Find the best Orange County things to do for the weekend of Feb. 2-5
Edited by Laura Okey
EVENTS
2017 Build Ford Tough Series
Feb. 3-4. The top 35 bull riding stars in the world will compete in the toughest sport on dirt. Take the experience to the next level with VIP elite seats which include premium seating, opening reception with hors d’oeuvres, one free drink, pre-show tour, Q&A with a professional bull rider, memorabilia, an autographed book and much more. See website for more details. F 7:45 p.m., Sa 6:45 p.m. $29-$127. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.940.2900. hondacenter.com
Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon
Feb. 5. Run on Pacific Coast Highway past the famous Huntington Beach Pier and wind through the legendary surfing beaches of Southern California this Sunday. Retro surf bands will entertain along the way as you make your way to the finish line party, which includes a beach side beer garden. Finishers receive surfboard medals. 21100 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 888.422.0786. runsurfcity.com
Super Bowl Watch Party at Cruisers
Feb. 5. Surround yourself with 25 televisions, including a 170-inch mega screen, in four different viewing areas this Super Bowl Sunday at one of the best sports bars in Orange County. Slated to be the biggest viewing party in Newport Beach, enjoy game day classics like nachos, pizzas, sliders, wings and more. Reserve early for a $50 all-you-can-drink package. 801 E. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.220.9414. cruiserspizzabargrill.com
Skyloft’s Big Game Party
Feb. 5. The biggest game of the year is finally here and it will be airing on all 25 of Skyloft’s televisions. Dine on all your favorite dishes, along with more than 20 craft and traditional beers, 22 wines by the glass and signature cocktails including the house Bloody Mary, Kentucky Brunch, Georgia Peach Cobbler and game day cocktails honoring each of the Super Bowl contenders. Open at 9 a.m. 422 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.1550. skyloftoc.com
See more on where to watch Super Bowl LI in Orange County >>>
Galentines at Monarch Beach Resort
Feb. 3. Celebrate the month of love with an evening at Miraval Life in Balance Spa, hosted by go-to celebrity manicurist and jazz singer Deborah Lippmann. Enjoy cocktails and appetizers, express nail services, hot tools hair styling at Drybar and a live jazz performance by your host Deborah Lippmann. And, of course, all guests will receive a fabulous swag bag. 5-8 p.m. $65. 1 Monarch Beach Resort N., Dana Point, 949.234.3368. monarchbeachresort.com
CycleBar Laguna Hills—CycleGiving
Feb. 3. In honor of National Heart Month, CycleBar Laguna Hills will host CycleGiving each Friday in February. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a CycleGiving class for only $25, to which all proceeds directly benefit the American Heart Association. CycleBar is a premium indoor cycling studio that offers a high energy workout in a concert like atmosphere—experience a workout with killer music, DJ tunes, energy-enhancing graphics and rider-specific performance data, all while set in a state-of-the-art, IMAX-Style CycleTheatre. 4 p.m. $25. CycleBar Laguna Hills, 26534 Moulton Parkway, Suite A, Laguna Hills. lagunahills.cyclebar.com
SoCal Dance Invitational
Feb. 4. See performances from 10 acclaimed Southern California choreographers and dance companies as they come together for the seventh presentation of the SoCal Dance Invitational. The line up includes Lori Torok from Avocado Dance Theatre, James MahKween from Eternity Dance Theatre, Evan Rosenblatt from Evan Rosenblatt Dance, Pat Taylor from Jazz Antiqua and many more. More than 60 performers are set to participate in the festival. 8 p.m. $13-$15. Golden West College Theater, 15744 Gothard St., Huntington Beach. gwctheater.com
Family Sundays at Casa Romantica
Feb. 5. Take in the beauty of Casa Romantica’s ocean bluff home and gardens while enjoying a fun-filled day with the family. Activities include an interactive music exhibit with several upright pianos, an ocean conservation lecture, plein-air watercolor painting workshops, a historical trivia contest, live classical and contemporary music, dance performances and docent-led tours of the home and gardens. First Sunday of each month. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org
FOOD + DRINK
Rombauer Vineyards Wine Dinner at Red O
