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Happy Wednesday!
This weekend is packed with live music, with a plethora of shows to choose from each night, spanning Bluegrass and Hawaiian music to classic rock.
Also brewing: Independent coffee shops are popping up across South OC, so we made a city-by-city guide so you can skip the chains and sip local.
The most unique finds? A seaweed banana matcha at Sabr in Foothill Ranch and a honky-tonk-themed cafe opening in San Juan Capistrano this Fall. Night owls, Vivot Cafe in Mission Viejo stays open until 11pm.
To all the new readers, welcome to The Scene… Our motto is: the more you know, the more you’ll go. That’s what this newsletter is all about, sharing ideas big and small to make it easier (and more fun) to get out and enjoy OC.
See you out there!
Lorna & Jason
What's Inside...
🗓️ THIS WEEKEND’S PICKS 🗓️
~~ FRIDAY JULY 31st ~~
🎶 Concert for a Cure with Common Sense
Reggae-rock favorites Common Sense bring the beach vibes to this benefit concert supporting cancer research.
Fri, July 31 | 5pm | Oso Viejo Community Park, Mission Viejo
🏮 Water Lantern Festival
Design a floating lantern with your own message, then watch thousands glow across the water after sunset. Live music, food trucks, and lawn games. Tickets required.
July 31–Aug 2 | Centennial Park, Santa Ana
🎸 That Doobie Brothers Sound
Doobie Doubles brings the breezy rock hits of The Doobie Brothers to the stage, from “Black Water” to “Long Train Runnin’.” Tickets required.
Friday, July 31 | Show 7pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🎭 Priscilla Queen of the Desert
Three friends take a glittery road trip across the Australian outback in this big-hearted musical packed with wild costumes and disco favorites.
Through Aug 2 | No Square Theatre, Laguna Beach
🌴 Neon Glow After Dark
Dance under neon lights as DJake spins house music in the Walker Lounge. Glowing cocktails, late-night energy, and no cover.
Fri, July 31 | 9pm–1am | Salt Creek Grille, Dana Point
🎡 OC Fair
The OC Fair returns with carnival rides, fried food, live entertainment, exhibits, games, shopping, and peak summer people-watching. Tickets required.
Through August 16 | OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
🎶 🎶 Checkout all of this weekend’s Live Music Options
➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.
~~ SATURDAY AUGUST 1st ~~
🌺 The Sounds of Hawaiʻi
Hawaiian music legend Henry Kapono brings his soulful island sound to South OC, with songs from a career that spans sold-out shows, C&K classics, and decades of Hawaiian pop. Tickets required.
Saturday, August 1 | Show 8pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🎨 Glass Goes Off Script
Laguna Art Museum opens a bold new exhibition from the de la Torre Brothers, known for vivid glasswork, pop culture mashups, and borderland storytelling.
Aug 1–Jan 24 | Laguna Art Museum, Laguna Beach
🎭 The Spitfire Grill
A heartwarming musical with a folk-inspired score about second chances, small-town secrets, and a fresh start at a Wisconsin diner.
Sun, Aug 1 | 2pm | Cabrillo Playhouse, San Clemente
🧚 Butterfly & Fairy Festival
Kids can decorate wands, meet “fairies,” sip color-changing fairy punch, and learn about butterflies at this whimsical garden event.
Saturday, August 1 | 12–2pm | Laguna Beach Library Laguna Beach
📚 American Revolution Book Give Away
Visit this augmented American Revolution exhibit and pick up signed books from historian Dr. Robert Allison. “How Revolutionary was the Revolutionary War?”
Saturday, August 1 | 11am–1pm | Moulton Museum, Laguna Hills
🎬 Back to the Future in Concert
Watch the entire ’80s blockbuster under the stars while Pacific Symphony performs Alan Silvestri’s score live in sync with the movie. Flux capacitor not included.
Sat, Aug 1 | 8pm | Great Park Live, Irvine
~~ SUNDAY AUGUST 2nd ~~
🤠 Boots, Beer & BBQ
Line dancing, a live DJ, catered BBQ from Outback Steakhouse, and drinks for purchase at this annual fundraiser benefiting Mission Viejo’s adopted Marines.
Sun, Aug 2 | 4–7pm | Murray Community Center, Mission Viejo
Sunday Concerts Across South OC
Pick your park and bring a blanket. Spencer the Gardener plays Laguna Beach, Sega Countryside hits Rancho Santa Margarita, and Dana Point doubles up with 90’s Rock Show and The Reflexx.
