From Oktoberfest celebrations to new restaurants, check out the top Orange County weekend events for October 4-7.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Back Bay Bistro Fall Concert Series: Henry Kapono
Oct. 4. Grammy nominated Hawaiian musician Henry Kapono is coming to Newport Beach for Back Bay Bistro’s fall concert series. Kapono will perform all of his classics and new music from his upcoming album, Welcome 2 My Paradise. 8-10 p.m. $20 GA, $50 VIP. Back Bay Bistro at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, 949.729.1144. newportdunes.com
Orange County International Auto Show
Oct. 4-7. Drive on over to the Anaheim Convention Center to see 600+ vehicles on display. This iconic event will debut 2019 production-models—you can test drive more than 100 of them—plus an array of concept, custom and exotic cars. Check website for show hours. $12 adults, $10 seniors, free for ages 13 and under. Anaheim Convention Center, 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.765.8950. autoshowoc.com
“Creatures of the Night”
Oct. 5. Get a glimpse into a different world at Sherman Gardens’ family-friendly event, “Creatures of the Night.” Attendees will receive a “passport” to explore the Gardens after dark and visit interactive animal stations. Additional highlights include a photo op in front of the Birds of Prey selfie wall, arts and crafts, a scavenger hunt and a gourmet hot dog cart. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $10 members, $15 non-members, $5 minors ages 5-17, free for children 4 and under. Sherman Library & Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.673.2261. slgardens.org
The Wonder of Christmas Boutique
Oct. 5. Spark your holiday spirit early and decorate your home for the holidays with a visit to Roger’s Gardens’ The Wonder of Christmas boutique. Celebrate the diversity and richness of European Christmas traditions. Shop for curated holiday gifts and decor that showcase some of the oldest European craftsmanship. 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, 949.640.5800. rogersgardens.com
4th Annual Shopping Extravaganza
Oct. 6. Mark your calendars for this shopping extravaganza you won’t want to miss. Guests will receive exclusive discounts at 40+ participating stores, while Outlets at San Clemente donates $25 for every ticket purchased to any of the 45 local nonprofit organizations of the shopper’s choice. The event includes entertainment, opportunity drawings for more than $40K in gift cards and prizes, catered lunch, and VIP wine and cocktail tasting. Registration 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; lunch 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; VIP tasting noon-4 p.m. Event ends 8 p.m. $35. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, Suite 190, San Clemente, 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com
SPONSORED
Lokal Brews Lokal Grooves
Oct. 6. Celebrate Oktoberfest at the ultimate craft beer and music festival at House of Blues Anaheim. Sample a wide variety of craft beer from 25 local breweries and enjoy tunes from 20 local bands. Feast on bratwurst, schnitzel, beer braised brisket sliders and more at the food stations. Festive German attire encouraged. VIP entry 2 p.m., GA 3 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 400 W. Disney Way, Suite 337, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
Tikiland Trading Co. Marketplace
Oct. 7. Get into the Hawaiian spirit at Tikiland Trading Co.’s third marketplace event. Expect over 60 Tiki artists, makers and vendors; Dole Whips by Hula Girls Shave Ice; food from Royal Hawaiian Laguna Beach; live music by Ukulena and Keanuenue Polynesian Entertainers; and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. GA: $5 online, $8 cash at the gate; VIP: $25 online. Children 15 and under are free. Art-A-Fair festival grounds, 777 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. tikilandtrading.com
FOOD + DRINK
Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in Irvine
Now Open. Chef/restaurateur Steve DiFillippo has brought popular East Coast-based concept to Orange County in a brand-new 10,000-square-foot restaurant. Davio’s Irvine will serve an array of carefully sourced and seasonally inspired Northern Italian cuisine featuring handmade pasta, fresh seafood and salads, as well as prime aged Brandt beef. 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.477.4810. davios.com
New Fall Menu at True Food Kitchen
Now Available. Fall is here, and True Food Kitchen has crafted a variety of new dishes and drinks to try. Indulge in the butternut squash pizza, roasted Brussels sprouts, or the dashi ramen made with sweet potato glass noodles. New drinks include the Forbidden Root made with lemon-infused vodka, apple, red beet and rosemary; Cinnamon Vanilla Latte served hot or cold brew; and more. See website for hours. Fashion Island, 451 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.644.2400. truefoodkitchen.com
Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival
