From Labor Day celebrations to wine-themed happenings, check out the top Orange County weekend events for August 30-September 3.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Blooms & Bubbly at The Resort at Pelican Hill
Aug. 29. Take time to stop and smell the roses! This 5-star luxury hotel invites you to sip on mimosas while award-winning floral designer Nisie Vorachard of Nisie’s Enchanted Florist leads a hands-on workshop on creating a hand-tied floral arrangement. 5-7 p.m. $125 (includes complimentary valet, mimosa and flowers for creating a hand-tied floral arrangement). 22701 Pelican Hill Road S., Newport Coast, 855.467.6800. Tickets
Shakira: “El Dorado” World Tour
Aug. 31. After postponing her El Dorado World Tour to recover her vocal cords, multi-Grammy Award-winning Colombian singer and songwriter Shakira is back to continue the U.S. leg of her tour at the Honda Center. 7:30 p.m. See website for prices. 2695 E. Katella, Anaheim, 714.704.2400. hondacenter.com
Summer Dive-In Movies
Aug. 31. Pull up a chaise lounge poolside or get comfy on your own inflatable pool floaty to watch showings of your favorite blockbuster hits at Fashion Island Hotel. This Friday screening is Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War. Guests can purchase popcorn, movie snacks and beverages from the bar. 7-11 p.m. $10 GA, free for overnight guests. 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.760.0808. fashionislandhotel.com
New Blues Festival
Sept. 1-2. Celebrate Labor Day weekend with the fifth year of New Blues Festival. The festival will feature 15+ bands on two stages, including performances by 2017 Grammy nominee Janiva Magness, Dennis Jones, Boxcar 7, The King Brothers and more. Come hungry so you can enjoy food trucks, beer and wine Vendor Village (blankets encouraged). See website for schedule and prices. El Dorado Regional Park, 7550 E. Spring St., Long Beach. newbluesfestival.com
Paws on the Walk
Upcoming | Sept. 4. Bring your pooch to sit on the patio at House of Blues for Anaheim GardenWalk’s brand-new recurring program that offers visitors a unique opportunity to share select happy hours with your best four-legged friends. There will be special photo opportunity with props for you to hold and a V.I.P (very pretty pooch) artificial turf “green carpet.” Pups can enjoy free samples from Anaheim Feed & Pet Supply, and WAGS Pet Adoption will be available to answer questions about dog adoption, feeding and care. 4-7 p.m. House of Blues Anaheim, 400 W. Disney Way, Anaheim, 714.635.7410. anaheimgardenwalk.com
LABOR DAY
Labor Day on the Back Bay
Aug. 31-Sept. 2. Come one, come all to all-ages concerts, 80’s on the Bay, Boots on the Beach and Led Zepagain, this weekend. On Friday, dig out your neon and legwarmers for an unforgettable performance by IDOL X, the Ultimate ‘LIVE’ Billy Idol experience. Then on Saturday, Nashville meets Newport for a waterfront country celebration featuring headliners Troubadour Experience, a George Strait tribute, along with special guests Redwood Black and Westward Sons. On Sunday, rock n’ roll can’t miss world-renowned tribute bands Led Zepagain with Petty and the Heartshakers. F 7-10 p.m., Sa 5-10 p.m., Su 6-10 p.m.; F: $20 GA, $40 VIP; Sa: $20 GA, $60 VIP; Su: $25 GA, $50 VIP. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, 949.729.3863. newportdunes.com
Labor Day Hornblower Cruises
Aug. 31-Sept. 2. Raise your glass this Labor Day weekend aboard one of three Hornblower cruises. On Friday, elevate your evening with the dinner cruise featuring Champagne and a four-course meal while stargazing on the outdoor deck. On Saturday, enjoy the champagne brunch cruise that includes live music, free-flowing champagne and a delicious brunch buffet. Come on Sunday evening for the supper cruise aboard the Wild Goose that features a four-course dinner along with DJ on board spinning tunes. F 7-10:30 p.m.; Sa noon-2 p.m.; Su 6-9 p.m. See website for prices. 2431 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach. hornblower.com
