Best Of OC - Week Of October 26
As October comes to a close, Orange County is full of dozens of fun events for everyone ready to get into the harvest or ghostly spirit. From pumpkin patches to frightful mazes, dance parties, theatrical performances, and live events, Halloween activities abound. In addition to the spooky fun and games, don't miss thought provoking theatre or the return of the Toshiba Golf Classic.
Irvine Railroad's 10th annual Pumpkin Patch
1 Irvine Park Rd.
Orange, CA 92869
(714) 997-3968
www.irvineparkrailroad.com
Irvine Park Railroad's 10th annual Pumpkin Patch wraps its autumn-themed fun this week. Open daily through October 31st, the Pumpkin Patch boasts thousands of pumpkins to choose from in addition to fall festival themed activities including train rides, hay rides, panning for gold, a kid-friendly haunted house, hay maze, moon bounce, carnival games, cookie decorating, and more. Admission to the event is free, although individual attractions are ticketed.
"Abundance"
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-2787
www.scr.org
Twenty-five years after its original world-premiere on the South Coast Repertory stage, "Abundance," written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Beth Henley, returns to Orange County. Thought by many to be Henley's best play, "Abundance" follows Bess and Macon, mail-order brides, who are tenaciously hopeful as they head to the Wyoming Territory to meet their new husbands. Their epic adventure—which unfolds over the course of 25 years—is filled with joys, challenges and erratic twists of fate. Patrons can participate in a post-show discussion this evening. Through November 15.
"RENT"
La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
14900 La Mirada Blvd.
La Mirada, CA 90638
(562) 944-9801
www.lamiradatheatre.com
The Tony-Award Winning Best Musical of "Rent," with book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, continues its run on the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts stage this week. This brand new production, directed by Richard Israel, follows NYC East Village friends and artists struggling with addiction, poverty, AIDS and most of all, love. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves, and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical. Through November 15.
Bring Us Your Dead
Las Laguna Gallery
577 S Coast Hwy.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 667-1803
www.laslagunagallery.com
Inspired by Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, Las Laguna Gallery closes its current exhibition this weekend that explores love, life, and death through the medium of art. Based on the Mexican holiday that combines traditions from Aztec rituals, the worlds of the undead are explored by various artists through acrylic and oil paintings, digital arts, sculpture, neon, and photography. The gallery exhibit will be available until November 1.
Toshiba Golf Classic
1600 East Coast Hwy.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 660-1001
www.toshibaclassic.com
The Toshiba Classic is the More than 85,000 spectators projected to attend this year's Toshiba Classic golf tournament, the event has become the largest annual event in Orange County. In its 20th year, the tournament, which continues this week from October 26-November 1, raises money for the Hoag Hospital Foundation and other local charities. Taking place at the Newport Beach Country Club, fans can join in the excitement of the tournament with day or week passes.
"Room on the Broom"
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Dr.
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 556-2787
www.scr.org
Tall Stories Theatre Company presents the family-friendly, Halloween-themed production "Room on the Broom," perfect for the whole family. In addition to the 1pm show, the theatre is proud to announce the development of Sensory Friendly (SF) programming, offered in today's 10am show time, geared towards patrons with autism and other developmental disorders. Various components are considered and alterations will be made in areas such as: lighting, sound, seat configuration, staff training, and being lax when it comes to movement and speaking during the performance. Pre-visit guides are available to help families enjoy the performance with accurate expectations.
Halloween Dining Options
Various Locations
If grabbing a few bites of candy from your neighbors is a bit out of your age range, consider taking advantage of one of these fun, Halloween-themed dining events and activities that help get adults into the spirit. Dress up as any 007 character and dine at Fleming's Steakhouse's for An Evening of Espionage featuring hors d'oeuvres and four courses paired with classic cocktails ($95/person). For an elegant take on the harvest-themed evening, consider dining at FIG & OLIVE; their prix fixe Halloween dinner (from $45/person) includes all the flavors of fall such as Butternut Squash & Chestnut Soup, Rosemary Lamb Chops, and Chestnut Mousse with Amarena Cherry. Looking for something quick and easy? Grab a $3 burrito at Chipotle for their annual Boorito Fundraiser.
Dia De Los Muertos Celebration
The Queen Mary
1126 Queens Hwy.
Long Beach, CA 90802
(877) 342-0738
www.queenmary.com
Brave thrill seekers have one last chance to explore the live entertainment mixed with terror that is the Queen Mary's Dark Harbor, before closing for the season after tonight's Day of the Dead Event. Guests are invited to wear costumes and dance the night away to DJ Mikey O, who will be spinning the best music all night long. In addition to the live entertainment, attractions include mazes, Scary Mary (a frightening paintball adventure), Freaks & Oddities side shows, and the Big Top Bar.
Sinister Pointe's Trust Challenge: Fear the Darkness
797 West Imperial Hwy.
Brea, CA 92821
www.sinisterpointe.com
Sinister Pointe Productions' Trust Challenge takes two individuals on a 30-minute fear challenge through a variety of terrifying experiences, based on a variety of pre-chosen encounters including evil clowns, possession, deranged, zombies, and more. Fears must be faced alone as brave souls will be led into pitch black rooms with scary surprises in store. This experience is recommended for age 16 and up. Advance tickets are strongly recommended.