In The Arts

Enjoy art class on the beach

Laguna Outreach for Community Arts will host Watercolors on the Beach from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Treasure Island Beach.

Students will observe live crabs, shrimp and urchins, and create a watercolor journal under direction of instructor September McGee. All supplies are provided including a tote bag, watercolors, gel pens and a snack courtesy of Montage.

Cost is $35 for adults; $20 for children accompanied by an adult. Advance registration is required; call (949) 363-4700 or e-mail [email protected].

Doctor to discuss women’s health

Physician and author Beth Hamilton will hold a discussion and book signing for her new book, “So Stressed: The Ultimate Stress-Relief Plan for Women” that she co-wrote with fellow OB-GYN Stephanie McClellan.

The free event will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday at Laguna Beach Books, 1200 S. Coast Hwy.

The book allows readers to determine their own stress profile, learn ways to see and respond to stress, reduce it and its effects on the body, and prevent the life-threatening illnesses it causes.

Hamilton and McClellan practice in Newport Beach, where they are affiliated with Hoag Memorial Presbyterian Hospital.

For more information, call (949) 494-4779 or visit www.lagunabeachbooks.com.

‘Boxcar Children’ at playhouse

The Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre will bring the children’s book “The Boxcar Children” to life on stage April 23 to 25.

Gertrude Chandler Warner’s 1924 book tells the story of four orphaned children during the Great Depression.

After their parents drown in a boating accident, the children, ages 5 to 14, run away when they overhear talk of putting them in separate foster homes.

With the motto, “We stick together like glue,” the children find an abandoned railroad boxcar and turn it into their home.

“The play reiterates the feeling of community and family, and that family sometimes takes different shapes and forms than what we think it’s supposed to be,” director Kelly Herman said.

The story also explores the themes of personal integrity, maturity and making do with what you have.

“With our current economic situation, it’s a reminder that we can make good things happen even when we don’t have a lot,” Herman said.

Performances are at 10 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. April 23; 2 and 7:30 p.m. April 24; and 1 and 5 p.m. April 25. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for children.

For more information or to buy tickets, call (949) 497-2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

Chefs promote travel cookbook

Chefs Bernard Guillas and Ron Oliver of the Marine Room restaurant in La Jolla will give a presentation and book signing for their new cookbook, “Flying Pans,” from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at Latitude 33 Bookshop, 311 Ocean Ave.

The book takes readers from Thailand to Brazil in a conversational style with recipes that are kitchen-tested and easy to navigate for the home cook. Call (949) 494-5403.

Playhouse Women host Dukakis

Playhouse Women, a support group of Laguna Playhouse, will host “Spring in the Garden,” a floral design class and luncheon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Sherman Library and Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Hwy. in Corona del Mar, where special guest Academy Award-winning actress Olympia Dukakis will speak about her career.

A floral arrangement class will be taught by Janelle Wiley from 10 to 11:30 a.m. followed by lunch at Café Jardin where guests will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with Dukakis.

Tickets are $70 and include the floral class, supplies and lunch. Tickets for only the floral class are available for $40 and $30 for the luncheon.

The event is limited to 50 guests on a first come, first-served basis. Net proceeds benefit the Laguna Playhouse. For reservations or to learn more about Playhouse Women, call (949) 497.2787, ext. 216, or e-mail alarson@lagunaplay house.com.