FESTIVALS
Hyatt Regency Newport Beach Jazz Festival
May 18-20. Enjoy three days of world-class performances by more than 25 Smooth Jazz Artists at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Newport Beach. Two stages feature alternating sets of musicians such as Boney James, Peter White and “Sax In The City” featuring Marion Meadows, Paul Taylor and Jessy J. Sample food from local restaurants as well as beer, wine and cocktails while relaxing with the best smooth jazz artists around. 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, 949.729.1234. hyattnewportbeachjazzfestival.com
Doheny Blues Festival
May 19-20. Usher in summer with groovy tunes on the sandy shore at the 15th Annual Doheny Blues Festival May 19-20. Held on three stages at Doheny State Beach, the festival is regarded as one of the top blues music events in the nation. Guests can also enjoy an international food court, a wine lounge, microbrew sampling, an eclectic vendor village with more than 50 unique booths and a Kidz EcoFest with educational exhibits for the younger music fans. This year’s lineup presents performances from 20 renowned jazz, rock and blues musicians including headliners Gregg Allman and The Steve Miller Band. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.360.7800. omegaevents.com
18th Annual Muck Motor Car Festival
May 19-20. The oldest and grandest car show in North Orange County hosts Hot Rods on May 19, and a Concours D’Elegance on May 20, with the true classics of the automotive industry spread out over eight acres of lawns at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center. Enjoy fabulous food and wine as well as special brews from Bootlegger’s Brewery while taking in the timeless cars. The event also features live performances in the outdoor amphitheater by The Pleasure Tones on Saturday and Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys on Sunday. Proceeds benefit our youth arts education and outreach programs. 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714.738.6595. themuck.org
THEATER
Jitney
May 18-June 10. It’s the 1970s, and urban renewal threatens a storefront station, where the drivers of gypsy cabs (known as jitneys) share their funny stories about the day’s fares and meddle in each other’s lives. Cronies drop in, fights break out, a son faces his father after 20 years in prison, lovers make up, and just as we get to know them, Wilson asks us to look again. Fights break out among the cast of colorful, sometimes bawdy characters, but they never relent in the struggle for personal dignity in spite of many hardships. 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
DANCE
Pilobolus: Mixed Rep
May 17-19. Pilobolus is not only a sun-loving fungus that grows in barnyards and pastures, it is also a remarkable American dance company with an international influence. Enjoy a fascinating performance from Pilobolus, whose physical vocabulary is not drawn from traditional sources but is instead invented during intense periods of improvisation and creative play. Throughout its existence, the company has created over 100 collaborative works positioning it as one of the most influential forces in the world of dance. 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org
FOOD + DRINK
Eat Chow. Beloved Costa Mesa dining hot spot expands to a second location in Newport Beach. Though eclectic, the menu focuses on New American cuisine with items such as a sweet potato and goat cheese frittata for breakfast, a ribeye Thai beef salad for lunch or a grilled salmon tacos with curry slaw for dinner. At Eat Chow, visitors to the OC will not only get a delicious meal, but a true taste of the laidback local culture as well. 211 62nd St., Newport Beach, 949.423.7080. eatchownow.com
MUSIC
Rammstein
May 17. Rammstein, the Berlin-based industrial rock band, brings their brand new live production to Anaheim’s Honda Center. Known for pyrotechnic-laden performances throughout Europe, Rammstein’s U.S. appearances are few and far between. The tour announcement comes on the heels of news of the band’s first retrospective release, Made in Germany 1995-2011. 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2500. hondacenter.com
Gospel Showcase
May 19. Knott’s Berry Farm and KJLH Radio, LA’s Gospel radio station, present a lively concert for the 12th Annual Gospel Showcase held in the beautiful Charles Schulz Theater. Enjoy performances by Grammy-nominated Ricky Dillard and the New G Choir as well as Shekinah Glory Ministry, a team that has been preaching, teaching and entertaining since 1978. In addition to the stellar performances, guests can also take in some of Knott’s awe-inspiring thrill rides such as Silver Bullet, Xcelerator and the new WindSeeker. 8039 Beach Blvd., 714.220.5200. knotts.com
Cathedral Echoes
May 20. The Pacific Chorale presents Cathedral Echoes, a musical “visit” to the cathedrals of France, at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Concert repertoire includes works by Widor, Dupré, Roth, Langlais, Poulenc, Messiaen and Boulanger and features Widor’s Mass for Two Choirs and Two Organs. Guest organist, Thierry Escaich, organist at St. Etienne du Mont in Paris, joins the Pacific Chorale for this special performance. The Pacific Chorale travels to Paris this July to perform Cathedral Echoes at the famed L’Eglise Saint Suplice. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. pacificchorale.org
ART
Bosnian Born: An Art Exhibition
Opening May 19. Laguna Beach’s Greencube Gallery presents Bosnian Born: An Art Exhibition featuring acclaimed Bosnian artists coming together from all corners of the world. These artists are forever connected by the experience of the war and have a unique, creative spirit as well as a very powerful story to tell. View paintings, sculptures, photography, film, music and even design and fashion from some of Bosnia’s most talented artists. The exhibit benefits the Bosana Foundation, which celebrates the creativity, perseverance and survival of the human spirit through art, design, music and fashion. 264 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.494.1550. greencubestore.com