Irvine Blog - Posts from Local Experts

Dec - a - dence (.noun)

unrestrained, or excessive self-indulgence. 

So it's Friday...you've worked hard all week.

What better way to kick off the weekend than with a little harmless decadence?

On Friday, September 29th, OC Weekly will be hosting the OC Decadence 2017 event at Hotel Irvine. This local foodie festival is celebrating its 14th year, and has become Orange County's largest food soiree. Over 40 vendors will be on hand, providing unlimited samples of their best creations. 

The most sought-after restaurants from Orange County and Long Beach will be on hand as well as top mixologists and craft brewmasters. Burgerim,  5 Crowns, Cucina Enoteca, and Old Vine Cafe are just a few of the delicious options..

Check out the full line up here.

Bites

Sips 

All-inclusive, all-you-can- sample tickets are available online at ocdecadence.com  for $55 per person.

Complete the Decadent Experience and splurge with another $15 for the VIP pass, which gives you early access and first tastes...plus a swaggy VIP gift bag!

Buy today as this event sells out! 

Best of all, the food and fun lead to philanthropy. Every year, OC Decadence proceeds support a local charity...this year's event will join the fight against breast cancer by supporting The American Cancer Society Making Strides Foundation. 

So you see....even a little decadence can be a very good thing.  

This year's Pacific Wine & Food Classic successfully closed out a weekend filled with an exciting array of food, wine and spirits as well as culinary demos all amoungst the beautiful backdrop of the Newport Dunes Waterfront. I attended day 1 of the weekend events, and was taken back by the organization and ease of getting into the event - clear direction to the entrance, getting wristbanded, being given instructions and handed our unbreakable and recycable Govino 'glass' to use for the day and take home as a souvenir. I was impressed at the amount of vendors involved and the variety of food and drinks available. I tasted tacos, noodles, sliders, seafood and more, as well as enjoyed sipping on a multitude of wines, mixed drinks and beers. 

There were a few longer waits for some food and drink stands, but I never felt like anyone was going to run out of their offerings. Everyone was prepared to accomodate the amount of guests attending (some places being able to provide 2nd and 3rd helpings), there was more than enough seating to get to sit down and relax - higher table, lounge seating and the beach was open to lounge; and overall, it was a very fun and enjoyable experience. I would definitely attend again, visit the Pacific Wine & Food Classic website for more information. 

Photos taken by Amanda of Feast.Fashion.Faves 

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME is the Tony Award winning play by Simon Stephens, adapted from Mark Haddon's 2003 best-selling novel.

It tells the story of fifteen-year-old Christopher, who has an extraordinary brain. He's exceptionally intelligent but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion for killing his neighbor's dog, he sets out to identify the true culprit, which leads to an earth-shattering discovery and a journey that will change his life forever.

Winner of FIVE 2015 Tony Awards® including BEST PLAY!

"One of the most fully immersive works ever to wallop Broadway"- The New York Times "Dazzling" - Associated Press 

 

Audience Advisory: This production features moments of loud music, bright lighting and strobe effects. Please also be aware that the show contains some adult language and themes.

While the musical's subject is serious, the show will still satisfy theatergoers who love spectacle. It features intimate moments of human emotion while constantly keeping the audience on the edge of their seats with stunts like wall flips and actors suspended in the air.

"It's like ‘Hamlet' combined with Cirque du Soleil," says Adam Langdon, the actor who plays the teenage detective. "It has incredible moments of crazy physicality. This is the most unique and incredible play that's come around for a while, so it'll be a great move for everybody to come and see this."

Do what Langdon says and get your tickets to go see THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.

September 12 - 17, 2017
Tuesday - Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m.
The 2 p.m. performance on Saturday, September 16, 2017 will include audio description, open captioning and sign-language interpretation.
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA

Purchase tickets, starting at $29, online at www.scfta.org or in person at The Box Office, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa.

One of the most thrilling things to take place in Dana Point is the annual Tall Ships Festival, where the Ocean Institute annually hosts a fleet of historic tall ships to sail into Dana Point Harbor. History comes alive, as crews from each ship, along with historical re-enactors, engage the public in cannon battles, pirate adventures, mermaid encounters, ship tours, and so much more!

Here's what's happening this weekend:

Friday, September 8

Parade of Sail (4:00 pm-7:30 pm): Join the armada as you cast off for adventure aboard a historic tall ship during the annual tall ships parade at sunset. Work with the crew hauling up sail or simply sit back and enjoy the spectacular demonstration of skill, knowledge and survival!

Sails ‘n Ales (6:00 pm -9:00 pm): Craft beer tasting from five (5) different California breweries, live music, mermaids and prime viewing for Parade of Sail!

Saturday, September 9 & Sunday, September 10:

Mermaid Breakfast (9:00 am-10:30 am): Join our mermaid friends for brunch, storytime, and under the sea crafts.

Festival (10:00 am-4:00 pm): Tall Ships tours, pirate adventures, mermaid encounters, unique vendors, Sierra Nevada Beer Garden, and more await for you at the 32nd Annual Festival. For a full list of activities, please click here. 

Cannon Battles (4:30 pm-7:30 pm): Enjoy blasting cannons, towering rigging, bustling decks, and the magnificence of a canvas full of wind during a Cannon Battle! Work with the crew hauling up sail or simply sit back and enjoy the spectacular demonstration of skill, knowledge, and survival!

TICKETS Festival Admission, Sails, & Special Events

 Ocean Institute