Find the best Orange County things to do for the weekend of Feb. 23-26
Edited by Laura Okey
EVENTS
Time Nightclub
Feb. 23-25. Revel in the sounds of electric DJs all weekend at Time Nightclub. Headliners include Sander Van Doorn, The Killers and Swedish House Mafia. Other heavy-hitters performing over the weekend include Paul Oakenfold and Savi. Th 9 p.m., $20; F 9 p.m., $20.; Sa 9 p.m., $15. 1875 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, 949.722.7103. timenightclub.com
Saturdays at Lido Marina Village
Beginning Feb. 25. Experience new music, delicious treats and live entertainment at new Lido Marina Village. Some of the area’s tastiest food trucks and hippest live acts will help you make the most of your weekend. While you’re there, check out luxury shopping and waterside dining options set amid a charming village. This week’s featured artist, Taji is a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles. He presents a solo act with an acoustic guitar, a beat machine and a looper. Food trucks 11 a.m.-mid afternoon, live music noon-3 p.m. Free. Food trucks individually priced. 3434 Via Lido, Newport Beach,949.675.8662. lidomarinavillage.com
The Kid’s Pet Parade
Feb. 25. Bring your furry friends to Los Rios Park for the annual parade. Kids between the ages of 5 to 12 are invited to show off their pets for a parade and contest. Compete for the titles of The Cutest, Most Unusual, Best Team Costume (owner and pet), Funniest and Most Obedient. A special award will grant the winner an opportunity to be in the upcoming Swallows’ Day Parade. Registration 10 a.m., parade noon. $5 entry fee. Los Rios Park, 31747 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1976. swallowsparade.com
Keys By The Sea
Feb. 25. Channel your creative side and paint three upright pianos scattered throughout Casa Romantica’s seaside gardens. Casa Romantica invites the community to play and paint on several upright pianos in a one-of-a-kind musical art installation. This community-based art project will come to life as you and fellow community members customize the look of each piano with colorful paint. Sip on complimentary coffee from Bear Roast Coffee. All ages welcome. Old clothing encouraged. 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org
Terrarium Workshop
Feb. 25. Cultivate your green thumb with a terrarium workshop at Uni Home Store. The fun and easy class will teach you everything you need to know about creating a tiny lush, green ecosystem of your very own. 11 a.m. Call for pricing and reservations. Pricing varies based on planting. SOCO and The OC Mix, Uni Home, 3315-A Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 949.251.1771. socoandtheocmix.com
Mardi Gras at Anaheim Packing House
Feb. 25-26. Let the good times roll all weekend long at the Anaheim Packing House. Overindulge in live jazz music, classic New Orleans fare and bead giveaways. See headliners like Brian Young & The Blues Station, Jason Fabus & His Dixieland 4, Dixieland Stompers and Big Jim Caver. Satisfy your Cajun cravings with offerings from Anaheim Packing House artisans like The Iron Press, Hammer Bar, Georgia’s Soul, Crepe Coop and more. Some of the n’awlins-style eats include gumbo, jambalaya, crepes, catfish po’ boys, corn bread and more. See website for more details on the entertainment lineup. Anaheim Packing House, 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim. anaheimpackingdistrict.com
Irvine Park Railroad Anniversary Celebration
Feb. 25-26. Help Irvine Park Railroad celebrate its 21st year of business as they rollback to the original 1996 prices all weekend. From train rides, carnival games, bounce houses, popcorn, cotton candy and more—it’s all $2. Enjoy face painting and panning for gold for $4. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, 714.997.3968. irvineparkrailroad.com
Paws Fur Pink
Feb. 26. Leash up your pup and break out your pink clothing for a dog-friendly 5k run/walk. In honor of breast and canine cancer awareness, you can sign up to run or walk with your dog and raise funds for charity paw-tners, which include the Orange County and Los Angeles affiliates of Susan G. Komen and the National Canine Cancer Foundation. In addition to the 5k, participate in the Dawdling Doodle one-mile walk, the Furever Yours expo and the Pawsitively Pink costume contest. All participants will receive custom medals and T-shirts. 7-10 a.m. $15-$48. Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange. https://pawsfurpink.com
Barks of Love Bark Bash
Feb. 26. Bring your pup for a day filled with puppy-loving fun. Barks of Love daytime festival will feature adoptable dogs, a doggie kissing booth, pet modeling and photography, pup pampering, agility demonstrations, food, music and more. Following the festival, an exclusive VIP gala will include a fashion show, auction, hors d’oeuvres and bar. Daytime festival 1-4 p.m., $10 donation, children and dogs free; VIP gala 6-9 p.m., $500 admits two guests. Gray Matter Museum of Art, 485 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, 949.870.5910. barksoflove.org