Oct. 4-7. Known as the most exclusive, intimate and world-class epicurean lifestyle event in Southern California, enjoy restaurant samplings, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, master sommelier tasting panels, interactive mixology courses, and tastes from over 250 renowned cult and boutique wineries. See website for schedule and ticket prices. Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Dr., Newport Beach, 888.511.3378. newportwineandfood.com
Wagner Family Wine Dinner
Oct. 4. Oak Grill’s new Executive Chef Brittany Valles is presenting an elegant five-course wine dinner, featuring Napa Valley’s award-winning Wagner Family of Wines, including Caymus, Conundrum and Mer Soleil. Prior to dinner, enjoy a social hour with champagne at 6 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m. $125. Call to make reservations. Fashion Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. oakgrillnb.com
Ocean at Main
Opens Oct. 5. After nearly 25 years of working at luxury hotels and resorts around the globe, Chef Craig Strong is opening a 126-seat, 4,500-square-foot eatery in Laguna Beach. On the dinner menu, indulge in starters like Hawaiian Prawn Potato Soup or Charred Spanish Octopus. Main course items include Dungeness Crab Cavatelli, Pressed Organic Chicken, Pan Seared Pork Chops, Oxtail Kale Risotto, Seared King Salmon and more. Sip on signature cocktails including the St. Clair, Lover’s Beach Retreat, No Smoking in Laguna, Plein Air and more. Top off your meal with desserts such as Craig’s Spice Cake, Sweet Potato Panna Cotta, Warm Apple Crisp, Tainori Chocolate Torte and more. Open daily for lunch and dinner. See website for hours. 222 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.715.3870. oceanatmain.com
Oktoberfest Flights & Bites at Aqua Lounge
Through Oct. 5. Cheers to Oktoberfest with flights and bites at Aqua Lounge. Order up a Bavarian Flight of four seasonal beers for $10, Build-Your-Own Brats for $15, or enjoy a Giant Bavarian Pretzel paired with specialty dipping sauces, including garlic herb and cheese, spicy white grain mustard and beer mustard at $10 each. Fashion Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. fashionislandhotel.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Lucia Micarelli
Oct. 4. Heralded as “a violinist of heart-melting talent” by The Wall Street Journal, violinist and actress Lucia Micarelli will bring her eclectic style and high-profile collaborations to Musco Center for the Arts. Micarelli has performed with global superstars including Josh Groban, Barbra Streisand, Jethro Tull and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and is known for her role on HBO’s critically acclaimed television series Treme. 7:30 p.m. $25-$55. 415 N. Glassell, Orange, 844.626.8726. muscocenter.org
Chinese Warriors of Peking
Oct. 5. Set during the Ming Dynasty, this new production tells the tale of two rival martial arts disciplines competing in the ancient Chinese capital of Peking. Under the direction of Qui Jian, the Shaolin and Wudang performers demonstrate their exceptional athleticism through juggling, contortion, traditional weapons handling and live stage combat. 7:30 p.m. $20-$50. Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University, 415 N. Glassell, Orange, 844.626.8726. muscocenter.org
Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational
Oct. 6-14. The Laguna Plein Air Painters Association (LPAPA) celebrates the 20th anniversary of this the West Coast’s most prestigious fine art event. The invitational showcases the nation’s top plein air landscape painters who come to paint the town and compete for prizes. This nine-day painting celebration includes public paint-outs, painting demonstrations, conversations, educational events and activities. 7-10:30 p.m. $150. Festival of Arts, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.376.3635. lpapa.org
“Fancy Nancy, The Musical”
Oct. 7-28. Based on the popular Fancy Nancy book series by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser, this delightful new show follows Fancy Nancy and her friends Bree, Rhonda, Wanda and Lionel as they prepare to perform in their very first show—“Deep Sea Dances.” See website for show times. $21-$30. Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 888.455.4212. chancetheater.com
Back Bay Bistro Fall Concert Series: Henry Kapono photo courtesy The ACE Agency. “Creatures of the Night” photo courtesy Sherman Library & Gardens. The Wonder of Christmas Boutique photo courtesy Roger’s Gardens. 4th Annual Shopping Extravaganza photo by Kaitlyn McKay. Lokal Brews Lokal Grooves photo courtesy House of Blues Anaheim. Tikiland Trading Co. Marketplace photo by Tikiland Trading Co. Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse in Irvine and Newport Beach Wine & Food Festival photos courtesy Ajenda PR. Oktoberfest Flights & Bites at Aqua Lounge and Wagner Family Wine Dinner photos courtesy Fashion Island Hotel. Ocean at Main photo courtesy Marguarite Clark PR. New Fall Menu at True Food Kitchen photo courtesy Nerissa R. Silao. Lucia Micarelli photo by Solaiman Fazel. Chinese Warriors of Peking photo courtesy Musco Center for the Arts. Laguna Plein Air Painting Invitational – “Before Sunrise” painting by Aimee Erickson. “Fancy Nancy, The Musical” photo courtesy Chance Theater.
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