This is the official blog of The OC Gazette, Orange County's "Everything local" Magazine. Within the following pages you'll find insights into the nooks and crannies of all the things our local culture has to offer. Enjoy, friends.
To help raise hope and spread awareness for the victims of the recent Japanese earthquake and tsunami, Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County are hosting an origami paper folding event on Tuesday, April 19 from 5 – 9 p.m. in the lobby of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The community is invited to learn to fold and make paper cranes, with the ambitious goal of creating 1,000 cranes. In Japanese culture, the crane is a symbol of hope, luck and prosperity and folklore says the act of folding 1,000 cranes grants a wish. The completed cranes, with our wish of health and recovery for the Japanese people, will be sent to cultural arts organizations in the affected areas of Japan.
The paper folding event coincides with a concert by the internationally acclaimed Tokyo String Quartet in Samueli Theater. Members of the Tokyo String Quartet and Japanese Consul General Junichi Ihara are expected to be on hand to participate in making cranes. The ensemble is performing as part of the Philharmonic Society’s JapanOC, a festival being held in partnership with Carnegie Hall to explore the fascinating diversity of Japanese and Japanese-American arts and culture. While by no means necessary, donations for Japanese relief efforts will also be accepted at the concert.
The public is invited, and origami paper will be provided.
Feeling crafty? Maybe you just like buying crafty things? Well, you're in luck! There are two upcoming Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festivals where you can buy some sweet, one-of-a-kind handmade items and vintage goods from local sellers. Now's the time to wow your friends with a great new headband, necklace, or purse- or better yet, to get a leg up on your Christmas shopping! You're sure to find something clever for everyone on your list!
There are two dates and locations to choose from:
1) Nov. 21st at Long Beach's Marine Stadium, 11-5pm
2) Nov. 28th in Santa Ana at Main St. @ Buffalo, 11-5pm
Bring the world to your children's fingertips at Orange County's LARGEST multicultural festival! The festival represents 50 countries and entertains over 13,000 guests who come to enjoy the food, music, and entertainment. The festival is kid and family friendly offering hands-on art projects, games, puppet shows, and activities in a giant, interactive Kids Village.
Let your kids exercise their artistic skills by taking them down to Corona del Mar to take part in this Orange County tradition. Whether they're building a sandcastle hands on, or practicing their artistic critiquing skills, it's bound to be a good time for everyone! Did I mention there will be cash prizes? The perfect segway to give your kids a little lesson on how hard work pays off - or for the losing parties, the value of good sportsmanship! Sign up forms are on the website. You can turn them in on the day of the contest starting at 9am.
This needs little explanation to spark excitement: 15,000 rubber duckies floating down a lazy river in a race to the finish while you're cheering on your duck from the Nairobi Express water slide. That's right, participation in the Rubber Ducky Derby gets you into the waterpark for free! Purchase one duck for only $10 and you get a day free. You can't beat that. PLUS it's for a good cause. Every duck purchased raises money for the Children's Bureau's child abuse prevention programs. As if this weren't enough incentive to attend, the event also includes prizes, including a 2011 Nissan Versa and a chance to win a MILLION DOLLARS!
This Saturday, it will be here at last: The OC Foodie Fest. Bringing you gourmet meals on wheels, tunes from some awesome local bands (Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, The New Limb, and Honeypie, to name just a few), some hip moves from dance crews The 2auce Project, Team Breed of Boogiezone, Team Millenia and The Beat Freaks, featured on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew (ABDC).
There will also be kids entertainment from Pretend City, DJs, a beer and wine garden and more! Did I mention it's for a good cause? All proceeds will go to charity! As if all that weren't enough, there will also be a Patchwork Craft fair/festival to peruse (maybe buy some birthday presents, or, if you're really on top of things, holiday gifts)!
Check out the OC Foodie Fest's website for more info! You can also read our interview with James Foxall, the mastermind behind the Foodie Fest, by clicking here! Hope to see you there!
-Blythe
on my pandora: Grizzly Bear's "Two Weeks"
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
[James with OC Foodie Fest marketing team member Virginia Strickland in front of his gourmet food truck, Taco Dawg.]
