Around Town: Laguna Beach to mark World AIDS Day

The Laguna Beach HIV Advisory Committee will hold a World AIDS Day candlelight vigil on Thursday at Main Beach to remember residents who have died because of AIDS.

The public is invited to attend the event, which begins at 4:30 p.m. on the cobblestone area of the beach.

Guests at last year’s event took turns announcing the name of a loved one who had died of the disease.

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Vanguard Christmas concert series set for Newport and Costa Mesa

Vanguard University’s music department will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its Christmas Fantasia concert series with performances at 8 p.m. Friday at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach and 8 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.

Performances will include the Costa Mesa university’s Concert Choir and Orchestra, University Women’s Chorus, Jazz Ensemble, Guitar Quartet, Barbershop and Beautyshop quartets and the Vanguard Singers and Band.

Proceeds from the concerts will go toward scholarships and other educational resources through the Vanguard University Fund, according to a news release.

Tickets start at $25 and are available at vanguard.edu/fantasia or (714) 966-5441.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church is at 600 St. Andrews Road, Newport Beach.

The Segerstrom Concert Hall is at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.