Find the best Orange County things to do for the weekend of April 20-23

Edited by Laura Okey

EVENTS
Foodbeast’s Meat Street
April 22. Get ready to grub on a plethora of meat-centric eats, presented by the makers of SPAM. This meat festival will feature delicious and crazy culinary creations (and beverages) from restaurants like Slater’s 50/50, Bruxie, Mess Hall Canteen and many more. You’re guaranteed to find once-in-a-lifetime epic eats—bacon sushi tacos, carne asada nacho bacon burgers and spicy fried chicken and angry bacon mac and cheese, to name a few. The event will take place in two parts with different time frames—a marketplace with individual items for purchase—and a VIP section featuring all-you-can-eat-and-drink access. Marketplace 11 a.m.-11 p.m., $10 admission + items for purchase; VIP 1-4 p.m. & 5-8 p.m., $60 admission. Main Place Mall outdoor parking area, 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana. foodbeast.ticketspice.com

 

Wild and Crazy Taco Night
Apr. 20. Join more than 25 of Orange County’s top chefs including Deborah Schneider and Tia Baker (Solita), John Beber (Pueblo), Stephen Kling (Five Crowns) and Katy Smith (Puesto) as they concoct tacos with unusual fillings at this friendly competition. Benefits Share Our Selves. VIP 4:30 p.m.; General admission 5:30-7:30 p.m. $75-$150. 1550 Superior Ave., Costa Mesa. shareourselves.org

 

 

Disney on Ice
April 20-23. Watch with wonder as eight Disney princesses—Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Rapunzel, Tiana, Jasmine, Aurora and Snow White—embark on incredible adventures, determined to make their dreams come true. Additionally, experience the sisterly love from Frozen as Anna and Elsa take the icy stage. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $20. Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 800.745.3000. disneyonice.com

 

 

 

Newport Beach Film Festival
April 20-27. Movie buffs have the opportunity to watch some 350 feature films, shorts, documentaries and animation plus sessions with directors and screenwriters. Attend the opening night gala with a live performance and a taste of Newport Beach with light bites from some the area’s top restaurants. See website for schedule. 949.253.2880. newportbeachfilmfest.com

 

 

 

7th Annual San Clemente Micro-Brew Festival
April 22. Taste beer from over 15 local craft breweries while enjoying live music and food trucks. Participating breweries include Four Sons Brewing, Bottle Logic and Hangar 24. VIP ticket holders receive early entry, a behind-the-scenes tour of Left Coast Brewing Company and additional tastings of rare and limited edition brews. VIP noon-5 p.m., $45; General admission 1-5 p.m., $35-$40, includes 12 four-ounce tastings ($2 per extra taster) and commemorative tasting cup. Left Coast Brewing Co., 1245 Puerto Del Sol, San Clemente. scchamber.com

 

 

Left Coast Brewing Co.’s Summer Brew Launch Party
April 23. Celebrate the launch of Left Coast Brewing Company’s limited edition summer brew, PassionNATE Blonde. The beer was created in collaboration with pro surfers and San Clemente locals Nate Yeomans and Tanner Gudauskas. PassionNATE is a blonde ale blended with passion fruit and is available on draft at Left Coast for a limited time. Taste the new brew while enjoying food, local entertainment and a silent auction. 2-5 p.m. Free. Left Coast Brewing Co., 1245 Puerto Del Sol, San Clemente, 949.276.6014. leftcoastbrewing.com

 

 

Stevie Sister Boutique Launch Party
April 22. Revel in an evening filled with fashion, entertainment and celebrity at Fashion Island’s Stevie Sister boutique launch party (formerly Modern Romance). The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise star Amanda Stanton will host a meet-and-greet while you peruse the store’s selection of vintage-inspired, feminine, boho-chic apparel and accessories. Enjoy live entertainment from The Voice Season 7 finalist Taylor John Williams along with light bites and refreshments. 2-5 p.m. Free. Fashion Island, next to Lush Cosmetics and across from Lorna Jane, 257 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.640.5477. steviesister.com

 

 

Autfest
April 22-23. The first international film festival celebrating autism awareness will showcase nine feature-length films and six shorts that promote autism awareness and/or are made by filmmakers with autism. The closing reception will take place on Sunday at Cafe Tu Tu Tango, where Autfest will honor and feature Q&As with actor Ben Affleck and the filmmakers behind Inside Out (Pixar Animation Studios’ Pete Docter and Jonas Rivera). See website for schedule, prices and list of films. Films will be featured at AMC Orange 30, 20 City Blvd. West, Orange. autfestasa.com

 

 

Imaginology
April 21-23. Ignite young minds with a series of competitions, workshops and activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and math. The event will feature entertainment, exhibitors, vendors, contests and more. Activities range from poetry workshops and hands-on clay creation classes to jewelry and fashion design activities. Imaginology welcomes Orange County students (pre-kindergarten to high school) and their families. F 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sa-Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa mesa, 714.708.1500. ocfair.com

 

 

That’s What Friends Are For—Anaheim White House Fundraiser
April 20. Enjoy live entertainment, hors d’oeuvres prepared by White House Catering, complimentary wine and live auction items at the fundraiser event for recent fire-decimated restaurant, Anaheim White House. In honor of the 30-year friendship between Sir Bruno Serato of Anaheim White House and Fletcher Jones Motorcars general manager Garth Blumenthal—from April 20 through the end of the month—Blumenthal will donate $100 to the Anaheim White House for every test drive at the dealership. 6-9 p.m. $100. Fletcher Jones Motorcars, 3300 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach. fjmercedes.com

 

