From performances and concerts to mixers, dinners and festivals, we’ve rounded up 22 top Orange County things to do in February.
Rombauer Vineyards Wine Dinner at Red O
Feb. 1. Indulge on a five-course wine pairing dinner at Red O. Menu highlights include scallop aguachile (Nantucket Bay scallop, carrot and ginger aguachile, icicle radish and carrot top oil) with Rombauer Sauvignon Blanc – Napa Valley, California 2015; roasted borrega (Australian lamb, pickled plums, charro beans and avocado-chile butter) with Rombauer Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley, California 2014; for dessert arroz con leche (fresh honeycomb, roasted hazelnuts, winter fruit compote and micro lavendar) with Rombauer Joy Late Harvest Chardonnay – Carneros, California 2015 and much more. See facebook page for full menu. 6:30 p.m. $120. Red O, 143 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.718.0300. redorestaurant.com
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2017 Build Ford Tough Series
Feb. 3-4. The top 35 bull riding stars in the world will compete in the toughest sport on dirt. Take the experience to the next level with VIP elite seats which includes premium seating, opening reception with hors d’oeuvres, one free drink, pre-show tour, Q&A with a professional bull rider, memorabilia, an autograph book and much more. See website for more details. F 7:45 p.m., Sa 6:45 p.m. $29-$127. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.940.2900. hondacenter.com
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CycleBar Laguna Hills—CycleGiving
Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24. In honor of National Heart Month, CycleBar Laguna Hills will host CycleGiving each Friday in February. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a CycleGiving class for only $25, to which all proceeds directly benefit the American Heart Association. CycleBar is a premium indoor cycling studio that offers a high energy workout in a concert like atmosphere—experience a workout with killer music, DJ tunes, energy-enhancing graphics and rider-specific performance data, all while set in a state-of-the-art, IMAX-Style CycleTheatre. 4 p.m. $25. CycleBar Laguna Hills, 26534 Moulton Parkway, Suite A, Laguna Hills. lagunahills.cyclebar.com
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SoCal Dance Invitational
Feb. 4. See performances from ten acclaimed Southern California choreographers and dance companies as they come together for the seventh presentation of the SoCal Dance Invitational. The line up includes Lori Torok from Avocado Dance Theatre, James MahKween from Eternity Dance Theatre, Evan Rosenblatt from Evan Rosenblatt Dance, Pat Taylor from Jazz Antiqua and many more. More than 60 performers are set to participate in the festival. 8 p.m. $13-$15. Golden West College Theater, 15744 Gothard St., Huntington Beach. gwctheater.com
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Marvin Gaye-Inspired Chef’s Table Dinner at Mesa
Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28. Join Mesa on Tuesdays through February for a musician-inspired four-course meal. This month, chef Niki Starr will draw her inspiration from Marvin Gaye. Course one, inspired by Marvin Gaye’s hit song “Let’s Get It On,” features oysters on the half shell with coconut curry foam, finger lime caviar and micro cilantro. The third course, “Ain’t Nothing But The Real Thing,” features pomegranate braised short rib, parsnip puree, fresh pomegranate and crispy parsnip chips. Full menu will be online soon. Reservations required. 5-9 p.m. $60. 725 Baker St., Costa Mesa, 714.557.6700. 100eats.com
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Match.com Pre-Valentine’s Day Mixer
Feb. 7. Find your perfect date just in time for Valentine’s Day. Head to critically acclaimed Bistango in Irvine for an evening of singles mingling hosted by Match.com. The event will be held in the bar and lounge area and is a stand-up event. Reservations encouraged. Email info@bistango.com to hold your place. 7-9 p.m. Free. The Atrium, Bistango Restaurant, 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.752.5222. bistango.com
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TequiLUV Mixer
Feb. 8. Fly solo, bring a date or come mingle with a group of friends for a fun-filled, interactive evening around the art of tequila. Enjoy delicious food pairings, tequila cocktails and learn all about tequila from special guest Ricardo Gamarra, owner and master distiller of Asombroso Tequila. Be sure to RSVP ahead of time, space is limited. 6:30-9 p.m. $30 plus tax and gratuity. Bella Terra Shopping Center, Solita Tacos & Margaritas, 7631 Edinger Ave., Suite 1508, Huntington Beach, 951.515.1468. solitatacos.com
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One Love Cali Reggae Fest
