From Grammy Award winner LeAnn Rimes to foodie festivals, check out the top Orange County weekend events for August 2-5.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
A Taste of Exotic Mexican Cuisine & Mezcal
Aug. 3. Experience authentic fare from the many diverse regions of Mexico at this outdoor annual fundraiser. Participating chefs and restaurants include Jesse Farías (El Governador), Rogelio Martínez (El Mestizo), Javier Cuadra (Urbana) and more. 6-9 p.m. $45. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714.738.6595. themuck.org
Summer Concert Series: LeAnn Rimes
Aug. 3. International multi-platinum selling singer and songwriter LeAnn Rimes brings her stellar vocals to the Back Bay Amphitheater, along with special guest artist Erick Macek. Doors 6 p.m., concert 7:30 p.m. $75-$125. Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, 949.360-7800. series.hyattconcerts.com
BeachFront Cinema
Aug. 4. Take movie night to the next level at the beach with a screening of Jaws (21+) on one of the largest inflatable outdoor movie screens in California. Arrive early for pre-movie festivities such as live entertainment, games and contests. Snacks and refreshments are available for purchase from food booths and the beach bar. Pre-movie activities 5 p.m., show time at dusk (8 p.m.). $15 GA, $49 VIP (includes jumbo 2-person bean bag). Lifeguard tower 14 at Huntington State Beach. beachfrontcinema.com
Brunch Life Festival
Aug. 4. Calling all brunch fanatics! Indulge in local brunch tastings, mimosas and specialty drinks from the best restaurants in Long Beach, O.C. and L.A. at the first-ever brunch festival. Expect live entertainment, photo booths, outdoor games and more. Samples and tastings are while supplies last, and full size entrees and beverages will be available for purchase. 21+. VIP entry 10 a.m., GA 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $49 GA; $65 VIP; $20 a la carte (see website for details). Rainbow Lagoon Park, 400 E. Shoreline Dr., Long Beach. brunchlifefest.com
Soccer and Brews Beer Fest
Aug. 4. Make your way to Orange County Soccer Club’s first beer festival to enjoy unlimited tastings of 50+ different beers from over 30 of the region’s top craft breweries. Highlights include a DJ spinning tunes, O.C.’s favorite food trucks, a game between USL Pro Soccer Team vs. Swope Park Rangers and more. 21+. VIP entry 4 p.m., GA 5-8 p.m. $25 advance; $35 GA; $45 VIP. Championship Soccer Stadium, 8272 Great Park Blvd., Irvine. orangecountysoccer.com
Lobsterfest at Newport Beach
Aug. 5. Roll up your sleeves for the 10th annual Lobsterfest at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina. The dinner includes fresh whole Maine lobster flown in fresh the morning of the event, grilled N.Y. strip steak, salad, red potatoes, corn-on-the-cob, sourdough rolls and dessert. While feasting, enjoy live entertainment by the West Coast Party Crashers on the beachfront stage. 3-8 p.m. $75 GA; $150 VIP (advance only); $25 for children 12 and under. 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, 949.478.3468. lobsterfestatnewportbeach.com
FOOD + DRINK
Fill Hawaiian Bakery
Now Open. Hawaii native James Mullis brings Costa Mesa a taste of his hometown with made-to-order malasadas and housemade ice creams at this new bakehouse and creamery. Enjoy a selection of small-batch ice creams with unique flavors, including brown butter roasted pineapple, Royal Kona Coffee, roasted black sesame and POG (passion fruit, orange, guava). To complement the menu, Fill offers locally roasted, third-wave coffee from Old Town Roasting Co. Open daily 7 a.m.-9 p.m. 1767 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa. eatfill.com
Grater Grilled Cheese
Now Open. Voted best grilled cheese in Southern California, guests will be able to delight in fan favorites such as the lobster grilled cheese (pictured) made with their secret five-cheese blend, butter fried lobster, crab and their signature Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Beer Chipotle Aioli. A variety of other selections include burgers, soups, salads, wraps, mac ‘n’ cheese, pomme frites and more. Daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 120 5th St., Huntington Beach, 714.536.3162. gratergrilledcheese.com
KoJa Kitchen
Now Open. Short for Korean-Japanese, KoJa brings their famous and unique fusion gourmet burgers to Orange County. Unlike traditional hamburger buns, KoJa uses crispy garlic rice buns infused with a unique combination of Korean and Japanese flavors. Additional unique menu items include the Short Rib Bowl (pictured), Zen Taco, Kamikaze Fries, Tomato Miso Bisque and DMZ Wings. Daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. The Market Place, 2943 El Camino Real, Tustin, 657.859.6475. kojakitchen.com
ARTS + CULTURE
“Reflections on Reflections” Exhibit
Aug. 2-Oct. 15. Laguna Beach’s Ning Zhou Gallery celebrates its third anniversary with a show of new water-reflection photographs by its namesake and international master Ning Zhou. While primarily comprised of new work, Reflections on Reflections will reprise another show which was held in Athens in 2007 at the invitation of Greece’s then Prime Minister George Papendreou. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Ning Zhou Gallery, 357 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 714.726.1763. ningzhougallery.com
“African Twilight: Vanishing Rituals & Ceremonies”
Through Jan. 6. See a celebration of Africa’s artistry and boundless creativity, captured with photographs and film covering the last 15 years in over 45 African countries by renowned artists Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher. Tu-Su 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $10-$15 GA, free for children under 12. Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.567.3600. bowers.org
Summer Concert Series: LeAnn Rimes photo courtesy of 2018 Summer Concert Series and Omega Events, Inc. Brunch Life Fest photo courtesy of Brunch Life Fest. Fill Hawaiian Bakery photo courtesy of Outshine PR. Grater Grilled Cheese photo courtesy of Ashley Graham. KoJa Kitchen photo courtesy of Irvine Company Retail Properties. “Reflections on Reflections” Exhibit artwork by Ning Zhou. “Hadza Hunters at Sunset, Tanzania” artwork by Carol Beckwith and Angela Fisher.
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