Find the best Orange County things to do for the weekend of Jan. 12-15

Edited by Laura Okey

EVENTS
Monster Jam
Jan. 14. Get ready for mayhem and destruction with the biggest, baddest monster trucks in the business. Monster Jam, one of the country’s premier live motorsport events, features drag racing and freestyle contests where trucks face death-defying jumps and other obstacles. This year’s lineup features appearances by Monster Jam powerhouses and multiple world finals champions. Join the Pit Party before the show where fans get the chance to score autographs and memorabilia from the drivers. Pit party 2:30-5:30 p.m., showtime 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25. Angel Stadium of Anaheim, 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim. angel.stadiumanaheim.com

 

 

Noods, Noods, Noods!
Jan. 14. Get ready for a food festival like you’ve never experienced before. Presented by Nissin, The Original Cup Noodles and Foodbeast, the noodle and Asian-themed food festival will feature some of the craziest, most deliciously innovated noodle dishes around. Find drool-worthy creations like Anchor Hitch’s deep fried uni pasta with Swiss cheese, lightly coated in panko, drizzled in uni cream sauce and topped with smelt roe and shredded nori; Mess Hall Canteen’s award-winning white boy ramen featuring tonkatsu style pork broth, crispy pork belly, pickled jalapeños and shallots, dandelion greens, mushroom and sous vide egg; and Goa Taco’s prawn and chicken pad thai paratha taco, among others. In addition to an overload of food options, find photo booths, tournaments, Noods Marketplace and more. VIP tickets will offer all-you-can-eat and drink. Marketplace noon-11 p.m., $5-$10 admission; VIP 1-4 p.m. or 5-8 p.m., $50-$60. Downtown Santa Ana, between 4th and 5th Street, 120 W. 5th St., Santa Ana. noodsnoodsnoods.com

 

 

 

Cesar Millan Live
Jan. 13. Witness the animal whisperer as he hits the stage at the Grove of Anaheim. Star of the hit television series Cesar 911 on National Geographic WILD and original host of the long-running series Dog Whisperer, Millan is the pet care industry’s most recognized and sought-after authority working in the field of dog care and rehabilitation. Millan will reveal the secrets of happier, healthier relationships between humans and canine companions as well as share his philosophies and methods. See live training demonstrations with multiple dogs from local rescues and his famous four-legged companions, Junior and Benson, as they join him on stage. 8 p.m. $45-$65; parking $12. City National Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.712.2700. citynationalgroveofanaheim.com

 

 

 

Bobby Lee
Jan. 13-15. Laugh with American actor and comedian Bobby Lee, best known as a cast member on Mad TV and roles in the films Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, Pineapple Express and The Dictator. Two item minimum purchase required. F 7:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m., Sa 7 p.m., 9 p.m., Su 7 p.m. $25. Irvine Improv, 527 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949.854.5455. irvine.improv.com

 

 

 

 

Newport Beach Restaurant Week
Jan. 16-29. Prepare your inner-foodie for the longest running restaurant week in Orange County. The annual event features special prix-fixe menus for lunch and dinner at more than 50 premier eateries in Newport Beach, such as The Ritz Prime Seafood, Gratitude Newport Beach, Five Crowns, Red O, Sessions West Coast Deli and Lighthouse Bayview Cafe, among others. Feed your curiosity and try new places or revisit your favorites. Find a culinary road map of participating locations online. No passes or coupons required, just visit your favorite participating restaurants during business hours. Lunch $10-$25/pp, Dinner $20-$50/pp. dinenb.com

 

 

 

Anaheim Ducks
Jan. 15, 17. Head to the rink this weekend as the Anaheim Ducks take on the St. Louis Blues. On Sunday, all guests will receive trading cards while supplies last. On Tuesday, see the Ducks again as they face off against Tampa Bay Lightning. Su 6 p.m., Tu 7 p.m. See website for tickets and prices. 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2400. hondacenter.com

