From breathtaking acrobatic performances to a floral watercolor workshop, check out the top Orange County weekend events for February 22-25.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Cirque du Soleil’s ‘LUZIA’
Feb. 21-Mar. 25. LUZIA takes attendees to an imaginary Mexico, like in a waking dream, where light (“luz” in Spanish) quenches the spirit and rain (“lluvia”) soothes the soul. With a surrealistic series of grand visual surprises and breathtaking acrobatic performances, LUZIA cleverly brings to the stage the places, faces and sounds of Mexico. See website for showtimes. $50-$495. OC Fair & Event Center, Lot G, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa. cirquedusoleil.com
Eddie Izzard: ‘Believe Me’ Tour
Feb. 22. Comedian, actor, author and activist Eddie Izzard makes his Segerstrom Center debut as part of his “Believe Me” tour. Arguably one of today’s top comedians, Izzard’s funny and emotional show has all of the intelligent humor and ridiculous intrigue that fans expect from an Eddie Izzard performance. 7:30 p.m. $39+. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
41st Annual Orange County Home & Garden Show
Feb. 23-25. Find everything for home and garden projects at this annual event in Orange County. Don’t miss the Great Landscape Competition with the best of OC professionals competing for over $5,000 in cash prizes, plus a “People’s Choice Award” for this competition. Free prize drawings and DIY workshops will take place hourly. F noon-8 p.m.; Sa 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $6 GA; $4 seniors and military; $8 parking. 714.708.1500. ocfair.com
14th Annual Jazz Festival
Feb. 24. Jazz up your day at the annual music festival hosted by Vanguard University’s music department. The fest encourages music aficionados throughout the community to grow through hands-on training, performances and collaboration with local jazz professionals. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. $10 per person, $100 group registration. Newport Mesa Church, 2599 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa, 714.619.6410. vanguard.edu
Life Time Laguna Niguel’s Annual Daddy Daughter Dance
Feb. 24-25. Calling all fathers and daughters! Whisk your little girl away for a special night featuring a whimsical “enchanted forest” theme. The event will include music, dinner for two, crafts and a night full of dancing. 6-8 p.m. $40 per pair for members; each additional child is an extra $10. Life Time Laguna Niguel, 25600 Rancho Niguel Road, 949.238.2719. lifetime.life
Floral Watercolor with Jenna Rainey of Mon Voir
Feb. 25. With spring just around the corner, Jenna Rainey’s floral watercolor workshop is the perfect way to jump into the new season. Beginners will learn basic brushstroke techniques, color theory and shapes, plus step-by-step instructions on a few different modern, loose florals. First session 10 a.m.-1 p.m., second session 2:30-5:30 p.m. $150. 305 E. 4th St. Unit 103, 657.245.3553. mlovewell.com
The Gray Event – An Evening to Benefit Save Elephant Foundation
Feb. 25. Join the Save Elephant Foundation for an evening dedicated to protecting these friendly giants. Enjoy a reception featuring music, dance, drinks, appetizers, a silent auction, photo ops and an opportunity to “Adopt an Elephant.” Following the reception is dinner and a cooking demonstration by chefs Pascal Olhats and Cathy Thomas, plus a presentation on the foundation. Event attire is “resort casual”. Reception 4:30 p.m., dinner 6 p.m. Café Jardin Restaurant at Sherman Library & Gardens, 2647 East Coast Hwy., Corona del Mar, 949.673.0034. thegrayevent.org
FOOD + DRINK
Albatross Ridge Wine Dinner
Upcoming | Feb. 27. Indulge in a culinary-meets-cork dining experience with CUCINA enoteca Irvine and Albatross Ridge Winery. The evening will feature five decadent courses from chef de cuisine Tony Trujillo, paired with five distinguished wines from winemaker Garrett Bowlus. Menu highlights include grilled swordfish belly, mozzarella di bufala, potato gnocchi and more. 6:30 p.m. $70 (excludes service fee and tax). CUCINA enoteca Irvine, 532 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, 949.861.2222. urbankitchengroup.com
STYLE + BEAUTY
DYNAMIKOS Launch Party
Feb. 24. Celebrate the official launch party of Orange County’s newest luxury eye-wear brand DYNAMIKOS. Expect decadent cocktails, appetizers, a photo booth and more. 5-9 p.m. Free, RSVP required. DYNAMIKOS Headquarters, 2967 Randolph Ave., Suite B, Costa Mesa. RSVP
ARTS + CULTURE
‘The Graduate’
Feb. 21-Mar. 18. Based on the novel and the iconic 1967 film, Golden Globe winner and Academy Award nominee Melanie Griffith stars in The Graduate. Terry Johnson’s stage adaptation is a bitterly hilarious dark comedy, full of rapid-fire dialogue between fascinating characters boldly celebrating a May-December romance in 1960s California. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
‘Harmony of Light: Spring in California’
Feb. 22-June 21. The Harmony of Light: Spring in California exhibit is comprised of paintings by California Impressionists that show the flowering season from nearly a century ago. The exhibition features some of California’s most distinctive landscape painters such as William H. Clapp, Paul de Longpré, Maurice Braun, John Frost and Millard Sheets. Tu-Sa 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. The Irvine Museum Collection at the University of California, Irvine, 18881 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.476.2565. irvinemuseumcollection.uci.edu
Dublin Irish Dance ‘Stepping Out’
Feb. 24. Step into this high-energy production with Dublin Irish Dance for an evening of dance and song. World champion Irish step-dancers, an eight member traditional Irish band and a vocalist take the audience on a journey through the history of the Celtic cultural experience. Sa 7:30 p.m. $29+. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
‘Ronald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach’
Through Mar. 11. Based on Ronald Dahl’s beloved book and featuring music by the Tony and Academy Award-winning songwriting team behind Dear Evan Hansen, Dogfight and La La Land, this family musical takes you on a voyage across the ocean … in a giant peach. See website for showtimes and prices. Chance Theater @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 888.455.4212. chancetheater.com
Eddie Izzard: ‘Believe Me’ Tour photo by Andy Hollingworth. ‘Harmony of Light: Spring in California’ artwork by William Clapp. ‘Ronald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach’ photo by Chance Theater.
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