Free Balloon Rides are featured at Irvine’s Great Park Thursday -Sunday
Bored and Broke and want to have some fun? Join us at the Great Park this weekend for a comedy show followed by great music and dancing. It’s FREE. ($8.00 parking fee, tho). The free balloon rides at night fill up extremely fast, but the views can be outstanding! Comedy shows begin at 7:00 pm and the Music/Dancing begins at 8:00 pm. See you there!
IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ — Two extraordinary dance and music performances are featured at the Orange County Great Park’s Flights and Sounds of Summer this Friday and Saturday night. On Friday August 21st, take a time-machine back to a World War Two U.S.O. Show and boogie woogie to the music of Pete Jacobs and his Wartime Radio Review. His 16 piece big band plays the hits of the thirties and forties along with late-breaking news stories from the war years. Don’t know how to dance the jitterbug? Then, come at 7:30 p.m. for a free dance lesson that gets you swinging.
Comedian Jackie Fabulous of Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes will open the evening on Friday, August 21st with great laughs at the Great Park Comedy Corner.
On Saturday night August 22nd, enjoy a symphonic concert featuring the music of Cirque du Soleil, with the incomparable voice and presence of Francesca Gagnon, “the Voice of Alegria,” and Inti-Illimani. Her beautiful vocal style and the wonderful music of Chilean orchestra Inti-Illimani will make this special performance one to remember. The performance foreshadows the January performances of Cirque du Soleil at the Great Park, arriving January 8th, 2010 with their magnificent traveling show “Kooza”.
On Saturday, August 22nd Comedy Central alum Tom Clark will make you smile at the Great Park Comedy Corner.
“The Great Park is Orange County’s best place to dance, enjoy great music and top comedians,” said Larry Agran, Chair of the Orange County Great Park Corporation. “Best of all, you can bring the entire family and there is no admission charge.”
Come back to the Great Park next Friday, August 28th and two-step to Cedric Watson along with his south Louisiana zydeco swamp-mates on guitar, bass, drums and rub board. Jackie Fabulous of Bill Bellamy’s Who’s Got Jokes returns for another sidesplitting performance at the Great Park Comedy Corner.
On Saturday, August 29th, Tim Chizmar, guest on Last Call with Carson Daly, and Mal Hall, Winner of 2009 O.C. Comedy Competition Irvine Improv kick off the evening with great laughs at the Great Park Comedy Corner after which true heroes of the swing revival, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, gets you singing the “hi-de-hi’s” and the “ho-de-ho’s.”
Evening events begin at 7:00 p.m. with shows by local stand-up comics at the Great Park Comedy Corner. Dances and concerts begin at 8:00 p.m. Admission is free. Parking is $8.00.
Refreshments will be available at the Hangar Cafe, which opens at 6:00 p.m. on performance nights. The Hangar Cafe features a vegetarian menu of fresh salads and sandwiches, delicious snacks and desserts, and thirst-quenching beer, wine, and soft drinks presented by award-winning Avanti Cafe.
The Orange County Great Park is located off the 5 Freeway and Sand Canyon in Irvine. For more information, please visit to www.ocgp.org.
The complete “Flights and Sounds of Summer” schedule is listed below.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4TH
Great Park Comedy Corner, 7:00 p.m.
Chris Zapatier – BET’s “SOB.” Military Comedy Tours to Iraq and Afghanistan
Friday Night Dance Party, 8:00 p.m.
Steve Lucky and the Rhumba Bums
Free dance instruction at 7:30 p.m.
Veterans of ‘scenes’ as diverse as the famed Derby in Hollywood, NYC’s Lincoln Center, and CNN-TV, the Rhumba Bums along with Miss Carmen Getit play swing, jump blues and hot jazz with wit, style and plenty of tongue in cheek.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5TH
Great Park Comedy Corner, 7:00 p.m.
Tom Connolly- Military Comedy tours to Iraq and Afghanistan
Danny Villapando – USO’s Comics On Duty, Comedy Central’s Latino Laugh Festival
Saturday Night Concert, 8:00 p.m.
