Events
Distilled California: An Imbibed History
May 22. Join gentleman historian Dylan Almendral and distiller extraordinaire Ryan Friesen of Blinking Owl Distillery for an evening of libations and laughs at Bowers Museum. Learn about the rich legacy of subtle inebriation in O.C. with its beginnings as a premier wine region of California, prior to Northern California’s rise to fame, as well as the technology and techniques of distilling while viewing the Bowers’ historic brandy still, formerly owned by Mr. and Mrs. John Forster. Guests will also have access to Bower’s Historic Wing galleries and a special brandy cocktail, Camino Viejo, made by Blinking Owl. 6-9 p.m. $30 members, $45 general. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. bowers.org
Jazz on the Bay Saturday Champagne Brunch Series
Begins May 22. Cueva Entertainment and Bayside Restaurant present Saturday Champagne brunch with live jazz every Saturday through June. Join music and brunch lovers under the tent at Bayside for a day of flowing Champagne, delicious food and live music by the best O.C. jazz musicians. The menu, featuring Bayside’s favorites, includes all-you-can-drink Champagne, griddle crab cake Florentine, a slow-roasted short rib hash, Canadian Benedict and seared salmon. Advanced reservations required. Doors open at 11:30 a.m.; jazz from 12:30-2 p.m. $30-$45 per person. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach. jazzatbayside.com
Orange County Soccer Club Home Opener
May 22. Don’t miss the 2021 season of Orange County Soccer Club. The club will play more than 30 league matches through October 30 with 10 Saturday night and five mid-week matches at Championship Soccer Stadium. Playing in the USL Championship Pacific Division, OCSC’s home opener is taking place on Saturday against Sacramento Republic FC. 7 p.m. $15-$45. 8272 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, 949.647.4625. orangecountysoccer.com
Food + Drink
Rad Beer Co. in Anaheim
Opens May 21. Cheers to the weekend with the grand opening of brewery and tasting room concept, Rad Beer Co. Head over at noon to check out the brand’s show-stopping signature “Rad Red” eight-foot draft beer system behind the counter with room for 20 handles of fresh hops brewed onsite. The state-of-the-art draft system will offer pours for guests to enjoy in the tasting room or at home with 32-ounce crowlers available to-go. M-Th 3-9 p.m., F-Sa noon-10 p.m., Su noon-9 p.m. 1301 S. Lewis St., Anaheim, 949.396.1301. getradbeer.com
AAPI-Themed Dinner at Mix Mix Kitchen Bar
Through May 23. Celebrate AAPI month with chef Ross Pangilinan’s special five-course Filipino-inspired tasting menu at Mix Mix Kitchen & Bar in Santa Ana. The feast starts with tuna marinated in spicy vinegar and ginger, coconut lime dressing, bell pepper, red onion, avocado and chicharron; followed by a crispy-skin barramundi with tamarind broth and vegetables confit. Next is pork cheek adobo and then the beef steak with a classic Filipino sauce toyomansi. Save room for the tropical verrine. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to OCAPICA. $75 per person. 300 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.836.5158. mixmixkitchenbar.com
Dolce Gelato at The District
Now Open. Sweeten your day with house- and scratch-made gelato from Dolce Gelato at The District at Tustin Legacy. The menu boasts 32 different flavors, including best-sellers—such as salted maple caramel, crème brulee, coconut, Oreo, pistachio and espresso—and 10 vegan flavors. The longtime gelato shop is known for its fun, monthly changing themed flavors, and for the month of May, the theme is Star Wars, with flavors like Stormtrooper, Grogu and C-3PO. 2461 Park Ave., Tustin, 714.389.9249. gelatobydolce.com
Arts + Culture
The Ron Kobayashi Trio Featuring Andrea Miller
May 20-31. In celebration of launching its new program Live@theBarclay to bring the greatest names in jazz right into your home, Irvine Barclay Theatre is starting the series off with the Ron Kobayashi Trio featuring vocalist Andrea Miller. Filmed live on the Barclay stage, this first concert was expertly shot and is brimming with pulsating energy from start to finish. The intimate concert features such classics as “Blue Skies,” “Body and Soul,” “Love Me or Leave Me,” “Caravan,” “Cute” and “Georgia on My Mind.” $20. thebarclay.org
Summer Sounds on the Plaza: La Santa Cecilia
May 21. Segerstrom Center kicks off a new outdoor performance series with Summer Sounds on the Plaza. Enjoy the warmer weather and feel-good music at this welcoming series of sunset concerts reflecting the global communities and diverse musical influences found in Southern California including Latin, pop/rock, R&B, hip-hop and more. First up is Grammy Award-winning La Santa Cecilia where attendees can watch in their assigned viewing area (or “pod”). Masks are required upon check-in. Each pod will be separated by at least 6 feet from neighboring viewing areas. 7 p.m. Pods start at $25. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
The Story of My Life
Through May 31. Chance Theater kicks off its 23rd season with the Drama Desk Award-nominated musical The Story of My Life—a tribute to the power of friendship and the people that change our lives forever. Music and lyrics by Neil Bertram, this musical is deeply moving, funny and profound. Mature themes and language. Bette Aitken Theater Arts Center, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 888.455.4212. chancetheater.com
Photo credits: All other images are courtesy of the businesses and venues.
