Calendar of Events in Orange County

Saturday, May 25
• 
  Limp Bizkit
  The Observatory

  Here's something we'd never thought we'd say: Limp Bizkit embarks on a world tour this month, supporting new material and stopping by Orange County for a performance. It's been a long, long time since their heyday, but Bizkit fans are happy to discover that the group's new single, "Ready to Go," sounds just like their old stuff with the exception of a few oddly placed but entertaining lines... Read more about this event >>

• 
  Little Shop of Horrors
  Long Beach Playhouse

  One of our favorite comedy horror rock musicals, Little Shop of Horrors is the story of a young, naive flower shop assistant who cares for a blood-thirsty alien plant. It's a popular revival for eccentric theater companies around the country—after the successful 1982 Off-Broadway debut run, a Broadway show was proposed but writer Howard Ashman considered his dark little play a better... Read more about this event >>

• 
  The Rocky Horror Picture Show
  Art Theatre of Long Beach

  In 1975, a film about a sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania hit US theaters and a new breed of camp-loving, kitschy freaks was born. Now the longest running theatrical release ever, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is everyone's favorite midnight shenanigan, performing regularly 36-plus years after it's debut. The cult classic—where Tim Curry tromps around in a bustier and... Read more about this event >>

• More Saturday Events >>

Sunday, May 26
• 
  Patchwork Show: Modern Handmade Festival
  Downtown Santa Ana Artists Village

  Get your DIY on—it's time for this season's Patchwork Show! Our favorite place to score unique, handmade gifts and goodies, this modern handmade festival and craft explosion features dozens upon dozens of talented folk hawking everything from colorful clothing to homemade jams to jewelry to home decor—and so much more we haven't even dreamt up yet. Taking over the Artist Village... Read more about this event >>

• 
  Focus on Art: Antonio Bernie
  Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)

  This month's Focus on Art, MOLAA's in-depth guided tour of a featured artist in their collection, spotlights Argentinean figurative artist Antonio Bernie. Bernie, hailed as a child prodigy in his early career, went on to become one of the faces of the Latin American branch of social realism art movement, dubbed Nuevo Realismo. His works, including paintings and collages, depict social... Read more about this event >>

• 
  Rootbeer
  The Slidebar Rock-N-Roll Kitchen

  Super-fly rap duo Pigeon John and Flynn Adam display an almost nerdy appreciation for pop culture and dance beats evident in their music. Hailing from Los Angeles and formerly part of L.A. Symphony, the two spread their time over various other side projects, however Rootbeer is their love-child, with the one EP Pink Limousine to date. With hints of classic soul influences and electronic... Read more about this event >>

• 
  Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School
  Rothick Art Haus

  Damn it, we sure do love what Rothick Art Haus is doing. In addition to exhibiting titillating work from up-and-coming artists, it has jumped on the Dr. Sketchy’s wagon. Started in New York, Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School is a life-drawing class that is in no way like those we took at community college (you know, bored classmates lazily drawing a dead-behind-the-eyes, puffy, nude... Read more about this event >>

• More Sunday Events >>

Monday, May 27
• 
  “The Spirit of Freedom” 21st Annual Memorial Day Service
  Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary

  We can think of no better place to honor the men and women who fought on behalf of this country than a cemetery. Visiting bone yards on Memorial Day gives us a chance to be in the presence of the fruits of war, which rot beneath our feet—a sobering though necessary reminder of the sacrifices so many have made. Join an expected 3,500 OC residents at Fairhaven’s “Spirit of... Read more about this event >>

• 
  Peachy Keene
  Detroit Bar

  The newest single from LA-based Peachy Keene "Slowly But Surely" features more of Christine Clement's breathy vocals along with their usual texture of indie/folk pop sunniness and peppy hand claps. Their 2011 EP release When We Collide relishes these mixture of genres as they, in turn, collide into a harmonious burst of sound. Peachy Keene's been playing plenty of Orange County venues lately,... Read more about this event >>

• 
  'Across the Andes'
  Muzeo

  There are few true adventurers left in this world—but trailblazers Deia Schlosberg and Gregg Treinish now rank amongst the most bad-ass of hikers. The American couple spent two years winding their way along the Andes, the world's longest mountain range. Over forgotten paths and through forests of bamboo, deadly deserts, animals, insects, sickness, and a complete deprivation of toilets,... Read more about this event >>

