Tag Archives: Orange County

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Shakespeare by the Sea, Orange County

Actors in a Shakespeare play

A non-profit organization that was initially founded in 1998, Shakespeare by the Sea, is an annual free summer festival that focuses on the works of Shakespeare. With several events and venues all around Orange County, this is a great opportunity to soak up some culture.

Macbeth
Macbeth is a tragedy written by Shakespeare, and is believed to have been first performed in 1606. Telling the story of how political ambition can cause psychological and physical damage to a person, this is one of the shortest tragedies that Shakespeare has written, but also one of his most popular. This is one of the plays that is being performed by Shakespeare by the Sea this summer, with a number of performance dates to choose from.

The Taming of the Shrew
The other play that Shakespeare by the Sea will be hosting this summer is the Taming of the Shrew, which is a comedy, providing the perfect contrast to the tragedies of Macbeth. This play is believed to have been written between 1590 and 1592, and has been adapted several times since then for everything from the big screen to the opera to the ballet.

angry actor

Tickets and Seating
Since all of the Shakespeare by the Sea performances are free to attend, tickets are not needed. When it comes to seating, this is on a first-come, first-served basis, so you may want to show up slightly earlier than you usually would, in order to guarantee yourself a prime spot. The style of seating varies between locations, but a blanket is always advisable, as it can turn quite chilly in the evenings.

Bard’s Box Stageside Dining
For those who want to take their theatre experience to the next level, Bard’s Box Stageside Dining is something that you need to sign up for. This section features premium seating with plush cushions and blankets, enabling you to really get cozy under the stars. A meal of your choice will also be provided, along with unlimited beverage refills and a selection of tasty treats from the dessert bar.

Period play fighting scene

Kids Camp
For those who have children who enjoy acting, then the Shakespeare by the Sea Kids Camp may be perfect for them. This will be running at the beginning of July, and is designed for children aged between seven and fourteen. The four days feature theatre games and rehearsals, and culminates in an abbreviated performance of one of Shakespeare’s most-loved plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Volunteering for Shakespeare by the Sea
Being a non-profit organization, Shakespeare by the Sea relies heavily on volunteers, and are always looking for more. For those who would like to help out a bit and support what they do, there are a number of opportunities available, from distributing fliers and helping with promotion to gathering support from the local community. Of course, if you are an aspiring actor, you could also audition to perform in a Shakespeare play yourself.

Shakespeare by the Sea has experienced great success since it begun, and is a community event that is always highly-anticipated. Even if you do not usually enjoy Shakespeare, these are shows that really bring together so much energy and passion, and will no doubt result in a truly memorable evening.

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Summer Comedy Events in the OC

Blurred image of stand up comedian

When it comes to having a good laugh, there is nothing like a comedy show to really get things going. For those in the OC this summer, here are a few of the comedy events that you can look forward to.

Underground Comedy & Burlesque, Harvelle’s Long Beach
The Underground Comedy & Burlesque show at Harvelle’s is being held every Tuesday this summer, and showcases the way in which comedy and burlesque seem to go so well together hand-in-hand. With seductive dance movies and hilarious stand-up comedians, this is an event that will definitely keep you entertained.

The Clubhouse Comedy Show, Clubhouse Grille & Sports Bar
A monthly live stand-up comedy show, the Clubhouse Comedy Show is known for providing non-stop laughter for two hours each month. This show brings together some of the best comedians from around the OC, including several that have been featured on Comedy Central, Last Comic Standing and HBO. This event is held every second Tuesday of the month, so be sure to schedule this in to your diary.

Comedian Taylor Williamson

Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com

Taylor Williamson, Irvine Improv
Taylor Williamson rose to fame after appearing on America’s Got Talent, where he managed to acquire quite the loyal fan base. With his slightly awkward stage persona and his self-deprecating humor, Williamson’s acts are definitely unique, and any fans in Orange County will be able to catch the comedian performing at Irvine Improv on the 26th of July.

