Community / Galas & Events
UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE GALA Theater and music filled the annual Laguna Playhouse Gala , which took place April 1 at the theater and Festival of Arts grounds next door . The event , which raised a gross $ 275,000 and was attended by about 200 supporters , began at the Playhouse with a sneak peek of the 2023-2024 season including excerpts from “ 2 Pianos 4 Hands ” and “ Ain ’ t Misbehavin ’ ” as well as a youth theater performance from “ The Lightning Thief ” musical . The event moved over to the festival grounds for dinner and a tribute to longtime supporter Ilona Martin , who served on the board for 26 years , helped found the Playhouse Women support group and has co-chaired five galas for the organization , including recognizing actor Harrison Ford as an honorary guest . The evening concluded with music by The Society Band and a live auction for items like floor tickets to Beyonce ’ s Renaissance World Tour ; a Newport Harbor yacht cruise ; a vacation in Aspen / Snowmass Village , Colorado ; a season subscription at Laguna Playhouse ; the chance to name the Playhouse bar for one season and more . ( lagunaplayhouse . com ) — Sharon Stello
1 . Jefferson McDonald , Matthew McGloin 2 . John and Bonnie Livingston , Glenn Gray , Veronica Gray , Kathryn Gray , Robert Gray 3 . Heather Chalmers , Annee Della Donna , Lisa Hale , Lin Pfent 4 . Lin Pfent , Veltria Roman
1 . Hugo Rivera 2 . Sharbie Higuchi , Carla Meberg 3 . Kathy and Ed Hanke 4 . Kathy Jones 5 . Pat Kollenda 6 . Mackynzie Miller
ART STAR AWARDS Featuring a red carpet reception , art demonstrations and pop-up musical and dance performances , the 15th annual Art Star Awards took place April 28 at the Festival of Arts grounds . Presented by Laguna Beach Art Alliance , the event was attended by 200 supporters . The Laguna JaZz Band , accompanied by vocalist Ginger Hatfield , entertained the crowd with jazz standards throughout the reception . Upon arrival , guests were greeted with a Pageant of the Masters re-creation of Mike Tauber ’ s “ Laguna Beach ” from last year ’ s show as well as other sets . Artist Hugo Rivera painted a portrait on a large canvas and Laguna College of Art & Design students Abigail Shaw , Kayla Janes and Piankhi Robertson showcased their artwork . Dancers from the Laguna Dance Festival performed and plein air painter Anthony Salvo invited guests to add their own brushstrokes to his beachscape . During the evening ’ s program , the 2023 Art Star Awards were presented , including Artist of the Year to Gerard Stripling ; Best Arts Program to Coast Film & Music Festival ; Lifetime Achievement to Kathy Jones ; Arts Patron of the Year to Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center ; and Outstanding Arts Collaboration to Art Inscribed , in which local writers penned pieces inspired by visual artwork , a joint effort by Third Street Writers , The Artists Fund , Festival of Arts and Festival of Arts Foundation . ( lagunabeacharts . org ) — S . S .
TOP SECTION : OC EVENT PHOTOS ; BOTTOM SECTION : JEFF ROVNER
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