DIAVOLO: “ARCHITECTURE IN MOTION”
SEPT. 21
Los Angeles-based dance troupe Diavolo is known for its elaborate sets, acrobatic dancers, and cinematic storytelling. The main piece in this performance, inspired by the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11’s moon landing, follows a young woman taking a journey through a surreal landscape. Musco Center for the Arts, 1 University Drive, Orange, 844-626-8726, muscocenter.org
“SCULPTURES BY GWYNN MURRILL”
THROUGH SEPT. 22
Murrill has used wood, marble, and bronze since the 1970s to create sculptures of the wildlife that lives near her Los Angeles home. This exhibit featuring 20 of the sculptor’s pieces is the first to show work spanning her whole career. Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach, 949-494-8971, lagunaartmuseum.org
NOOD BEACH NOODLE FESTIVAL
SEPT. 1
The parking lot north of SeaLegs at the Beach will transform into a paradise for noodle lovers. Restaurants will serve udon, ramen, and hand-pulled noodles in a variety of styles, including Thai, Vietnamese, and Korean, while DJ Snoop-A-Delic (aka Snoop Dogg) and other artists provide live music. Bolsa Chica State Beach, nood-beach.com
TALL SHIPS FESTIVAL
SEPT. 6 THROUGH 8
Historic tall ships visit the harbor for this annual event. Crews from the ships and historical reenactors host ship tours, pirate school, a mermaid breakfast, cannon “battles,” sunset sails, and a craft beer garden over the course of the weekend. Ocean Institute, Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point, 949-496-2274, ocean-institute.org
SEPT. 6 THROUGH 22
FAMILY MATTERS
This show consists of two one-act plays focusing on the highs and lows of family: “Megan the Merciless,” about a college professor and author reuniting with her two sisters for the first time in three years; and “The Affair,” a comedy about a man and woman engaged in a three-month affair that’s been less than earthshaking. STAGESTheatre, 400 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, 714-525-4484, stagesoc.org
RAGFEST 2019
SEPT. 7
The Fullerton Friends of Jazz present this annual tribute to ragtime music, one of the only festivals of its kind on the West Coast. Throughout the afternoon, several artists play half-hour sets across multiple stages; in the evening, the best ragtime musicians in the area play full sets on the theater stage. Ragtime stars such as Ian Whitcomb, Tex Wyndham, the Heliotrope Ragtime Orchestra, and the Albany Nightboat Ragtimers have starred in past festivals. Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, 714-990-7722, curtistheatre.com
“AMERICAN MARIACHI”
OPENS SEPT. 7
In this comedy set in the 1970s, Lucha cares for her mother during the day and daydreams about starting a mariachi band—but figures she can’t, because women don’t typically participate in the musical tradition. But her cousin urges her to break the mold and joins her as she takes up an instrument and finds bandmates. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-708-5555, scr.org
ELTON JOHN
SEPT. 10 AND 11
The rock legend and pop culture icon looks back at his 50-year career on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour—his final concert tour before he retires. Expect to hear hits such as “Tiny Dancer,” “Someone Saved My Life Tonight,” “Rocket Man,” “I’m Still Standing,” and, of course, “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714-704-2500, hondacenter.com
THE ASSEMBLY
SEPT. 12
The local dance group will present works created during its residency at Muckenthaler Cultural Center. The company is known for imaginative choreography, which dancers typically perform in nontraditional spaces. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714-738-6595, themuck.org
DAVID SPADE
SEPT. 13 AND 14
Over nearly 30 years in comedy, Spade has cultivated the art of self-deprecation and sarcasm. After making his name as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live” in the ’90s, he went on to star in several films and three TV sitcoms, including “Just Shoot Me!” and “Rules of Engagement.” Brea Improv, 180 S. Brea Blvd., Brea, 714-482-0700, improv.com/brea
CAKE AND BEN FOLDS
SEPT. 14
The ’90s indie rockers team for a double bill. Cake, known for combining several genres of music, had hits with songs such as “The Distance” and “Short Skirt/Long Jacket.” Singer-songwriter and pianist Folds came to fame with his band, Ben Folds Five, and the 1997 hit “Brick.” FivePoint Amphitheatre, 14800 Chinon, Irvine, 949-988-6800, fivepointamphitheatre.com
SERGIO MENDES: THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF BOSSA NOVA
SEPT. 14
