Hosting the U.S. premiere of Crash turned out to be a coup for the 2005 Newport Beach Film Festival, whose organizers noticed a marked increase in interest from Hollywood for this year's April 20-30 run. Last year, director Paul Haggis led a small Crash contingent (sadly missing promised attendee actor/producer Don Cheadle, who was stuck somewhere else) to a makeshift stage next to a free vodka line in a Fashion Island courtyard to thank everyone for coming. I know because I was the last person
Organizers claim the LA Art Show -- a massive, mixed-media event that showcases everything from cutting-edge contemporary installations to works by Renoir and Monet -- is the main reason the Los Angeles City Council declared January "Los Angeles Art Month." What their resolution doesn't mention is how Orange County is cutting into the action.Among the 175 galleries exhibiting are two from Laguna Beach, Redfern Gallery and Sue Greenwood Fine Art, which has shown the artwork depicted here. Redfern
