ST. PATRICK’S DAY
St. Patty’s Bash
March 15-17. Join the House of Blues Anaheim for three days of sham-rock! Sample local brews on Mar. 15, while listening to local grooves featuring Hoist the Colors. On Mar. 16, Humble Hooligans take the stage with their special twist on Irish music and on Mar. 17, DJ Matty McHill spins tunes loud enough for the leprechauns to rock on! Guests can enjoy food and drink specials all day long as well as a festive beer garden. 1530 S. Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, 714.520.2334. houseofblues.com
St. Paddy’s Day Smash
March 17. How many Irish pubs have a large sycamore tree growing in the middle of the restaurant? Probably not many, but it’s a feature that makes Muldoon’s in Newport Beach so special! Muldoon’s starts the celebration early—doors open at 9 am—for a full schedule of Celtic rock, festive jigs and traditional Irish drinks and food. Grab your friends, head to Muldoon’s and raise a pint to St. Patrick! 202 Newport Center Drive, Newport beach, 949.640.4110. muldoonspub.com
St. Patrick’s Day Bash
March 17. Savannah Chop House celebrates St. Patrick’s day with Irish-inspired dishes, lots of beer and signature St. Patty’s Day cocktails: Lucky Leprechaun, Pot of Gold, Shot of Luck and Irish Kiss. During Savannah Chop House’s March Madness Golden Giveaway (Mar. 15-31), each guest receives a green envelope to be opened by your server on your next visit. The “Luck of the Irish” won’t keep if you peek! Golden prizes within the envelopes are worth 10%-50% off your next dinner at Savannah Chop House. 32441 Golden Lantern, Laguna Niguel, 949.493.7107. savanahchophouse.net
St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
March 17. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the N’awlins way at Ralph Brennan Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney with overflowing “green” Jazz Kitchen Ale and green Jell-O shots. Executive Chef Darrin Finkel offers corned beef and cabbage in the dining room and corned beef and cabbage slaw po’boys in the Jazz Kitchen Express. Share the luck of the Irish with Kenny Sara and the Sounds of New Orleans in the Flambeau Room while sipping an Irish coffee. Don’t forget to wear green! 1590 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, 714.776.5200. rbjazzkitchen.com
St. Patrick’s Day at the Counter
Through March 31. The Counter Custom Built Burgers is going green to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Indulge in your favorite St. Patty’s day fixings all piled high on one delicious new sandwich—the Guinness braised corned beef Reuben. This inspired sandwich features thick slices of corned beef topped with horseradish cheddar, pickles, tomatoes, pastrami bacon and braised cabbage served on rye bread. Complete the meal with the green Drink Me, I’m Irish Shake blended with vanilla ice cream, peppermint patties, chocolate chips, Monin peppermint and Irish cream syrup. Can it be St. Patrick’s Day all year round, please? 6416 Irvine Blvd., Irvine, 949.336.7272; 1104 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach, 949.642.0700. thecounterburger.com
St. Patrick’s Day at Clancy’s Clubhouse
March 16-18. Clancy’s Clubhouse invites guests to celebrate St. Patrick’s day with Irish inspired dishes including corned beef and cabbage, traditional Reubens and corned beef tacos all weekend long! Of course, St. Patrick’s Day isn’t complete without green beer! On Mar. 17, the beer at Clancy’s flows as green as a lucky Irish shamrock! 2191 S. Harbor Blvd., 714.750.7500. clancysclubhouse.com
St. Patrick’s Day Festival
March 17. Enjoy a sampling of traditional Irish favorites and a few surprises at Orange County Market Place’s 6th annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival. Festival entertainment includes more than 100 world class Irish dancers from three Orange County academies performing a variety of jigs and reels in traditional costumes, electric cellist Marston Smith offering Celtic favorites on his unique instrument and magic and comedy from Abbit the Average Leprechaun. Get in the holiday spirit with green beer, green mint ice cream and green lemonade along with a creative twist on traditional Irish fare such as corned beef and cabbage tacos from gourmet food trucks. 88 Fair Drive., Costa Mesa, 949.723.6660. ocmarketplace.com
EVENTS
North Orange County Heritage Festival
March 15. Learn about the rich history of the northern county communities at the inaugural North Orange County Heritage Festival. Booths featuring information on historic homes, OC museums and parks and genealogical associations will delight history buffs of all ages and provide a clear idea of the local history resources available in the community. Entertainment features dances and music from Orange County’s rancho past, food vendors, kid’s activities and tours of the Muckenthaler. 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714.738.6595. themuck.org
