Happy Wednesday!
A few things we’re excited about this Memorial Day weekend:
🌶️ The Mission Viejo Chili Cook-Off is this Saturday (see below). Can’t make it? The Tustin Chili Cook-Off returns June 7 and it’s actually the largest single-day chili cook-off in the country.
🎶 The English Beat is playing at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Saturday.
🚋 Dana Point’s Trolley Hop is this Sunday with food + drink specials and country vibes. See May 24th below.
Worth Highlighting:
🎭 Shakespeare under the stars at Irvine’s New Swan Theater is one of the most charming summer date nights in OC. The tiny circular open-air theater puts actors just feet from the audience, creating a surprisingly immersive experience. Tickets go fast.
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 MAY 22nd ~~
🎶 Coldplay + U2 Tribute Night
Two back-to-back tribute bands—Coldplay USA and The U2xPERIENCE—bringing all the anthems from “Yellow” to “With or Without You.”
Fri, May 22 | 8pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🍷 Grapes & Grains
Wine tastings, craft beer, live music, and a sunset patio setup.
Fri, May 22 | 5:30–8pm | Murray Community Center, Mission Viejo
💃 Salsa Dancing Night at River Street
A free, social dance night with beginner-friendly instruction, upbeat music, and an open dance floor. No partner needed—just show up and move.
Fri, May 22 | 6–9pm | River Street Marketplace, San Juan Capistrano
🌅 Sunset Serenades
Free sunset concert in Laguna
Fri, May 22 | 6:30pm | Heisler Park Amphitheater, Laguna Beach
🏠 Home, I’m Darling
A sharp, funny, slightly dark comedy that peels back the picture-perfect 1950s fantasy to reveal what’s really going on underneath.
May 22 – June 14 | Cabrillo Playhouse, San Clemente
🎪 Circus Vargas
The big top rolls into Laguna Hills with acrobats, aerialists, and family-friendly circus thrills.
May 22–Jun 8 | Circus Vargas, Laguna Hills
🎶 🎶 Checkout all of this weekend’s Live Music Options
➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.
~~ SATURDAY MAY 23rd ~~
🌶️ Chili Cook-Off in Mission Viejo
Sample chili from 20+ cooks, plus live music, beer and wine, all supporting scholarships for local students.
Sat, May 23 | 11am–2pm | Murray Center, Mission Viejo
🎸 The English Beat at The Coach House
The legendary ska band behind “Mirror in the Bathroom” and “Save It for Later” returns for two nights of high-energy ‘80s hits.
Sat, May 23 | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🌙 Lake Forest Eats
Street food, local vendors, shopping, and night-market vibes take over ONYX Golf for one lively Friday night in Lake Forest.
Sat, May 23 | 5–9pm | ONYX Golf, Lake Forest
🧙♀️ Wicked Composer Stephen Schwartz Live
The legendary composer behind Wicked, Pippin, and Godspell performs his iconic Broadway songs.
Sat, May 23 | 8pm | Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine
🛍️ Silverado Flea & Artisan Market
Vintage finds, handmade goods, live music, and small-town Silverado charm all packed into one easy Saturday stroll.
Sat, May 23 | 9am–2pm | Silverado Community Center, Silverado
🛍️ Old Towne Vintage Market
A laid-back vintage market with 30+ vendors, live DJ, and a mix of clothing, decor, and finds worth digging for.
Sat, May 23 | 11am–4pm | American Legion Post 132, Orange
~~ SUNDAY MAY 24th ~~
🤠 Dana Point Trolley Hop
Ride the trolley stop-to-stop with a $5 wristband unlocking food and drink specials at local spots, country theme, bandanas for the early birds.
Sun, May 24 | 12–5pm | Dana Point, Dana Point
🌴 Reggae Sunday at Mozambique
Live reggae music, cocktails, and rooftop Laguna Beach vibes at Ivan’z House inside Mozambique.
Sun, May 24 | 3:30 PM & 7:30 PM | Mozambique, Laguna Beach
🏴 Scottish Fest Returns
Cabers will fly, kilts will swirl, and the Highland Games take over OC for a weekend of strength, music, and Scottish tradition.
Sat & Sun, May 23–24 | OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
🎸 Tunes at the Dunes Kickoff
The Back Bay comes alive with live music on the sand, food trucks, and beachfront bars to officially launch the summer season.
FINAL DAY May 22–24 | 5pm – 8pm | Newport Dunes Waterfront
🎶 🎶 Checkout all of this weekend’s Live Music Options
➡️ NEXT WEEK
Scroll down to see events happening next week and beyond.
