NCAA West Basketball, Vibe Dance Competition, Ocean Institute Jazz Festival and more… Here are our top OC weekend event picks for March 28-31.

Edited by Laura Okey

EVENTS

Queensway 5K
March 28. Lace up your sneakers and walk, run or jog through the Queen Mary’s Events Park and Long Beach Harbor at the second annual Queensway 5K. The course takes runners across the Queensway Bridge for breathtaking views of the Long Beach city skyline; it ends at the Queen Mary Events Park with finish-line celebrations including food tastings, a beverage and admission aboard the Queen Mary. See website for schedule; race starts 5:30 p.m. $40. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 562.499.1739. queenmary.com

 

NCAA West Regional Basketball Tournament
March 28, 30. March Madness continues at Honda Center with the Sweet 16: See Florida State vs. Gonzaga, and Texas Tech vs. Michigan. Sweet 16 teams compete for a spot in the Elite Eight and for a slot in the Final Four on Saturday. See website for schedule and ticket prices. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2500. hondacenter.com

 

 

Ocean Institute’s Jazz Festival
March 29-30. The annual jazz festival supports the Adopt-a-Class program, benefitting more than 10,000 underserved students in Southern California. The gala on Saturday features a four-course dinner by the executive chefs at Monarch Beach Resort, the Ranch at Laguna Beach, Montage Laguna Beach and the Laguna Cliffs Marriott. The event features jazz artists including Grammy Award-winner Deniece Williams (left), Gregg Karukas and Michael Paulo. See website for schedule and ticket prices. 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274. ocean-institute.org

 

Bubblefest XXIII
Opens March 30. Learn the science of bubbles at an indoor festival for the whole family combining bubble artistry, science and spellbinding lasers. Create your own bubble art with wands, participate in science demonstrations, roll around in water spheres and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $14.95-$19.95. Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.542.2823. discoverycube.org

 

 

Hunter Hill at the Rec Room
March 30. Comedian and Rec Room programming director Hunter Hill takes the stage at his very own comedy club. Hill is currently on Iliza Shelsinger’s international Elder Millenial tour. 21+. 8 p.m. $15-$25. The Rec Room, 7227 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach, 714.316.0775. recroomhb.com

 

 

 

Prism Boutique Festival Kick-Off
March 30. Prism Boutique welcomes the onset of Coachella “festival season” with a kick-off party featuring live music, vintage vendors, piercings, free tacos, beer and a DJ. Shoppers can stock up on festival styles from brands like Sr. Apache Vintage, Forrest and Groves, Rolla’s Jeans and Broken Arrow Jewelry. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. 406 Termino Ave., Long Beach. prismboutique.com

 

 

5 Points Plaza Pet Fair
March 31. Head to 5 Points Plaza for an afternoon of fun with your pet. Humans can enjoy barbecue and refreshments; canines can sink their teeth into pet food and treat samples. Activities include games for dogs and an adoption fair with pets of every shape and size. A local vet will be on site to answer health-related pet questions. 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

 

Glitterfest
March 31. Browse work by mixed-media artists; an array of genres include jewelry, sculpture, primitive dolls, home decor and paper whimsy. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $7. Spring Field Banquet & Conference Center, 501 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, 714.573.1025. glitterfest.com

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

From Mumbai to Mexico City 
March 28. Five-course chef collaboration brings together locally renowned chefs Shachi Mehra of ADYA—known for its Indian street cuisine—and Katy Smith of Puesto, known for her inventive Mexico City-inspired tacos, for an innovative dinner including a one-of-a-kind dessert. Wines available for purchase by the glass, or bring your own bottle for a $10 corkage fee. 6 p.m. $75 (includes tax and gratuity). 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., #201, Anaheim. Tickets

 

 

Puglia Food & Wine Dinner 
March 28. The delectable event by the Food & Wine Society takes place at Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana and offers carefully curated food and wine pairings in the style of “Puglia Imagined.” 6 p.m. $150. 8573 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine, 949.536.5200. angelinaspizzeria.com

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

¡Damas! Celebrates Women Creators
March 30. In honor of International Women’s Month, female creators inspire you to discover your own creative voice. Activities include live demos, panel discussions, a community art project and a live DJ. You can also join Maria Simeone’s movement and holistic drumming session. 5 p.m. Free. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org

 

 

Vibe XXIV Dance Competition
March 31. Now in its 24th year, this distinctive talent show and hip-hop dance competition features teams from around the world, critiqued by a panel of judges. Vibe joins forces with Culture Shock LA in the spirit of competition to support the community’s youth programs in art and dance. 5 p.m. $30+. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org

 

 

 

Photos: Bubblefest courtesy Discovery Science Foundation. Queensway 5K courtesy Queen Mary. NCAA West Regional Basketball Tournament courtesy Honda Center. Ocean Institute’s Jazz Festival courtesy Ocean Institute. Hunter Hill courtesy The Rec Room. Festival Kick-Off courtesy Prism Boutique. 5 Points Plaza Pet Fair courtesy 5 Points Plaza. Glitterfest courtesy Glitterfest. From Mumbai to Mexico City courtesy Adya OC. Puglia Food & Wine Dinner courtesy Angelina’s Pizzeria Napoletana. Damas courtesy Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Vibe Dance Competition courtesy Vibe Dance Competition.