White Truffle Menu at Andrea Ristorante
Chef Marco celebrates an exquisite delicacy from Alba, Italy, with seasonal a la carte dishes featuring white truffles, “the diamond of the kitchen.” Market price, based on availability. 22701 Pelican Hill Road S., Newport Coast, 888.507.6427. pelicanhill.com
IlluminOcean
Through Jan. 4. Catch the final days as Dana Point showcases holiday lights like you’ve never seen before—with more than one-mile of larger-than-life sea sculptures and moving light tunnels dotting the coastline, every step is sure to enchant, excite and electrify your night. Free. Su-Th 5-10 p.m.; F-Sa until 11 p.m. Parking $2/hour at Pacific Coast Highway and Dana Point Harbor Drive lot. 24650 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.923.2255. mydanapoint.com
Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin
Opens Jan. 6. Called “the greatest songwriter that has ever lived” by George Gershwin, Berlin penned songs such as “God Bless America.” “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “White Christmas.” Catch a glimpse into Berlin’s life as Hershey Felder captures the essence of the composer in this one-man show. $46-$61. Through Feb. 8. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
Kinky Boots at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Through Jan. 11. See the smash-hit musical that brings together four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein and Grammy Award-winning rock icon Cyndi Lauper. Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Charlie finds inspiration from Lola, a fabulous entertainer who is in need of some sturdy stilettos and helps him turn the factory around to save the family business $29-$109. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Leatherby’s Café Rouge
Through Jan. 11. In tandem with Kinky Boots, dine at Leatherby’s for the full theater experience as Executive Chef Ross Pangilinan captures the spirit of the music and characters with his Broadway-themed meals. These whimsical three-course meals honor and salute each cherished take by translating the magic of the performance into each dish, creating a full sensory immersion from acting to appetite. For example, his Hold Me in Your Heart dessert with Panettone bread pudding, red wine poached pear, candied orange sauce and Grand Marnier ice cream captures the epiphany that Kinky Boots character, Lola experiences on her journey of self-acceptance. $45 per person for three courses; $64 with wine pairings. 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.429.7640. patinagroup.com
Diane Reeves and Gregory Porter
Jan. 16. Four-time Grammy winner Diane Reeves and rising vocalist Gregory Porter share the stage for this special evening. The New York Times says, “grandeur with refinement: that describes the aura of Diane Reeves” and states that Porter “has most of what you would want in a male jazz singer, and maybe a thing or two you didn’t know you wanted.” $29-$89. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Tango Buenos Aires
Jan. 17-18. See the internationally acclaimed and uncompromisingly authentic tango company as it makes its third appearance at Segerstrom Center for the Arts with four performances of Song of Eva Perón. Journey through the sensational life of Argentina’s formidable First Lady with powerful and seductive music and dance. $39-$89. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Dine Newport Beach
Jan. 19-Feb. 1. Newport Beach Restaurant Week returns with deals on prix fixe menus at some of Newport’s best restaurants including Fig & Olive, 21 Oceanfront, Bayside Restaurant, Amelia’s, Bluefin, Fleming’s, Provenance, Royal Thai, Sol Cocina, The Beachcomber and more. This year, you have two full weeks of delectable dining offerings ranging from $10-$25 lunches and $20-$50 dinners. This is an excellent time to try out restaurants you have been wanting to dine at as well as return to old favorites. See website for participating restaurants. dinenb.com
Off Center Festival
Jan. 21-31. Join Segerstrom Center for the Arts for their fourth annual Off Center Festival featuring eight exciting artists and companies performing at the Center for the first time including Kristina Wong in a preview of her newest show, The Wong Street Journal where she fearlessly delves into intense social issues in accessible, moving and surprisingly hilarious ways. Check website for schedule. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Tristan & Yseult
Opens Jan. 23. British company Kneehigh’s production plays out with wild exuberance–and a touch of Tarantino. A cabaret band plays high above the stage as the classic myth about star-crossed lovers–a love triangle between warrior Tristan; his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall; and the beautiful Yseult–unfolds. Through Feb. 22. 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org