Gala

BARBARA DIAMOND Theft or blackmail were about the only ways to get tickets Oct. 19 for the performance Sunday of "Lagunatics" at the Forum Theatre -- tricky with a police chief in the cast. The sold-out gala benefited No Square Theatre, was founded in 1997 by Bree Burgess Rosen. "We are very fortunate to have Bree," said Phoebe Ward Jr., president of the community theater group. "She is the spirit of our theater, and she has generously shared her gifts with us. We will make her proud."

BARBARA DIAMOND Local folks know the tourist season has ended when the city's three art festivals close up and the Exchange Club of Laguna Beach serves pancakes on Labor Day. Steven Brezzo's swan song as the Festival of Arts executive director was a paean to actress Jane Seymour, host of the gala finale to the 2003 season. Seymour's tiny celebrity guest booth on the festival grounds struck a sour note with some exhibitors, which may have been one of the reasons for Brezzo's resignation, which wasn't made public until after the gala.

BARBARA DIAMOND The Boys and Girls Club of Laguna has "giving" down to a fine art. More than $100,000 was netted at the club's fourth annual Art of Giving gala, held May 7 at the Ritz-Carlton. The proceeds will benefit club operations and programs. "This was our largest crowd ever," said Kim Maxwell, club executive director. "The theme was "Through the Years." Club alumni Jeff and Joe Jahraus, served as honorary chairs of the event. Dain Blanton, Jay Andrus, Kasey and Keri Kern, David Duttenhoffer, Laguna Coastline Pilot columnist James Pribram and retired Laguna Beach Fire Captain Bing Boka also are alumni of the club.

BARBARA DIAMOND Under a full moon as bright as a spotlight, the Festival of Arts staged a star-studded gala Sunday to close out the 2004 season . Award winning actor Joe Mantegna hosted the fund-raiser, heading a cast of television and film luminaries, local VIPS and appreciated festival supporters that attended the sixth annual gala. The event raised more than $200,000 for the Festival Building Fund. "It's been such a wonderful season, I am sorry to see it end," festival board President Anita Mangels said.

OUR LAGUNA Aglamorous gala Saturday night was a fitting finale to the 2002 Festival of Arts season. The evening included a reception and entertainment on the grounds, a sumptuous dinner, an art auction, a performance of the Pageant of the Masters and a general feeling of bonhomie. There was lots to celebrate, most especially the closure of the simmering feud between the city and the festival board on the terms for a lease that would keep the festival and the pageant in Laguna.

The Gallimaufry Performing Arts CaDance Festival is bringing in heavy star power: Patrick Swayze will be the featured guest at the gala reception Saturday night at Laguna Art Museum. Swayze fits the bill with his outstanding acting and dancing ability, perhaps best showcased in the 1997 hit movie "Dirty Dancing." His career includes popular favorites "Ghost" and "Point Break." Swayze's dancing career is esteemed as well. He has been with the Houston Jazz Ballet Company, Harkness Ballet Theater School in New York, Joffrey Ballet Company and Eliot Feld Ballet Company.

The 25th annual South Coast Medical Center Gala was a tribute to the hospital’s efforts to reach out to folks who might have lost touch, as well as those who treasure it. More than 600 supporters and volunteers attended the Saturday night event at the Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel. Almost every city in South Orange County was represented by elected officials as well as hospital well-wishers. Laguna’s entire City Council, the City Clerk and Fifth District Supervisor Pat Bates were among the guests.

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach netted nearly $100,000 toward operating costs during its fifth annual Art of Giving Gala on May 6 at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. More than 300 joined in the event with the theme "Surfin' Safari." Gala co-chairs were Susie Kubesh and Anne Morris. "The dollars raised during this event make such a difference in the day-to-day operations of our club. Now more than ever, these donations matter a great deal. We rely on the generosity of our community to insure that every child at our club has access to high-quality programs in their out-of-school hours," said Kim Maxwell, executive director.

OUR LAGUNA Philanthropy is not a spectator sport in Laguna Beach. The annual Boys and Girls Club gala held at the Ritz-Carlton raised $83,000. The Art of Giving Gala celebrated the completion of the $3.3-million capital campaign and the agreement with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra and the Pacific Chorale to provide a new performing arts program. "What you are doing with this program is giving children the greatest gift you can," said orchestra Maestro Carl St. Clair, honorary co-chair with his wife, Susan, of the club's third annual gala.

Summer treats at the Laguna Art Museum include three new exhibitions: "Faux Real," "Sea Change: Tanya Aguiñiga's Bluebelt Forest" and "ex•pose: beatriz da costa. " The season begins with an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. June 1 at 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach. Curated by Grace Kook-Anderson, the museum's curator of contemporary art, "Faux Real" features artists Michael Arcega, Sandow Birk, Libby Black, Julie Bozzi, Amy Caterina and others from June 2 till Sept. 29. Infusing daily household items with a twist, this display is a commentary on culture and consumerism.

