Dana Point

39th Annual Festival of Whales

Sat & Sun Mar 13 & 14 - Throughout Dana Point and Area

- Festival of Whales Parade - Street Faire
- Dana Outrigger Canoe Club Race
- So Cal Woodies - Marine Mammal Lecture Series
- “Whale of a Shoe” Horseshoe Tournament
- Harbor Music Series - Movie in the Park and More Fun

Newport Beach

Child Nutrition Advocate Chef Ann Cooper

Sat, Mar 13, 9 am - Environmental Nature Center, 1601 East 16th Street, Newport Beach

known as the “Renegade Lunch Lady”. Ann, a relentless voice of reform, wants to see nutritious meals replace the highly processed meals currently served in our nation’s schools. Her educational seminars focus on the links between food, family, farming and children’s health. Come learn what you can do to change the way our children eat… one lunch at a time. For more information call (949) 645-8489 Cost: Free.

Costa Mesa

Sugar Plum Arts & Crafts Festival

Mar 11 - 13, Thu - Fri 10 am - 9 pm; Sat 9 am - 5 pm - OC Fair and Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

Enjoy a unique shopping adventure with handcrafted arts and crafts, country garden and home decor, holiday decorations, clothing, jewelry, tasty eats and other great gifts. Admission: Free Parking: General $5, Preferred $8.

San Juan Capistrano

Living History Day

Sat, Mar 13, 11 am - 2 pm - Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano

Mission San Juan Capistrano's Living History Society members dress in period attire to portray important figures in the Mission's history. This event is held on the second Saturday of each month.

Costa Mesa

4th annual St. Patrick's Day Festival

Sun, Mar 14, 10 am - 4 pm - Orange County Market Place, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

World Class Irish Dancers, Free Mint Ice Cream, Music, Entertainment, A bit of Irish Magic all at the Orange County Market Place. Admission ($2). Children under 12 are free.

Spring Forward

Daylight Saving Time Begins

Sun, Mar 14, 2 am

Spring Ahead! Don't forget to move your clocks ahead one hour this Sunday for the beginning of Daylight Saving Time!

San Juan Capistrano

St. Joseph's Day & the Return of the Swallows Celebration

Fri & Sat, Mar 19 & 20 - Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano

Don’t miss this world renowned celebration every March, marking the return of our famous swallows to Capistrano and the coming of spring- a time of renewal and rebirth. This annual celebration includes: •Live music, •Community presentations, •Mission Parish School performances, •Ringing of the historic bells, •Official press conference, •History of St. Joseph's Day and Swallows Legend and more.

Newport Beach

Bayside Buddies - Amphibian Adventures

Thu, Mar 11, 10:30 am - Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach

Calling all junior naturalists! Discover our amazing natural world at the Bay through hands-on activities, crafts and nature walks. Come prepared for an exciting outdoor experience! Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please phone (949) 923-2275, or e-mail unbic@ocparks.com to register.

San Juan Capistrano

Adventure Day

Sat, Mar 13, 10 am - 3 pm - Caspers Wilderness Park, 33401 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano

Come and enjoy arts and crafts, food, games, raffles, programs and much more on Adventure Day at Caspers Wilderness Park. The day will include presentations and interpretive programs. Fun for all ages! Admission and Parking FREE All are Welcome.

Huntington Beach

Annual Huntington Beach Kite Party

Sat & Sun, Mar 13 & 14, 11 am - Dusck - Huntington Beach Pier, 325 Pacific Coast Hwy, Huntington Beach

Some of the best professional kite fliers in the country converge on Huntington Beach to show their skills, not to mention their colorful stunt kites, for this annual family-friendly festival. Kite fliers are by invitation only, but beach goers will have a front row seat for this fabulous FREE event.

Costa Mesa

Pigeon Party

Fri - Sun, Mar 19 - 21 - Samueli Theater, Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

Mo Willem's Pigeon is back by popular demand and ready to party! Will he share the hot dog? Will you let him stay up late?? Squeezing all the fun from Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late! and The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog! into one raucous production, this lively show is full of feathers, laughter and excitement—featuring original music and lots of audience participation. Tickets $18

Laguna Niguel

Farmers Market

Suns, 9 am - 1 pm (rain or shine), Plaza De La Paz Shopping Center on the Corner of La Paz and Pacific Park

Affiliated with Orange County Farm Bureau Sponsored Certified Farmers' Markets. California certified farmers' markets are the real thing - places where genuine farmers sell fruits, nuts and vegetables directly to the public. Every farmer who sells at a certified market is inspected by the county agricultural commissioner to make sure they actually grows the commodity being sold.

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Santa Ana

Divas of Country Music

Sat, Mar 13, 8 pm - OC Pavilion, 801 North Main Street, Santa Ana

Don't miss the second annual Finally Home Foundation Benefit Concert and your chance to support adoptive families while enjoying a great night of entertainment with a special concert presentation of "The Divas of Country Music" by the Kristin Orphan Band. Kristin is one of those “do not miss” artists. A powerhouse vocalist with a heart (and voice) as big as Nashville itself. Tickets $25/$30

Costa Mesa

A Salute to John Williams

Thu, Mar 11 - Sat, Mar 13 - Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

John Williams’ score for “Star Wars” transformed the landscape of Hollywood film music and became an icon of American culture. Now, 30 years (and 80 films) later, his melodies remain the soundtrack of a generation. Movie Maestro Richard Kaufman and Pacific Symphony celebrate the man and his music, including favorites from “Star Wars,” “Indiana Jones,” “Harry Potter” and “E.T.” Tickets: $25 - $185

