The community is invited to LOCA’s Birthday Bash, its biggest fundraiser to date. Enjoy food and wine, live music by South Laguna Garden Band, games for grown-ups and auction items from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, in Bridge Hall at Neighborhood Church, 340 St. Ann’s Drive.
LOCA has named the Festival of Mosaics program committee as the Birthday Bash honoree.
“They did an outstanding job in organizing this program, and the resulting mural is absolutely beautiful,” said LOCA event chair Pat O’Brien. Honorees are Susan Brown, Pastor Roderick Echols, Greg Rayes, Kristen Purll, and Mike Tauber. More than 700 people took part in tile glazing, color sorting, puzzle making, and installation workshops that resulted in the Coastline to Canyon mural. The work is on permanent public view, fronting the church property at Glenneyre and St. Ann’s Drive.
Birthday Bash tickets, $50 each or four for $180, are available at locaarts.org. Parking is free. More information at 949-363-4700 or www.locaarts.org/event/loca-birthday-bash-annual-fundraiser.
Proceeds support LOCA’s education programs serving people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities throughout Laguna Beach.
Additional Pageant Casting Call on March 14
The Pageant of the Masters has announced another casting call on Thursday, March 14, from 6:30-9 p.m. The team behind the world’s most famous presentation of living pictures is in search for men, women, and children of all sizes and ages to be cast members for this summer’s Pageant of the Masters, “The Time Machine.”
“I’m thrilled that we can offer another opportunity for folks to get a look backstage at the Irvine Bowl—and sign-up to be a volunteer cast member for the Pageant,” said Pageant Director Diane Challis Davy. “I especially wish to invite the locals who have never seen our wonderful amphitheater and facilities.”
The casting call will be held at the Irvine Bowl Park, 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For more information on volunteering, call 949-464-3663.
Prospective volunteers will be measured and photographed, enjoy refreshments and meet the behind-the-scenes Pageant staff. No theater experience is necessary. The only requirement is the ability to stand still and have fun. Pageant volunteers are also needed for positions in the wardrobe, make-up, and headdress departments, as well as, cast area coordinators and refreshment servers, among other positions.
Segerstrom Announces 2019-2020 Season
Coming to the center for the very first time are: Anastasia, A Bronx Tale, Mean Girls, The Band’s Visit and Escape to Margaritaville. Returning are: Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, Blue Man Group, Chicago and Disney’s beloved The Lion King.
Free and fun pre-show and intermission activities will entertain and inform audiences, and the popular Thursday night Talk Backs with cast members will again be offered. One Saturday matinee performance of each show will be open captioned, audio described and ASL interpreted. Subscription renewals and new subscriptions are available now. Tickets for individual performances will go on sale at a later date. Visit SCFTA.org for more information about both the current 2018 – 2019 season and the 2019 – 2020 season.=
Pipes and Pedals Series Presents Silent Film Organist
Pacific Symphony brings silent film organist Dennis James to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall to perform on the iconic William J. Gillespie pipe organ on Sunday, March 17, at 3 p.m. James will play the chilling organ accompaniment to the horror classic, “Phantom of the Opera,” while the 1925 black-and-white film starring Lon Chaney is projected on a large high-definition screen above the stage. Tickets start at $10 and are available by calling 714-755-5799 or visiting: www.pacificsymphony.org.
Segerstrom Introduces Tuesday Night Dancing
Grab your dancing shoes and head to the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts for a new, free Tuesday night dance series that takes place every week now through July 30 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Each month, a specific dance style will be taught by expert instructors. In March, Cherry Saimon teaches Salsa and Bachata. Born and raised in Japan, Saimon received early training in the two styles and became a prominent dancer in her country. Now based in California, she teaches dance in five Orange County venues and conducts workshops in Chicago and Honolulu.
Broadway style will be taught in April, Bollywood in May, country in June and hip hop in July. All experience levels are welcome. George’s Café will be open for al fresco dinner and beverages. For more information, visit www.scfta.org/events/2019/tuesday-night-dance-free.