We got a chance to chit chat with James Foxall, the mastermind behind the inaugural OC Foodie Fest. What is the OC Foodie Fest? Just a beautiful blending of 50+ gourmet food trucks, live music from bands like OC's The New Limb, live performances including The Beat Freaks (featured on MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew), Patchwork Indie Arts & Crafts Festival vendors, kids entertainment from Pretend City, DJs, a beer and wine garden and MORE! Did I mention it's for a good cause? Proceeds will go to charity. So eat your hearts out. Literally and metaphorically.
Will Chef Ludo Lefebvre actually be there in the Ludo Truck taking orders?
He is excited about this being the first event of its kind in Orange County and is trying to work it in to his busy schedule. He embodies what this movement is about; pushing the envelope on what is traditionally considered fine cuisine and at the same time adding a little edge.
How did you come up with the idea of the OC Foodie Fest?
Seeing the need for awareness in Orange County about these food trucks and the overall popularity of the mobile food movement; a festival made perfect sense.
[ James Foxall, a.k.a Fox as his friends call him.]
What are you most excited about for the event?
To get through it alive and in one piece! Just kidding. Besides the food, I’m super stoked about our musical line-up. We have six awesome bands that are on the verge of breaking out and at least one of them are going to be the next big thing.
You have more than 50 gourmet food trucks participating. How did you get that many people involved? Did it involve selling your soul to the devil?
Haha. I hope if I would have sold my soul things would be easier. Pretty straight forward really. I sent out emails to the trucks describing what we had planned and asked for submissions. What was amazing was the response. We could have easily had more trucks.
[The Taco Dawg truck.]
You guys say the purpose of OC Foodie Fest is to celebrate “our love of food and its power to bring the community together.” In your words, how do you think food can bond a community together?
You know this could be a very philosophical question but let me answer it like this: I think food, in particular new kinds of food, gives people a chance to peel back the curtain a bit and step out of their comfort zone and when we do that it tends to open us up to other ideas and people.
Proceeds from the event will help support charities including Pretend City Children’s Museum, Child S.H.A.R.E. and St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. Why are these charities close to your heart?
Virginia Strickland (co-organizer) and I are both big believers in paying things forward and these are three of the charities that we’ve worked with in the past. It’s a simple philosophy really; when you reach out to others, they in turn reach out to somebody else and eventually, hopefully, we’re all helping each other.
[Delicious Taco Dawg eats.]
Being the owner of Taco Dawg, what’s your idea of the ultimate taco?
That’s easy, the Taco Papa it’s a deep fried taco stuffed with cheese and your favorite ingredients.
Favorite stationary restaurant?
Gosh, its been so long since I’ve eaten anywhere but off my truck. I would have to say give me a good steakhouse any day of the week and I’m a happy camper.
If you were on death row, what would your “last meal” be?
Steak (medium rare), extra gooey mac and cheese, sautéed spinach and a baked potato. This is my favorite meal in the whole world. My mother makes it for me every time I visit home.
If you were a condiment what would you be?
Haha… a spicy ketchup!
In 15 words or less, why should Orange Countians go to the OC Foodie Fest?
Well let me answer in Haiku: This fest is so big/With plenty to see and do/Don’t forget to eat.
Don't forget to get your tickets to the OC Foodie Fest on August 28th, 2010 at the Honda Center! Click here to go to the site and find out more. Want to win FREE tickets to go? We are giving away two pair on our OC Gazette facebook page to two lucky fans on August 16th for MOOCHER MONDAY! Be there, or be square hungry.
Cheers!
Amy
On my iPod: Florence + The Machine's "Kiss With A Fist"
There are a lot of exciting “to dos” coming up. So tie a ribbon around your finger, or break out the post-it-note reminders on your bathroom mirror/iMac/fridge/or forehead. The following list of events is compiled in a hierarchy starting at “classy and inspired”, and ending at “TMZ-Status Entertainment.” Choose your level.
CLASSY LIKE COCO
Lecture: Remembering Vintage Fashion
Wednesday July 14, 2010, at 1:30 PM… for FREE!
Fashion is one of the most interesting ear markers of social change. The Enlightenment spurred Europeans to can the powdered wigs, much like Kurt Cobain singlehandedly (overstatement) spurred a whole generation to ditch the shoulder pads for grungified flannel. Dig into the cultural movements behind fashion.
