Culture Fests
WEB-EXCLUSIVE: Learn about different cultures through these upcoming festivals in and around Orange County.
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With busy schedules and tightened budgets, it's easy to get stuck in a rut of all that is familiar.
It's time to break this boring cycle and broaden your horizons with some culture. Cultural festivities to be exact. Here are some to start with:
23rd Annual ASUCI Reggaefest
Friday, June 4, 2010 from noon-6 p.m.
Aldrich Park, UC Irvine
Admission is free
949.824.5182 :: www.asuci.uci.edu
Spend a day in the park listening to reggae music inspired by Jamaica’s Rastafari movement. Featuring The Dirty Heads, The Simpkin Project, Tribal Seeds, One Drop Redemption (Tribute to Bob Marley and the Wailers), Seedless, Fortunate Youth, Rype, DJ Gregory G, Pure Steel, and other special guests.
Heritage Hill Rancho Days Fiesta
Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Heritage Hill Historical Park (25151 Serrano Rd., Lake Forest)
Adults, $4; children ages three-12, $3
949.923.2230 :: ocparks.com
Celebrate the colorful history of Saddleback Valley with music, entertainment and crafts. While your children are occupied with piñata-popping, roping tricks, making arrowheads, churning homemade ice cream and butter, dipping candles, and grinding corn, enjoy Felipe Orozco’s dancing horses, traditional Native American music, Ballet Folklorico de San Juan Capistrano, Native American hoop dancing, Mariachi music, and songs of Old California and early Mexico.
6th Annual Hura Tahiti Competition
Friday, June 18-Saturday, June 19
Hope International University (2500 E. Nutwood Ave., Fullerton)
Ages 11+, $20 (presale, $15 by May 29); children five-10 years, $10
714.537.7478 :: huratahiti.com
Watch as Polynesian and Tahitian Dance groups share their cultures and traditions through music and dance at the annual Southern California Hura Tahiti competition.
Annual Irish Fair and Music Festival
Saturday, June 19-Sunday, June 20 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater (8800 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine)
Adults, $18 (presale, $15); seniors 62+ and students 13-21 with student ID, $15 (presale, $12); children 12 and under free when accompanied by an adult
877.740.9888 :: irishfair.org
Take part in the largest Irish festival in the Western United States. There will be 16 entertainment areas, including the best Irish music, song, dance, and sport, and over 100 Irish, Scottish and English import shops and arts and crafts vendors. Don't miss the sheepherding shows, Irish horse shows, Irish dog shows, and an Irish Step Dancing competition.
Koroneburg Old World Renaissance Festival
Now through June 20 (Saturdays and Sundays only, also Memorial Day Monday) from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sundays (and Memorial Day)
Crossroads Riverview Park (14600 River Rd., Corona)
Adults, $18; children ages five-11 and seniors ages 62+, $15; children under five are free; military with valid ID, $12 (coupons also available on Web site)
951.735.0101 :: renaissanceinfo.com
Meet inhabitants of Southern California’s only permanent 1450-1600 European Renaissance Village. Be entertained, discover fine arts and crafts and enjoy food and beverages like Bratwurst, beer and plenty of sweets. Celebrate the inventions and changes of the Renaissance period with five stages featuring plays, music, dance, comedy, and juggling -- all in a festive atmosphere. Canon fire, bubble fest, tug-of-war games, horse shows, and food are sure to keep all ages entertained, along with the minstrels, archery competitions and jousting Imperial Knights. Glassblowers, soap makers, potters, fine swords purveyors, jewelry makers, and leather crafters also wander throughout the park for your entertainment.
32nd Annual "A Taste of Greece" Greek Festival
Friday, June 25 from 5-10 p.m.; Saturday, June 26 from noon-10 p.m.; Sunday, June 27 from noon-9 p.m.
St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church (4949 Alton Pkwy., Irvine)
Adults, $3; children under 10 free
949.733.3102 :: irvinegreekfest.com
This three-day traditional Greek festival is complete with Greek cuisine, wine tasting, games, live music, dancing, and a carnival. Learn how to dance authentically, visit boutique booths modeled after the historic Plaka village, discover authentic Greek recipes, and indulge in Gyros, Pastichio (Greek lasagna), Spanakopita (spinach and feta pie), Dolmathes (stuffed grape leaves), and Saganaki (Greek brandy-flamed cheese), among many more kinds of food. Don’t miss the wine Taverna, which features Greek wine and beer, or the Greek coffeehouse, which features Greek and American coffee drinks. Make sure to enter the opportunity drawing for a chance to win one of the following prizes: a seven-day trip to Athens for two, a 47-inch HDTV, a Dell laptop computer, or $500.
4th Annual California Boricua Festival: A Puerto Rican Celebration
Sunday, August 8 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Queen Mary Events Park (1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach)
General admission, $25 (presale, $20); children under 12 are free
1.888.506.5933 :: fiestabuena.com
This concert event includes salsa, reggaeton and cultural performances from Puerto Rico, New York and California. Explore the true meaning of “La Isla del Encanto” while indulging in Puerto Rican food and viewing cultural artwork.
