Goodbye summer season

EYE ON ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Festivals, festivals, festivals -- it’s the last inning, fourth

quarter, we’re at the finish line, or whatever sports analogy you

want to use that has the connotation that, well, this is the final

weekend for the art festivals.

There, I’ve said it -- but it seems hard to believe. It’s been

another fantastic season and I’ve enjoyed many of the events and art

at the Festival of Arts and the Sawdust Festival. As Carol Burnett

would sing, “I’m so glad we’ve had this time together.” But there is

still this weekend to get your festival fix.

Last weekend I enjoyed the new Books Live! at the Festival of

Arts, this weekend I’m about the concert in the park, which will be

happening again on Sunday, as well as the Festival of Arts and

Sawdust Art Festival’s grand finales.

Film seems to be the it thing now in Laguna and “Cinema” will

debut with a showing on Sept. 11. The ever-popular Art Walk remains

-- ever popular and will be happening Thursday. There’s plenty to do,

so keep up with the pace.

THEY’RE ALIVE!

It was a delightful experience on Sunday when the Festival of Arts

hosted a fresh event at the Forum Theatre called Books Live! The

program involves celebrity guests reading pieces of high quality

literature and writing, from contemporary to classic and

multi-cultural stories.

I would say it is less reading and more performing a story,

bringing the characters and words to life. It took me on a fantastic

journey, as if I was seeing it, the vivid imagery relayed from the

actors to the audience through their sublime performances playing out

in my mind.

Actor and director Karin delaPena, opened with the piece “Weight”

by Margaret Wood. Her performance was outstanding; setting a high

standard that was continued through the rest of the performances. I

was very impressed.

Jane Seymour and her husband James Keach were wonderful and I

really enjoyed the piece they did together, “Cinderella” by Anne

Sexton. It was hilarious; a darker side of the classic tale, with

many twists and the couple performed it very well.

Caitlin Ferrara and Rashad El Amin were terrific too and the sold

out audience of 200 seemed very pleased with the whole experience.

Following the event was a private cocktail reception for the

performers and the attendees.

I had done a phone interview with delaPena earlier in the week and

was looking forward to meeting her at the event. I must say, I was

just as impressed with her in person, she’s brilliant.

Seymour concurred, “I went to school with Karin,” she said. “She’s

brilliant.”

I wanted to thank Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters

marketing and public relations director Sharbie Higuchi for

introducing me to delaPena and Seymour. And thank her also for

introducing me to six-time world champion surfer, Kelly Slater the

week before. Though I played it all cool with Slater, I’m a big fan.

So if you missed this performance of prose performed by pros, cry

not -- the series continues on Nov. 8, Dec. 6, Jan. 10 and Feb. 14.

Each time there will be different celebrity performers. Go to

www.foapom.com for details.

AT THE SAWDUST FESTIVAL

Marketing director Rebecca Meekma gave me a news flash about an

art opportunity today. It seems that master weaver Aura Suarez of

Chia, Columbia is in town visiting Sawdust exhibitor Olivia

Batchelder and Batchelder has persuaded Suarez to share her talents.

“Olivia has persuaded her friend to share her talents with a very

lucky few by teaching a beginner’s weaving class today at 11 a.m. at

the Sawdust,” Meekma said.

There is only room for eight students, ages 10 and older.

“The cost is $10, to cover supplies,” Meekma said. “Come down to

the Sawdust and sign up before class starts.”

For information, call the Sawdust Art Festival at 494-3030. The

festival is at 935 Laguna Canyon Road.

CINEMA IS HERE

Founded in January, “Cinema” is an organization dedicated to

exploring the cinematic experience by bringing independent,

international and innovative film to Laguna. It will launch its first

presentation on Sept. 11 called the “Utopian Society” at

[seven-degrees]. The film will be shown simultaneously on three

screens and will include a light meal, live music, dessert and the

opportunity to talk to some of the actors and producers of the film.

The film is part of a series titled “The Human Condition.” It will

provide the perspectives of six college students, who have been

assigned to work together on a final paper describing the

fundamentals of an ideal civilization. Now that seems cool -- it

takes me back to my experiences in my Western Civilization classes in

college. Perspective, viewpoint, worldview and cultural and societal

influences -- I’m all about it.

[seven-degrees] is located at 891 Laguna Canyon Road. The event is

at 7 p.m. and is free. For information, call 497-1212.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. She may be reached at 494-4321 or [email protected].