Sun, Aug 2 | Dana Point, Laguna Beach & Rancho Santa Margarita
🎸 Voices of Rock
A powerhouse classic rock concert packed with hits from Styx, Boston, Kansas, Starship, Toto, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, and more.
LAST NIGHT Aug 2 | Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach
🚗 Cars & Café
Check out classic, custom and enthusiast cars, with free Hot Wheels for kids. All cars are welcome and registration is free.
Sun, Aug 2 | 8–10am | River Street Marketplace, San Juan Capistrano
📚 Saucy Story Society Pool Party
A poolside book club meetup with cocktails, snacks, and unfiltered discussion of Five Brothers by Penelope Douglas. New members welcome.
Sunday, August 2 | Orange County
🎶 Live Music Guide
Whether you’re looking for free summer concerts in the park or live music at restaurants, bars, and local venues like The Coach House, we’ve rounded it all up into two easy-to-browse guides.
☀️ SUMMER CONCERT SERIES →
🎸 LIVE MUSIC GUIDE →
New events added weekly !
🤔 Trivia Time
Which ska/punk band got their start playing OC backyards before going multi-platinum in the 1990s?
A. Sublime
B. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
C. No Doubt
D. Less Than Jake
(Scroll to bottom for answer)
What’s New in South OC?
☕ Coffee Craze
South OC is trading chains for local flavor, with a fresh wave of new coffee spots opening up serving Yemeni brews, single-origin espresso, matcha flights, and neighborhood personality. See the full list.
⛳ Salty Turf Mini Golf, San Clemente
A surf-inspired miniature golf venue in San Clemente featuring two 18-hole courses, chef-driven food, and a vintage trailer bar serving craft beer and dirty sodas.
🎡 Spectrum SunWheel, Irvine
Towering 132 feet above Irvine Spectrum Center, 24 feet taller than the original, the reimagined SunWheel features sweeping 360-degree views, in-gondola audio, and dynamic LED light displays. Win an annual pass!
🍔 Miramar Food Hall
A newly restored 12,600-square-foot ocean-view culinary hub inside San Clemente's historic Miramar Theatre complex, featuring 15 diverse food vendors and two full bars.
🗓️ NEXT WEEK…
✏️ Add these events to your Calendar
MONDAY AUGUST 3
🤠 Line Dancing at Swallow’s Inn
Kick up your boots for a night of country music and line dancing.
Mon, July 20 | 6pm | Swallow’s Inn, San Juan Capistrano
TUESDAY AUGUST 4
🌮 Cowboy Taco Tuesday
Choose steak, fish, shrimp, chicken, or grilled squash tacos, then wash them down with $10 margaritas and $5 draft beers.
Tues, Aug 4 | From 4pm | Tavern at the Mission, San Juan Capistrano
🔥 Hip Hop Night
Learn fresh hip hop moves in a high-energy class that’s all about having fun.
Aug 4 & 11 | 6:30pm | Argyros Plaza, Costa Mesa
WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5
🕺 Taste of Square Dancing
Learn the basics of square dancing in a cheerful, no-pressure class. Free to attend.
Wed, Aug 5 | 7–8pm | Murray Community Center, Mission Viejo
🎨 Free Art Festival Days for South OC Residents
South OC residents can visit both Sawdust Art Festival and Laguna Art-A-Fair for free.
Wed, August 5 & 19 | Sawdust Art Festival & Laguna Art-A-Fair, Laguna Beach
THURSDAY AUGUST 6
🎨 First Thursdays Art Walk
Laguna Beach throws open its gallery doors once a month for a self-guided evening of art, culture, and creative wandering. Explore new exhibitions, meet artists, and soak up the town’s year-round art scene. Trolley service available.
First Thursday of every month | 6-9pm | Laguna Beach
FRIDAY AUGUST 7
🌊 SoCal Surf-Rock Legends
Honk brings its longtime Laguna-born sound to the stage, with roots in the classic surf film Five Summer Stories and a set that blends rock, pop, jazz, gospel, Motown, and California nostalgia. Tickets required.
Fri, August 7 | Show 8pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🤠 Cowboy Canyon Nights
Line dancing, country music, beer, wine, vendors, and western fun under the string lights at Giracci Vineyards.
Fri, August 7 | 6–10pm | Giracci Vineyards, Silverado
🦊 Movie Night: Zootopia 2
Wrap up summer movie nights with a fan-favorite sequel under the stars.
