Find the best Orange County things to do for the weekend of April 27-30

Edited by Laura Okey

EVENTS
Night Nation Run
April 29. Dance along an illuminated 5k course featuring live music from electronic music DJs. Celebrate completing the course at an after party on the main stage, featuring surprise celebrity guest performers. General registration includes a Night Nation T-shirt, a race bib, a glow necklace, free giveaways and admission to the after party. 5-10 p.m. $60, children 8 and younger free. Parking $8. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa; Angel Stadium, 2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim. nightnationrun.com

 

 

Taste of Huntington Beach
April 30. Taste top offerings from Huntington Beach restaurants, paired with California wines and unlimited sips from local breweries. Enjoy live entertainment and dancing. Noon-4 p.m., VIP reception 11 a.m.-noon. $70-$90. Designated driver $60-$80. Sports Complex, 18100 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach. tastehb.com

 

 

 

America’s Family Pet Expo
April 28-30. Furry, feathered, scaled, four-legged and web-footed—you can find them all at America’s Family Pet Expo. The world’s largest pet and pet products expo features animal makeovers, exhibits, shows starring birds, dogs and lizards. Also find demonstrations, interactive opportunities, performances and the latest in pet products and trends. Please do not bring your pets. F 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sa 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Su 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $13-$15. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. petexpooc.org

 

 

Newport Beach Boat Show
April 27-30. See the newest sailing vessels to reach the Western United States at the 44th annual Newport Beach Boat Show. Step aboard and compare more than 200 pleasure boats, including new models, cruisers, sportfishers, sailboats and more. Along the shore side, check out booths featuring the newest boating accessories and gadgets. Th noon-7 p.m., F 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sa 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Adults $15, children 12 and under free. Lido Marina Village, 3424 Via Lido, Newport Beach, 949.757.5959. newportbeachboatshow.com

 

 

At Home in the Garden
April 27-30. Indulge in more than 20 food-related seminars this weekend at South Coast Plaza. From summer baking, seasonal cocktails and fresh pasta dishes to edible landscapes and herb gardens, learn tips and tricks at various stores throughout the shopping destination (Williams-Sonoma, Sur la Table, Crate & Barrel and more). See website for times and locations. South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bear St., Costa Mesa, 800.782.8888. southcoastplaza.com

 

 

Taste of Aliso Niguel
April 29. Taste signature dishes from more than 30 local restaurants. The event features beer and wine tasting, live entertainment from ’80s tribute band The Reflexx and a silent auction with more than 300 items. Participating restaurants include Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ, Ruby’s Diner, Cosmo’s Italian Kitchen, Fish District Eatery and more. 6-11 p.m. $35. Laguna Design Center, 23811 Aliso Creek Road, Laguna Niguel. anhspfan.org

 

 

Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race
Apr. 28-30. Watch the exciting start of boats from around the world set sail from the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach to Ensenada, Mexico at this world-famous 125-mile overnight race. The best views are from Corona del Mar coastal cliffs and Balboa Pier. See website for details. 1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, 949.644.1023. newporttoensenada.com

 

 

 

Monarchs of Jazz
April 29. Listen to jazz music set on a sprawling seaside lawn paired with an al fresco gourmet reception. Hear musical stylings of two-time Grammy Award-winning guitarist Paul Brown, saxman Paul Taylor and vocalist Louis Price. Admission includes reserved concert seating and complimentary valet parking. Premium ticket holders will also enjoy an exclusive meet-and-greet with the evening’s artists at a sommelier wine reception, featuring specially selected wines and gourmet canapes. Sommelier wine reception 6 p.m., live jazz concert 7 p.m. General admission $70, premium $105. Monarch Beach Resort, One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.3900. monarchbeachresort.com

 

 

The Palette and Palate of Tuscany
April 28. Merge your palette and your palate with Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and LCA Wine; the two SOCO destinations are teaming up for an evening of painting and sipping. Utilize your palette of rich colors to paint Italy’s unspoiled and ancient landscape while tasting Tuscan wines and listening to Italian classical singer Andrea Bocelli. 6-9 p.m. $40/pp, $75/couple. Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, South Coast Collection, 3321 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 949.660.7791. shop.chuckjonescenter.org

 

 

Vino & Vinyasa
April 28. Challenge yourself with a powerful one-hour vinyasa yoga class, followed up with post-workout wine and live entertainment on the poolside Bistro Deck. 5:30-8 p.m. $10. 25600 Rancho Niguel Road, Laguna Niguel, 949.238.2719. lifetimefitness.com

 

 

 