Sebastian Cetina, Brea Improv
Sebastian Cetina is a stand-up comedian and impressionist who has been in the industry for over 16 years now. From appearing on television and in the movies to radio shows and festivals, Cetina is incredible at improvising, and keeps his audience roaring with laughter for the entire time. His strong stage presence is one that should not be missed, and fans can catch Cetina in action in Orange County on the 13th of July at Brea Improv.

Arsenio Hall, Brea Improv
An American comedian, actor and talk show host, Arsenio Hall is best known for hosting the Arsenio Hall Show, but has also appeared on a number of other television shows, including the Celebrity Apprentice, which he won, and movies. His comedy shows are always highly anticipated, and he never fails to keep the audience laughing. This summer, Arsenio Hall will be performing at Brea Improv in Orange County across several dates at the end of July, so you are likely to be able to catch him in action.

Nick Guerra
A favorite from NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Nick Guerra is full of energy, and always brings this on to the stage with him. With acts that focus on relationships, family and everyday life, Nick Guerra will be performing in the OC this summer on the 6th of July at Brea Improv, bringing with him plenty of new material.

Orange County hosts some of the best comedy acts in the state, meaning that the summer comedy events this year will definitely not disappoint. From Arsenio Hall to Taylor Williamson, the styles of each comedian are quite varied, but will no doubt keep you laughing all night.

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Visit These Water and Amusement Parks in the OC

Young child with parents at amusement park

California is home to some of the most famous water and amusement parks in the world, and a number of these can be found in the OC. From Knott’s Berry Farm to Disneyland, here are some of the must-visit water and amusement parks in Orange County.

Knott’s Berry Farm
The very first amusement park in the OC, Knott’s Berry Farm can be found in Buena Park, and was once a farm that belonged to the Knott family, who invented the boysenberry there. Today, this theme park features a wide range of attractions, with the Old West attractions, from the Bigfoot Rapids to the Xcelerator, being amongst some of the highlights. When it comes time for a bite to eat, be sure to head to the restaurant at the front of the park, as here they serve up Mrs. Knott’s original fried chicken recipe, as well as fresh boysenberry pies as an homage to the farm that once lay here.

Knott’s Soak City Water Park
Located just across the road from Knott’s Berry Farm is the Knott’s Soak City Water Park, so it would make sense to combine a visit to both. This 13-acre water park provides the perfect way to cool off from the OC’s summer heat, with everything from 17 tube slides to a lazy river.

Couple at theme park

Disneyland Resort
Located in Anaheim, the Disneyland Resort needs no introduction, and prides itself on being “the Happiest Place on Earth”. This is one of California’s top attractions, as you will find so many classic Disneyland rides here, from Pirates of the Caribbean to Space Mountain, with many of the rides still being considered some of the best in the world.

Disney California Adventure
Just outside of the Disneyland Resort is Disney California Adventure, which does not require a ticket to visit. This theme park offers visitors the chance to experience all of California in just one day, bringing together all of the state’s highlights. From California-themed rollercoasters to traditional boardwalk games to a bakery that serves up fresh San Francisco sourdough bread, this is the park to visit if you are interested in everything else that California has to offer too.

Friends on roller coaster

Adventure City
While all of the parks mentioned above are great for visiting with children, they may end up left out of some activities, whereas Adventure City is an amusement park that has been designed with kids in mind. In addition to the fun rides that they have here, including the Giggle Wheel and the Crazy Bus, there are many other child-friendly attractions, such as the petting zoo, children’s theatre and rock climbing wall. When it comes to food options, you will find everything from fresh pizzas to curly fries to churros, ensuring that your kids will really be spoilt for choice.

When visiting Orange County, many people do end up spending the day at a theme park, because the parks that you will find here are truly iconic. From the world-famous rides at Disneyland to the child-friendly attractions at Adventure City, these are some of the finest amusement and water parks in the OC.