Fri, Aug 7 | 6:30pm | Grand Park, Aliso Viejo
SATURDAY AUGUST 8
🎶 San Clemente Fiesta Music Festival
Two stages, oceanfront, local bands, and free live music all day long take over Avenida Del Mar for one of San Clemente’s biggest summer parties.
Sat, Aug 8 | 11am–6pm | Downtown San Clemente
🎻 Symphony in the Cities
Pacific Symphony returns to Oso Viejo Community Park for an evening of live classical music, with Prelude in the Park activities before the concert.
Sat, Aug 8 | 4–8pm | Oso Viejo Community Park, Mission Viejo
🏍️ Freestyle Motocross Stunt Shows
Watch Next Gen FMX riders launch motorcycles through the air in four 15-minute stunt shows featuring gas-powered and electric bikes.
Sat, Aug 8 | 4–6:15pm | 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
🎤 California Harmonies, Still Going Strong
Venice brings its folk-rock-soul sound to the stage, with soaring family harmonies, personal songs, and a loyal following that spans decades. Tickets required.
Sat, August 8 | Show 8pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🐾 OC Pack Walk
Bring your pup for a relaxed community walk through Laguna Niguel Regional Park.
Sat, Aug 8 | 5:30pm | Laguna Niguel Regional Park
SUNDAY AUGUST 9
🧘♀️ Nature Meditation Walk
Unplug with a guided mindfulness walk through Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, with gentle nature activities and a tea ceremony to ease you back into the real world.
Sun, Aug 9 | 8–10am | Nix Nature Center, Laguna Beach
🚀 NASA’s Roman Space Telescope
Learn about NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope at a community presentation led by a NASA Solar System Ambassador. All ages welcome.
Sun, Aug 9 | 2–3:30pm | City Hall Council Chamber, Mission Viejo
📸 This Week’s Snapshot
Last Wednesday evening we took a stroll down Oso Creek Trail in Mission Viejo and sat in the colorful Jeronimo tunnel for a live performance by local band Elevated Measure.
It was all part of the Paint the Trail Purple Concert benefiting Relay For Life (American Cancer Society).
The music sounded great; a laid-back soulful mix which blended American reggae, country and blues. It was a quick 60-minute performance featuring many popular tunes, but all with a unique Elevated Measure arrangement.
And as the sun set, we rounded off the evening by continuing our stroll along the trail to The Potocki Center for the Arts.
More Relay For Life activities
on Friday July 31 5:00-8:00pm
Common Sense Band
Silent Auction
Luminaria Ceremony
event details
About Us:
Lorna’s an OC native who has lived in Spain, France and New Zealand but always returns home for the tacos, the trails, and the beautiful tree-lined streets of Mission Viejo.
Jason’s a Brit who swapped pub life for paddleboards and now splits his time between aquascaping and crafting perfect cocktails. We started The Scene because there’s so much to see, do, and savor.
Thanks for letting us be a small part of your weekend.
How Did You Like This Newsletter?
🧐 Trivia Answer:
✅ C - No Doubt
Actual footage of No Doubt playing my friend Rick Schertle’s backyard graduation party in 1987.
No Doubt formed in Anaheim in 1986. They started as a local ska band playing backyard parties, clubs, and small OC shows almost a decade before Tragic Kingdom (a play on Disneyland’s “Magic Kingdom”) turned them into a global name.
Fun personal note: In High School I went to a friend’s graduation party where No Doubt was playing in the backyard (The gif above is actual footage from that night). Even then, we thought No Doubt was cool, but we never imagined they would become as huge as they did.
If only they would play in my backyard today, and I could charge admission. Retirement plan: solved.
No Doubt reunited for a limited run at Sphere in Las Vegas this May and June, playing 18 nights after years without a regular tour. With Sphere holding around 20,000 people, it was a massive crowd for a band that once played backyards.
The show leaned into their roots, flashing huge “ANAHEIM CALIFORNIA 1987” visuals across the Sphere and full animated section of a twisted Disneyland (see it in the video below)!
It’s A Wrap..
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🥱 Boring Stuff
Publication Disclaimer: Everything included here is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. It is always best to double-check links to be sure event information hasn’t changed if you plan on attending something.
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©️ 2025 The Scene: South OC | All content and information set forth above was created by Lorna Ladd and Jason Ladd and is the intellectual property of this publication. It is protected under US copyright law, including but not limited to “The Digital Millennium Copyright Act.” Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or duplication of any material, in whole or in part, without express written authorization & consent, is strictly prohibited by law and may result in legal action. Violators will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.