From music, food and film festivals to new art exhibitions, check out the top Orange County weekend events for April 26-29.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
KROQ Presents: ROQ the Ocean at Pacific City
Apr. 26. The world-famous KROQ is coming to Pacific City with an exclusive summer concert series—ROQ the Ocean. Starting off the series is local favorite Matt Costa and special guest Casey Sullivan. The series showcases the best local and emerging artists representing a variety of genres from alternative rock to reggae. Beer garden 6 p.m., show 7 p.m. Free. Pacific City, 21010 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach. gopacificcity.com
Newport Beach Film Festival
Apr. 26-May 3. Calling all movie buffs! Watch some 350 feature films and shorts, plus sessions with directors and screenwriters at this week-long film fest. Attend the Opening Night Gala with a live performance and a taste of Newport Beach with light bites from some the area’s top restaurants. See website for prices and venues. newportbeachfilmfest.com
Southern California Spring Garden Show
Apr. 26-29. Notable landscape designers have partnered with local home stores to create Southern California lifestyle displays that will provide inspiration for your own house and garden. More than 60 vendors will offer plants, flowers and gardening accessories. Free. Crate and Barrel/Macy’s Home Store Wings, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, 800.782.8888. southcoastplaza.com
Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race
Apr. 27-29. Watch boats from around the world set sail from the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach on Friday, April 27 at 11 a.m. with the last boat passing by at approximately 1:30 p.m. The world-famous race concludes in Ensenada, Mexico. 1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, 949.644.1023. nosa.org
Back to the Beach Festival
Apr. 28-29. Dig your toes in the sand for a family-friendly weekend festival at Huntington State Beach featuring great food, drinks and local artisans from the vendor village. Kids can enjoy the Lil Punk Kidzone full of carnival games and inflatable bounce houses. VIP Lounge for ages 21+. Doors open at noon. $60-$90 adults, free for children under 10. 21601 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach. backtothebeachfest.com
OC STEAM Fest
Apr. 28. Come one, come all to learn, discover and play at this engaging community event. Enjoy a fun-filled day of games and activities related to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) including human foosball, dancing robots, LEGO engineering, virtual reality, live animals and race cars, plus live performances, food trucks and more. 2-7 p.m. $10 at the door, two tickets for $10 until April 25. Orange County Great Park, 6950 Marine Way, Irvine, 949.263.8340. ipsf.net
Barks of Love’s Bark Bash
Apr. 29. Help abandoned dogs find their forever home at this Bark Bash. Expect food, music, entertainment and vendors such as Arm the Animals, Java on the Go, Dahlia Eatery, Boss Pup, Dachs 2 Danes, Embyr Oils, Labrashark, Doggissage, Nothing Bundt Cakes and more. Admission to the event includes access to the Heritage Museum of Orange County and the Kellogg House, guided nature walks through the Gospel Swamp Natural Area and a children activity area. Noon-4 p.m. $10 GA, $5 for children 10 and under. 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana. barksoflove.org
FOOD + DRINK
Whisky Wednesday at Mozambique
Apr. 25. Make your way to Mozambique’s classic Durban Room for a two-hour tasting and educational talk on scotches Dalmore and Jura. A ticket includes hors d’oeuvres, desserts and tastes of Jura Seven Wood, Jura 18 year, the Dalmore 15 year, the Dalmore 18 year and the rare Dalmore King Alexander III. 6:30-8:30 p.m. $35. Mozambique, 1740 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.7777. Tickets
Veuve Clicquot Five-Course Champagne Dinner
Apr. 26. Elevate your evening with a five-course spring-inspired dinner paired with sips from flutes of Veuve Clicquot. Cocktail hour 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. $125 (excludes tax and gratuity). Oak Grill, Fashion Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. oakgrillnb.com
Hendrix Restaurant’s Anniversary Week
Through Apr. 27. Celebrate Hendrix’s first anniversary with a new three-course lunch special menu for $20.18 featuring dishes such as marinated castroville artichoke, Hawaiian big eye tuna tartare, rosemary lemon chicken and sticky toffee cake. Along with the menu, sip on new $8 cocktail specials including Laguna Niguel Spritz with aperol, prosecco, lemon and orange; Southside Ocean Ranch with gin, lime sour, mint and bitters; and When Old Is Good with Old Forester, raw sugar, bitters and lemon and orange peel. 32431 Street of the Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel, 949.248.1912. hendrixoc.com
Taste of Huntington Beach
Apr. 29. Sample endless samples from over 50 local restaurants in Huntington Beach, paired with the finest wines in California and unlimited sips from local breweries. The annual tasting event will also showcase live entertainment by The Ramsey Brothers Band. VIP reception 11 a.m.-noon, GA noon-4 p.m. $70 GA, $90 VIP. HB Sports Complex, 18100 Goldenwest, Huntington Beach. tastehb.com
STYLE + BEAUTY
KESTAN’s New Spring/Summer Line
Launching Apr. 29. Looking for new apparel to add to your wardrobe this season? Known for embodying modern minimalism with a feminine twist, high-end womenswear brand KESTAN launches their new spring/summer line. KESTAN, 3313 Hyland Ave., Suite A23, Costa Mesa, 714.694.8181. kestan.co
L.A. Eyeworks Trunk Show + Portrait Exhibit
Apr. 29. Save the date for this trunk show and exhibit at Van Brunt Optical Haus. Look through trunks full of colorful and unique L.A. Eyeworks frames and view a portrait exhibit showcasing black and white portraits from the popular “Your Face is Like a Work of Art. It Deserves a Great Frame” campaign. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. SOCO and The OC Mix, 3313 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 949.760.9150. socoandtheocmix.com
ARTS + CULTURE
The Joey Alexander Trio
Apr. 27. Grammy nominated jazz prodigy Joey Alexander brings his playful musicality and keen sense of swing to the Musco Center for the Arts. Guests can look forward to the 14-year-old’s new album Eclipse, available May 4 on Motéma Music, that showcases his significant progress as an astute composer, writing six of the 11 tunes. 7:30 p.m. $30-$60. Chapman University, One University Dr., Orange, 844.626.8726. muscocenter.org
“Dirty Blonde”
Apr. 28-29. Explore the phenomenon that is the legendary Mae West, one of America’s most enduring and controversial pop culture icons, in this romantic comedy with music about a guy, a gal and their mutual admiration for one voluptuous blonde. See website for showtimes. $61-$81. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2728. lagunaplayhouse.com
Nina K Solo Exhibition: “Changing Trends”
Apr. 28-May 12. Fashion designer and SoCal-based abstract expressionist painter Nina K brings her solo art exhibit to Laguna Beach. Attendees can meet the artist and learn more about her work and technique at the opening reception from 6-9 p.m. on April 28. Free. Avran Fine Art, 540 S. Coast Hwy., Suite 106, Laguna Beach, 949.494.0900. avranart.com
TAO: Drum Heart
Apr. 29. Feel the beat of the revered Japanese tradition of Taiko drumming through the halls of Musco Center for the Arts. Athletic artists with these giant traditional drums will perform innovative choreography in a spectacle that showcases energy, stamina and precision. 4 p.m. $30-$50. Chapman University, One University Dr., Orange, 844.626.8726. muscocenter.org
Barks of Love photo courtesy of Dana Coutryer. Andy Warhol photo by Greg Gorman. Taste of Huntington Beach photo by Kait McKay. TAO: Drum Heart photo courtesy of Musco Center for the Arts.
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