IN THE ARTS

Sawdust studio tour is Saturday

Laguna Beach artists from the Sawdust Festival will open their studios Saturday to art enthusiasts. A Sawdust guide will escort groups of no more than 15 on three-hour tours. Tickets are $80 for a full day of touring and $45 for a half-day with transportation, morning refreshments, and an afternoon reception. Morning tours begin at 9:30 a.m. and afternoon tours start at 1:30 p.m.

All tours begin and end at the Sawdust grounds and for safety purposes all tour goers must use Sawdust transportation. Comfortable shoes are recommended. For more information, call (949) 494-3030 or e-mail questions@sawdustart festival.org.

College seniors hold showcase

Graduating fine arts seniors at Laguna College of Art & Design will present a one-night-only group exhibition of original artwork from 6 to 9 p.m. May 6 at [seven-degrees], 891 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. The community is invited to meet the artists and view their array of works in a variety of mediums, many of which will be available for sale.

Now in its 11th year, the annual exhibition is produced entirely by the fine arts graduating seniors under the guidance of faculty member Brad Coleman. The showcase is the final project for the Senior Portfolio Class, a course designed to help the students begin to make the leap from student work to a level that is closer to that of a professional artist.

“This is an opportunity for the students to finish off their time at LCAD on a successful and very positive note,” Coleman said. “They know that this exhibition showcases their work for the art community, and so they always rise to the occasion.”

Participating artists include: Shane Daley, Orion Fisher, Pablo Gonzalez, Dana Heiden, Hannah Josepher, Jason Kowalski, William Knox-Davies, Joseph Leonard, Jared Linge, Luselia Marin, Susan Marion Offield, Ofelia Marquez, Katharina Matthews, Elizabeth McGhee, Erin Metzdorf and Melissa Mickle.

No Square casting for ‘Just So’ musical

No Square Theatre is holding open auditions 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 2 for its June production of “Just So,” a musical inspired by the tales of Rudyard Kipling that will be the company’s debut musical in its new rehearsal and 99-seat performance space at Legion Hall.

“It’s a great story, and the songs are terrific,” said founding artistic director Bree Burgess Rosen. “And we have a first-rate creative team of local pros.”

Choreographer Lynda Haylett and musical director Roxanna Ward are No Square mainstays and hometown favorites, and, at 19, Noah Plomgren is one of the most seasoned actor/directors in Orange County.

“He’s our wunderkind,” Rosen said of Plomgren. “By the time he headed off to college “” Carnegie-Mellon “” to get his BFA in Theater last fall, he had starred in or directed shows at the Artists’ Theatre, the Playhouse, and the Forum Theatre.”

Plomgren also served as the artistic director for Gallimaufry’s student-run Generation GAP, and was the founding director of No Square’s self-directed youth program, Square Roots, and winner of No Square’s 2008 scholarship.

The company is also excited about presenting “Just So” in its intimate new rehearsal and performance space at Legion Hall, 384 Legion St., Laguna Beach.

“We’ve been doing our Open Mic nights there since February,” Rosen said. “All we need now is a cast who wants to work with the best people and have the best time doing it.”

There are parts for performers from eight to 80, and Rosen said the rehearsal schedule will accommodate students. Audition information is on the group’s website, at www.nosquare.org.

Zimmer to perform at First Sundays May 3

Classical guitarist Lee Zimmer will perform in a free First Sundays afternoon of music and art from 3 to 4 p.m. May 3 at Laguna College of Art & Design, 2222 Laguna Canyon Road, with ample complimentary parking.

Zimmer heads the guitar studies at La Sierra and California Baptist universities, and is also in charge of curriculum development at the Fender Center for the Performing Arts where he teaches guitar, bass and band classes.

First Sundays is presented by Laguna Beach Live!, funded by the lodging establishments and city of Laguna Beach, Laguna College of Art & Design, and contributions from the audience. Visit www.lagunabeachlive.org for more information.

Art and Sea Weekend coming May 1

Laguna Outreach for Community Arts is taking reservations for its upcoming Art and Sea Weekend. The three offerings include a sunset soiree at the beach, a ceramics workshop with live sea lions and a tide pool watercolor class for families. The events are designed to be affordable.

The weekend starts with the “Sunset by the Sea” reception from 6 to 9 p.m. May 1 at the oceanfront Villa at Pacific Edge Hotel to celebrate honorary chair Betsy Jenkins. Silent auction prizes include hotel packages, dining experiences and water sports equipment. All proceeds benefit the educational arts programs of LOCA. Admission is $40 in advance, $50 at the door.

“Marine Mammal Studios” will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m. May 2. Attendees will tour the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Canyon, and observe live seals and sea lions undergoing rehabilitation. Following the tour, instructor Jan Sattler will lead a clay-sculpting workshop. All materials are included, at $20 for adults, $15 for those 6 and older.

“Tide Pool Journaling” will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. May 3. Participants will meet on the sand at Treasure Island Beach. Instructor September McGee will explain how to mix colors and create images of the tide pool creatures. The class includes a tote bag, watercolor journal, paints, pencil, pen and snack courtesy of Montage Resort. Costs are $35 adults, and $20 for those ages 5 and older.

Advance registrations are required, by contacting Laguna Outreach for Community Arts at (949) 363-4700, or by e-mailing LOCAarts@yahoo.com. For more information, visit www.LOCAarts.org.

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