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You’ll feel inspired at the future home of UCI’s Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art.
Situated near the intersection of Jamboree Road and Campus Drive in Irvine, the new museum will feature striking indoor and outdoor spaces that blend Langson IMCA’s art holdings with wellness programs tied to the nearby UCI Health–Irvine medical complex, innovative art research and tranquil views of the San Joaquin Marsh Reserve.
Anchored by The Irvine Museum Collection of impressionist art and The Buck Collection of modern and contemporary California art, Langson IMCA will draw renowned scholars, artists and researchers to its doorstep, as well as art lovers from Southern California and beyond. The new site will be designed as a multifaceted place for reflection, respite, learning and gathering.
Langson IMCA is already an exciting community resource, partnering with numerous Orange County schools and presenting an array of exhibitions and programs at the museum’s interim location – 18881 Von Karman Ave. in Irvine – and various pop-up sites.
With its growing trove of artwork and connections to UCI’s rigorous academics, Langson IMCA promises to inspire newfound appreciation of art, culture, wellness and sustainability. The university expects to hire a design architect for the museum in mid-2023 and break ground in late 2024 or early 2025.
Community support is vital to this exciting project. Discover how you can take part in this exciting new chapter of local art history.
Learn more at m.uci.edu/IMCA
Masterpieces of California art. Sweeping views of nature. Innovative art research. All will come together when the Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art opens on the University of California, Irvine’s North Campus property, near the future UCI Health–Irvine medical complex. Completion of the arts facility — the only museum of California art integrated with a large research university — is a few years away, but the vision for this world-class showcase is already taking shape, thanks to a generous gift from the Langsons, dedicated trustees of the UCI Foundation.
Together, we’re creating a brilliant future for generations to come. Join us at m.uci.edu/IMCA
Rendering of sample Langson IMCA gallery for its new museum. Shimahara Visual for UCI.
The new dean of UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts has spent her life ba ling to build pathways for herself and future students.
BY ALIESE WILLARD MUHONENA er a cautious return in 2021, Orange County arts institutions are ready for a dramatic, full-force comeback.
The 2022-23 season promises sparkling performances, visiting global stars, national premieres, and a new, world-class venue.
A look at performances, events, and art exhibits throughout Orange County this season, plus a list of local galleries
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall“The people I’ve met (in Orange County) are incredibly entrepreneurial, innovative, and freethinking, and it’s a great match for contemporary art.”
—HEIDI ZUCKERMAN, ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART CEO AND DIRECTOR . THE MUSEUM OPENS ITS NEW BUILDING, PICTURED BELOW, THIS MONTH.
A scenic archway at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens
22 ’HOODS
New food options take center stage near Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
24 PERFECT
GETAWAY
Enjoy the abundant charms of La Condesa, Mexico City.
28 CULTUREPHILE
Chapman University dean and his bestseller, “Truly, Madly”
An air show, Harry Po er concert, Halloween-themed activities, and more happening this month
Handmade intention wheels from Ooh La L ūm
38 STYLE TALK WITH ...
Ma Vargas and Ka y Torres, owners of Santa Ana brand Funday Collective
A San Clemente photographer’s appointment-only showroom
FINDS Dress art-forward with these collaborative pieces.
An artistic home with a private studio and views of the ocean
61 FOOD & DRINK Royale With Cheese from Populaire at South Coast Plaza
WITH ...
Nick Weber, chef at Populaire and Verdant, the cafe at the O.C. Museum of Art
Trivia nights liven the O.C. weeknight dining scene.
News about crazy food items is a welcome change.
76 EXCURSIONS
Annual festival honoring Elvis lures fans of all kinds this month.
Minireviews, plus Ojai Burger and the View Restaurant
Multitalented magician Naathan Phan of Anaheim
Jeoffrey Offer, chefowner of our Restaurant of the Year, Butcher’s House Brasserie, shows how to master a rack of lamb with roasted potatoes in Cathy Thomas’ kitchen. orangecoast.com /cathythomas
Find your favorite in this roundup of fall-themed treats in Orange County. orangecoast.com /falltreats
Check out photos from Orange Coast’s Whiskey Festival 2022. orangecoast.com /galleries
Expert
Ciulla
West
Vegas
Vegas
Canal Shoppes
Las Vegas
Health & Wellness
Village
Village
Covington
Rocket Science Fitness
SM Interventions
Clear Choice Senior Services
Mahamudr Kadampa
Center
Resource Guide
Scenes
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center Foundation
Classic
Coast’s Best of 2022 Party
My teenage daughter and I love going to musicals. She started young: We saw “Mamma Mia” for her 7th birthday. Her favorite? “Either ‘Something Rotten!’ or ‘Come From Away,’ ” she says. When I saw this season’s lineup at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, I couldn’t wait to tell her—she’s old enough to see “Book of Mormon” now! I also couldn’t wait to speak with Center President Casey Reitz. Not only are we getting shows on their first national tours—“Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” and, the one I’m most excited for, “Six”—but some of the most acclaimed musicals in history will return: “Hamilton,” the aforementioned “Book of Mormon,” and “Chicago.” How are we so lucky?
“I think the Broadway producers know we do a great job in presenting the shows and that they can access an exclusive audience here,” Reitz says. “Our production team gets you in quickly, puts the show up on its feet, and it looks fabulous. We also have 3,000 seats; it’s a bigger venue, and that matters for the economics.” He’s excited for this season, too. “The Broadway series across the board is fabulous. To go from ‘Hamilton’ to ‘Moulin Rouge’—which I haven’t seen before—to getting ‘Chicago’ and ‘Hairspray’ back, then ‘Frozen’ for the first time, and ‘Six.’ It’s jam-packed.”
In addition to a new musical, “North,” in the Family Series and the U.S. premiere of ABT’s “Like Water for Chocolate” in the Dance Series, the Center is launching two new genres: In Conversation and Headliners. “So much of what we’re trying to do these days is find ways to produce new work. We want to present genres or disciplines where we have gaps,” Reitz says. “The In Conversation and Headliners series appeal to me a great deal. If we can match the reaction we had with Kristin Chenoweth in the hall last year, that will be huge.”
The season is incredible countywide. And Orange County Museum of Art’s stunning new home opens this month (Arts Preview on Page 92). O.C. is an arts mecca; get dressed up and indulge.
The food and atmosphere at Populaire are wonderful; I’m delighted the team there will open Verdant, the cafe at OCMA.
Orange County Museum of Art opens its new building this month with a 24-hour celebration. You’ll find me there for sunrise yoga.
The Barclay has many international stars coming this season. Alan Cumming? I’m in!
SCR’s artistic director says to enjoy Outside SCR shows with ip- ops and a margarita. I did exactly that for “Million Dollar Quartet”—fantastic.
PAGE 104
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Alan Gibbons
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Andrew Hart
SENIOR EDITOR
Astgik Khatchatryan
STYLE & HOME EDITOR
Chelsea Raineri
DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR
Colette Nguyen
DINING CRITIC
Gretchen Kurz
PHOTOGRAPHER
Emily J. Davis
EVENTS EDITOR
Robin Jones
COPY EDITOR
Shayna Sobol
EDITORIAL INTERNS
Renee Elefante, Amber Juarez, Daniel Pearson
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Benjamin Epstein, Anastacia Grenda, Laura Saari, Greg Nagel, Barbara Neal Varma, Valerie Takahama, Cathy Thomas, Aliese Willard Muhonen
CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS
Martha Nippert, Pete Ryan
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New food options—for people and their pets—are taking center stage near SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS. by Robin Jones
Ú GOOD TO KNOW End lunch on a sweet note with SubVegan’s plantbased, organic baked goods such as croissants, carrot cake, and chocolate espresso cake.
You can get nearly any type of roll you want at this new sushi and teriyaki spot, from spicy tuna and rainbow rolls to the deep-fried Las Vegas roll filled with spicy crabmeat, salmon, tuna, cream cheese, and jala peno ($4.75 to $15.95). But the most intriguing items on the menu might be the sushi bur ritos—rice, cucumber, pickled cabbage, and crunchy noodles paired with proteins ($10.95 to $15.95)—perfect for graband-go meals. 3941 S. BRISTOL ST., SANTA ANA, 714-689-3295
This yearling sandwich shop is true to its name: Most of the menu is devoted to plant-based versions of classic submarine sandwiches ($8.95 and up), including Italian, corned beef, club, turkey, and meatball subs. There’s also the veggie-packed Mother Earth, with avocado, arugula, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, pepperoncini, and black olives. All subs pair well with the house-made strawberrymint or blueberry limeades ($4.95). 3930 S. BRISTOL ST., SANTA ANA, 714-852-3896
Shoppers can fuel up at this spot at the Collage Culinary Experience near Bloomingdale’s. The short menu focuses on egg sandwiches, from the simple Los Angeles, with scrambled egg, American cheese, and spicy aioli ($8.75), to the intense Dallas, with egg, pulled pork, coleslaw, shishito peppers, and barbecue sauce ($11.75). Tater tots ($3.25 for a small) are a must; order the version with truffle oil and Parmesan cheese ($7.25) for a splurge. 3333 S. BRISTOL ST., COSTA MESA, 657-247-0489
This cheerful pet shop has everything you’d expect: a wall of colorful plush and chew toys, a selection of pet food, and a handful of other supplies such as dog carriers, leashes, and collars. But most dog parents come in for the treat bar, where you can mix-and-match dog treats and pay by the pound. Don’t miss the fresh-baked seasonal dog cookies, cupcakes, and cakes. Preorder a cake, and they’ll decorate it to your specifications. 3901 S. BRISTOL ST., SANTA ANA, 949-344-1747
Home is tranquil, serenely tucked within the magnificent Rocky Mountains, minutes from Park City and Deer Valley Resort in Utah. Home is exhilarating outdoor adventures inspired by the possibility of each season. Home is a legacy built on a deeprooted desire to share the authentic beauty of land passed down through generations – seamlessly intertwining unparalleled luxury and endless comforts. Home is togetherness. Home is where your legacy begins.
Make this neighborhood your home base for the big city. by Anastacia Grenda
La Condesa is the ideal spot for exploring sprawling Mexico City—a short walk to artsy Roma and a quick cab ride from Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul. But stay and you’ll enjoy the abundant charms of Condesa. The district is a dynamic mix of old and new, where historic buildings house fashionable boutiques, co ee shops, and art galleries. This month, the tropical lushness of the tree-lined streets erupts in a riot of color as golden marigolds and strands of vibrant papel picado herald the arrival of Day of the Dead.
Feel like a local when you stay at Casa Comtesse, a B&B housed in a 1943 mansion. The decor is eclectic Condesa chic in the seven rooms, each of which has a private bathroom ($39 and up). Enjoy breakfast before heading out for the day, either exploring the neighborhood or taking one of Casa Comtesse’s tours to the pyramids of Teotihuacan. At night, sample a drink at the B&B’s mezcal bar and relax in the landscaped courtyard.
Pick up an order of fresh churros from Churrería El Moro ($2 for four) and walk across the street to Parque México. This verdant park is a popular gathering spot in Condesa, especially for dog own ers who bring their pups here to play in the dog park or chase balls in the Lindbergh Forum plaza. The urban oasis is also an ideal spot for quiet reflection: Stroll among the fountains and stop in the
ABOVE Casa Comtesse o ers a tour to the pyramids of Teotihuacan.
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LEFT A light, airy vibe abounds at Casa Decu.
RIGHT Be amazed by the Day of the Dead parade at Zócalo.
audiorama, a meditative space screened in by bamboo trees where you can relax in chairs made by local artisans and read a book from the little on-site library.
PERK UP YOUR MORNING Cucurucho honors coffee grow ers throughout the nation by showcasing flavorful beans in ritualistic pour-overs meant to be savored in a bright space inspired by Japanese tearooms. Order the Espresso con Panal de Abeja ($4), which is poured over a chunk of honeycomb in the bottom of the cup, for a sweet start to your morning. Buy a bag of beans to take home.
At more than 1,700 acres, Bosque de Chapultepec is one of the largest urban parks in the world and one of the most important public spaces in Mexico City. But it also has a rich historical legacy that dates back centuries to the region’s earliest set tlers. Explore Mexico’s storied
past at the Museo Nacional de Historia (National Museum of History, $4.25), which is housed in the hilltop Castillo de Chapultepec (Chapultepec Castle), a landmark site in the MexicanAmerican War. The park is also home to the Museo Nacional de Antropología (National Museum of Anthropology) and its extensive collection of art and artifacts ($4.25).
Exploring the neighborhood taquerias is one of the joys of a Mexico City visit. There are plenty of delicious discoveries to be found in Condesa, but start at Tacos Hola El Güero, a local landmark since 1968. The specialty here is the guisado taco ($1.15), with fillings such as chicken tinga or chorizo verde that are stew-like in consistency. Once you’ve had your fill, take a stroll along the pedestrian median on Avenida Amsterdam, its oval route a remnant of its former life as a horse racetrack.
Casa Decu Condesa takes design inspiration from its vintage art deco building and gives it a smart, modern spin. The 27 rooms and suites are light and airy; they’re also equipped with kitchenettes that are useful for longer stays ($125 and up). Take advantage of the rooftop deck, which has a gym area as well as a space for lounging and enjoy ing snacks while the sun sets.
Save room in your suitcase if you visit what’s been dubbed the Condesa Design Corner at Atlixco and Fernando Montes de Oca. At Cardōn and Columpio, you’ll find men’s and women’s clothing with clean, simple silhouettes, as well as unique jewelry and accessories—all created by Mexican design houses. These shops bookend Mooni, a gallery that showcases emerging artists working in paint, ceramics, papier-mâché, textiles, and other media.
Nov. 1 and 2: Día de los Muertos happens now, and celebrations start in the days leading up to it, including the eyepopping Day of the Dead Parade that starts in the Zócalo.
“Visit Taquería El Greco for Arab-style tacos, Mezcalería La Botica de la Condesa for a great variety of unbranded mezcales, and Nevería Roxy for old-fashioned Mexican ice cream and sorbet or Tepoznieves for more exotic flavors.”TIP
Stephen Galloway o ers a penetrating, compassionate account of the 20-year relationship between Leigh, best remembered as Scarlett O’Hara in 1939’s “Gone With the Wind,” and Olivier, renowned for his performances as Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Henry V, and Richard III. Galloway deepens the portrait of their marriage with research into Leigh’s struggles with bipolar disorder and new knowledge about the illness.
What was the original spark for the project?
Ú When I was 13, I was an actor in British theater in the West End, which was an amazing and magical world. This was the early ’70s and Olivier was like a god who just towered above everyone. It’s impossible to describe the extent to which he was this colossal figure in the world of British theater at that time. Almost 50 years went by, and I found out that the Victoria and Albert Museum had bought Vivien Leigh’s archive. At the time, I was the executive editor of The Hollywood Reporter, and I thought, this is an interesting article, let me go take a look. Of course, you get into the archive and it has everything because she kept most of the le ers, notebooks, papers. I very quickly realized that there’s a lot more here than just one article.
Why did the book become a portrait of what its subtitle calls “the romance of the century”?
Ú There had been biographies, and some of them very good, about them as individuals. A double biography would have been enormous. The more I looked at it, the more I
thought, this is the biography of a marriage. That was the challenge. How do you enter a marriage half a century later and make some kind of assessment?
Ú I don’t think he would have been the actor he was without her and all the emotions he had to wrestle with—extreme love, extreme pain, betrayal, mental illness. And (Leigh) had intelligence. She would o en be on set giving him ideas. She was extraordinarily well read, spoke many languages. I would have loved to have listened to one of their conversations about his work. We all know the in uence he had on her work, and he directed her a lot. But what did she say to him? You always think people are either talented or they’re not. His talent grew. He really became a great Shakespearean actor around the time he started being with her.
Ú For two actors to be together, it’s an almost impossible situation. Careers
never go in sync. And you’re so vulnerable to rejection as an actor. A bad review, a role that you don’t get. Even if you love the person you’re with, it’s hard not to have that as a sort of mirror on your own life. I feel later he was very generous with her. He had “Wuthering Heights,” she had “Gone With the Wind” around the same time, but “Gone With the Wind” was bigger. She was never as big as he was again, and he made sacrifices to let her do
important work. He directed “A Streetcar Named Desire” in London. He didn’t want to do it; he did it for her. Then of course she won her second Oscar doing the movie. So I think he really believed in her and supported her. But again, nothing is in primary colors in a relationship; everything is shaded and has multiple layers. You can both want to help and be jealous. That’s what you get with biography—you get the full complexity of human life.
When Chad Foster, Regional Director of Modern Woodmen of America, and his wife found out their good friend, and re ghter, was battling cancer, the region knew they wanted to do something to help.
As a fraternal organization, the region has donated thousands of dollars to families throughout Southern California over the years, but this event was personal. Instead of handing a check to the family, the local region wanted to do more.
With the help of family, friends, neighbors, and even strangers, the community rallied together to donate gift baskets and make baked goods to prepare for a fundraiser. Local businesses found out what was happening and generously donated $4,000 worth of items to be ra ed. It truly was a community e ort.
On July 30th an estimated 200 residents of Laguna Niguel and surrounding neighborhoods came out to show their support. The evening was lled with food, baked goods, activities and even a visit from 6 di erent re stations, which was a big hit with the kids!
After the event, the recipient’s family was touched, sharing, “We can’t express our gratitude with words alone, but we will say that we are feeling overwhelmed, blessed, grateful, and loved by all of our friends, family, re family, neighbors, and complete strangers that displayed such kindness and generosity towards our family.”
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Classical music, Halloween happenings, and more by Robin Jones
OPENS OCT. 1
Photographer William Mortensen, who ran the Mortensen School of Photography in Laguna Beach starting in the 1930s, was known for manipulating his images with pens, paint, pumice, and razor blades. Largely ostracized in his day and for decades after, Mortensen has recently come back into favor. This exhibit is
one of the only museum shows of his work. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cli Drive, Laguna Beach, 949-494-8971, lagunaartmuseum.org
The youthful Joy sings with a sophistication that’s garnered her critical acclaim through out the music industry. Born in New York, she grew up around gospel and R&B singers
The largest air show in the U.S. runs over three days and features flight demonstrations from teams from across the globe. This year, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, celebrating the mili tary branch’s 75th anniversary, take top billing, along with the aerobatic Canadian Forces Snowbirds. Watch from the beach, from a reserved seat on the pier, or from the Premier Club, which o ers ticketholders free food and drinks. Huntington City Beach, pacificairshow.com
and didn’t truly discover jazz until she got to college, but soon after she won the Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition and released her well-received debut album. Her second album, “Linger Awhile,” came out in September. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
OCT. 2 THROUGH 23
This play with music follows the trajectory of Simone’s life as she transformed from chan teuse to activist after the 1963 bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. The show includes some of Simone’s most powerful Civil Rights anthems, including “To Be Young, Gifted and Black,” “Go Limp,” and “Mississippi Goddam.” South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-708-5555, scr.org
Interdisciplinary artist Sheinina Lolita Raj dressed in the traditional garb of women from countries around the world, including India, Brazil, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand for these self-portraits. She collaborated with two-time Grammy winner Nelly Furtado to create accompanying sound art, which is projected throughout the gallery space. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714-738-6595, themuck.org
Aquila Theatre, a troupe known for its inno vative interpretations of the classics, takes on the beloved story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. As the pair’s unlikely courtship un folds and all the Bennet sisters journey toward their own happy endings, the satire gently mocks the social expectations of Regency-era
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OCT. 1
More than 30 restaurants and food vendors will be on hand, including Haven Craft Kitchen + Bar, Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens, Descanso, LSXO, and Lido Bottle Works. Along with small bites, foodies can sample local wines, craft beers, and cocktails while wandering the grounds and listening to live music. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, pacificwineandfood.com
England with witty dialogue. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-8544646, thebarclay.org
OCT. 6 AND 28
This outdoor dining series will highlight multicultural dining options at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel and surrounding areas. The first event this month is Brews and Bites offering wild boar bratwurst, duck flatbread, and more, plus an appearance from The Bruery. At the end of the month, the focus is Diwali Festival of Lights. Chef Sanjay Rawat celebrates India’s traditional regional Indian cuisine, vibrant lights, and more. The Ritz-
Carlton, Laguna Niguel, 1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point, 949-240-2000, exploretock.com /ritzcarltonlagunaniguel
OPENS OCT. 8
“13 WOMEN”
Marking the grand opening of the Orange County Museum of Art’s new building and the institution’s 60th anniversary, this exhib-
it celebrates the artists whose work put the museum on the map. The show, which will be presented in two rotations, highlights pieces by pioneering female artists such as Barbara Kruger, Mary Heilmann, Alice Aycock, and Joan Brown in a nod to the 13 women who founded the Balboa Pavilion Gallery, the institution that eventually became OCMA. Orange County Museum of Art, 3333 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, 714-780-2130, ocma.art
OCT. 21
Since its inception in 1973, the Kronos Quartet has performed in concert halls and festivals around the world, released more than 60 recordings, commissioned more than 1,000 works from a wide array of composers, and recorded music featured in numerous films. The musicians have also made a point of reflecting societal and cultural issues. They’ll perform with vocalist Mahsa Vahdat, a wellknown singer of Persian music. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-854-4646, thebarclay.org
When it was held every other year at OCMA from 1984 to 2010, the biennial gained a reputation for presenting emerging California artists who would go on to national and international acclaim. For its grand opening, the museum is reviving the exhibition, which will feature the work of more than 20 artists selected by former OCMA curator Elizabeth Armstrong, along with Essence Harden, visual arts curator at the California African American Museum, and Gilbert Vicario, chief curator
at the Phoenix Art Museum. Orange County Museum of Art, 3333 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, 714-780-2130, ocma.art
Otto, a seasoned keynote speaker and actor, has been portraying Winston Churchill for
audiences around the world for more than 40 years. In this one-man show with music and audio-visual elements, he brings the struggles and lessons of Churchill’s time to the present day. After the show, the audience is invited to participate in a Q&A with Otto, still in character as Churchill. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714-738-6595, themuck.org
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“Big Hits & Spellbound” features the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter celebrating her 60-year career and performing her most popular songs alongside tunes from her latest release, “Spellbound,” her 55th album. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, 949-480-4278, soka.edu
Turning the spotlight on the lyricist and com poser behind so many Broadway hits—from “West Side Story” and “Gypsy” to “Sweeney Todd” and “Into the Woods”—the multimedia show features musical numbers from Sondheim’s most popular shows along with video and archival commentary from the man himself. Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, 714-990-7722, curtistheatre.com
Accompanied by the Pacific Symphony, the Pacific Chorale sings a work by composers Maurice Duruflé and Jocelyn Hagen that was inspired by Gregorian chant and the writings and art of Leonardo da Vinci. As the singers perform, a documentary film by Isaac Gale and Joseph Midthun featuring da Vinci’s work, and the art that he inspired, plays in the back ground. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714662-2345, pacificchorale.org
“Green Onions” was the first song Booker T. & the MGs recorded. An instrumental composi tion, it was released in 1962 and sold more than a million copies, years later landing on Rolling Stone’s top 500 songs of all time. It was a fitting start for organist Booker T. Jones, who went on to win four Grammy Awards and was eventu ally inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, 949-480-4278, soka.edu
Pianist Claire Huangci plays Tchaikovsky’s First Concerto to start this Pacific Symphony concert, which also includes performanc es of Brahms’ Fourth Symphony and “Luz Eólica” from Altar del Viento by Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz. A concert pre view talk begins at 7 each night. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-755-5788, pacificsymphony.org
OCT. 20 THROUGH 22
CHRIS MANN
Mann is a singer, songwriter, and actor. On the heels of his successful run on “The Voice” in 2012, he released 4 EPs, a live album, and a studio album—and followed that up playing the Phantom in a traveling production of “The Phantom of the Opera.” In 2020, his music parodies, including “My Corona” and “Hello (From the Inside),” went viral, collecting more than 300 million views. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
The Casa Romantica mansion gets a spooky makeover for the annual family-friendly event, where were wolves, vampires, and ghosts prowl the 1920s-themed haunted house and gardens as costumed visitors roam the grounds. The event is recommended for children ages 8 and up. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949-498-2139, casaromantica.org
This comedy follows playwright Edward Bennett and his wife, actress Sorel Bennett, who leave London in the wake of their play’s disastrously unsuccessful opening night. But even in the country, they can’t escape, and soon their home is full of guests: a politician, a socialist, an ingenue, and a modern dancer. When one of them is murdered, the maid is left to solve the crime. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949-489-8082, caminorealplayhouse.org
OCT. 27
MUCKENTHALER AFTER DARK: BEYOND THE BLACK VEIL
Sta leads after-dark behind-the-scenes tours of the Muckenthaler, weaving in stories about Sadie, the house’s benevolent spirit. Also in cluded: a paranormal “investigation,” a séance, tarot readings from Ipso Facto’s Terri Kennedy, and an absinthe tasting. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714738-6595, themuck.org
OCT. 28
Spoken-word artist and activist Marc Bamuthi Joseph teams up with composer-violinist Daniel Bernard Roumain and street dance performer King Havoc for a performance that uses poetry, music, and dance to illumi nate the experiences of incarcerated youth and their families. Musco Center for the Arts, One University Drive, Orange, 844-626-8726, muscocenter.org
The Pacific Symphony, led by guest conduc tor John Jesensky, performs the iconic John Williams score as the first of the eight Harry Potter movies plays on a big screen onstage. When it was released in 2001, the soundtrack was nominated at the Academy Awards for Best Original Score. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-755-5788, pacificsymphony.org
This couple created an apparel brand to showcase their art in 2020. by Chelsea Raineri
Matt Vargas and Katty Torres create a variety of products including shirts, sweatshirts, women’s joggers, and more for their brand, Funday Collective. Customers can shop the products in person by visiting their pop-up in the Santora Building once a month during the Downtown Santa Ana Artwalk.