Pianist and composer Mendes, a three-time Grammy Award winner and one of the creators of the bossa nova sound, celebrates the fusion of jazz and samba. In the nearly 60 years he’s been performing, he has released more than 40 albums and collaborated with everyone from Cannonball Adderley to The Black Eyed Peas. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, 949-480-4278, soka.edu
CIRQUE MEI
SEPT. 14 AND 15
Forty elite circus artists and acrobats from China will perform traditional and contemporary stunts, including hoops diving, the lion dance, contortion, ladder balancing, and foot juggling with umbrellas. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
FLASHBACK HEART ATTACK
SEPT. 15
Part of Newport Beach’s Concerts on the Green summer series, this local ’80s cover band will perform a huge variety of hits from the decade. Concertgoers can bring beach chairs, blankets, and picnics. The Chef TLC’s Sidewalk Café and Scooter’s Italian Ice food trucks also will be on-site. Civic Green, 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949-717-3802, newportbeachca.gov/culturalarts
JOEY ALEXANDER TRIO
SEPT. 20
Jazz piano prodigy Alexander was signed to his first record contract when he was 10. In the five years since, he has put out four albums and been nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Best Instrumental Jazz Album for his 2015 release “My Favorite Things.” His latest album, “Eclipse,” features songs with icon Joshua Redman. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-854-4646, thebarclay.org
“THE VANDAL”
OPENS SEPT. 20
Actor Hamish Linklater’s debut play follows two strangers—a woman and a teenage boy—who meet one night while waiting for a bus next to a cemetery. It’s cold out, the bus is late, and the woman won’t respond to anything the boy says at first. But as the night unfolds, they explore life, death, and the nature of loneliness. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 714-777-3033, chancetheater.com
SONIA DE LOS SANTOS
SEPT. 21 AND 22
Singer-songwriter De Los Santos performs family-friendly music inspired by her childhood in Mexico and her experiences moving to another country and learning about other cultures. Drawing from the music of Colombia, Peru, and North America, she sings in Spanish and English. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
“DIMENSIONS OF FORM: TAMAYO AND MIXOGRAFIA”
OPENS SEPT. 21
In 1973, the Remba family, owners of a commercial print shop in Mexico City, asked artist Rufino Tamayo to create a series of prints at the shop. Together, they developed a technique for producing prints in relief, created a new type of paper that would show texture and detail, and changed the shop’s name to Mixografia to reflect the new medium. Fifty of the three-dimensional prints, showing everything from silhouetted figures to Quetzalcoatl, are on display in this exhibit. Bowers Museum, 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, 714-567-3600, bowers.org
“CARMINA BURANA”
SEPT. 26 THROUGH 28
To celebrate the start of conductor Carl St.Clair’s 30th season, the Pacific Symphony presents three dramatic pieces: Beethoven’s “Egmont” Overture and “Choral” Fantasy, the precursor to his Ninth Symphony, featuring Benjamin Pasternack on piano; and Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” featuring the Pacific Chorale. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-755-5788, pacificsymphony.org
LAGUNA DANCE FESTIVAL
SEPT. 27 THROUGH 29
The annual dance festival spotlighting new and established choreographers and dance companies moves to the Irvine Barclay Theatre this year. Featured companies include Parsons Dance, a modern dance troupe known for its athletic dancers; Rubberbandance, a Montreal-based group that melds contemporary ballet and hip-hop; and Ballet West, a classical ballet company. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-854-4646, thebarclay.org
JIMMY O. YANG
SEPT. 27 THROUGH 29
Known for his role as Jian Yang on HBO’s “Silicon Valley,” the Hong Kong-born actor, comedian, and writer got his first break with a well-received comedy set on “The Arsenio Hall Show.” He’s also appeared in “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Juliet Naked,” and “Patriot’s Day,” and published a book, “How to American: An Immigrant’s Guide to Disappointing Your Parents.” Irvine Improv, 527 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949-854-5455, improv.com/irvine
“THE CANADIANS”
OPENS SEPT. 29
In this comedy, Gordy is content with a life of hockey, beer, and friends in Port Alison, Manitoba. But when his buddy receives two all-expenses-paid tickets for a cruise, he sees a chance to break out of his rut. Five actors play a shipload of characters in this world premiere. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-708-5555, scr.org
THERE’S MORE!
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