17 Hippies
For the past 12 years Berlin’s very own “orchester spezial” has been playing its whirling, crashing, diving, bobbing and weaving mixture of music that morphs French songs, English ballads and international rhythms into a captivating cocktail of sound. An eclectic band of virtuosi, the 17 Hippies are variously masters of the accordion, trombone, trumpet, violin, cello, woodwinds, mandolin, ukulele, banjo, Irish bouzouki, guitar, double bass and harmonium. And then there are the stellar vocals in German, English and French.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH
Great Park Comedy Corner, 7:00 p.m.
Steve Farrell – Regular performer at the Imrov, Ice House and the Comedy Store
Kenny Kane – Bob & Tom Show, USO Tours in Iraq & Afghanistan and Laugh My A** Off
Friday Night Dance Party, 8:00 p.m.
Johnny Polanco y su Conjunto Amistad
Free dance instruction at 7:30 p.m.
So popular at the Great Park last summer that he was invited back immediately, Johnny Polanco is our favorite salsero, with regular gigs at El Floridita, The Mayan and other iconic Southland venues.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH
Great Park Comedy Corner, 7:00 p.m.
Dante – Last Comic Standing Finalist
Saturday Night Concert, 8:00 p.m.
Niyaz
“Call it Sufi music or World Fusion, but one thing is for sure, the band Niyaz is an Iranian musical trio whose debut album ranked #1 on world music charts on iTunes. . .” This is trance music for the 21st century: hypnotic, ecstatic, ghostly, and delicious. Azam Ali, best known as half of the popular duo Vas, is the vocalist heard on the soundtrack of “The Matrix: Revolution;” Loga Ramin Torkian, formerly of Axiom of Choice, is a master of Persian and Turkish musical traditions. Loga and Azam are accompanied by tabla, bass, violin and laptop.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH
Great Park Comedy Corner, 7:00 p.m.
Chris Zapatier – BET’s “SOB.” Military Comedy Tours to Iraq and Afghanistan
Friday Night Dance Party, 8:00 p.m.
Merchants of Moonshine
Free dance instruction at 7:30 p.m.
The two-steppers, the line-dancers, the citified folk in their high-heeled boots: the Merchants of Moonshine make room for all. Expect good times, great guitar licks, and songs that’ll break your heart, fix it up, and then break it all over again.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH
Great Park Comedy Corner, 7:00 p.m.
Aristotle Athiras
David Marley
Saturday Night Concert, 8:00 p.m.
HAPA
Last summer’s HAPA concert at the Great Park was among our favorites; this year Barry Flanagan and Nathan Aweau are joined by traditional chant master Charles Ka’upu for an evening of Hawaiian bliss. Known as “the sound of Maui,” HAPA filters the pan-Polynesian traditions of Hawaii through the lens of contemporary acoustic music to create a sound that has kept them in demand on the festival circuit while earning them a record-breaking number of Na Hoku Hanohano (“Hawaiian Grammy”) Awards.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH
Great Park Comedy Corner, 7:00 p.m.
Matt Balaker – Appeared on Conan O’Brien
Aristotle Athiras
Friday Night Dance Party, 8:00 p.m.
Bollywood Step
Free dance instruction at 7:30 p.m.
Our 2009 summer dance party finale: a Bollywood blow-out! A special night of fun with exuberant Bollywood dance demonstrations, step-by-step instructions and simple choreography for all to follow, a party atmosphere and, of course, those irresistible dance rhythms.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH
Great Park Comedy Corner, 7:00 p.m.
Patrick Keane – Appeared on Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Kristian Vallee -Appeared on Comedy Central and the Tonight Show
Saturday Night Concert, 8:00 p.m.
Easy Star All-Stars
Lonely Hearts Dub Band, Dub Side of the Moon, Radio Dread. . . the Easy Star All-Stars are the very soul of dub reggae. Almost anybody can sing along to their favorite tunes, but only an artist can take something familiar and make it entirely their own, exploring the heart of the work and taking it to a new and different place. That’s what you’ll hear on the “Lonely Hearts” tour, plus Easy Star originals in our reggae fest conclusion to the summer concert series.
