Flashdance
May 7-19. What a feeling! Re-live the movie all over again with this inspiring story of a working-class girl who dreams of becoming a professional dancer. She works by day as a steel mill welder and a bar dancer at night while aspiring to be accepted at a prestigious ballet academy. $20-$82.50. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Taste of Anaheim
May 9. Enjoy food, drinks, music and fun in Anaheim at the 18th annual event. Participating restaurants include American Tavern Eatery & Drink, Slater’s 50/50 Burgers By Design, The Catch, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, House of Blues, Mamounia Restaurant, The Ranch Restaurant and Saloon, The Melting Pot and many more. 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m. $35-45, under 5 free. Free parking. The Shops at Anaheim GardenWalk, 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.758.0222. tasteofanaheim365.com
Circus Vargas
May 9-13. Circus Vargas debuts the magical edition of their long-running The Big One is Back! Tour, Magikaria. Under the iconic, big-top tent, singing ringmaster Kevin Vernardos kicks off Circus Vargas’ newest and most exciting spectacular to date, amazing audiences with elaborate illusions, death-defying daredevilry and unbelievable feats of acrobatic and aerial artistry. If you arrive 30 minutes prior to show time, you can experience an interactive pre-show activity that lets kids become the stars of the show. $20-$55; under one year are free. Westminster Mall, 1025 Westminster Mall, Westminster, 877.468.3861. circusvargas.com
The Fantasticks
May 10-June 9. Partake in a carnival midway of magic, mischief and theatrical thrills! Director Amanda Dehnert, celebrated throughout the American theatre for re-imagining classics, has added a multitude of visual delights and fantastical illusions to the original charm and beautiful ballads of The Fantasticks. When two scheming fathers conspire with the mysterious El Gallo to keep their daughter and son apart, the dewy-eyed lovers venture into the real world. But as fantasy turns into reality, El Gallo is there to remind them that “without the hurt, the heart is hollow” in one of the most popular musicals of all time. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. src.org
Ballet BC
May 11. Don’t miss the opportunity to see the exclusive California engagement of Ballet BC in its U.S. debut tour. The company’s 16 dancers boast exceptional classical and contemporary training and practically leap off the stage with striking individuality and passionate commitment. Under the electrifying leadership of its new director, this Canadian company is making big news for its bold style and innovative repertoire. Dance Magazine says this is the company to watch. $16-$43. 8 p.m. Irivne Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org.
Mother’s Day
May 12. There’s no shortage of places to treat Mom to a special meal. Check out our full Mother’s Day guide.
Ira Svobodová: White Space
Through May 30.
Exhibiting in the United States for the first time, CES Contemporary introduces a new body of work from twenty-seven year old Czech painter Ira Svobodová. The show is a collection of a recently completed series of ideological interior spaces. In her paintings and occasional sculptures she prefers an impressive abstract conception in which she plays with principles of geometry, constructivism and spatial and light effects. Her great source of inspiration is the realm of avant-garde architecture, which has been close to her heart from childhood. She paints modernist compositions of pure color tones, whether they are vivid or monochromatic. Tu-F 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sa 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. CES Contemporary, 480 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.547.1716. cescontemporary.com
The Rolling Stones
May 15 & 18. Their “50 and Counting” tour continues the exhilarating celebration of the band’s first 50 years—decades of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood bringing their iconic music and ground-breaking stage show to audiences around the globe. 8 p.m. $150-$600. Honda Center, E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 800.745.3000. hondacenter.com
Cakebread Wine Dinner at Pelican Grill
May 14. Sip and savor six distinctive wines by Cakebread Cellars to complement a rustic five-course menu by Chef Derek Brooks, including seared Mano de Leon scallops, bing cherry cornbread-stuffed quail and blackberry-spiced braised bison short ribs. $189 per adult, excluding tax and gratuity. 6 p.m.-9 p.m. 22701 S. Pelican Hill Road, Newport Coast, 949.467.6800. pelicanhill.com
Hats Off to Dr. Seuss
May 17-June 2. Take advantage of a rare opportunity to view Dr. Seuss’s never-before-seen hat collection in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s second book, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. An opening reception with the curator will be held on May 18 from 6-9 p.m. and this exhibition will feature Dr. Seuss’s little-known Secret Art Collection, a series of estate authorized works adapted from Ted Geisel’s original drawings, paintings and sculpture which will be available for acquisition. This is an exciting exhibition as this is the first time any of these hats have traveled outside the Seuss estate. Fingerhut Gallery of Laguna Beach, 210 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach, 949.376.6410. fingerhutart.com
