Casa Romantica Showcases Festival of Arts Legacy in New Summer Exhibition

Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is partnering with the Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach for a new summer exhibition celebrating the artists who helped shape Laguna Beach’s creative legacy.

“Through the Decades: Artists That Shaped the Festival of Arts” will be on view at Casa Romantica from June 12 through Sept. 6, 2026. The exhibition features select works from the Festival of Arts Permanent Art Collection and traces more than a century of Southern California art history through paintings, ceramics and sculptures from some of the region’s most influential artists.

Drawn from an archive of more than 1,000 works, the exhibition highlights both historic and contemporary pieces that reflect the evolution of Laguna Beach’s art community and its lasting impact on California’s cultural landscape.

Among the featured works is “Flower Stalls” by Virginia Woolley, one of the Festival of Arts’ founding artists and a key figure in Laguna Beach’s early arts scene. The painting was the first artwork sold at the inaugural Festival of Arts in 1932 and reflects Woolley’s legacy as a California Impressionist and arts advocate.

Additional works include “The Bathers, Laguna Beach” by Festival founder John H. Hinchman, whose vision for a community art festival during the Great Depression helped establish what would become one of the nation’s most recognized arts organizations. Also featured is “Composite Sketch/Pageant Bethlehem” by Roy Ropp, remembered as the “Father of the Pageant” for helping transform the early living picture presentations into the iconic Pageant of the Masters.

The exhibition also includes works by celebrated California artists Roger Kuntz, Joane Cromwell, Edgar Payne, Elsie Palmer Payne and Frank Cuprien, along with contemporary Festival exhibitors including Fred Stodder, Mike Tauber, Pat Sparkuhl and Monica Dunham.

Founded in 1932, the Festival of Arts began as a grassroots effort by local artists seeking to support the community during the Great Depression while welcoming visitors traveling to Southern California for the Los Angeles Olympics. What started as a small outdoor exhibition evolved into a nationally recognized nonprofit arts institution and the internationally known Pageant of the Masters.

Casa Romantica will host a Members Only Preview Night on Thursday, June 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. A free public opening reception follows on Friday, June 12, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Located on the historic Ole Hanson estate overlooking the Pacific in San Clemente, Casa Romantica continues its mission of connecting the community through art, history and culture with this special exhibition honoring Laguna Beach’s artistic heritage.

Admission information, hours, and additional details can be found at Casa Romantica.

Paséa Hotel & Spa Hosts Annual Pup Fest on June 14

Named the No. 1 Pet-Friendly Hotel in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Paséa Hotel & Spa is bringing back its annual Pup Fest on Sunday, June 14.

Set on the oceanfront lawn overlooking the Pacific, this year’s “Dog Days of Summer” celebration will feature water play, doggy pampering, gourmet treats, live music, shopping from local vendors, and plenty of fun for four-legged guests and their humans. Dogs can also enter the “Face of Pup Fest 2026” contest by showing off their best beach-themed costume for a chance to win the grand prize.

For those planning a coastal staycation, Paséa’s Very Important Pet Package includes dog-friendly accommodations, keepsake toys, a complimentary entrée from the Lōrea pet menu, and a V.I.P. Passport with special perks throughout the resort.

21080 CA-1, Huntington Beach. (855) 319-5587

Murder Mystery Dinner Experience Debuts in Buena Park

One of Southern California’s newest entertainment experiences is coming to Buena Park as The Speakeasy Murder & Other Acts of Prohibition makes its West Coast debut on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

The immersive murder mystery dinner experience transforms the evening into a 1920s New York-style speakeasy filled with gangsters, bootleggers, flappers, live music and interactive storytelling. Guests are invited to become part of the mystery as the storyline unfolds around them with audience participation helping shape the outcome of the night.

The experience includes a served three-course prix fixe dinner with chicken, pasta, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available, along with kid-friendly meals for junior detectives. Guests can also upgrade to salmon or filet mignon and order signature cocktails throughout the evening. Dietary accommodations and allergies can be accommodated with advance notice.

Created by EG Murder Media, the production comes from Emmy Award-winning comic writer and TV host Erik Hastings and Broadway and West End producer Gary Littman. The concept first launched in Orlando in 2025 before expanding to Buena Park.

The Speakeasy Murder & Other Acts of Prohibition opens at 7600 Beach Blvd. in Buena Park with nightly performances planned. The show is rated PG-13 and designed for adults, families, groups and anyone looking for an interactive night out.

For tickets and more information, visit speakeasymurder.com or call 623-270-5115.