From the last weekend of the OC Fair to yacht parties, musicals and more, check out the top Orange County weekend events for August 10-13.
Edited by Laura Okey and Whitney Lauren Han
EVENTS
Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner with Amar Santana
Aug. 10. Enjoy a spectacular seven-course dinner from celebrated chef Amar Santana at acclaimed restaurant, Vaca. The Friends of James Beard Benefit Dinner will include wine pairings, a small silent auction and an al fresco reception. Menu highlights include roasted lamb meatballs with lemon yogurt and cucumber, smoked chicken cannelloni with foie gras sauce and sherry reduction and lobster paella with squid ink bomba rice, smoked paprika aioli, leeks and charred lemon. 6 p.m. $300-$350. Vaca, 695 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.463.6060. vacarestaurant.com
Rock The Walk
Aug. 10. The summer music showcase, Rock The Walk, at Anaheim GardenWalk features local artists Thursdays this summer. This week will feature artist Tony Gomez along with entertainment such as the Federales and a Grasslands Meat Market sampling. See website for full directory. 5:30-7:30 p.m. Free. Anaheim GardenWalk, Kate & Ella Court, 400 W. Disney Way, Anaheim, 714.635.7400. anaheimgardenwalk.com
Orange County Fair
Through Aug. 13. Don’t miss the last weekend of Farm, Fresh, Fun—Indulge in a little bit of deep-fried everything at the Orange County Fair. Bring the whole family and enjoy action sports (rodeo, BMX, pig racing), tribute bands in the Hangar, carnival with rides, La Grande Wheel, livestock competitions, agricultural displays, petting zoo, wine tasting and of course—fried food galore. Concerts at the Pacific Amphitheatre include artists such as The Band Perry, Rebelution and more. Don’t miss our complete guide to the OC Fair which encompasses everything you need to know. M-Tu closed, W-F noon-midnight, Sa.-Su. 11 a.m.-midnight. Adults $7-$12; children under 5 free; $10 (cash only) for parking. 88 fair drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.1500. ocfair.com
6th Annual Learn to Skate with the Pros
Aug. 13. Roll into Huntington Beach this Sunday to learn how to skate with professionals such as Mark Appleyard, Tosh Townend, Jose Cerda, Sara Kate and Friends. There will be music, games, vendors, food, photo opps, giveaways and more. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Main Street at Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach. 5pointsplaza.com
Caribbean Yacht Party
Aug. 12. Make the most of your weekend by hopping on board a three-hour luxury yacht cruise through Newport Harbor. Indulge on Caribbean cuisine such as kabobs and jerk chicken while sipping specialty rum libations. A live DJ will keep the night going and the dance floor full with island sounds and reggae music. Tickets include two cocktails and unlimited finger foods. 21 and over. Boarding 6:30 p.m; cruise 7-10 p.m. $65. Royal Princess Yacht, 2901 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 714.485.6543. annualyachtparties.com
San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival
Aug. 13. Enjoy live music, food and activities at the 64th annual San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival. The festival features activities for the entire family like an arts and craft exhibit, a tortilla toss, pie-eating contest, jump rope and more. Free shuttle service is available from San Clemente High School. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Free. 100-200 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, 949.492.1131. scchamber.com
Movie Nights in The Backyard
Aug. 11. Ditch the indoor movie theater and enjoy blockbuster favorites on a 16-foot movie screen in Hotel Irvine’s backyard. Bring blankets and beach chairs and stake out the best spot on the lawn for featured flick Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Bring your appetite for chef’s backyard BBQ with hot-off-the-grill burgers, artisan sandwiches, fresh farmers market salads and staple movie snacks like ice cream, nachos, popcorn and candies. Plus, order up a featured cocktail or bottle of wine from the fully stocked outdoor bar. Doors open at 7 p.m. Movie begins at dusk. Tickets start at $5. Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 888.230.4452. hotelirvine.com
OC Parks Presents Annual 2017 Concert Series
Aug. 10. Catch this week’s performance of the summer concert series featuring popular reggae-rock band Common Sense and guests The Wheeland Brothers. Enjoy food trucks, a beer and wine garden and local live music in celebration of the summer season. Bring your own blankets and beach chairs for seating. 6-8 p.m. Free. Mile Square Regional Park, 16801 Euclid St., Fountain Valley, 714.973.6600. ocparks.com
Back to School: Endless Summer Fest
Aug. 11. Spend the weekend at Irvine Spectrum celebrating all things back to school! On Friday, see an exciting live performance from World of Dance in Giant Wheel Court at 7 p.m. Straight from NBC’s popular World of Dance show, select performers/groups will take the stage live at Irvine Spectrum Center. See your favorite contestants from the show demonstrate their hip-hop, popping, locking, tap, ballet, break dancing, ballroom and stomping skills. Additionally, on Saturday, see NBC’s The Voice star and Orange County local, Hanna Eyre, perform live at 6 p.m. Free. 670 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949.753.5180. shopirvinespectrumcenter.com
30th Annual Long Beach Jazz Festival
Aug. 11-13. Catch this weekend’s stellar lineup of jazz performers that vary from traditional and contemporary with styles like fusion, funk, smooth jazz, Latin jazz plus rhythm & blues—genres for every jazz lover. Enjoy marina breezes and a beautiful lagoon and park setting. The Vendor Pavilion offers a variety of freshly prepared foods and beverages plus unique clothing, art and accessories. See the full list of artists online. Friday 6 p.m.; Sa-Su noon. $60-$210. Rainbow Lagoon Park, E. Shoreline Dr., Long Beach, 562.424.0013. longbeachjazzfestival.com