Vargas: I met Katty in high school, and we’d get together and make art, paint, and sew. I never thought I could make a living from it or that other people would be interested. Katty really pushed me to share my art and what we do. In March 2020, I was going to finally launch my brand. I got invited to a shared studio space at the Santora Building in Santa Ana, and I jumped on it. I grew up in Santa Ana, so it made sense to have a space there.
Torres: I work mostly with the sewing because we have our own tags on our apparel and tote bags. I’ve always been a really crafty, hands-on kind of person. I also run the social media.
How did you come up with the name?
Vargas: Sunday Funday was this thing where Katty and I would take our son to museums, parks, and anything that had a cool, artsy vibe to it and that’s how we would spend our Sunday. We wanted to build a brand that represents the fun vibes that we try to capture in our designs.
Torres: We dropped the Sunday because we felt that every day should be a fun day.
Do you o er creative services?
Vargas: Yes. City of Hope Orange County reached out to us during the pandemic and invited us to letter some inspirational words at their vaccination sites at Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center. We sent them a few sketches and they really liked them. The morning they opened the vaccination site, we were still doing the chalking, and
Dr. Daniel S. Yanni is a board certified and spine fellowship trained neurosurgeon and is also one of the few surgeons in the country who specializes in Minimally Invasive and Complex Spine Surgery. Rated number one by his peers and patients alike, Dr. Yanni continues to research and develop new innovative approaches to surgical problems at his Disc Comfort, Inc. practice in Newport Beach.
“We bring the wealth of knowledge from the University academic days and marry it to a private practice concierge style model that provides the highest caliber of personalized care,” he says.
Dr. Yanni was a teenager in a high school anatomy class when he decided to become a neurosurgeon. He graduated summa cum laude from UCLA in Neuroscience.
His passion for Neurological Surgery grew further while in medical school at the University of California, San Diego.
“I was impressed by the anatomy and wiring in the brain and spine—how electrical signals are translated into motion, sensation, memories and speech,” says Yanni.
Ever focused on innovation, Dr. Yanni performs spine surgery through keyhole sized incisions, a minimally invasive procedure that allows patients to be released within hours or days and return to work within weeks. In addition, Dr. Yanni also performs traditional open surgery for complex, deformity, and revision cases. He is also the project director for Augmented Reality in Spine Surgery (new technology in spine surgery) and serves on the Executive Board as Co-Director of Development for the Lumbar Spine Research Society.
“Any patient suffering from neck pain, back pain or difficulty walking – this is what we are here for.”
Disc Comfort, Inc.
1501 Superior Avenue, Suite 214 Newport Beach, CA 92663 949-515-0051 offi ce | 949-515-0052 fax yannimd.com
everyone was so excited and saying, “Thanks for doing this” and that they appreciate seeing the art. It was really fulfilling.
Where do you find design inspiration?
Ú Vargas: From our experiences, music, movies—sometimes our son helps with ideas. We’ll be sitting at the dinner table, and he’ll start sketching or saying taglines.
What’s the artist edition collection?
Ú Vargas: Each shirt or product we create in our studio is more of an art ist edition. There are little nuances. For example, with screen printing, the screen would get clogged up and there’s a little imprint and each one is di erent. We also will screen print our tags and Katty will sew them on, so there’s more production involved—each piece becomes an art piece.
What’s next?
Ú Torres: In November, Funday Collective will have a small store front in a curated marketplace inside Collective2one9 in downtown Santa Ana o 4th Street.
fundayco.com
KEN SOUTH
The San Clemente photographer’s appointment-only showroom opened in 2019. by Chelsea Raineri
Situated on San Clemente’s Avenida Del Mar, the building with a glass exterior will catch your eye. Peek inside and you’ll see two wooden benches surrounded by white walls lined with photography from JP Greenwood. Knock on the door and you’re likely to find Greenwood creating frames by hand or making his prints in the back of the showroom.
Greenwood aims to capture the essence of his showroom’s first image, a lifeguard tower on the beach, in each picture he has taken since. “I’m just trying to get that same feeling where it’s very centered and singular,” he says. “I want to do that in di erent environments. Right now, I’m looking for something in the desert. I don’t really know what it is, but I know it needs to have those same components.”
Once he finds the structure or item he wants, Greenwood will take shots of its various elements and then digitally piece the photos together—a combination of photography and graphic design. The result is a clean image that almost resembles a watercolor painting. “I like to make the image very simple,” he says. “There’s a lot of cleaning things up and taking out anything that your eye would go to besides the main element.”
“BENCH”
“SWIM SURF”
“TOWER”
Personal Injury
Personal Injury
Personal Injury
FROM
The Huntington Beach Art Center is ... owned and operated by the city. We focus on contemporary art, and we program six exhibitions a year, three of which reflect our community of local artists. The other three usually present a concept in contemporary fine art. (This month) we’re focusing on a photography exhibition called “Emerge: Share Your Shot.”
We’re operating a cultural arts festival Oct. 8 at Central Park for the first time. It’s a combination of an artists market and a children and family arts experience, and it’s an opportunity for people to sign up and volunteer to work the booths that day and assist artists and children in art making and presenting works. It’s a big deal.
$8.29 million
One of the most joyful experiences I have is meeting people in the community who have been to the art center and taken classes either as a child at art camp or as an adult. It’s always fun to hear that from members of our local community.
A Performance with flexibility. Consumers are no longer willing to compromise on personalization and performance of their kitchen appliances. Having flexible design options can make all the difference in creating a space that truly speaks to individual lifestyles and design visions, whether that be tapping into popular trends like colorful cabinetry or hidden appliances. Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove prides itself in offering customizable appliances that allow consumers to make their kitchen their own while delivering on performance. From preserving your ingredients with Sub-Zero, to preparing them with Wolf, and then cleaning up quietly and efficiently with Cove, we offer a full suite of powerful luxury appliances to take you through the kitchen journey in style.
A When cooking with induction, heat is efficiently and directly transferred to your cookware ensuring precise control – think the perfect simmer or ideal sear, every time. Consumers are always amazed that you can hold melted chocolate for hours without scorching on a Wolf Induction Cooktop or Induction Range. Achieving these results, while also offering speed, energy efficiency, and safety, is why consumers are becoming more interested in induction technology.
A Every Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove product has been developed with thoughtful and intentional innovation that truly adds value for our customers. With our recently expanded Sub-Zero Designer Undercounter Refrigeration line, which now includes 15” and ADA models, you can take refrigeration beyond the kitchen. Whether you want a convenient beverage station in your walk-in closet, a home bar for entertaining, or even a bathroom refrigerator for keeping chilled eucalyptus towels, cosmetics and beverages within arm’s reach – the customization options are endless.
A Selecting kitchen appliances to stand the test of time is an important investment. We aim to create a seamless experience--from being able to speak with a showroom expert to find appliances that suit your specific needs and style, to interacting with the appliances and eventually making your selection. Visiting a Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove showroom is an inspiring and explorative experience that gives you access to our knowledgeable consultants and our showroom chefs, so you can even get a taste of all the possibilities.
Clean lines, welcoming curves, and the organic feel to the touch of its smooth rounded edges give the Surf Folding Collection its immediate appeal. First impressions hardly reveal that the exceptionally comfortable chair (needs no cushions!) folds effortlessly. Though visually robust and generously scaled, it is relatively lightweight yet structurally strong given its solid teak stature, allowing this chair to endure the test of time and the outdoors.
With a graceful stance and statuesque silhouette, the Surf Collection will fit beautifully anywhere: on a superyacht, at a dining table, on a sun-drenched terrace, or extra seating when needed wherever, whenever.
844.446.0001 westminsterteak.com
The VERGOLA® opening and closing roof system gives you control over your environment. With smart rain sensor technology and double skin aerofoil louvers for better insulation, the VERGOLA® lets you relax or entertain outdoors, rain or shine.
855.949.8374 vergola.com
Contemporary Design with glass railing. These custom stairs are solid white oak treads and risers with a 1-1/2" square edge detail. Hand Crafted and installed by: Gaetano Hardwood Floors, Inc. 714.536.6942 gaetanoinc.com
Cal’s Largest Kitchen & Bath Cabinets
Over 20,000 Cabinets Assembled & In Stock. 20 Kitchen Styles Assembled & In Stock, 65 Vanity Styles Assembled & In Stock.
can provide assistance with laying out and designing your kitchen and bath, should you need our help.
frightfully good Halloween cheer during October with
"You've been boo'd" kit. Includes two treat bags with tag and
deliver your favorite spooky treats. This kit also includes two felt bat banners so you can decorate your loved one's porch
some creepy new friends that they can enjoy all month long!
included is two "We've been boo'd" signs to let everyone
that your loved ones have received some frightful
beauty of
property,
When it comes to
Distinctive detailing meets refined materials in the Tyron Masterwood Table by Cattelan Italia. Tyron makes a sophisticated statement with its imposing silhouette consisting of a tabletop of Canaletto walnut with fascinating oblique edges and a contrasting angular graphite steel base. Made in Italy.
We think making your bathroom an escape from the world starts with choosing a wonderful bathtub. The stone tubs like this from Native Trails are handmade by their artisans from natural materials. They are beautiful to see and feel and are remarkably stain, scratch, and crack resistant. See them on display at each of our Southern California showrooms.
pirch.com/brands/native-trails
Mesa
Viejo
Design Center
Green eases the mind!
Green has been topping the design trends for the last few years. Whether it's kitchen countertops, cabinets, or design elements, it is gaining popularity. Green is seen as a calming color that provides a sense of balance and stability. It eases stress and makes the mind relax.
Overflowing with treasures and home goods from around the globe, you’ll find one-of-a-kind handcrafted folk art, rich textures, colorful home and garden accessories, unusual collectibles and so much more at the always vibrant Bazaar del Mundo Shops.
Celebrating more than 50 years in business in San Diego, owner-operator Diane Powers has created and continues to curate trending home décor shops that are beloved by residents across Southern California, the Southwest and beyond. Find the perfect décor pieces for your home as you travel around the world at Diane Powers’ Bazaar del Mundo Shops in Old Town San Diego.
Tune in to an all-new season of SOCO’s Masters of Design!
Now streaming online, the destination is covering all things OC Mix - Orange County’s first food hall and artisan market, known for its constantly evolving and exciting “mix” of foodie-favorite concepts, maker-driven retail, and one-of-a-kind finds.
3313 Hyland Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
O.C. heavyweights shine brightly at newest South Coast Plaza spot. by Gretchen Kurz
Many of us simply shrug when a designer boutique opens at South Coast Plaza—but the buzz is immediate whenever the center expands its dining portfolio. So far, 2022 has been a great year for star rookies, and Populaire Modern Bistro is advancing the trend.
Open in June, Populaire was a surprise arrival given its sleepy location and miracu lously short gestation—a mere three months between signing the lease and completion of a dazzling makeover of the vacated Lawry’s Carvery. The 90-seat bistro is a dream collab oration between veteran chefs Nick Weber and Ross Pangilinan—longtime friends since their 2004 meeting in the kitchen of departed Pinot Provence. Fans of Pangilinan know him from Terrace by Mix Mix, his acclaimed top-floor venue in the Home Wing.
Diners check in at a reception stand that faces the gleaming, barrel-ceiling kitchen, lending a genial start to things—you can’t be ignored here. Shades of Prussian blue woodwork frame over size floral murals and link the dining room and patio seating. The e ect is elevated and light hearted at once.
Unlike barbecue, dumplings, or tacos, the fare isn’t easily categorized, meaning ingenu ity and autonomy are on the table. Is it French or Asian or American? Why yes, it is. Until you order the sublime Spanish octopus. The con cise all-day menu serves as a base for apropos add-ons such as a weekly prix fixe lunch or Sun day brunch specials. Add seasonal tweaks that
sweep in Mother Nature’s best work, and you have a dense but dynamic selection.
A trio of hors d’oeuvres are shareable nib bles. Escargot ebelskivers are a clever ploy to beguile the snail-fearful: four just-griddled orbs of pu y escargot batter on a puddle of butter milk emulsion swirled with parsley. The flavors say France, but the format says fun. Impecca bly fried chicken thighs get cool contrast from tangy lebneh, but the generous dollop of deli cate osetra caviar, which explains the $40 price, is clobbered in this mashup. Better are the pair of crunchy duck confit spli s—a ri on Viêt chá giò, complete with rau ram, fish sauce, and cucumber for wrapping in lettuce leaves.
Stellar small plates include the sushi-grade fluke cured in tart lime and dressed with coconut milk, radish, and mint. Do not miss Weber’s heady ratatouille, a slow-cooked alli ance of summer squashes, tomato, and aromat ics spiked with bold gochujang. Topped with grated white cheddar and a runny egg yolk for stirring in, it eats like a rustic meal when piled
South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St. Costa Mesa 714-760-4555
Ratatouille
Crab chawanmushi
Royale With Cheese
Duck breast
Croque madame
Starters/small plates, $12 to $40 Entrees, $20 to $140 Brunch dishes, $18 to $36
FYI This is the team behind Verdant, the restaurant at the new home for the Orange County Museum of Art.
LEFT The ratatouille is a bestseller and one of chef Nick Weber's favorites.
RIGHT Bright murals and blue walls make the space elegant and lighthearted at the same time.
on its freshly grilled crostini. Chawanmushi—a savory egg custard boosted by sa ron dashi, crab, and uni—is a lesson in umami, delicate yet powerful. Baby gem lettuce salad is also light but substantial, with seasonal fruit (peaches on my visit), artisan cheese, nuts, and rosé vinaigrette.
Gem lettuce reappears in Ladies Who Lunch—a lively chopped salad entree that plays up roasted chicken, crisp snap peas, Persian cucumbers, and ripe avocado, all flattered by herby buttermilk dressing. Black plums, brown butter, and complex black garlic molasses are unexpected foils for the carefully rendered duck breast. Look for autumnal fruit to replace the plums by now. A handsome tomahawk steak is the celebratory call, sliced to share and dolled up with roasted mushrooms and buttery whipped potatoes. Prime bavette is two fat slices of a 10-ounce steak cooked to a dashing medium-rare, then plated
Prime bave e steak and baby gem le uce salad with seasonal fruit at Populaire
with sauce au poivre and seasonal vegetables. I couldn’t pass up the amusingly named Royale With Cheese. This glorious burger easily outshines its “Pulp
Fiction” namesake, with a juicy patty of ground short rib on a potato bun. In between is a bo o layering of raclette cheese, pickled onions, and secret cornichon sauce.
Paris Brest, arguably the best in town, is one of three from-scratch desserts. Midweek lunch has a changing prix fixe menu of three courses designed by Weber, and it’s a sleeper find. Sunday brunch is a supplement of mostly eggy dishes. Croque madame oozing Comté cheese is my top pick—I’m told it’s crossing over to the main menu.
Service is a able and obliging. General manager Alyssa McDiarmid is a familiar presence to O.C. diners, orchestrating the front of the house for The Cannery, Louie’s by the Bay, and Marché Moderne. She also curates the wily wine list here. Keep your eyes on precocious Populaire. I predict more unexpected magic from this gifted crew and can’t wait to taste what’s next.
SUGARED AND ICED specializes in beautiful custom cookie creations by Samantha Meyers. From birthdays, anniversaries, and baby showers to holidays, weddings, and charity and corporate events, cookies start at $66 per dozen for custom orders. Sugared and Iced also offers holiday gift boxes and other sweet treats such as cake pops, mini cookies, and cupcakes. sugaredandiced.com or 949-529-1732
The chef at Populaire and Verdant has moved from O.C. restaurants to catering and back again. Now he’s bringing his talent to two new places in Costa Mesa. by Cathy Thomas
Anjin, in Costa Mesa, is a Japanese barbecue spot. For antipasti and pizza, it’s Trenta Pizza and Cucina. Two Italian guys own it and make a 30-inch pizza.
I appreciate that working with Florent Marneau introduced me to a di erent style of French cooking. Watching Anthony Bourdain also—seeing him go to places and eat dishes I’d never seen before.
I play the guitar, primarily an electric Gretsch … good old-fashioned rock and roll. Right now, it’s lots of Van Halen because my son is interested.
Opening Populaire. It took almost 30 years of cooking.
Verdant, the restaurant at the Orange County Museum of Art. It’s very vegetable forward, which I love doing. We’ll pull in from the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia; they have all these great sauces that are big and bright and bold and highlight the vegetables as well. I’m using miso to add some umami and depth to the dishes. And there will be a full cocktail program there.
