Marilyn Minter: Pretty/Dirty
April 2. See featured exhibit Marilyn Minter: Pretty/Dirty at the Orange County Museum of Art. The exhibit includes 25 paintings (made between 1976 and 2013) plus video works and photographs that depict our culture’s complex and contradictory emotions around the feminine body and beauty. From oversized paintings of makeup-laden lips and eyes to soiled designer shoes, the artwork maintains critical focus on the power of desire. M-Tu closed, W-Su 11 a.m.-5 p.m., F 11 a.m.-8 p.m. $10-$12, children under 12 free; Friday’s free. 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach, 949.759.1122. ocma.net
Night Nation Run
April 2. Dance along an illuminated 5k course featuring live music from various electronic music DJs. Celebrate completing the course at an after party on the main stage. General registration includes a Night Nation T-shirt, a race bib, a glow necklace, free giveaways and admission to the after party. 5-10 p.m. $60, children 8 and younger free. Parking $8. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.1500. nightnationrun.com
Angels Opening Day
April 4-5. For the team’s first home stand, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim go up against the Chicago Cubs. Angel Stadium, 2000 E. Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, 714.940.2000. losangeles.angels.mlb.com
Kod Street Dance World Cup Finals
April 8. Dance along to the beats as teams from eight different countries including USA, China, Korea, Japan, Russia, France, Canada and Germany will be battling it out for a grand prized of $100,000. Dance styles include hip hop, breakin’ and poppin’ and lockin’. 7 p.m. $20-$50. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.778.2583. wkoda.com
Zombie in Love: The Musical
April 8-17. Based on the picture book Zombie in Love, Mortimer, a teen zombie, is looking for a girl to take to the Cupid’s Ball. Mildred, another teen zombie, also wants to find a date for the ball. Mort takes out an advertisement: “tall, dead and handsome seeks…somebody… to meet me at the punchbowl at midnight”. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.org
Office Hour
April 10-May 1. A troubled student sits in the back of the classroom, wearing dark glasses, a baseball cap pulled down low…never speaking. His creative writing assignments are violent, twisted—and artless. He scares the other students and the teachers. He uses his writing to vent and provoke. Gina is the only teacher willing to get close—at her own risk. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
Heitz Cellars Wine Dinner
April 12. Join 21 Oceanfront for a wine dinner hosted by Heitz Cellars. Complete with an amuse bouche, first and second course, intermezzo, main course and dessert—the evening will feature delights such as braised beef short ribs with lemon gnocchi paired with Ink Grade Zinfandel from Napa Valley 2012. See website for full menu and pairings. 6:30 p.m. $110. 21 Oceanfront, 2100 West Oceanfront, Newport Beach, 949.673.2100. 21oceanfront.com
Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach
Apr. 15-17. Watch a seven-rave lineup headlined by the IndyCar Series with stars like Scott Dixon, Will Power, Helio Castroneves, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti and Juan Pablo Montoya behind the wheel. Packed with activities, families will enjoy a family fun zone with rock climbing walls, games, racing simulators and more while concert goers will love rocking out with Cheap Trick on Saturday night at the Rock-N-Roar concert. See website for schedule of events. $30-$135. 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, 562.981.2600. gplb.com
Imaginology
April 15-17. Ignite young minds with a series of competitions, workshops and activities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and math (S.T.E.A.M.). The event will feature entertainment, exhibitors, vendors, contests and more. Activities range from fine art drawing workshops and scarecrow design contests, to the 4th Annual OC Fair Student Film Festival and jewelry and fashion design activities. Imaginology welcomes Orange County students (pre-kindergarten to high school) and their families. F 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sa-Su 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa mesa, 714.708.1500. ocfair.com
Alan Jackson’s Keepin’ It Country Tour
