Orange County Events - Orange County Entertainment Guide

Recommended Events
The Damned House of Blues Anaheim : 8:00 p.m. May 23
Slap on some thick eyeliner and break out the Creepers because seminal punk band The Damned is playing House of Blues Anaheim. Known as the fathers of the Goth genre, The Damned has been fundamental in the punk music scene since 1976. While the band’s members have transformed over time,... More >>
Anaheim	Music

LA Philharmonic with Gustavo Dudamel Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall : 8:00 p.m. May 24
Classical music isn't exactly "hot" right now as most of the original artists are long-dead. But with the talent of the Los Angeles Phil Harmonic Orchestra and the leadership of conductor Gustavo Dudamel, the works of the world's most beloved composers are experiencing a resurgence in... More >>
Costa Mesa	Music

The Neighbourhood The Observatory : 8:00 p.m. May 24
Full of acoustic merriment and imagery of warm beaches and skin-baring outfits, The Neighbourhood's lovey-dovey ode to summer lovin' "Sweater Weather" has been getting major airplay these days. But don't mistake their sound to be all sweet and tender; the Los Angeles group's debut album I Love... More >>
Santa Ana	Music

Limp Bizkit The Observatory : 7:00 p.m. May 25
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... More >>
Santa Ana	Music

Patchwork Show: Modern Handmade Festival Downtown Santa Ana Artists Village : 11:00 a.m. May 26
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... More >>
Santa Ana	Festivals, Craft Events, Arts

Focus on Art: Antonio Bernie Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) : 1:00 p.m. May 26
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... More >>
Long Beach	Museum Exhibits and Events, Arts

Rootbeer The Slidebar Rock-N-Roll Kitchen : 8:00 p.m. May 26
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... More >>
Fullerton	Music

“The Spirit of Freedom” 21st Annual Memorial Day Service Fairhaven Memorial Park and Mortuary : 10:30 a.m. May 27
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... More >>
Santa Ana	Parks and Preserves, Outdoors, Memorial Day, Family Events

Peachy Keene Detroit Bar : 8:00 p.m. May 27
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... More >>
Costa Mesa	Music

Fleetwood Mac Honda Center : 8:00 p.m. May 28
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... More >>
Anaheim	Music

Moulin Rouge! Regency South Coast Village : 7:30 p.m. May 29
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... More >>
Santa Ana	Film, Arts

The Blank Tapes Constellation Room at the Observatory : 8:00 p.m. May 29
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... More >>
Santa Ana	Music

Food Truck Fare Thursdays OC Fairgrounds : 11:00 a.m. every Thu.
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... More >>
Costa Mesa	Food and Drink

Little Shop of Horrors Long Beach Playhouse : Every Fri., Sat., Sun. from May 24 until June 22
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... More >>
Long Beach	Theater

Swimming in the Shallows Theatre Out : Every Fri., Sat. from May 24 until June 29
With a plot that includes a man going on a date with a gay shark and a woman who wants to live like the Buddhist monks in Thailand but whose husband continues to buy her material possessions, it’s difficult to know what to expect from Adam Bock’s Swimming in the Shallows. Throw in... More >>
Santa Ana	LGBT Events, Theater

The Fantasticks South Coast Repertory : 7:30 p.m. every Wed., Thu., Fri., Sat., Sun. until June 9
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... More >>
Costa Mesa	Theater

Rock n Roll Suicide Karaoke Alex's Bar : 10:00 p.m. every Wed.
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,... More >>
Long Beach	Music, Cheap Thrills

'Across the Andes' Muzeo : 10:00 a.m. daily until June 6
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... More >>
Anaheim	Photography, Museum Exhibits and Events, Arts

Spies, Traitors & Saboteurs: Fear and Freedom in America Muzeo : 10:00 a.m. daily until September 16
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 &... More >>
Anaheim	Museum Exhibits and Events, Arts

Phil Shane Original Mike's : 7:00 p.m. every Tue.
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.... More >>
Santa Ana	Music

The Rocky Horror Picture Show Art Theatre of Long Beach : Every Sat.
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... More >>
Long Beach	Theater, Film, Cheap Thrills, Arts

Open Mic and Jam Session Max Bloom's Cafe Noir : 8:00 p.m. every Thu., Fri.
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... More >>
Fullerton	Poetry, Open Mic, Music, Comedy, Arts

Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Rothick Art Haus : 7:00 p.m. second Sun. of every month; 7:00 p.m. fourth Sun. of every month
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... More >>
Anaheim	Arts

More Events
The Return Of The Big Draw The Copper Door : 9:00 p.m. June 12
Music, art and beer all come together in one wondrous jumble with the Copper Door's monthly artist gathering, The Big Draw. Every second Wednesday, artsy types are invited to come hang out and get creative on 30-plus feet of communal drawing space. Selected featured artists also showcase their... More >>
Santa Ana	Arts

Karaoke Wednesdays Nadine's Irish Mist : 7:00 p.m. every Wed.
Karaoke—that glorious bar sport where liquor actually improves your performance and even the most un-athletic types become champions with a well-timed high note. Nadine's Irish Mist in Sunset Beach offers the spotlight-hungry a chance to take center stage and revel in all those... More >>
Sunset Beach	Music