Segerstrom Hall/Segerstrom Center for the Arts
February 5-17 Come From Away
Come from Awayis the true story of the town that welcomed the world. After the September 11 attacks, 38 planes with 7,000 passengers were ordered to land unexpectedly in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The town housed and fed them and showed the capacity fro human kindness in even the darkest of times. SCFTA.org
Laguna Beach at various venues
February 6-10 Laguna Beach Music Festival
The 17thAnnual Laguna Beach Music Festival, a co-presentation of Laguna Beach Live! and Philharmonic Society of Orange County, features multi-day celebrations with outstanding classical and contemporary concerts, this year featuring pianist Joyce Yang as Festival Artistic Director, in collaboration with other artists. Free concerts for students, seniors and the community-at-large are offered. PhilharmonicSociety.orgor LagunaPlayhouse.com
Irvine Barclay Theatre
February 9 Steep Canyon Rangers
One of the most versatile bands in all of contemporary American music, the Grammy Award-winning Steep Canyon Rangers has spent nearly two decades bending and shaping the bluegrass aesthetic, combining elements of pop, country and folk rock. With their richly textured, highly spirited sound and exceptional musicianship, they are ever-evolving, always moving forward and searching for new music horizons. 8:00 p.m. TheBarclay.org
Hotel Irvine
February 14 Valentine’s Day at EATS
Dinner at EATS is the perfect way to say “I love you.” Bring your date to the Valentine’s Day event at Hotel Irvine’s EATS restaurant, where you’ll enjoy a build-your-own three-course dinner while a Spanish guitarist sets the mood. $45 per person or $90 for two people. Pricing excludes tax and gratuity. Wine pairings available at an additional cost. HotelIrvine.com
Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa
February 14-17 Newport Beach Jazz Party
The 19thAnnual Newport Beach Jazz Party features the top artists in jazz today. The ongoing series has featured hundreds of marquee performers and continues to do so. Check the website for the artist lineup, detailed times for performances and food offerings for the four-night jazz extravaganza. WestCoastJazzParty.com
The Laguna Playhouse
February 20 – Mar. 17 1776 The Musical
Witness the birth of a nation as our forefathers harmonize through the founding of America in this musical adapted from a popular Broadway show. The struggle to pass the Declaration of Independence is shown in this Tony Award-winning Best Musical that Lin-Manuel Miranda credits as his inspiration for Hamilton.LagunaPlayhouse.com
Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University
February 21 Juilliard Strong Quartet
The mighty Juilliard Strong Quartet, founded in 1946, has conquered the planet with performances charged with passionate energy and adroit elegance. The Boston Globesays, “The most important American quartet in history” and Broad Street Review continues that it “performs like a single flour-voiced instrument…the music it makes sounds like the most natural and inevitable thing in the world.” 7:30 p.m. MuscoCenter.org
Pacific Symphony Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
February 21–26 Madame Butterfly
Puccini’s Madame Butterfly tells the story of a young naïve Japanese geisha who believes that her love for her handsome American navel officer is eternal. With its lush score and heartbreaking arias, it is a timeless tale that will stir your emotions. Presented by the Hal and Jeanette Segerstrom Family Foundation, the performances feature the Pacific Symphony conducted by Musical Director Carl St.Clair. 8 p.m. PacificSymphony.org
OC Fair & Event Center/Costa Mesa Building and Santa Ana Pavilion
February 22-27 Gem Faire
Fine jewelry, precious and semi-precious gemstones, millions of beads, crystals, gold and silver, minerals and much more at manufacturer’s prices. Nearly 200 exhibitors from around the world will be featured, and jewelry repair, cleaning and ring sizing are available while you shop. $7 General Admission (good for all three days); Children 11 and under free. Parking $9. GemFaire.com