The good news is there are so many events available. The bad news is you have to make some tough choices. You can’t attend these simultaneously.
Art.
Art walks in Fullerton (Friday) and Santa Ana (Saturday). The Santa Ana art walk is convenient because you can take in all of it without much walking.
First Fridays at Bixby Knolls has one sizeable art destination: The Expo Arts Center. Other than that, First Fridays is a lively block party spanning multiple blocks.
FREE: Opening reception at UCI Beall Center of Art and Technology on March 3.
Dance
March 4: Bolshoi Ballet’s Flames of Paris. Broadcast in high definition at select theaters. Fantastic, yet lesser known classical ballet. This ballet is often a showcase of technical artistry. Highly recommended and my Sunday destination.
Classical Music
March 2:
South Coast Symphony presents Young Stars.
FREE: Student Recital at The Colburn School.
March 3:
Orange Coast College Symphony. Theme: video games.
March 4:
FREE: Classical music every Sunday at The Nixon Library. Free parking, too.
Faculty Recital at Chapman University.
Flamenco
March 2 and 3: Free flamenco shows Tapas Restaurant.
Naranjita Flamenco Studio is holding a jeurga or party on March 5. A great way to experience how flamenco can be social and spontaneous.
March 4: El Encanto Flamenco show in San Pedro.
Theater
Hamlet starring Benedict Cumberbatch, broadcast in high definition in select theaters. This is a production of London’s Royal National Theater.
Orange County has several regional and college-affiliated theaters. Prices range between $15 – $25. Playing this weekend:
Cal State Dominguez Hills: Before It Hits Home.
Cal State Fullerton: Taking Steps.
GEM Theater: Bullets over Broadway.
Costa Mesa Playhouse: A New Brain.
Vanguard University: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Rose Center Theater: 42nd Street.
Chapman University: Desdemona, A Play About A Handkerchief.
Camino Real Playhouse: Villainy in the Vineyard
Modjeska Playhouse: Unscripted Murder Mystery!
Cabrillo Playhouse: Don’t Dress for Dinner.
Stages Theater: Crimes of the Heart.
Miscellaneous Culture
FREE: Boca de Oro, Orange County’s Arts and Lit Festival in downtown Santa Ana on March 3. This is a big deal and coincides with the Downtown Santa Ana art walk.
FREE: Caribbean Mardi Gras party at Bowers on March 4.
FREE: Lantern Festival at Argyros Plaza on March 4.
Jazz
Jazz is an American art form and it is high art to me. There are some crazy talented jazz musicians in this area. Most of these shows are free.
March 2:
Hot Club of Orange County at Carlos Mexican Restaurant. Hot Club specializes in my favorite genre: Gypsy jazz.
My other favorite genre: Female jazz vocalists and we get a trio of them at The Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club: The Swing Kittens backed by The Swing Cats.. This is my Friday destination!
Ron Kobayashi Trio at Bayside. After his set, Ron brings in a bunch of friends for a jam.
The DixieDelics at Bourbon Street.
Jazz Legend vocalist Elena Gilliam at The Parks Bistro.
March 3:
Jazz at Florentines. Bossa Nova and blues are emphasized on this date.
Vocalist Amanda Castro at The Public House.
Larry Fresch Trio at Bayside.
Brazilian Jazz featuring Mari Nobre and Nobresil at Parks Bistro.
Vocalist Elizabeth Lamers at Bacchus Bistro.
March 4:
Vocalist Maureen O’Sullivan jazz brunch at Mozambique.
Vocalist Elizabeth Lamers at The Federal Bar in Long Beach AND at The Cellar in San Clemente.
Thank you for using my photo in your excellent blog.
BC