From captivating international films to refreshed eateries and menus, check out the top Orange County weekend events for January 25-28.
Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.
EVENTS
Jan. 24-26. Don’t miss the 5th annual BashFest as players from Korn, Guns and Roses, Alice Cooper, Loudness and more pay tribute to their heroes for three legendary celebrations each night. W, Th, F 8 p.m. See website for ticket prices and performance lineup. The Yost, 307 N. Spurgeon St., Santa Ana, 310.849.3444. bashfest.us
Jan. 25-31. Watch over 100 films from around the world compete at the annual week-long Irvine Film Festival (IIFF). Ranging from Oscar Award-winning directors to professors at film academies, 11 judges will evaluate the films and choose the best for each of the 18 film categories. See website for lineup and schedule. $10 GA; $30 one-day pass; $200 7-day pass. Starlight Triangle Square Cinemas, 1870 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, 949.800.6163. irvinefilmfest.wixsite.com
Jan. 27. Don your best mask and get ready for an evening of entertainment, fine food, drinks and fundraising. Look forward to a plated dinner created by 24 Carrots—Orange County’s premier catering service, a hosted full open bar, plus silent and live auction items that include a trip for two to Mardi Gras in New Orleans on February 13. 5:30-11 p.m. $300 per person. Yost Theater, 307 N. Spurgeon St., Santa Ana, 949.809.8760. radianthealthcenters.org
Jan. 27-Apr. 28. Bring your little ones to a creative adventure on the water with marine muralist Wyland. Event highlights include an onboard art lesson by Wyland via video feed, a two-hour whale and dolphin watching adventure and a special work of art by Wyland himself as a grand prize valued at over $2900. Every Saturday. 9 a.m. art lesson, 10 a.m.-noon whale watching. $5 ages 3-12. 888.224.0603. danawharf.com
FOOD + DRINK
Now Open. Under the direction of celebrated Patina Restaurant Group chef and founder Joachim Splichal and executive chef Greg Stillman, the newly re-imagined menu at Leatherby’s Café Rouge celebrates steakhouse classics with a modern twist. New interior design features include a bar-lounge, main dining room and private dining room. On the food front, expect a wide selection of decadent starters, fresh salads and premium cuts of meat and seafood. Highlights include toast with chilled lobster, warm brioche toast, crème fraiche and lemon; baby beets with pickled mustard seeds, goat cheese and dill; and foie gras torchon with quince relish and Minus8 vinegar. Tu-Sa 5-7:30 p.m., Su 4-7 p.m. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.429.7640. patinagroup.com/leatherbys-cafe-rouge
Now Available. Imbibers can cure their Seasonal Affective Disorder with these new Amsterdam-inspired libations. Cocktail highlights include Tom’s Glühwein (red wine, star of anise, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger root, demerara sugar, orange, grapefruit), Cold Dutch Winter (genever, cherry heering, dutch vermouth, angostura) and Dutch Apple Fiz (genever, lime juice, lemon juice, cream, apple infused syrup, apple bitters, apple soda), among others. Tu-Sa 5 p.m.-you never know. 18000 Von Karman Ave., Irvine. ynk-irvine.com
Jan. 25. Whisky lovers certainly will not get away from this experience “scotch” free. Guests will get a taste of premium Macallan whiskies, specifically 10-, 12-, 15- and 18-year-old aged selections, plus Rare Cask Scotch—all neatly paired with an exquisite chef-designed menu. 6-9 p.m. $125, excluding tax & gratuity. Oak Grill, 690 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. oakgrillnb.com
Opening Jan. 27. Calling all coconut fanatics! All Coco, a rapidly growing desserts shop concept from Thailand, is slated to open its first U.S. location at Union Market Tustin this weekend. Try an abundance of coconut-centric treats—like lemon coconut, charcoal coconut and blueberry coconut— as well as coconut water slushies, coconut soft-serve and frozen pudding mixed with young coconut flesh. From noon to 2 p.m., All Coco will give away free desserts to the first 100 guests and also give 10 lucky winners the chance to win free ice cream or soft serve for the entire year. Noon. Union Market at The District, 2493 Park Ave., Tustin. allcoco.com
ARTS + CULTURE
Jan. 26-27. Game show host of six-time Emmy award-winning Cash Cab and stand-up comedian Ben Bailey tours to Irvine for two nights. F 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., Sa 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. $22. Irvine Improv, 527 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, 949.854.5455. irvine.improv.com
Through Jan. 28. Don’t miss your last chance to see Mother Earth: Art by Robert Refugio in the Carnegie building at Muzeo. Local artist and commercial graphic designer Robert Refugio brings a mixed media collection that takes a dreamy yet critical look at our planet’s ability to rebuild itself. W-Su 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Muzeo Museum and Cultural Center, 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714.956.8936. muzeo.org
BashFest 2018 photo by Jerry Averill. Leatherby’s Café Rouge photo by Todd Porter. YNK’s All-New Amsterdam-Inspired Menu photo provided by White Oak Communications. All Coco at Union Market Tustin photo provided by FWD PR. ‘Mother Earth: Art by Robert Refugio’ Exhibit photo from Robert Refugio’s Twitter account.
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