Film Spins a Tale of Spiritual Discovery
“Travellers and Magicians,” the first feature film from Bhutan, the Buddhist kingdom that measures gross national happiness instead of GNP, will be screened by the Laguna Beach Film Society on Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. at South Coast Cinema.
Directed and written by Khyentse Norbu, a renowned Buddhist lama who studied filmmaking beside director Bernardo Bertolucci, the film spins two parallel stories that deliver one message – happiness can be found by living in the present moment. The story-within-a-story follows the journey of a restless, young Bhutanese government worker and his journey to escape his mountain life for a better one abroad. Along the way he meets a witty Buddhist monk who tells the tale of another young man’s quest for a different life and the dangerous adventures that transpired.
Adapted from a Buddhist fable, the tale of spiritual discovery was shot entirely in the stunning mountains of Bhutan by Alan Kozlowski, who will speak at a 6 p.m. pre-film reception at the Laguna Art Museum.
Proceeds from the screening will benefit Ngagyur Dupgyud Choepheling Monastery, located within the Norgyeling Tibetan Settlement in central India. A group of Orange County residents recently returned from this village where they delivered solar lights to 200 families as part of the Sharing Light project.
Tickets for the film sold through “Sharing Light” are $10 and are available at Tibet Handicrafts, across from the post office, at 384 Forest Ave. Tickets will also be available at the theater, 162 S. Coast Highway for $10 and $5 for students. Reception entry, $10, is available at the door at Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Dr.
To join LBFS or to purchase $8 pre-sale tickets, visit www.LagunaArtMuseum.org/LBFS.
Broadway Bends, Doesn’t Break
No Square Theatre presents its performance of “Bent Broadway” on Friday and Saturday, April 12 and 13 at 7:30 p.m. at the Legion Hall, 384 Legion St.
A part of the Great American Songbook Series, the performances will feature students and professionals, the men singing women’s songs and vice versa.
Reserved seating is $20, available online at nosquare.org. If available, tickets at the door will be $25.
The event is billed as a celebration of a $1,000 grant received from Laguna Beach Community Foundation.
Gala Honors Dancer Extraordinaire
Dancer Desmond Richardson will lead a master class for dancers in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, June 19. Richardson, co-founder and co-artistic director of New York-based Complexions Contemporary Ballet and a performer and choreographer for television’s, “So You Think You Can Dance,” will be in town to attend “Visual Immersion” on June 20, the Laguna Dance Festival’s annual gala event at Seven Degrees, where he will be honored.
The Laguna Dance Festival’s September performance season is set for Sept. 5-8 and includes two performances each by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and Parsons Contemporary Ballet, as well as pre-performance talks and master classes.
Check the website for details: www.lagunadancefestival.org or call 949-715-5578.
Winter Jazz Series Concludes
Pianist Joshua White, second place winner in 2011’s Thelonious Monk Jazz Competition, closes out the Jazz Wednesdays Winter series on April 17 at 6 p.m., at Aliso Creek Inn, 31106 S. Coast Hwy. Doors open at 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 online and $15 at the door.
For more information, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org or call 949-715-9713.
Evening of Jazz Comes to the Playhouse
The award winning Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra comes to the Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd. on Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m., courtesy of Laguna Beach Live.
The group served as the resident jazz orchestra at the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Tickets are $35 to $40. V.I.P. tickets at $75 include preferred seating, parking, and champagne. Students, 21 and under are $25 and $15.
Tickets can be purchased online at lagunabeachlive.org or by phone at 949-497-2787. For more info: 949-715-9713.
