CINCO DE MAYO
Cinco de Mayo Festival
May 5-6. For some of the most authentic, best tasting Mexican cuisine around head to Santa Ana and enjoy tacos, tamales and taquitos along with games, carnival rides, a beer garden, live entertainment and more. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the 13th annual downtown celebration held along Fourth Street between French and Sycamore streets. Musical headliners include La Republika, Sonora Santanera, Norka and Gocho. 714.966.1788. callecautro.com
42nd Annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration
May 3-6. Celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Puebla at Anaheim’s 42nd annual Cinco de Mayo event. The festivities begin on May 3, with a carnival in La Palma Park complete with rides and games for kids of all ages. The celebration continues throughout the weekend with mariachi groups and a performance by Mexican singer, Rosenda Bernal. Attendees can also enjoy traditional folklorico vendors, craft vendors and flavorful Mexican, Central American and American foods. 1151 N. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. anaheimcincodemayo.blogspot.com
Rancho Days Fiesta
May 6. Continue the Cinco de Mayo festivities with Rancho Days Fiesta at Heritage Hill Historical Park. Highlighting the historic Serrano Adobe, Rancho Days Fiesta explores what it was like to live in California in the mid-19th century. Experience the sights and sounds of California’s vibrant past rhough music, dance, crafts, food and first-person re-enactments. Visitors can also participate in hands-on activities such as adobe brick making, basket weaving, rope-knotting and more. 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, 949.923.2230. ocparks.com
MUSIC
Cirque de la Symphonie
May 3-5. The Pacific Symphony presents Cirque de la Symphonie, a dramatic presentation of aerial fliers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers and strongmen set to classical masterpieces and memorable contemporary music. The commanding audio visual fusion features world-record holders, gold-medal winners and exceptional cirque artists as well as the musicians of Orange County’s beloved Pacific Symphony conducted by Maxim Eshkenazy. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. pacificsymphony.org
Silversun Pickups
May 4. Indie rock sensation Silversun Pickups play the Observatory in support of their upcoming album Neck of the Woods, to be released May 8. With popular hits “Panic Switch” and “Lazy Eye,” the Silversun Pickups have been steadily growing in popularity since their debut in 2002. 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, 714.957.0600. observatoryoc.com
Malpass Brothers
May 6. The Malpass Brothers are traditional country music artists who not only bring musical talent to their shows, but comedic whit as well. Chris and Taylor Malpass have broadened their audience through tours with musical legends Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Marty Stewart, Rhonda Vincent and Willie Nelson. Expect original music from their debut album, Memory That Bad, as well as covers of classics by Elvis, Johnny Cash, The Louvin Brothers and more. 1025 E. Ball Road, Anaheim, 714.817.4200. theranch.com
FOOD + DRINK
Milagro Tequila Party
May 3. Though best-known for its extensive wine list, The Winery Restaurant shows it’s more than Merlot at its Milagro Tequila Party. Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with signature Milagro Tequila cocktails prepared by The Winery’s mixologists along with a special fiesta menu featuring classic Mexican dishes with a sophisticated twist such as adobo marinated filet mignon tacos and Pacific red snapper ceviche radishes. 2647 Park Ave., Tustin, 714.258.7600. thewineryrestaurant.net
OC Tastefest
May 4-5. Enjoy a two-day food and wine festival featuring indulgent bites from Orange County’s favorite restaurants, live concerts and cooking demos from some of the brightest chefs around. Participating restaurants include House of Big Fish & Ice Cold Beer, Brasserie Pascal, Slater’s 50/50 and K’Ya Street Fare. Don’t miss the Celebrity Chef Challenge on May 5 when local chefs such as Chef Pascal Olhats of Pascal Restaurant, Chef Jenny Ross of 118 Degrees and Wing Lam, founder of Wahoo’s Fish Taco face off in the kitchen. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. octastefest.com
ART
Random Acts of Time
May 5-June 16. Time—marker of the past, present and future—is a fundamental element of life, and while everyone on this earth is aware of it, we do not all share the same concepts regarding it. Random Acts of Time investigates our relationship to the concept of time, its fleeting nature and the often uncontrollable events that shape our lives. Curated by William Moreno, the exhibition features a diverse offering of works including painting, photography, video and installation. 117 N. Sycamore, Santa Ana, 714.667.1517. occca.org
Arts in the Garden
May 6. Join the Fullerton Arboretum for a full day of classes designed to expand your child’s imagination and creativity. A variety of classes with instruction in arts forms such as drawing, painting, music and dance allow parents to tailor their Arts in the Garden experience to their child’s specific interests and talents. 1900 Associated Ave., Fullerton, 657.278.3407. fullertonaboretum.org
COMEDY
Jim Jeffries
May 6. Often regarded as one of the fastest rising stars in the comedy world, Australian-born comedian Jim Jeffries has headlined performances around the world. His ability to both charm and offend the crowd with equal measures allows Jeffries to gets away with jokes that most comedians wouldn’t dare touch. Jeffries has also appeared in several comedy festivals and has a one-hour HBO special, “I Swear to God,” which is currently airing. 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, 949.854.5455. irvine.improv.com