Art, dining and new ways to get outside have Orange County locals ushering in the sunny season in style.
Alice Neel, “Movie Lobby” (1932, oil on canvas), 36 inches by 30 ¼ inches PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
ON DISPLAY
Two new exhibits are arriving at the Orange County Museum of Art on June 23. First, discover 40 paintings that delve into New York artist Alice Neel’s perspective on family life and community in Alice Neel: Feels Like Home. Organized by chief curator Courtenay Finn, the exhibit marks the first time the selected works have been brought together. Then, explore the first stateside solo museum exhibition for Chinese artist Yu Ji in A Guest, A Host, A Ghost, where the first 10 works in her ongoing series Flesh in Stone will be displayed. Featuring cement casts of the human body in various sizes, the series will be presented alongside stainless steel lithographs from her Refined Still Life collection. See both exhibits this summer before they conclude on Oct. 22. ocma.art
Octopus paired with chermoula, mint, cilantro and gazpacho emulsion is featured in Populaire’s new seven-course tasting menu. PHOTO BY RON DE ANGELIS
TABLE IT
Get up close and personal with executive chef Nicholas Weber at Populaire Modern Bistro’s new chef’s tasting experience. Off ered daily for parties of two to four, the seasonal seven-course menu is presented at the South Coast Plaza eatery’s chef’s counter in its open-air kitchen. Dishes will change with the seasons and the chef’s preference, but gourmands can expect tastes ranging from octopus paired with chermoula, mint, cilantro and gazpacho emulsion to hamachi accompanied by koji buttermilk, fennel oil, green apple and Osetra caviar. Date night, done! populaireoc.com
Create your own surfboard at The Ranch at Laguna Beach with surfer Gary Larson, shown here. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
Hotel offerings have a personal touch at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, where the boutique property now gives hotel guests a chance to take home their own slice of paradise. First, book The Shaper package with surfboard shaper Gary Larson, who will help you create your custom surfboard. Start with a pre-arrival phone call, then meet Larson for lunch at a local brewpub to hear about the history of surfing in O.C., highlighted by the creation of the very first foam surfboard in Laguna Beach in the 1950s by local Hobie Alter. From there, Larson will take guests to his shop to create their board, with the final product arriving on their doorstep a few months later. Further, guests can learn about Laguna Beach’s roots as a hub for artists through painter John Cosby, who invites guests to craft their own paintings alongside him in an outdoor beach setting. The Painter package ensures you’ll take home a sketch from your day with Cosby while he puts the finishing touches on your painting post-visit. Inspired! theranchlb.com/cultural-experiences
Mexican artist Lourdes Villagómez has been commissioned to create exclusive art for brands like Nike and Netflix. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
PRIMARY COLORS
Casa Romantica’s art gallery in San Clemente is awash in bold hues thanks to a new exhibit by Mexican artist Lourdes Villagómez. Open June 15 to Sept. 3, the display invites visitors to discover Mexican culture through Villagómez’s vibrant acrylic paintings and murals depicting majestic jaguars, soaring butterflies, blooming flowers and more. Stop by on opening night from 6 to 8PM to meet the artist while enjoying tastings of Los Molinos Beer during a complimentary reception that’s open to the public. Go ahead, get inspired. casaromantica.org
Shop Bluejay Electric Bicycles’ Premiere bike in Golden Yellow at its Newport Beach showroom. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRANDS
YOU’RE SO GOLDEN
The boardwalks around Orange County are calling, and Bluejay Electric Bicycles is ready to help you roll into the summer season in style. Stop by the brand’s flagship showroom on Riverside Avenue in Newport Beach—near neighbors C’est Si Bon and Juxtaposition Home—to check out its new colorways, including Golden Yellow, Citrus Orange and Hot Pink (offered in both the Premiere and Sport models). You can even rent a bike for up to seven days to test-ride your wheels before making things official. Roll out! bluejaybikes.com
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