Best Events & Activities This Week In Orange County - July 31
Art By Design
Mariners Library
1300 Irvine Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 717-3838
www.newportbeachlibrary.org
This blend of art and design is sure to excite kids, and keep them busy for an afternoon while they're out of school for summer. This afternoon of paper crafting at the Mariners branch of the Newport Beach Library offers a unique 3D experience. Learn to fold and glue strips of paper to add height, width and depth to a variety of paper creations. This program allows children to be artistic and exercise their creativity. Parents must accompany the kids for the event, which lasts from 2 to 3 p.m. Art By Design is made possible by funds from the Friends of the Library.
"Fun Home"
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-2787
www.scfta.org
A Broadway musical that has been deemed exquisite and uplifting, "Fun Home" kicks off a six-day run in Segerstrom Hall on Tuesday. Based on cartoonist Alison Bechdel's memoir, the show features Kate Shindle as Alison, detailing her life at three different stages of development. Exploring both the intricacies of her childhood and her view of her parents once she got older, the hit musical has received rave reviews in addition to its five Tony wins. Tickets start at $29, and Wednesday night is a special LGBTQ family night featuring an exclusive post-show party with the cast of the show.
Impossible Science LIVE
Discovery Cube OC
2500 North Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 542-2823
oc.discoverycube.org
Through Sunday, check out the special Impossible Science LIVE show at the Discovery Cube. Starring world champion musician Jason Latimer, the show features a variety of different tricks, including bending light, shaping water, walking through solid objects, bringing drawings to life, impossible geometry and card tricks done with a T-shirt cannon. Along with these high-tech, scientific illusions, the show will feature specialty lighting, lasers, strobe lights and dramatic sounds. This new way to view science and impossible ideas will delight everyone from small children to full-grown adults. There are two shows each day at 12:30 and 2 p.m.
AIA Artwalk
Design Within Reach
3303 Hyland Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 427-0628
www.aiaorangecounty.org
Hosted by Design Within Reach at SOCO, American Institute of America presents its eighth annual art walk. From 6 to 9 p.m., guests can enjoy viewing the artistic talents of various creatives taking part in this juried competition. During the evening, guests can enjoy the awards ceremony naming the winners. There will also be a pre-event cocktail reception featuring hors d'oeuvres as well as a bar serving selections of wine and beer. There will also be a silent auction offering furniture, coveted architectural products and gift cards for local shops and entertainment spots. Last year's winners included Brad Neal's drawing "St. Peters" and Roland Escalona's photograph "Reaching Out For Help," among others.
See Colbie Caillat Live!
OC Fair
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 708-1500
www.colbiecaillat.com
Singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat will perform at the OC Fair this Friday night, bringing with her a slew of hits. After getting her start as a social media star—and becoming one of the biggest unsigned artists of the era—she has spent a decade impressing fans, selling over six million albums around the world. Expect to hear songs like "Bubbly," "Realize," "Fallin' For You" and her latest single "Goldmine." The award-winning artist will be joined her fiancé, another singer-songwriter named Justin Young, who also serves as her lead guitarist and backup singer.
Saturday, August 5
Screening of "The Notebook"
Huntington State Beach
21601 Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
(888) 496-6070
www.beachfrontcinema.com
Escape to the sandy beaches of Huntington for an evening movie on the coast. Set outdoors, Beachfront Cinema offers "The Notebook" this Friday night, projected onto a giant inflatable screen. Expect movie theater picture and sound quality as you watch the modern classic, which tells the story of an elderly man telling a woman in a nursing home a love story about two youth named Allie and Noah in the 1940s. Before the show, listen to some music or grab some food from the local food vendors. Then, while you watch, recline in oversized beanbags for ultimate comfort. There will also be a variety of games and contests as well as a stellar view of the sunset and a beach bar providing cocktails for moviegoers.
Attend A Lobsterfest Festival
Newport Dunes Oceanfront Resort
101 North Bayside Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 999-3121
www.lobsterfest.com
Lobster lovers rejoice at this fun festival that is perfect for summertime. Now in its ninth year, this is the ideal spot for Sunday funday dining, with each general admission ticket offering a whole Maine lobster (flown in that morning for optimal freshness), grilled steak, salad, red potatoes, corn on the cob, rolls with butter and dessert. A special VIP ticket offers the same meal, but the lobster is all you can eat, set up at a reserved table with complimentary beer and wine. Kids can done on chips and fruit with a turkey sandwich. Aside from eating, guests will be able to partake in everything from live music and dancing to fun prizes and activities for kids.
