SEPT. 11
TCHAIKOVSKY SPECTACULAR
The Pacific Symphony’s traditional end-of-summer performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812” Overture will be accompanied by live cannons and fireworks. Pianist George Li, the silver medalist at the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition, will round out the show with Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini.” Pacific Amphitheatre, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-755-5788, pacificsymphony.org
SEPT. 2
CHASE RICE AND BRELAND
The country music singer-songwriter and former “Survivor” contestant put out his latest release, “The Album,” in May. It’s the follow-up to “Lambs and Lions,” which featured his hit single, “Eyes on You.” Breland, known for his signature sound combining country-trap, R&B, and soul, will open the concert. Pacific Amphitheatre, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-708-1500, pacamp.com
SEPT. 3 AND 4
PINK MARTINI
The Pacific Symphony teams with Pink Martini, the Portland, Oregon-based ensemble known for its fun, high-energy performances. The band has songs in 25 languages and has appeared with symphony orchestras around the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Sydney Symphony. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
SEPT. 4
ALLISON MILLER QUARTET
Miller, a jazz drummer and composer, fronts bands known for their improvisation. Downbeat Magazine named her one of the top 20 jazz drummers, and NPR included her song “Otis Was a Polar Bear” in a list of the 200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women. In her spare time, she teaches at the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York and the Stanford Jazz Workshop. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949-498-2139, casaromantica.org
SEPT. 4 THROUGH 25
“TIME AND TRANSFORMATION”
This exhibit features the work of two artists: Bill Hayner’s abstract drawings and paintings that focus on birth, growth, and transformation, and Linda Southwell’s drawings and sculptures reflecting the human form through Northwest Coast Native arts and culture. Orange County Center for Contemporary Art, 117 N. Sycamore St., Santa Ana, 714-667-1517, occca.org
SEPT. 9
SEAN OLIU AND THE COASTLINE COWBOYS
Orange County native Oliu, a singer and guitarist, has opened for LeAnn Rimes and Rachel Platten and competed on the Spanish-language version of “The Voice.” His musical style combines classic country with blues, Americana, and early rock ’n’ roll. In this concert, he’ll play with drummer Nathan Reyes and bassist Danny Hudson. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714-738-6595, themuck.org
SEPT. 7
PAT BENATAR AND NEIL GIRALDO
Benatar and Giraldo have collaborated for more than 40 years; Giraldo has played lead guitar on all of Benatar’s albums and has produced most of them. Together, they created 19 Top 40 hits, including “Love Is a Battlefield,” “We Live for Love,” and “We Belong.” They’ve also won four Grammy Awards and sold more than 30 million records. Their relationship isn’t just professional: They’ve been married since 1982. City National Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714-712-2700, citynationalgroveofanaheim.com
SEPT. 10 AND 11
DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
The rock band, which first hit the charts in 1995 with songs such as “Ants Marching,” “What Would You Say,” and “Satellite”—all on its first album “Under the Table and Dreaming”—gained worldwide acclaim and multiple Grammy nominations throughout the late 1990s. In recent years, it has earned a loyal following as a jam band. FivePoint Amphitheatre, 14800 Chinon, Irvine, 949-988-6800, livenation.com/venues/33640/fivepoint-amphitheatre
OPENS SEPT. 11
“THE RESONANT SURFACE: MOVEMENT, IMAGE, AND SOUND IN CALIFORNIA PAINTING”
This survey of California paintings created in the early-to-mid-20th century considers how artists play with visual perception to create connections between images, objects, and sensations. The landscapes and abstract pieces in the exhibit invite viewers to slow down and immerse themselves in the art. UCI Institute and Museum of California Art, 18881 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949-476-0294, imca.uci.edu
THROUGH SEPT. 12
GREENHOUSE
Sherman Library & Gardens offers a whimsical look at what outdoor living might entail, highlighting seven rooms around the property to show a horticultural twist. The interactive exhibit is great for kids and adults alike and is free with garden admission ($5). Sherman Library & Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar, 949-673-2261, thesherman.org
SEPT. 16
THE PLOUGHBOYS
