In The Arts

Jazz saxophonist performs Saturday

Award-winning saxophonist Jackiem Joyner will perform live from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Saturday on the Festival of Arts grounds as part of the Summer Smooth Jazz Concert Series.

Dubbed “‘Lil Man Soul,” the urban jazz artist, composer and producer who won the 2009 “Best Debut Artist of the Year” by Smooth Jazz news, will perform hip, up-tempo songs from his 2007 debut album, “Babysoul.”

The album earned the No. 15 spot on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz chart, and contained the hit single, “Stay With Me Tonight,” featuring guitarist Peter White, which stayed on Radio & Records’ Smooth Jazz chart for 25 weeks, peaking at No. 13.

His new single, “I’m Waiting For You,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and on the National Radio and Records charts this summer.

“I’m learning that the most important element of building and sustaining a career in this business is developing that unique sound over time and being consistent,” Joyner said. “There’s nothing more liberating and fun than taking center stage myself and looking out there and knowing the audience is connecting with my own music.”

The concert series is free with Festival of Arts admission, which is $7.

Dubin and Peters hold studio sale

Artists Jorg Dubin and Jeff Peters will sell selected works from 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday at their studios, 2535 Laguna Canyon Road.

The work will be a mix of discounted paintings, studies starting at $20 and loose works on paper, all at recession-friendly prices.

The artists also promise to make the best carnitas you’ve ever tasted and margaritas “that will make you flirt your way to a good time.”

For more information, call (949) 376-9994.

Cook with ‘Chocolate Queen’ Downey

Award-winning chocolatier Tracey Downey will guide festival-goers through the art of pairing wine and chocolates from 1 to 2 p.m. Sunday as part of the Festival of Arts’ Art of Cooking: Southern California Chef series.

During the demonstration, patrons will learn about cocoa percentages and their impact on chocolate taste, as well as the health benefits of chocolate.

Named “Orange County’s Chocolate Queen” by Orange Coast Magazine, “a quintessential Chocoholic” by 944 and “a true Chocolatier” by Today’s Woman, Downey has studied with some of the worlds top chocolatiers, food scientists and pastry chefs.

The cooking demonstration series is free with Festival of Arts admission.

Sawdust has slate of performers

Sawdust Art Festival offers a large variety of musical performances and entertainers.

?Today is Jazz & Blues day, with the Scott Martin Soul Quartet taking the main stage from 5:30 to 9:45 p.m. Other performances are also scheduled throughout the day.

?Dance music is highlighted on Saturday, with Jason Feddy performing from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the tavern, and Benise playing Latin jazz from noon to 4:30 p.m., with Bayadera’s alternative rock sounds from 5:30 to 9:45 p.m.

?On Sunday, an eclectic assortment of musicians and entertainers will be on hand. From noon to 4:30 p.m., the Jo Cuseo Blues Project performs on the main deck, followed by the Girls from 5:30 to 9:45 p.m. Belly dance troupe JJ & the Habibis will dance from 6 to 7 p.m.

?Monday brings the Jennifer Corday Trio from noon to 4:30 p.m. on the main deck, and the Ken Garcia Trio from 5:30 to 9:45 p.m., also on the main deck.

?Thursday is Residents Night, with free admission after 5 p.m. for Laguna Beach residents with ID.

The Sawdust Festival is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily at 935 Laguna Canyon Road. For more information, call (949) 494-3030.

Figurative work sought for show

The Southern California Artists Assn. has opened its online submittal period for the group’s annual juried figurative art exhibition, “Go Figure “” High Impact.”

Entry to this exhibition is available to all U.S.-based artists, 18 or older, working in two-dimensional mediums and utilizing the human figure as the primary source of inspiration. The “High Impact” theme is designed to stimulate submitting artists to a high level of creativity, resulting in a diverse show, rich in variety and showcasing fresh approaches to a timeless subject, according to the Assn.

Digitally prepared images of original artwork may be uploaded through the association’s website starting Tuesday, with a deadline for the receipt of all work by midnight Aug. 4.

For details on the entry requirements, specifications, fees and the exhibition schedule, visit www.socalartists.org.

Muralists sought for restroom project

Artists who live, work or exhibit in Laguna Beach are invited to apply to create artwork to decorate the upper walls between the entry doors to the public restrooms on Forest Lane.