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Best Activities This Week In Orange County - February 20

This week's varied list of events includes plenty of excitement for the second half of February. Start the week out with a whiskey social in honor of President's Day and follow it up with Wednesday's National Margarita Day celebration. The week also offers a children's event centered around dinosaurs, a four-day jazz party and performances of "My Fair Lady." When the weekend hits, catch the last Monster Jam of the season or celebrate the anniversary of one of Laguna Beach's most prominent art galleries. Enjoy!
Monday, February 20
presidents-day-whiskey-social-simon-nicholls - VERIFIED Ashley 2/17
(Credit: Simon Nicholls)

President's Day Whiskey Social
Bluegold
21016 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 374-0038
www.dinebluegold.com

Whether you have the day off for President's Day or not, Bluegold at Huntington Beach's Pacific City is celebrating with a special whiskey social from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will feature all-American whiskey, in honor of the forefathers, mixed into "Born in the U.S.A." cocktails. Each drink will feature Jim Beam whiskey. Offerings include Old Fashioneds, Manhattans, Whiskey Sours and Sazeracs. Along with the Red, White and Beam evening, visitors can enjoy menu items like roasted wild salmon, shrimp and crab ravioli, day boat scallops, wagyu beef sashimi, truffle mac & cheese and roasted eggplant parmesan with tomato fondue.

Tuesday, February 21
dinosaurs-pacific-city
(Credit: Pacific City)

Dinosaurs!
Pacific City
21010 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 960-3647
www.gopacificcity.com

The kid's play area at Pacific City will host an exciting event, titled Dinosaurs!, on Tuesday morning. The event, which will be held from 10 to 11 a.m., will be one for the whole family, with children and parents enjoying a story about dinosaurs and their pets. Once the reading is over, kids can also create their very own dinosaur in the craft portion. As with all of Pacific City's family events, there will be specials offered from the mall's vendors, including 15% off at the children's boutique Smocking Birds. Other deals include a free ice cream cone and parking validation from Saint Marc and buy-one-get-one-free pies or pastries at Pie Not.

Wednesday, February 22
national-margarita-day-1-cha-chas-latin-kitchen - VERIFIED Ashley 2/17
(credit: Cha Cha Latin Kitchen)

National Margarita Day Celebration
Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen
110 West Birch Street
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 255-1040
www.chachaslatinkitchen.com

One of the greatest days of the year has arrived! It's National Margarita Day today! Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen is the perfect place to celebrate this year, with their popular Grande Margaritas set at a price of $12 all day long. These tasty cocktails, which are a staple at most Mexican cantinas, are hand-shaken and poured to perfection. The classic Cha Cha's Margarita is crafted with Siete Leguas 100% blue agave tequila, Elderflower liqueur and fresh juices—lime and ruby red grapefruit. The restaurant also offers a Mango-Habanero Margarita with a habanero chili infusion for those who prefer something spicy. Pair this deal with the Wednesday night special: 50% off all signature enchiladas.
 
Looking for other great spots in the area to sip on margaritas? Visit our list of the Best Bars & Restaurants In Orange County For Margarita's

Thursday, February 23
newport-beach-jazz-party-art-pazornik - VERIFIED Ashley 2/17
(Credit: Art Pazornik)

Attend The Newport Beach Jazz Party
Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa
900 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 640-4000
www.newportbeachjazzparty.com

Now in its 17th year, this annual jazz party is shaping up to be the biggest yet. The extravaganza runs from Thursday through Sunday, offering four days of outstanding jazz music from over 100 different artists and six big bands. Performances will take place in the hotel's ballroom and by the pool, as well as in other spots at the Marriott. With evening concerts taking place each night and two champagne jazz brunches held on Saturday and Sunday, there are plenty of activities to partake in. Prominent vocalists performing during the extended party include Alan Bergman, Barbara Morrison, Steve Tyrell and Ann Hampton Callaway. Various musicians and orchestras, including the Frank Sinatra, Jr. Orchestra and the Cal State Fullerton Jazz Orchestra, will join them.

Friday, February 24
my fair lady - VERIFIED Ashley 2/17
(Credit: Fletcher-Calcetas)

See "My Fair Lady"
Rose Center Theater
14140 All American Way
Westminster, CA 92683
(714) 793-1150
www.rosecentertheater.com

The elegant Rose Center Theater in Westminster is underrated, offering stunning lobby, performance and behind-the-scenes spaces as well as award-winning musical shows. The RCT Musical Theater production of "My Fair Lady" kicked off last week, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday performances of the famous musical by playwright Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe. It tells the story of Eliza Doolittle, a girl who aims to improve her quality of speech by taking lessons from Professor Henry Higgins. Tickets for "My Fair Lady" cost between $15 and $25, and it will run through March 5. Previous productions from the theater's eighth season include "Tom Sawyer," "Hello, Dolly!" and "Pinocchio."

Saturday, February 25
Monster Jam - VERIFIED Ashley 2/17
(Credit: Feld Entertainment)

Monster Jam
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
2000 East Gene Autry Way
Anaheim, CA 92806
(703) 448-4000
www.monsterjam.com

As the last of four scheduled shows in Anaheim since the start of the year, Monster Jam is one event you can't miss this weekend. The family-friendly event provides endless thrills and excitement for those of all ages, with monster trucks showcasing their incredible tricks. Tickets start at $25 for the 6:30 p.m. show, but the pre-show pit party starts at 2:30 p.m. The pit party is fan-focused, allowing attendees to get up close and personal with the trucks that will be appearing later that night. You'll also have a chance to meet some of the drivers. During the show, enjoy watching trucks like Storm Damage, Hurricane Force, Big Kahuna, Dragon and the famous Grave Digger. There will also be two new trucks revving their engines at the 2017 Monster Jam: Earth Shaker and Megalodon.

Sunday, February 26
30th-anniversary-celebration-courtesy-of-pacific-edge-gallery
(Credit: Courtesy of Pacific Edge Gallery)

30th Anniversary Celebration
Pacific Edge Gallery
540 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-0491
www.pacificedgegallery.com

Pacific Edge Gallery will celebrate 30 years in Laguna Beach this month, with an anniversary party and subsequent exhibition. The gallery, which focuses solely on local artists, regularly showcases the works of Maria Bertran, Tom Swimm, Sandra Jones Campbell, Jacobus Baas and Bryan Mark Taylor. Each of these five featured artists will present new paintings for the anniversary exhibit, which opens Saturday. On Sunday, most of the artists will be on site to attend the party, which will run from 1 to 5 p.m., and discuss their latest paintings. Owner Paul Jillson will continue to represent local talent as the gallery flourishes.

Ashley Ryan is an Orange County native that loves traveling, live music and photography. She blogs at Pure Wander and freelances for a variety of publications including Newport Beach Magazine and Laguna Beach Magazine.
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