Get Primed for the Oscars
As a warm-up to the Academy Awards ceremony on Feb. 27, speaker Robert D. Kline will present “The Road to the Oscars,” an insider’s perspective on Oscar history from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 22, at the Lido Theatre in Newport Beach, 3459 Via Lido.
Kline will also go over the nominations for 2011 and show film clips from the major contenders. A question and answer period will follow.
A former long-time member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Kline was executive vice president of 20th Century Fox and a co-founder of Lifetime Television. He produced Oliver Stone’s film, “Heaven and Earth,” and “That’s Hollywood” for ABC. Kline’s latest production, “Ronald Reagan: An American Journey,” premiered in January at the Lido Theatre.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased on line at http://www.regencymovies.com or at the door. For more information, visit : www.nbplfoundation.org or contact the library foundation at 949-548-2411 or [email protected].
Group Envisions Community Art Center
OC Arts Center, a non-profit established last year by Laguna Beach native Gaylen Corbett and business partner Virginia Repasky, has begun a fundraising campaign for a south county community art center through a website www.KickStarter.com.
“There are hundreds of artists living in this area, yet there’s no one central location where they can come together to work, collaborate with other artists, and share their talents with the community,” said Corbett, who envisions a 10,000 square foot campus with studio space for artists, and arts classes for all ages.
Kickstarter.com’s fund raising system relies on group action. Funding is all or nothing. Supporters must receive pledges totaling or exceeding their target of $5,000 within a specified period. If they fail, they won’t collect on the rest.
The founders claim support from local artists, the Laguna College of Art & Design and 300 followers via email and Facebook.
To learn more visit www.ocartstudio.org or call Gaylen Corbett at (949) 248-5263.
Ancient Style Comes Alive at Mandarin Fine Art
Mandarin Fine Art Gallery, Suite C at 1294 S. Coast Highway, presents contemporary ink and wash paintings by Yibu, the artist’s first foray in the U.S., now through April.
Yibu takes this traditional painting technique developed in China during the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) and applies it to contemporary subject matter.
For more info: call or 949-376-9608 or visit www.mandarinfineart.com.
Playhouse Takes a Bow as ‘Business of the Year’
The Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce honored the Laguna Playhouse last month when managing director Karen Wood was presented with the premier business of the year award at the chamber’s annual Spirit of Laguna awards last month.
Wood acknowledged that the chamber’s recognition is “very special,” since the playhouse celebrates its 90th anniversary.
Fundraiser Is Harbinger for Spring Dance Fest
Dancers, supporters of the dance, and dance educators from UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts, recently gathered on the patio at the Pacific Edge Hotel Villa to raise funds for Laguna Dance Festival. Patrons were able to take in the performance of student dancers against a backdrop of the sunset over the ocean while nibbling on appetizers and tasting wines. They were also treated to a virtual visit, via video, with Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, founders and principal dancers of Complexions Contemporary Ballet, the featured act for the spring festival in April.
Laguna Dance Festival’s sixth season will feature four different programs by the renowned New York dance company, born of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Programs include new dances and old favorites, blending ballet, jazz, hip-hop and avant-garde movements. And, for the first time, festival performances will be held at the Laguna Playhouse.
The spring festival April 7-17 will also include dancers at Laguna Beach galleries, master class workshops and pre-show talks. Tickets are available at www.lagunadancefestival.org or by calling 949-715-5578. For those who wish to invest in the Laguna Dance Festival’s future, a donation of $250 guarantees VIP seating.
