DANCE
TRACES
Through March 4. In TRACES, a group of friends leave their mark in a run-down urban warehouse through music, dance and explosive emotion. 7 Fingers (Les 7 Doigts de la Main), a talented French Canadian company consisting of six men and one woman, performs feats of acrobatic wonder in this dazzling theatrical event. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2121. scfta.org
MUSIC
Cloud Nothings
March 1. What started as a way to kill time in between classes at college turned into something much more substantial for Dylan Baldi of Cloud Nothings. Known for their lo-fi sound and “emo” lyrics, the band’s third album Attack on Memory was the first album of 2012 to receive a “Best New Music” stamp of approval by Pitchfork.com. The Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, 714.957.0600. observatoryoc.com
Rachmaninoff’s Mighty Third
March 1-3. Korean pianist Joyce Yang joins the Pacific Symphony in performances of Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto, often regarded as one of the repertory’s most powerful, demanding and popular works. Also on the program are Rossini’s overture to “Semiramide” and Bartok’s suite from “The Miraculous Mandarin.” Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2121. scfta.org
Orange County Music Awards
March 3. City National Grove of Anaheim rolls out the red carpet for the movers and shakers of the Orange County music scene at the 2012 OC Music Awards. Music fans and producers join over 135 local bands and artists for an evening of performances, awards and honors. Nominees for the 11th annual awards show include Social Distortion, Thrice, Young the Giant, Jeramiah Red, Jack’s Mannequin and Free the Robots. 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.712.2700. ocmusicawards.com
HAPA
March 3. Take a musical journey to the Hawai’ian islands through the delightful rhythms of HAPA. The group blends influences of ancient Polynesian beats, Portuguese ballads, Mexican folk and American rock to create a powerful sound all their own. HAPA performs as part of the Barclay Theatre’s Hawai’ian Music Series. 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org
MUSEUMS
California Gold
Ongoing. California isn’t known as the Golden State for nothing! Explore the rich history of California’s sobriquet at the Bowers Museum’s newest exhibit, California Gold. Learn about the history of the 1800s gold rush, view historic memorabilia and get a glimpse of the Mojave Nugget, the largest known gold nugget ever found in California. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.567.3600. bowers.org
THEATER
The Internationalists
March 2-4. The Internationalists explores the USSR vs. US race to outer space through the lens of a youthful generation brought up in the Technology Age. Get a glimpse into our ever-evolving cyber reality through the use of vintage newsreels, NASA’s flight records and modern, user-generated information delivery systems. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
Cinderella/Hansel & Gretel
Feb. 24-March 4. Introduce the children in your life to the theater with two enchanting, classic fairy tales now playing at the Laguna Playhouse. Hansel and Gretel are left in the forest by their mother who has been put under a spell, but escape the clutches of the wicked witch who has imprisoned them with the help of the Bird and the Gnome. Cinderella, who is treated like a servant by her stepmother and stepsisters, finds assistance (and a little magic) from her Fairy Godmother who make it possible for Cinderella to attend the Prince’s Ball and win his heart. 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
EVENTS
Stars on Ice
March 3. The costumes, the choreography, the chemistry—everything you love about figure skating comes to the Honda Center for one night only. Stars on Ice, produced by skating legend Scott Hamilton and directed by four-time World Champion Kurt Browning, is a stunning performance of some of the world’s greatest figure skating superstars including Ekaterina Gordeeva, Ilia Kulik, Kurt Browning and Orange County local Sasha Cohen. 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2500. hondacenter.com
Festival of Whales
March 3-4. Dana Point celebrates the annual migration of the majestic California gray whale with the 41st Festival of Whales. Festivities include an opening day parade, Whale of a Block Party, art exhibits, paddling events, sand sculpting, concerts on land and on water, crafts and activities for kids and of course, whale watching excursions. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, 888.440.4309. festivalofwhales.org
SHOPPING
Ring 4 Spring
March 1. As spring approaches, women everywhere are wondering when that beautiful “ring by spring” will appear. Laguna Beach jewelry boutique Silver Blue & Gold adds a little twist to the tradition with its Ring 4 Spring exhibition of unique engagement, wedding and just-for-fun rings by 18 acclaimed studio jewelers. Join the jewelry gallery for an artist reception and learn about the interesting materials and innovative designs from the designers themselves! For those who can’t attend the opening, the glittering show runs March 1 through May 20. 1492 S. Coast Hwy. #5, Laguna Beach, 949.715.3000. silverblueandgold.com
ART
First Thursdays Art Walk
March 1. Explore Orange County’s coastal art colony during Laguna Beach’s First Thursdays Art Walk. Gallery hop through north, south and central Laguna and experience art from the vibrant local scene and the international scene as well. Many galleries create a fun environment with music from local DJs and complimentary wine for visitors. Various galleries throughout Laguna Beach, 949.683.6871. firstthursdaysartwalk.com
Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series
Feb. 26-May 27. The Orange County Museum of Art introduces a new exhibit, Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series, chronicling the artist’s most celebrated series. Diebenkorn, recognized as a leader in the West Coast Abstract Expressionism movement in the 1950s, briefly turned his attention to figurative painting before returning to abstraction in 1967. OCMA’s exhibit features approximately 80 works including paintings, prints, drawings and collages—an expression of Diebenkorn’s practice of working in a variety of media at the same time. 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, 949.759.1122. ocma.net
FOOD + DRINK
Late Night Lite Bites at Nirvana Grille
March 1. After gallery hopping through Laguna’s Art Walk, head to Nirvana Grille for its special Late Night Lite Bites Menu between 9 and 11 pm. Join Nirvana Grille for signature drinks and such as wild lump blue crab cakes, roasted poblano chili, wild mushroom ravioli and the delicious organic grass fed nirvana beef burger in both the bar and dining room. This menu is offered every Thursday through Saturday. 303 Broadway Ste., 101, Laguna Beach, 949.497.0027. nirvanagrille.com
OC Restaurant Week
Through March 4. This year, a hundred restaurants across the county are participating in Orange County Restaurant Week, held Feb. 26-March 4. Restaurants ranging from upscale to family friendly offer special multi-course lunch and dinner menus at three price points: $10, $15, or $20 for lunch and $20, $30 or $40 for dinner. Reservations are highly encouraged. orangecountyrestaurantweek.com
Grand Tasting Tour
Feb. 27-March 2. Paso Robles Wine Country is conducting a Grand Tasting Tour to introduce is regional wines to key markets across the nation. This year marks the Grand Tasting Tour’s 7th visit to Orange County. Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angeles, Paso Robles is considered California’s fastest growing wine region encompassing nearly 26,000 vineyard acres and more than 200 wineries within a 40-mile territory. Throughout the week, 30 Paso Robles wineries (Niner Wine Estates, L’Aventure and Tablas Creek Vineyard to name a few) will showcase their wines at different restaurants and venues throughout Orange County including Roy’s, Wine Lab Newport, 3-Thirty-3 Waterfront and even the yacht “Majestic!” Venues offer either small bites or a decadent four to five-course winemaker dinner. Consult website for various event times and locations. 805.239.8463. pasowine.com
SPORTS
Anaheim Ducks vs. Calgary Flames
March 2. Cheer on the Anaheim Ducks as they go head to head with the Calgary Flames. 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2500. hondacenter.com