Events
Clueless at Mess Hall Market
Jan. 15. No plans on Friday night? As if! Don’t miss out on Frida Cinema’s drive-in movie night at Mess Hall Market’s Flight featuring the iconic ’90s teen comedy Clueless. Before watching this loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s novel Emma, Mess Hall Market will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. for moviegoers who want a bite to eat before the showtime, featuring restaurants such as Big Parm, Fowl Play, The Little Greek, The Lost Bean, The Sandwich Society, Slapfish and Vaka Burger. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., showtime at 7:30 p.m. $30 per car. 1705 Flight Way, Tustin, 714.285.9422. thefridacinema.org
Magic Up Close
Jan. 16. Bring a little magic into your life this weekend with an interactive performance by award-winning close-up magician, Jonathan Levit. Watch Levit as he blows your mind during this thrilling show unlike any televised performance by a magician—there’s no camera tricks, edits or special effects as it is happening live via Zoom. 7 p.m. $25-$40. thebarclay.org
Back to the Roots: Native Plant Garden Tour
Jan. 17. Take a trip to Ocean Institute to learn how to identify certain iconic native plants and hear about how native animals and people use them. Attendees will also take a look at special adaptations Ocean Institute’s native plants have for survival and even have the opportunity to practice naturalist art skills. Masks required for all participants over two years of age; see website for Covid-19 policies. 12:30 p.m.-1:30 p.m. $10 general admission, free for children under 3. oceaninstitute.org
SOCO Farmers Market
Every Saturday. Shop fresh produce and more while supporting small business and local artisans at SOCO and the OC Mix’s weekly farmers market. Peruse through the outdoor market featuring food artisans and hot-food vendors, serving up specialized pantry items and an open-air brunch or lunch. Shoppers can also find local artists with handmade jewelry, crafts, body-care and gift items. A knife sharpening service is also available during the market with free kids events and entertainment offered on special occasions. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. 3315 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 949.760.9150. socoandtheocmix.com
Food + Drink
Clay Oven at Home: Sunday Dinners
Jan. 17. Take a walk on the wild side—of your dinner plate—with Clay Oven’s wild boar ribs family meal. Each Sunday, this Indian eatery offers a different set family meal with dishes that have never offered before and delivers them straight to your home. Along with the ribs, the meal comes with fenugreek-spiced carrots, stewed chickpeas, tomato naan and more. (The ribs can be substituted with turmeric tandoori chicken.) See website for list of cities Clay Oven delivers to. Orders must be placed by 9 a.m. on Jan. 16; deliveries will be made on Jan. 17 between noon to 5 p.m. clayovenirvine.com
Veganuary Special at Café Gratitude
Through Jan. 31. Executive chef Dreux Ellis invites everyone to celebrate Veganuary—the world’s largest vegan movement that inspires people to try vegan for January and throughout the rest of the year—at Café Gratitude with a seasonal, plant-based special. Available all through the whole month, this featured special is the “I am Loving” forbidden rice bowl made with maple Brussels sprouts, roasted garnet yams and smashed avocado. Open daily for takeout and delivery from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1617 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach, 949.386.8101. cafegratitude.com
Portillo’s Heart-Shaped Chocolate Cake
Preorder Available. With Valentine’s Day coming, Portillo’s is spreading the love early with a limited-time heart-shaped chocolate cake. Known for its menu of Chicago-style favorites, the fast-casual restaurant brand has partnered with No Kid Hungry to bring this holiday spin on the brand’s iconic famous chocolate cake to your home. You can preorder this now on the website or by calling 866.986.2333; or purchase the single-layer cakes at the restaurants from February 5 to 14. portillos.com
Arts + Culture
Who’s Your Baghdaddy, or How I Started the Iraq War
Jan. 15. Tune in to Chance Theater’s weekly Chance Cyber Chat this Friday to take part in a discussion about the New York Times Critic’s Pick Who’s Your Baghdaddy, or How I Started the Iraq War. Before the chat, guests can watch this satirical musical comedy on BroadwayHD. Who’s Your Baghdaddy is inspired by a true story that follows a handful of mid-level spies whose vanity and office politics contributed to the worst intelligence blunder in modern history. 8 p.m. Free. chancetheater.com
California Cool Art Auction 2021
Through Feb. 6. Need some new statement pieces to add to your home decor? Don’t miss Laguna Art Museum’s 39th annual California Cool Art Auction, which showcases more than 100 works by California artists. This museum-curated auction is conducted online via Artsy and features special virtual content with auctioneer Aaron Bastian of Bonhams. Participate online and bid from anywhere with Artsy. Bidding opens at 11 a.m. on Jan. 12. lagunaartmuseum.org
Constellations of the Blue Sun Moon Mountain Exhibit
Through Feb. 7. Take a virtual look at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens’ current exhibit by Christine Nguyen. Constellations of the Blue Sun Moon Mountain features exhibition pieces created by using a photographic process called cyanotype, which is an early 19th-century process where prints are exposed to sunlight that becomes a distinctive blue-toned color. Natural plant materials were also used to create shapes in these pieces. casaromantica.org
Photo credits: Café Gratitude by Talia Dinwiddie. “Who’s Your Baghdaddy, or How I Started the Iraq War” screenshot courtesy BroadwayHD. “Horizons” artwork by Tracey Sylvester Harris. All other images are courtesy of the venues.