🎶 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
John Wayne was a fixture in Newport Beach for years. What was the name of his famous yacht that he docked in the harbor?
A) The Duke’s Pride
B) The Wild Goose
C) The Sands of Iwo Jima
D) The Sea Stallion
(Scroll to bottom for answer)
100 year-old Speakeasy
Downtown Santa Ana is reshaping itself, and Club 616, a century-old cocktail bar tucked into a restored Prohibition-era speakeasy is proof. One night there revealed why this historic neighborhood is becoming Orange County's most underrated destination.
The restored space mixes vintage neon, moody lighting, old-school details, and a crowd that likes to have fun. There’s jazz nights, trivia, spicy book clubs, and a hidden back patio serving $3 tacos.
Bartender Andrew Winters brings 30 years of mixology experience to Club 616
Lead bartender Andrew Winters has been crafting cocktails for 30 years, and the drinks are ridiculously good. You can tell there’s real technique behind everything, from the way the cocktails are built to the balance of flavors.
The ‘Vietnamese Shame Wheel’ was a standout with gin, green Chartreuse, pandan syrup, ginger, and lemon. And our friend from Peru said the ‘Pisco Sour’ was one of the best she’s had, which feels like a pretty strong endorsement.
If you haven’t been to Downtown Santa Ana lately, it might be time to reconsider. DTSA is going through a revival.
Historic buildings sit next to coffee shops, cocktail bars, art spaces, and rows of colorful quinceañera dress stores. Add in the Old Orange County Courthouse and it’s a full-day outing.
📍Club 616: 616 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
🗓️ NEXT WEEK…
✏️ Add these events to your Calendar
MONDAY MAY 25th
🇺🇸 Memorial Day Services
Lake Forest 11am, El Toro Memorial Park
Dana Point 10am, Pines Park
Mission Viejo 8:30am, Kershaw Garden at the Civic Center
San Clemente 11am, Community Center
Laguna Niguel 12pm, Sea Country Senior & Community Center
Irvine 10am, Colonel Bill Barber Marine Corps Memorial Park
🏃♂️ Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon, 10K & 5K
Honoring the United States Marine Corps Darkhorse Battalion with a community race and a massive post-race expo.
Mon, May 25 | 7am | Community Center, Laguna Hills
🍓 Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
Carnival rides, parade floats, free concerts, strawberry shortcake, and glorious fair food chaos all weekend long at one of OC’s most iconic festivals.
FINAL DAY May 22–25| Garden Grove
TUESDAY MAY 26th
🎤 K-Pop Dance Night
Learn high-energy K-pop choreography in a fun, beginner-friendly outdoor class.
May 19 | 6:30pm | Argyros Plaza, Costa Mesa
WEDNESDAY MAY 27th
📚 Balboa Island Drama
A little tennis, a little scandal, and plenty of 1950s Balboa Island intrigue. Author Nicola Harrison discusses her new novel The Island Club, followed by a Q&A, book signing, and free book giveaway for early arrivals.
Wed, May 27 | 10:30am | San Clemente Library, San Clemente
Line Dancing
Goody’s Tavern 7pm, San Clemente
Shorecliffs Golf Club 4pm, San Clemente
Bigshots Billiards 8pm, Lake Forest
Murray Community Center 9:15am, Mission Viejo
THURSDAY MAY 28th
🌿 Organic Market at Prado Square
A curated outdoor market with local produce, pantry goods, artisans, live music, and a beer garden—plus farm-to-table bites.
Thu, May 28 | 4–8pm | Amber Lantern St (between PCH & Del Prado), Dana Point
😂 Secret Comedy Show
A mystery lineup of comedians takes over a hidden Mission Viejo restaurant for this 21+ pop-up comedy night where the location stays secret until the morning of the show.
Thu, May 28 | 8pm | Secret Location, Mission Viejo
FRIDAY MAY 29th
🎸 Desperado: Eagles Tribute
Take it easy with an evening of Eagles classics, soaring harmonies, and peak Southern California nostalgia from longtime tribute band Desperado.
Fri, May 29 | 8pm | The Coach House, San Juan Capistrano
🌅 Sunset Serenades: Simon Says Revue
A Paul Simon tribute with all the familiar hits.
Fri, May 29 | 6:30pm | Heisler Park Amphitheater, Laguna Beach
🎷 Newport Beach Jazz Festival
Smooth jazz, waterfront sunsets, dancing couples with wine glasses, and a lineup packed with legendary artists make this one of OC’s signature music weekends.