Tustin

Italy and the Development of the International Style

Fri, Mar 19, 8 pm - Red Hill Lutheran Church, 13200 Red Hill Ave, Tustin

Les Sauvages Americains presents Italy and the Development of the International Style the music of Archangelo Corelli, Pietro Locatelli, & Tomaso Albinoni. Come out and enjoy this evening of Italian music that has inspired generations of artists. Tickets: Adults/$10, Children & Seniors/$7

Fullerton

Lend Me A Tenor

Closes Sun, Mar 14 - STAGEStheatre, 400 East Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 4, Fullerton

This delightful farce follows the trials and tribulations of Henry Saunders, a hapless Cleveland opera impresario trying to ensure the old theater ethic, "the show must go on." Through a variety of errors, a visiting opera star, Tito Merelli (aka "Il Stupendo") is thought to be dead, and a fledging opera singer, Max, is unwillingly thrust into the limelight. Tickets: $18/Adult, $15/Students & Seniors

Irvine

Don Quixote

Sat, Mar 20, 7 pm & Sun, Mar 21, 2 pm - Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine

The flavors and rhythms of old-world Spain, fiery gypsy spirit and passion, a culture of honor and chivalry: this is the essence of Don Quixote. Based on Cervantes' heroic novel set to Ludwig Minkus memorable score, this classic is a ballet lover's favorite. A must-see featuring spectacular guest artists, professional company dancers and a boisterous cast of many, Festival Ballet Theatre revives its colorful production for Irvine Barclay Theatre's intimate stage. Tickets: $35/Adult, $28/Senior and Children.

Presented by Orange County Musical Theatre and Saddleback Valley Christian Schools

Beauty and the Beast

Mar 19 & 21 - Orange County Pavillion, 801 North Main Street, Santa Ana

This "tale as old as time" is filled with spectacular costumes and sets, which offers a great opportunity to bring your entire family together for youth theatre at its best. A handsome prince, because of his pride, is turned into a hideous beast. He lives in an enchanted castle with, among others, Lumiere the candelabra, Cogsworth the clock, Chip the teacup and Mrs. Potts. Tickets $15

Laguna Art Museum

OsCene 2010: Contemporary Art and Culture in OC

Through May 16, Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, Laguna Beach

OsCene 2010 is a survey of contemporary art and culture in the OC featuring some of the most provocative painting, drawing, sculpture, photography, multi-media installation, video, architecture, performance, music, and design that Orange County has to offer! This year's OsCene will extend into Long Beach and San Pedro, often considered the blurred boundary between Orange and Los Angeles counties.

Huntington Beach

African Gala!

Opening Reception: Thu, Mar 11, 7 – 9 pm, Exhibit runs through Fri, Apr 9, Golden West College, Fine Arts Gallery, Huntington Beach

Join them for the opening night gala featuring a dance performance from African Cultural Study Group of Long Beach starting at 7:30 pm. Curator: Darrell Ebert. Exhibition of African Art from various collections: K.S. Brothers African Imports, Los Angeles & Village Treasures, Long Beach. Print Flyer below for Free Parking. Opening Reception Free & Open to the Public.

Newport Beach

The Moving Image: Scan to Screen, Pixel to Projection II

Through Mar 21, Orange County Museum of Art, 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach

This exhibition is the second part of a year-long exhibition featuring important video and new media works from the museum’s permanent collection.

Santa Ana

Where Masks Still Dance: New Guinea

Through June 6, Tue-Sun, 10 am-4 pm - Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 North Main Street, Santa Ana

Where Masks Still Dance: New Guinea is a stunning presentation of the intricate and mysterious cultures that inhabit the island of New Guinea, home to more than 1,000 aboriginal tribes and 800 languages. Where Masks Still Dance: New Guinea features 35 black and white photographs by acclaimed documentary photographer Chris Rainier, known for his revealing images of the earth's last wilderness areas and isolated indigenous peoples who live there.

Newport Beach

Native Landscape Iirrigation Workshop

Sun, Mar 14, 9 am - 12 noon - Back to Nature, Residence in Newport Beach (RSVP for maps & directions)

Join Back to Natives for a FREE workshop for the community. Participants will learn how to install irrigation in a native landscape in a Newport Beach yard designed by Back to Natives. Bring your gloves and be ready to help! RSVP to info@backtonatives.org

Be Part of the Celebration and Be Out There

National Wildlife Week

March 15-21, 2010 - Get Outdoors in your Own Neighborhood.

Celebrate National Wildlife Week by doing what comes naturally. Whatever you do—at home, school or play—do it outdoors and have fun! Climb trees, chase butterflies, dig in the dirt and celebrate nature. You’ll become healthier, happier and more connected to the world around you.

This Week In So Cal

Find More So Cal Outdoor Events

Hikes, Campfires, Family Activities, Nature Talks, Beach Cleanups and MORE

Follow link below to find more great outdoors events throughout So Cal.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs Wild West Fest

Fri - Sun, Mar 12 - 14 - Palm Springs Convention Center, (East Lawn) Palm Springs

Events all weekend long including: PRCA Rodeo events, music festival, rodeo parade, foods of the West, cowboy ball, barbecue/chili cook-off and carnival...Something for everyone. For more information call (800) 664-5417.

SUBMIT YOUR LOCAL EVENT FOR CONSIDERATION

Do you have a local event you would like to promote through this Event Calendar section? If so, please submit it for consideration by e-mailing us the information using the link below.