by Maryann Virack
My dad’s summer visits to California have often forced us to join in the “traipse of the tourists” visiting every theme park and attraction, including casinos, within driving distance. Some have been extraordinary adventures; others much more ordinary. This year I opted for culture and a very different kind of destination. The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach runs for one month in the summer and has been doing so since 1933.
Laguna Beach was established as an art colony in the early 1900’s and in 1932 hosted their first summer art festival. One of the most successful attractions that year was the living pictures created by artist/vaudevillian Lolita Perine. Since then, the Festival of the Arts has moved, grown, matured and finally settled into its permanent home where it continues to amaze its visitors for eight weeks every summer.
We arrived around 6pm, parked for $10 in a nearby city parking lot and entered the gates of The Festival of the Arts. The actual Festival is a separate attraction offering aspiring and noted artists an opportunity to display and sell their work The Pageant is a two hour outdoor performance of living pictures, known as”Tableuax Vivants”. A cast of 60,000 thousand volunteer actors depict famous paintings, sculptures and artwork in amazing “freeze frames” of authentic backgrounds, costumes, colors and poses.
Wandering through the festival is like going to an art museum. Jewelry, sculptures, oils, watercolors, photography, wood and metal work and unique interpretations of the artistic mind surrounded us. Everything is for sale; we could speak with the artists and order custom creations. Nothing is cheap. This is not your neighborhood craft show; but everything is amazing.
The festival is all on flat ground set into a mountain side. It is very easy to get around, though it can get a little crowded. There is a concession stand and bar; but do not expect the food stands found in a local state fair. This is much more stylish and sophisticated. Small outdoor tables surround the main stage and it was very nice to have a snack before the Pageant and listen to the live music which changes daily.
Dress is casual; I saw some very formal attire and a lot of California daily. There were very few children and fewer strollers. It seemed that most of the clientele were retired art lovers. It is the perfect venue for the senior citizen.
Seeing patrons carrying blankets and jackets, I too late realized that it gets pretty chilly near the beach; but the organizers of the event did not forget. We rented two of the warmest blankets ever for $6 apiece. Binoculars are also available for rental. At 7:30 the doors to the Pageant opened and we were ushered to our seats – which were perfect in the first row of the main tier. Ticket prices range from $20-$100 depending on seating and the night of the week. Wheelchairs, walkers and canes abound. There are steps to the higher tiers; but I saw guests of every physical ability enter the amphitheater and no one was turned away. The countless volunteers were very accommodating and helped each patron to his seat if necessary.
The Pageant is truly memorable. I cannot believe how those actors hold their poses for as long as they do. Each painting or sculpture is exact in the detail of the original.
In my attempt to treat dad to new and exciting destinations on his trips to California, the Pageant of the Masters was truly a remarkable find.
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