May 29–31 | Hyatt Regency, Newport Beach
🎧 Boiler Room-Style Dance Party
House music, big sound, late-night energy, and Boiler Room vibes are taking over Tango for what might be one of the rowdiest summer kickoffs in OC.
Fri, May 29 | 10:30pm | Tango, Laguna Beach
SATURDAY MAY 30th
🫖 BFF Tea Party (Bridgerton-Inspired)
An elevated high tea hosted by The Darling Tea Company with champagne, tea service, pastries, scones and tea sandwiches in a relaxed, beautiful setting. At $45, it’s a great deal for this kind of experience.
Sat, May 30 | 12pm | The Social Loft, Laguna Niguel
🐴 Nellie Gail Horse Show
Patriotic horse competitions, live music, food trucks, and a free stick horse race for kids.
Sat, May 30 | Starts at 8:30am | Nellie Gail Ranch Equestrian Center, Laguna Hills
👻 Black Star Canyon Ghost Tour (Halfway to Halloween)
A guided nighttime walk through one of OC’s most talked-about canyons, with local legends, eerie history, and just enough suspense to keep it interesting.
Sat, May 30 | Black Star Canyon, Silverado Canyon
SUNDAY MAY 31st
🛍️ It’s Almost Summer Market
Vintage finds, tarot readings, live acoustic music, tooth gems, tiny tattoos, crafts, and 25+ local vendors are taking over High Tide Coffee for this artsy little Sunday market.
Sun, May 31 | 9am–2pm | High Tide Coffee, San Clemente
🧘♀️ Pilates & Brews by the Beach
Mat pilates, mimosas, ocean views, and post-class shopping.
Sun, May 31 | 11:30am–12:30pm | Dana Point Brewery, Dana Point
🎨 The Ways of Water Opening Reception
27 local artists take on everything from crashing waves to quiet rain. Live music and wine.
Sun, May 31 | 4–7pm | Civic Plaza, Rancho Santa Margarita
🥁 Full Moon Drum Circle at Aliso Creek
Community drum circle on the beach—bring a drum (or just listen) and join in under the full moon. All levels welcome.
May 31 | 7–10pm | Aliso Creek Beach (just south of Montage), Laguna Beach
🎸 90s Alternative Tribute Fest
A throwback day at Cook’s Corner with live tribute sets to Sublime, The Offspring, Garbage, and Bad Religion.
Sun, May 31 | 12pm | Cook’s Corner, Trabuco Canyon
✏️ PLAN FURTHER AHEAD:
To see what’s happening even further ahead, check out our full Event Finder listing. There’s 100’s of ideas, and fun things to do, to help you get out and enjoy OC.
New events added daily !
In Case You Missed It…
😍The ‘First Family’ of South OC
🏠Johnny Cash Rocked This South OC Dinner Theater, Still Serving Legendary Shows 45 Years Later
🌄 Most Iconic SoCal Bar Turns 100
📸 This Week’s Snapshot
Last Tuesday we explored historic Downtown Santa Ana, strolling along 3rd & 4th Streets between Broadway and Spurgeon.
Street art hits you immediately — murals and sculptures on every corner, spanning decades of work from community locals to internationally commissioned artists.
We're standing in front of the Juay Mural at 4th & Spurgeon — painted in just eight days in 2023 by Spanish urban artist Juan Miguel Porres, using over 100 gallons of paint.
All those steps, of course, were just an excuse to end up at Club 616 for some seriously good cocktails. 🍸🍹
📍Club 616: 616 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
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.
🧐 Trivia Answer:
✅ B — The Wild Goose
Originally built as a U.S. Navy minesweeper during World War II, the 136-foot Wild Goose found its real fame when John Wayne bought it in 1962. “The Duke” transformed the vessel into his floating escape, spending years customizing it to fit his 6'4" frame, including raising doorways and removing chandeliers so he could walk the cabins without constantly ducking.
For the last 17 years of his life, the Wild Goose became Wayne’s second home. He hosted legendary poker nights with friends like Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr., entertained presidents including Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan, and cruised the Southern California coast aboard what became one of the most famous private yachts in America.
The Wild Goose was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011 and is still docked in Newport Beach at 2431 West Coast Highway. Operated by City Cruises, the yacht remains a working vessel hosting dinner cruises and private events, giving visitors the rare chance to walk the same Douglas-fir decks John Wayne once called home.
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.
*Affiliate Disclaimer: This publication contains affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We only share things we believe in. Anything you buy through our affiliate links supports the ongoing publication of The Scene. We greatly appreciate your trust in us. Thank you!
©️ 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.
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