12TH ANNUAL GALA OF THE STARS
AUG. 16
Orange County’s resident ballet company, Festival Ballet Theatre, puts on this yearly event where stars from world-renowned companies dance alongside some of Southern California’s top young dancers in a two-act performance. The Festival Ballet Theatre is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-309-1280, festivalballet.org
“POEMS WITHOUT WORDS”
THROUGH AUG. 10
This collection of paintings created in the early 1900s includes impressionist works, traditional landscape paintings, and other art featuring the natural beauty of California. Artists such as Colin Campbell Cooper, Granville Redmond, Anna Hills, and Jessie Arms Botke are represented in the exhibit. The Irvine Museum Collection, 18881 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949-476-2565, irvinemuseumcollection.uci.edu
“SANTA ANA’S 150TH: YOUR PERSPECTIVE, YOUR REALITY, OUR HISTORY”
THROUGH AUG. 31
An exhibit featuring 150 historical photos commemorates the city’s anniversary by depicting its cultural and natural history throughout the years. The show also features a new mural spotlighting the people, places, and events that have shaped Santa Ana. Heritage Museum of Orange County, 3101 W. Harvard St., Santa Ana, 714-540-0404, heritagemuseumoc.org
THE B-52s with DEAD MAN’S PARTY
AUG. 1
With songs such as “Rock Lobster” and “Private Idaho,” the B-52s made a splash in the new-wave movement of the early 1980s. They became dance-floor favorites when they released “Love Shack” and “Roam” in 1989. In this stop on their summer tour, they’ll share the bill with Dead Man’s Party, the Oingo Boingo tribute band playing hits such as “Just Another Day” and “Only a Lad” for almost 20 years. Pacific Amphitheatre, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-708-1500, pacamp.com
ILIZA SHLESINGER
AUG. 1 THROUGH 3
The youngest (and only female) competitor to win “Last Comic Standing,” Shlesinger now headlines comedy festivals such as the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and sells out theaters and clubs around the world. Her latest stand-up special, “Elder Millennial,” was her fourth for Netflix, and her scripted digital series, “Forever 31,” is streaming on Hulu. Irvine Improv, 527 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949-854-5455, irvine.improv.com
SUMMER JAZZ
AUG. 2 THROUGH 30
Every Friday throughout the month, free live jazz concerts take over the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza. Hosted by KJazz radio personality Bubba Jackson, the shows feature a range of artists, from veterans such as the George Gilliam Quartet to newcomers such as the Connie Han Trio. Concertgoers can bring a picnic or choose from the offerings at George’s Café. Julianne and George Argyros Plaza, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
THIRD EYE BLIND AND JIMMY EAT WORLD
AUG. 3
The two bands will close out their Summer Gods tour with a joint concert featuring indie rockers Ra Ra Riot. Expect to hear hits such as “Jumper,” “Semi-Charmed Life,” “The Middle,” and “Pain.” FivePoint Amphitheatre, 14800 Chinon, Irvine, 949-988-6800, fivepointamphitheatre.com
SYMPHONY IN THE CITIES
AUG. 3 AND 4
The Pacific Symphony plays alfresco in Orange and Irvine over the course of one weekend, with guest artist Strauss Shi performing a violin solo in composer Pablo de Sarasate’s “Carmen” fantasy based on George Biset’s original score. Activities and opening musical acts begin at 5:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 3: Aitken Arts Plaza at Musco Center for the Arts, 1 University Drive, Orange; Aug. 4: Mike Ward Community Park Woodbridge, 20 Lake Road, Irvine; 714-755-5788, pacificsymphony.org
ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS AND BLONDIE
AUG. 4
The acclaimed singer-songwriter, along with his longtime backing band, shares the stage with the beloved post-punk group helmed by Debbie Harry on this tour. The two bands had hits on the Top 40 charts at the same time in the late 1970s and 1980s. FivePoint Amphitheatre, 14800 Chinon, Irvine, 949-988-6800, fivepointamphitheatre.com
“WEST SIDE STORY”
AUG. 6 THROUGH 10
For the fifth year, the Tustin Area Council for Fine Arts is partnering with the Chance Theater to stage a Broadway musical under the stars. This year, it’s the classic retelling of “Romeo and Juliet,” in which star-crossed lovers Maria and Tony fight to stay together despite their ties to warring street gangs in modern-day New York City. Peppertree Park, 230 W. First St., Tustin, 888-455-4212, chancetheater.com
CHORAL FESTIVAL
AUG. 11
