May 3 – 5
Huntington Beach Open | Huntington Beach Pier
The 2019 AVP season kicks off in grand style on the sands of Surf City for the Huntington Beach Open pro beach volleyball tournament. The pros will be fighting for a big tournament win. May 3, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Opening Rounds; May 4, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Elimination Rounds; May 5, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Semi- Finals & Finals. AVP.com
May 17
Broadway Stars of Tomorrow | Coast Hills Auditorium, Alisa Viejo
South Coast Symphony is featuring four young singers sure to impress. They are Mackenzie Grainer, Taylor Mettra, Jordan Goodsell and Morgan Pereira, and they will perform hit songs from the following Broadway musicals: Fiddler on the Roof, Wicked, JC Superstar, Carousel, Sunday in the Park with George, Evita, Hairspray, Les Miserables and Disney favorites The Little Mermaid, Frozen and Beauty & the Beast. SouthCoastSymphony.org
May 18 – 19
“Paintbox” | Orange County Women’s Chorus
The Orange County Women’s Chorus, with Sarah Hughes conducting, will perform songs dealing with a rainbow of colors. Art projects created by children from local schools will also be featured. Saturday, May 18, 7 p.m. at Newport Harbor Lutheran Church; Sunday, May 19, 3 p.m. at St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church in Huntington Beach. OCWomensChorus.org
May 19
Balboa Island Artwalk | Balboa Island South
The 25thAnnual Balboa Island Artwalk, presented by Mary Hardesty Realty, launches the island’s summer season. The beautiful outdoor art show features 100 talented local artists exhibiting paintings, blown glass, fine jewelry, sculpture and photography, with perfomring musicians entertaining along the way. 9 a..m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. BalboaIslandArtwalk.info
May 22
Backhausdance | Irvine Barclay Theatre
Jennifer Backhaus, artistic director of Backhausdance, presents an evening of dance works featuring the world premiere of a new work by acclaimed choreographer Dwight Rhoden. The dance company, known for its ensemble aesthetic and lush movement vocabulary, is also known for its deeply and emotional creations that are infused with a sense of humor and theatricality. 8 p.m. TheBarclay.org
May 24 – 26
“Pygmalion” | Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg returns to Segerstrom Center to perform “Pygmalion,” inspired by the Greek myth. With music by Johann Strauss, Jr. and fiery Russian choreographer Boris Eifman at the helm, it will have the extreme theatricality and spectacular effect an Eifman ballet is known for. Everything is big – the emotions, sets and overhead lifts, and the dancers are up to the challenge. SCFTA.org
May 26
Heartbeat of Mexico | Aitken Arts Plaza, Musco Center
Share in the beauty of Mexico’s rich history, music and art at free and ticketed events. May 26 – free outdoor festival featuring 20+ performances on three stages from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Headliners perform May 23 – Jesse & Joy; May 25 – Alicia Villarreal; May 25 – free Ballet Folklorico Celebration in Chapman’s Memorial Hall; May 26 – Lupillo Rivera with Mariachi. MuscoCenter.org
May 28 – 30
Tao Plays Mozart | Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
The Pacific Symphony, with Carl St.Clair conducting, will showcase Conrad Tao at the piano. He will be performing Mozart’s impassioned Piano Concerto No. 20, a world premiere, Concerto for Audience, by Ticheli, and Brahms’ Fourth and final symphony, which is filled with deep emotion and beautiful melancholy as it finishes with a finale that will leave you breathless. 8 p.m. PacificSymphony.org
May 29 – June 16
“Harvey” | Laguna Playhouse
Laguna Playhouse presents “Harvey” at Laguna Playhouse with French Stewart (3rdRock From the Sun) and real-life wife Vanessa Stewart in Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy that has everyone questioning what exactly is real and who is really crazy. Directed by Andrew Barnicle. Check LagunaPlayhouse.com for times and ticket prices. LagunaPlayhouse.com