Laguna Art Museum Teams Up with California Artists for 42nd Annual California Cool Art Auction + Benefit + Bash
“ Our Town , Our Paper ” lagunabeachindy . com FEBRUARY 16 , 2024 | Volume XXI , Issue 7
Laguna Dance Festival Celebrates its 19th Year with International and Homegrown Talent
By Clara Beard | LB Indy
The Laguna Dance Festival is back for three nights of captivating dance performances from international and local talents .
Led by founder and artistic director Jodie Gates , the festival runs Friday , Feb . 23 , to Sunday , Feb . 25 , with a complimentary backstage event on Thursday , Feb . 22 , at the renowned Laguna Playhouse .
“ The 2024 Festival represents the extraordinary talents here in Southern California and also the Pacific Rim , delivering an eclectic array of dance styles ,” Gates said . “ From contemporary dance and traditional Somoan movement to ballet and tap , each performance promises the highest level of integrity , expertise , and excitement .”
Laguna Beach resident for almost 20 years , Gates continues to delve into the meaning of artistry in the world and translate it into festival
Laguna Art Museum Teams Up with California Artists for 42nd Annual California Cool Art Auction + Benefit + Bash
The annual auction opens via Artsy on Feb . 16 , featuring a live auction and benefit on March 2
By Clara Beard | LB Indy
Laguna Art Museum ’ s highly-anticipated 42nd Annual California Cool Art Auction + Benefit + Bash starts Friday and runs until March 4 with both online and in-person auction events .
The auction , one of LAM ’ s biggest fundraisers of the year , will feature
performances . “ To curate a festival that has a diversity of dance talent , styles , artistry and energy - it takes time to piece it together ,” Gates said . “ And then there ’ s just the production components and all the logistics . But it ’ s really pieced together well . I have to say that our dynamic staff and board of directors are really phenomenal . Due to their passion and dedication and tenacity , I feel like we all make up a very good team .”
In addition to the regular programming , Feb . 24 marks a collaborative venture with the Laguna Beach Music Festival in partnership with Laguna Beach Live ! and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County .
“ I feel as though there ’ s something for everyone at this Festival ,” Gates said .
Backstage with Black Grace New Zealand ’ s Black Grace
DANCE FESTIVAL , PAGE 13
works of prominent California artists , on view to preview in person at Laguna Art Museum with paid admission , now through March 2 , or via Artsy beginning Feb . 16 at 9 a . m .
The museum will host the annual California Cool Art Auction + Benefit + Bash on March 2 from 6:30 to 10 p . m .
Los Angeles Ballet dancers will perform at Laguna Dance Festival . Photo / David Friedman
Join over 100 California artists in support of raising money for Laguna Art Museum during a night that brings the vibrant spirit of California to life . The proceeds generated will play a pivotal role in
LAM , PAGE 14
Persistent ‘ Zoom-bombing ’ Forces Council to Stop Meeting Early
By Tasmin McGill , Special to the Independent
Laguna Beach city officials and residents were bombarded with racial , homophobic , and antisemitic remarks during Laguna Beach City Council ’ s regular meeting on Tuesday .
Unidentified individuals spent their allotted time during public comment hurling hate-filled rhetoric from a Zoom screen either with a photo or just an alias , leading to an early conclusion of the meeting .
According to the statement released by Laguna ’ s Interim City Manager Sean Joyce , Zoom bombing is a tactic that is aimed at disrupting meetings on the video-conferencing platform and often includes the use of offensive material and language like what was used during Tuesday ’ s meeting .
“ There is , unfortunately , right now a trend at city meetings to what we call ‘ Zoom-bomb .’ In effect , to try to test the city government ,” Laguna Beach ’ s City Attorney Megan Garibaldi explained .
Following the first three disrupters , the council decided to suspend public comments due to reaching the 30-45 minute time slot for non-agenda items .
ZOOM , PAGE 15
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