KillerOrange!

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center is holding the 8th annual Sunset Sea Lion Cruise in Newport Beach aboard the Endeavor yacht (which is located adjacent to the Chart House restaurant). The fundraiser benefits all the patients at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, and currently we have over 70 that we are caring for! The harbor cruise is Thursday July 24, 2008 from 6-9PM, and tickets are $40 each. There will be food catered by BJ’s, a full cash bar, live music, and silent and live auction items. All to benefit recovering marine mammals such as seals and sea lions. To purchase tickets please call Debbie or Melissa at 949-494-3050. 18 and older only please.

I am proud to be a Californian tonight. We are the second state to ban discrimination against our gay sisters and brothers. They fought hard for equal rights, and they deserve to be recognized as full members of society like the rest of us.

Congratulations to Lesbian activist Phyllis Lyon, 84, and her partner Del Martin, 87, who were married this evening at city hall in San Francisco. Congratulations to everyone else who have waited and fought for this day. Congratulations to all who were married today, and congratulations to all who will be married in the next few weeks.

This is a day of which Californians can be truly proud. It's the 21st Century, and we have arrived only 8 years late. Let us hope that the other 48 states are not far behind Massachusetts and California. It is time for an end to bigotry and hatred. Let us remember April 16, 2008 as an important date for liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Celebrating Irvine’s cultural heritage

IRVINE, CA (January 28, 2008): Make plans to travel the world at the City of Irvine’s Seventh Annual Global Village Festival on Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Bill Barber Park. Boasting artistic cultural performances on three stages, the Festival’s live entertainment is a mosaic of music and dance representing more than 50 cultures from Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. Immerse yourself in cultural displays, world religion and demonstrations, indulge in international cuisine, explore our world marketplace and keep the little ones in motion with hands-on art projects, games and activities in a giant, interactive Kids Village.

Festival admission and parking are free. Food court tasting tickets are available for purchase at the event. Bill Barber Park is located adjacent to the Irvine Civic Center on Harvard between Barranca and Alton. For more information and parking locations, call (949) 724-6606 or visit www.irvinefestival.org.

A must-do summer tradition, the 2008 Target “Symphony in the Cities” concert, featuring the Pacific Symphony, comes to Irvine’s Heritage Park on Saturday, August 16, at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Target, the performance highlights a mix of patriotic, pop and classical selections.

The event offers something for everyone. Children are invited to participate in a pre-concert “musical playground” filled with interactive activities including a conducting clinic and a chance to assist Maestro Carl St. Clair during the concert. The “musical playground” begins at 5:30 p.m.

Pacific Symphony presents more than 100 concerts a year in addition to festivals, events, and a rich array of educational and community programs, touching more than 277,000 Orange County residents each year.

Heritage Park is located at 4601 Walnut in Irvine. Lawn chairs and picnic baskets are welcome. For more information, visit www.pacificsymphony.org or call 949-724-6606.

Turtle Rock Community Park is the setting for Irvine’s second annual Shakespeare in the Park series, featuring “Antony and Cleopatra,” on Sunday, July 13, and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Sunday, July 20. Both events highlight the theatrical talents of Shakespeare by the Sea, a Southern California-based organization that brings professional quality tales of Shakespeare to local communities. Pre-show activities begin at 6:30 p.m.; feature presentation at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Residents are encouraged to bring low-back lawn chairs, layered clothing, blankets and a picnic dinner to enjoy the show.

Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra” is a majestic saga of love and betrayal. The play tells of the struggle to balance power and passion, the clash between duty and desire.
One week later, attendees can enjoy the enchanting comedy of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Feisty fairies finagle a four square love affair in this fast, furious fantasy which proves “the course of true love never did run smooth.” Both performances are sure to delight audiences of all ages.

Seating is on a first come, first served basis. For more information, call 949-724-6606 or visit http://www.shakespearebythesea.org.

Sunday, August 3 – Bobby Cochran’s “Rock Around the Clock Show”
Sunday, August 10 – Reno Jones “R & B and Blues Like Never Before”
Sunday, August, 24 – SPRINGSTEEN “Bruce Springsteen Tribute”

Time: 6 p.m.

Where: Woodbridge Community Park
20 Lake Road, Irvine
Cost: Free admission

The City of Irvine kicks off its 8th annual summer concert series on Sunday, August 3, with Bobby Cochran’s “Rock Around the Clock Show,” a musical ride of a lifetime featuring rock and roll, rhythm and blues, Motown, dance, gospel, surf, classic rock, rockabilly, and oldies.

Keeping the good times rolling, Reno Jones remarkable rhythm and blues band takes the stage on Sunday, August 10, raising the emotional bar on popular tunes with its rendition of “R & B and Blues Like Never Before.”

Rounding out the series on Sunday, August 24, tribute artist Josh Tanner and his explosive band SPRINGSTEEN deliver an authentic re-enactment of a Bruce Springsteen concert guaranteed to thrill even the most hardcore Bruce fans.

Performances begin at 6 p.m. at Woodbridge Community Park, 20 Lake Road, Irvine. Admission is free. The community is invited to bring low back chairs, blankets and picnic dinners. For more information, call 949-724-6606.