This Weekend: Project Bandaloop!

 

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only person left in OC who hasn't seen Cirque Du Soleil. Is it true? Have you, like me, still not seen (what I presume to be) the magical, fantastical spectacle the lovely traveling team sets in motion before wowing oohing-and-ahhing audiences worldwide? Well, pocketbook restrictions interfered in my attending Cirque Du Soleil's much-anticipated Kooza appearance at the OC Great Park this year, so imagine my sheer joy and sweet relief upon hearing about Project Bandaloop.

Oh, what? You haven't heard of Project Bandaloop? Someone's not been reading the Events page in The OC Gazette....(by the way, that links to October's events, so you'll have to trust me that September's page did indeed list P.J.). Tsk tsk. Well, no matter - allow me to tell you now:


Project Bandaloop is one of the most unique contemporary dance companies in the world, and is reappearing at the OC Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa to repeat their 2007 "Fall for Dance" performance, where they wowed the audience by propelling dancers off and across the exterior walls of Segerstrom Hall. Truly taking dance to unheard-of heights, this dance company blends dance, sport, ritual, and environmental awareness that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.

Project Bandaloop will be scaling the walls of the Center this Thursday, 
Friday, and Saturday nights at 8:30 pm, and the event is free to the public. 
Bring your blankets and beach chairs and enjoy an unforgettable evening 
under the stars. This event will be Project Bandaloop's world premiere of 
Id Ego with original music composed by Dana Leong.

Click here for Project Bandaloop's website.
Click here for OCPAC's web page for event info.

I'll be there tomorrow night - say hi if you see me!

-Blythe
in my ear buds: The Union Line's "New Song #1"

The Vintage San Juan Capistrano

One event you won't want to miss this October is the 14th Annual Vintage at Mission San Juan Capistrano. If you've never been, you've never lived. I once scoffed at paying $75 to go to what I thought was just a big taste test. Well folks, it's never felt so good to say, "I was wrong." (Cue Social Distortion's "I Was Wrong.") $75 is such a good price for the plethora of food, drink, and entertainment you get at this event. There is a live band, dancing, a silent auction, and food from some of the best restaurants in Orange County. Plus, the ticket includes $25 of poker chips to use at the casino tables that are set up around the perimeter of the event. I had no idea I was missing out on so many amazing restaurants until I tried them at last years Vintage event! Not only this, but I met so many fun people from around Orange County. Young, old, all were in attendance and having a great time.

It's not too late to buy tickets. Just click here for more information.

If you see us there, stop us and say "hi!" Don't think we're rude if we talk to you with a mouth full of food. The event is only 4 hours long and we plan on taking advantage of every minute, which means multitasking.

When: October 16th, 2010 6-10pm
Where: The Mission San Juan Capistrano

-Amy
On my blip.fm: Ryan Adams and The Cardinals' "Mockingbird"

Fall 2010 Runway Presentation at Saks

For all you fashionably aware out there, don't miss the 2010 Fall Trend Runway Presentation at Saks Fifth Avenue on October 1st at South Coast Plaza. The invitation is above. I am SO ready for sweaters and boots weather!

- Amy
On my iTunes: Black Sabbath's "Changes"

Mission Viejo Readers Festival

The OC Gazette will be at the Mission Viejo Reader's Festival again this year, so don't forget to stop by our booth and say hello. Why should you go? Oh, only because some of the greatest authors of our lifetime will be in attendance and speaking. Here are two author presentations we can't wait to see:

1. UCI alum Alice Sebold will be one of the Festival's big headliners. If her name doesn't ring a bell, then you haven't been paying attention! She's the author of Lovely Bones the New York Times Best Seller that was recently made into a feature film under the direction of Peter Jackson (Lord of The Rings) with the help of an all star cast including Mark Wahlberg, Susan Sarandon, Rachel Weisz and Saoirse Ronan. 

2. Also featured at the Festival this year will be Laura Ling and her TV journalist sister, Lisa - co-authors of Somewhere Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home. The book chronicles the saga of Laura's imprisonment in a North Korean labor prison for illegally entering the country while trying to film a documentary all the way through to her release due to the enormous effort of her sister Lisa. 