April 16. See Alan Jackson perform songs that have gained him legions of longtime fans as well as music from his latest album Angels and Alcohol. Hear debut hits such as “Here in The Real World” and “Gone Country” and party anthems like “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere” and “Good Time.” Lauren Alaina, former American Idol contestant, will be performing as a special guest. 7:30 p.m. $39.95-$149.95. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.778.2583. hondacenter.com
Local Brews, Local Grooves
April 17. Experience some of Southern California’s finest breweries, hottest bands and tastiest foods at the ultimate craft beer, food and music festival. House of Blues Anaheim will be featuring 15 breweries such as Left Coast and Ballast Point and 15 bands like Big Monsta and Moonlight Graham, complete with three different stages. Enjoy tasty eats available throughout the venue. Check out the full list of breweries and performers online. VIP 11 a.m.; General Admission 12 p.m. General Admission $12-$27. VIP (includes admission for 2) $60. 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella
April 19-May 1. Be transported back to your childhood as you rediscover the classic tale of Cinderella. The new Tony Award-winning take on the beloved tale features an orchestra, dynamic transformations and all the moments you love—the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the masked ball and more—plus some surprising new twists. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Newport Beach Film Festival
Apr. 21-28. Movie buffs have the opportunity to watch some 350 feature films, shorts, documentaries and animation plus sessions with directors and screenwriters. Attend the Opening Night Gala with a live performance and a taste of Newport Beach with light bites from some the area’s top restaurants. See website for schedule. 949.253.2880. newportbeachfilmfest.com
Full Moon Dinner Cruise
April 22. Come aboard Hornblower’s signature three-hour dinner cruise. The evening on the water includes a welcome glass of champagne, four-course dinner and dancing accompanied by the light of the full moon. See website for boarding times. Tickets start at $86.95. 2431 W. Coast Hwy., Suite #101, Newport Beach, 949.631.2469. hornblower.com
Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race
Apr. 22-24. Watch the exciting start of boats from around the world set sail from the Balboa Pier in Newport Beach to Ensenada, Mexico on Friday, April 22 at 11 a.m. with the last boat passing by at approximately 1:30 p.m. at this world-famous 125-mile overnight race. 1 Balboa Pier, Newport Beach, 949.644.1023. newporttoensenada.com
The Box Brothers
April 23-24. See an energetic, acrobatic and funny musical performance featuring four percussionists of Percossa. Percossa combines Japanese percussion, African rhythms, various musical styles, dance and humor into a rhythmic dance party. The four boxes are not only used to represent different objects and locations throughout the show, but also as percussion instruments. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Taste of Huntington Beach
April 24. Sample favorite local restaurants in Huntington Beach, paired with the finest wines in California and unlimited sips from local breweries. Enjoy live entertainment and dancing. 12-4 p.m., VIP Reception 11 a.m.-12 p.m. $60-$90. Sports Complex, 18100 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach. tastehb.com
Future Thinking
Through April 24. Chiara, a spoiled starlet, has a middle-aged, obsessed stalker fan, Peter. It’s Comic Con time, and Peter’s back—in spite of a restraining order—with visions of a dream world where he and Chiara will live happily forever. All Chiara wants is for her stage mom and her bodyguard to get lost—preferably, together. Everyone has a fantasy, and soon they’ll collide with each other—and reality. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
Sex and Education
April 27-May 22. A high school basketball star’s college scholarship is suddenly in jeopardy when his poorly written, sexually charged note to his girlfriend is intercepted during a final exam. Miss Edwards, his high school English teacher uses the note to teach Joe a lesson on life, love and the power of words. Explicit language. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.org
OC Marathon
April 29-May 1. Tour through Newport Beach, Santa Ana and Costa Mesa with a full or half marathon. Bring the kids for the Kids Run, or for less experienced runners, opt for Wahoo’s 5k. Registration includes access to the Health & Fitness Expo. Registration fees and race times vary, see website for details. Parking F-Sa $8, Su $10. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 949.222.0456. ocmarathon.com