From open house and studio tours to food festivals galore, check out the top Orange County weekend events for May 17-20.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Bikes and Brews
May 17. Get ready to spin and sip at Life Time Athletic Laguna Niguel’s specialty workout event. The fitness-fueled event will feature an hour-long cycle class, followed by a beer social for riders ages 21+. Led by trainer Alex Isaly, the class will be held in the cycle studio while the post-ride social will be held on the poolside outdoor bistro. Register for the event on the Life Time app. 5:45 p.m. $10. 25600 Rancho Niguel Road, 949.238.2719. lifetime.life
Newport Harbor Home and Garden Tour
May 17. Explore six private ocean-view residences in Newport Beach with varying architectural and interior styles by local designers. The self-guided tour begins with a morning reception at Balboa Bay Resort and is followed by a tour of the yacht Magnanimous and its sister Duffy boat, Watter Ranger. Enjoy lunch from Plums Cafe at Newport Theater Arts Center and a reception at interior designer Barclay Butera’s Newport Beach showroom; Barclay himself will be on hand to welcome guests with wine and hors d’oeuvres. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $85. Balboa Bay Resort, 1221 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.646.1556. newportharborhometour.com
Taste of Anaheim at Anaheim GardenWalk
May 17. Come one, come all to the 23rd annual tasting event for an evening full of food, drinks, music and fun. Enjoy food from popular restaurants in Anaheim while walking through this eatertainment destination. 5:30-10:30 p.m. $40 before midnight on May 16; $45 event day. Free for children under five years old. 400 W. Disney Way, Anaheim, 714.635.7410. anaheimgardenwalk.com
National Adoption Weekend
May 18-20. Find your new best friend at PetSmart’s adoption weekend event in support of local animal welfare organizations. PetSmart Charities works with these organizations across North America to host pet adoption events within PetSmart stores. All Petsmart locations. petsmartcharities.org
OC GreekFest
May 18-20. Celebrate the best of Greek food, music, dancing and culture at this annual festival. Highlights include authentic Greek foods and homemade pastries, an outdoor marketplace and an expansive “Kidz Zone” with carnival rides, games and other activities. F 3-10 p.m., Sa-Su noon-10 p.m. $3 GA, free for seniors (65+) and children 12 and under. 405 N. Dale St., Anaheim, 714.827.0181. ocgreekfest.com
Doheny Blues Festival
May 19-20. Rock out to a lineup of rock, R&B and blues performers on three different music stages while enjoying fare and craft beer tastings. The lineup includes George Thorogood and the Destroyers, Buddy Guy, Eric Burdon and the Animals Blues Traveler and many more. Sa 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Su 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. $80-$475. Sea Terrace Park located on the corner of Pacific Coast Hwy. and Niguel Road, Dana Point, 949.360.7800. dohenybluesfestival.com
PBS SoCal KOCE Open House and Studio Tour
May 19. Experience first-hand how some of your favorite PBS shows were brought to life through a guided tour of the PBS SoCal studio and editing facilities. Meet the people who work behind-the-scenes to create the viewing experience, participate in themed activities and take a photo with PBS KIDS characters Curious George and Clifford the Big Red Dog. There will be food trucks on-site, and attendees will have a chance to win PBS SoCal branded merchandise. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free, free parking. PBS SoCal, 3080 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.241.4100. pbssocal.org
Rock for Our Riders
May 19. Rock your casual attire and dance ’til dusk at Therapeutic Riding Club’s outdoor lawn event to raise awareness and support for the merits of therapeutic riding. Highlights include a riding lesson demo, silent and live auctions, a fun performance by local Newport Beach musicians and a spring dinner served by Plum’s Cafe. 4-8 p.m. $150 open picnic table seating. Merrell Estate overlooking Newport’s Back Bay, 2182 Mesa Dr., Newport, 949.474.7329. backbaytrc.org
Taste of Santa Ana
May 19. Taste your way through Santa Ana at this culinary event featuring 40+ notable restaurants and beverages from local craft breweries and wineries. Featured restaurant vendors include Boudin SF, Morton’s Steakhouse, Muscle Maker Grill, Panini Kabob Grill and Polly’s Pies, among others. While indulging in fare and drinks, enjoy live tunes, games and a photo booth. VIP entry 5 p.m., GA 6-10 p.m. $50+ GA, $75+ VIP. MainPlace Mall (Lot 2), 2800 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714.541.5353. tasteofsantaana.org
Laguna Beach Taste of the Nation
May 20. Elevate your afternoon with food tastings, fine wines, craft cocktails and delectable desserts at Montage Laguna Beach. Watch high-profile chefs come together to prepare farm-to-table delicacies in honor of Share Our Strength’s mission to end childhood hunger. Guest chefs include Craig Strong and Julia Browne (Studio), Amar Santana (Broadway and Vaca), Brian Huskey (Tackle Box) and Eric Samaniego (Michael’s on Naples). Look forward to an auction conducted by Dan Dotson of A&E’s Storage Wars and live entertainment. VIP entry 2:30 p.m., GA 3-7:30 p.m. $250 GA, $275 VIP. 30801 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.6000. ce.strength.org