FOOD + DRINK
The Blind Pig Restaurant + Bar New Weekend Lunch Menu
Now Available. Created by Executive Chef Karl Pfleider, the new lunch menu will feature dishes like Hiramasa Crudo and the bacon cheeseburger (pictured). Chef Karl’s lunch items pair perfectly with Bar Manager Ryan Autry’s craft cocktail creations like the Two Peas in a Pod with Pisco, gin, aquavit, sugar snap peas, mint and lime; and the Third Time’s A Charm made with Genever, campari, cacao, bitter vermouth, blood orange, lemon and brown ale. See website for hours. 31431 Santa Margarita Pkwy., Rancho Santa Margarita, 949.888.0072. theblindpigoc.com
Hug Life Anti-Dairy Ice Cream N’ Stuff
Now Open. Cool off with a scoop (or two) from the newest location of SoCal’s first all plant-based ice cream shop Hug Life in Orange. Ice cream flavors include Banana Boy, Green Goblin, honeydew melon, thai tea, taro, Vietnamese coffee, mango chamoy and more. Daily noon-11 p.m. 3505 E. Chapman Ave., Suite G, Orange, 714.602.8006. huglifeicecream.com
America vs. France Wine Dinner
Aug. 30. Executive Chef Anthony Berganza and the culinary team at Red O Newport Beach present a five-course wine dinner paired with Master Sommelier Michael Jordan. Dishes include ahi tuna tostadita, chile watermelon salad, salmon tradito, half roasted Cornish hen, Tamarin marinated N.Y. strip and lemon tart. Call to RSVP or email lindseyg@redorestaurant.com. 6:30 p.m. $79. Fashion Island, 143 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.718.0300. redorestaurant.com
Campesino Cellars Wine Reception
Aug. 30. Enjoy a late summer evening outdoors at Mosaic Bar and Grille with Winemaker Macario Montoya from Sonoma-based Campesino Cellars while savoring Chef Miguel Ruiz’s elevated Mexican cuisine. Experience live entertainment alongside a wide variety of Campesino Cellars’ small-batch Rhone-style wines from their family-owned winery in Northern California. Reception 6:30 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. $75. Montage Laguna Beach, 30801 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.6420. montagehotels.com
Beer, Brunch & Ball
Sept. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Football season is here, and Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails is ready to host you! Every Saturday in September, come enjoy some college football and bottomless beers (select draft beers) for $16 with a purchase of any brunch or lunch entree. Must be 21+. 2607 Main St., Irvine, 949.387.8887. andreisrestaurant.com
ARTS + CULTURE
“Sense and Sensibility”
Sept. 1-29. Based on one of Jane Austen’s most beloved novels, follow the Dashwood sisters—Elinor and Marianne—as they chase their dreams from Devonshire to London and back in this charming romantic classic. Note: This production contains strobe lighting effects. Ages 12+. See website for show times and prices. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
“End of the Rainbow”
Through Sept. 2. Catch this savagely funny, Tony Award-nominated play that offers a unique insight into the inner conflict that inspired and consumed one of America’s most beloved figures, Judy Garland. Some of Garland’s most memorable songs include “You Made Me Love You (I Didn’t Want To Do it),” “For Me And My Gal,” “The Trolley Song,” ”The Man That Got Away” and “Over the Rainbow.” See website for show times and prices. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
Shakira photo by Jaume de la Iguana. Beer, Brunch & Ball photo courtesy of Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails. Labor Day on the Back Bay photo by Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort/Facebook. The Blind Pig Restaurant + Bar New Weekend Lunch Menu photo courtesy of Ajenda PR. Hug Life’s New Location photo by Hug Life Facebook. Summer Dive-In Movies and Campesino Cellars Wine Reception photo courtesy of Marguarite Clark PR. “Sense and Sensibility” photo by Danielle Bliss.
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