Pageant Of The Masters

[WalnutBaron]

For anyone living in or traveling on vacation to Southern California, I highly recommend spending an evening in Laguna Beach at a totally unique artistic performance called the Pageant of the Masters. The best way to describe it is to say that it's "living art", with volunteer actors whose makeup, costumes, and posing places them in the exact position of characters in famous paintings and sculptures. The show is accompanied by the music of a live orchestra and a fantastic narrator who gives the audience background, history, and humor regarding each of the perhaps 25 artistic pieces presented during the two-hour (including intermission) show.

The show continues through the month of August.

http://www.foapom.com/

 

[SmithOp]

Great recommendation, allow me to add the Sawdust Festival.

http://www.sawdustartfestival.org/

 

[Rene McDaniel]

Be sure to get there early as everyone picnics there before the event begins, and oftentimes there is live music. You can get food, wine, etc. there on site, or you can stop by Whole Foods, 1 block down, and get your picnic provisions there. You can bring your bottle of wine, cups, food, etc. into the Festival of the Arts, just no coolers. The gallery artwork is always more enjoyable with a glass of wine, but I believe you need to finish everything before you go into the Pageant seating, at dusk.

Also, you can save big bucks on Pageant of the Master tickets by NOT going on a Saturday night. We went on a Sunday night in July and it was wonderful, although there were some past years that I enjoyed the art, even more. If you've never been --- I highly recommend going at least once.

 

[DAman]

Take your children.

We are going this Friday night and we are taking our 13 and 10 year olds. They enjoy it as do my wife and I. If our 17 year old was with us he would go too as he enjoys it(I asked him if this was true and he confirmed). We have been 6 out of the last 7 years. We did wait until the kids were 7 to take them(to make sure they could sit still and behave).

In years past the Sawdust Festival has cost me a lot of money. My wife has found many things, mainly paintings, that adorn our house. With college costs on the horizon we are much more restrained these days.

This may not be for everyone but it is a unique evening out. It has turned into a summer tradition for us that I hope will continue.

 

[Luanne]

I remember years and years ago when the Sawdust Festival was just this small, funky little thing. You could find amazing art work for very low prices. Sounds like it's changed a lot.