There was more plaid in the audience than on the stage at the gala opening night of the Laguna Playhouse holiday presentation: "Plaid Tidings. " Mary Lawson poked around in her closet and found a plaid suit from her days on Wall Street. "I haven't worn it in 15 years," Lawson said. Some of the guests put their best foot forward, shod in everything from 6-inch stilettos to Linda Schmidt's quilted, red Stuart tartan ballet flats. John Hoover sported a plaid tie. Advocate support group member Madeleine Peterson wore a plaid silk top. Playhouse Development Director Elizabeth Pearson brought a big roll of plaid ribbon that she offered guests to use as headbands, belts, scarves, bracelets or pocket handkerchiefs.

Laguna College of Art & Design raised $200,000-plus to benefit student programs and scholarships at the 23rd annual Collector's Choice Fine Art Event and Auction earlier this month, according to a news release. The sold-out event celebrated the culmination of the 50th anniversary of the college with the theme "A Trip Down Memory Lane. " Guests dressed in white and gold to match the décor designed by Emmy-nominated set and production designer and college trustee Nelson Coates. Special guests included distinguished LCAD alumni, and friends of LCAD including world-renowned painter, sculptor, and drawer Richard MacDonald (Sissone)

"Lonesome Traveler" had plenty of company Saturday at the Laguna Playhouse gala opening. The Rubicon Theatre Co.'s ode to American folk music had the sold-out audience spontaneously singing along and the enthusiasm didn't end when the curtain came down. "This was so fun," said Kathy Conway , as first-nighters mingled with the cast and toasted them with champagne. Conway said she knew every word of the songs performed by the nine-member cast in their roles inspired by folk music immortals such as Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Lead Belly and others.

The Festival of Arts rolled out the red carpet Saturday for the 12th Annual Gala benefit, which raises money improvements and renovations to the city-owned facility. About $200,000 was raised, in no small part due to the celebrities who attend, some of them year after year. "When Joe Montegna first Twittered that he was bringing the cast of 'Criminal Minds' to the gala, we sold out the next day," said Sharbie Higuchi , festival director of marketing and public relations.

Mario Lopez, host of the entertainment news show, "Extra," and a star on Broadway and television, will add another accomplishment to his list: host of the Festival of Arts and Pageant of the Masters 12th annual gala benefit. Lopez will join other celebrities and Laguna Beach community members on the red carpet at the annual event, which benefits the Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters Building Fund. Lopez began his career as one of the main characters in the hit teen series "Saved by the Bell.

Patriots Day Parade honorees chosen The Laguna Beach Patriots Day Parade Assn. has announced the 2010 Honorees for the parade to be at 11 a.m. March 6. Honorees are: ?Grand Marshal Dee Challis, Pageant of the Masters; ?Honored Patriot Dave Connell, American Legion commander, U.S. Navy; ?Citizens of the Year Dr. Tom Bent and Dr. Korey Jorgensen, Laguna Beach Community Clinic; and ?Junior Citizens Hannah Glass and Austin Giangeruso, Laguna Beach High School class of 2010.

The Festival of Arts wound up the 2009 season Monday, the 11th straight year of sell-out performances of the Pageant of the Masters. “It was a particularly elegant show this year,” festival board member Anita Mangels said Saturday at the Gala Benefit dinner and performance. “We have gotten nothing but raves.” The sold-out gala raised almost $240,000 to benefit the festival’s building fund to improve the facility. Festivities began with the arrival of celebrities on the red carpet.

The 11th annual Pageant of the Masters Gala on Aug. 29 will have a roster of screen and television celebrities, but Cloris Leachman, slated to host this year, had to bow out due to a scheduling conflict, according to spokeswoman Sharbie Higuchi. Filling in for Leachman will be Angela Bassett, who received an Oscar nomination for portraying Tina Turner and has been in “Waiting to Exhale,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Akeelah and the Bee” and “Malcolm X.” She also played Dr. Cate Banfield in “ER.

Boys & Girls Club Art of Giving Gala set for May 8 The ninth annual Art of Giving Gala will be from 5:30 to 11 p.m. May 8 at the Montage Resort & Spa, 30801 Coast Hwy. The event is dedicated to philanthropy and friendship in support of the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach. The Art of Giving Gala will include fine spirits, sumptuous dining, silent and live auctions, music by the Jeeps, a beach and classic rock band, and dancing. The theme for this year?s gala is ?Escape to Paradise?