SOURCE Orange County Great Park
Quick Lesson in economics RV, there is no such thing as a “free lunch”
We (OC Taxpayers) have already paid for all these supposed “freebies”.
I’m surprised you got the wool pulled over your eyes from these people who control The Great Pork!
Thanks CQT96 and Travis,
I had seen an article that Larry Agran had applied for a stimulus shovel-ready grant from the Feds to get the GP moving. It was supposed to create 6,700+ jobs for the project.
If so, it’s nice to have some of our fed tax dollars coming back home to OC for this venue.
The Juice should get some $$$ for this commercial!
Of course, the photo is a fake – there is no park down there.
“Quick Lesson in economics RV, there is no such thing as a “free lunch” We (OC Taxpayers) have already paid for all these supposed “freebies”.”
Oh come on CQT, it IS free!! Take a deep breath and stop over analyzing everything. When I get a FREE room in Vegas, I don’t say “yeah but it costs me money to get there, and I’ll end up putting/losing money in the slot machines anyway. So it’s not really free”.
Come now you geeky political people. Have some fun and don’t be so constipated.
The true comedians in Irvine are Larry Agran and Beth Krom for coming up with this piece of crap in the first place.
Gads, I thought it would be a fun post!
The Great Park will NEVER be an airport. So we may as well enjoy it!
I notice they sell beer/wine there. Maybe do your civic duty and help pay for the tab? 😉
I’m there Yaaaaahoooooooo!
Just in Time,
Remember all the drama and that Bruce Manning character in regards to the Krom tragedy? You hear the latest news?
I remember
Have not heard the latest news?
I have not yet confirmed, but it may be true that he has passed away. This came from a pretty reliable source…. will know with more time.
Hey Pho Lam,
Judging from your input, me thinks you live in Irvine & voted for this “Great Pork”
If any of you sheeple think this Great Pork project has any merit, then you deserve all the financial ills that are forthcoming…
Oh, RV,
Why is Agran asking for federal funds at this point? According to their master plan this Great Pork project was supposed to be self-sufficient.
Those 6700+ new jobs are a red herring and disappeared when the airport was shot down.
I’ve never known for you to be such a Pollyanic dreamer RV.
The harsh truth is that this “venue”, as you call it, will always be a money pit. No amount of federal funds will ever be enough to support the Great Farce.
“Why is Agran asking for federal funds at this point? According to their master plan this Great Pork project was supposed to be self-sufficient.”
Uuuh, maybe he’s asking for funds because the money is there and he ain’t stupid. Ford was doing ok, but they were there with GM and Chrysler hoping for some cash.
Maybe some extra funds will create jobs. Who knows? It won’t kill ya to be a bit optimistic. CA gave Obama an easy win, he shouldn’t take us for granted.
“If any of you sheeple think this Great Pork project has any merit, then you deserve all the financial ills that are forthcoming…”
CQT96, “Great Pork” is what local Congressman, Birther, John Campbell is running around calling the new federal park project in NJ. You from his camp or is that a new name for “parks” that seem to be on the outs with the right leaning folks right now?
“I’ve never known for you to be such a Pollyanic dreamer RV.”
Well, thanks. I like to think I try to err on the side of reality whenever I can 😉
That park is here to stay. It will never become the airport that the very rich and the very few wanted and that right there is a good thing. I guess that is Polyanna to you.
As far as getting stimulus money for it, I say, good on Agran! JOHN CAMPBELL would never apply for grants for local projects like this. He’s of that GOP camp that likes to grandstand and turn down funds to make some kind of political statement. You can lump him in with Palin, Perry, and those “mavericks”.
Agran was ready with the grant applications and the plans – the stimulus money just picks up the pace. It reminds me of someone who is going to college and gets some grants and scholarships in the process. It’s “free money” to help achieve the end result.