For a full list of authors, visit the Mission Viejo Readers Festival website here. For the presentation schedule, click here. We'll see you there!

- Amy

On my iTunes: Regina Spektor's "Samson"

This Weekend in OC

Taste of Newport:
 

I promised you guys yesterday that I'd post more foodie events, and look! I've come through, haven't I? Over 30 restaurants, 15 wineries, live cooking demos, live entertainment and music at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. The festivities began today and continue through Sunday. Need I say more? Well, I will anyway: The Taste of Newport features some of the area's best restaurants. Food tastes range between $1 and $7. Entry tickets are $25 and get you access to the food, drink, and general hubbub. You'll then be given an "escrip" card to load with money to spend on food. This keeps things simple and cashless at the food booths. Any money leftover on your escrip card can be retrieved before you leave the event. Call (949) 729-4400 or visit the Taste of Newport website for more info.


Irvine Railroad's 5th Annual Pumpkin Patch (opens tomorrow!): 

Here's a fun one for the whole family! Train rides, a haunted house, carnival games, a pumpkin patch, something called a "moon bounce," and more! Train rides start at 10am - click here for a 2 for 1 coupon for train rides, coupons for discounts on boat rentals, bike rentals, pumpkins, and more! Call (714)997-3968 or visit their website for more info.


Donavon Frankenreiter at the OC Great Park in Irvine:

Laguna Beach singer songwriter Donavon Frankenreiter will be playing at OC Great Park tomorrow night (Saturday) at 8pm.
"With a voice like a warm summer breeze, Frankenreiter has often been compared to his surfing musician friend Jack Johnson, which he doesn’t mind at all, though he stressed to one interviewer, 'We’re totally different people coming from the same place.' Born in Downey, Frankenreiter began surfing when he was growing up in San Clemente, where there’s also a long tradition of surfers getting together on the beach with their guitars and ukuleles. He continues to divide his time between the two, saying it keeps both fresh for him."
The show is free but parking is $10, so consider carpooling! Also, arrive early- there's a pre-concert stand up comedy lineup beginning at 7pm!Questions? Call: (949) 724-6247


SC Open Skate & Surf Contest:

This annual event will take place over two days this weekend. On Saturday, the 10th annual skate contest will take place at the Ralph's Skate Court on La Pata. On Sunday, visit the SC Pier for the 3rd annual Shortboard Surf Contest. The SC Open skate-surf contest promotes San Clemente's local boarders while raising funds for the Beaches, Parks & Recreation Foundation. Visit the SC City website for more info.

NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass, & Kick Competition:

Visit Marina Hills Park in Laguna Niguel on Sunday at 12pm for this free event where kids ages 6 to 15 can show off their football skills. Top finishers in each age/gender division will advance to the Sectional Competition. Register online, or just show up to watch the competition. Visit the NFL PPK site for more info.


Memphis at the Santora's Backyard BBQ:

You know, the one I blogged about yesterday? Well, click here to jog your memory. Or scroll down.
Keywords: Sunday, $10 BBQ plates, $3 beers, $4 sweet tea cocktails, and 4 DJs!



Mars & Stars Event at Irvine Regional Park:

Another one I blogged about earlier this week. Click here for the full post and all the deets.
Keywords: Saturday, NASA, Mars exploration, spacecraft, free after 5pm!


Ahi Extravaganza:

And, yet another good one I posted about several days ago.
Keywords for this one: Sunday, sushi, open bar access, dessert, surprise guests! Also, making a special appearance and signing autographs will be Chester Bennington from Linkin Park. The best part is, a generous portion of each ticket sold goes to Someone Cares.

Are you guys getting the point? The point is: THERE IS SO MUCH FUN STUFF HAPPENING THIS WEEKEND! Don't sit at home and twiddle your thumbs; get out and seize this awesomeness while you can! ;)

Have a great weekend Orange Countians! Let us know which event(s) you choose to go to! Send us your pics and we'll post 'em online!

-Blythe

on my iTunes: Andrew Bird's "Fake Palindromes"