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Best Of OC: Week Of February 16

tet festival2 610
(Credit: Tet Festival)

This week calls for celebration, Orange County! From a toddler-friendly concert to Mardi Gras, to a Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival, anniversary fun at the Irvine Park Railroad, and Oscar-worthy drinks to celebrate the Academy Awards, there's a reason to celebrate everyday this week, right here in the OC. Let's get the party started!

Monday, February 16
fresh beat band
(Credit: Nickelodeon Fresh Beat Band)

The Fresh Beat Band Live
City National Grove of Anaheim
2200 E. Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806
www.freshbeatbandlive.com

Take your toddlers and preschoolers to see some of their favorite Nickelodeon stars live on stage as The Fresh Beat Band heads into town for today only. These music and dancing loving stars will get your kids involved in the fun of the show as they sing along to some of their favorite hits with Kiki, Marina, Twist and Shout. If you are looking for something extra special, consider the VIP Party Package that includes premium seating, a party gift, and a meet and greet (and photo opportunity) with the band.

Tuesday, February 17
mardigras
(credit: SOCIAL Costa Mesa)

Mardi Gras Celebration
SOCIAL Costa Mesa
512 W 19th St.
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 642-2425
www.socialcostamesa.com

Celebrate Mardi Gras at SOCIAL Costa Mesa where Executive Chef Jeffrey Boullt, who grew up in the South and worked under Chef Tory McPhail of the renowned Commander's Palace in New Orleans, has prepared a special menu for the occasion, wrapping this evening. The tastes of NOLA will be available including Masa Fried Frog Legs with remoulade and scallions; Seared Foie Gras with Pain Perdu, Quince, Hazelnuts, Foie Ganache; Sweet Tea Lacquered Gulf Fish with charred okra, pineapple, smoky crawfish consommé and nasturtium, and more. The specialty Mardi Gras/Last Day of Sin cocktail is made with Foie Gras infused Cognac, Armagnac, Apple Cider Shrub, Herbsaint Rinse with Dried Apricot Garnish. Tonight only, you can enjoy live jazz music to make the Mardi Gras party even more festive.

Wednesday, February 18
FIG & OLIVE_roasted_lamb
(Credit: FIG & OLIVE)

Five Course Scotch Whiskey Dinner
FIG & OLIVE Newport Beach
151 Newport Center Dr.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 877-3005
www.figandolive.com/newport-beach/

FIG & OLIVE Newport Beach is partnering with award-winning Single Malt Scotch Whiskey Glenmorangie for an evening of French Riviera-inspired cuisine and Scotch Whiskey pairnings by Glenmorangie ambassador, John Trainer. The five-course dinner will perfectly complement the featured tastings including Iberico & Octopus Gallega, Glen Quinta Rurban & Fig Risotto, Rosemary Lamb Chops with Glen Signet, assorted cheeses paired with Glen Nectar D'Or, and Chocolate Pot de Creme paired with Glen 25 Years. Reservations are required for this exclusive tasting event.

Thursday, February 19
coffee competition
(Credit: US Coffee Championships)

U.S. Coffee Championships
U.S. Coffee Championships
U.S. Coffee Championship
Long Beach Arena
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 624-4100
www.uscoffeechampionships.org

The specialty coffee industry will come together at the United States Coffee Championships (USCC) this week in a four-day event, featuring a variety of individual coffee championships including the U.S. Barista Championship, U.S. Brewers Cup, U.S. Latte Art Championship, U.S. Cup Tasters Championship, and the Roasters Guild Roasters Choice competition. Held at the Long Beach Arena, the event is open to the public; don't miss the Latte Art Championship, where artistic baristas race for six minutes to create two free pour and two designer, patterned lattes for a panel of judges.

Friday, February 20
tet festival
(Credit: Tet Festival)

Tet Festival
Tet Festival
88 Fair Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
www.tetfestival.org

Celebrate the start of the Lunar New year at the Tet Festival, Orange County's largest annual Lunar New Year Festival events. With an aim of preserving and promoting Vietnamese culture, the Tet Festival attracts over 100,000 attendees during its three-day weekend event. Visitors can enjoy live entertainment, including music, martial arts, and dance, festive games, traditional Vietnamese food, and interactive exhibits, vendors, fireworks, and kid-friendly fun.

Saturday, February 21
Irvine Park Railroad Train
(Credit: Irvine Park Railroad)

19th Anniversary: Irvine Park Railroad
19th Anniversary: Irvine Park Railroad
1 Irvine Park Rd.
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-3968
www.irvineparkrailroad.com

Celebrate the 19th anniversary of one of Orange County's most beloved family attractions at the Irvine Park Railroad with a rollback to the original 1996 pricing at $2 per train ride, the perfect activity for a relaxing family afternoon. In fact, $2 will get you a lot of family fun during the celebration weekend including face painting, moon bounce, hot dogs, sodas, ice cream, cotton candy, and popcorn. The anniversary celebration continues all weekend.

Sunday, February 22
Birdman- USE
(Credit: Los Angeles Zoo)

Enjoy Oscar-Worthy Drinks
Del Frisco's Grille
Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 341-0376
www.delfriscosgrille.com

To celebrate the Academy Awards, head to Del Frisco's Grille at Irvine Spectrum for their "Best Picture" cocktails available throughout the entire month of February (and enjoy a special seat at the restaurant's bar to watch the Oscars live this evening!). The specialty cocktails include The Birdman- Broadway Bramble, a blockbuster drink that calls for a blend of Wild Turkey 80, crushed blackberries, lemon sour and soda water; the Imitation Game, Decoded Mocktail made with a simple syrup, lemon wedges and soda water with a fresh tarragon garnish; The Grand Budapest Hotel – Gustave's Grand Smash, a break out performance by Grand Marnier co-starring simple syrup, orange slices, lime and lemon wedges plus mint leaves, and more.

Katie Bodell is the Blog Editor for Trekaroo, the largest family travel website in the U.S. She is also a freelance writer, a happy wife to her best friend, and a mom to three sweet California girls. See more on: Trekaroo | CheapOair | Google+ | Twitter.
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