Find the best Orange County things to do for the weekend of March 23-26
Edited by Laura Okey
EVENTS
Fresh Toast 2017: A Brunch Event
March 25. The ultimate weekend brunch party showcases tastings from over 35 local restaurants including Anchor Hitch, Bosscat Kitchen, Saint Marc Pub-Café, Memphis and Back Bay Bistro. Enjoy cocktail samples, brunch bites, a Bloody Mary competition, artisanal vendors and more. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $35-$60. Newport Dunes, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach. fresh-toast.com
Bubble Run Anaheim 2017
March 25. Deck yourself in white and get ready to be drenched in color. Run, walk, dance and play across a 5K course of absolute fun while waves of bubbles blast you with colored foam every 3-5 minutes. At each kilometer, run through a bubble bog where there is enough colored foam to cover you from head to toe. Each bubble bog features a different color to frolic through. 8-9 a.m. start time. $20-$50. Angel Stadium of Anaheim, 2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim. bubblerun.com
The Grand Celebration Event
March 23. Celebrate the Anaheim GardenWalk and everything it has to offer. The center presents an opportunity to explore the tried, true and new with live entertainment, food samples, a photo booth, promotions and giveaways. Among them, the opening of House of Blues Anaheim, Mission Escape Games, Rumba Room Live, Grasslands Meat Market and Billy Beez. 4-9 p.m. Free. Anaheim GardenWalk, 400 Disney Way, Anaheim, 714.635.7400. anaheimgardenwalk.com
Swallows Day Parade & Mercado Street Fair
March 25. See the parade that commemorates the storied annual bird visit from Argentina. The Mercado Street Fair in Historic Town Center Park features more than 100 vendors with live music, activities for children and a variety of food and drink. A free shuttle will be available for transportation between events. Swallows Day Parade 11 a.m. Street Fair 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.1976. swallowsparade.com
2017 Grain Games
March 25. See the works of 40 local artists including graphic designers, mixed media artists, photographers and more. Enjoy complimentary beer and wine along with grub provided by Four Sons Brewery, Wahoo’s Fish Taco and Cabo Chips. 5-9 p.m. Free. Rainwater Art Gallery, 526 Main St., Huntington Beach.
5 Points Plaza Pet Fair
March 25. Head to 5 Points Plaza for an afternoon of fun with your pet. Humans can enjoy barbecue and refreshments, while canines can sink their teeth into food and treat samples. Additional activities include pet portraits, games for dogs and an adoption fair with pets of every shape and size. A local vet will be passing out tooth brushes and information on veterinary services. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. 5 Points Plaza, parking lot in front of Kahoots Pet Store, 18593 Main St., Huntington Beach, 714.841.6631. 5pointsplaza.com
The Bridal Show
March 26. Calling all brides-to-be and wedding planners: Meet wedding professionals while enjoying hors d’oeuvres and complimentary champagne. Vendors will showcase their products and services including bakeries, bridal gowns, DJs, florists, honeymoon services, invitations, photographers and more. Brides who pre-register will receive complimentary admission for themselves and a guest. Preregister: bridalshow@newportdunes.com. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $5 at the door. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, Marina Terrace, 101 N. Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, 949.729.3800. newportdunes.com
Burn Boot Camp
March 26. Burn Boot Camp has teamed up with Athleta at Fashion Island for a free in-store boot camp. Feel the burn in the hour-long class, and afterwards, enjoy a cooking demonstration along with snacks and juices. 9-10 a.m. Free. Athleta, 1071 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.717.6650. shopfashionisland.com
FOOD + DRINK
HaiDiLao Fusion Shabu Grand Opening
March 25. Head to Brea Mall for the grand opening of new restaurant HaiDiLao Fusion Shabu. The restaurant offers an interactive cook-it-yourself style dining. Choose from a selection of high quality meats, succulent seafood and locally sourced veggies in a variety of broths, uniquely seasoned to perfection. Pair each bite with select sauces such as citrus-based ponzu or roasted sesame sauce. Sa 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Su 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. 1065 Brea Mall, 1031A, Brea, 714.784.6868. haidilao.us