Suzanne Snyder, Docent, Bowers Museum, will present a beautiful selection of outfits, costumes and suits ranging from 1900 to the 1960s—such as flapper dresses, poodle skirts, Jackie O. pillbox hats and everything in between.
Bowers Museum
2002 N.Main Street
Santa Ana, Ca 92706
INSPIRED LIKE A ROBERT FROST POEM
Dead Poets Society
Directed by Peter Weir • (1989, USA, 129 minutes) • Rated PG
Tonight, July 8, 2010 • 7:00 pm at Lucille Kuehn Auditorium (Humanities Instructional Building, Room 100) (Building #610 on campus map).
Free snacks and group discussion afterwards.
Tonight UC Irvine’s Free Summer Film Series continues on their movie theme of “Teach and Resist (which makes me wonder where Dangerous Minds is?!). Tonight’s showing is possibly the most inspiring teach-goes-off-the-reservation film: Dead Poets Society, in which John Keating takes his classes outside, gives his lectures from desktops (the wood ones, not the word-processing ones), tears apart the textbooks (every student’s dream), and spurs intellectual rebellion among his students. You’ll leave the movie wanting to get “Carpe Diem” tattooed on your bicep.
SELF-MADE AND SUAVE LIKE GATSBY
Block Party: an Indie Arts and Crafts Show
Saturday, July 10, 2010 from 11am-5pm at the Fiesta Marketplace (4th and N. Bush St. Santa Ana, Ca 92701).
The Handmade Brigade of Orange County, a cavalry of Etsy artists and crafty business folk with a heart for pumping all things local, are arranging another exciting indie arts and crafts show: Block Party. Expect to find live music, live art, food, over 50 independent designers and for the first 50 guests to arrive – free swag bags filled with handmade goodies. You'll feast your eyes on handmade screen-prints, swag, posters, art, stationary, jewelry and much more.
Get Free tickets to the Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff
August 01, 2010 (Sunday) @ 5:30 PM, Culver City (worth the drive?)
David Hasslehoff on the event: "I'm honored that Comedy Central is going to get 'Hoff' on me," said David Hasselhoff. "I have always been a major fan of Roasts, dating back to the days of the 'Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts.' Laughter is the best medicine. Bring it on! I’m ready to take the heat."
Elizabeth Porter, Comedy Central's Senior Vice President of Specials and Talent, on the event: "By the end of this year's roast, this pop culture icon will surely see that no slow motion run or life preserver can save him."
It’s time to hassle The Hoff. Submit for your free ticket here.
Stunning art. Wine. The ocean breeze in your hair and a sunset over the Pacific. Sound relaxing? Head down to Laguna Beach tonight for First Thursday's Art Walk from 6 to 9 p.m.
During the monthly event, dozens of Laguna art galleries swing their doors open and invite the public in to gaze at the phenomenal local works. Art lovers are welcome to wander through and soak in the art, often while enjoying a complimentary glass of wine and a snack.
The JoAnne Artman Gallery will be open, giving you a chance to enjoy the works of local artist Regina Jacobson, who was featured in this month's OC Gazette.
July's art walk is made even more spectacular by the addition of the free tram service Laguna offers all summer, so you can leisurely ride from stop to stop and visit the galleries. The trams run all through town every 20-30 minutes until 11:30 p.m.
The Art Walk has also teamed up with the Sawdust Festival for tonight's walk to offer free admission to gallery-goers “after the walk,” giving a sneak peak at Sawdust between 9 and 10 p.m. Just show an Art Walk brochure at the Sawdust entry to get into the unparalleled gathering of local artisans.
I suggest you put on your walking shoes and get ready to enjoy some of Laguna's famous art. You could start the evening with an early dinner at one of my fave Laguna restaurants, like the classy 230 Forest, the homey Polina's Salerno Italian Restaurant, or the cheap-and-good Taco Loco.
Check out a list of participating galleries online. I guarantee you will leave feeling more cultured than when you arrived. It's a proven fact that art and ocean breezes are good for the soul*.
Just a quick note to let you know of some awesome upcoming workshops at The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano- there's absolutely no reason to be bored on a summer Saturday!