FOOD + DRINK
Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails New Menu
Now Available. Executive chef Porfirio Gomez introduces a new seasonal menu for lunch and dinner at Andrei’s. Highlights include pan-seared scallops with Spanish chorizo, saffron rice, sugar peas, roasted peppers, cherry tomatoes, lemon garlic jus and local microgreens; stuffed eggplant caponata with zucchini noodles, summer vegetable crudité and Sonoma balsamic reduction; and ahi tartare with Pacific tuna, avocado, chives, soy-sesame sauce, plantain chips and mache. M-F 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Sa 11 a.m.-9 p.m. 2607 Main St., Irvine, 949.387.8887. andreisrestaurant.com
Free Los Angeles Angels Baseball Tickets from Oggi’s
Now Available. Baseball season is in full swing and Oggi’s is giving away 5,000 Angels tickets this summer, while supplies last. Guests can receive one ticket voucher when they mention the promotion and spend $20 or receive two tickets when the table spends $40. Any OC/LA location. oggis.com
SideDoor’s Cheese Takeover
May 16. On the third Wednesday of each month, sample a portfolio of artisanal cheeses from various boutique creameries while featured cheeses find their way into select SideDoor menu items for that evening only. SideDoor certified cheese monger Tracy Nelsen will be on hand at each takeover to educate guests on the various cheeses presented. 3801 E. Coast Hwy., Corona Del Mar, 949.717.4322. sidedoorcdm.com
Brewery Dinner at Pitfire Pizza
May 17. Treat yourself to an evening with five unique beers from Anderson Valley Brewery paired with a four-course meal curated by Pitfire Pizza. Guests will take home a specialty pint glass and other goodies at the end of the night. 6:30 p.m. $35. 353 E. 17th St., Costa Mesa, 949.313.6333. pitfirepizza.com
Cutwater Spirits Dinner at Chapter One
May 17. Elevate your evening at Chapter One with meals paired with libations from Cutwater Spirits. Start with grilled oysters and pico de gallo paired with Three Sheets Rum Punch. Entrees include sea bass carpaccio, bruleed oranges and yuzu whipped burrata and lomo saltado featuring yucca fries and aji verde. End on a sweet note with coffee flan and Fugu Vodka Horchata. Call to make reservations. 7 p.m. $65 (excludes tax and gratuity). 227 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, 714.914.4287. chapteronetml.com
Rosé Soirée at SOCO and The OC Mix
May 17. Sample a curated selection of 20+ rosé wines by LCA Wine with rosé-inspired bites from ROSÉ Catering & Events. Bring your questions for the winemakers, enjoy live music in the courtyard and then stay for dinner at one of SOCO and The OC Mix’s award-winning restaurants. 5-7 p.m. $45, $25 for LCA Wine Club members. 3315 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, 949.760.9150. socoandtheocmix.com
Girl Meets Grill
May 19. With the beginning of grilling season just around the corner, learn how to spice up your cookouts and impress your family and friends at chef Shachi’s cooking class. 11 a.m. $35. ADYA in Anaheim Packing House, 440 S. Anaheim Blvd. #201, Anaheim, 714.533.2392. adyaoc.com
STYLE + BEAUTY
ViX Paula Hermanny
Opens May 19. Global lifestyle brand ViX Paula Hermanny debuts its first West Coast flagship boutique. Count celebs such as Gigi Hadid, Gisele Bundchen and Beyoncé as fans of this one-stop shop for resortwear and beach-ready apparel, ranging from swimwear and coverups to sandals and clutches. Meet-and-greet designer Paula Hermanny from 12:30-3:30 p.m. and Amanda Stanton (from ABC’s The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise) from 1-2 p.m. Fashion Island, 1003 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.600.4490. vixpaulahermanny.com
ARTS + CULTURE
“Ghost Stories and Fairy Tales: A Ceremony of Make Believe”
May 19-July 15. Step out of reality into L.A.-based artist Geoff Mitchell’s exhibition. The experience includes a three-room diorama set which presents a ghost story in 7th scale miniature, 40+ paintings, two short films with production photographs and an exhibit soundtrack. Opening reception: May 19 from 2-4 p.m. W-Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 adults; $7 children ages 4-12 ; $8 students/seniors/military. Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center, 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714.956.8936. muzeo.org
Newport Harbor Home and Garden Tour photo provided by Kitchen Table Marketing + PR. Rosé Soiree photo by Justin Aikin on Unsplash. National Adoption Weekend at PetSmart photo by Petsmart. Taste of Santa Ana photo provided by 100eats. Laguna Beach Taste of the Nation photo provided by Marguarite Clark Public Relations. Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails New Menu photo courtesy of Ajenda Public Relations. SideDoor’s Cheese Takeover photo courtesy of The ACE Agency. Brewery Dinner at Pitfire Pizza photo courtesy of Di Moda Public Relations. ViX Paula Hermanny photo courtesy of FWD PR.
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