Monday might not seem like the best night to go out … but you wouldn’t know it by the packed patio at SGT. PEPPERONI’S PIZZA STORE
The venue has a strong music connection; it’s inspired by the Beatles album “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” and partner Stan Frazier was Sugar Ray’s drummer. Craft beer helps fuel the pencil-and-paper excitement, and top teams win restaurant gift cards. Mercy Martin of national company Pour House Trivia hosts the festivities, and she also emcees events at nearby Hangar 24 brewery on Thursdays—likely the most popular trivia event in California. 4533 CAMPUS DRIVE, IRVINE, 949-748-1080
Trivia Tuesday at eclecticAmericana-themed MUTT’S EASTBLUFF is familyfriendly—and fun. Trivia master Ashley Darrow of America’s Pub Quiz weaves in audio elements such as song and movie snippets, and everybody in the restaurant stops to listen. Prizes include a $150 gift card for first place. Concurrent Taco Tuesday specials include street tacos for $4.50 and six Estrella Jalisco beers for $20. Sibling Mutt Lynch’s—a pub with a beer-schooner chandelier near the Newport Beach pier for 45 years—has a lively trivia night on Wednesdays. 2531 EASTBLUFF DRIVE, NEWPORT BEACH, 949-719-0635
King Trivia quizmaster Lorraine Chambers leads events at THE RECESS ROOM on Wednesdays. She favors visual elements; participants might be asked to ID eight photos and determine what the subjects have in common. “Super-duper fun—and very competitive,” says GM-bar manager Ava Navarrete, whose top-tier cocktails complement the trivial pursuits and creative menu. Namesake team Ava’s Minions (she’s not on it) competes regularly. Answers are logged via cellphone; results are posted online. Hot tip: Order during happy hour before the game begins. 18380 BROOKHURST ST., FOUNTAIN VALLEY, 714-377-0398
PALI WINE CO. pours natural and traditional wines from the Santa Ynez Valley—alongside Pour House Trivia on Thursdays. Pali’s outpost at MAKE food hall, opposite the Packing House, feels like a stylish, spacious living room. Game-smith and host Matthew Frost writes the daily questions for all of Pour House’s SoCal locations; his format rewards point-value strategies as well as knowledge. The menu includes artisan cheeses, charcuterie plates, and thoughtful small plates. Prizes include wine accessories, Pali Wine merch, and wine-tasting coupons. 500 S. ANAHEIM BLVD., ANAHEIM, 714-486-0922
7:00 to 9:00 pm
LBX The Hangar, Long Beach
Take a deep dive into the world of whiskey at our whiskey festival.
Meet the distillers, sip the finest selections, learn fresh cocktail recipes, and experience new labels.
Enjoy savory bites & sweet treats along with music and unique experience that will complement the bespoke atmosphere.
lamag.com/whiskeyfestival
Must be 21+ to attend.
It was touted as “taco ingredients on the biggest Cheez-It cracker known to humankind.”
Introducing: The Big Cheez-It Tostada.
Over the summer, Taco Bell and Cheez-It got together to dream up a new twist on an old favorite. Instead of a traditional bowl-shaped tortilla to hold the meat and cheese combo, they produced a giant Cheez-It that was 16
times its normal size.
Just one catch: The novel tostada was available for two weeks only and in just one West Coast location. Hello, Irvine! (Taco Bell headquarters, after all.)
Game on, I thought, and immedi ately researched the address—2222 Barranca Parkway. I told my husband, Michael, where we were going for lunch that afternoon. Fart jokes be damned; I didn’t care, because for the first time in forever, the news out of Orange County wasn’t a shock to my system.
No more mention of flyers found scattered around local beach towns promoting a KKK rally.
No reports of mass shootings at local churches.
No furtive word about a (nowformer) Chapman University profes sor carrying a concealed memo on how to overturn the 2020 election.
In other words, a welcome break from all the recent scary stories hit ting too close to home.
County more than 30 years ago on a Grad Night trip to Disneyland. Having grown up in Las Vegas, I thought we’d landed in paradise. That same week end, our high school group stayed near the water, and I experienced my first hot kiss on the cool sands of Hunting ton Beach.
Several years later, I moved into a condo within walking distance of Angels Stadium, as it was called then. I was in the stands when rookie Wally Joyner hit a home run in his first at-bat, the beginning of Wally World.
Since then, I’ve lived in three O.C.
cities, earned two degrees from Cal State Fullerton, ended one marriage, and started another that has lasted more than 23 years.
When Michael and I were dating, we “got hitched” at Knott’s Berry Farm.
During the brief Wild West ceremony, I vowed to darn Michael’s socks and he promised to hand over his weekly pay check. I still have the souvenir nail ring nestled in my jewelry box.
“WE SHOULD LEAVE EARLY TO avoid the rush,” Michael suggested about the giant tostada lunch excursion.
Good idea. News of an enormous orange cracker descending on O.C. had received national exposure, including the late-night circuit, and I didn’t want the dish to sell out before we got there.
Which was exactly what I thought had happened when we arrived to a mostly empty parking lot. Why, oh, why had I thought I could catch a reality
break when I couldn’t even go to the grocery store these days without seeing signs of strife in our fair county? Vaccine protests in front of medical clinics. Dis approving looks from strangers when I opted to wear a mask indoors. Political pop-up stands sporting enough f-bombs on their signage to make a Caltrans crew blush. Same goes for the T-shirts on display (avert your eyes, kids), adver tised to be “one size fits all” in an ironic claim of inclusiveness.
“Come on in,” Michael said, holding the door open for me. We quickstepped it over to the self-service screens. Being a tech guy, he found the prize tostada first, under Specialty Menu Items. Not sold out after all—yay!
“Everything on it?” he asked, tapping in our orders.
“Absolutely—except jalapenos, of course. And a small Diet Coke.”
Ten minutes later, we collected our calorie fest at the counter. The verdict? Guiltily delicious as charged—although not nearly as mammoth as all the hype would have us believe, measuring only slightly larger than the size of my palm.
Still, mission accomplished. I climbed back into the truck, happily anticipating a nap. Then I saw the spinning-sign guy. He was holding one of those cardboard signs, but what grabbed my attention was its design to look like a giant handgun. In fact, the word GUNS was printed in large block letters across the barrel. He stra
Golfers with big hearts teed off in August for a great cause at our Golf Classic, presented by Team Alvarez Insurance Services. The event, held at Aliso Viejo Country Club, raised $101,000 for Heart Health Initiatives at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center. Highlights included a bloody mary bar and hot wings on the course, plus fun contest holes. Funds raised will help purchase electrophysiology equipment for diagnosis of cardiac issues, support heart attack and stroke prevention education, and provide our patient navigators. Thank you to all of our sponsors, including Champion Sponsors EPM and MemorialCare Medical Group/Greater Newport Physicians, for their support.
THE NOVEL TOSTADA WAS AVAILABLE FOR TWO WEEKS ONLY AND IN JUST ONE WEST COAST LOCATION. HELLO, IRVINE! (TACO BELL HEADQUARTERS, AFTER ALL.)
tegically pointed it this way and that, catching people’s attention at the busy intersection.
I stared in disbelief. “Is that allowed?”
“It’s legal,” Michael said. “Although I don’t agree with it.”
“But the Laguna Woods shooting happened just a few weeks ago,” I pointed out. “The church isn’t even that far away.”
I searched the area while the light was still red and spotted the gun shop in a nearby strip mall. Its glass front and bright interior lights made it easy to see what looked like a long line of rifles propped against two walls.
I suddenly felt sick, and it had noth ing to do with my poor food choices.
I got out of the truck and headed over to confront the corner guy, insisting he take his stupid gun-shaped sign and leave right this instant!
At least, that’s what I wish I’d done. Unfortunately, or perhaps not, I’m an avid pacifist, more prone to smoothing things over than stirring things up. So I stewed about it instead, trying through several sleepless nights to solve all the county’s problems from my little cor ner of it.
But here’s the thing about obsession: It brings focus. In the end, I wrote my own bold memo and bulleted list of things I can do to make a di erence:
Vote
Volunteer
Make a voodoo doll of Rudy Giuliani (kidding … kind of)
Phone a representative
Floss more
Because if the Big Cheez-It Tostada teaches us nothing else, it’s that our very di erences are the magic beans to making something new and unique— something that generates good news instead of bad.
Working together, we can make Orange County a groovy place to live. A one-size-fits-all paradise where every one is welcome and the sunsets are free.
After all, someone waiting for their first hot kiss on the cool O.C. sand is counting on us.
presented by
Our annual Orange Coast’s Best of 2022 Party presented by Cadillac was held at the beautiful Rancho Las Lomas in Silverado. Guests had the opportunity to enjoy tastings from current and past “Best of” winners as well as fan favorites.
The latest Cadillac Escalades were on display along with a hydration station from Mountain Valley Spring Water. Attendees were able to create their very own silk scarf from Mayu Silk Art as well as captured moments in the photo booth from Celebrity Cruises. The night helped raise funds for Alzheimer’s Association.
Special thank you to Rancho Las Lomas, 24 Carrots and Larson Lighting.
Congratulations to all the Best of 2022 winners!
Visit orangecoast.com for party pictures and more events!
Annual festival honoring the King lures fans of all kinds this month. by Laura Saari
Orange County is an Elvis hotbed—I’ll leave you to ponder why—with a dense Elvis Presley fan club. So it’s no surprise that Elvis fans from throughout the area will turn out by the thousands Oct. 9 for the 22nd annual Elvis Festival in Garden Grove.
Garden Grove’s Main Street has always felt to me like Smalltown, USA, and it seems perfect for Elvis. Entering the street last year, I passed a fan club booth,
The Jailhouse Rockers of California, which was stu ed with old knick knacks depicting the King: a water color, movie posters, single records, and more. I talked to an Elvis imper sonator, totally decked out: jumpsuit, pompadour, belt, all of it. I passed an Elvis statue, sky high and made entirely of balloons, down to the gold sunglasses. I narrowly missed an Elvis on stilts. OK, I thought, this is fun. I poked into the Azteca Mex ican restaurant, which has become known locally as “The Elvis Bar.” Elvis has not left that building. I was com pletely surrounded by Elvis karaoke and wax-museum-style Elvis statues. Action figures. Framed vinyl records. Elvis posters and Elvis wine bottles.
Back out in the sunshine, I stopped to appreciate a take-your-breathaway lineup of Cadillacs—a 1962 gold Coupe de Ville, a 1956 pink sedan, a 1960 red Eldorado—all from 1977 and earlier. All of them babied better than a firstborn.
BUT THIS ELVIS FLOTSAM could not keep me from the music. “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog” beckoned. Under the music tent, I was surrounded by diehard fans. In front of me, Janine Gordon and Victo ria Rogers, two Orange County Elvis enthusiasts who hadn’t seen each oth er since high school, suddenly found they were sitting side by side. (“Vicki. I think that’s her. I think that’s her. I’m going for it; I really think it’s her. Vicki! You look so good!”) Crying all the time … and you ain’t no friend of mine.
On stage, various musicians played the songs Mike Stoller and Jerry Leiber wrote for Elvis. Because
Stoller was the center of attention, I found him immediately in the front row, looking unbelievably young (then 88), freckled, and hip in a black-andwhite blurred plaid shirt, matching white cap with a tiny, embroidered crown, and yellow-tinted aviators. I’m a little intimidated by Stoller. I mean, is “Stand by Me” not one of the best songs ever written?
But I steeled myself to ask him: “Why is Elvis still such a thing?”
“It’s not a question of why he matters,” Stoller told me. “It’s something he elicited, something he brought to the world. Go figure. But after all these years, people still love Elvis Presley.”
People were dancing in the aisles. Don’t write o the baby boomers, who, predictably, represented most of the crowd. The energy was fevered. Two guests were rocking out in wheelchairs. My 20-year-old son went nuts and started dancing, too. (His generation likes the same rock we liked, so it
And while the event is definitely California casual, there were high pompadours in the group that I thought were probably authentic, not costume.
“It’s because this is the gospel, and we love the gospel,” said Beverly Leech, who wore a red flowered dress. She feels a special connection with Elvis.
“I cried the whole time I was at Graceland,” said Marilyn Leos of Tustin, who attends the festival with her cousin, Eric Leos, every year. “I felt like he was there with us.” The Leos cousins visit every Elvis location they
can: “It’s just something we have to do,” Marilyn said.
I met people in the audience who said they hadn’t missed a year in the two-decades-plus since the festival started, as a small-time promotion for a car exhibit at the Orange County Fair.
THE BRAIN TRUST BEHIND THE Elvis Festival is a woman you might know if you’ve been around here a few decades like I have. Or at least you’ll recall her publicity stunts.
There was most famously a cattle drive all the way down Fairview Road in Costa Mesa just to let the locals know fair week was on. There was the giant chia pickup truck, blooming with sprouted chia seeds at the fair entrance. There was a corn derby, where every state in the nation sent in its local corn seed, and the tallest won. There was one wacky professor who played a clarinet while covered
in 200,000 bees. And there was a custodian who rode the Ferris wheel for 38 days, only earning a few minutes o each hour. All of this, I remind you, was before anything “went viral.”
Jill Lloyd is a true local who grew up in Fullerton, went to Sunny Hills High, and started with the fair when she was a little kid 60 years ago, and when kids in Orange County still raised animals.
“I started with nine rabbits. I worked my way up to pigs and cattle.” She was hired by the fair soon after: “They kept me because I knew about animals.”
Eventually, she became communications guru, and former swap meet operator Bob Teller asked her if she’d concoct something to get people into his new car exhibit on the fairgrounds. She started doing monthly events— red cars for strawberry month, that sort of thing. One of the car shows was Elvis-themed, to honor his death.
Lloyd, who had no special interest in Elvis, collects no salary from the event, only funds to keep it going. And keep it going is exactly what fans begged her to do, after the car collection disappeared from the fairgrounds. “When Bob Teller sold his lease in 2016, I decided that since we had been going for 16 years, I’d relocate the festival to Garden Grove.” Lloyd chose Main Street in Garden Grove as the new venue in part because Azteca the “Elvis Bar” is located there.
Lloyd has come up with various Elvis-related contests over the years: the Piled-high Elvis and Priscilla hair contest, the Crème de la King karaoke contest.
“We try to keep it fresh,” says the energetic blonde (her brother is local
tennis great and store owner Hank Lloyd). “Rather than just have lookalike Elvises in jumpsuits singing traditional Elvis songs, we’re more than that. We try to keep it di erent.”
Seeing her audience potentially age out is a concern. She’s attracted younger audiences by tapping the rockabilly crowd, featuring female Elvis singers, staging an Elvis flash mob at Main Place in Santa Ana. There have been Elvis tributes by ukulele, harmonica, and harp players. This year, there will be a beer stand featuring local breweries, and the theme is “Follow That Dream.”
I’m a little too young for Elvis (my mom loves him and thought him revolutionary), but who’s really too young for Elvis? He is so ageless and iconic that it was worth making a movie about him this year. I know people who make an annual pilgrimage to Graceland about as frequently as they go to church. My best friend was married by a blind Elvis in Vegas. My brother’s new family in Japan insisted on Elvis songs throughout the wedding. Elvis is not only iconic, he is international. It’s very cool that the King is among us in Orange County like this every year.
There’s a lot of kitsch around Elvis, but after I spent some time with the local fans, I felt something else: authenticity. Even without it, I would go again to the county Elvis Festival. It felt sooooooo good to dance again.
“IT’S NOT A QUESTION OF WHY HE MATTERS. IT’S SOMETHING HE ELICITED, SOMETHING HE BROUGHT TO THE WORLD. GO FIGURE. BUT AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, PEOPLE STILL LOVE ELVIS PRESLEY.”
Known for its first-to-market, sought after restaurants, The Cosmopolitan is serving up some of the most delicious bites in Las Vegas. The newest, Superfrico, will take you on a mind-altering full sensory journey through explosive flavors, mouthwatering textures, and original techniques. It’s Italian-American Psychedelic and it’s unforgettable.
Momofuku is a place to celebrate with friends. Chef and founder David Chang took inspiration from locations around the world and created an experience where crafted cocktails and dishes go hand-inhand with the open kitchen. Here, there’s always something to see.
Scarpetta creates bold flavors by amplifying the essence of seasonal ingredients, making simple dishes simply unforgettable. Like their signature spaghetti with tomato and basil, or their veal chop Parmigiano.
Find your fill at The Cosmopolitan with a $150 dining credit on us. cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
With a showstopping 160 boutiques, exclusive dining venues and unlimited thrilling attractions, the iconic destination provides one-of-a-kind experiences plus a curated collection of world-renowned galleries for the global traveler.
Explore extravagant offerings at the only Regis Galerie location in the world. Boasting world-renowned collections of art, antiques, jewelry and home décor from acclaimed artists, the prominent boutique allows guests to procure timeless pieces. Within the 20,000-square-foot showroom, guests can find one of the largest collections of Lladró porcelain, hundreds of rare, museum-quality jade sculptures, Chinese and Japanese Cloissonné and more.
Be immersed in conceptual animation art at Animazing Gallery , exclusively at The Shoppes. Animazing Gallery focuses on American illustrators with pieces from Charles M. Schulz, best known for his Snoopy comic strip, Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss and more.
Additionally, Peter Lik Gallery and Wyland Signature Galleries call The Shoppes home. A showcase of fine art, Peter Lik Gallery provides a display of timeless landscapes including sunsets and towering skyscrapers, while Wyland Signature Galleries offers an exhibit of emerging and established artists through sculptures, paintings and more.
With a range of extraordinary gallery experiences, The Shoppes is an art-lovers haven in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.
Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas 3377 Las Vegas Boulevard South | grandcanalshoppes.com
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, intermixes a passion for food and beverage with music and culture.
The resort boasts an award-winning restaurant collection, including the famed Night + Market from Chef Kris Yenbamroong, Nick Mathers’ coastal Italian inspired Kassi Beach House, the legendary Nobu, Chef Todd English’s Olives and more. The resort’s signature speakeasy, The Shag Room is intimate and sexy, with nightly entertainment and curated cocktails. Guests will enjoy the well-appointed chambers and suites across three luxe towers, with patented in-room technology, ergonomic beds, and
sweeping views of the Las Vegas Strip. Virgin Hotels Las Vegas is home to three unique indoor and outdoor entertainment venues for events of all sizes. Soak up the sun at the sand-bottom pool for all resort guests. Guests 21 and over will enjoy the sights and sounds of the Mediterranean at the luxe Élia Beach Club. Or relax and reset at The Spa, enjoying the one-of-a-kind Roman-style bath and a wide range of services, from massages to facials and beyond. Try your luck inside the Mohegan Sun Casino, a state-of-the-art casino inside Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The only question is, where will you go first?
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas 4455 South Paradise Road, Las Vegas (800) 693-7625 | virginhotelslv.com
New dean of Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UC Irvine has spent her life battling to build pathways for herself and future students. by Aliese Willard Muhonen photographs by Emily J. Davis
Ti any López had not planned to go to college.
Even fi nishing high school seemed uncertain after she had to flee an abusive home at age 15 and work full time at fast-food restaurants to support herself. Higher education didn’t seem likely, let alone earning master’s and doctoral degrees, along with some of the most prestigious awards in academia.
López sits on a couch in her spacious corner o ce at UC Irvine, the surroundings hinting at the prominence of the position she started in July: dean of the nationally ranked Claire Trevor School of the Arts.
and design-minded.”
For nearly 30 years, López has dedicated her life to helping students design better lives, by increasing their opportunities for higher education and arts access. López is esteemed as a hybrid artist, scholar, administrator, community organizer, and champion for diversity. She created programs to increase inclusion, community engagement, and leadership training as a professor of English and theater at UC Riverside and then at Arizona State University. Along the way, she was promoted to an endowed chair position at UC Riverside. At ASU, she became director of the School of Film, Dance and Theatre and then vice provost for inclusive excellence.
“There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t look at everything I’ve done and say, ‘This is a life I could have never imagined for myself, (that) my family could have never imagined for me,’ ” she says. “And it all happened because of my education.”
If people were typefaces, López would be bold.
She’s artfully clad in a fuchsia shift dress, crisp white blazer, and black-and-white-framed glasses that can only be described as avant-garde. The bright colors and high contrast are a nod to her theater background, where she has helped produce a wide variety of stories as a dramaturge since her college days. She says a striking visual ensemble impacts her mood and reminds her “to be really present, and to think intentionally about the choices that we can make. They’re a way to embrace living intentionally
The abridged version of her list of accolades includes the fi rst César Chávez Fellow at Dartmouth, a Fulbright scholar, and the recipient of numerous grants and fellowships from the Mellon Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Endowment for the Arts, Ford Foundation, and Rockefeller Foundation.
Which accomplishment is she most proud of? “This one,” she says about her new position. “I would say everything else that you might read about that I’ve done, all roads lead to this one.”
A native Southern Californian, López wanted to return to her roots. Her history encompasses not only the geographic location but the mentors and school systems that changed her life.
“When I was in high school, I would have never said, ‘Hey, the pathway I see for myself is to become
“That’s really how I see my role as a leader and as an artist and as a scholar—(as) a conduit.”
—TIFFANY LÓPEZ
a dean!’ That has to be created,” she says, referring to the many teachers who helped her see her potential. “It’s very important to me that we’re building pathways from the university into the community and (vice versa) for our students.”
More than many academics, she can identify on a deep level with UC Irvine’s diverse population of students—especial ly with the 84 percent who are people of color, the almost 50 percent who are first in their families to attend college, the 45 percent who come from low-income families, and the nearly 3,000 transfer students from community colleges. Their story is hers, too.
nating in her father deserting the family.
“Part of abandoning his family was just leaving my mother, who was a stay-athome housewife, to fend for herself while he went on and did whatever,” Lopez says. “And my mother hadn’t been employed. She didn’t have any fallback, and her own mental health was deteriorating.”
Between her father’s abuse and her mother’s inability to care for her and her siblings, López feared for their lives. She fled her home and called Child Protec tive Services at age 15. Her siblings were removed from the home. López never went back. The family of a friend took her in, on the condition that she work to help
Growing up, López relished the culture of creativity around her in Goleta, near UC Santa Barbara. The granddaughter of migrant farm workers from Mexico, she was enchanted by the traditions her grandmother passed down, like storytell ing at the kitchen table.
There was an abundance of free public arts initiatives in the 1970s. Since money was often tight, López and her two younger siblings enjoyed the accessible creative programs o ered at libraries, parks, and the university. While the arts gave López “an outlet for imagination and dreaming,” they were also a refuge from an increasingly turbulent home life. Reading books and writing skits kept her childhood joy alive, she says, “while I was in circumstances that required me to be very mature very quickly, as the oldest in a violent household.”
Her father, she wrote in an essay, was “a raging alcoholic” who physically and verbally abused his wife and children. The violence and mistreatment escalated throughout López’s childhood, culmi
support their household.
