THEATER
Lonesome Traveler
Through Feb. 5. Visit the backwoods of Appalachia, the nightclubs of New York and the streets of San Francisco in this production about great American Folk songs between the 1920s and the 1960s that brought people together and changed them. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. www.lagunaplayhouse.com
MUSIC + DANCE
NOFX
Jan. 12. Los Angeles punk rockers NOFX return to Orange County to play the hits that propelled them to fame. The band’s most album, Cokie the Clown, inspired lead singer Fat Mike to occasionally adopt the persona of Cokie during live performances. Old Man Markley & Guests support. House of Blues Anaheim, 1530 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, 714.778.2583. www.houseofblues.com
The B52’s
Jan. 13. Who can resist dancing to the wildly popular 80s tune, “Love Shack?” See the B52’s perform “Love Shack” and other crowd favorites at the City National Grove of Anaheim. The band recently recorded a live album titled, With the Wild Crowd!—Live In Athens, GA, which commemorates the 34th anniversary of their first-ever concert. Enjoy a fabulous dinner from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm before the “World’s Greatest Party Band” takes the stage. 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.712.2700. www.citynationalgroveofanaheim.com
Peking Acrobats
Jan. 14. Watch in awe as China’s most talented tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists and gymnasts perform feats of flexibility, balance and strength. Live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments accompany the skillful performers who continue the 2,000-year-old tradition of acrobatics. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, 1.888.600.7652. www.soka.edu
Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Revealed
Jan. 15. Pacific Symphony performs “Tchaikovsky’s Fifth,” one of the composer’s most emotional pieces, as part of the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation Classical Series. Led by Musical Director Carl St. Clair, the symphony examines the feelings of sorrow, struggle and triumph that Tchaikovsky experienced in composing it. Croatian pianist Dejan Lacić plays Chopin’s elegant Piano Concerto No. 2, written by the Polish musician at the age of 19. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. www.pacificsymphony.com
EXHIBITS
The White House Garden
Through Feb. 26. Learn the history of the White House gardens and grounds at the only West Coast stop of this Smithsonian traveling exhibition. The gardens, which are the oldest continuously maintained landscaped gardens in the United States, have provided beauty and serenity for our nation’s presidents of the past and present. The exhibit features images of the meticulous gardens as well as text that concentrates on the 18 acres of formal gardens, lawns and retreats that surround the White House. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. www.casaromantica.org
EVENTS
Off Center Festival
Jan. 13-21. Celebrate eccentric and boundary-pushing theater, dance and music Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ newest festival, which was several years in the making. Much buzz surrounds Lord Huron and his full acoustic sound, fresh from the stages of SXSW and Lolloapalooza. Also of interest is Ten Tiny Dances in which ten choreographers dance on a tiny four-foot-square stage. Several other acts will be performing throughout the festival’s nine days. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, 714.556.2787. www.scfta.org
Ghost Town and Calico Railroad Anniversary
Jan. 12-15. Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Knott’s Berry Farm’s Ghost Town and Calico Railroad engine, which was the amusement park’s first ride. Though it was the first ride, the 120-year-old steam engine is still one of the park’s most popular attractions. Recreate the Golden Spike Ceremony, which opened engine 41 for business, and witness as the steam engine is renamed after Knott’s founder, Walter Knott. Guests can also tour the Ghost Town, which includes buildings that were uprooted and imported from actual Old West towns, Calico Railroad Roundhouse and the private car called “Edna,” which was built in 1881 for the personal use of the Rio Grande Southern Railway’s president. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the glory days of riding on the railroad by dining on the “Durango,” a railway car built in 1880. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. www.knotts.com
DINING
Sunday Social
Jan. 15. Every Sunday, Laguna Beach hot spot 370 Common hosts a delicious multi-course dinner called Sunday Social. The evening evokes memories of family dinner gatherings around great food. This week, Chef Ryan Adams prepares a baby spinach salad with cara cara orange, goat cheese, bacon, red onion and red wine-whole grain mustard vinaigrette before serving pork shoulder in spicy remoulade alongside oven roasted cauliflower. For dessert, enjoy chocolate chip crème brulee bread pudding topped with whipped cream. 370 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, 949.494.8686. www.370common.com
COMEDY
Lisa Lampanelli
Jan. 15. Known as the lovable, “Queen of Mean,” Lisa Lampanelli brings her standup routine to Orange County. She is a regular performer on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and recently starred in her very own Comedy Central special, “Tough Love.” 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.712.2700. www.citynationalgroveofanaheim.com