IN THE ARTS

Jazz flutist, Joe Pass protégé to perform

Laguna Beach Live!, will present The Frank Potenza Trio with special guest Holly Hofmann from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday in the Rose Garden of Hotel Laguna. The trio features the jazz guitar of Frank Potenza, Joe Bagg on the Hammond B3 organ, and John Ferraro on drums.

In addition to performing throughout the world, Hofmann composes, conducts clinics and workshops, and books a number of jazz concert series.

Potenza is a protégé of the late Joe Pass and an active educator, composer and performer with seven solo albums to his credit.

In addition to his freelance recording experience, he has performed in concert with Dizzy Gillespie, George Van Eps, Joe Pass, Bud Shank, Mose Allison, James Moody, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Jack McDuff, Red Holloway, and others.

Potenza is a professor and chairman of the studio/jazz guitar faculty at the Thornton School of Music at USC. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and a master of art’s degree from Cal State Los Angeles.

Jazz Wednesdays are in the outdoor Rose Garden of the Hotel Laguna, 425 S. Coast Hwy.

Cover charge is $10, with drinks and food available for purchase. Light jackets are suggested at sundown.

Doors open at 5:15 p.m. For reservations for groups of eight or more, call (949) 715-9713.

For more information, visit www.lagunabeachlive.org.

Sawdust announces ‘Resident Days’

The Sawdust Art Festival offers Laguna Beach residents free admission during “Resident Days.” On Thursday evenings from 5 to 10 p.m., and First Fridays (July 4 and Aug. 1) from 10 a.m. until closing, Laguna Beach residents are admitted into the Sawdust Art Festival free of charge with proof of residency. Present photo ID at the Sawdust Box Office to receive your complimentary ticket.

This summer, Thursday evenings at the 2008 Sawdust Art Festival are also known “Date Night.” Couples are invited to sit back and reconnect in the eucalyptus hideaway.

And each Thursday after 6 p.m., two complimentary drinks will be awarded to the first couple to find the red “Date Night” Heart, which will be hidden on the Sawdust Art Festival grounds.

The festival is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., June 27 through Aug. 31 (closing at 6 p.m. today). Admission prices are: Adult $7; seniors 65 and older $6; Children ages 6 to 12 $3; children younger than 5 admitted free.

A Summer Season Pass is $20, and the Annual Pass is $25 (unlimited admission to both the Summer and Winter shows). For more information call (949) 494-3030 or visit www.SawdustArtFestival .org.

Walking in the truth with installation

The William Merrill Gallery, 611 S. Coast Hwy., hosts an exclusive showing of sculptor Nancy Frazier’s installation “A True Story” this month.

The gallery is also introducing abstract painter Mario Valez.

For more information call (949) 464-0067.

Whelan celebrates first anniversary

Artist Patrick Whelan will display about 40 original book and magazine illustrations, which will include cover art produced for the Nancy Drew series, “Peter Pan,” “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,” and “Alice in Wonderland.”

For the fist time, this select group of originals will be displayed all together, in one place for public viewing.

Books may be purchased through the publisher at www.simonsays.com or through major bookstores.

For more information about Whelan Galleries, visit www.whelanartgalleries. com or call (949) 494-5076.

Bunge joins Laguna Art Museum

Jacqueline Bunge has joined Laguna Art Museum as the Museum’s new Curator of Education, as of Monday.

“I am very excited to be returning to Laguna Art Museum as the curator of education,” Bunge said. “One of my main goals is to build a strong relationship with the community and create educational programs that are a benefit for all ages.”

Bunge received her bachelor’s degree in art history from Chapman University in 2003 and a master’s degree in exhibition design and certificate in museum studies from Cal State Fullerton in 2008.

She was a guest curator of “The OsCene 2006: Contemporary Art and Culture in OC” at Laguna Art Museum and recently co-curated the exhibition “Domestic Departures” at CSUF’s Main Art Gallery.