López got a full-time job at Burger King. Every day after high school, she worked from 3 p.m. until midnight. It would have been easy to drop out of school. “I was not a great student, obviously, with circum stances like that,” she says. But three supportive teachers prevented her from giving up. They allowed López to rest during class if she needed to, as long as she promised to earn her diploma.
She graduated and enrolled in Califor nia Community Colleges—the first in her family to finish high school and attend college. She wanted to manage a branch of Burger King and needed an associate degree in business. As López was finish ing her degree, a group of teachers again changed her trajectory. Her humanities instructors noticed her natural writing ability and creativity. They suggested she transfer to a four-year institution to com plete a bachelor’s degree.
Being a first-generation college student with no prior exposure to educational pathways, López didn’t know the di er ence between associate
“I feel like that’s one of her superpowers—creating these pathways for other people to be able to be leaders as well.”
—PATRICIA HERRERA
After a cautious return in 2021, Orange County arts institutions are ready for a dramatic, full-force comeback. The 2022-23 season promises sparkling performances, visiting global stars, national premieres, and a new, world-class venue. Take a sneak peek at everything our county has to o er in the coming months, then grab your seats!
The Orange County Museum of Art opens its new building this month. Here’s what you need to know about the latest addition to Costa Mesa’s arts hub.
of cafes in the museum
of stairs on the upper terrace
the museum will be open the first day
in feet, of the
Many Waters” sculpture by Sanford Biggers on the upper terrace
O.C. institutions are expanding and creating more ways to reach new audiences.
by Anastacia GrendaThe Orange County Museum of Art is making headlines for its grand new venue opening this month, but that’s not the only local museum generating buzz.
It’s not even the only O.C. museum moving into expanded new digs. The county’s major institutions—committed to accessibility, scholarship, and diverse voices and experiences—are shattering the old stereotype of the museum as stu y, stodgy, and snooty.
Thoughtfully curated exhibits, in galleries or on screens, are just part of the dynamic programming schedules. By day, there are art-making workshops, cultural festivals, and chil dren’s story times; nighttime might be given over to author lectures, film screenings, and concerts. These aren’t your grandparents’ museums— they’re probably not your parents’ either, as they con tinue to evolve their cultural identity.
“Orange County has come into its own in terms of arts and culture, and we are
all so fortunate to be here now, witnessing this visible investment in culture,” says Kim Kanatani, director of the UC Irvine Jack & Shanaz Langson Institute & Museum of California Art. “I greatly look forward to OCMA’s opening and to the Hilbert’s expansion, as well as Langson IMCA’s new home. All of this positions Orange County as a vibrant area with increasing opportunities for cultural enrichment, engagement, and collaboration.”
Here’s a closer look at what’s happening at each of the county’s major museums.
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“Guo Pei: Art of Couture” takes the Chinese designer’s extravagant fashions from the runways and red carpets to the exhibition galleries (Nov. 12 through May 14).
2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714-567-3600, bowers.org
For years, Bowers Museum has brought the world to Orange County, with exhibits of the Dead Sea Scrolls, China’s Terra Co a Warriors, and Egyptian mummies, among many others. Now the museum brings Orange County to the world, with robust digital programming that originated in the wake of COVID-19.
“We’ve permanently adopted a hybrid system, o ering almost all of our programs both on-site and online to serve the needs of our growing community, which is tuning in from all over the world,” says Peter Keller, Bowers president. “From our free Educator Guides being downloaded in Norway to our Free Family Festivals being livestreamed across the United States, the museum connects peo ple and resources in a way that we just weren’t able to before.”
Even though the Santa Ana museum has gone global, the needs of local audiences are still at the forefront.
“The most important programs we have are those that provide opportunities for our under served communities,” Keller says. “Many O.C. museums have come to recognize the importance of this responsibility, and the Bowers Museum is proud to have a leading role. With school programs for low-income students dating back decades, in recent years the Bowers has grown to provide an array of free and discounted programs for senior enrichment, Title I schools, and those most severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.”
Keller adds that the Bowers, with its focus on world-class art and artifacts, fills a di erent niche than other local museums. “A trip to the Bowers and the other amazing museums in Orange County ensures there’s something for everyone. Together, we’ve created a network of cultural institutions that Orange County, and truly Southern Califor nia, can be proud of.”
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Admire the rich textures and colors of the works in “Voices in Pastel: Pastel Society of the West Coast” (through Dec. 3).
167 N. Atchison St., Orange, 714-516-5880, hilbertmuseum.com (On Dec. 17, the Hilbert will open at its temporary location, 216 E. Chapman Ave.)
In 2024, the Hilbert Museum of California Art is scheduled to expand into a new space at Chapman University that will near ly triple the square footage (from 7,500 to 22,000). Two existing buildings will be joined by a court yard expansive enough for outdoor events. A giant oating rectangle will crown the courtyard and dis play “Pleasures Along the Beach,” a 1969 glass mosaic by California artist Millard Sheets. Measuring 40 feet long and 16 feet high, the mural was rescued from a Home Savings Bank in Santa Monica that was scheduled for demolition.
But as Museum Director Mary Pla points out, “the excitement of a new building only lasts a year or two; it’s what’s inside that counts.” On that score, the Hilbert succeeds admirably. Visitors can see works from the museum’s collection of 20th-century California scene paintings, American illustrations, and movie art—the last two are rich sources of inspiration for Chapman’s graphic design, film, and animation students.
Pla , who worked at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in its early days, understands the importance of programming and says it’s an area where O.C. museums shine. “We’re revving up now that we are emerging from COVID with lectures, musical performances, and interactive programs for chil dren and Chapman students,” she says. “These are the things that get people excited and bring them in to see what’s on the walls.”
And people have been coming. The Hilbert had more than 30,000 visitors in the year before the pan demic started. It draws interna tional tourists who come between trips to Disneyland and the beach, as well as patrons from L.A. “The concept of the Orange Curtain, in terms of the arts, is being demol ished,” Pla says.
¼ The museum mounts its first concurrent exhibits: “Dissolve” showcases 20 works by contemporary artists, including two commissions, while “Echoes of Perception: Peter Alexander and California Impressionism” is a tribute to the late artist and the paintings that inspired him (“Dissolve” runs through Dec. 10; “Echoes of Perception” ends Jan. 14).
18881 Von Karman Ave., 949-476-0003, imca.uci.edu
Top: Ana Teresa Fernández, “Of Bodies and Borders”
Middle: Granville Redmond, “Untitled (Moonlight Marsh Scene)”
Bo om: Peter Alexander, “Cloverfield I”
Established in 2017, Lang son IMCA has already shown steady growth. While it is temporarily housed in an Irvine o ice building, the museum has an estimable per manent collection of 4,500-plus works and an ambitious vision inspired by artists with UC Irvine ties, including Chris Burden, Robert Irwin, and Alexis Smith.
“Langson IMCA benefits from a superb legacy—past and pres ent—of arts faculty who have long championed innovation and experimentation,” museum director Kanatani says. “We aim to continue building on that spirit to become the epicenter for the study and appreciation of Califor nia Art and artists. Our mission is to examine, preserve, and present the artistic response to the state’s diverse social, cultural, and natural environments.”
In a few years, Langson IMCA will move into its home on the UC Irvine North Campus. In the meantime, Kanatani is exploring ways to bring the collection to the campus and the community with wall projections, pop-ups, and collaborations. The museum also o ers a mix of programming, in person (a new series that includes lectures and plein-air painting workshops) and digital (“Beyond the Frame: Impressions of California,” an audio-visual experience created by design stu dio Imaginary Places premiering on the website Oct. 13). Naturally, with Langson IMCA under the auspices of UC Irvine, learning and research will be paramount.
“Imagine having faculty and scholars, artists, art critics, and educators from around the globe in residence in the institute and generating new research on California Art and then be able to disseminate that research to a broader public through the museum’s exhibitions and pro grams,” Kanatani says.
Executive Director Kelly Chidester emphasizes the Anaheim museum’s role as a community gathering place, which she says is especially vital during this time of continued social unrest.
“A lot of people are engaging with their mental health, and museums are providing safe spaces for them to take a step back from the notso-great parts of life to re ect, but also to have the di icult conversations that are essential right now,” Chidester says.
Muzeo hosts touring exhibitions because it doesn’t have a permanent collection to draw from, and Chidester programs those shows focusing on their cultural and scholarly aspects. For instance, a recent exhibit, “Same Game, Di erent Smokers,” examined the advertising imagery the tobacco industry has used to market products to the Black community and the historical and societal implications of those campaigns.
“We can be broader with subject ma er—our exhibits cover fine arts, humanities, history, or science,” Chidester says. “We also consider how it will play within the community: Will our patrons see something they haven’t seen before? We’re constantly engaging with the community and work closely with the city of Anaheim to get input.”
Muzeo’s commitment to the community has spawned what Chidester calls “a museum without walls.” In addition to exhibits in its four galleries, Muzeo also hosts virtual shows and programming and an annual children’s festival at Pearson Park.
“Museums need to diversify their o erings to be successful,” Chidester says. “I’m excited to see museums breaking down financial barriers and providing more points of access for patrons. Museums are for everybody.”
The world premiere of “Houdini Unchained: The Legacy of Harry Houdini” is a personal look at the master escape artist, with props from his illusions (Oct. 8 through Jan. 22).
214 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714-765-6450, muzeo.org
The 10th anniversary of the Art & Nature Festival includes “The Sea Around Us,” a 360-degree video installation by Rebeca Méndez, above, and “Pyramidion,” at le , Kelly Berg’s interactive sculptural experience spread out over the nearby park and beach (Nov. 3 through 6).
307 Cli Drive, Laguna Beach, 949-494-8971, lagunaartmuseum.org
Julie Perlin Lee, Laguna Art Museum’s executive director, grew up in Orange County and has seen its cultural metamorphosis firsthand.
“This is such an exciting time for me. I was always told I had to leave O.C. to be part of a culturally relevant institution, but there’s no denying now that you can be part of a fantastic cultural experience here,” she says. “Of course, with OCMA, those of us who love museums have been waiting decades for this opening and I’m cheering them on.” Echoing many
local museum administrators, Perlin Lee says OCMA’s expansion brings only good news for other museums: “A rising tide raises all boats.”
Laguna Art Museum is the grande dame of local museums. Founded in 1918 by artists embedded in the community, “we’re grounded in a history that was highly in uential as one of the original artist colonies in California,” Perlin Lee says. “They were real trendse ers in art and visionaries in their own right.” The museum honors that legacy while also drawing a throughline to modern and contemporary works. For a recent exhibit of modernist painter Francis De Erdely’s portraits of immigrant workers, the
museum brought in artist John Sonsini to talk about the commonalities between their works, even though they were produced decades apart.
Perlin Lee adds that Laguna Art Museum’s coastal location gives it a certain earthiness. “We have worldclass art, but we don’t mind if you have sand between your toes; there’s a warmth and comfort here that I love.” That ambience is significant.
“An article recently came out about how being around artwork reduces anxiety and depression, and we all need that upli ,” she says. “Being in a room and looking at something together is a shared experience, and that’s important.”
Irvine Barclay Theatre’s 2022-23 season has a wealth of worldly in uence. More than half of the live performances have ties to places outside the U.S. mainland.
George Kahumoku
Jr. , Daniel Ho , and Tia Carrere
Oct. 15
Keola Beamer & Henry Kapono , with Moanalani Beamer
Jan. 13 Kaleo Phillips April 14
Aida Cuevas accompanied by Mariachi Aztlan Sept. 30 Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles and Villalobos Brothers April 28
CANADA
Violinist Dennis Kim of Trio Barclay, raised in Toronto Nov. 20 Jan. 15
Singer Nathalie
Joachim , whose family is from a rural village in Haiti April 1
SCOTLAND
Alan Cumming , actor, author, singer
Nov. 16
ENGLAND
Nigella Lawson , food personality Nov. 26
FRANCE
Cyrille Aimée , jazz vocalist Feb. 11
AFRICA
Soweto Gospel Choir
Oct. 20
EGYPT
Salwa Rizkalla , artistic director of Festival Ballet Theatre , presenting “The Nutcracker” Dec. 10 to 24
Festival Ballet Theatre , “Swan Lake” March 18 and 19
TAIWAN
Gustavo Ramirez Sansano , Annabelle Lopez Ochoa , and Tsai Tsi Hung ; choreographers from Philadelphiabased BalletX Jan. 24
INDIA
Zakir Hussain , Masters of Percussion March 16
IRAN
Vocalist Mahsa Vahdat with the Kronos Quartet Oct. 21
Cellist Jonah Kim from Trio Barclay, born in South Korea
Nov. 20 Jan. 15 Curtis on Tour featuring Korean American violinist Soovin Kim March 11
Midori , Osakaborn classical violinist April 16
Joey Alexander, jazz pianist May 19
South Coast Repertory Creative Director David Ivers discusses the theater’s summer collaboration with Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Outside SCR will be heading into its third season next summer. How did the idea come about?
I came into this job (less than a year) before the pandemic, and I didn’t make it through the fi rst season I programmed as artistic director. I had always thought about the fact that there wasn’t much outdoor theater in Orange County, since I have a background in that with things like Shakespeare festivals. So in the early days of COVID-19, I thought, “Well we’re not going to be producing inside; this is the perfect opportunity to engage with the community in new ways.”
What was it like putting together the first show?
It was galvanizing,
daunting, terrifying, exciting. The Mission is really the most perfect partner. I walked into the courtyard and said, “This is it!” And we didn’t look back.
How di erent is it from putting together the regular season?
We do a lot of heavy hitting plays at South Coast Repertory, many that are emotional and challenging. This is an opportunity to have a pleasant evening out. The sort of joke I tell about what we’re looking for with Outside SCR is, “What would go (well) with a beach chair and a margarita or a glass of chardonnay?” I’m sort of joking, but kind of not. I want people to feel like they can be in fl ip-flops and bring their homecooked meal and be ex-
posed to theater in a way you can’t be anywhere else.
This year’s show, “Million Dollar Quartet,” was a big hit—what might be next?
Yes, there aren’t a lot of perfect jukebox musicals, but that was about as close as it comes. Hit after hit and based on a real story. I can’t say what’s next, yet, but I will say we’re always looking for stu that folds in more than one discipline. With theater outdoors, the magic has to come not just from the story but also the environment. We don’t control the lighting until 9 o’clock. So if you have heightened stu like music, dance, or heightened speech like with Shakespeare, you have so many experiences to enjoy. Stu that will
wrap its arms around the community, that the whole family will enjoy.
What started as a pandemic necessity now seems to have evolved beyond that. Was it an easy decision to keep Outside SCR going?
It was a pretty easy thing for us to commit to because I came into this job with a vision of deepening our connection to the community, reflecting where we live, and getting new butts in seats. So when the fi rst markers came back that 30 to 40 percent of the audience had never been to a show at South Coast Repertory, and when I saw the multigenerational families gathered, it was an emotional and powerful experience.
BY JENNY GRAHAM, COURTESY OF SOUTH COAST REPERTORYThe Heartbeat of Mexico festival started in May of 2016. The Musco Center did a phenomenal job of partnering with us to take into account our opinions and perspectives on what this celebration should look like, from the headliners to the food. They really listened to members of the Latinx community, particularly to the Mexican community. For me as a Mexican American, it was really refreshing and heartwarming to see that they wanted to bring in our culture, which is so rich and familyoriented, to the campus.
It’s a multiday celebration that takes place on Memorial Day weekend each year. There are ticketed shows each night, usually Mexican singers or artists—everything from mariachi to pop stars. And the last day is the outdoor festival where we sort of take over the campus and have a few stages with performances going on, food trucks, cra s for kids, dancing. It’s a free festival, and everyone of all ages just enjoys themselves while celebrating our culture. And it helps promote Chapman as a place where future students can come and feel that they are welcome.
As a mother of two Mexican American boys, bringing them to this event fills me with pride because they can see a part of our culture and learn more about our heritage. And the feedback that we’ve go en from our guests has been incredibly positive. People, multiple generations of families, come back year a er year. One thing that is really moving for me is that it’s not just the Latinx community. This event is open to everyone, and seeing others from di erent backgrounds coming and enjoying it is really emotional for me.
1920: Oct. 22
The Laguna Playhouse is founded. Plays are performed in private homes.
1922: Aug. 11
The first full production, “Suppressed Desires” by Susan Glaspell, is presented in an old vulcanizing shop.
1924
The Playhouse, built at a cost of $5,000, opens at 319 Ocean Ave. and serves as the home of The Laguna Playhouse through 1969.
1942
The Playhouse closes for the first time to temporarily house USO soldiers during WWII.
The Playhouse is rented for many summers to independent producers of summer stock, featuring stars such as Nane e Fabray and Roddy MacDowell, and future stars such as Barbara Eden and Marlo Thomas. Be e Davis and Barry Sullivan perform in a one-night fundraiser for Laguna Playhouse (1960).
1999
The Playhouse’s critically acclaimed production of “The Last Session” transfers to a commercial run in Los Angeles.
2000
The Playhouse produces Julie Harris’ “The Belle of Amherst” and tours it nationally to 18 cities.
2002
The Playhouse is the first professional resident theater licensed to produce the Tony Award-winning play “Copenhagen,” and tours it nationally to 24 cities.
2006
The production of “Constant Star” wins five prestigious NAACP Theatre Awards.
2014
First annual Lythgoe Family Panto, “A Snow White Christmas,” is presented.
1964-65
The first season of South Coast Repertory is presented at The Laguna Playhouse.
1965
A young Harrison Ford appears in Stephen Vincent Benet’s “John Brown’s Body.”
1969: September
The Moulton Theatre opens at 606 Laguna Canyon Road, its current location.
1987-1988
The production of “Quilters” wins the Regional American Association of Community Theatre Finals, directed by Laguna Beach’s own Teri Ralston.
1998
A er a smash-hit run and revival, the Playhouse’s West Coast premiere production of “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” transfers to a commercial run in Los Angeles.
2015
World premiere of Gretchen Cryer in “I’m Still Ge ing My Act Together,” produced by Jon Cryer
2016
Rita Rudner and Charles Shaughnessy star in the U.S. premiere of “Act 3.”
2018
Melanie Gri ith stars in “The Graduate.”
2020
The Playhouse closes its doors for the first time since WWII because of COVID-19, halting a box o ice record-breaking run of “Barefoot in the Park” starring Rita Rudner.
2021
The Playhouse returns to live theater a er a 19-month break with a revival of “Sh-Boom: Life Could Be a Dream.”
The Pacific Symphony concertmaster has led orchestras in Hong Kong, Seoul, Finland, and Bu alo, N.Y. So he has clout when he says Orange County has some of the best food in the world. The violinist for Trio Barclay and instructor at UC Irvine and Orange County School of the Arts also spends time in L.A. recording studios making movie and TV soundtracks: “Everything you all watch on the big screen and on Net ix,” he says.
What was your biggest challenge during stay-at-home orders?
Not being able to perform and see the audience. Not being able to make music with my colleagues. … The scariest thing was we didn’t know when it was going to start up again. After a short bit, we could do stu online and stay connected. But every musician and artist was in the same boat.
Is there something that might surprise people about you?
Growing up in Toronto, I was not a kid who just played music. I played all sports—hockey and even high school football. Today I play racquetball, pickleball, tennis, golf—I’m at the gym every day.
Favorite O.C. restaurant?
There are so many. Our family choice for birthdays is Javier’s. Both of them—the one in Irvine and the one in Crystal Cove.
Where do you take tourists in O.C.?
Friends come see me perform, so I show them Segerstrom, the Barclay Theatre, and South Coast Repertory. Food-based, we have the best Asian food in the world. We go to BCD Tofu House, Chai Lan, Honey Pig Korean BBQ, and lots of pho places my daughters love.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
Some of our biggest (Pacific Symphony) fans were still cautious about coming out. Hopefully more people come out so we can have the huge audiences we had before the pandemic. For Trio Barclay, we have three world premieres written for us. It’s important to play new music because without it, our art form will die.
9th Annual Fashion Show & Lunch
Oct. 15 at Westin, South Coast Plaza Hotel Tickets: $110 for adults;
$40 for children
Contact: Bonne Wheeler at lamar.w@cox.net or Judy Kelley at jakelley2@live.com
Prior to the building of the performing arts center, there was a group of people who thought it would be wonderful if they didn’t have to drive to L.A. all the time to see the theater or symphony. In 1978, Thomas Moon was the president of Orange County Music Center, and he asked a woman named Georgia Spooner to see what she could do to form a group to raise money. Georgia started by having some tea (parties) and then pretty quickly within O.C., there were a whole lot of people who were involved in trying to promote what became a performing arts center. My mother, Laura Condrey, was a charter member of one of the first chapters, Stage Door. They were chartered in 1980. They quickly grew, and soon there were 4,000 Guilds members. Every body was just committed to this single goal of building a world-class performing arts center, which they did. Now that it’s all built, The Guilds focuses our support on education and community involvement programs put on by Segerstom Center for the Arts.
What types of programs and events are available?
The Center promotes (programs such as) Disney Musicals in Schools and Five Days of Broadway for high school youth, where they are taught by people who are working in the theater. We have all kinds of programs; they just go on and on. We have wonderful events on Argyros Plaza that are for the community, and most of them are free or very nominally priced. Because we want to be inclusive of the entire county, there are cer tain shows for our family series that are for people (with individual needs) to support their enjoyment of a perfor mance. The chapters of The Guilds support all those.
Tell us about your role as chairperson.
I was just installed as the new chairperson of The Guilds on June 16. It is such an honor and privilege be cause there were people there in the room who knew my mom; they wrote me cards that said, “She’d be so proud of you.” My goal as chair is to see how we can grow and promote The Guilds throughout the entire county. I am also chair of one of the chapters called Sound of Music, whose funds go directly to support Studio D, which is the center’s on-site school for arts for all abilities and ages.