I think this move is smart and shows initiative. John Campbell is out there pandering to some horsie group with his demands for money. Larry Agran is bringing HOME the bacon if he gets those grants.
Forget the so called great park this weekend, Tustin is where it is at with the Theater in the Park at Peppertree Park (a real park with grass and trees and everything!) and the 10th annual classic car/hot rod show at Enderle Center on 17th street.
I took one for the team and went with friends to the Great Park last night. Now I am back to report how I spent my 8 bucks for parking and what it got me.
The evening was a FUN! There was a comedian doing stand up at 7pm. I am kind of picky about comedy and he was “okay” so I lost interest and went exploring the venue. The wind was too high for the balloon rides (if you go there, make sure u get there early and sign in for the balloon – they give you a pager to notify you when it is your turn). They have a big hangar with big screen tvs, food, drinks, alcohol….
In the middle of the event for Friday there is a HUGE checkered dance floor. At 7:30 last night they gave easy to follow dance lessons on how to do swing dancing. It was extremely social with swapping partners and fun instructors that made learning the steps easy. At 8 the swing band started up and it was great music to go with the dancing. Great time overall. Larry Agran was there as well as other Irvine council members.
We were offered a ride in a little cart to/from our car. The staff was friendly. The venue was very attractive. Accoustics were great. The night was mild in temperature and you can bring your own food/chairs/drinks if you want. The dance floor held lots of people but was not uncomfortable. People were in a GREAT mood.
I just might try out the entertainment again tonight. I recommend the Friday dance events, so far.
OK Pho Lam & RED V,
Let me hear your spin on today’s(8-24-2009) article in the OC Register concerning the audit on The Great Pork>
HA!
CQT96,
I found it, but next time could u leave a link to a referenced story? I would much appreciate that!
Let’s see… an audit turned up some stuff that needs to be addressed. Yep, looks like the audit was a great idea.
I don’t know why Lam and I are “in charge” somehow of the Great Park. I love going to the music there. I think the park was a much better idea than an airport. I don’t care for Christina Shea and I think Larry Agran does a good job. I can barely understand Steven Choi when he speaks. I like Kang and his focus on the schools and what he’s done for education support in Irvine. I think Krom would represent the 48th district much better than Campbell does. I think Irvine is run RIGHT for the most part.
What are you comparing things to? Santa Ana, maybe?
RV,
I addressed both of you because you both defended this Great Pork.
Well, I think the airport was a much better idea. It would have been a stable economic powerhouse at this point and a valid regional benefit, instead of a drain of resources like it will always be until your politicians turn it into the cash cow for themselves leaving all taxpayers holding the bag. We could go on for days back and forth debating the issue but right now it’s moot.
I’ve lived in Irvine, Newport and Santa Ana among other exotic locales but am making no comparison from either.
Look under the OBP thread to see my comparison to SA.
Irvine is way to sterile for me, to the point of being creepy especially with the NIMBY mindset of the super-majority of its residents, hence, no airport, but rather a land grab in the guise of a public park.
CQT96,
Irvine already has a large committment to parks, athletic fields and other shared community areas for participation. The Great Park seems to be a natural extention of those efforts and designs.
The airport was being pushed by rich folks who had private airplanes and wanted to make John Wayne into their “own” airport by creating an International airport at El Toro – leaving the newly upgraded (courtesy of OC TAXPAYERS!)JWA for their own private usage.
Those plans were soundly defeated by not just the voters in Irvine, but the voters in OC in various cities. Christina Shea was solidly AGAINST the Park and in favor of the unpopular airport. When does her term expire, anyways?
Irvine suits a certain need if you value highly safety, education, community involvement and open space.
There are ALWAYS going to be people who think that state, federal and local land set aside for parks and common use are a waste of time and money.
I’m in the other camp and have enjoyed parcels that have been set aside for public enjoyment – especially the National Parks that have been protected for their unique beauty for everyone to enjoy.
where is this park?(great orange county park) What major cross streets?