MARCH 1
LAWRENCE BROWNLEE: SONGS FROM THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE
Brownlee, an internationally acclaimed tenor who performs in opera houses around the world, will present his newest recital program, “Rising.” Accompanied by pianist Kevin J. Miller, he will sing newly commissioned works by composers Shawn Okpebholo, Damien Sneed, and Joel Thompson with texts drawn from the great writers of the Harlem Renaissance. Musco Center for the Arts, One University Drive, Orange, 844-626-8726, muscocenter.org
MARCH 2
BETH SUSSMAN
To mark Women’s History Month, pianist and composer Beth Sussman will present a program made up of classical music written and inspired by women. The Julliard-trained musician will play works by Florence Price, Cecile Chaminade, and Lili Boulanger, along with her own compositions and some old favorites such as “Moon River” and “As Time Goes By.” Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714-738-6595, themuck.org
MARCH 4
MONTEVERDI VESPERS
Members of the Pacific Chorale, accompanied by organist Ruben Valenzuela and Bach Collegium San Diego, perform Monteverdi’s “Vespers for the Blessed Virgin.” Composed in 1610, the work is considered a masterpiece of the Baroque style. Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, Newport Beach, 714-662-2345, pacificchorale.org
MARCH 4
PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND 60TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR
From the center of the French Quarter, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been playing traditional New Orleans-style jazz for six decades. Though the group is known for nightly concerts, it also provides musical education to Louisiana youth and financial support to elder musicians, with the goal of preserving and perpetuating New Orleans culture. This concert celebrates all the musicians have done in 60 years with Crescent City classics. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-854-4646, thebarclay.org
MARCH 5 THROUGH 11
OC RESTAURANT WEEK
Diners can enjoy set menus priced between $15 and $45 at some of Orange County’s top restaurants at the annual weeklong event celebrating its 15th anniversary. Favorites such as Avila’s El Ranchito in San Clemente and Santa Ana, Five Crowns in Corona del Mar, and Red O Restaurant in Newport Beach will participate along with more than 150 others. Various locations, ocrestaurantweek.com
MARCH 6
ERIK LARSON
Author Larson writes historical nonfiction books that are so riveting, they read like novels. Since his 2003 breakout bestseller, “Devil in the White City,” which wove together the stories of the designers of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago and the first modern serial killer, he has written four bestsellers, including “In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler’s Berlin” and “Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania.” Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
MARCH 7 THROUGH 19
“MEAN GIRLS”
Based on the movie, this musical dark comedy follows Cady Heron, a teenage girl who moves from an African savanna to suburban Illinois and befriends a trio of popular girls led by queen bee Regina George. When Cady tries to bring Regina down, she learns what survival of the fittest really means. The show was nominated for 12 Tony Awards when it premiered on Broadway in 2018. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
