“ DON ’ T DRESS FOR DINNER ” THROUGH SEPT . 22 ; LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE This side-splitting comedy , presented at Laguna Playhouse in 1997 , is back by popular demand . The farce features a married couple with lots of sexy secrets , a cook mistaken for a mistress , a mistress who doesn ’ t know her way around the kitchen , and plenty of other mistaken identities and mixed up alibis for a night that will surely keep the crowd laughing . ( 949- 497-2787 ; lagunaplayhouse . com )

WITH MY OWN TWO HANDS FILM GALA SEPT . 21 ; NEW PORT THEATER , CORONA DEL MAR Laguna Beach-based nonprofit With My Own Two Hands will present its 11th annual Film Gala , which showcases the work it ’ s doing in East Africa and helps raise money to support those ongoing efforts to bring clean water , regenerative agriculture solutions ,

financial resilience and gender equity to communities in need in the region . Hosted by ESPN ’ s Stan Verrett , the evening will include a seated dinner , live auction and documentary screening . ( 949-416- 5005 ; withmyown2hands . org )

CHEF MASTERS SEPT . 22 ; FESTIVAL OF ARTS GROUNDS Foodies and dog lovers alike will enjoy this culinary celebration that also raises funds for nonprofit Unconditional , which helps to find homes for senior and special needs dogs and is currently building a state-of-the-art rescue center in town . At the event , savor bites and sips from some of the area ’ s best chefs , restaurants and wineries . ( 714-345-0496 ; chefmasters . org )

BEHIND THE DANCE SEPT . 26 ; FORUM THEATER AT FESTIVAL OF ARTS GROUNDS Kick off the Laguna Dance Festival ’ s 20th anniversary season

at this behind-the-scenes look at the dance-making process with Jacques Heim , founder and creative director of Diavolo dance group , along with Jodie Gates , founder and artistic director of the dance festival . Attendees will have the rare chance to see a dance piece created in real time with audience participation in the choreography . ( lagunadancefestival . org )

BETH TUESDAYS OCT . 1 ; LAGUNA BEACH CULTURAL ARTS CENTER Hosted by Beth Fitchet Wood , this monthly singer-songwriters showcase will present a concert by Daisy Abrams with Ramona Ault and Charlie Roberts . Abrams , with classical piano background and guitar talents , is known for heartfelt lyrics around themes of loss , love and self-discovery . Ault , who is in bluegrass band Prairie Sky , performs melodic songs that tell simple stories while Roberts brings energy to his clever , caring songs ; together

they form The Simmers duo . ( 949- 625-2787 ; lbculturalartscenter . org )

TASTE OF LAGUNA OCT . 3 ; FESTIVAL OF ARTS GROUNDS Enjoy gourmet bites and signature dishes from more than 30 OC restaurants and award-winning chefs at this food and music festival , which also will feature a silent auction and a concert by The Mighty Untouchables band , with proceeds benefiting the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce . ( 949-494- 1018 ; tasteoflagunabeach . com )

LAGUNA BEACH PLEIN AIR PAINTING INVITATIONAL OCT . 5-13 ; VARIOUS LOCATIONS Organized by the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association , the 26th annual invitational will feature 30 invited artists who paint outdoors around town and compete for cash prizes . Attendees will have the chance to purchase original paintings created during the nine-day

LEFT : COURTESY OF LPAPA ; RIGHT : FRANK SALAS

16 LAGUNABEACHMAGAZINE . COM