 

 

 

 

PC Grommets: If You Give a Moose a Muffin
Jan. 17. You’re invited to Pacific City’s first PC Grommets event of the year. Bring the kids to the play area in front of Sephora on Level one for a reading of If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Joffe Numeroff. Following the reading, enjoy entertainment like live music from local vocalists, Michael SG and other crafts and activities. Event day specials include 15 percent off at Smocking Birds, free ice cream cone and parking validation at Saint Marc, 20 percent of dog grooming or daycare and buy one get one free baked goodies at Top Dog Barkery and free kids meal with purchase of adult entree at Ways & Means. Upon RSVP, you’ll be eligible for raffle prizes from various Pacific City merchants. RSVP required. 10-11 a.m. Free. 21010 West Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, eventbrite.com

 

 

 

Segerstrom Center’s Off Center Festival 2017
Jan. 12-28.  See an all-new lineup of creative, contemporary and sometimes controversial artists and shows. The festival will present Keith A. Wallace’s The Bitter Game, Mariachi Flor de Tolache, Marga Gomez’ Latin Standards and much more. The Off Center Lounge in Leatherby’s Café Rouge will be open with a special low-cost post-performance menu and the opportunity to mix and mingle with festival artists. See website for schedule and showtimes. $25. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2121. scfta.org

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK
Taps and Tastes at Skyloft
Jan. 11. Indulge on a decadent six-course menu featuring beer pairings from brewing company Modern Times. The menu includes albondigas soup (spicy beef broth with meatballs, carrots, celery, zucchini, tomatoes and garlic sticky rice on the side), lobster baked romas (spicy lobster mix baked in roasted Roma tomatoes and topped with house-smoked pork belly, balsamic glaze, chili basil oil and micro cilantro) and Cali smoke sampler (includes almond wood smoked brisket and achiote marinated roasted chicken) among other items. 6 p.m. $55. 422 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.1550. skyloftoc.com

 

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE
Chapatti
Jan. 11-Feb. 5. Annabella Price and Mark Bramhall star in this humorous and heartwarming tale about two animal lovers in Dublin and their unexpected spark as they re-discover the importance of human companionship. This second-chance comedy celebrates these unforgettable characters who still believe in love.  See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $65. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com

 

 

The Roommate
Through Jan. 22. Sharon, a sensible, curious and very, very talkative woman, at age 54 takes in a roommate to make ends meet. Robyn, a new arrival from the Bronx, is hiding a lifetime of secrets. Watch as the story unfolds and Sharon finds the shocking truth. Tickets start at $48. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org

 

 

 

 

STYLE + BEAUTY
Fitwall—Six Week Fitness Challenge
Jan. 12, 16. Revive your workout routine this year with a fun, effective and efficient workout. The 40-minute classes encompass cardio, strength and flexibility training. The six-week challenge orientation on January 12 gives nutritional guidelines and tips for success. Beginning January 16, each participant is challenged to attend class minimum four times a week and to lose two inches in the waist, one inch in arms and legs and to perform 33 percent more repetitions. Throughout the challenge, participants can attend workshops on health and fitness, yoga, recovery and more. At the end, their will be a congratulatory party. Regular price for six-week challenge $249; mention SoCalPulse.com for $50 off. Fitwall, 2073 San Joaquin Road, Newport Beach, 949.529.8552. fitwall.com

 

 

Orangetheory Fitness
Through Jan. 12. Get started on new year resolutions with a peak performance week at Orangetheory Fitness. Participate in competitions like fastest mile, fastest 2,000 meter row and more all week long. The heart-rate monitored, high-intensity workouts are scientifically designed to keep heart rates in a target zone that spikes metabolism and increases energy, therefore continuing to burn calories up to 36 hours post-workout. Contact studio for more details. Twelve Orange County locations. 1040 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach, 949.630.0555. orangetheoryfitness.com