Juniors Beach Volleyball League Tournament
April 23. The Juniors Beach Volleyball League is hitting the sands of Huntington Beach for their Endless Summer tournament series. Catch all the action this Sunday at the nets on Magnolia and Pacific Coast Highway. 9 a.m. Free. Huntington State Beach, Magnolia and Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach. eventbrite.com

 

 

 

Record Store Day at Factory Records
April 22. Shop from a huge selection of Record Store Day vinyl with first-time out used vinyl, rare LPs and a $1 parking lot sale at Factory Records. Record Store Day, an annual event celebrating the culture of the independently owned record store, offers limited edition items from some of the biggest names in music. Early arrival encouraged. 5 a.m.-10 p.m. Factory Records, between Wild Goose Tavern and The Classic Clipper, 440 East 17th St., Costa Mesa, 949.722.8101. factoryrecordsshop.com

 

 

Knott’s Boysenberry Festival
Through April 23. Celebrate the historic berry that put Knott’s Berry Farm on the map—the boysenberry! Knott’s Boysenberry Festival will feature countless one-of-a-kind boysenberry-inspired dishes, drinks and more, plus live entertainment for the entire family. Delicious treats include items such as boysenberry pizza with arugula and goat cheese, corn on the cob with boysenberry butter and mayo, freshly baked boysenberry fry bread. Also eat ribs, grilled chicken, alligator and more, all smothered in Knott’s very own farm-made Berry Market Boysenberry BBQ sauce. See online for ticket pricing and park hours throughout festival. Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, 714.220.5200. knotts.com

 

FOOD + DRINK
McFadden Public Market
Discover four one-of-a-kind eateries, two in-house bars with craft cocktails and beer and a nostalgia-inspiring upstairs vintage arcade bar at Orange County’s newest food hall. Among the culinary offerings, Rooster Republic serves up addictive fried chicken with white barbecue and hot honey sauce; Bone Stock offers pho and unique spring rolls stuffed with egg rolls; En Tu Boca dishes out fusion-style tacos and nachos; and Milk Man brings you the sweet endings with housemade ice cream flavors like PB&J and banana pudding. Enjoy the art of cocktail mastery at the downstairs bar, Under Control, or, order a quick beer from a killer craft beer selection at the upstairs bar, Mission Control. All the while, don’t let go of the joystick as you’re warped back to the ’80s with all your favorite arcade games. Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 515 N. Main St., Santa Ana. mcfaddenmarket.com

 

North Italia Community Dinner
April 24. Experience traditional yet modern homemade Italian food during North Italia’s four-course spring community dinner. Indulge on seasonal flavors with menu items prepared from scratch in order to deliver the freshest and highest quality dish. 6-8 p.m. $65. 2957 Michelson Drive, Irvine, 949.629.7060. northitaliarestaurant.com

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE
Taj Express: The Bollywood Musical Revue
April 21-22. Experience the sounds of India and Bollywood on stage, capturing the vibrant spirit found in Bollywood movies for generations. Film, dance and music will come together taking you on a live cinematic journey through modern Indian culture and society, complete with colorful and elaborate costumes. Photo by Cami. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org

 

 

The Local Band Hangout
April 20. Listen to top local artists and up-and-coming bands while experiencing the wonders of the majestic Queen Mary every third Thursday of each month. The lineup this month features performances from reggae-and-modern-ska style band RedEye Redemption, barefoot beach reggae band Cali Conscience and Long Beach native Kevin Miso, who describes his sounds as laid-back surf and folk-influenced. Arrive early for Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. See website for changing lineup. Happy hour 5-7 p.m. Show begins 8 p.m. $10. Parking $8 with validation. Queen Mary, Observation Bar, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com

 

 

King of the Road
April 19-May 14. See the stage adaptation of the true story of Grammy Award-winning, wisecracking country star and Tony Award-winning Broadway composer Roger Miller. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $66. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com

 

 

 

Lil Wayne—Kloser 2 U Tour
April 19. Lil Wayne—American hip hop recording artist—will rock the stage at House of Blues Anaheim for the third stop in his 12-stop tour. Some of Lil Wayne’s hits include “Lollipop,” “How To Love” and “A Milli.” 8 p.m. $59.50-$70. 400 West Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com

 

 

 

 

The Seigel
Through April 23. This comedy about modern love tells the story of a young couple and the peculiar path their relationship takes. Ethan Siegel asks for his girlfriend’s permission to marry—two years after their breakup. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $25. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org

 

 

 

STYLE + BEAUTY
Ride for a Reason
April 22. Burn calories for a cause this Saturday with Life Time Athletic Laguna Niguel. The annual Ride for a Reason cycling event, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Life Time Foundation, will feature three signature cycle formats: EDG, Studio Cycle and AMP. During the first hour, push your limits with intense drills set to motivating music during EDG. During the second hour, expect cardiovascular training techniques as a part of Studio Cycle. Finally, in the third hour, AMP will feature a pulse-pounding party on a bike with energizing, calorie-burning cardio set to the hottest club music. Following each ride, enjoy a smoothie social hour. See website for registration details and donations. 8-11 a.m. Life Time Athletic Laguna Niguel, 25600 Rancho Niguel Road, Laguna Niguel, 949.238.2719. fundraising.stjude.org

 

TPT Home & Garden Floral Design Workshop
April 22. Celebrate Earth Day with a hands-on class taught by TPT Home & Garden design expert Maren Anderson. Learn how to make the perfect floral and succulent selections using scale, tools, tips and hints from the professionals. The workshop admission ($30) includes all supplies for a floral arrangement valued at $70. 2-3 p.m. 18030 Newhope St., Fountain Valley, 657.845.3600. mytpthome.com