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The Sawdust Art Festival is true to itsfounders’ creative ideals 40 years laterFor over a century, artists have beendrawn to Laguna Beach like moths toa flame. The unique combination ofrugged natural beauty, amazing lightand vistas as well as a welcoming climateestablished Laguna Beach’s reputation as anartist colony at the dawn of the TwentiethCentury.As Laguna Beach grew and the century progressed,Laguna’s reputation as a Mecca for artistswas almost outshone by its new designation as aHollywood getaway. The tourists started comingin greater numbers to experience the town’s greatattractions: its thriving art scene and its beautifulbeaches.In 1966, a group of Laguna Beach artists whowere inspired by the social and artistic changes ofthe times left the confines of the town’s establishedarts festival and started their own festival; afestival that would be dedicated to the artiststhemselves. A place where the ideals of the timecould be experienced; a proudly non-juried artshow, a place that was inclusive and created awelcoming haven for local artists.This first “alternative” art show took place atan empty lot on Coast Highway in downtownLaguna Beach. To keep the dust down, theartists layered sawdust over the ground. And thatis how the Sawdust Art Festival came into being.In 1968, Sawdust organizers moved the showto a plot of land in Laguna Canyon, which wasthen purchased in 1972. Over the next severaldecades, the land has been nurtured by the artistsand remains a slice of how Southern Californiaused to be, with its towering eucalyptus trees,waterfalls and resident wildlife.For nine weeks each summer, the Sawdust’sfabled hand-constructed artists’ village springs tolife, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitorsfrom around the world. This ode to a vanishingway of life – the artists who work for themselves,earning a living to support their own uniqueLaguna Beach-lifestyle – is celebrated each summeras the crowds support this unique event thatnow seems will succeed well into the next century.In honoring its 40th show, the theme for2006 is “40 Creative Years.” Special exhibits willContinued on page 29Continued from page 24dren $10. Chino CommunityTheatre, 13123 7th St., Chino.COMMUNITY ARTS THEATERSOCIETY: Carousel, June 23, 24,28, 30, July 1, 2, 3, 5, 6-9. At theBig Bear Performing Arts Center,39707 Big Bear Boulevard. (909)866-4970.GROVE THEATRE: Menopause theMusical, playing now. See articleon page 24. Located in historicdowntown Upland, 276 E. 9th St.(909) 920-4343,grovetheatre.com.THE SECOND ANNUAL JAZZTRAXSUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL: June16-18 at Big Bear Lake. See articleon page 12.LAKE ARROWHEAD VILLAGESUMMER CONCERT SERIES:Through September 4. LakeArrowhead Village presents its 3rdannual family friendly free concertevent series, featuring bands suchas the Answer, Tijuana Dogs, theFenians, the MVPs and manymore. Concerts are every Fridayand Saturday evening and Sundayand Mondays of holiday weekends,5-8pm. Food and Beverageare available for purchase.Admission and parking are free.Lake Arrowhead Village, 28200Highway 189 Lake Arrowhead, CA92352.LIFEHOUSE THEATER: • TomSawyer, June 17-July. Join TomSawyer and Huck Finn for fun misadventureson the Mississippi anda romp through America’s yesteryears.This Mark Twain classic is atoe-tapping LifeHouse original.Written by Wayne R. Scott anddirected by Brenda Morrill.Tickets:Adults $12 - $17, Children $6 -$9. Fridays & Saturdays at7:30pm, and Saturday and SundayMatinees at 2:15pm. •Reservations may be made bycalling (909) 335-3037, ext. 21.www.lifehousetheater.com Thetheater is located at 1135 N.Church St. in Redlands.OLD TOWN TEMECULACOMMUNITY THEATER: • MollFlanders, June 3-4. Tickets: $34.Times: June 3, 2pm & 8pm; June4, 2pm. • Cinderella: The Ballet.Continued on page 30Now playing at theCandlelight Pavilion:Smokey Joe’s CaféNow through June 18!June 23 – July 30, 2006The Candlelight Pavilion this season is placing its trust in oneof Rodgers & Hammerstein’s lesser-known musicals:Cinderella, an extremely clever show whose songs are woventhrough musical tapestery of charm, humor and elegance.For a new generation of theatrical fans, Cinderella willintroduce them to a miraculous kingdom of dreams cometrue with a surprise for every Prince and Princess that walksthrough our doors! The music from Cinderella stays withyou long after the curtain has fallen. Does the slipper stillfit? It better!For Information and Reservations Call (909) 626-1254455 W. Foothill Blvd. • Claremont, CA 91711Visit us Online at www.candlelightpavilion.comJune, 2006 INLAND ENTERTAINMENT REVIEW 25