The best way would be to contact me at susancondrey@gmail.com or 949-407-6080.
In previous years, Casa Romantica has held music and dance summer academies for children ages 8 through 17. The group plans to rework those programs for bigger and be er experiences in 2023. Check casaromantica.org to find out about upcoming programs.
Oct. 1
The L.A. Troupe Presents Edgar Allan Poe
Part of the Casa Kids Concert Series, this daytime show features short performances of “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Raven,” and other spooky stories by the acclaimed writer that are sure to get you into the Halloween spirit.
First Sunday of the Month
D. Yoder Family Sundays
Take advantage of free admission along with performances and activities. The event on Jan. 1 will be dedicated to young musicians and dancers.
Nov. 1, 8, 15, and 22
Paint and Play
Recommended for ages 2 through 5, this four-session arts and cra s series allows toddlers to get hands-on with a curriculum developed by early childhood educators.
Dec. 1 through 22
Casa Lumina
Tour the grounds and take in the holiday lights with the whole family. There’s live music, hot cocoa, and many teenage musicians, including some Casa Academy alums.
Dec. 10
Celebrate the holidays while decorating festive treats with Santa’s be er half. Appropriate for kids 12 and under.
Unlock your creativity or hone your skills at Muckenthaler Cultural Center
Ceramics Course
Beginners are introduced to the basics of throwing on a po er’s wheel.
Create your own utilitarian and decorative ceramic pieces for everyday use. Techniques used include hand-building, wheel-throwing, and the Buncheong technique, a special decoration skill with white slip, rooted in Korean traditional po ery.
Create a variety of multidisciplinary art projects using watercolor, acrylic painting, color pencil, and ceramics.
Boro + Shashiko
Learn basic hand-sewing techniques in the context of this traditional Japanese practice of mending.
Stippling Drawing Techniques
Create a portrait, still life, or abstract drawing using a technique that renders so gradient textures.
Color Collages
Meld color images together to create a collage.
Learn the four staple structures of the bookbinding world: the pamphlet stitch, two versions of one-sheet wonders, and a concertina.
“13 Women” at OCMA
Through Jan. 14
LANGSON IMCA “Echoes of Perception: Peter Alexander and California Impressionism”
Through Oct. 23
CHANCE THEATER
“The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity”
Oct. 1 through Jan. 15
LAGUNA ART MUSEUM “Photography and Seduction: William Mortensen’s Laguna Beach”
Oct. 1
SAMUELI THEATER Samara Joy
Oct. 1
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Southborder & Neocolours
Oct. 2 through 23
SOUTH COAST REPERTORY “Nina Simone: Four Women”
Oct. 5
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS DakhaBrakha—Direct from Ukraine
Oct. 6
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice”
Oct. 6 through Dec. 8
MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER “Intercultural”
Oct. 7
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Rick Braun Plays the Standards & More
Oct. 8
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE
Bill Engvall: Here’s Your Sign— It’s Finally Time: The Farewell Tour
Opens Oct. 8
ORANGE COUNTY MUSEUM
OF ART
“13 Women”
“California Biennial 2022” Peter Walker: “Minimalist Landscape”
Fred Eversley: “Re ecting Back (the World)”
Sanford Biggs: “Of Many Waters”
Oct. 8 through Jan. 22
MUZEO MUSEUM AND CULTURAL CENTER
“Houdini Unchained: The Legacy of Harry Houdini”
Through Oct. 9
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
“Kim’s Convenience”
Oct. 9
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Hamid Saeidi
Oct. 9
SAMUELI THEATER Apollon Musagete & Garrick Ohlsson
Oct. 13
MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER
Randy O o as Winston Churchill
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan will be at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Opens Oct. 13
LANGSON IMCA “Beyond the Frame: Impressions of California”
Oct. 14
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Judy Collins
Oct. 15
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Chorale and Pacific Symphony: Duru é + Hagen
Oct. 15
SAMUELI THEATER Judy Whitmore and Billy Grubman
Oct. 15
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Masters of Hawaiian Music: George Kahumoku Jr., Daniel Ho, and Tia Carrere
Oct. 15
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Booker T. Jones—60 Years of Green Onions
Through Oct. 16 SEGERSTROM HALL “Hamilton”
Oct. 19 and 20
CASA ROMANTICA Woodie and the Longboards
Oct. 20
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Soweto Gospel Choir
Oct. 20 through 22
SAMUELI THEATER Chris Mann
Oct. 20 through 22
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto
Oct. 21
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Kronos Quartet with Mahsa Vahdat
Oct. 21 through Nov. 6
CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE “Death by Design”
Oct. 26
SEGERSTROM HALL Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan
Oct. 27 through 29
CASA ROMANTICA Casa Creepy Haunted House
Oct. 27
MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER
Muckenthaler A er Dark: Beyond the Black Veil
Oct. 28
HONDA CENTER The Who
Oct. 28
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS “The Just and the Blind”
Oct. 29
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: “Harry Po er and the Sorcerer’s Stone” in Concert
Oct. 29
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Rocky Dawuni
Oct. 29 and 30
SAMUELI THEATER “Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster”
Oct. 30 through Nov. 13
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE “Love Among the Ruins”
Nov. 2
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS An Evening with George Takei
Nov. 2
SAMUELI THEATER Calidore String Quartet
Nov. 2
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Belinda Carlisle
Nov. 3
SEGERSTROM HALL Bodytra ic
Nov. 3
CASA ROMANTICA Ayane & Paul
Nov. 4 through 20
SOUTH COAST REPERTORY “Snow White”
Nov. 4 and 5
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: John Williams: A 90th Birthday Celebration
Nov. 5
HONDA CENTER
The B-52s
Nov. 5
SAMUELI THEATER Vijay Iyer Trio
Nov. 5 and 6
MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER Artistic License Fair
Nov. 8
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Lila Downs
Nov. 9 through 27
SEGERSTROM HALL “Moulin Rouge! The Musical”
Nov. 9 RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Farruquito Flamenco
Nov. 10
CASA ROMANTICA HyeJin Kim
Nov. 11
HONDA CENTER Greta Van Fleet
Nov. 12 and 13
SAMUELI THEATER “North”
Nov. 12 through May 14
BOWERS MUSEUM
“Guo Pei: Art of Couture”
Nov. 13
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Viano String Quartet
Nov. 16
HONDA CENTER
The Smashing Pumpkins and Jane’s Addiction
Nov. 16
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Alan Cumming
Nov. 17
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Smetena Trio
Nov. 17 through 19
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: “The Planets”
Nov. 18
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Grace Kelly at the Movies
Nov. 19
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Peisha McPhee, Adriana McPhee, and Katharine McPhee-Foster
Nov. 20
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Vienna Boys Choir: “Christmas in Vienna”
Nov. 20
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Trio Barclay: Schubert and Chang
Nov. 25
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE “Kinky Boots” screening
Nov. 25 through Dec. 18
CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
Nov. 25 through 27
CURTIS THEATRE
Christmas with the Alley Cats
Nov. 26
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Nigella Lawson
Nov. 26 through Dec. 24 SOUTH COAST REPERTORY
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”
Dec. 1
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE
A Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Christmas
Dec. 1 through 3 RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Milos Plays Rodrigo
Dec. 1 and 3 HONDA CENTER Jo Koy
Dec. 1 through 22
CASA ROMANTICA Casa Lumina Holiday Walk
Dec. 4
HONDA CENTER Andrea Bocelli
Dec. 4 RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Handel’s Glorious Messiah
Dec. 4
SEGERSTROM HALL Mannheim Steamroller Christmas
Dec. 8
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Storm Large
Dec. 8 through 30
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
“Wonderful Winter of Oz: A Holiday Panto”
Dec. 8 and 9
CASA ROMANTICA Casa Nutcracker
Dec. 9
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Mavis Staples and Kandace Springs
Dec. 9 through 18
SEGERSTROM HALL American Ballet Theatre: “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 10 through 24
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Festival Ballet Theater: “The Nutcracker”
Dec. 11
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Chita Rivera
Dec. 12 and 13
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
The Skivvies: “Sleigh My Name”
Dec. 15 through 17
SAMUELI THEATER
The Broadway Hollywood Holiday Songbook
Dec. 15 through 18
CURTIS THEATRE
“It’s a Wonderful Life” a Live Radio Play
Dec. 16
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Max Amini
Dec. 16 and 17
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Holiday Pops with the Manha an Transfer
Dec. 18
MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER Holiday Festival
Dec. 18 and 19
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Chorale: “Tis the Season!”
Dec. 19 and 20
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE “Sister’s Christmas Catechism”
Dec. 20
SEGERSTROM HALL Alton Brown Live
Dec. 20
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Holiday Organ Spectacular
Dec. 22
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS “Nochebuena: Christmas Eve in Mexico”
Dec. 23
SEGERSTROM HALL Johnny Mathis Christmas Concert
Dec. 27 through Jan. 8
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Dec. 31
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE Rita Rudner: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like New Year’s”
Jan. 6 RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Brian Stokes Mitchell
Jan. 8
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE “Prima Facie” with Jodie Comer
Jan. 12 through 14 RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: “Mahler 9”
Jan. 13
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Legends: Keola Beamer & Henry Kapono, with Moanalani Beamer
Jan. 15
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Trio Barclay: Tchaikovsky and Arroyo
Jan. 19 through 21
SAMUELI THEATER Jane Lynch and Kate Flannery
Jan. 19
CASA ROMANTICA Orchestra Collective of Orange County
Jan. 20
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE A Conversation with John Lithgow
Jan. 21
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Aaron Diehl Trio: Bach to Bebop
Jan. 22
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Respighi and Beethoven with Shunta Morimoto
Feb. 2 through 4
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Bronfman plays Schumann
Feb. 3 through 19
CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE “Strangers on a Train”
Feb. 4
SAMUELI THEATER Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents “Sing & Swing”
Feb. 5
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: “Romeo and Juliet”
Feb. 6
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Fran Lebowitz
Feb. 9
RENÉE AND HENRY
Jan. 28 through Feb. 26
SOUTH COAST REPERTORY “Appropriate”
Jan. 28
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Lunar New Year
Jan. 29
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Bob Baker Marione es
Jan. 23
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Amy Tan
Jan. 24
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE BalletX
Jan. 25
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Monterey Jazz Festival on Tour
Jan. 27
CASA ROMANTICA Danny Green Trio
Jan. 27
SAMUELI THEATER Takacs Quartet
Jan. 29 through Feb. 26 SOUTH COAST REPERTORY “The Li le Foxes”
Jan. 31
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Dover Quartet
Feb. 1 through 19
SEGERSTROM HALL “Frozen”
Feb. 1
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE “H.M.S. Pinafore” by the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pa i LuPone
Feb. 9
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE “On Broadway”
Feb. 10
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE The Blind Boys of Alabama
Feb. 10 and 11
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Valentine’s Day with The Righteous Brothers
Feb. 10 through 26
CURTIS THEATRE “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder”
Feb. 11
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Cyrille Aimée
Feb. 16
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS Rosanne Cash Duo
Feb. 17
CASA ROMANTICA Ballet Romantica with the City Ballet of San Diego
Stephen Kovacevich Sunday, October
Kholodenko Sunday, October
Seong-Jin
Friday,
Paci c Symphony with George Li Sunday, October
Vienna Boys Choir Sunday, November
Seong-Jin Cho Friday, December
Elvin Bishop & Charlie Musselwhite Saturday, October 1 Booker T. Jones Saturday, October 15 Mike Wo ord Tribute Saturday, November 19
Storm Large Thursday, December
LEGENDS
Judy Collins Friday, October 14
Karla Bono & David Lindley Saturday, October 22 WORLD Rocky Dawuni Saturday, October 29 Celtic Christmas with Titanic Piper Eric Rigler Sunday, December
CHAMBER MUSIC
Hub New Music with Kojiro Umezaki Sunday, November 6
Viano String Quartet Sunday, November 13
Vital Sounds: The Intersection of Art and Music – Can Music Make You Well? Friday, October
Large Thurs, Dec 8 at 8PM
Feb. 22
SAMUELI THEATER Quarte o di Cremona
Feb. 23
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS Pilobolus
Feb. 23
SEGERSTROM HALL “Bluey’s Big Play”
Feb. 23 through 25
RENÉE AND HENRY SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Tchaikovsky and Strauss
Feb. 24 through March 12
CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE “Over the River and Through the Woods”
Feb. 26
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Diane Schuur
March 1
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS Lawrence Brownlee: Songs from the Harlem Renaissance
March 2
MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER Beth Sussman
March 3
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Lyric Opera OC: “Roméo et Julie e”
March 4
SAMUELI THEATER Somos Amigos
March 4
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Preservation Hall Jazz Band
March 5
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Mandy Gonzales and Javier Munoz
March 5
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Isaac Mizrahi
March 6
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Erik Larson
March 7 through 19
SEGERSTROM HALL “Mean Girls”
March 8
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Brooke Gladstone
March 10
CASA ROMANTICA Alicia Olatuja
March 10 and 11
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony with Kristin Chenoweth
March 11
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Curtis on Tour
March 12
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Alisa Weilerstein
March 16
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS Lucia Micarelli Quartet
March 16
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Zakir Hussain and the Masters of Percussion
March 16 through 18
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Tao Plays Mozart
March 18 and 19
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Festival Barclay Theatre: “Swan Lake”
March 18 and 19
SAMUELI THEATER
“Ugly Duckling”
March 22
SAMUELI THEATER Camerata RCO
March 25
SAMEULI THEATER The Cookers
March 26
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Nowruz: Iranian New Year
March 29 through April 2
SEGERSTROM HALL American Ballet Theatre: “Like Water for Chocolate”
March 30 through April 1
SAMUELI THEATER Broadway the Calla-Way!
March 30
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Steep Canyon Rangers
March 31 through April 16
CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE “It Runs in the Family”
April 1
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Nathalie Joachim
April 1
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Organist Anna Lapwood
April 2
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Jean-Yves Thibaudet
April 3
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Wynton Marsalis Quintet
April 3
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE “Sister’s Easter Catechism”
April 4
SEGERSTROM HALL Yo-Yo Ma and Kathryn Sto
April 7
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL George Benson
April 8
SEGERSTROM HALL Dorrance Dance
April 8 through May 6
SOUTH COAST REPERTORY
“Prelude to a Kiss, the Musical”
April 12 through 16
LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE
“My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, and I’m in Therapy”
April 14
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Kaleo Phillips
April 14 and 15
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Gloria Gaynor—Queen of Disco
April 15
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Kenny Barron April 15
CURTIS THEATRE
“Yesterday and Today— The Interactive Beatles Experience”
April 15
SAMUELI THEATER Emerson String Quartet
April 16
SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER The Lucky Band
April 16
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Midori Plays Bach
April 18 through 30
SEGERSTROM HALL “Hairspray”
April 19
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Formosa Quartet
April 20
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Megan Hilty
April 20, 22, and 25
RENÉE AND HENRY SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: Verdi’s Rigole o
April 21 through May 7 CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE “Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap”
April 22 and 23
SAMUELI THEATER “Grimmz Fairy Tales”
April 22
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Selected Shorts 2023
April 23 through May 14 SOUTH COAST REPERTORY “Coleman ’72”
April 27 through 29
SAMUELI THEATER Jason Robert Brown April 28
RENÉE AND HENRY SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Dream House Quartet
April 28
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles & Villalobos Brothers April 28
CASA ROMANTICA Eric Rigler
April 29
MUSCO CENTER FOR THE ARTS “Bone Hill: A Staged Concert—Martha Redbone”
April 29
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Christian McBride’s New Jawn
HENRY SEGERSTROM
Mirada
April 8,
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Saturday, July 15,
Irvine Barclay Theatre
AND HENRY SEGERSTROM
HENRY
May 12 through 14
SEGERSTROM HALL
LA Dance Project: “Romeo & Juliet Suite”
May 14
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: “Rhapsody in Blue”
May 16 through 21
SEGERSTROM HALL “Chicago”
May 19
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE Joey Alexander
May 20
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Chorale and Pacific Symphony: Haydn + Price
May 20
IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE
“Music of the Knights: Commemorating the majestic musical masterpieces of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber,
Sir Elton John, and Sir Paul McCartney”
May 21
CURTIS THEATRE
“The House of Flightless Birds”
May 26 through June 11
CAMINO REAL PLAYHOUSE
“The Sound of Music”
May 27
SEGERSTROM HALL Alonzo King Lines Ballet
June 1 through 33
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL
Pacific Symphony: “Grieg Piano Concerto”
June 3
CURTIS THEATRE
Orchestra Collective of Orange County Third Annual Summer Serenade
June 3
SEGERSTROM HALL Ballet BC
June 9 and 10
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony with Renée Elise Goldsberry
June 13 through 25
SEGERSTROM HALL “Six”
June 15 through 17
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Pacific Symphony: “Cathedrals of Sound”
June 16 through 25
CURTIS THEATRE “The Revolutionists”
June 22
MUCKENTHALER CULTURAL CENTER
Lyric Opera of Orange County: “La Traviata”
June 24
RENÉE AND HENRY
SEGERSTROM CONCERT HALL Veronica Swi
June 30
CASA ROMANTICA Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles
July 11 through 23
SEGERSTROM HALL “Tina”
July 27
CASA ROMANTICA Gilbert Castellanos
Sept. 5 through 10
SEGERSTROM HALL “The Book of Mormon”
Founders Hall Soka University 1 University Drive 949-480-4081 soka.edu
Artists Republic 400 W. Disney Way 949-988-0603 artists-republic.com
SCAPE
2859 E. Coast Highway 949-723-3406 scapesite.com
The ARTery Gallery
@ The Lab
2930 Bristol St. thelab.com
Daniel Oropeza
Original Sculpture 1041 W. 18th St. 949-650-6169 danieloropeza.com
LIULI Gallery
3333 Bristol St. 714-438-8888 liuliusa.com
Martin Lawrence Galleries
South Coast Plaza 3333 Bear St. 949-759-0134 martinlawrence.com
Randy Higbee Gallery
102 Kalmus Drive 714-546-2156 randyhigbeegallery.com
Begovich Gallery
Cal State Fullerton 800 State College Blvd. 657-278-7750 fullerton.edu
Art Resource Group 2082 Michelson Drive 949-640-1972 artresourcegroup.com
CAC, Room, and University Art Galleries UC Irvine 949-824-9854 arts.uci.edu
Susan Spiritus Gallery 2070 Business Center Drive 714-754-1286 susanspiritusgallery.com
Village Gallery Irvine Spectrum Center 59 Fortune Drive 949-450-8282 villagegallery.com
Artist Eye Laguna Gallery 1294 S. Coast Highway 949-497-5898 artisteyegallerylaguna.com
Avran Art & Design 540 S. Coast Highway 949-494-0900 avranart.com
Dawson Cole Fine Art 326 Glenneyre St. 949-497-4988 dawsoncolefineart.com
Forest & Ocean 480 Ocean Ave. 949-371-3313 forestoceangallery.com
JoAnne Artman Gallery 326 N. Coast Highway 949-510-5481 joanneartmangallery.com
Kelsey Michaels Fine Art 354 N. Coast Highway kelseymichaels.com
LCAD Gallery 374 Ocean Ave. 949-376-6000 lcad.edu
Las Laguna Gallery 577 S. Coast Highway 949-667-1803 laslagunagallery.com
Lu Martin Galleries 372 N. Coast Highway 949-494-8074 lumartingalleries.com
Prima Fine Art Galllery 570 S. Coast Highway 949-715-0039 primafineartgallery.com
Quorum Gallery 374 N. Coast Highway 949-494-4422 quorumgallery.com
Redfern Gallery 1540 S. Coast Highway 949-497-3356 redferngallery.com
saltfineart 1043 N. Coast Highway 949-715-5554 saltfineart.com
Sandstone Gallery 384-A N. Coast Highway 949-497-6775 sandstonegallery.com
Studio 7 Galleries 384-B N. Coast Highway 949-497-1080 studio7gallery.com
Sue Greenwood Fine Art 330 N. Coast Highway 949-494-0669 suegreenwoodfineart.com
Village Gallery 502 S. Coast Highway 949-494-3553 villagegallery.com
Wyland Galleries
Laguna Beach 509 S. Coast Highway 949-376-8000 wylandgalleries.com
Ethos Contemporary Art Gallery 3405 Newport Blvd. 949-791-8917 ethoscontemporaryart.com
Gray Ma er Museum of Art 530 32nd St. gmmaca.org
Huse Skelly Fine Art Gallery 229 Marine Ave. huseskellygallery.com
Lahaina Galleries 1173 Newport Center Drive 949-721-9117 lahainagalleries.com
Guggenheim Gallery Chapman University 1 University Drive 714-997-6800 guggenheimgallery.com
San Clemente Art Association Gallery 100 N. Calle Seville 949-492-7175 paintsanclemente.com
The Co age Gallery 31701 Los Rios St. 949-340-6693 co agegalleryonlosrios.com
Mission Fine Art Gallery 31760 Camino Capistrano 949-291-7738 missionfineart.gallery
Avantgarden—The Art Gallery 417-B N. Broadway 714-558-8843 avantgardenoc.com
Bear Street Gallery
South Coast Plaza Village 3851 S. Bear St. 714-540-6430 ocfinearts.org
F+ Gallery 661 Poinse ia St. 714-493-9430 facebook.com/fplusgallery
Showcase Gallery South Coast Plaza Village 3851 S. Bear St. 714-540-6430 ocfinearts.org
Chemers Gallery 17300 E. 17th St. 714-731-5432 chemersgallery.com
Begovich Gallery
&WELLNESS
Simple solutions to help you prioritize health and wellness
Don’t we all wish to know the secret to aging well? While there may not be a single secret to a long-lived, healthy life, there are a few lifestyle elements we should all keep in mind. At Bel mont Village Senior Living, residents have everything they need for main taining a healthy lifestyle right at their ngertips—from staying active in the pool and tness center to exquisite dining and a range of programming.
