Events
Concerts on the Screen: Buzz Campbell
Feb. 26. Tune in for a rockin’ virtual performance by guitarist and vocalist Buzz Campbell with Hot Rod Lincoln. Presented by Festival of Arts in partnership with Yamaha, Concerts on the Screen is a monthly online series featuring some of the Festival’s favorite past performances you can watch from home. Purchase tickets all the way up till just before the concert Friday evening. 5:30-7 p.m. $25 per household, free with registration for Festival members. foapom.com
Improv Live Comedy Drive-In: Felipe Esparza
Feb. 26. Have a laugh with comedian and actor Felipe Esparza at Irvine Improv’s drive-in show located on the top of Irvine Spectrum Center’s Regal parking deck (5 Freeway side). Known for his signature wild hair and often-imitated phrase “what’s up fool?,” Esparza’s background includes various television appearances; starring and producing his own Showtime special; winning NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” in 2010; and more. Age 18+. Venue opens 5 p.m., show starts 7 p.m. $145 per vehicle. 527 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949.854.5455. irvinespectrumcenter.com
“Ride Into Spring” Photo-Op Selfie Station
Now Open. Chase your winter blues away at Bella Terra’s festive “Ride Into Spring” photo-op selfie station, located under the Bella Terra Tower. In place through Mar. 16, guests are encouraged take to photos in front of this fun and colorful setup to welcome the blissful season. Don’t forget to tag @bellaterrahb in your photos for a chance to be shared on Instagram. Park in the structure next to Costco that can be accessed off Center Avenue when exiting the 405 North or heading South on Beach Boulevard. 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, 714.897.2533. bellaterra-hb.com
Food + Drink
Water Grill’s Lunar New Year Menu
Through Feb. 28. Water Grill honors Lunar New Year with an a la carte menu of four symbolic dishes to enjoy for patio dining. Savor festive dishes including shrimp shumai with crispy chili sauce; garlic noodles with jumbo lump crab and green onion; whole crispy black sea bass with cilantro, tangerine, radish and XO sauce; or wok-fried local spiny lobster. Order any of the dishes on Lunar New Year (Feb. 12), and receive complimentary chocolate-dipped fortune cookies. 3300 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 949.208.7060. watergrill.com
Dripp Coffee Bar at South Coast Plaza
Now Open. Add some pep to your step with a cup of joe from Dripp Coffee Bar’s newest location at South Coast Plaza in the Saks Fifth Avenue wing on level 1. Known for its specialty coffee experience, this Dripp location features a minimal, mid-century modern-inspired interior fitted with premium materials such as brushed copper, a carved stone façade and a sleek patented bar design in the 1,300-square-foot space. Preorders may be placed on the website for pick-up. Open daily 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 3333 Bristol St., Suite 1600, Costa Mesa, 714.406.2118. dripp.com | Order Online
The Penalty Box
Reopened. The latest dining concept from NHL Hockey Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne welcomes diners back for outdoor dining and takeout service. Located at O.C.’s first repurposed shipping container center SteelCraft Garden Grove, The Penalty Box now offers an app for guests to use to order gourmet “pucks” (burgers), “sticks” (hot dogs), “twigs” (gourmet poutines), “whipped ice” (shakes) and more for on-site outdoor dining or to take home. Postmates and DoorDash are available for delivery as well. W-Su noon-8 p.m. 12900 S. Euclid St., Garden Grove, 714.462.6353. penalty-box-oc.com
Arts + Culture
Classical Music Series at The Muck
Begins Feb. 25. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center presents its first ever livestream Classical Music Series showcasing performances every Thursday through April 8. Produced with the assistance of The American Federation of Musicians (AFM Local 7), this seven-week series kicks off with a duo performance by pianist Jung-A Lee and trumpeter Tony Ellis (pictured). Note: Livestreams are available to viewers with or without a Facebook account. 7 p.m. Free. themuck.org
Dance Visions 2021
Feb. 25-27. Don’t miss UCI Dance’s annual premier concert Dance Visions, which highlights the fusion of dance, music and theatrical elements. The livestream program will feature dance faculty choreographs and reveal new innovative productions covering ballet, jazz, modern and hip-hop. Th-F 8 p.m., Sa 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Free with registration. arts.uci.edu
Pacific Symphony’s Virtual Lantern Festival
Feb. 27. Gather your kiddos to watch Pacific Symphony’s sixth annual Lantern Festival from home in celebration of Lunar New Year. Viewers will also learn to create their very own lantern, be inspired by traditional Chinese music and dance, and even have the opportunity to win a special ox lantern. This free event will be streamed live and take place online on Pacific Symphony’s YouTube and Facebook pages from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. pacificsymphony.org
Photo credits: Felipe Esparza courtesy Felipe Esparza. Dripp Coffee Bar courtesy South Coast Plaza. The Penalty Box Hall courtesy Marguarite Clark Public Relations. Dance Visions (2020) by Rose Eichenbaum. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.