Ruby’s Diner Grand Opening
March 25-26. Celebrate the grand opening of Ruby’s Diner at Outlets at San Clemente, one of the few locations that offers premium wine and beer as well as Orange County’s first walk-up in-diner ice cream shop. The family-friendly event will feature face painters, balloon artists, photo opportunities and prize drawings all weekend long. Indulge on food and dessert specials at Ruby’s including $2 single-scoops of ice cream and $5 burger, drink and fries meal combos. Enjoy live music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, 949.492.7829. outletsatsanclemente.com
California Wine Nights
March 24. EATS Kitchen & Bar is showcasing wines from Claiborne & Churchill Vintners paired with a five-course dinner. Menu highlights include goat brie brulee with mizuna, pistachios and apricot lavender vinaigrette paired with 2016 Gewurztraminer, Viento Vineyard; and pork tenderloin with root vegetables, gigante beans cotechino and hen of the wood mushrooms paired with 2015 Grenache, Central Coast. 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
Nékter Juice Bar: National Spinach Day
March 26. Known for its fresh and cold-pressed juices, smoothies and cleanses, Nékter Juice Bar is honoring National Spinach Day with complimentary Sneaky Spinach Smoothies to the first 100 kids to come into its flagship location in Costa Mesa. The smoothie features frozen strawberries, blueberries and banana, agave, spinach and 2 percent reduced fat milk. 8-11 a.m. Free. 474 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, 949.629.5555. nekterjuicebar.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Finding Neverland
Through April 2. See the Orange County premiere of the hit Broadway musical. Based on the Academy Award-winning film of the same name and the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan, Finding Neverland follows the relationship between playwright J.M. Barrie and the family that inspired the beloved character Peter Pan. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Don Quixote Ballet
March 25-26. Festival Ballet Theatre brings us its production of Don Quixote, in collaboration with stars of the ballet world. Set to Ludwig Minkus’ memorable score, this classic story features internationally acclaimed guest artists as well as Festival Ballet Theatre’s professional company dancers and a boisterous cast of characters that create vibrant scenes. This ballet brings Cervantes’ quintessential novel to life as the eccentric, wandering knight, searches to find his ideal woman, Dulcinea, accompanied by his loyal sidekick, Sancho Panza. (Photo credit David Friedman). Sa 7 p.m., Su 2 p.m. $42-$55. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org
CONTINUED
Hershey Felder as Tchaikovsky
Through March 26. Pianist and storyteller Hershey Felder presents the life and music of Russian composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $66. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
Orange
Through March 26. Leela, a teenager from India, finds her place in the world when she ditches a boring family wedding to rebelliously careen through Orange County. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $20. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
Eureka! Sazerac Whiskey Dinner
March 28. Join Eureka Irvine for a Sazerac 5-course whiskey pairing dinner. Menu highlights include mac ‘n’ cheese balls with beer cheese sauce and Fresno chiles paired with E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon; fried chicken slider with mashed potatoes, confetti slaw and firecracker sauce paired with Eagle Rare 10-Year Bourbon; and butcher’s flat iron dip with caramelized onions, pickled Fresno chiles, horseradish mustard aioli, havarti and au jus paired with John J Bowman Single Barrel Bourbon. See full menu online. 6 p.m. $65. Eureka!, 4143 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.596.8881. eventbrite.com
North Italia Community Dinner
March 27. Experience traditional yet modern homemade Italian food during North Italia’s 4-course spring community dinner. Indulge on seasonal flavors with menu items Sciatt Valtellinesi (buckwheat fritter, fontina, marcona almond, grappa), Polenta Pasticciata con Salsiccia (organic polenta, housemade sausage, tomato ragu, roasted mushroom), Cotoletta alla Milanese (breaded veal scallopini, saffron risotto, broccolini, meyer lemon) and Sbrisolona (sweet polenta crumble, lemon sabayon, marcona almond, charred grape). 6-8 p.m. $65. 2957 Michelson Drive, Irvine, 949.629.7060. northitaliarestaurant.com
