Greer's Girls

Swan Lake, Reinvented
03.10.14
By Kelley Moody
On Friday, March 7th the Segerstrom Center of the Arts hosted the American premiere of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo’s LAC after Swan Lake, directed and choreographed by Jean-Christophe Maillot. This modern reinterpretation of the classic tale heightens the drama and expresses the fight between good and evil in the fluidity of the dancers’ actions. The story follows the Prince on his journey to find pure love while resisting temptation and deception from Her Majesty of the Night and her wicked daughter, the Black Swan. This particular production revitalizes the plot of the ballet, leaving the audience defenseless to the magic of the story.
The dancers moved in synchronicity with the powerful orchestration utilizing symmetry throughout the complex routines. The interactions between dancers and their physical connections kept the audience’s eyes wandering about the stage, absorbing each relationship between the characters. The turns and leaps impressed to no end, and the smooth lines held by the dancers appeared effortless as they glided about the stage.
The production actually begins with a video that is projected on to the minimalist and linear set of the stage providing the audience with a silent short film giving context to the plot. The performance then moves between the royal palace of the king and queen and the Lake of Tears, where the White Swan is kept as she is bound to an eternal life as both bird and woman.
Maillot’s vision was portrayed melodramatically through his choreography and staging. The visual spectacle left the audience awestruck from start to finish. The symbolic colors shifted between dark and light, and the crafted theater elements gave performance higher meaning. The ballet was powerful, exquisite and thoughtful from start to finish.
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Celebrate Good Taste Restaurant Specials
03.06.14
In honor of Celebrate Good Taste in Laguna Beach, the following restaurants will be offering specials all three days from Friday to Sunday.
230 Forest Avenue Restaurant & Bar
In honor of Celebrate Good Taste, 230 Forest Avenue Restaurant & Bar will be “Celebrating Champagne & Lobster.” Look for Chef Marc Cohen to feature some creative lunch & dinner items utilizing Live Maine Lobster. General Manager Tim Garner will be offering wonderful Champagne including Veuve Clicquot by the glass and a list of Champagne-inspired cocktails like The French 75 Moulin Rouge Martini.
230 Forest Avenue. 949.494.2545
The Deck on Laguna Beach
Guests will enjoy a three-course dinner for $29.99. Dinner will be complemented with a glass of The Girls in the Vineyard or Wisdom Red Blend wine.
627 Sleepy Hollow Lane. 949.494.6700
House of Big Fish and Ice Cold Beer
Three-course beer pairing menu for $30 from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
540 S. Coast Hwy. 949.715.4500
K’ya Bistro Bar
Three-course wine pairing menu for $30 from 4:30 p.m. to close.
1287 S. Coast Hwy. 949.376.9718
Lumberyard Restaurant
Enjoy a three-course dinner menu for $30.
384 Forest Ave. 949.715.3900
Maro Wood Grill
Enjoy a three-course lunch prix fixe menu for $15, plus tea or a soft drink from noon to 4 p.m.
1915 S. Coast Hwy. 949.793.4044
Nirvana Grille
Nirvana Grille will be releasing their new Spring Menu and will be offering 50% off all new menu items. Celebrate Good Taste attendees will also enjoy discounts on new wines.
303 Broadway St., #101 949.497.0027
The Rooftop Lounge
Three item combination lunch for $15 per person from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
1289 S. Coast Hwy. 949.497.2446
Royal Thai Cuisine
Enjoy a three-course lunch menu for $10, and a three-course dinner menu for $20.
1750 S. Coast Hwy. 949.494.8424
Splashes Restaurant at Surf & Sand Resort and Spa
Enjoy a two-course lunch menu for just $20, or a three-course dinner menu for just $40.
1555 S. Coast Hwy. 949.376.2779
Tommy Bahama
Guests can experience three courses of food and cocktail tastings for just $20.
400 S. Coast Hwy. 949.376.6886
Watermarc Restaurant
Watermarc Restaurant will have featured specials “Celebrating Bacon & Bourbon.” emphasize these two restaurant staples in his featured menu selections from March 7-9. Mixologist Anthony McLeod will also be featuring some handcrafted tinctures to blend with their wide array of Bourbons & Ryes.
448 S. Coast Hwy. 949.376.6272
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