La Habra City Celebration
April 29. Enjoy an afternoon community party filled with pizza, prizes and philanthropy. The event, hosted by La Habra resident Ray Fernandez and his real estate team, will feature incredible raffle prizes and giveaways (including flat screen TV’s), picnic-style games like corn hole, live entertainment, all-you-can-eat pizza and much more. Additionally, Ray Fernandez and his real estate team are committing to donate $500 to the city of La Habra (through The Collaborative Group) for every house he sells in the area. The event will conclude with a grand presentation—a large donation to The Collaborative Group and the La Habra High School Band. 1-5 p.m. Free. TNG Real Estate, Northgate Town Center, 1439 W. Whittier Blvd., La Habra, 562.400.7004. tngrealestate.com

 

 

Newport Beach Film Festival + Closing Night Gala
Through April 27. Movie buffs have the opportunity to watch some 350 feature films, shorts, documentaries and animation plus sessions with directors and screenwriters. Attend the closing night gala at Via Lido Plaza following the screening of the film The Exception. See website for schedule. 949.253.2880. newportbeachfilmfest.com

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK
Test Kitchen Dinner at Puesto
April 27. Capture the flavors of Mexico City at Puesto’s ticketed, five-course prix-fixe test kitchen dinner. Executive creative chef Katy Smith will prepare tacos and other specialties along with unique Valle de Guadalupe wines and margaritas in an exclusive in-kitchen dining space. Reservations required. 7 p.m. $40; optional beverage pairings additional $30. Tax and gratuity not included. Puesto Los Olivos, 8577 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine. eatpuesto.com

 

 

Antonello Ristorante Wine Dinner
April 28. Winemaker Michael Weis of Groth Vineyards & Winery will lead a special four-course pairing dinner at Antonello Ristorante. Menu highlights include roasted veal thinly sliced and topped with a tuna sauce and capers, served with micro arugula and Groth Chardonnay 2014; and homemade pasta with sauteed guanciale, sweet onions and filet of tomatoes with Groth Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2012. The evening will also showcase a surprise vintage wine from the Groth library. See website for full menu. $127/pp. 3800 South Plaza Drive, Santa Ana, 714.751.7153. antonello.com

 

 

Whole Foods Market Brea: Craft Beer Dinner
April 28. Indulge in a four-course craft beer dinner with Karl Strauss and Sierra Nevada. Menu pairing highlights include a braised short rib tostada with cilantro aioli, jalapeno pico de gallo, radish and cotija paired with Karl Strauss Red Trolley Ale; and a mole fried chicken and waffle with Narwhal reduction, paired with Sierra Nevada Narwhal Imperial Stout. See website for full menu. 7-10 p.m. $40. Whole Foods Market Brea, 3301 Imperial Hwy., Brea, 714.528.7400. eventbrite.com

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE
An American in Paris
Beginning April 25. This Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of an American soldier and a mysterious French girl who yearn for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $29. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org

 

 

 

Lord of the Strings
April 30. See Australian guitar virtuoso Joe Robinson as part of the Lord of the Strings concert series. Robinson has won multiple awards and talent competitions including Australia’s Got Talent. The concert also features wine selections curated by LCA Wine at SOCO—but first—grab some light bites from one of SOCO’s culinary partners to bring in and savor. 3 p.m. $30. Food not included in ticket price. LCA Wine, 3315 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa. lordofthestringsconcerts.com

 

 

STYLE + BEAUTY
elysewalker
April 29. Head to elysewalker this weekend for your very own monogrammed and personalized Ancient Greek Sandals. Simply purchase your sandals this Saturday at the Lido Marina Village location and Nikolas Minoglou, one of the brands founding partners, will monogram the sandals with a traditional technique called hot stamping. Combine initials, symbols, crystals and/or stones to make your perfect pair of summer must-have sandals. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sandals $185-$265, monogramming complimentary. Lido Marina Village, 3444 Via Lido, Newport Beach, 949.612.2646. elysewalker.com

 

 

Dolce Vita Presents Bridal Beauty Night
April 27. Calling all brides-to-be for an unforgettable night of pre-wedding beauty and preparation—including free lash extensions. Discover the hottest trends in bridal beauty services, floral and event design, coordination and more; and meet top wedding vendors. While you (and your guest) explore the possibilities for the big day, enjoy prizes and giveaways, appetizers and refreshments (wine, bubbly and bellinis). RSVP required. 6-9 p.m. Free. Amazing Lash Studio Monarch Beach, 9 Monarch Bay Plaza, Dana Point. eventsbydolcevita.com