In this annual event, up to 400 singers from Southern California chorus and choir groups get together for a free public performance. This year, the program features “Requiem” by Gabriel Fauré. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-662-2345, pacificchorale.org
“ZOOT SUIT”
AUG. 8 THROUGH 18
This production of the first Chicano play to land on Broadway marks the 40th anniversary of the show’s first performance in New York City. Based on the real-life Sleepy Lagoon murder trial and Zoot Suit Riots in 1943 Los Angeles, it follows the trial, conviction, and appeal of several gang members for the murder of a young man during a fight at a party. Shakespeare Summerfest OC, Santa Ana College, 1530 W. 17th St., Santa Ana, shakespeareoc.org
REAL STREET FESTIVAL
AUG. 10 AND 11
With two main stages and an underground stage, this hip-hop music festival presented by Real 92.3 will feature performances from Cardi B, A$AP Rocky, Future, Migos, Big Sean, Miguel, Rae Sremmurd, 2 Chainz, and more. Attendees also can head to a nail salon, barbershop, and the West Coast Customs car show, or watch street artists create murals on billboards and graffiti walls around the festival. Honda Center grounds, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714-704-2400, hondacenter.com
“STAR WARS: A NEW HOPE” IN CONCERT
AUG. 17
It’s an annual OC Fair tradition for the Pacific Symphony to play a movie score live while the film plays on a giant high-definition screen. This summer, it’s the iconic score that multiple Grammy and Academy Award winner John Williams wrote for the original “Star Wars” movie. Pacific Amphitheatre, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-708-1500, pacamp.com
PACIFIC WINE & FOOD CLASSIC
AUG. 17 AND 18
More than 75 local chefs and restaurants will be on hand for this two-day tasting bonanza at Newport Dunes, including Orange Coast’s 2019 Best New Restaurant honorees Harley Laguna Beach, Davio’s, Descanso, Terrace by Mix Mix, and Oak Grill. Between bites of summer-inspired delicacies, guests can sample wine and cocktails and dance at a silent disco on the beach. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, pacificwineandfood.com
THE VIC SKIMBOARDING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
AUG. 17 AND 18
More than 150 male and female pro skimboarders and many amateurs show up for this annual competition, the most prestigious stop on the skimboarding pro tour. Laguna Beach natives who grew up skimming locally often top the leaderboard. Aliso Beach Park, Laguna Beach, thevic.victoriaskimboards.com
CASA CINEMA: “PILLOW TALK”
AUG. 18
Rock Hudson, Doris Day, Tony Randall, and Thelma Ritter star in this 1959 Oscar-winning romantic comedy in which Jan Marrow (Day) files a complaint about Brad Allen (Hudson), a womanizer who uses their telephone party line for his conquests. Brad gets back at Jan by posing as a Texas rancher and romancing her but finds himself falling in love with her. The movie will show in the Casa Romantica courtyard, and guests are encouraged to bring blankets and low-back chairs. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949-498-2139, casaromantica.org
“AUTUMN IMPRESSIONS: PAINTING THE AMERICAN LANDSCAPE”
OPENS AUG. 18
This group exhibit made up of works created by members of the 110-year-old California Art Club focuses on the beauty of autumn through landscape paintings featuring the sights and colors of fall. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714-738-6595, themuck.org
BLINK-182 AND LIL WAYNE
AUG. 27
The seminal pop-punk band and the New Orleans-based rap artist who launched his career at the age of 8 co-headline this summer-long tour that’s making a stop in Orange County’s newest outdoor concert venue. FivePoint Amphitheatre, 14800 Chinon, Irvine, 949-988-6800, fivepointamphitheatre.com
PAGE TO STAGE PLAYWRIGHTS FESTIVAL 2019: THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
AUG. 30 THROUGH SEPT. 1
This inaugural event will feature staged readings of new, unpublished plays and discussions with the playwrights who wrote them, with an emphasis on works that celebrate the female voice. Some of the plays presented might appear as full productions at the Curtis Theatre in the future. Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, 714-990-7722, curtistheatre.com
ORANGE INTERNATIONAL STREET FAIR
AUG. 30 THROUGH SEPT. 1
Food vendors serving cuisine from around the world, arts and crafts booths, activities for kids, and music on eight stages draw visitors to this annual festival. The event has been a local favorite since 1973 when it was started to celebrate the city’s centennial. Old Towne Orange, orangestreetfair.org
THERE’S MORE!
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