The popular Celtic band has headlined Costa Mesa Scotsfest, the Las Vegas Highland Games, and the Bakersfield Celtic Music Festival. It recently revamped its lineup and set list, but it still plays modern and traditional Celtic music tinged with bluegrass, country, and American folk. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714-738-6595, themuck.org
SEPT. 16 THROUGH 18
“THE GREAT DIVORCE”
Based on a novel by C.S. Lewis, this play tells the story of a group of ghosts living in a town where it rains all the time, even indoors. They board a bus en route to heaven—but when they get there, they become transparent, and even walking on grass causes great pain. They must decide whether to give up the thing that kept them in the “gray town” and stay in heaven forever, or keep holding on to their flaws and return to hell. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-854-4646, thebarclay.org
OPENS SEPT. 17
“THE NERD”
This comedy—set in Terre Haute, Indiana, in 1979—follows Willum, an architect who’s about to turn 34 years old when a surprise houseguest pays him a visit. While serving in Vietnam, Rick saved Willum’s life, and Willum is happy to host him—until Rick’s social gaffes start to make things more than a little awkward. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949-489-8082, caminorealplayhouse.org
SEPT. 21
ST LAWRENCE STRING QUARTET + STEPHEN PRUSTMAN AND MONICA SCHOBER
Pianist, composer, and conductor Stephen Prustman and soprano Monica Schober team with the St Lawrence String Quartet. Known for their high-energy performances, the Toronto-based quartet will play a full program of works by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, an Austrian-American composer who wrote the scores for 16 films in the 1930s and ’40s. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
SEPT. 23
JAKE SHIMABUKURO
The world-renowned ukelele player and composer returns to Orange County to showcase his blend of music genres. Shimabukuro has performed with Jimmy Buffet, Bette Midler, and others and was recently nominated to serve on the National Council of the Arts. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-854-4646, thebarclay.org
SEPT. 26
CECILE MCLORIN SALVANT AND SULLIVAN FORTNER
Rising stars Salvant, a jazz vocalist, and Fortner, a pianist, collaborated on the 2018 Grammy winner album for Best Jazz Vocal Album, “The Window.” Both have had plenty of success as solo artists, as well; Salvant won a Grammy for her 2016 album, “For One to Love,” and Fortner received the Lincoln Center Award for Emerging Artists in 2016. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
SEPT. 23 THROUGH 25
LAURA BENANTI
Benanti is celebrated in musical-theater circles for her performances as Eliza Doolittle in “My Fair Lady” at the Lincoln Center and as Louise in the Broadway revival of “Gypsy,” for which she won a Tony Award. She’s also known for her portrayal of twin sisters Alura and Astra on the “Supergirl” TV series. In this cabaret show, she’ll show off her voice and sense of humor while performing Broadway tunes and other favorite songs. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
SEPT. 24
GOLD OVER AMERICA TOUR
Tokyo Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles headline this gymnastics showcase. The pair, along with gold and silver medalist Laurie Hernandez and former UCLA team member Katelyn Ohashi, an All-American who rocketed to fame through a viral video of her floor performance, will perform crowd-pleasing routines on various apparatuses. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714-704-2500, hondacenter.com
OPENS SEPT. 24
“YELLOWMAN”
A finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in drama in 2002, this play follows Alma, a dark-skinned Black woman, and Eugene, a light-skinned Black man, as their lifelong friendship turns into a romantic relationship. They fight to overcome the challenges brought on between them and within their families due to colorism and prejudice. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 714-777-3033, chancetheater.com
SEPT. 25
MICHAEL BUBLÉ
The Canadian crooner had his first No. 1 album with 2007’s “Call Me Irresponsible,” which won the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. He has since released five more albums, two of which also won Grammys. In this concert, expect to hear hits from his most recent release, “Love.” Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714-704-2500, hondacenter.com
SEPT. 30
EMANUEL AX PLAYS MOZART
Master piano player Emanuel Ax will join the Pacific Symphony to play American composer Wayne Oquin’s “Tower Ascending,” a symphonic world premiere, before performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 17 and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-755-5788, pacificsymphony.org
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