Feb. 10-12. See some of the biggest names in reggae at One Love Cali Raggae Fest. Headliners are Slightly Stoopid (Friday), Rebelution (Saturday) and Dirty Heads (Sunday). Over 50 other artists also perform, including Iration, SOJA, 311, Chronixx, Stick Figure, Steel Pulse, J Boog and Fortunate Youth. In addition to weekend and single-day passes, you can also find VIP Lounge, Legend VIP, Rage On The Stage and VIP Cabana packages. See website for full line up and VIP packages. Tickets start at $65. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. onelovecalifest.com
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The Wave’s Love Affair Concert
Feb. 11. Listen to live performances from The Delfonics, GQ, The Fuzz, Atlantic Starr, The Moments, The Heatwave, Color Me Badd and many more at the Love Affair Concert, presented by 94.7 The Wave. Expect more artists that fit into the genres of new adult contemporary music, smooth jazz and soft rock. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $34. The Theatre at Honda Center, 2695 East Katella, Anaheim, 800.745.3000. hondacenter.com
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Monster Jam
Feb. 11, 25. Get ready for mayhem and destruction with the biggest, baddest monster trucks in the business. Monster Jam, one of the country’s premier live motorsport events, features drag racing and freestyle contests in which trucks face death-defying jumps and other obstacles. This year’s lineup features appearances by Monster Jam powerhouses and multiple world finals champions Join the Pit Party before the show where fans get the chance to score autographs and memorabilia from the drivers. Pit party 2:30-5:30 p.m., showtime 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25. Angel Stadium of Anaheim, 2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim. angel.stadiumanaheim.com
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Life Time Athletic Laguna Niguel 60-Day Challenge
Feb. 11-Apr. 8. It’s almost time for weigh-in weekend at Life Time Athletic Laguna Niguel. After registering for the 60-Day Challenge, weigh-in weekend will consist of a personal consultation with a Life Time certified personal trainer, selection of which challenge category you’d like to participate in (weight loss or transformation) and completing your first weekly weigh-in for the program. Each week you will work with Life Time personal trainers and nutrition coaches to achieve your weight loss or transformation goals. All participants will receive complimentary access to weekly Try-It Tuesday events, designed to help you hit all your goals from grocery shopping and fitness classes to nutrition, exercise and technology seminars. A grand prize winner from each category will receive $10,000 at the end of the challenge. Eight runners-up will receive $500. Registration $40. 25600 Rancho Niguel Road, Laguna Niguel. lifetime60day.com
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Harlem Globetrotters
Feb. 12, 18. See ball-handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, comedy and unequaled fan interaction from the Harlem Globetrotters. The Globetrotters feature some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet. The star-studded roster includes Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm–plus female stars TNT Lister and Ace Jackson. New this season, the Globetrotters will debut basketball’s first 4-point line. The 4-point line will be located 30 feet from the basket—6 feet, 3 inches beyond the top of the NBA’s current 3-point line. After the game, Globetrotter stars will sign autographs and take photos with fans. Sa 1 p.m., 7 p.m., Su 2 p.m. Tickets start at $18. Honda Center, 2695 East Katella, Anaheim, 714.940.2900. hondacenter.com
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WWE Smackdown
Feb. 14. Don’t miss your chance to see your favorite WWE Smackdown Superstars live in action. The lineup for the evening includes John Cena, Randy Orton, Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles, Alexa Bliss, Bray Wyatt, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Becky Lynch, Natalya, and many more of your favorites. Lineup subject to change, check website for details. 4:45 p.m. Tickets start at $20. Honda Center, 2695 East Katella, Anaheim, 714.940.2900. hondacenter.com
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Dancing with the Stars: Live!—We Came to Dance
Feb. 14. See an all-new production that showcases every type of ballroom and modern dance seen on hit show Dancing with the Stars. The show features group performances, romantic duets, contemporary numbers and original pieces created specifically for the nationwide tour. See the hottest cast in dance including Lindsay Arnold, Alan Bersten, Sharna Burgess, Artem Chigvintsev, Jenna Johnson, Emma Slater and many more. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $49. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
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Twenty One Pilots