• More Monday Events >>

Tuesday, May 28
• 
  Fleetwood Mac
  Honda Center

  Fleetwood Mac resonates with lovers of all music genres and transgresses generations. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees fill record crates, airwaves, and iPods, making them arguably one of the most recognizable bands of all time. Not only did they provide the world with blistering rock tunes, touching ballads, and iconic album art, they helped define a decade with their style and... Read more about this event >>

• 
  Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America
  Muzeo

  Dark alleys, men in trench coats, the sounds of whispers and the smell of burning cigarettes—these are the images of espionage (at least in the eyes of Hollywood). The truth, as is usually the case, is far less glamorous. Explore reality in Muzeo’s latest exhibit "Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America," illustrating the beauty of our nation’s covert... Read more about this event >>

• 
  Phil Shane
  Original Mike's

  Like parasites on a large whale, cover bands thrive in any city with bars. But with so many choices out there, it's hard to know which is worth risking alcohol poisoning and a DUI for. Take our word for it, the premier performer of cover jams is the self-proclaimed one-man legend Phil Shane. Flamboyant, sequined and capable of singing on-key, Shane takes requests and busts out the schlock... Read more about this event >>

• More Tuesday Events >>

Wednesday, May 29
• 
  Moulin Rouge!
  Regency South Coast Village

  Baz Luhrmann’s latest eye-blinding revelry may have received a mixed bag of critic cracks and cajoles, but there’s no question that his 2001 redressing of turn-of-the-century Paris, Moulin Rouge! remains a triumph of cinematic achievement and one of the finest musicals in film history – not to mention that it revived the musical genre itself, enticing audiences to give... Read more about this event >>

• 
  The Blank Tapes
  Constellation Room at the Observatory

  Listening to Blank Tapes' 2013 release of Vacation right now feels truly relevant in the wake of recent warning signs for summer. Matt Adams, the Orange County native behind Blank Tapes, knows how to channel sun-drenched paradise into his songs, every once in a while adding in the fuzz guitar reminiscent of some of his earlier albums like 2010's Home Away From Home. This time around, Vacation... Read more about this event >>

• 
  The Fantasticks
  South Coast Repertory

  The longest running musical in stage history stops by the South Coast Repertory for a few notes this week. Written by Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones (not that Tom Jones), The Fantasticks first performed off-Broadway in 1960 and is loosely based on the 1890's burlesque play Les Romanesques. It's the story of two fathers scheming to make their children fall in love—the daughter and son, of... Read more about this event >>

• 
  Rock n Roll Suicide Karaoke
  Alex's Bar

  Now that Brain Party, Alex's Bar's take-it-and-like-it brain-battering trivia night has moved to Mondays, our Wednesday nights were in danger of lacking serious entertainment. But fortunately, Rock n Roll Suicide Karaoke is now taking over Alex's Wednesday night slot. Billed as "always free, always fun," rock n rollers are encouraged to sign up to perform their favorite track—at least... Read more about this event >>

• More Wednesday Events >>

Thursday, May 30
• 
  Orange County Fair and Exposition Center Farmers Market
  Orange County Fair & Exposition Center

  While most of the country is battling face-melting heatwaves, desperate for some decent weather, we're sitting pretty out here on the coast. Thanks to California's amazing Mediterranean-esque climate, we Golden Staters get to enjoy decent produce year-round. That and the frequent antics of our beloved Hollywood celebutantes. Okay, maybe California isn't that great. But when it comes to... Read more about this event >>

• 
  Food Truck Fare Thursdays
  OC Fairgrounds

  Anyone who has ever swung by a Foodie Fest of any kind has witnessed the mass hysteria—we mean appeal of a food-truck gathering. Continuing this tasty trend, the OC Fairgrounds hosts a weekly meetup, with the trucks changing each week. Find out what's cooking at Lot D (at Gate 4, off Arlington Drive). Parking and admission are free. Visit www.ocfair.com/ocf/ for a list of this week's... Read more about this event >>

• 
  Open Mic and Jam Session
  Max Bloom's Cafe Noir

  Yeah, we've got some recession blues to sing about. So do most folks—leave it to Max Bloom's Cafe Noir to give the people an outlet at their weekly open mic and jam session. With coffee under a dollar (very much appreciated), tasty little baked things and charming '40s decor, this might be the least skeezy of all week-night open mics. They encourage all walks of art to participate, be... Read more about this event >>

• More Thursday Events >>

Friday, May 31
• More Friday Events >>