May 29th: WIND – Kite-making & Flying
Students get a lesson in the ways of the wind and learn how to harness its natural power with this kite-making and flying session. Cost: $25 + $10 materials
June 5th: The Art of Bee-keeping
Take a lesson from the local experts - none other than the ladies of Backyard Bees - in caring for these amazing insects. Cost: $25
June 12th: WATER – Rain Barrel Construction
After a lesson in the “why” and “how-to” of rain water harvesting, students roll up their sleeves and construct their own 55-gallon rain barrel to take home and put to use. Cost: $25 + $40 materials
July 24th: FIRE – Solar Oven Construction
Using only cardboard, newspaper, plastic wrap and sunshine, students will construct fully functional solar ovens and enjoy a sample of some tasty solar oven-baked goodies. Cost: $25 + $10 materials
August 28th: EARTH – Composting with Worms
Trash becomes treasure when worms transform kitchen scraps into nutrient-dense compost for healthy soil and happy plants. Students will head home with their own fully prepped worm bin. Cost: $25 + $20 materials
A big thank you to the City of San Juan Capistrano, another sponsor of this worm bin class!
This schedule is subject to change. Visit www.theecologycenter.org or call 949.443.4223 for updates.
The Ecology Center is founded on the principle that people can make a difference. We seek to inspire and involve people in the stewardship of Southern California's environment, providing education in sustainable agriculture, ecological design and the heritage of San Juan Capistrano. With the support of local volunteers, the nonprofit organization is currently underway in developing a unique and poignant eco-conscious learning facility. Together we can create a diverse, safe, and healthy world with clean air, water, and power that is economically, ecologically, and equitably enjoyed by all.
It’s gloomy. It’s spitter spatter raining - not even a good, solid, water-the-earth and hand me a hot cocoa kind of rain. Just that drizzle of misery. But perk up folks! Don’t know how? Here are 3 suggestions to lift your spirits.
1. Shannon Brown’s Almost-Dunk In Last Night’s Game
[Check out Kobe's face]
What has more lift for your lull than Shannon Brown’s moonwalk practically over the top of Suns’ Jason Richardson? It was just delightful. My favorite sports blogger Trey Kerby, on his blog Ball Don’t Lie, said “Shannon looks like he just took off. Not just for a dunk, mind you, but for the first human flight in world history.”
Marv Albert's commentary on the scene: "I actually thought he was going over the backboard."
Craig Kwasniewski of The Association blog, said of the launch to eluded greatness: “Shannon Brown brought down the house when he tried to Frederic Weiss (yep, he's a verb) Jason Richardson in the second half of the Lakers blowout win over Phoenix. The game was on the brink of getting out of hand when Brown got a clean look (or so he thought he did) at the rim and went for the ultimate highlight dunk of the year. Call it brash, call it front-running, call it whatever you like, the guy literally tried to jump over two-time slam dunk champion Jason Richardson and came *this close* to succeeding.”
2. This SNL skit.
3. Our OC Gazette in-house, handmade bouquet of inspiration. Cutting out our favorite heartthrobs from trash/gossip rags, pasting their heads on stems, and arranging them into a bouquet on Sara’s desk as a birthday present was the best thing we’ve done for overall office morale all year.
[It's blooming men...(sing to the tune of "It's Raining Men"]
Cheers,
Jen
On The OC Gazette Blip Radio: Buck Ownes & His Buckaroos "Act Naturally - Live - 1963"
Can you believe that April is only two days away? I still can't believe it's 2010, and here it is already April. With the approach of April comes a list of annual "expectables." I made that word up, but I don't care because I'm writing this post and therefore get to do what I want for a minute. Here are the April expectables I'm talking about:
1) April Showers. Even in Southern California; Just when we thought summer was suddenly here, gray skies greeted us on the morning commute today. 2) Tax Day. I'd like to see the statistics that show what percentage of people have their taxes finished before March even begins, and those who scramble the very last week. I'll just say: don't make the mistake I did last year and go to the post office to mail a birthday package on April 15th. Which leads me to the next point, 3) April Birthdays. I think about half the people I know have birthdays in April. I can name 7 people right now, and I know there's a whole slew more that I could find by checking Facebook, which has been giving me about 5 birthday notifications per day. A girl could go broke trying to be nice this month. 4) EASTER!There are more April events to list, but I'll stop here because it leads me to the point of this post: Easter crafting. Specifically, crafting with eggs. I love it; any other time of the year, people would think you're nutso if you start coloring and spiffing up hard-boiled eggs, but once a year, the planets align and the full moon rises and it's kosher to bedazzle a pre-poultry zygote.