Feb. 1. Indulge on a five-course wine pairing dinner at Red O. Menu highlights include scallop aguachile (Nantucket Bay scallop, carrot and ginger aguachile, icicle radish and carrot top oil) with Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc – Napa Valley, California 2015; roasted borrega (Australian lamb, pickled plums, charro beans and avocado-chile butter) with Rombauer Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California 2014; for dessert arroz con leche (fresh honeycomb, roasted hazelnuts, winter fruit compote and micro lavendar) with Rombauer Joy Late Harvest Chardonnay – Carneros, California 2015 and much more. See facebook page for full menu. 6:30 p.m. $120. Red O, 143 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.718.0300. redorestaurant.com
International Frozen Yogurt Day
Feb. 6. Yogurtland is commemorating International Frozen Yogurt Day with free frozen yogurt and toppings. Just head to your local Yogurtland and find featured flavors and toppings available that day only. See website for all Orange County locations. 4 to 7 p.m. 9961 Adams Ave., Huntington Beach, 714.968.8212. yogurtland.com
Mix Mix Kitchen Bar Happy Hour
Mix Mix Kitchen Bar boasts an award-winning chef with a resume that includes Michelin-starred restaurants across France and California. Now, chef Ross Pangilinan introduces a new happy hour menu with cocktail specials. Utilizing housemade bitters, syrups, and infusions, the specialty cocktails include the Sangani Sour, Margarita and Penicillin ($8). Additionally, receive $2 off snacks, $2 off wines by the glass and try a $5 beer of the day. Snack items include local goat cheese toast with seasonal fruit, honey and petite herbs; deviled eggs with salmon, cracklings and pickled onion; cheese steak fries with Belgian-style fries, housemade cheese whiz and oxtail; and so much more. Happy hour Tu-F 5-7 p.m.; Dinner T-Th 5-10 p.m., F-Sa 5-11 p.m.; Brunch Su 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 300 N. Main St., Downtown Santa Ana. mixmixkitchenbar.com
ARTS + CULTURE
World Premiere of Hamelin’s Piano Quintet
Feb. 2. See two thrilling musical forces share the stage—pianist Marc-André Hamelin and the Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet. Together they will perform three diverse works spanning four centuries. Hamelin and the quartet will perform the world premiere of his new work commissioned for the Center’s Chamber Music Series by Elizabeth and Justus Schlichting. The evening also includes Mozart’s String Quartet in D Minor, K.421 (1785) and Schumann’s Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, Op. 44 (1842). 8 p.m. Tickets start at $29. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
CONTINUED
Moby Dick
Through Feb. 19. Witness firsthand the power—and the poetry—of Melville’s classic novel, Moby Dick, as it is transformed into a masterwork for the stage. Driven on by a self-destructive madman, larger-than-life characters search for the white whale, pitting themselves against the Seven Seas with a fiery passion in this production by Chicago’s renowned Lookingglass Theatre Company. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $20. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
Marvin Gaye-Inspired Chef’s Table Dinner at Mesa
Feb. 7. Join Mesa on Tuesdays through February for a musician-inspired four-course meal. This month, chef Niki Starr will draw her inspiration from Marvin Gaye. Course one, inspired by Marvin Gaye’s hit song “Let’s Get It On,” features oysters on the half shell with coconut curry foam, finger lime caviar and micro cilantro. The third course, “Ain’t Nothing But The Real Thing,” features pomegranate braised short rib, parsnip puree, fresh pomegranate and crispy parsnip chips. Full menu will be online soon. Reservations required. 5-9 p.m. $60. 725 Baker St., Costa Mesa, 714.557.6700. 100eats.com
Match.com Pre-Valentine’s Day Mixer
Feb. 7. Find your perfect date just in time for Valentine’s Day. Head to critically acclaimed Bistango in Irvine for an evening of singles mingling hosted by Match.com. The event will be held in the bar and lounge area and is a stand-up event. Reservations encouraged. Email info@bistango.com to hold your place. 7-9 p.m. Free. The Atrium, Bistango Restaurant, 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.752.5222. bistango.com
TequiLUV Mixer
Feb. 8. Fly solo, bring a date or come mingle with a group of friends for a fun-filled, interactive evening around the art of tequila. Enjoy delicious food pairings, tequila cocktails and learn all about tequila from special guest Ricardo Gamarra, owner and master distiller of Asombroso Tequila. Be sure to RSVP ahead of time, space is limited. 6:30-9 p.m. $30 plus tax and gratuity. Bella Terra Shopping Center, Solita Tacos & Margaritas, 7631 Edinger Ave., Suite 1508, Huntington Beach, 951.515.1468. solitatacos.com
