Best Events & Activities To Do This Week In O.C. - October 10
This week, enjoy fall to the fullest with a blend of fall, Halloween and art-related activities. To start the week out right, head to Laguna for a gallery show or a celebration of the outdoor scenes that it a famous art town. Mid-week offers chances for spooky scares and plenty of brews at Oktoberfest while the week will end with a fall festival, a world-class ballet and a seaside marathon.
Day of the Dead
Las Laguna Gallery
577 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 667-1803
www.laslagunagallery.com
Following the opening reception on October 6, Las Laguna Gallery presents "Day of the Dead," an exhibit showcasing submitted works of all mediums — from oil and acrylic paintings to photography, mixed media and graphite drawings. Submissions were open to locals as well as national and international artists, whether professional or amateur, whose works were inspired by the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. Because the celebration centers on honoring your ancestors and the coming together of the living and the dead, expect to find plenty of colorful skulls and flowers. Artists showcasing their work in the exhibition include Alex Achaval, Caitlin Christianson, Sara Diesel, Gary Irving, Rupert Reyneke and Nicole Ross, among others.
Plein Air Painting Invitational
Various Locations
Laguna Beach, CA
(949) 376-3635
www.lagunapleinair.org
Although it started last week, this annual art event in Laguna Beach runs through Sunday. It offers a plethora of activities for all ages—both informational and informative. On Tuesday, watch from dawn till dusk as artists from across the country paint "en plein air" on Laguna's fabulous beaches. The rest of the week includes a Next Generation Paint Out, where students from UCI and the Laguna College of Art + Design can try their hand at plein air painting, as well as a children's exhibit and a talk with Jean Stern of the Irvine Museum. Tivoli Too will host a collector's gala and a public art show at the end of the week as well.
Sinister Pointe Haunted Attraction
West Fullerton Shopping Center
1851 West Orangethorpe Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92833
(714) 203-7325
www.sinisterpointe.com
If you're looking for something extra scary to help you get into the Halloween spirit, stop by Fullerton's new Sinister Pointe Haunted Attraction. The haunted house features a choose-your-own-adventure type of setting, in which guests can choose from one of four different walkthroughs—each accompanied by a different demon that you can only escape by completing the tasks and exiting the maze. Expect to find cramped spaces, moments where you're on your own, exhibits you must crawl through and interactive elements like tarot cards and Ouija boards. While you can get a one-time ticket, there are also special passes available that let you return the same day as many times as you'd like so you can complete each path.
Oktoberfest
Club 19
1 Monarch Beach Resort North
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 234-3200
www.monarchbeachresort.com
Monarch Beach Resort's Oktoberfest celebration will be held at the hotel's Club 19, located above the Monarch Beach Golf Links. By day, visitors will enjoy many rounds of golf on their gorgeous course followed by an evening filled with German culture. The evening festival, which starts at 5:30 p.m., will obviously feature plenty of beer tasting, but guests can also delight in the family-style Bavarian meals served alongside the brews. Local breweries will be on site to provide tastings as well specialty cocktail brands. In addition, German band The Bluebirds will play traditional music to round out the night. The event is for those 21 and older.
Silverado Days
William Peak Park
7225 El Dorado Drive
Buena Park, CA 90620
(909) 797-7534
www.silveradodays.com
Silverado Days, a three-day festival that draws over 60,000 people each year, celebrates the history and heritage of Buena Park. Sponsored by the Buena Park Noon Lions Club, the festival helps raise money for local businesses each year with a variety of competitions and activities. Guests can enter a chili cook-off, a horseshoe throwing contest and a pie-eating contest. They also offer a dog show, an arm wrestling competition, a baby contest, a hog calling contest and the ever-unique men's leg competition. There is also a beauty contest called Miss Silverado Days. On top of all of the activities, enjoy music, food and games that offer fun prizes for the whole family.
"The Secret Garden"
Irvine Barclay Theatre
4242 Campus Drive
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 854-4646
www.thebarclay.org
Presented by world-renowned ballet company Festival Ballet Theatre and inspired by the Frances Hodgson Burnett novel, "The Secret Garden" tells the story of hope and transformation. After a little girl is sent to live with an uncle she doesn't know, she finds herself enthralled with the gardens on his property—and what she finds once she digs up the key will surprise anyone who has never seen this timeless tale. The FBT performance at the Barclay combines modern choreography with a unique multimedia set design that is sure to delight audiences. Mix that with an ever-popular score—the one from the film of the same name—and you have a ballet to remember.
Surf City 10 Miler Marathon
Between Beach Boulevard and Huntington Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
www.surfcity10.com
Marathon runs have been steadily gaining popularity and Huntington Beach's Surf City 10 Miler marathon is no exception. There is no more beautiful place to run than along the California coastline in Surf City U.S.A. The 10-mile race starts at 7 a.m., offering the perfect chance to run as the sun comes up. You will have some spectacular views and your body will love the fresh air. If you prefer a shorter run, the event also hosts a 5k and a 10k that start just a little bit later in the morning so everyone can enjoy running together. At the end of the race, finishers will all receive their own medal. As always, costumes are encouraged and there will be a costume contest following the races.