FOOD + DRINK
Sunday Suppers at Restauration
Aug. 13. Experience a taste of the world with a farm-to-table prix-fixe menu taking inspiration from different regions of the world each week. Featured this week at Restauration is France, with an appetizing three-course meal that will stimulate your taste buds. Menu highlights include chicken liver mousse, duck confit salad and plum and goat cheese éclair. 4-9 p.m. $29 per person. 2708 E. 4th Street in Long Beach, 562.439.8822. restaurationlb.com
Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine and Cocktails
Through Aug. 31. Celebrate the 8th anniversary Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails with their new “Happiest Happy Hour” which gives guests 50 percent off happy hour specials. Signature happy hour items include bubbly cocktails, seafood ceviche, portobello steak fries, chicken kebabs and spiced lamb spring rolls. Happiest Happy Hour M-F from 3-4 p.m. (closed on August 12); Happy Hour Weekdays 3-6:30 p.m. and Sa 5-6:30 p.m., 2607 Main Street, Irvine, 949.383.8887. andreisrestaurant.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Kendrick Lamar
Aug. 11. American rapper and songwriter, Kendrick Lamar, is bringing The Damn Tour to the Honda Center stage. Hear the artist perform hits from his latest album, Damn, including lead single “Humble.” 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $77. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2400. hondacenter.com
Live Music With Steve Maggiora Band
Aug. 10. Revel in the sounds of the past with The Steve Maggiora Band. The popular Southern California band will perform 70’s and 80’s R&B inspired covers, top 40 hits and originals. Peet’s Coffee will serve up samples of “the best damn coffee on earth.” 6-8 p.m. Free. Bella Terra Amphitheatre, 7777 Edinger Avenue, Huntington Beach. bellaterra-hb.com
A Palate and Palette Experience
Aug. 13. Take an artistic journey through Spain. Paint like the great Spanish painters, Picasso, Dali, Miro, El Greco and Goya or be inspired by Chuck Jones cartoon, “Bully for Bugs.” Sip on sangria and enjoy small bites while an art instructor guides you. 2-5 p.m. Tickets start at $40. The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, 3303 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 949.660.7791. 3303 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa. chuckjonescenter.org
Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
Aug. 11. See the longest running, touring theater show in history that will literally light up your day, Driven by cutting edge effects, full color lasers, hi-def multi-screen video projection, concert quality sound and sighting effects, your senses are confronted with an array of visual displays, choreographed to the soundtrack of the show. This is a laser light performance set to recorded music of Pink Floyd. It is not Pink Floyd, nor does it feature any live music performance. 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $17.50. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. ticketmaster.com
Parade Musical at Chance Theater
Aug. 11-13. See the unforgettable Tony Award-winning musical as it takes the stage for only three more nights this weekend. Based on one of the most notorious, publicized and hotly debated trials in U.S. history, this performance is an example of the power of musical theater to tell complex and important stories. Armed with a breathtaking score by Jason Robert Brown (The Last Five Years) and a powerful script by Alfred Uhry (Driving Miss Daisy), this transformational story is part murder mystery and part exploration of the endurance of love and hope against all odds. F-Sa 8 p.m.; Su 3 p.m. Price ranging from $31-$45. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 888.455.4212. chancetheater.com
Rose Kingsley presents “Through the Years with Johnny Mercer”
Aug. 11. Dubbed as The Female Frank Sinatra, Kingsley vividly captures the essence of each song’s story, while touching the hearts and souls of audiences everywhere. “Through the Years with Johnny Mercer” will be performed by Kingsley with piano accompaniment by Mercer’s son-in-law and co-composer, Bob Corwin. Together, Kingsley and Corwin will for the first time ever, share with audiences the compelling backstory to each song and what inspired it. Doors open 6 p.m.; concert 7 p.m. $20 and $30. Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar, 949.322.6342. jazz4us.info
STYLE + BEAUTY
Levik’s Jewelers Grand Opening
Aug. 12. Enjoy an evening of bubbly, small bites and music in celebration of Levik’s Jewelers new store opening in the Crystal Cove Shopping Center. This family owned and operated jewelry store is offering up to 40 percent off all jewelry in store for this special event, as well as complimentary swag bags for the first 100 guests. 5-8 p.m. Crystal Cove Shopping Center, 7882 East Coast Highway, Newport Beach, 949.715.3899. leviksjewelers.com
UPCOMING EVENTS
Ships and Giggles Comedy Night with Darren Carter
Aug. 14. Escape the Monday blues with cocktails and great company with some of Southern California’s funniest comedians. Hosted by world-renowned comic, Rocco Stowe, the August showcase features top comedians including Courtney Black, Ashley Craib, Aiko Tanaka, Boogie B and headlining comedian Darren Carter. 8 p.m. Free. The Observation Bar & Art Deco Lounge on The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, queenmary.com
Battle of the Chefs
Aug. 15. Watch as the the Best Chefs of OC compete to become the next Battle of the Chefs Champion at the Fifth Rooftop Bar in the Grand Legacy at the Park. As Executive Chef Pascal Olhats and Executive Chef Linda Johnsen face each other head to head, a charity is chosen from a group of applicants to benefit from the event for each round. This event will be recorded and then air on OC Chef Life TV. Doors open 5:30 p.m.; event 6:30 p.m. $35-$125, The Fifth Rooftop Bar in the Grand Legacy at the Park, 1650 S Harbor Blvd G Anaheim, 714.772.0899. occheflife.com