WonderCon 2012
March 16-18. WonderCon brings its comics and pop culture enthusiasm to the Anaheim Convention Center for the first time! The Exhibit Hall features comics and items from the many worlds of the popular arts as well as movie and television panels, anime, autographs and games. Don’t miss Joshua Jackson and Blair Brown along with their co-stars and executive producers in a Q&A session for the popular Fox sci-fi series Fringe. The panel discusses the show’s two universes, two timelines, shapeshifters, doppelgangers and villains as well as what’s to come in the storyline’s future! 800 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 619.491.2475. comic-con.org
Return of the Swallows Celebration
March 19. Every year like clockwork, the fabled swallows of Capistrano return to the storied mission on St. Joseph’s Day, Mar. 19. The swallows, who migrate to Goya, Argentina in October, have made San Juan Capistrano their spring and summer home for centuries. Festivities include the ringing of the historic bells in honor of St. Joseph’s Day and the swallows’ return as well as live mariachi music, community presentations and live performances from Mission Parish School and San Juan Elementary. Dr. Charles R. Brown, renowned cliff swallows expert, has prepared a fascinating lecture on the swallows and their mysterious and timely return for attendees. 26801 Ortega Hwy., San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300. missionsjc.com
MUSIC
Casablanca
March 15-17. Enjoy this film classic like never before as the Pacific Symphony performs the soundtrack to the cinematic masterpiece. Max Steiner’s glorious score, played by the gifted musicians of the Pacific Symphony, is a heavenly background for those famous lines, “We’ll always have Paris,” and “Here’s looking at you, kid.” 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
The Fenians
March 17. Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with the raucous Irish rock band The Fenians. With strong roots in Orange County, The Fenians return home to perform their potent mix of traditional Irish folk and rock’n roll at the City National Grove of Anaheim. Since 1990, The Fenians have garnered an impressive list of accomplishments and honors, including two Orange County Music Awards, while touring around the United States and Ireland. 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.712.2700. citynationalgroveofanaheim.com
DINING
March Madness at Islands
March 17-18. For many, March Madness means eating, drinking and sleeping basketball! Make sure to sneak some sustenance in to your diet with Islands’ $10 burger and beer special during NCAA basketball playoff and championship games. Fans can watch the game and order any burger paired with their favorite hand-crafted beer for only $10 in the bar Mar. 17-18, 24-25, 31 and Apr. 2. 1380 Bison Ave., Newport Beach, 949.219.0445. islandsrestaurants.com
ART
Inner Visions: Women Artists of California
March 17-June 7. The Irvine Museum’s newest exhibit features works by women working in California in three major periods: the Tonalist style of the late 1800s; the Impressionist period of the early 1900s and the Regionalist style of the 1930s and ‘40s. At the turn of the 20th century, California was home to more working women artists than any other region in the country. Inner Visions features works by Jessie Arms Botke, Meta Creesey and Anna Hills among others. 18881 Von Karman Ave., Suite 100, Irvine, 949.476.0294. irvineuseum.org
THEATER
Sister’s Easter Catechism
Through Apr. 8. The Catholic Church’s most hilarious nun answers age old questions of the Easter season like “Why isn’t Easter on the same day every year like Christmas?” and, “Will my bunny go to Heaven?” Part pageant and part wHOLY hysterical, this latest of the sinfully funny Late Nite Catechism series unearths the origins of Easter bunnies, eggs, baskets, bonnets and of course, Peeps! 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
Sight Unseen
Through Apr. 1. This OBIE award-winning play follows Jonathan Waxman, the art scene’s new golden boy, who has a waiting list to buy paintings he has yet to paint. As the pressure mounts upon Waxman, he realizes something is missing and flees the country to find the woman who first held his heart, inspired his work and made him an artist in the first place. 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5500. scr.org