with David Parsons and the Parsons Dance Company, is Blitt’s most successful film, having won many awards and invited to more than 115 film festivals, including Cannes in 2008.

A variety of Blitt’s sculptures, drawings and paintings can be found on www.marionmeyergallery. com. The gallery is at 354 N. Coast Hwy. For more information call (949) 497-5442.

First Sundays present Third Wheel Trio

Laguna Beach Live! and Laguna College of Art & Design will present Third Wheel Trio on Sunday in the First Sundays program of free music and art.

Third Wheel is a woodwind trio with a repertoire spanning more than four centuries of music that seeks to expands the definition of chamber music with an unusual instrumentation and fresh, youthful perspective. Members of the group are Adrienne Geffen, clarinet, Karin Kantenwein, flute and Rich Ramberg, bassoon. They will be playing works by Schubert, Kuspa, Blank, Muszynski and others.

The concert is 3 to 4:30 p.m. with a brief intermission and is at the Laguna College of Art & Design, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road.

First Sundays are sponsored by the lodging establishments and city of Laguna Beach, and donations from the audience.

The Art Gallery opens at 2 p.m. Visit www.lagunacollege.edu for details.

Writing workshop offered at Aliso Creek

Trina Belanger is offering a writing workshop on character development from 12:30 to 4 p.m. March 14, at Aliso Creek Inn and Golf Course, 31106 Coast Hwy., in the Aliso Room.

The fee is $65 and pre-registration is required by March 7.

This mini course will be on character development “” an essential technique for producing compelling fiction, nonfiction, poetry and drama.

To register, e-mail Belanger at Trina@QuillStudios.com.

Art classes at Marine Mammal Center

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is the setting of a new series of art workshops with an environmental message. Presented by Laguna Outreach for Community Arts (LOCA), the workshops include a docent lead tour of the Center and a close up view of live seals and sea lions undergoing rehabilitation. Participants will learn to identify species, how they live and what can be done to protect them in our oceans. Following the tour, participants will enjoy a hands-on art class, taught by a professional instructor, with a focus on marine mammals. Finished art can be taken home.

The workshops are offered from 9 to 10:30 a.m. March 7, April 4 and May 2. Cost, including art supplies, is $20 for adults and $15 for young people ages 6 to 18 accompanied by an adult.

Free on-site parking is available and advanced registration is required, by calling (949) 363-4700, or e-mail locaarts@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.LOCAarts.org. This program is supported by lodging establishments and the city of Laguna Beach.

Dance La Vida will be at local church

Dance La Vida will be at Neighborhood Congregational Church, 340 St Ann’s Drive, from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday until September. It is an open floor dance program, based on self-expression through movement “” equal parts cardio workout, trance mediation, and ecstatic dance. There is no talking, just a series of movements through a choreography of world rhythms. Dance La Vida includes live drumming. Hula hoopers are also welcome.

Participants should wear loose, comfortable clothing, go barefoot, or wear dance shoes.

Hand towels are provided (be prepared to sweat), as well as Chai tea at the conclusion.

Dance La Vida is $10 and open to everyone. There is no structure. Participants can rest and rejoin at their own pace.

“It’s a joyful meditation, stretch and workout, allowing you to purge stress and anxiety. Sunday afternoon is a great time to give your mind and body a release, and feel great for the coming week,” said co-founder Nicole King.

The mix of music is dynamic and eclectic, including mood, spiritual, world beats, Latin, funk, house and reggae.

Art museum auction is Saturday

Auction 100, presented by Laguna Art Museum, features 100 works from 100 top California artists.

The slowdown in the economy has created some unique opportunities in terms of acquiring great art. Artists in Auction 100 have made work available that they have not been able to for years due to a past shortage of inventory. Many artists have given prime work for Auction 100 that is rare to find at a museum auction.

The event will feature both a live and a silent auction. Auctioneer Chuck Dreyer will present the work during the live auction and he will be assisted by the Museum’s Education Curator Jacqueline Bunge.

The exhibition may be previewed between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. through today at Laguna Art Museum, or at the online gallery on LagunaArtMuseum.org.

The auction will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. At 6 p.m., the silent auction and informal curatorial tours will begin.

A buffet, cocktails, music and curbside valet parking at the front door of the Museum are included with the price of admission. Member tickets are valued at $125 each and non-member tickets are $150 each.

This fundraiser benefits the education and exhibition programs at Laguna Art Museum.

For more information about Auction 100, contact Events Director Marnie Wall at (949) 494-8971, ext. 219.