MEMORIAL DAY
The Sounds of Liberty
May 28. Visit Santa Ana’s Fairhaven Memorial Park for one of Orange County’s largest Memorial Day celebrations. The star-spangled day of festivities, honors and remembrance includes special performances by the winner of the “Star-Spangled Singer” contest as well as a three-tiered performance of the National Anthem featuring an amalgamation of musical styles to illustrate “The Sounds of Liberty.” Enjoy an antique cars display, parade of flags to the sounds of John Philips Sousa and an aerial flyover of WWII war planes. Also on the program is Orange County resident Major Aaron Schilleci who shares his inspiring story of serving in Iraq with his brother. 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana, 714.633.1442, fairhavenmemorial.com
Free Admission to Nixon Library
May 28. In honor of Memorial Day, the Nixon Presidential Library, Museum and Birthplace is offering free admission to guests. Get a glimpse of the tiny house in which Nixon was born, sit in Nixon’s presidential helicopter and explore interesting exhibits such as Pat Nixon Centennial: People Were Her Project and Watergate. The library is also hosting Patriotic Concerts throughout the day as well as a presentation by Ed Nixon, the president’s brother. 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, 714.983.9120. nixonfoundation.org
ScotsFest
May 26-27. Channel your Scottish roots with Celtic music, excellent piping and drumming, championship Scottish athletes and traditional highland dancing. Sample delicious food, enjoy whisky tastings and trace your heritage with the help of over 60 clans in attendance. The event also features a memorial service to honor veterans. Orange County Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.296.3551. scotsfest.com
FOOD + DRINK
Newport Beach Wine Festival
May 25-27. This Memorial Day Weekend, enjoy the 9th Annual Newport Beach Wine Festival hosted at the beautiful Balboa Bay Club. The schedule is packed with seminars and dinners all revolving around wine, spirits and epicurean delights. Seminars include Spanish Wines and Tapas, Cheese and Wine—A Perfect Pairing and Cigars, Cognacs, Spirits and Sweets. Don’t miss the Grand Tasting Gala Event on Sat., May 26 in the Grand Ballroom. 1221 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.630.4146. balboabayclub.com
MUSIC
Jazz Festival
May 24. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center kicks off its popular Jazz Festival with Los Angeles’s renowned Carl Saunders Quartet. Saunders has made a name for himself as one of the finest trumpeters of the 21st century. The concert is part of a six part jazz festival in which internationally recognized Dr. Glenn Cashmann brings his Southland Big Band, featuring LA’s top jazz and studio performers to the Muckenthaler. Performances take place every Thursday through June 28. 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714.738.3135. themuck.org
Lightning In A Bottle
May 24-28. The Do-Lab presents the 7th annual Lightning In A Bottle Festival, a unique collision of musicians, artists, yogis and creative forces. The four-day festival takes place throughout 100 acres of golden hills surrounding a tranquil reservoir at Oak Canyon Ranch. This year’s festival includes performances from Bassnectar, The Glitch Mob and Tipper. Lightning In A Bottle was awarded with the 2011 and 2010 Outstanding Greener Festival Award, making it the most eco-friendly festival in the nation. 5305 E. Santiago Canyon, Irvine. lightninginabottle.org
GrooveFest
May 26. The Queen Mary introduces the inaugural Groove Fest, a full evening of Southern California’s best funk, Latin and Soul bands performing live with gourmet food trucks, libartions, vendors and more. The all-star line up includes acclaimed SoCal artists OO Soul, Breakestra and Original Stone City Bands with local DJs performing in between acts. Festivities take place outdoors on the picturesque Queen Mary Seawalk offering stunning views of the Pacific and the Long Beach skyline. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
EVENTS
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
May 25-28. The city of Garden Grove ushers in summer with the 54th Annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds for the community. This year’s theme, Honoring First Responders, recognizes the men and women who selflessly serve the community. Enjoy carnival rides and games, live entertainment, food booths and the Strawberry Festival Parade. The festival is held at the Village Green between Euclid and Main Street in downtown Garden Grove. strawberryfestival.org
SHOPPING
Ted Allen Book Signing
May 25. Ted Allen, host of the Food Network series Chopped and author of In My Kitchen: 100 Recipes and Discoveries for Passionate Cooks meets and greets with passionate cooks at Williams-Sonoma in South Coast Plaza. Allen’s newest book shares his favorite recipes for those who want to “roll up their sleeves, crank up the stereo, and get their hands dirty in the kitchen.” Learn why Allen thinks the kitchen is a place for adventure and take home a signed copy of his newest cookbook. 3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, 714.751.1166. williams-sonoma.com
Makeover May
May 27. Stop by the Sephora Beauty Studio to meet Stila celebrity makeup artist Sarah Lucero, the longtime visionary behind the Stila brand. Enjoy a personalized makeover by Stila makeup artist and leave with an effortlessly beautiful look and a hand-drawn Stila Girl drawing created just for you by Stila’s professional fashion illustrators. 3333 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, 714.429.9130. sephora.com
Patchwork Indie Art & Craft Festival
May 27. Browse booths from more than 100 local independent artists, designers and crafters. Items include clothing for men, women and kids, as well as accessories, art, pottery, jewelry, soaps, candles and handbags. Snack on delicious creations from local restaurants and food trucks, listen to live acoustic music and take part in DIY crafting such as poster printing. Downtown Sycamore and Second Street, Santa Ana. patchworkshow.com
THEATER
Jitney
May 11-June 10. Enjoy a night out at the theater with Jitney now on stage at Costa Mesa’s South Coast Repertory. A follow-up to the successful 2010 SCR production, Fences, August Wilson’s newest show takes audiences back to the 1970s as 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 this cast of colorful characters, Wilson asks us to look again. 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
ART
Richard Diebenkorn: The Ocean Park Series
Closing May 27. Visit the Orange County Museum of Art to get one last look at the 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