From wine festivals and dinners to Dia de los Muertos, check out the top Orange County weekend events for November 2-5.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Cheers for Literacy
Nov. 2. Dennis Kuhl, chairman of Angels Baseball and board of director for The Literacy Project, joins former Angels pitcher Chuck Finley to compete against each other to help raise funds to bridge the literacy gap across the Southland. 6-8 p.m. Free. The Winery Restaurant & Bar, 3131 W. Pacific Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.999.6622. literacyprojectfoundation.org
Big Bear Comedy Festival
Nov. 3-4. Now in its second year, the Big Bear Comedy Festival returns with a lineup of great comedic talent. Set at multiple venues in the Big Bear Lake Village, the two-day festival offers shows featuring around 15 slightly buzzed comedians, tuned up and unfiltered live on stage. See website for schedule and prices. Big Bear Lake. bigbearcomedyfestival.com
CLASS by UFC GYM Grand Opening
Nov. 4. UFC GYM, the first brand extension of UFC, is bringing their new boutique fitness franchise model to the Yorba Linda market. CLASS will offer a modern twist on traditional boxing and heart pumping functional fitness classes in a high energy environment. There will be a DJ, photo booth, HIIT classes, BOX classes and more. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. 23701 La Palma Ave, Yorba Linda. ufcgym.com
Halsey: hopeless fountain kingdom Tour
Nov. 4. After her debut album Badlands earned the number two spot on the Billboard Top 200, Halsey is back for her “hopeless fountain kingdom” tour. Joining Halsey is special guest PartyNextDoor and Charli XCX. 7 p.m. $29.50+. Honda Center, 2695 East Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2400. hondacenter.com
27th Annual Dinosaur Dash
Nov. 5. Bring the family and join the Tustin Public Schools Foundation in raising funds for the students, teachers and schools of Tustin Unified while enjoying a morning of fun and fitness. Stick around for the event expo featuring booths, bites from The Market Place restaurants, entertainment and more. Register on website. 2915 El Camino Real, Tustin, 714.832.6299. active.com
Dia de los Muertos
Nov. 5. Celebrate the Day of the Dead with a special altar exhibit representing Guanajuato, Mexico City, Guadalajara and other cities. Attendees will have the chance to win a trip for two to Mexico and are invited to place photos of their loved ones in the altar exhibit as they enjoy mariachi and folkloric dance performances, arts and crafts, face painting and more. Noon-6 p.m. Free. Anaheim Indoor Marketplace, 1440 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714.999.0888. anaheimmarketplace.com
Lord of the Strings with Jeff Peterson
Nov. 5. Recognized as one of Hawaii’s most versatile musicians, Jeff Peterson is at the heart of today’s Hawaiian music scene and has played with legends such as Eric Clapton and Boz Scaggs. Guests will enjoy wine selections curated by LCA Wine at SOCO and The OC Mix, and are allowed to bring in light bites from one of SOCO’s culinary partners. 3 p.m. $30. 3315 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa. lordofthestringsconcerts.com
FOOD + DRINK
Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen Sunday Brunch
With their newest location at The Market Place, Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen is raising the bar on Sunday brunch. A popular feature at the original Brea Downtown location, the champagne brunch is now available and offering live Latin music, signature dishes, bottomless mimosas and award-winning margaritas in a lively atmosphere. Su 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 13126 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 714.408.7819. chachaslatinkitchen.com
Lighthouse Bayview Café New Seasonal Winter Menu
Newport Beach’s waterfront culinary destination debuts a new winter menu for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. New menu highlights include the Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich with Slaw, House Pickles and Herb Mayonnaise on a Brioche Bun, Blackened Mahi Mahi Street Tacos with Lemon Oregano Slaw and more. Lighthouse Bayview Café, 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.933.1001. lighthousenb.com
The Beachcomber Café Winter Menu
Available Nov. 2. Capture endless summer at Orange County’s The Beachcomber Café as it unveils its winter menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Beachcomber Café at Crystal Cove, 15 Crystal Cove, Newport Coast, 949.376.6900. thebeachcombercafe.com
The Red Barn’s Fire-And-Ash Wine Dinner
Nov. 4. The exclusive event will feature live-fire exhibition-style appetizers, sparkling wines provided by Orange County Wine Society (OCWS) and tours of the farm and garden. Executive chef Jesse Lopez, of Spectra Food Services, and chef Annie Morgan of KOCI Radio’s Pots and Pans with Jack and Annie, will present a menu showcasing California’s bountiful produce and artisan meats cooked exclusively on an open fire in ash. 6:30 p.m. $125/pp. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.1500. ocfair.com
5th Annual Champagne & Oyster ‘Sip & Shuck’ Fundraiser
Nov. 5. Guests will have the unique opportunity to experience a variety of hand-shucked oysters, champagne and sparkling wines, all while enjoying panoramic ocean views at the oceanfront restaurants. Beverages for the evening will be provided courtesy of Casamigos Tequila, Laguna Beach Beer Company, Nolet’s, Veuve Clicquot, Bianchi Winery, Kendall Jackson, Tito’s Vodka and more. 21+. 2-6 p.m. $95 pre-sale, $145 VIP. The Deck on Laguna Beach, 627 Sleepy Hollow Lane, Laguna Beach, 949.494.6700. sipnshuck.com
Gudetama and Curry House
Through Jan. 20. Sanrio and Curry House are bringing everyone’s favorite lazy egg character, Gudetama, with a Gudetama-inspired menu that pulls from Curry House’s diverse and delicious food offerings. The menu is available as a special multi-course meal featuring keema curry with rice, salad, cup of corn soup, custard pudding for dessert and a drink. The tasting menu (available for $29) also includes a limited edition Gudetama x Curry House beanie. Su-Th 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. F-Sa 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Walnut Village Center, 14407 Culver Drive, Irvine, 949.654.1449. sanrio.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Olga Sinclair, ‘New Works’ Exhibit and Opening Reception
Nov. 2-30.
‘Tribute to Ella!’
Nov. 3-4. Pacific Symphony Pops 2017-18 season roars on with a celebration of one of the 20th century’s most iconic singers—Ella Fitzgerald, whose legacy and influence defined a classic era of jazz singing—on what would have been her 100th birthday. This very special centennial celebration is created and led by guest conductor Blank. 8 p.m. $35+. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.755.5799. scfta.org
‘Open Casa: I Love You, California’ Reception
Nov. 3. Celebrating unfettered California landscapes depicted in the art of the Impressionist Period (1890-1930), The Peter and Gail Ochs Collection presents preeminent examples of work by the California Impressionists. Selections from the collection will include the works of Franz A. Bischoff, Maurice Braun, Colin Campbell Cooper, Frank William Cuprien and more. 6-8 p.m. Free. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org
Cha Cha’s Latin Kitchen Sunday Brunch photo provided by Ajenda Public Relations. Lighthouse Bayview Café photo by Bob Hodson. Gudetama and Curry House photo provided by Sanrio. Olga Sinclair, ‘New Works’ Exhibit and Opening Reception artwork by Olga Sinclair. ‘Open Casa: I Love You California’ Reception artwork by Franz Bischoff.
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