Backed by nearly 25 years of experi ence and research, Belmont Village recently shared three tips for aging well in mind, body and soul.
Brains, like bodies, need a daily workout. Good brain health helps build neuro-connections and cogni tive reserve to draw on as we age. You can build cognitive reserve by learning something new or doing something that’s a mental stretch each day. For example, read an article and discuss it, do a crossword puzzle, or explore an interest you’ve always wanted to.
Using the mind and body together has even more bene t—dancing is perfect, as are sports and activities with strate gies or complex moves. Belmont Vil lage residents enjoy a variety of group tness classes and a vibrant daily activity calendar, o ering the opportu nity to stretch the mind each day.
In our later years, maintaining pre ventative care and medical needs becomes even more imperative to aging well. However, as we age, it can become di cult to maintain our own care plans. Seek the help of a family member to organize doctor’s appoint ments and medication or consider a Senior Living community with on-site care sta . At Belmont Village, nurses are on-site 24/7 to support residents at a moment’s notice and maintain their care. Residents are also only a few steps away from on-site physical, speech and occupational therapists.
Maintaining a sense of purpose helps nourish the soul at every age. Feeling
that your life has meaning and that you are in control of it fosters positive attitudes and emotions and a healthier brain. Stay involved in faith organiza tions or volunteer groups to boost your sense of purpose. Staying social can also help—seek out community with your friends and family or group activities.
Belmont Village communities are renowned for distinctive design and high standards of life safety, with a reputation for top-quality clinical care and leading edge, award-winning programs, including evidence-based Memory Care. Every Belmont Village community is licensed to the high est extend, allowing couples to stay together despite varying care needs.
To learn more about Belmont Village Senior Living’s Los Angeles-area locations o ering Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care, visit belmontvillage.com/losangeles.
Since 1998, Belmont Village has safely delivered an unparalleled senior living experience for thousands of families. Collaborations with experts from the nation’s top healthcare institutions and universities, including UCLA and USC, have established our national leadership in demonstrably e ective cognitive health and wellness programs. Combining the highest levels of hospitality and care, our communities make life worth living.
Experiencing vibrant health and vitality begins when you make taking care of “you” a priority. Whether that means exercising regularly, getting out in nature more often, unplugging from devices, or time well-spent with those you love, self-care matters. In this simple guide, we offer easy ways to look and feel your best and connect you with OC experts who can help you thrive during every stage of life.
Walk it off. Studies show a brisk daily walk can help you maintain a healthy weight, strengthen muscles and bones, improve coordination and even boost your mood.
Alleviate neck or back pain.
Dr. Daniel S. Yanni is a board certi ed and spine fellowship trained neurosurgeon, one of the few in the country who specializes in Minimally Invasive and Complex Spine Surgery.
Rated number one by his peers and patients Dr. Yanni is known for his innovative approaches to surgical problems. Learn more at: yannimd.com
At The Covington, holistic health and wellness is not just an idea, it is a way of life. Here, you will discover the choices you deserve, the freedoms you desire, and flexibility you can count on. Enjoy e ortless, resort-style living in the heart of Aliso Viejo.
invested in you.
Guzzle your H2O. Resist your craving for soft drinks
alcoholic beverages and instead reach for water, water
more water. It will reduce pu ness, make it easier to control your calorie intake and help you feel energized.
Get enough sleep. Six to eight hours of sleep will keep the body going throughout the day. Limit late-day ca eine which can interrupt deep sleep.
Take care of your gut. Probiotics can improve the health of your skin, digestion, and immune system. Consider adding a high-quality probiotic to your daily supplement regimen. Get more out of your workout! By combining the expertise of personal trainers and the technology of adaptive resistance equipment, Rocket Science Fitness in Irvine o ers one of the most e ective workouts in only 30 minutes. Life is too short to spend in a gym – at Rocket Science you can burn fat not time. Learn more at: tbyrocketscience.com
Susan Mehta has a Masters Degree and is a Certified Intervention Specialist with over 20 years clinical and field experience.
Cultivate inner peace. Training in meditation makes our mind peaceful, and when our mind is peaceful, we are happy all the time, even if our external conditions are less than ideal. Mahamudra Kadampa Meditation Center in Santa Ana o ers the classes and guidance you need to achieve the peace you seek. meditationinorangecounty.org
Pursue positivity. Read something inspirational each day and incorporate personal a rmations into your daily routine.
Streamline your socials. Taking a break from social media and other online activities can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and improve your sleep. Make it a practice to turn o your device at least an hour before bed and use the time to meditate, crack open a book or begin keeping a journal.
Feed your creativity. Paint, write, garden, cook, sew, redecorate a room–you might discover a new passion!
Help a loved one recover. With over 25 years of experience working with families, Susan Mehta’s purpose and passion is to help families motivate their loved ones into treatment and transform their lives. Discover experienced, professional and ethical intervention services nationally and internationally. Learn more: sminterventions.com
Bring the outdoors in. Caring for houseplants is an e ective way to help enhance your mood, problem-solving skills, and creativity. ey also serve as natural air puri ers!
...when you have tough choices to make, an experienced, compassionate professional can help clear the clouds of confusion by locating the best assisted living options for yourself or a loved one
Find your future home. Clear Choice Senior Services serves families and seniors in Orange County and has built a reputation as a trustworthy source of senior referrals and placements. With exceptional knowledge and compassion, these experts in senior placement can help match you or your loved one with the perfect home. Learn more at clearchoiceseniorservices.com
Boost your brain fi tness. Taking up a new hobby, learning a new skill or even perfecting a foreign language and keep cognitive skills strong.
Discover resort living. e Covington is a secluded, gated neighborhood of resort-style living in Aliso Viejo. Recognized as the best senior living retirement community in Orange County, where residents enjoy a wealth of amenities and activities, in an intimate, friendly community. roughout the landscaped grounds and thoughtfully designed residences, e Covington provides welcoming, casual sophistication and enviable retirement living. ecsforseniors.org/covington/about
Stretch yourself. Aging can take a toll on the body, but stretching is a great way to reduce aches, loosen up muscles and relax your joints. Consider Tai Chi, Yoga and Pilates.
Enjoy lasting peace of mind. Belmont Village is a nationally recognized provider of Independent Living,
Assisted Living and ground-breaking, evidence-based Memory Care. With communities that are renowned for distinctive design and high standards of life safety, Belmont Village has a reputation for top-quality clinical care and leading-edge, award-winning programs. Visit belmontvillage.com/losangeles
Stay social. After retirement, make a regular plan for getting out and being with people on a consistent basis. Consider joining a hobby group or a local sports club. Interacting with others helps you manage emotions, stress, and may even help you live longer!
Modern Kadampa Buddhism was introduced into contemporary society by the world-renowned meditation master and scholar Venerable Geshe Kelsang Gyatso Rinpoche to preserve the meaning and intention of Buddha’s original teachings while presenting them in a clear and systematic way that anyone of any nationality, age or gender can easily understand and put into practice.
WEEKLY
Santa
A Perfect Fit
Enderle Center 17300 E. 17th St., Ste. A Tustin, CA 92780 (714) 665-5994 aperfectfitonline.com
Belmont Village Senior Living 300 Freedom Ln. Aliso Viejo, CA 9265 (949) 643-1050 belmontvillage.com
Bikini Fit Club Newport Beach (949) 212-5445 bikinifitclub.com
CHOC
1201 W. La Veta Ave. Orange, CA 92868 (714) 599-8808 | choc.org
Clear Choice Senior Services 146 W. Bastanchury Rd. Fullerton, CA 92835 (714) 404-8210 clearchoiceseniorservices.com
Concierge Podiatry & Spa 495 Old Newport Blvd. Ste. 300 Newport Beach, CA 92663 (949) 650-1147 conciergepodiatryspa.com
2 Executive Circle, Ste. 175 Irvine, CA 92614 (714) 560-0424 (800) 434-0222 coasc.org/prevent
3 Pursuit
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 (949) 281-0174 thecovington.org
Daniel S. Yanni, MD
1501 Superior Ave., Ste. 114 Newport Beach, CA 92663 (949) 515-0051 hoagmedicalgroup.com/physician/ daniel-yanni-md
Enagic 4115 Spencer St. Torrance, CA 90503 (310) 542-7700 enagic.com
Kaiser Permanente (833) 574-2273 kp.kaiserpermanente.org
Kaiser Permanente Orange County – Anaheim 3440 E. La Palma Ave. Anaheim, CA 92806
Kaiser Permanente Orange County – Irvine 6640 Alton Pkwy. Irvine, CA 92618
Kaiser Permanente Health Pavillion 200 S. Lewis St. Orange, CA 92868
Mahamudra Kadampa Meditation Center 500 6th St. Hermosa Beach, CA 90254 (310) 848-9680 meditationinthesouthbay.org
Providence St. Joseph Hospital Orange Lake Forest, CA 92630 (949) 510-8537 sminterventions.com
SM Interventions
1100 W. Stewart Dr. Orange, CA 92868 (714) 771-8000 Providence.org
UCI Health ucihealth.org
UCI Medical Center 101 The City Drive South Orange, CA 92868 (714) 456-7809
UCI Health Gottschalk Medical Plaza 1 Medical Plaza Drive Irvine, CA 92697 (949) 824-8600
UCI Health outpatient services 1640 Newport Blvd. Costa Mesa, CA 92627 (714) 456-7720
UCI Health — Newport Beach 2161 San Joaquin Hills Road Newport Beach, CA 92660
UCI Health — Tustin 1451 Irvine Blvd. Tustin, CA 92780 (714) 838-8878
UCI Health — Orange Main Street 293 S. Main St., Ste. 200 Orange, CA 92868 (714) 838-8848
UCI Health — Yorba Linda 18637 Yorba Linda Blvd. Yorba Linda, CA 92886 (714) 790-8600
La Vida at Mission Viejo
Independent & Assisted Living · Memory Care 27783 Center Drive Mission Viejo, CA 92692 (949) 625-1533
Lavidamissionviejo.com
Las Palmas Independent & Assisted Living · Memory Care 24962 Calle Aragon Laguna Woods, CA 92637 (949) 382-1144
Laspalmasseniorliving.com
The Regency
Independent & Assisted Living 24441 Calle Sonora Laguna Woods, CA 92637 (949) 441-4177
Theregencyseniorliving.com
The Wellington
Independent & Assisted Living 24903 Moulton Parkway Laguna Woods, CA 92653 (949) 377-0292
Thewellingtonseniorliving.com
and house-made desserts. Modern cocktails and a roomy patio increase the pleasure factor. 5775 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, 714-283-1062. Second loca tion (not yet reviewed) in Laguna Beach. $$
This neighborhood darling includes a 20-seat bar, complete with a full liquor license and a clutch of specialty cocktails. Fragrant rotisserie chickens are always popular, though the menu now offers winebraised lamb shanks, and Pacific ono skewers. A siz able roster of gluten-free choices anchors a spin-off menu. 721 S. Weir Canyon Road, 714-283-5141. $$
Gawk at the view from the 12-story rooftop digs, but know that Blusky’s Basque cuisine is what really makes this hotel restaurant Anaheim’s most interesting newcomer. Executive chef Edgar Beas is fresh off stints at Michelin-starred kitchens, apply ing mastery to a tight menu of Spanish dishes. Look for Iberico pork items, indulgent salt cod, and lob ster paella. Late night, the place thumps with club action. Radisson Blu, 1601 S. Anaheim Blvd., 714-4091458. Dinner only $$
NAPA ROSE
Wine country thrives at the Disneyland Resort by way of this classy dinner house— no park admission required. Star chef Andrew Sut ton leads his crew in an exhibition kitchen, turning out imaginative, highly seasonal New American fare. The room mixes rustic with refined, and the nota bly wine-savvy waitstaff, many qualified as som meliers, deftly tailors unforgettable meals around wines from one of the region’s finest cellars. Dis ney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, 1313 Disneyland Drive, 714-300-7170. $$$
Chef-owner Michael Reed applies his ver satile chops to a spirited, seasonal dinner menu of share plates and thoughtful proteins. Clever variations on of-the-moment produce are high points, as are premium steaks and duck dishes. The one-of-a-kind greenhouse garden setting is a calm ing contrast to neighbor Anaheim Packing House. Weekend brunch. Closed Monday and Tuesday. 350 S. Anaheim Blvd., 714-603-7130 $$$
Oozing ambition, this upscale venue boasts a yowza saloon and a fine dining room so serious about sourcing, it maintains a private farm in the nearby foothills. A whopping menu of decidedly seasonal American fare boasts both uptown and down-home dishes. Live entertainment and dancing keep the
deluxe honkytonk hopping on weekends. 1025 E. Ball Road, 714-817-4200. $$$
Zov’s Anaheim resurfaced as this breezy watering hole inspired by Zov Karamardian’s mother and reputed renegade Roxy. Craft cocktails, imagina tive share plates, and premier pizzas dominate a menu designed for gathering before or after games, concerts, and Disneyland visits. Don’t-miss dishes include the chile-glazed rib stack, fried chicken sandwich, and kebab platter. There’s an elevated beer program and a midweek happy hour. 1801 E. Katella Ave., 714-280-9687. $$
This colorful latecomer to the Anaheim Packing House brings vibrancy and a cool cantina attitude to a food hall that really needed a good taco and mez cal cocktail. Executive chef Ernie Alvarado’s short menu of savvy street food changes often, and you can’t go wrong with his daily specials. Cozy sur roundings offer a choice of ambience—festive or sultry. 440 S. Anaheim Blvd., 714-502-0255. $$
A spiffy suburban outpost of the combo-plate chain that started in L.A. in 1923. Many dishes are listed with their year of origin. One of the best dates from the birth of the restaurant: the Sonora-style enchi lada topped with a fried egg. Green corn tamales have achieved cult status. 8200 E. Santa Ana Can yon Road, 714-769-6269. See Corona del Mar and La Habra locations. $$
Popular with the locals, this dapper haunt oozes bonhomie thanks to a solid team led by industry vet Scott McIntosh, whose feel-good American classics are consistently executed by a tight kitchen. Service is sharp. Look for a homey meatloaf, laudable fried chicken with yummy mashers and fresh biscuits,
This cool hang with a wraparound sidewalk patio is Birch Street Promenade’s most enduring din ing success. Helmed by industry vets Don Myers and Peter Serantoni, the menu of modern Mexican fare is boosted by a wood-burning oven and new dishes that blur some borders—sopes, empanadas, aguachile, and pozole. Taco Tuesday is just one of many weekly specials. Impressive tequila menu. 110 W. Birch St., 714-255-1040. See Irvine location. $$
North County’s fine diners can skip the trek south to splurge on old-school steakhouse dinners. Longtime Morton’s veteran Tony Fasulo breaks away, polishing the classy formula to a high sheen. Expect deluxe beef, say a Tomahawk chop or a strapping Delmonico, boosted with first-class seafood, precise cocktails, and cosseting service. Marinated skirt steak is the sleeper call. Cozy yet utterly contemporary, the venue includes a 25-seat bar with charcuterie platters. 180 S. Brea Blvd., 714592-3122.
Chef-owner Jessica Roy transformed the alfresco gem inside iconic Sherman Library & Gardens with a new name and joyous take on seasonal fare. Dreamy salads are impeccably fresh, pastas imaginative, and vegetarian tacos are a signature dish in the making. Effusive wine cocktails. 2647 E. Coast Highway, 949220-7229. Lunch only. $$
It’s combo-plate heaven at this venerable local chain that started in L.A. in 1923. The Sonora-style enchiladas are topped with a fried egg. Green corn tamales have achieved cult status. 3520 E. Coast Highway, 949-777-6137. See Anaheim Hills and La Habra locations.
This beguiling patio is chef-owner Rich Mead’s fourth and busiest enterprise yet, an inspired col laboration between a farmer’s dream chef and O.C.’s iconic outdoor lifestyle retailer. The restau rant-gazebo seats 120 with rustic style, making this the fresh favorite for dates and celebrations. Mead’s seasonal menu shifts often to reflect his passion for local family farms and ranches. Craft cocktails have
Restaurants are reviewed by our dining critics and staff and have no relationship to advertising in Orange Coast. Listings are updated regularly. We do not accept free meals; visits are anonymous. Price classifications are based on a typical three‑course dinner (appetizer, entree, dessert) for one person. Alan Gibbons edits this listing. You can reach her at agibbons@orangecoast.com.
a farmers market tilt, and a nascent cheese program rounds out the ever-changing feast. 2301 San Joa quin Hills Road, 949-640-1415. $$$
O.C.’s beloved, vine-covered, fine dining landmark of 1965 stays current thanks to a refreshed menu by executive chef Alejandra Padilla (formerly with Hillstone and Patina groups). Foodies thrill to foie gras brûlée and roast goose with wild grains, but sumptuous feasts of prime rib retain a hallowed spot on the carte at this Lawry’s-owned institution. As always, service is polished and accommodating. Leave room for the righteous sundae made with C.C. Brown’s hot fudge, an old Hollywood marvel. 3801 E. Coast Highway, 949-760-0331. Dinner only. $$$
Nested within the landmark Lawry’s Five Crowns, this gastropub welcomes come-asyou-are diners with a changing daily menu of imag inative small plates, seasonal soups, prime rib sandwiches, potpies, and desserts. Don’t miss the charcuterie station with choice cured meats and artisanal cheeses. Always interesting wines by the glass, craft beers, and signature cocktails boost the inviting room’s jolly British vibe. 3801 E. Coast High way, 949-717-4322. $$
COSTA MESA [ SEE ALSO SOUTH COAST METRO ]
BEST NEW RESTAURANT 2022 Chef-owner Jeoffrey Offer—native of Toulouse, France, and son of a butcher—brought his pandemic dream to life with this intimate spot focused on steaks, chops, and scratch sausages. Eight specialty sauces are house-made to suit meats and starters. Wood-grilled options range from a mighty fine burger to a grand aged ribeye for two. The tidy bar boasts a kitchen view, and the patio offers a quiet alternative to the lively hubbub of a packed house. Weekend brunch stars Offer’s distinct take on croque madame and steak and eggs. There’s also a succinct wine list. 3321 Hyland Ave., 714-714-0662. $$$
Descanso’s novel twist is the elevation of the taquero to center stage. Inspired by the dynamic street foods of Mexico City, owner Rob Arellano seats diners right at the plancha grill to watch their tacos sizzled with pizazz. Happy hour is particularly tempting if you can scoot in midweek, from 3 to 6 p.m. 1555 Adams Ave., 714-486-3798. $$
Flickering candles light the way through a highceilinged dining room, convivial bar, and lush patio at The Lab’s enduring Cuban hang for date nights and late nights. Most of the fare sticks solidly to classics, such as roast chicken and ropa vieja, but the appetizer side is loaded with winners. Updates include a lavish, all-you-can-eat brunch with live island music and an array of delicious baked goodies. Intimate confines make reservations a smart move. 2930 Bristol St., 714-556-0176. See Irvine location. $$$
Popular for its brunch-type fare in a town rife with options, this charming nook has upgraded with a larger space. Foodies rave about urbane dishes, many with an Italian accent. Think barbecue pork omelet by day, seasonal tasting menu by night. Chef-owner Mark McDonald likes to pair his din ners with interesting wine flights from the world
over, and he regularly leads culinary excursions to southern Italy. 2937 Bristol St., 714-545-1411. $$
Every dish is a marvel of deeply considered modern Cal-Mex cuisine from chef-owner and O.C. native Carlos Salgado, who parked his esteemed food truck enterprise for this site. Even the stripped-down setting draws all attention to the food. Dinners are four-course prix fixe affairs, with thoughtful wine pairings. Lunch—when the tacos appear—is a more laid-back and affordable way to sample the refined slant that snagged Sal gado a Michelin star and several James Beard nom inations for chef awards. 3313 Hyland Ave., 714-538-8444. Beer and wine. $$$
Glasspar launched as a classic seafooder, oyster bar, and tap room. Veteran top toque and local Rob Wil son helms his dream retool of the old Mahé site, supporting the community with ultra-fresh fare, delicious dishes, and his five-star service. A tight focus on cocktails lures groups who want to sip. 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive, 949-240-6243. $$$
Steve Wan is executive sous chef at this posh-butrelaxed dining room. After the eye-popping blufftop ocean view, Pan-Latin seafood dominates the experience. But prepare to see many Asian touches on the modern menu, in creative dishes that mas terfully bend ethnic borders. The Ritz-Carlton, 1 RitzCarlton Drive, 949-240-2000. $$$
Born in the crucible of the pandemic, this halal bis tro serves flavorful kebabs, curries, and street snacks alongside wood-fired wagyu steaks. Creator and
executive chef Imran Ali Mookhi applies a Michelin mindset acquired after years in fine dining kitchens. Khan Saab has the best-stocked alcohol-free bar in O.C. 229 E. Commonwealth Ave., 714-853-1081. $$
Set high above Fullerton’s northern city limits, this imposing Tudor manor house offers a sparkling citylights view at night, though the attractive grounds are pretty by day, too. The American menu offers few surprises; British-style prime rib and oak-grilled Skuna Bay salmon are reliable. Polished service brings back plenty of special-occasion diners. The cozy tavern bar is popular for light meals and happy hour. 2000 E. Bastanchury Road, 714-671-4111.
