Best Of OC: Week Of May 19
Orange County, you've got a full week ahead of you. From high-flying circus acts, to wine tasting, to hilarious theatrical performances, to Scottish and strawberry festivals and round out your Memorial Day weekend, there is plenty to do throughout Orange County this week. Get your tickets today for Circus Vargas and "Book of Mormon," both ending their OC run this week.
Monday, May 19
Circus Vargas
Irvine Spectrum
71 Fortune Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 753-5180
www.circusvargas.com
Orange County residents have one last chance to take their whole family out to the circus. Tonight marks the final evening of Circus Vargas at the Irvine Spectrum, with three remaining shows for one night only. Their new Magikaria Extreme performances will get your heart racing as you watch death defying stunts, amazing feats of strength and skill, and comedic interludes. Tickets start at just $20 and kids two and under are free. Don't miss out!
Tuesday, May 20
Blue Whale Migration
Newport Landing Whale Watching
309 Palm
Newport Beach, CA 92661
(949) 675-0551
www.newportwhales.com
Although humpback and grey whales are most commonly spotted here in SoCal, the massive Blue Whale begins heading down the Southern California coast mid May making it the perfect time of year to go whale watching in Orange County. The Blue Whale, which happens to be the largest animal on the planet, is an endangered species and an amazing treat to spot while on a whale watching tour. Specials start at just $20.
Wednesday, May 21
Animal Mummies
Bowers Museum
2002 North Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 567-3600
www.bowers.org/
Animal lovers throughout the OC should head to the Bowers Museum to catch their current exhibit, "Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt," running now through mid June. The exhibit probes into the fascinating practice of mummification for ancient Egyptian animals including birds, cats, dogs, and snakes and seeks to uncover the motivations and cultural significance of animals in this time period, as well as our own.
Thursday, May 22
Unpretentious Wine Thursday
Bourbon Street Bar & Grill
110 E Commonwealth Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92832
(714) 626-0050
www.bourbonstreetfullerton.com/
Just because you like drinking wine doesn't make you a wine snob. If you have a love for all things vino and a dislike for all things pretention, then be sure to head to Bourbon Street Bar & Grill's "Unpretentious Wine Thursdays." You'll score amazing deals on delicious wine and tasty food pairings, minus all that frou-frou talk of palates, aroma, or body.
Friday, May 23
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
The Village Green
Euclid & Main St.
Garden Grove, CA 92840
(714) 638-0981
www.strawberryfestival.org
To celebrate everything lovely about the sweet and adorable strawberry, head to the Garden Grove Strawberry festival, a four day festival celebrating the season of this little red fruit. From carnival rides to a parade, to pie eating contests, a karaoke contest, and a red-head roundup contest, this family friendly event is a great opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beautiful Orange County weather.
Saturday, May 24
Scottish Fest & Highland Games
Orange County Fairgrounds
88 Fair Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 708-1500
www.scottishfest.com
Organized by the United Scottish Society of Southern California, the annual Scottish Fest and Highland Games (formerly ScotsFest) is a lively celebration of Scottish culture including music, dancing, kid's activities, vendors, and plenty of Scottish food and drink. The highlight for many is the Highland Games, an impressive display of Scottish athletic events including the caber toss, throwing the weight, the farmer's walk, putting the stone, and the hammer throw.
Sunday, May 25
Book of Mormon
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-2787
www.scfta.org
This hilarious musical ends its one week Orange County run at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts this week. The play was Written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the Emmy Award winning duo of the television hit "South Park." The Book of Mormon features hilarious and disrespectful humor you could expect from the pair and tells the story of two young Mormon missionaries who are sent to a remote village in Uganda where a warlord is threatening the local people. Naïve and optimistic, the two missionaries attempt to share the "Book of Mormon."
