From influential women to pet-friendly gatherings, check out the top Orange County weekend events for April 5-8.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Newport Beach Special Olympics
Apr. 5, 28. Cheer on athletes participating in Newport Beach’s first-ever Special Olympics at the kick-off event and at the tournament. Special Olympics athletes, the City of Newport Beach Recreation and Senior Services Department as well as Newport Beach police, fire, city council, local officials and community members will participate in the official Unity Torch Walk, Hometown Hero Hoop Shoot Challenge and BBQ on April 5 from 6-9 p.m. On April 28, make sure to watch the official Special Olympics basketball tournament from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. See website for prices and more information. Newport Beach Civic Center, 100 Civic Center Dr., Newport Beach. sosc.org
Margaret Cho at Irvine Improv
Apr. 6-7. Korean-American actress, author, singer and stand-up comedian Margaret Cho takes center stage to explore social and political issues, especially regarding race and sexuality. Guests may know Cho from the hit TV show Drop Dead Diva as well as from Fashion Police, Chelsea Lately, 30 Rock and more. 21+. See website for showtimes. $25. Irvine Spectrum Center, 527 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, 949.854.5455. irvine.improv.com
Adventure Day at Caspers Wilderness Park
Apr. 7. Celebrate a world of outdoor activities and discoveries at the return of Adventure Day at Caspers Wilderness Park. Enjoy a day of exploration with natural history tours, wildlife exhibits, musical entertainment, puppet shows, arts and crafts, games and refreshments. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Caspers Wilderness Park, 33401 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.923.2210. ocparks.com
Betsey Johnson at Macy’s South Coast Plaza
Apr. 7. Attention fashion fanatics! Come meet designer and fashion icon Betsey Johnson at Macy’s South Coast Plaza. Hosted by celebrity blogger and TV personality Micah Jesse, be one of the first guests in line to meet Betsey and have your photo taken with her. Plus, receive a complimentary tote bag and gift with your purchase of $50 or more of full-priced Betsey Johnson merchandise. To top it all off, Betsey Johnson merchandise will be given away while guests wait in line. 2-3:30 p.m. 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714.556.0611. macys.com
O.C. Camp Fair at The Market Place
Apr. 7. Plan ahead for summer and check out 40+ local camp options for tots through teens during the 9th Annual Summer Camp & Activities Fair, hosted in Edwards Courtyard at The Market Place. The fair is complete with booths, camp exhibits, live performances, giveaways, interactive experiences and much more. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. The Market Place, 13782 Jamboree Road, Irvine. shopthemarketplace.com
5 Points Plaza Pet Fair
Apr. 8. Head to 5 Points Plaza for an afternoon of fun with your four-legged best friend. 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
Charlie & Me x WTFrenchie
Apr. 8. Jump into spring at Charlie & Me with special guests, French Bulldogs Weston and Fira of the Insta-famous WTFrenchie. Stick around for a meet-and-greet with the famous pups, complimentary monogramming with purchase and a special Vanderpump Pet Pop-Up shop inside Charlie & Me. During the event you’ll enjoy Dirty Cookie treats, plus small bites and beverages for you and your four-legged friend. 1-4 p.m. Free, open to public. Lido Marina Village, 3505 Via Oporto Ste.103, Newport Beach. lidomarinavillage.com
Coastal Country Jam
Apr. 8. See country music mega stars take the stage at Huntington State Beach at this annual music festival. Along with live country music, enjoy fully stocked beach bars with a wide selection of beer, delicious barbecue, bull riding, line dancing and more. Headliners include Toby Keith, Granger Smith, Frankie Ballard, Jerrod Niemann, Jobe Fortner, Alexandria Corn and Christie Huff. All ages welcome. Noon-9 p.m. $15-$278. Pacific Coast Hwy. and Brookhurst St., Huntington Beach. coastalcountryjam.com
FOOD + DRINK
Lighthouse Bayview Café’s New Dishes
Now Available. Perched on the water’s edge in Marina Park, Lighthouse unveils its new and creative culinary creations for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu highlights include King’s Hawaiian French toast, blueberry mascarpone pancakes, lobster thermidor omelet, chili de arbor seafood pasta and more. Along with select new specialty dishes, Lighthouse will now feature more options than ever with separate lunch and dinner menus. 1600 W. Balboa Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.933.1001. lighthousenb.com
