In The Arts

Otterbach is back

Fine artist and designer Dustin Otterbach will hold an art opening for the first time in three and a half years from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday at H Gallery, 1294 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach.

Otterbach will feature his fine art, sculpture and line of custom designed cuffs.

A Laguna native and the fifth of six children, Otterbach said he credits his parents’ work ethic, creativity and the stable upbringing with providing him the sense of freedom to express himself.

As a carpenter and sculptor, he paints on scrap metal, allowing its weathered patinas and textures to guide his color choices and tonalities. Otterbach cuffs are wearable versions of his signature works on metal.

Having previously owned and operated two art galleries in Laguna Beach, Zion Gallery and Otterbach Gallery, he currently works out of his studio in Los Angeles.

His work benefits charitable organizations including Heal the Bay, Children’s Diabetes Foundation and The ECF Art Center in L.A.

For more information, visit https://www.otterbachart.com.

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Latin Jazz Syndicate returns to Hotel Laguna

Laguna Beach Live! will once again present The Latin Jazz Syndicate from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Hotel Laguna rose garden as part of its weekly jazz series.

Led by trumpeter Bijon Watson, the group explores the fusion of Latin and world rhythms with the vast collection of American jazz standards. Its member musicians have performed, recorded and toured with artists like Poncho Sanchez, Jose Rizo’s Jazz On The Latin Side All-Stars, Luis Miguel and Dave Valentin.

The driving forces behind the Syndicate are keyboardist-arranger-composer Carlos Ordiano and Watson, whose wide-ranging musical influences include extensive recording, touring, and performing experience with artists such as Queen Latifah, the Temptations and Prince.

Cover charge is $10; drinks and food available for purchase. Doors open at 5:15 p.m.; reservations for groups of eight or more must be prepaid at (949) 715-9713 or online at https://www.lagunabeachlive.org.

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‘La Donation’ screening Thursday

The Laguna Beach Film Society will screen Canada’s award-winning film, “La Donation� (French for “The Legacy�) at 7 p.m. Thursday at South Coast Cinemas in Laguna Beach.

The film tells the story of an aging country doctor in a tiny, rural town in northern Quebec who advertises for a holiday replacement. Instead, he gets a big-city, Montreal doctor who has to cope with the intensely personal nature of small town medicine. The film is in French with subtitles.

Tickets are $15 at the door; $20 for a pre-screening party with wine and appetizers at 6 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Bank Community Room.

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Calling all artists

The city of Laguna Beach is now accepting applications for the city’s Juried Exhibition, Palette and Mural Competitions.

The deadline for the 2010/2011 Artists Open Studios, which will run October through March, is Aug. 20.

Further information, competition guidelines and application forms can be picked up at 515 Forest Ave.

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Yeomans poster chosen for car show

The Laguna Beach Rotary Club has selected a painting by Jeff Yeomans for the theme art for the seventh annual Classic Car Show to be held at the Festival of Arts grounds on Oct. 17.

A member of the Laguna Plein Air Painters Assn., Yeomans participated in the Laguna Plein Air Invitational for the past two years and exhibits locally at Studio 7 Gallery in North Laguna.

His painting will be used for poster art and promotional materials for the show. The original will be auctioned at the show, a fundraiser for local Laguna charities. For more information visit https://www.lagunabeachcarshow.com/info.html.