Check out these arts, culture and philanthropy May happenings in Orange County.
Robert Istad conducts Pacific Chorale, which will hold its annual gala May 7 PHOTO BY: DREW KELLEY
5/6-7
Spring Dance Concert
Chapman University Department of Dance presents this evening of stunning new choreography created by senior dance majors and directed by Jennifer Backhaus and Liz Curtis. 7:30PM, Musco Center for the Arts, Orange, muscocenter.org
Student dancers will show their skills at Chapman University Department of Dance’s Spring Dance Concert May 6 and 7. PHOTO BY: ALISSA ROSEBOROUGH/COPYRIGHT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY
5/7
Pacific Chorale’s Annual Gala: A Celebration of the Voice
Following the closing concert of its latest season, Pacific Chorale’s annual benefit will honor business owner, philanthropist and singer Lenora Meister and Pacific Symphony’s Maestro Carl St.Clair with lifetime achievement awards. The festive event will also include dinner, live entertainment, and silent and live auctions— with proceeds funding Pacific Chorale’s performances and music education and outreach programs throughout Orange County. 7PM, Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, pacificchorale.org/gala
5/7
For King & Country
Catch the four-time Grammy-winning duo when their What Are We Waiting For? tour arrives in Orange County. Hear new songs from their upcoming album as well as a performance by Dante Bowe of Maverick City Music. 7PM, Honda Center, Anaheim, hondacenter.com
5/13
36th Annual Radiant Health Centers’ Gala: Club Radiant
Don your platform shoes and bell-bottom jeans for this year’s Club Radiant-themed gala, where you can dance the night away to a lineup of entertainment beneath a glittering disco ball. Actress and author Alison Arngrim and Emmy-winning producer Tony Morrison will be honored for their work, activism and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ and HIV community. 6PM, Grand Gimeno, Orange, radianthealthcenters.org
5/13-14
Jeff Ross
See the star of Netflix’s Bumping Mics and the stand-up comedian renowned for his celebrity roasts when he comes to Irvine to perform four hilarious shows in two nights. Irvine Improv, improv.com/irvine
5/13-14
The Music of ABBA
Pacific Symphony joins forces with Sweden’s Arrival, a worldfamous ABBA tribute group, to perform iconic songs like “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia” and “S.O.S.”—which will have ABBA fans dancing in the aisles and singing along. 8PM, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, scfta.org
5/14
56th Annual Newport Beach Art Exhibition
At this one-day exhibit, artists will showcase and sell their recently created original artwork in various mediums—including oils and acrylics, watercolor, charcoal, pen and ink, sculpture, photography and mixed media. Noon, Newport Beach Civic Center Community Room, newportbeachlibrary.org
The Bowers Museum’s Everest: Ascent to Glory exhibit and a May 15 session with Rick Ridgeway celebrate mountaineers PHOTO: ©ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY (WITH IBG)
5/14
Reza Rohani and Sara Naeini Live in Concert
Join renowned Persian pianist, composer and ensemble leader Reza Rohani and acclaimed Persian singer and vocal instructor Sara Naeini as they celebrate 10 years of collaboration with this memorable concert. 8PM, Irvine Barclay Theatre, thebarclay.org
Sara Naeini and Reza Rohani will share the stage May 14 at Irvine Barclay Theatre. PHOTO: COURTESY OF IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE
5/14-22
Shen Yun
Experience 5,000 years of China’s culture, beauty, wisdom and traditions through classic Chinese dance, live orchestra music, authentic costumes and interactive backdrops. Segerstrom Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, scfta.org
5/15
Life Lived Wild: An Afternoon of Stories with Rick Ridgeway
Hear tales of Ridgeway’s voyages as he celebrates the launch of his memoir, Life Lived Wild: Adventures at the Edge of the Map. From the 1976 American Bicentennial Everest Expedition to the 1978 expedition to K2, Ridgeway will reflect on his journey from adventurer to environmental activist. 1:30PM, Bowers Museum, Santa Ana, bowers.org
5/16
10th Annual CHOC Classic
Golf enthusiasts participating in this annual tournament will enjoy 18 championship holes on Pelican Hill’s north and south courses, a continental breakfast, a box lunch and a raffle, followed by a virtual awards reception. Proceeds will benefit CHOC’s efforts to nurture, advance and protect the well-being of children. 9:30AM, Pelican Hill Golf Club, Newport Coast, foundation.choc.org/choc-classic
The 10th annual CHOC Classic attracts golf enthusiasts to Pelican Hill Golf Club to tee off in support of the hospital’s patients PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHOC FOUNDATION
5/19-21
The Mozart Project
Maestro Carl St.Clair conducts Mozart’s acclaimed overture to Don Giovanni and the dark Requiem, as well as a portrayal of his rival Antonio Salieri, performed by South Coast Repertory artistic director David Ivers. A preview talk with host Alan Chapman begins at 7PM. 8PM, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, scfta.org
5/19
Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast
Join esteemed philanthropists and leaders at this signature event designed to empower O.C. families. The breakfast will feature a live, virtual conversation with celebrity guest Misty Copeland—the first African American female principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre. 7:30AM, The Westin South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, unitedwayoc.org/events/women-philanthropy-fund- breakfast
5/21
Music From The Movies and More!
Be Pacific Symphony’s guest at one of two concerts and enjoy Disney favorites from Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Lion King and Star Wars—performed by the Symphony, led by conductor Jacob Sustaita. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, scfta.org
Misty Copeland will speak virtually at the Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast May 19 PHOTO: BY GREGG DELMAN
5/21
Stars on Ice
The excitement of the Olympics is coming to Honda Center. See Olympic gold medalist Nathan Chen, Olympic bronze medalists Madison Hubbell and Zachary Donohue, and the U.S. figure skating team—straight from their performances at the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. 7:30PM, Honda Center, Anaheim, hondacenter.com
Max Amini heads to Irvine Barclay Theatre May 28 PHOTO: COURTESY OF IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE
5/28
New Kids on the Block
As part of their MixTape Tour 2022, the original boy band members will take the stage with guests Salt-N-Pepper, Rick Astley and En Vogue for the ultimate ’80s and ’90s throwback concert. 8PM, Honda Center, Anaheim, hondacenter.com
New Kids on the Block will perform the ultimate throwback concert May 28 at Honda Center. PHOTO: BY AUSTIN HARGRAVE
5/28
Max Amini Live in Irvine
With his eccentric impressions and signature storytelling, comedian Max Amini explores family ties, cultural trappings and social topics in this anticipated world tour presented by Abstraction Media Inc. 8PM, Irvine Barclay Theatre, thebarclay.org
Photography by:
