Orange County

Weekend roundup

April 28 – May 1

Events

OC Live Concert Series Adds Venues

Coming Soon. Save the dates now as the OC Live concert series is set to return very soon. The OC Live concert series will bring the power of live music to multiple venues in Orange County with music performances from over twenty local artists, across six days, May 10th – 15th. Attendees can expect performances from popular SoCal artists including Flashback Heart Attack, Matt Costal, Rebel ShakeDown, Hot Rod Trio, David Rosales, and many more. For the full list of venues and concerts visit this link.

Margarita Crawl Continues

Through April 30. No tickets. No passes. No worries. Margarita Crawl continues through this weekend in Orange County as participating restaurants welcome thirsty enthusiasts of one of the world’s most popular cocktails. Countless locations are featuring riffs and variations of this tried-and-true classics. This margarita celebration of restaurants only comes around once a year, so be sure to go to the website to view participating restaurants. margaritacrawl.com

Food + Drink

Outer Reef Welcomes Guests

Opening April 29. After a long, pandemic-fueled wait, celebrity chef John Tesar is finally ready to welcome guests to his newest endeavor – Outer Reef. This newest addition to the Orange County dining scene is positioned to make a splash immediately. While the opening nights will be limited to a very small capacity, this is not a restaurant to miss. Aged seafood, premium California caviar, Santa Barbara sea urchin and blood sausage, and a truffle-laden pasta – these are just a few of the amazing dishes you can expect from one of Orange County’s best new restaurants. 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949.661.5000. marriott.com

Celebrate Lei Day

May 1. Billy’s at the Beach is pleased to present the second annual “Get Lei’d at Billy’s” dining experience. In honor of Lei Day, an occasion traditionally celebrated in Hawaii on the first of May, the iconic eatery welcomes paradise seekers to toast to the aloha spirit with a fresh floral lei, a World Famous Mai Tai, and Billy’s Beach Burger for $40 per person. Leis are also available a la carte for $15 each. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. 2751 W Coast Highway, Newport Beach, 949.722.1100. billysatthebeach.net

Sushi Il Hosts Dessai Sake Pairing

May 3. Experience a one-of-a-kind experience of side-by-side tastings of sakes from Dassai. Available as an add-on to Chef Ii’s illustrious Omakase offerings, the pairing gives guests a glimpse into three of the world’s finest sakes ⁣- Dassai’s sparkling nigori, Dassai 23, and Dassai Hayata 23. Reservations can be made here. 100 W Coast Hwy. Ste 202, Newport Beach, 949.287.6268. Sushi-ii.com

Rooftop Kitchen and Bar Opens

Open Now. The city of San Juan Capistrano continues its mission to become the culinary destination of Orange County as Rooftop Kitchen + Bar officially has opened to the public. Positioned just above the bustling scene that is downtown SJC, Rooftop looks to set itself apart bringing in Chef James Caveness, who has worked in some of the best kitchens around – including a stage under Chef David Kinch of the world-renowned Manresa. 31781 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, rooftopoc.com

Arts + Culture

Dreamy Designs as Pure Salt Opens

Opening April 30. Officially open to the public this Saturday, the 5,000 square foot space is the embodiment of the Pure Salt lifestyle with vignettes of the Living Room, Dining Room, Bedroom, and Nursery. The integrated concept of both studio and store was created so that guests can experience the Pure Salt lifestyle in three dimensions to see, feel and even smell a Pure Salt home. 881 W 16th St, Newport Beach, 949.791.8021. puresaltinteriors.com

From Bach to Bowie

April 29. STAR DUST: From Bach to Bowie showcases two exhilarating dance pieces inspired by musical masters. Bach 25, set to the music of Johann Sebastian and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, is an exploration of love and alliances, perfectly merging contemporary dance with ballet technique. A tribute to the late rock icon David Bowie, STAR DUST features many of the singer’s iconic hits, including “Space Oddity, “Life on Mars, and “Let’s Dance.” 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 949.854.4646 thebarclay.org

Selected Shorts: Tales of Marriage

April 30. Spellbinding short stories by established and emerging writers take on a new life when they are performed live by stars of stage and screen, Tate Donovan, Wendie Malick, and Michaela Watkins. Filled with unexpected twists and turns, it’s an evening of funny, moving, and romantic tales about marriage and the bonds we share. Shorts is broadcast on over 150 radio stations around the country, attracting over 300,000 listeners each week through the live show and podcast. 4242 Campus Dr, Irvine. 949.854.4646 thebarclay.org

Photo credits: Outer Reef courtesy of Strauss Public Relations / The MPR Collab. Sushi II courtesy of Outshine Public Relations. Billy’s at the Beach courtesy of ACE Public Relations. All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.

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