This Surf City resort’s fine dining choice prevails with expertly executed fare that’s mostly familiar and gorgeously presented. Goat cheese fudge is a surprising outlier on a tight menu of classics, some worthy of special occasions—think lobster bisque and côte de boeuf for two. Polished service. Live music. Waterfront Beach Resort, 21100 Pacific Coast Highway, 714-845-8000. Dinner only $$$$
Step back in time to colonial Vietnam at this vest-pocket hideaway with only 28 seats. Chef-owner Tin Vuong amplifies his successful L.A. Little Sister act with a sultry setting (tucked inside of huge Bluegold) and uncompromising Viet fare inspired by his roots and frequent travels to South Vietnam. Nifty craft cocktails and luxe dishes such as salt and pepper lobster make a good date night, but we also like the street-style noshes such as prawn crepes and lemongrass skewers. Fair warn ing: The uncensored rap soundtrack is not for all ears. 21016 Pacific Coast Highway, 714-374-0083. $$
Surf City is the ideal spot for the second “West Coast deli,” this time across from the sand. Terrific sand
When four restaurateurs and longtime friends on vacation in Ojai—three cofounders of Pokeworks, one cofounder of a high-end Japanese restaurant—stumbled on Yume Japanese Burger Café, they immediately set out to partner with Yume’s founders to bring its fusion wagyu burgers to Orange County and
wiches that eat like a meal for two are gourmet creations, meticulous stacks of top ingredients with exacting ratios, so every ’wich is scrumptious to the last bite. From-scratch soups, sides, and dressings. A surfer ethos extends to hearty breakfasts featuring Kéan coffee and house-made granola. 414 Pacific Coast Highway, 714-594-3899. Beer and wine. See Irvine and Newport Beach locations. Fourth location (not reviewed) in Newport Beach at 101 Newport Center Drive.
beyond. Fast-forward to new Ojai Burger in Old Towne Orange, where stars of the menu include the signature Ojai Burger with fried egg and Chief Peak burger with sauteed onions and mushrooms, both featuring 24-hour-marinated wagyu pa ies. Arguably stealing the spotlight are the spicy karaage chicken sandwich, takoyaki octopus fri ers, ube-drizzled mochi dessert
Irvine’s ever-slicker business zone is a good home for this classy, top-floor, New American choice for power diners, office pals, and couples. Modern craft cocktails enhance a menu that blends California ingredients with global flavors. Top toque Porfiro Gomez’s menu retains favorites such as the beef spring rolls, watermelon salad, and Duroc pork T-bone. Happy hour is a standout in a crowded field. 2607 Main St., 949-387-8887.
wa
e, and matcha milkshake with pockystick toppings. Names of dishes such as Topa Topa Loaded Wagyu Fries pay homage to Ojai-area peaks. The fast-casual spot, near Orange Plaza and previously occupied by Bu ermilk Chicken, shares a shady patio with Wahoo’s Fish Tacos. 238 W. Chapman Ave., Orange, 657-221-0619, eatojaiburger
.com
—BENJAMIN EPSTEIN
This addition to the restaurant family owned by industry vets Don Myers and Peter Serantoni is an inviting casa with a menu of modern Mexican fare boosted by commendable new dishes that blur some borders—sopes, empanadas, aguachile, and pozole to name a few. The indoor-meets-outdoor patio by designer Thomas Schoos is a fine upgrade of the Brea flagship. Weekly specials add value and excitement. Impressive tequila menu. 13126 Jamboree Road, 714-408-7819.
Brea location.
We waited 22 years for this glamorous Habana sibling, and it was worth it—a sprawling 300-seat compound that co-opts Cuba’s frozen-in-time splendor.
A roomy patio open to the sky is made intimate by high walls and lots of beautiful props and vignettes, with alcoves dedicated to house pastries and cof fees. Despite the impressive scale, the menu hews tightly to the focused offerings at its Costa Mesa original. 708 Spectrum Center Drive, 949-419-0100. See Costa Mesa location. $$$
This Irvine Spectrum spot is an XXL bistro to older sister shop LSXO. Chef-partner Tim Vuong musters a team that pulls off a bigger menu, bigger digs, and a bigger profile with ease. Find proven faves—the overstuffed Viet Crepe and the Shaky Shaky Beef— plus new lunch porridges and bánh mìs streaming out of the kitchen to a bustling dining room. Vin tage rap tracks and a crackerjack bar keep the vibe lively. 896 Spectrum Center Drive, 949-800-8798. $$$
This delightful indie serves a “taste of Charleston” starring original riffs on American classics and cocktails by Andrew Parish. Must-try dishes include roasted pork jowl over grits, amazing creamless creamed corn, and gorgeous salads. House-baked breads are a strength, too. The patio is lovely. 2010 Main St., 949-418-7988. $$
San Diego’s high-profile taqueria has two Irvine options for O.C. fans. Delectable tacos are the main event, elevated by crispy griddled Oax acan cheese, and tortillas made by hand from organic, non-GMO, blue corn masa. The cheese is
especially brilliant on vegetarian tacos. Always ask about the monthly taco special. The Park Place cen ter location’s indoor-meets-outdoor venue is inti mate and color-splashed. Park Place, 3311 Michelson Drive, 949-608-7272; Los Olivos Marketplace, 8577 Irvine Center Drive, 949-608-9990. $$
No. 3 is a charm for O.C.’s indie chainlet of “West Coast” delis. Expect terrific sandwiches that eat like a meal for two, gourmet creations that are meticu lous stacks of top ingredients with exacting ratios, so every ’wich is scrumptious to the last bite. Fromscratch soups, sides, and dressings. A beguiling lake side setting beckons for lazy breakfasts featuring Kéan coffee and house-made granola. 4736 Bar ranca Parkway, 949-333-3949. Beer and wine. See Huntington Beach and Newport Beach locations. Fourth location (not reviewed) in Newport Beach at 101 Newport Center Drive. $
With agave-sweetened margaritas, daily aguas fres cas, and house-made churros, these flagships of the Taco Mesa chain take fresh Mex to the max. Try the Oaxacan enchiladas. 13792 Jamboree Road, 714-5056080. See Newport Beach location. $$
Boy wonder chef Amar Santana and indus try vet Ahmed Labbate decamped Charlie Palmer to create this sexy urban bistro. Fans old
and new keep the tight quarters humming to the backdrop of an open kitchen and vintage flicks play ing on the flat-screen over the expansive bar. San tana’s dishes are opulent and intense. The wine list includes many notable half-bottles. 328 Glenneyre St., 949-715-8234. $$$
This is the boutique version of Rancho Santa Mar garita’s sprawling shop, but both offer top-notch Cal-Mex fare. Expect Prime beef in the steak tampiqueña, and Kurobuta pork in the wonder ful carnitas. Don’t miss costillitas—baby back ribs topped with fried onions. Outstanding margaritas. Warm, spiffy service. 217 Broadway St., 949-715-7829. See Rancho Santa Margarita location. $$
The grown-ups sipping cocktails are here for a full serving of primo live music paired with the cuisine of Paul Gstrein (ex of Bistango and Bayside). Laguna’s own Alec Glasser prevails in creating a dashing joint where both the musicians and the kitchen have serious chops. Din ers dig into Euro-inflected dishes (try the lamb lol lipops, the Alpine melt, the chile-lime swordfish). Musicians dig the highbrow sound system. 2894 S. Coast Highway, 949-376-1000. $$$
Perched on Laguna’s prime stretch of Coast Highway, this inviting, urbane bar and grill lures grown-ups who prefer to skip the surfer grub scene in favor of tasty cocktails and a compact all-day menu of com fort classics with modern twists. Ace bets include
The impressive circular waterfall at the entrance to VEA Newport Beach sets the tone for a dramatic redesign of this hotel. Pier-like design elements and wave-inspired millwork lead past a stylish lobby filled with intriguing art to View Restaurant and Bar, a ground- oor homage to the once-upon-a-time top- oor hot spot of that name. Vea is Spanish for “see,”
the steakhouse salad and blackened halibut sandwich. Softly lit and cushily appointed, the open-air space boasts a sidewalk patio. Sociable service is notably polished. 440 S. Coast Highway, 949-3768595. See San Clemente location.
Wedged into an oddball canyon retail center, this tidy shop is chef-owner Erik De Marchi’s all-out defense of faithful fare inspired by his home turf of Italy’s Emilia-Romana region. Pastas are wondrous, but do wait to hear the daily specials that can include juicy lamb chops or crepes (crespelle) with porcini mushrooms in truffle-perfumed béchamel. Tight quarters make dining noisy when
a double entendre suggesting the sea and things to be seen. The view from View and its lanai—of the pool and pool bar, golf course, and the Pacific—is still a draw. Sushi rolls are a signature starter. But the real stars of a first visit were executive chef Andy Arndt’s Garden Gem Leaves + Shoots salad with house-dried strawberries and the grilled Primal Pastures New York steak, sourced from Electric City Butcher, served
the room is full. And Oliver? He’s De Marchi’s first child, born on opening day. 853 Laguna Canyon Road, 949-715-0261.
This handsomely retooled rookie on quaint Peppertree Lane lures locals with its tropical vibe and novel menu of island-inspired fare and luscious cocktails. Downstairs is open to the breezy parade of beachgoers, whereas the upstairs bar is a quieter treetop retreat. Both share a menu of boundaryblurring dishes such as crispy Haitian chickpeas, jerk chicken, and Caribbean short rib cassoulet. 448 S. Coast Highway, 949-549-4014. $$$
with a bu ery Robuchon-style potato purée whose decadence was exceeded only by the cocoa-nib-studded bu erscotch budino that followed. The Ladies Man is a winning take on the boulevardier cocktail, featuring Bulleit Rye, Courvoisier, tangerine, and piloncillo. 900 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949402-3787, veanewportbeach.com
BENJAMIN EPSTEIN
The latest incarnation of Laguna Beach’s historic Coast Highway venue is much better than it has to be, given its bulletproof location. Upmarket, innovative American cuisine by executive chef Jared Cook includes irresistible weekend brunch waffles and Benedicts, classy lunch salads, and dinners that star fresh oysters and a splendid ribeye. On-site pantry for beach eats. 1200 South Coast Highway, 949-715-9888. $$$
Anaheim Ducks star Teemu Selanne cements his brand with this polished and popular steak joint on a venerated stretch of Coast Highway.
Prime, pricey beef rules the day on executive chef Vince Terusa’s menu designed for a pro athlete’s appetite and fan base. We like the main floor’s easy, breezy tavern for terrific cocktails, the superlative burger, and world-class people watching. 1464 S. Coast Highway, 949-715-9881. Dinner only. $$$
The savvy team behind Vine in San Clemente notches another hit with this dinner house in a zone with scant options. Executive chef Jared Cook’s mod ern, seasonal menu roams from delicate to hearty, but all dishes showcase his knack for upping the crave factor. Examples: chicken schnitzel with mush rooms, Zinfandel-braised lamb shank with mint yogurt. Terrific craft cocktails shift with the seasons. 25250 La Paz Road, 949-446-8772. Dinner only. $$$
BOTTEGA ANGELINA
This chic Italian is a grand showpiece by the team behind Pizzeria Angelina. House-made pastas, roasted meats, and pizzas share a succinct menu, supported by sophisticated cocktails from an impos ing marble bar. Vast patio with dazzling views. 32441 Golden Lantern, 949-542-8220. $$$
CALO KITCHEN + TEQUILA
Chic and breezy as a Baja resort, this sprawling spot lures local crowds for upscale Mexican classics. An
unending flow of worthy margaritas keeps the white marble bar humming while the kitchen churns out well-executed shrimp ceviche, carnitas, combo plates, and short rib enchiladas. Huge portions, sharp ser vice, and modern digs seal the deal. Scores of sip ping tequilas delight agave fans. 28141 Crown Valley Parkway, 949-409-7380. $$$
Teeming with natural light and coastal breezes, Hen drix swaggers into Laguna Niguel with a place that promises something for everyone in this optionlean suburb. It’s from the group behind Laguna Beach’s The Deck and Driftwood Kitchen, and part ner Austrian-born Rainer Schwarz is executive chef. A showpiece rotisserie roasts plump chickens, por chetta, and lamb while basting potatoes in the catch bin with juices from the meats. Irresistible small plates include prosciutto fritters, Brussels sprouts with marcona almonds, and chicken-fontina flat bread. 32431 Golden Lantern, 949-248-1912. $$
Publicans Darren and Jean Coyle welcome a varied crowd to this chipper modern pub, designed to rival Dublin’s finest. Executive chef David Shofner applies fine dining cred and scratch cooking to a menu of new and old-school fare that sparkles. Don’t-miss items include premium cot tage pies, a killer lamb burger, and anything with house-cured meats. Upscale pricing and dapper
surroundings prove this is not your frat brother’s Irish pub. 26342 Oso Parkway, 949-582-0026. $$$
This near-hidden pocket bistro is a top choice for wine-centric cuisine in South County. A retooled menu by chef David Shofner, who also helms the kitchen at Dublin 4 next door, brims with seasonal California fare that flatters a wine list of West Coast and international bottles. Must-haves include sau sage flatbread, and a killer cheese plate. 26342 Oso Parkway, 949-582-0026. Beer and wine. $$$
Previously of upmarket pizzeria Angelina’s, Sandro Nardone flies solo with this molto moderno Italiano overhaul of a sprawling spot. Nardone’s style is urbane, so expect no lasagna here. Instead, look for distinctive creations such as mortadella mousse cannoli with liquid pineapple mustard. Crispy octopus with Calabrian vinaigrette is another crowd favorite. Cocktails show imagination, and the wine list has some rare gems. 1200 Bison Ave., 949-520-7191. $$$
Indefatigable operator Laurent Vrigand, the founder of six Moulin cafes, debuts his first full-service res taurant—an homage to Paris’ Bouillon Chartier, his childhood favorite. Expect one all-day menu of nos talgic fare at painless prices, no substitutions, no reservations, and snappy service. Standouts include tian Provençal, beef bourguignon, and profiter oles. 1000 N. Bristol, 949-418-9549. $$
From the family behind Dublin 4 comes this lush addition to the area across from Lido Marina Village. But don’t assume this is an Irish pub that mimics the other. This plush room features inventive fare that’s a mashup of American and Irish. Here you start with Hares Looking at You, a cocktail starring Wheat ley vodka and carrot juice, move on to the refined beet agnolotti with chèvre foam, or share a woodfired duck confit pizetta. Yes, the fish and chips are superior, but so is the rabbit fricassee. 3441 Via Lido, 949-409-9913. $$$
BEST NEW RESTAURANT 2020
This handsome waterfront venue sounds like a liquor store, but it’s a sleeper of a full-service res taurant hiding in the swanky Lido Marina Village development. Hyper-seasonal and prettily plated, notable creations include Dory Fleet catches of the day, opulent Iberico secreto pork, a solid burger, and one glorious chocolate mousse. 3408 Via Oporto, 949-529-2784. $$
Malibu farm girl and native Swede Helene Hen derson adds another ocean-air venue for colorful organic fare. The all-day menu boasts fat burri tos, fruit-covered grain, or yogurt bowls and savory options that include the bestseller, an outstanding fried egg sandwich with great bacon and Havarti on country toast with lemon aioli. Multigrain pan cakes are worthy, but Swedish mini pancakes with berries and cream are stupendous. 3420 Via Oporto, 949-791-2096. $$
Moulin is the passion project of Paris native Lau rent Vrignaud. After 30 years in the action-sports industry, he lives his longtime dream of serving bistro classics, selling oven-fresh baguettes and grab-and-go dishes, and peddling wines and other French pantry items. The unfussy bistro and patio evoke Paris at every turn. It’s O.C.’s gathering spot for expats and Francophiles. 1000 Bristol St. North, 949474-0920. Locations (not reviewed) in Costa Mesa, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, and San Clemente. $$
Eastside’s dapper dinner house is the latest offer ing from the polished crew behind sister restau rants Ironwood and Vine, a homegrown hospitality group. Fans of chef Jared Cook will recognize some familiar dishes from his sibling shops, but there are exclusives here, too. We’re mad for the opu lent duck liver terrine with bacon and bourbon, and those fine oysters baked with blue crab in tarra gon butter. Add top-notch cocktails and 50 notable wines by the glass. 2001 Westcliff Drive, 949-2876807. Dinner only. $$$
This busy “West Coast deli” on the peninsula crafts terrific sandwiches that eat like a meal for two. Gourmet creations with kooky names are meticu lous stacks of top ingredients with exacting ratios, so every ’wich is scrumptious to the last bite. A surfer vibe extends to hearty breakfasts at 7 a.m. daily, starring Golden State Coffee Roaster coffee. 2823 Newport Blvd., 949-220-9001. Beer and wine. See Huntington Beach and Irvine locations. Fourth loca
tion (not reviewed) in Newport Beach at 101 New port Center Drive. $
SHOREBIRD
Hidden inside the Vue Newport enclave, Shorebird is invisible until you enter the airy split-level space dominated by its waterfront view. Expect contem porary American fare plus familiar side detours for sushi and tacos. Best bets include Duroc pork chop, lump crab cakes, avocado fries. 2220 Newport Blvd., 949-287-6627. $$$
The sixth location of this Cal-Japanese con cept makes a huge impression with striking decor and vibrant cuisine. If the dining room’s bus ier than the sushi bar, blame the thoughtfully designed and executed menu, notably dishes such as fluke kumquat sashimi, blue crab tartare, Prime ribeye Japonais, and the deconstructed s’mores. The creative sushi deserves a night all its own, and the bar and patio offer their own vibes. Look for scores of noodles, salads, and bento boxes at lunch, and sakes. 327 Newport Center Drive, 949-706-3622. $$$
With agave-sweetened margaritas and house-made churros, these flagships of the Taco Mesa chain take fresh Mex to the max. 2632 San Miguel Road, 949720-0980. See Irvine location. $$
David Wilhelm, the county’s restaurant laure ate, returns to Newport Beach with this fetching and welcome rehab of a waterside venue. Menus read like a playlist of Wilhelm’s champion recipes
tweaked for 2020. Standout new dishes for dinner and weekend brunch include red snapper Veracruzana, Buddha bowls, sirloin meatballs, and fried chicken with malted waffles. Look for a natty presunset happy hour on weekdays. 333 Bayside Drive, 949-673-8464. $$
The snazzy venue overlooks the yacht and Duffy boat traffic in Newport Harbor, flaunting its waterfront charms with 180-degree views from two floors plus a cigar patio. The space sizzles with bonhomie— and diners who love their surf, turf, wine, and VIP treatment. Expect cosseting service from partners JC Clow, William Lewis, and executive chef Yvon Goetz. Best bets include Goetz’s signature Alsatian “pizza” and the Colorado buffalo carpaccio. 3131 W. Coast Highway, 949-999-6622. See Tustin location. $$$
The surf’s-edge view might be better than the food, but the drinks and eats are good enough to keep this iconic spot packed with beachgoers, especially in summer. Stick with basics such as grilled artichokes, lobster club, and stuffed salmon. Executive chef Carlos Olivera oversees the breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus that change slightly each season. 15 Crystal Cove, 949-376-6900. $$$
Adroit chef Takashi Abe applies his considerable talents to pristine ingredients he fashions into gorgeous works of edible Japanese art. His omakase is transcendent (and cheaper at lunch). The setting is suitably spare and visually soothing. Superior sake selection. 7952 E. Pacific Coast Highway, 949-715-7373. $$$
BEST NEW RESTAURANT 2018
The finest French bistro south of Beverly Hills is reborn in coastal digs that express a fresh chapter for the redoubtable Florent and Amelia Marneau. Added space and oversize windows let the outdoors into a room that oozes grace and sophistication. Beloved dishes such as Spanish octopus with chorizo return to the dinner menu alongside new creations from the open kitchen—think crispy suckling pigs and beans, a three-day cassoulet. Amelia’s new desserts include ravishing Napoleons served weekends only. 7862 E. Pacific Coast Highway, 714-434-7900. $$$
James Hamamori cemented his stardom at this striking shopping-center spot brimming with devotees of modern spins on sushi. Renowned for such fare as salmon with ginger sauce and fresh orange. Exceptional selection of salads, appetizers, and entrees as well. 1344 Bison Ave., 949-760-1511. Beer and wine. $$
This attractive shopping center offshoot of the popular original Zov’s in Tustin is a go-to patio cafe that lures locals with creative Cal-Med dishes such as Moroccan salmon salad, spiced lamb burger, and pomegranate baby back ribs. Desserts are a standout, as are cocktails and chic mezze starters. 21123 Newport Coast Drive, 949-760-9687. See Tustin location. $$$
Old Towne’s newest gastropub thoughtfully trans forms a historic corner into a lively whiskey bar serv ing worthy eats with a Southern accent. Look for Parmesan-crusted meatloaf, gulf shrimp and grits, and a yowza burger. The service is sharp. Sunday brunch and a robust midweek happy hour. 118 W. Chapman Ave., 714-716-1599. $$
A serious contender in the gastropub category, this popular storefront in Old Towne lures a mixed crowd of brew fanatics and foodies, thanks to a rich roster of esoteric suds and polished pub grub from chef Craig Brady. Dishes such as a braised lamb pap pardelle and coriander roasted baby carrots. Lunch and early dinner are options for bypassing the deaf ening din that rises with the crowd. 190 S. Glassell St., 714-221-0680. $$
Gustatory delights worthy of Gatsby attract din ers on special occasions to this gracious hacienda, where dinners are seven-course pageants that start with bubbly and nibbles in the wine cellar, and end hours later on the cigar patio. Each night’s menu is set weeks in advance—and so are most reserva tions. 2932 E. Chapman Ave., 714-997-1972. Reserva tions required. $$$
THE BLIND PIG KITCHEN & BAR
Lakeside seats, terrific craft cocktails, and daring fare by young chef Karl Pfleider earn local love for this rare gastro-canteen in Rancho Santa Margarita. Midweek tapas start at 3 p.m. with goodies such as steak tartare with pistachio XO sauce. But wait until 5 p.m. for the mahi-mahi with paprika mole. 31431 Santa Margarita Parkway, 949888-0072. Second location (not reviewed) in Yorba Linda, 4975 Lakeview Ave., 714-485-2593. $$
This lakefront sprawler offers top-notch Cal-Mex fare from the culinary vision of owner Clemente Heredia Jr., a third-generation operator. Expect Prime beef in the steak tampiqueña, Kurobuta pork in the wonderful carnitas. Outstanding margaritas. Warm, spiffy service. 31441 Santa Margarita Park way, 949-709-7600. See Laguna Beach location. $$
The menu of authentic, seasonal cuisine says Italy, but the unfussy setting and beach-casual regulars make for a solid California vibe at this trattoria by chef-owner David Pratt. Thin-crust pizzas from the wood-fired Valoriani oven are composed with care, but don’t miss the house-made pastas and seasonal salads. Amazing meatballs, too. 216 N. El Camino Real, 949-429-1199. $$
On a prime stretch of vintage Avenida del Mar, this inviting bar and grill is just urbane enough to lure grown-ups who prefer to skip the surfer grub scene in favor of crackerjack cocktails and a compact allday menu of comfort classics with a modern twist. Ace bets include the steakhouse salad and black ened fish sandwich. And there’s a sidewalk patio
with fireplace. Sociable service is notably polished. 213 Avenida del Mar, 949-481-2200. See Laguna Beach location. $$
From the festive boxes of Chiclets at the recep tion station to scores of fine-sipping tequilas at the roomy bar, this beach burg shop from the team behind Nick’s is all about hospitality and scratch cooking. Cocktails are special, so are desserts, but don’t miss the feel-good dishes such as mini-sopes, sea bass in poblano cream, and pork chile verde. 110 N. El Camino Real, 949-481-4545. Second location (not reviewed) in Laguna Beach at 540 S. Coast Hwy., 949-376-8595. $$
A decor revamp of the cozy dining room and a menu overhaul add up to impressive new heights, because owner Russ Bendel Jr. wisely gives sauce monster and executive chef Jared Cook full reign over the kitchen. Look for killer duck wings and nightly specials that tend to sell out. A garden out back only sweetens this beach burg gem. 211 N. El Camino Real, 949-361-2079. Dinner only. $$$
Modern, hyper-seasonal California fare meets the timeless food ways of the Middle East at this ingenious newcomer. Breezy two-story digs include a pretty quartz bar for leading-edge cocktails. Do try fried eggplant, lamb meatballs, and shareable dips. By day, look for indulgent brunch dishes. 31761 Camino Capistrano, 949-218-5140. $$$
This county-line gastropub radiates a welcoming vibe that attracts customers of all types to its fauxramshackle chic, second-story venue. Craft brews, booze, and decidedly eclectic eats change often, as executive chef Gerry Kent keeps the smallish menu seasonal. Definitely consider the two-handed Reu
ben, and there’s a seasonal monster burger. 27211 Ortega Highway, 949-481-2723. $$
A sweet adobe hiding in the historic Los Rios district, Ramos House Café turns out some of South County’s most delectable daytime fare. Contemporary and clever American breakfasts and lunches (brunch on weekends) have a distinct Southern accent that fits the rustic, alfresco setting with passing trains as soundtrack. Look for ethereal biscuits and crab hash. And don’t miss the killer bloody mary. 31752 Los Rios St., 949-443-1342. $$
Quirky and capable, this Santa Ana newcomer goes all-in for alfresco, luring diners with a tree-shaded setting on a vintage residential street. The modest menu of American bistro dishes is just big enough to have wide appeal. Happy hour and weekend brunch have a backyard party vibe. Dinner sur prises with upmarket dishes, say a lovely bavette steak atop celery root puree. 601 E. Santa Ana Blvd., 714-480-0225. $$
This intrepid Mexican canteen offers less-familiar dishes—corundas, roast quail—alongside comfort favorites such as ceviche and chilaquiles. Micho acán native Sergio Ortega previously of Descanso, is executive chef. Inaugural meals include dinner nightly and Sunday brunch. Commendable drinks. 400 N. Broadway, 714-852-3256.