Feb. 15-16. Catch Twenty One Pilots as they stop at Honda Center for two nights during their Emotional Roadshow tour. You’ll recognize hit songs “Stressed Out” and “Ride” from their latest album Blurryface; and “Heathens” from the soundtrack of film Suicide Squad. 7 p.m. $39-$49. Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.940.2900. hondacenter.com
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The Local Band Hangout
Feb. 16. Listen to top local artists and up-and-coming bands while experiencing the wonders of the majestic Queen Mary every third Thursday of each month. The new concert series takes place in the historic Observation Bar. Arrive early for Happy Hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. See website for changing lineup. Happy hour 5-7 p.m. Show begins 8 p.m. $10. Parking $8 with validation. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
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ScotsFestival & International Highland Games XXIV
Feb. 17-19. Celebrate Scottish heritage at the annual event. The festival will kick off with the Burns Supper on Friday night followed by a weekend of rich Scottish culture highlighted through authentic activities, athletics, dancing, entertainment and cuisine. In honor of Scotland’s best-loved bard, Robert Burns, the Burns Supper includes a complimentary cocktail, the piping of the haggis, a traditional four-course dinner and all the Scottish entertainment imaginable. The official ScotsFestival opening ceremonies begin Saturday morning with the traditional Grand Parade of Clans & Bands with an Address to the Haggis. Saturday and Sunday’s festivities include border collie sheep-herding, firing demonstrations, performances by the Scots Greys Calvary, Royal Scottish Country Dance Society and historic re-enactments in ode to the Queen Mary’s Scottish legacy. Forty members of the US Marine Corps Pipe Band are set to perform a traditional hymn with the LA Scots Grade 1 Pipe Band, the premier pipe band in the United States. See website for full weekend schedule and pricing. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0738. queenmary.com
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Paws Fur Pink
Feb. 26. Leash up your pup and break out your pink clothing for a dog-friendly 5k run/walk. In honor of breast and canine cancer awareness, you can sign up to run or walk with your dog and raise funds for charity paw-tners, which include the Orange County and Los Angeles affiliates of Susan G. Komen and the National Canine Cancer Foundation. In addition to the 5k, participate in the Dawdling Doodle 1-mile walk, the Furever Yours expo and the Pawsitively Pink costume contest. All participants will receive custom medals and T-shirts. 7-10 a.m. $15-$48. Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange. https://pawsfurpink.com
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Grand Opening Show at House of Blues
Feb. 28. Experience the recently relocated House of Blues Anaheim with its first performance at the all-new Anaheim Gardenwalk location. American punk rock band Social Distortion will perform a two-night grand opening show, the first taking place February 28, the second on March 1. Doors open 7 p.m. Show starts 8 p.m. $35. Anaheim GardenWalk, 400 Disney Way, Anaheim, 714.778.2583. houseofblues.com
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A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Opening Feb. 28. The Tony Award-winning musical presents the lighter side of murder. Follow the uproarious story of Monty Navarro, a distant heir to a family fortune who sets out to jump the line of succession by eliminating the eight pesky relatives who stand in his way. All the while, Monty has to juggle his mistress, his fiancée and the constant threat of landing behind bars. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $29. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
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Chapatti
Through Feb. 5. Annabella Price and Mark Bramhall star in this humorous and heartwarming tale about two animal lovers in Dublin and their unexpected spark as they re-discover the importance of human companionship. This second-chance comedy celebrates these unforgettable characters who still believe in love. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $65. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
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Moby Dick
Through Feb. 19. Witness firsthand the power—and the poetry—of Melville’s classic novel, Moby Dick, as it is transformed into a masterwork for the stage. Driven on by a self-destructive madman, larger-than-life characters search for the white whale, pitting themselves against the Seven Seas with a fiery passion in this production by Chicago’s renowned Lookingglass Theatre Company. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $20. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
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Originally published here edited by Laura Okey