Snooze, an A.M. Eatery’s New Spring Menu Items
Now Available. Get a taste of new spring dishes and drinks at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery. Sip on three new morning cocktails and try four new breakfast/brunch plates like I Want Sum’oa Cakes, Spring Harvest Benny, Spring Has Sprung Frittata and Spring is in the “Heir” Salad. Available at all locations. snoozeeatery.com
GRAZE Craft Burgers at 4th St Market
Opens Apr. 7. Calling all foodies! There’s a new burger joint in town offering grilled-to-order, all-natural patties that features a short-rib, brisket and chuck blend. Don’t miss out on the signature burgers such as the Standard featuring gooey American cheese, house pickles, caramelized onions and house-made graze sauce. The first 50 people in line will receive a free GRAZE Standard Burger and fries. 6-10 p.m. 201 E. 4th St., Santa Ana. grazehandcraftedburgers.com
Selanne Steak Tavern’s New Sunday Brunch
Available Apr. 8. Brunch is officially in season and for the first time ever, Selanne Steak Tavern will serve brunch on Sundays. Enjoy sweet and savory dishes like pancake soufflé with Vermont maple syrup, California berries and sweet vanilla bean cream cheese; Selanne’s Benedict with Nueske’s ham, poached egg, avocado, tomato marmalade, house hollandaise and croissant; and Teemu’s brunch burger made with Kobe beef, kurobuta pork belly, fried egg and tomato jam. Other favorites include bourbon caramel pecan sticky bun; chicken and waffles; steak bacon and eggs; and more. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 1464 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.9881. selannesteaktavern.com
Andrei’s Conscious Cuisine & Cocktails Brunch and Lunch Special
Through Apr. 28. Elevate your Saturdays by brunching on the rooftop terrace at Andrei’s. Through the end of the month, receive 20 percent off all brunch and lunch dishes like the salmon breakfast toast made with thinly-sliced salmon gravlax, free-range California egg salad, cherry tomato, capers and shaved red onion on grilled sourdough, and the brunch wrap made with scrambled eggs, black beans, Kennebec potato, bell peppers, scallions, cheddar and Oaxaca cheese, salsa Quemada and avocado cream. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 2607 Main St., Irvine, 949.387.8887. andreisrestaurant.com
ARTS + CULTURE
“California Spirit” Exhibit at SALTfineart
Apr. 5-May 31. Brighten up your weekend with a trip to Laguna Beach to view the newest art exhibit California Spirit. Artists Brittney Ray Diamond and Colin Fleck combined sunshine, physics, the internet and the ocean into this collection. Opening reception 6-9 p.m.
“Love Letters to Nature”
Apr. 5-12. View an extraordinary exhibition of 29 paintings on rice paper by world-famous Chinese artist Wang Xin Yong. See how Wang showcases his insights into the nature and cultural landscapes experienced during his extensive sojourns in the United States over the last decade. Opening reception 6-9 p.m. Ning Zhou Gallery, 357 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 714.726.1763. ningzhougallery.com
Downtown Santa Ana Artwalk
Apr. 7. Take a stroll in downtown Santa Ana to visit over 25 galleries and more than 40 vendors at this monthly artwalk. Additional highlights include live performances, kids art activities, artmusement, a coloring wall at M. Lovewell, community engagement, open mic and free styling, games at Good Beer Co. and more. See website for list of galleries, vendors and performers. Center of Artwalk, 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana. dtsaartwalk.org
“Carol Neblett: A Celebration of Life”
Apr. 8. Commemorate the life and career of soprano Carol Neblett, Artist-in-Residence at the Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music. Watch live performances by her colleagues and former students as well as remembrances of Neblett and recordings of significant performances from her impressive career. 4 p.m. See website for ticket prices. Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University, One University Dr., Orange, 844.626.8726. muscocenter.org
Margaret Cho at Irvine Improve photo by Albert Sanchez. ‘ATOM WEB’ artwork by Brittney Ray Diamond. ‘at ease’ artwork by Wang Xin Yong.
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