Deceptively bare bones, the menu offers about 20 dishes, each showcasing a regional recipe from Mex ico’s distinctive territories. Don’t miss a sublime aguachile verde Also impressive: crisp tacos ahog ado in hot broth. We loved the guajillo salsa-soaked bread in the open-face pork pambazo at brunch. Inventive cocktails lean on mezcal and house-made bitters. 301 N. Spurgeon St., 714-338-2446.
320 MAIN
Seal Beach’s dark-but-cheerful indie venue boasts a long-respected cocktail program, and chef Jamie Carrano complements those craft cocktails with a menu of rich, high-flavor fare. Think bone marrow Wellington, and for brunch, fried chicken Benedict. Fun day-of-the-week specials include Tiki Tues day and Wine and Whiskey Wednesday. 320 Main St., 562-799-6246. $$
Mahé is a hot spot for locals. Entertainment and a lively bar are the backdrops for sushi, steaks, and seafood. The inventive rolls, such as the salmon bomb, will make you a regular. 1400 Pacific Coast Highway, 562-431-3022. Dinner only. $$$
Tight focus on the fare makes dining at this South Coast Plaza hot spot better than ever. Executive chef Ron Lee makes delicious harmony with matriarch master chef Helene An’s spicy beef tacos and roasted New Zealand lamb rack, as well as her fabled roast crab (Tuesday only). Zen chic decor turns heads. Drinks at the dramatic bar daz zle the cocktail crowd; also try Sunday brunch. 3333 Bristol St., 714-557-5679. $$$
For more than three decades South Coast Plaza’s Italian grand diva has reigned for ultrafine feasting on authentic, traditional dishes backed by a savvy wine selection deep with Italian stars. House-made pastas, breads, and desserts. The restaurant’s aura of privilege is underscored by pampering service for VIPs. 3800 South Plaza Drive, 714-751-7153. $$$
Don’t let the chandeliers and acres of marble deceive—this convivial Persian dining room isn’t staid or formal. It’s de facto party central for the county’s Persian expats, their kin, and others who enjoy superb renditions of Middle Eastern kebabs, rice dishes, and classics such as fesenjon, a savory meat entree. Efficient service and huge portions make this a good choice for groups. 3800 South Plaza Drive, 714-557-6600. $$
Fans happily endure long waits to satisfy their crav ing for xiao long bao, juicy pork dumplings, handpleated with care. Bowls of noodles, rice, and stacks of bamboo steamers crowd tables as diners blend their own aromatic dipping sauce from rich soy, black vinegar, and shreds of fresh ginger. 3333 Bris tol St., 714-549-3388. $$
Sushi master artist James Hamamori applies per suasive talent to this South Coast Plaza dazzler of a sushi bar. Son Jim is now behind the bar, too, but this heavenly venue also shows off non-sushi dishes such as uni floating in edamame puree, Kobe ris sole, and miso-marinated lamb chops. Omakase is truly top-notch. 3333 Bear St., 714-850-0880. $$$
South Coast Plaza’s rarefied penthouse shines ever brighter with Orange County’s newest Michelin star recipient, helmed by chef Tony Esnault and partner Yassmin Sarmadi. The Michelinacclaimed duo from Los Angeles was destined to
see stars again with this radiant backdrop for Esnault’s graceful cuisine and Sarmadi’s courtly hos pitality. Look for butter-poached lobster, forest mushroom melange, and the signature legumes de saison when nature allows. Save room for Germain Biotteau’s inimitable desserts. Friday and Saturday night tasting menus are utterly indulgent. 3333 Bris tol St., 714-266-3388. Closed Sunday and Monday. $$$
A native of Australia’s Gold Coast, founder Jay Lewis brings a surf culture vibe and his passion for clean eats to the second location of the daytime cafe. Slick and sun splashed, the new venue adds cocktails to a site ideal for pre-theater dining or a breezy patio brunch with friends. Best bites include berry pan cakes and the Kingswood lamb sandwich, as well as smoothies and bowls. 3420 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, 714-852-3044 $$
Singapore’s largest restaurant group opts for the Bloomingdale’s end of South Coast Plaza for its first U.S. operation with this wildly popular soup dump ling specialist that pioneered xiao long bao, oozing with luxury ingredients that include black truffles, foie gras, and crab roe. Ultramodern digs seat diners in view of an exhibition kitchen where 20 artisans handcraft a steady flow of dumplings to support a 75-dish menu starring dim sum and Sichuan classics. Walk-up wait list. 3333 Bristol St., 714-617-4630 $$
NEW Showing loads of promise, this modern bistro is the new dream collaboration of veteran chefs and longtime friends Nick Weber and Ross Pangilinan (owner of nearby Terrace by Mix Mix). The setting and the fare are at once elevated and lighthearted. Look for innovative French, Asian, and American flourish in dishes that include crab chawanmushi, roast duck, and the yowza Royale With Cheese burger. There’s a prix fixe midweek lunch and special brunch dishes on Sunday. 3333 Bristol St., 714-760-4555 $$$
Chef-partner Mike Ritter and crew create CajunCreole magic in 12 steam-heated steel caldrons that cook seductive versions of gumbo, chowder, and the legendary pan poast—a heady concoction of various shellfish bubbling in a rich sauce of cream, tomato, and secret spices, topped with a dome of perfect jasmine rice—that’s by far the bestselling dish. 1421 W. MacArthur Blvd., 714-850-1380. Beer and wine. $$
Arun Puri, the creator behind Orange County’s first Indian restaurant, is still buying the spices and man ning the tandoor oven in the skilled kitchen at this upscale choice for first-rate renditions of classics such as butter chicken, tikka masala, and the sig nature Khyber’s Nectar. 1621 W. Sunflower Ave., 714436-1010. $$
One of South Coast Plaza’s shiny new additions cat egorizes its cuisine as New American—a hazy desig nation for chef-owner John Park’s canny brunch and dinner menus that defy easy labels. Think fried bur rata sandwich with pumpkin seed pesto, souffle-light berry pancakes with chamomile whipped cream, and shrimp and grits with surprise slices of lap cheong. Desserts are dazzlers. 3333 Bear St., 714-872-8054. $$
Canny chef-owner Ross Pangilinan’s mini malist aerie overlooking the stylish Bridge of Gardens skywalk at South Coast Plaza lacks a full bar, but it has wine and beer and is open daily with ample free parking. Fans love the three-course lunch, but weekend brunch with its mimosa cart beguiles, and dinner offers the best prix fixe in the center. Don’tmiss dishes include Asian ribs, hamachi crudo, and pork cheek adobo. 3333 Bear St., 657-231-6447. $$
Top chef Amar Santana and ace partner Ahmed Labbate return to Costa Mesa with an exuberant, singular ode to Spain. Santana sidesteps the “eat local” crusade, offering peerless jamon Iberico, lush bomba rice for paellas, and verdant Mahon gin for
cocktails. Dozens of authentic tapas beg to be tried, but do consider excellent wood-grilled steaks, dryaged in-house. Dinner tables at prime times are scarce, so plan, wait, or aim for lunch. 695 Town Center Drive, 714-463-6060. $$$
Old Town Tustin’s new kid on the old block transforms a vintage building into a spaghet teria and bar, plus a back-pocket cafe. Artisan, fresh daily pasta is the latest effort from the Pozzuoli fam ily behind Centro, the excellent micro pizzeria next door. Signature dishes include Capperi e Olive (casa recca), Aglione (bucatini), and grilled porterhouse for two. 405 El Camino Real., 714-258-8817. $$
Gabbi and Ed Patrick of Gabbi’s Kitchen chose Old Town to show off the county’s most sophisticated take on the regional fare of Mexico’s wondrous Yucatán Peninsula, naming their new location after the Mayan rain god. The dazzling space features a retractable roof and sliding Roman shades to lovely effect. Must-have dishes include sikil pec, a roasted pumpkin seed dip, as well as cochinita pibil and carne cruda. A 16-seat bar invites lingering over elaborate cocktails or a glass from an uncommonly diverse wine list. 215 El Camino Real, 657-699-3019. $$$
The O.C. power crowd doesn’t care that this isn’t a winery, but a huge, handsome restaurant that attracts disciples of steak, wine, and cigars. They’re exactly the folks you’d expect would follow partners JC Clow and William Lewis from their previous gig at Morton’s, with executive chef Yvon Goetz in tow. Best bets include Goetz’s signature Alsatian “pizza” and the Colorado buffalo carpaccio. If the 7,500-bot tle wine cellar isn’t enough, you can always purchase a private wine locker. 2647 Park Ave., 714-258-7600. See Newport Beach location. $$$
The Yellow Chilli is another franchise by Sanjeev Kapoor, India’s mega-celebrity chef. Bigger than Wolfgang or Martha. The massive menu proves the master chef isn’t stingy with recipes, not after writing more than 150 cookbooks. Knowledge able servers help navigate the options. Don’t miss Sham Savera, one of Kapoor’s most famous cre ations: open-face spinach dumplings filled with fresh white paneer that float in silky tomato gravy spiked with garlic, cardamom, and mace. 2463 Park Ave., 714-389-5280. $$
Fans love Zov Karamardian’s modern, cre ative way with Mediterranean flavors. Zov keeps her flagship venue fresh and stylish. Expect Cal-Med dishes such as Moroccan salmon salad, spiced lamb burger, and pomegranate baby back ribs. Desserts are a standout, as are cocktails and chic mezze starters. The patio cafe out back stays
busy at lunch and weekend breakfast. 17440 E. 17th St., 714-838-8855. See Newport Coast location.
Southwestern favorites, from tamales to carnitas, and mole enchiladas in generous portions, keep reg ulars coming back. For something different, try the Puerto Nuevo tostada with shrimp, mahi-mahi, sour cream, and raspberries in a pumpkin seed-citrus dressing. 18601 Yorba Linda Blvd., 714-970-5095.
Chef-owner James D’Aquila and his winsome crew raise the culinary bar at this teensy, modest store front. Expect skillful, gourmet incarnations of com fort fare, such as pasta Bolognese. Desserts are few but mighty. 4973 Yorba Ranch Road, 714-777-9646. Beer and wine. Dinner only. $$
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Distinctive Shopping & Dining
Orange county’s most unique shopping
High School Choir Concerts
Every Thursday in October Oct. 6, Lutheran High School
Oct. 13, Tustin High School Oct. 20, Beckman High School Oct. 27, Foothill High School
La Galleria is hosting
A Joseph Ribkoff Trunk Show Friday, Oct. 29, 10am to 6pm
Charleston Providence Boutique Saturday, Oct. 29, 1-5pm
Happy Hour & Rose from Provence & “Savannah Candy” tasting. Gift w/$50 purchase
Deckers Fine Gift
Annual Christmas Open House Sunday, Nov. 13, 10am to 4pm
Enderle Center’s Annual Holiday Open House Thursday, Nov. 17, 5-9pm
SEVENTEENTH STREET & YORBA ST., TUSTIN
RESTAURANTS
17th Street Grill 714.730.0003
Belacan Grill
MALAYSIAN BISTRO 714.505.9908
The Coffee Grinder 714.838.0960
The Crab Cooker 714.573.1077
El Torito 714.838.6630
Zov’s Bakery & Café 714.838.8855
Zov’s Bistro 714.838.8855
SERVICES
17th Street Optometry
OPTOMETRY 714.838.9664
Fancy Nails 714.730.4722
Fitness Fixe 714.838.5751
Fusion Hair 714.838.6000
Hair Industry The Salon 714.731.2530
Rebecca Pelletier Interiors 714.508.8581
Studio J PILATES 714.721.1163
Tustin Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center 714.544.5341
Winston’s Estate Gallery 714.508.0100
FASHION
A Perfect Fit FINE LINGERIE 714.665.5994
Frank’s Menswear 714.730.5945
La Galleria ELEGANT WOMEN’S APPAREL 714.544.6340
Tina Marie’s BRIGHTON COLLECTION 714.505.1676
Touch of Class Refinery 714.734.7749
SPECIALTY AA Jewel Box 714.669.9966
Charleston Provence BOUTIQUE 714.508.8581
Chemers Gallery 714.731.5432
Deckers Fine Gifts 714.832.7074
Discoveries CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS 714.544.6206
H. Foster & Jackson 714.544.4635
Justin Porterfield, Ltd. 714.544.5223
55 FRWY. NORTH OR SOUTH, EXIT SEVENTEENTH ST. EAST
and bachelor’s degrees. “I was like, ‘Transfer? Where?’ This is the impor tance of having mentors,” she says. “I had never had anybody see something for me that I didn’t see for myself.” Her teachers helped her navigate financial aid and transfer to Cal State Sacramento, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in English. It was the start of an educational chain reaction. López’s academic prowess garnered prestigious scholarships and fellowships, enabling her to earn a master’s degree and doctorate in English from UC Santa Barbara and win a literary award from UC Irvine along the way.
López cites the countless students she has taught and had an impact on over the years as the most rewarding part of her journey. Before she was finished with her own education, she started mentoring younger students, such as Patricia Herrera. They met at Dartmouth in 1994, where López was completing her doctoral dissertation as the first César Chávez Fellow at the universi ty, and Herrera was a freshman. López took Herrera, also a first-generation college student, under her wing. López shared her story with Herrera, encouraged her, invited her home during holiday breaks, and inspired her to consider postgraduate education. Herrera had never met another Latina pursuing a Ph.D. and hadn’t thought of attaining one herself. “She was a model for that,” Herrera says. “I feel like that’s one of her superpowers—creating these pathways for other people to be able to be leaders as well.”
Several years later, Herrera earned the same prestigious César Chávez Fellowship and completed a doctor ate. She’s now an associate professor
in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of Rich mond, Virginia, and she and López are still good friends.
“(López) really is an inspiration for how you can make it, how you can pursue your passion, how you can put (past trauma and challenges) to the side for a moment and do what you want to do,” Herrera says.
Cesar Ortega and Miriam de la Torre, López’s honorary “adult children,” were first-generation stu dents in López’s English and theater classes at UC Riverside. Ortega says he wouldn’t have earned his degree without López’s encouragement. He struggled with writing in a second language and was embarrassed by his accent. López would “create a space that felt safe to be us in our skin—in the arts and in life,” he says.
Ortega and de la Torre married and are pursuing more education. De la Torre is working on a master’s in occupational therapy at USC, and Ortega is applying to graduate schools to study higher education. They still talk with López weekly. “I think she’s an artist in the way that she engages with people, that she creates art by bringing people together,” Ortega says. “And I’m excited for the young Cesars, Miri ams, and many other people to really explore art, to think that they are artists in their own way, and to be able to explore that voice they have.”
“We need people who’ve had her experiences in leadership, because they’re going to understand the situation that so many of our young people are facing,” says Liz Lerman, professor in dance at the School of Film, Dance and Theatre at ASU and a MacArthur Genius Fellow. “Ti any has so much to o er because she’s lived a complex and di cult life. … She really believes in academia as a transformational place, because that’s what it was for her.”
López’s vision for the Claire Trev or School of the Arts merges every facet of her career. It’s best illustrated by the glinting, tubular metal ring on her left hand, which López says is modeled
after an electrical conduit. “I wear this ring to remind me of my own vision as a leader, which is to bring together di erent kinds of things. So it has two distinct types of metals,” she says, pointing at the silver and brass in the band, “but also, it’s a conduit. That’s really how I see my role as a leader and as an artist and as a scholar—(as) a conduit.”
Like her ring, she seeks to unite seemingly unrelated elements—the school’s fine arts with the universi ty’s renowned scientific research— and create channels to connect students with mentors and leaders in their fields. “I think a big goal is really bringing a spotlight to the way that the arts are exploring research questions,” she says, describing how the current generation of creators and scholars are using artistic dis ciplines to examine topics such as sustainability and social justice.
“They’re really interested in being a variety of things, like an engineer who’s also a poet. So I’m very excited about (creating) avenues for our future arts leadership and our future cultural leadership and innovators to be able to think about engaging with arts, just as a very organic way of exploring the questions that they’re wanting to solve for their moment and for the future.”
She plans to build on the foun dation already in place with the integration of the arts with STEM subjects. The second part of López’s vision hearkens back directly to her winding educational journey. In addition to expanding the univer sity’s community engagement with the arts in Orange County, she hopes to develop further mentor ship and networking opportunities for students with influential artists and leaders.
“The bottom line is when you em power people to personally be their best selves, it creates paths that not only better their own lives, but better the lives of their families and their communities,” she says. “And that’s really what the University of Califor nia and higher education is set up to do, is to help people better their life paths through education.”
one year.
Some can sing opera’s stirring “Nessun Dorma.” Some can escape a straitjacket. Anaheim’s Naathan Phan can do both—at the same time. by Barbara Neal Varma
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My grandfather. He loved practical jokes and magic. He knew only two tricks, but that’s all it took. I knew whatever I ended up doing, I’d be performing in some way. So far I’ve been on “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” “America’s Got Talent,” and “Masters of Illusion.” I’m grateful for the many incredible things that have happened to me.
I usually have a deck of cards in my pocket; it’s standard for magicians. I’ll be sitting somewhere—maybe at the airport, shuffling or practicing—and someone will come up and ask me if I’m a magician.
Then it’s like, here we go. It’s fun when people gather round and look so amazed, especially the kids. With great power comes great responsibility, right? Or with great personal skills comes a great need to show off at all times!
Singing, acting, writing—I majored in creative writing at the Orange County School of the Arts. I’ve also done stand-up comedy and improv. It’s important to practice in front of live audiences as much as possible—more stage time, more time to get the feeling of the words in your mouth,
to feel the timing of it. The more you do it, the more bulletproof the act gets.
Any magician will tell you that there are only eight kinds of magic tricks. At the end of the day, you have to find a way to make it original, make it yours. We already have a David Copperfield. We already have a Lance Burton. But what we don’t have is you.
Check out upcoming shows at magicasianman.com.
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