Denim & Diamonds Fashion Show
Feb. 28. See celebrity guests Madison McLaughlin (Arrow) and fitness model Shaka Smith, along with other models, walk the runway with the latest trends in denim and diamonds. The models will showcase top denim collections from eight popular brands including Ella Moss, Freddy Jeans and Joseph Ribkoff; jewelry from Brax Jewelers; and styles, fashion and accessories from Newport Coast’s high end boutique Jeanni Champagne. The event is hosted by Global Genes, a leading rare disease patient advocacy organization, in honor of World RARE Disease Day. The models will walk the runway in honor of loved ones affected by rare disease. Cocktails and appetizers will be served. 6:30 p.m. $100. The Resort at Pelican Hill, 22701 S. Pelican Hill Road, Newport Coast. globalgenes.denimanddiamonds17
FOOD + DRINK
Mr. Holmes Bakehouse Grand Opening
Opens Feb. 25. The San Francisco bakery that has recently taken Los Angeles by storm with its over-the-top pastries, is now opening its first Orange County outpost. Be among the first to try some of the wildly delicious flaky croissants, cream-filled donuts, savory danishes and more. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The District, 2493 Park Ave., Tustin. mrholmesbakehouse.com
The Best Margarita in the World
Beginning Feb. 22. Overindulge on The Best Margarita in the World at El Torito and Acapulco locations throughout Southern California. The National Margarita Day featured drink is made with a limited barrel tequila and cognac, hand-shaken at your table, then poured into a martini glass with a Hawaiian black lava salt rim. While supplies last. See website for all Orange County locations. Acapulco 1262 Bristol Street, Costa Mesa, 714.754.6528. El Torito, 18512 MacArthur Blvd., Irvine, 949.833.8230. realmexrestaurants.com
California Wine Nights
Feb. 24. EATS Kitchen & Bar is showcasing wines from Andrew Murray Vineyards paired with a five-course dinner. Menu highlights include grilled baby beets with burrata, local strawberries, hibiscus vinaigrette, mache and watercress paired with a 2015 Ésperance rosé; and short rib ragu featuring strozzapreti, San Marzano tomato and fresh horseradish paired with a 2014 Ésperance red blend. Reservations required. See website for full menu. 6:30 p.m. $60. EATS Kitchen + Bar, Hotel Irvine, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6780. eatskitchen.com
Curry 101 Cooking Class
Feb. 25. Explore the world of curries with Adya in Anaheim. Chef Shachi Mehra will be your culinary guide to help teach you how to prepare simple and delicious curries at home. The event includes lunch served with wine, beer or chai, easy-to-follow take-home recipes and chef Shachi’s curry-making secrets. 11 a.m .$35. 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 201, Anaheim, 714.533.2392. adyaoc.com
International Pancake Day at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Feb. 28. In honor of International Pancake Day, Snooze, an A.M. Eatery, will offer a variety of 8-10 mini pancakes, including rocky road pancakes and berry buck-wild cheesecake pancakes. All pancake sales will be donated to Tustin Ranch Elementary School. 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 3032 El Camino Real, Tustin, 714.415.6269. snoozeeatery.com
ARTS + CULTURE
JoJo
Feb. 23. See pop/R&B singer-songwriter JoJo as she hits the stage at The Observatory with Stanaj, a rising star who has joined JoJo as an opening act for her Mad Love Tour. Known for her 2004 breakout hit “Leave (Get Out)” and her 2006 hit “Too Little, Too Late,” the starlet will be performing songs from her latest album Mad Love. Doors open at 7 p.m., show begins 8 p.m. $20. The Observatory, 3503 S. Harbor Blvd., Santa Ana, 714.957.0600. observatoryoc.com
House of Blues Anaheim Grand Opening
Feb. 28. Experience the recently relocated House of Blues Anaheim with its first performance at the all-new Anaheim Gardenwalk location. American punk rock band Social Distortion will perform a two-night grand opening show, the first taking place February 28, the second on March 1. Find more details on the new venue and check out its schedule HERE. Doors open 7 p.m. Show starts 8 p.m. $35. Anaheim GardenWalk, 400 Disney Way, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Opening Feb. 28. The Tony Award-winning musical presents the lighter side of murder. Follow the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by eliminating the eight pesky relatives who stand in his way. All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress, his fiancée and the constant threat of landing behind bars. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $29. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