I encourage you to take advantage of this by exploring what the world wide web has to offer in the way of unique egg decorating ideas. There are tons of sites and blogs out there waiting to inspire you. Take a look at just a couple ideas I found whilst browsing this morn:
Go Lazarus and turn an egg into a bird,
go territorial with names and initials,
go Jackson Pollock and splatter away,
or stick with a glittery twist on the classic polka-dotted egg,
In case none of those suited your fancy, here are a few more gems:
"Egg-imals"
"Who says wreaths are Christmas-only decor?"
and, for the advanced decorator,
"SuperEgg-man is here to save Easter!"
[the above three ideas courtesy of FamilyFun - instructions can be found by clicking here]
There you have it folks- seven jazzy ways to add pizazz to your Easter eggs. You're sure to be the new egg decorating egg-spert at your annual gatherings, the hero of children ages 3-9, and the envy of crafters over 20.*
Stay crafty, Orange County!
*Statistics not guaranteed to reflect actual results. Ages of impressed folk are estimated based on the assumption that adolescents age 10-19 remain in a jaded, unimpressed state for approximately 9 years.
Today's post addresses 2 Things that are dueling for position as {cue Movie Trailer voice-over here} "COOLEST THING ON EARTH."
Candidate #1: NCAA March Madness On Demand (MMOD) at mmod.ncaa.com March Madness is here! But some of us have the daily inconvenience of work hindering us from keeping up on all the games. But wait, there is salvation! Think of NCAA March Madness on Demand as your Moses leading you out of the land of bondage (work) into the promised land (live sports all day from the comfort of your swivel chair behind your computer station). The web player features live streaming of every single NCAA Tourney game from first round to Championships, game highlights, archives, and highlights from other live games as you watch your team dominate (knock on wood). Best part of the website? The BOSS BUTTON. Here's the scenario. You're at work. You should be working. But it's the Sweet 16 and [insert your college team here] is throwing down on [insert your nemesis college team here]. So of course you're watching March Madness on Demand instead of pushing papers. But wait...crisis...your boss emerges from his gilded office and begins to approach your desk. What do you do? Click the BOSS BUTTON located conveniently at the upper right corner of the MMOD player and it will open a screen with a faux workflow. The chart includes hilarious chart points that say things like "Use false hope and coffee to keep your internal organs from voluntarily failing." Your job is saved. Oh, and there's an MMOD iPhone app. [And the people rejoiced].
Candidate #2: Our Bras For a Cause charity entry "The Rings of Fire." This year we are participating in theBras For A Cause charity event again. The event, held by the Soroptimists of Lake Forest, raises funds for women and girls in the Orange County area. The event orbits around crafting bras based on a set theme. This year's theme is "Oldies But Goodies." So participants create themed bras like "Blue Suede Boobs" and "Blueberry Hills" to draw guests into a night of fabulous auctions, giveaways, and food provided by local restaurants like Outback Steakhouse of Foothill Ranch. The OC Gazette's bra is called "The Rings of Fire". And it's gonna win, people. Come out to enjoy the festivities and amusing, abounding boob innuendoes. The event is this Saturday the 20th at 6pm at The Norman P. Murray Community Center in Mission Viejo. $35 for a ticket (includes food and drink galore!). Call Marion Duffy at 949-683-7874 for more info. See our promotional poster for our entry below (click for full view). It's 11x17 poster-size should you want to print it at Kinkos and hang it next to your Rob Pattinson Teen Beat poster in your room. Cheers, Jen On my iPod: Johnny Cash's "One Piece At A Time"
The OC Gazette is a free local Orange County, CA magazine that reaches 100,000 homes. We're dedicated to music, art, entertainment, community, people - in short, everything local. Visit our website at www.theocgazette.com, and look for The OC Gazette magazine on newstands or in your mailbox. This blog is dedicated to all the things concerning Orange County, and features things that we couldn't fit in the magazine, be they notes, thoughts, reader feedback, or local happenings. So check back often for updates!
Note: these are opinions, not facts. Enjoy, friends.
