Ready to get a bit crazy

SUZIE HARRISON

With the cool weather invigorating my bones I’m ready to fill up my

schedule with happenings such as the Carnevale costume workshop, the

First Sundays at Laguna College of Art and Design kick off, the

second Thursday’s new tradition of film in Laguna, Lagunatics and the

museum’s 21st annual Art Auction.

TIME TO PLAY DRESS UP

This is the first time Laguna will host something like Carnevale

and I can’t hide my excitement. The Carnevale Laguna Beach invites

locals to experience how Carnevale is done in Europe. The events

started with a film festival Sept. 27 and will continue with programs

like the costume workshop from 1 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26

at Lang Park. Jon Beau Lee, who is a digital producer and the

instigator of the entire event, will be one of the instructors at the

workshop as well as W. Bradley Elsberry and Laguna residents Tim Dey

and Jim Nussbaum.

Lee has been attending Carnevales in Europe since 1986 and he

encouraged Dey and Nussbaum to enter their costumes in the 2003

Venice Carnevale where they won second place in the international

costume competition. It was the first time an American designer has

placed.

“We have brought together some of the finest costume designers

both from Hollywood and local to show how costuming can be created

both from simple things around the house to the more elegant and

elaborate,” Lee said.

Lee has secured 50 women’s costumes created by Francine LeCoultre

of 17th Century Venetian brocade dress that were produced for a film

but never used.

He said that the workshop will provide an opportunity for fun and

creativity.

“Tim Dey will be demonstrating his extraordinary design abilities

using found materials, plastics, papers and other items you find

around you -- and constructing the extraordinary, creations like the

one he won wearing in the competition in Venice,” Lee said.

Nussbaum, who is a long time Festival of Arts exhibitor, will be

demonstrating hand painting of silk.

“We’ll have a full costume presentation from Carnevales from over

the world, as well as videos running for inspiration,” Lee said.

“I’ll also be showing movement exercise for developing the character

with the costumes.”

The Fantasy Costume Workshop will be held at Lang Park at 21540

Wesley Drive. The cost is $100 for four workshops or $35 as a drop in

fee.

FREE CONCERT AND ART EXHIBIT

First Sundays concert and art series will have its season opener

Sunday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Laguna College of Art and Design at

2222 Laguna Road. The “Society of Illustrators 45th annual Traveling

Exhibition” will be featured and Laguna Beach Live! is presenting the

Tom Hynes Trio performing jazz versions of classic American popular

songs. For information, call (949) 376-6000.

SECOND THURSDAY’S

FILM POPULARITY

There are two exciting film experiences to behold in Laguna Beach

and both are equally great but different. The Laguna Beach Film

Society is sponsored by Laguna Art Museum with films being shown at

the Regency South Coast Cinema across from Main Beach. Cinema is the

other treasure and it is sponsored and held at the ever hip

[seven-degrees]. It’s not my point to compare and contrast them

because both cinematic experiences are an amazing expression of film

as art in Laguna.

CINEMA

At 7 p.m. on Oct. 9 Cinema will be showing the Australian film,

“He Died with a Falafel in His Hand.” It’s a film by Richard

Lowenstein and is a dark humorous search for love, meaning and

bathroom solitude.

The film is based around the main characters experiences related

to his nomadic trails and the series of shared housing experiences in

different cities on the coast of Australia.

The film recently made its U.S. premiere at the New York

International Independent Film and Video Festival where it won three

awards including Best Screenplay, Best Director and Best Supporting

Actress. For subscriptions to the Cinema experience at

[seven-degrees], call Amir at Anastasia at (949) 497-1212.

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

LAGUNA BEACH FILM SOCIETY

Laguna Beach Film Society will be presenting the film “Chihwaseon”

(Painted Fire) at 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at Regency South Coast Cinema located

at the corner of Broadway and Coast Highway.

“Chihwaseon” won for Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival. It

begins in the 1850s, when the character named Kim Byung-moon saves

the young Jang Seung-up from being beaten by a group of drifters. In

return, Jang draws him a picture, and as Kim carefully examines the

boy’s rough drawing, he notices his extraordinary potential. The boy

is encouraged to become an artist because of his talent. It’s a story

of a renowned artist that has forever changed the face of Korean art.

To find out how to become a member of the Laguna Beach Film

Society, call the museum at (949) 494-8971.

LAGUNATICS

Lagunatics in an annual must-see epic performance since 1992,

which serves as a roast and toast to life in Laguna Beach. When I

first moved into town Lagunatics was said to be something not to be

missed. It still remains popular, selling out every year.

It still remains a very popular topic before and after the show --

and that’s because it is ultra witty, clever and genius. Founder Bree

Burgess Rosen has to be one of the most talented and brilliant

individuals ever to be born on this earth. And the truth is everybody

says that about her.

Don’t miss topics such as the goats, contraband calendars, the

Pageant of the Masters traveling show and the Montage taking their

rightful place as comedic fodder.

The show runs Oct. 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18 and the Gala

performance on Oct. 19. Show times are at 8 p.m. except for Oct. 12

at 7 p.m. and 6 p.m. for the Gala. Tickets range from $30 to $45

depending on the performance date with tickets for the Gala at $65.

Lagunatics will be performed at the Festival of Arts Forum Theater

located at 650 Laguna Canyon Road. For tickets, call (949) 497-2584.

21ST ANNUAL LAM ART AUCTION

The 21st annual Art Auction for the museum will take place on Oct.

11 and Oct. 19 and its popularity is well known in the art community

and people in Southern California. Laguna Art Museum will again offer

fine art collectors an unparalleled opportunity to view and bid on

art donated by renowned and newly emerging California artists. For

information, call (949) 494-8971. Laguna Art Museum is at 307 Cliff

Drive.

* SUZIE HARRISON is a reporter for the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot.