BRIEFLY IN ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

‘Sonia Flew’ at Playhouse

Melinda Lopez’s “Sonia Flew” begins its West Coast premiere engagement at the Laguna Playhouse next week.

When Cuban-American Sonia learns of her son’s decision to leave college, enlist in the military and fight against terror in Afghanistan in the weeks following 9/11, memories of her own childhood overwhelm her. She struggles to reconcile being forced as a young girl to leave Cuba at the dawn of Fidel Castro’s rule with her own responsibilities as a mother facing uncertainty.

Previews begin Tuesday at 8 p.m.; tickets are $25 - $38. Also Wednesday through Friday, 8 p.m.; special lunch and performance 2 p.m. Thursday, $43 - $51. The show begins Friday, Sept. 15.

Real-life stories from “Operation Pedro Pan,” the secret removal of more than 14,000 children from Cuba, will be told after the Saturday, Oct. 7, matinee.

For more information, call (949) 497-ARTS or visit lagunaplayhouse.com.

City concert series ends Sunday

The city summer concert series concludes this Sunday at Riddle Field, High Drive at Hillcrest Drive, with rock and soul artists Soundbyte from 4 to 6 p.m.

No bicycles, scooters, bikes, dogs, smoking, tables, high chairs or umbrellas are allowed at the concerts. Parking is limited; attendees are encouraged to arrive early with a low-backed chair and a picnic.

The concerts are funded by the city and lodging establishments located within city limits.

For more information, call (949) 497-0722.

Museum membership meeting slated

The annual meeting of the members of Laguna Art Museum will be held Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the museum, 307 Cliff Dr. A behind-the-scenes tour will be offered, and museum staff will present an overview of the current exhibition schedule, a review of fundraising efforts and presentations from Museum Director Bolton Colburn and outgoing Board Chair Dr. Igal Silber. Board election results will also be announced.

For more information, call (949) 494-8971 or visit www.lagunaartmuseum.org.

Save Trestles jam fest on Sunday

Nick Hernandez of Common Sense, Jason Feddy and Rob Eller will perform with other Laguna artists at a jam fest at the Bamboo Bar and Grill, 695 South Coast Highway, from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

A silent auction is also slated; the organizers are still seeking silent auction donations.

The event is intended to raise awareness for the Surfrider Foundation’s “Save Trestles” campaign to stop a proposed toll road near the San Onofre surfing beach. A $10 donation at the door is requested; a private donation box will be provided.

On Thursday, Sept. 14, Common Sense will perform at 8 p.m. at Club M, 680 South Coast Highway, as part of the Help Blue Water campaign.

For more information, visit www.helpbluewater.com.

‘Postcards’ mural competition begins

The city has announced guidelines for the 2006 temporary mural competition, “Postcards from Laguna.” The deadline for submissions is Sept. 22 at 4 p.m.

The competition is open to artists who are residents of California; a $2,000-per-mural budget has been allocated.

The selected murals will replace existing murals at the bus depot at 364 Ocean Ave. The four murals will be vertically mounted above existing benches.

The proposed designs should include a “postcard” theme. Imagery should draw from aspects unique to Laguna Beach’s past, present and future.

Selected winners will be provided with at 7’ x 5’ exterior-grade stretched canvas. All primers, paints and clear coats must be of exterior grade.