Foodies and Fashionistas
May 18. Eat, drink and be fabulous where fashion collides with food! Enjoy sips and tastes by The Winery Restaurant and Wine Bar, Bluewater Grill Seafood Restaurant, Luna Rossa Ristorante, RA Sushi, Pinkberry, Juice It Up and more while you feast your eyes on fashion by Madison Bleu, Denim Lab and Tazga at this pre-Golden Foodie event. 21 and over, $50. 4-7 p.m. The District at Tustin Legacy, 2347 Park Ave., Tustin. foodiesandfashionistas.com
OC Antique Market
May 18. Check out vintage décor, mid century modern furniture and antiques for your home at Southern California’s newest antique show and flea market with over 75 antique vendors and receive entry to the entire Orange County Market Place with nearly 1000 vendors. Onsite appraisers ready to assess an antique for you and live music by Jim Rice. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. $2, under 12 free. Free parking. OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. ocantiquemarket.com
Doheny Blues Festival
May 18-19. Attendees enjoy this inviting festival layout, highlighted by three stages of alternating music, including live blues, rock and R&B, an international food court, an eclectic vendor village with 50+ unique booths, microbrew tasting and a Kidz EcoFest with educational exhibits for the younger music fans. Lineup includes Ben Harper and Charlie Musselwhite, George Thorogood and The Destroyers, Tedeschi Trucks Band and more. Meet performers at the music store. $60-$110. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. 25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.360.7800. dohenybluesfestival.com
The 19th Annual Balboa Island Artwalk
May 19. Enjoy beautiful art and live music in a spectacular waterfront setting at the premier showcase for talented local artists exhibiting paintings, fine jewelry, blown glass, sculpture and photography. Attendees will also enjoy live music on four stages. Performing musicians include the Retros, Don Ross Duo, Garry Gould, Rick Sherman and Alan Remington, Jim Roberts and Grant Peakcock. Along the South Bayfront Promenade of Balboa Island. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Balboaislandartwalk.com
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
May 24-27. One of the largest and oldest community festivals in the world. Parade, contests, carnival rides, game booths, strawberry cake-cutting ceremony and more. F 1-10 p.m., M until 9 p.m. Free. Rides $1. Village Green between Main and Euclid streets, Garden Grove, 714.638.0981. strawberryfestival.com
Fleetwood Mac
May 28. After a three-year break, one of rock’s most enduring, beloved and successful bands makes a stop at Honda Center. This new tour marks the 35th anniversary of the release of their classic Rumours album, one of the most successful albums in recorded history with sales exceeding 40 million copies. The current lineup includes Mick Fleetwood and John McVie—both original members since 1967, Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks who joined the band in 1975. 8 p.m. $55-$149. E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 800.745.3000. hondacenter.com
Master Mixology Lesson with Patron
May 29. Experience the art of cocktails with a Master Mixology Lesson from Patron, the number one ultra-premium tequila in the world, at the chic restyled Lobby Lounge at The St. Regis Monarch beach. The Patron mixology class includes the hand-crafted cocktail lesson, an opportunity for guests to mingle and ask questions, as well as live music, two delicious cocktails, light bites from Michael Mina’s Stonehill Tavern and giveaways from Patron. Reservations required. $25. 6:30-8:30 p.m. One Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.3200. stregismb.com
Out of Order
Through June 30.
Be transported into the physics-defying vision of Mexican artist Aníbal Catalan as the artist is known for his ability to create work informed by the space in which it lives—taking away the inherent order of a particular space and replacing it with a kind of geometric alchemy. Each installation by the artist is an on-sight improvisation, as Catalan arrives with the tools and materials needed to complete the work, the remaining process becoming an organic expression of artist reacting to environment. The result is a series of structures, reminiscent of satellites in space, possessing tremendous integrity and yet seemingly bucking against the laws of nature. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Salt Fine Art, 1492 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.5554. saltfineart.com
The Pianist of Willesden Lane
Opening May 29. Adapted and directed by audience favorite Hershey Felder and based on the book The Children of Willesden Lane by Mona Golabeck and Lee Cohen, this music-filled evening recounts the personal story of award-winning concert pianist Mona Golabek’s mother in Nazi-occupied Europe. With the issuing of new ordinances under Nazi regime, everything changes for the young Jewish pianist who is dreaming about her concert debut except her love of music and the pursuit of her dream. Featuring some of the world’s most beloved piano music played live, The Pianist of Willesden Lane is performer Mona Golabek’s true family story, chronicling hope, survival and how through our darkest times, music has the power to help us survive. $40-$70. Laguna Playhouse, 6060 Laguna Cyn., Laguna Beach, 949.487.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com