Piano

For years the piano sat quietly in a corner of Bridge Hall at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, more adornment than instrument. But last spring, composer and musician Steve Wood sat down before the old piano to practice before performing at a service that day in the sanctuary next door. “I lifted the lid and saw the name Mason & Hamlin,” Wood said. “I was excited.” Wood had discovered “a battered diamond.” The 103-year-old piano, a Mason & Hamlin Model A Grand, is considered to be the world’s best grand piano less than 6 feet.

Peter Blake turned his gallery into a classical musical hall with piano, violin, voices and dance Sunday with the appearance of the group Sonatasia. The afternoon?s performance was a rare treat of an experience ?outside the box.? Sonatasia is the brainchild of local architect David Parker. Parker founded the group in January as a way to bring many different performing disciplines together in unique architectural spaces. Blake?s gallery was the perfect backdrop. The afternoon?

A memorial is planned on Saturday, July 2 for Leigh James Unger, who died April 18 at the age of 61. Mr. Unger lived in Laguna Beach for 18 years, served on the Laguna Arts Commission in 1977, and helped found the popular "Music in the Park" concert series. A pianist, piano teacher, composer, poet, publisher, and AIDS activist, Mr. Unger was born in Cudahy, Wisconsin on October 15, 1945. He taught piano at Cal State Fullerton and in his private piano studio and was an active member of the California Music Teachers Assn.

George Gershwin and Frédéric Chopin had much in common, separated as they were by a century and an ocean. Both were among the premier musicians of their time and neither composer lived to celebrate his 40th birthday. They share another common bond in their interpretations by a third musical genius — Hershey Felder, whose “Monsieur Chopin” has joined “George Gershwin Alone” on the stage of the Laguna Playhouse. Felder’s classical piano artistry highlights the Chopin program.

"Optimism isn't just a shift in perspective. It's an act of bravery. " —Terri Trespicio It was that early morning phone call — the one you don't want. The fear in mom's voice. "Can you come now?" My stepdad, Lewie, had suffered a stroke. She thought he was having a bad dream and tried to wake him, but he was incoherent. He looked at his watch, said, "It's 4 o'clock," and then ceased to speak. Ambulances rushed him to Saddleback Hospital with its state-of-the-art stroke care.

BISTROS French 75 Bistro and Champagne Bar 1464 S. Coast Highway. (949) 494-8444. A Parisian-style bistro and champagne bar featuring traditional and contemporary French bistro cuisine. Private rooms and full-service catering available. Piano jazz from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; and from 8:30 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Open from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; and from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. $$$$ Price Guide Prices are based on an average dinner (or lunch, when applicable)

  "I grew up in Laguna Beach and lived not far from the Pyne Castle, but never knew anything about its history. Is there information available about it?" This question was asked by Georgette viewing a photograph of Pyne Castle at www.laguna-historical-society.smugmug.com which now has 475 historic photographs.   According to Karen Wilson Turnbull in her book 1987 book "Cottages and Castles of Laguna", "The foremost Norman style estate in Laguna is what is now known as Pyne Castle.

Send DATEBOOK items to the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot, P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, CA 92652; fax to 494-8979; call 494-4321 or e-mail coastlinepilotlatimes.com or through our online calendar at www.coastlinepilot.com . Submissions must be received two weeks before publication. TODAY Friday Night Happy Hour at Laguna Culinary Arts, 845 Laguna Canyon Road from 5 to 7 p.m. $5 for gourmet food; $6 for wine; $11 minimum. Information: (949)

Crowds of onlookers gathered at the Main Beach cobblestones Sunday afternoon, where members of Laguna's No Square Theatre and Arts Commission gave a colorful performance of Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies," to celebrate the arrival of warm, sunny weather and a new performing arts initiative. Hosted by the Pacific Symphony and No Square, "OC Can You Play?" invites the public to tickle the ivories and create their own performance on a piano at Main Beach, donated by Phil Taylor and painted by local artist Philip Womack.

"Optimism isn't just a shift in perspective. It's an act of bravery. " —Terri Trespicio It was that early morning phone call — the one you don't want. The fear in mom's voice. "Can you come now?" My stepdad, Lewie, had suffered a stroke. She thought he was having a bad dream and tried to wake him, but he was incoherent. He looked at his watch, said, "It's 4 o'clock," and then ceased to speak. Ambulances rushed him to Saddleback Hospital with its state-of-the-art stroke care.

George Gershwin and Frédéric Chopin had much in common, separated as they were by a century and an ocean. Both were among the premier musicians of their time and neither composer lived to celebrate his 40th birthday. They share another common bond in their interpretations by a third musical genius — Hershey Felder, whose “Monsieur Chopin” has joined “George Gershwin Alone” on the stage of the Laguna Playhouse. Felder’s classical piano artistry highlights the Chopin program.

For years the piano sat quietly in a corner of Bridge Hall at the Neighborhood Congregational Church, more adornment than instrument. But last spring, composer and musician Steve Wood sat down before the old piano to practice before performing at a service that day in the sanctuary next door. “I lifted the lid and saw the name Mason & Hamlin,” Wood said. “I was excited.” Wood had discovered “a battered diamond.” The 103-year-old piano, a Mason & Hamlin Model A Grand, is considered to be the world’s best grand piano less than 6 feet.

  "I grew up in Laguna Beach and lived not far from the Pyne Castle, but never knew anything about its history. Is there information available about it?" This question was asked by Georgette viewing a photograph of Pyne Castle at www.laguna-historical-society.smugmug.com which now has 475 historic photographs.   According to Karen Wilson Turnbull in her book 1987 book "Cottages and Castles of Laguna", "The foremost Norman style estate in Laguna is what is now known as Pyne Castle.

Peter Blake turned his gallery into a classical musical hall with piano, violin, voices and dance Sunday with the appearance of the group Sonatasia. The afternoon?s performance was a rare treat of an experience ?outside the box.? Sonatasia is the brainchild of local architect David Parker. Parker founded the group in January as a way to bring many different performing disciplines together in unique architectural spaces. Blake?s gallery was the perfect backdrop. The afternoon?

Send DATEBOOK items to the Laguna Beach Coastline Pilot, P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, CA 92652; fax to 494-8979; call 494-4321 or e-mail coastlinepilotlatimes.comor through our online calendar at www.coastlinepilot.com . Submissions must be received two weeks before publication. TODAY Friday Night Happy Hour at Laguna Culinary Arts, 845 Laguna Canyon Road from 5 to 7 p.m. $5 for gourmet food; $6 for wine; $11 minimum. Information: (949)