The Dose

galaofthestars2026

‘Gala of the Stars’ Returns to Segerstrom for 17th Year

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By Greer Wylder
July 28, 2026

Mark your calendar for Thursday, Aug. 6, when Festival Ballet Theatre brings its beloved "Gala of the Stars" back to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for a one-night-only celebration of ballet.Now in its 17th year, the gala pairs international ballet stars with a select group of young protégés for an evening that's equal parts mentorship and masterclass. This year's headliner is Maria Khoreva, first soloist of the Mariinsky Theatre, who joins guest artists from American Ballet Theatre, Dutch National Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, New York City Ballet, Stuttgart Ballet, Tulsa Ballet and Vienna State Opera. (Guest artists are subject…

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LJ’s Lounge Brings Soul-Infused Dining and Music to Triangle Square

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By Greer Wylder
July 24, 2026

LJ's Lounge has opened at Triangle Square, bringing elevated Southern-inspired comfort food and a lively music scene to Costa Mesa. The restaurant serves dinner on weekdays and brunch on weekends, with plans to add breakfast and lunch daily in the coming weeks.Black and veteran-owned by Orange County native Kenneth Jackson, LJ's is named for his mother, Linda Jean. The weekend brunch series, Soul to Sole, features a DJ spinning old-school music on Saturdays and live gospel and jazz on Sunday mornings that transition to reggae by evening. A full entertainment calendar is coming in August.Jackson developed the menu with chef…

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Inside Reecess, Newport Beach’s New Wellness Destination

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By Greer Wylder
July 19, 2026

I was recently invited to check out REECESS in Newport Beach, and I honestly didn't know what to expect walking in. It's unlike any wellness studio I've been to, and I've tried a lot of them.Founder Rambo Garcia built this as a hidden, high-end wellness escape, and the flagship experience is called the Biohouse Reset. It's a two-hour, fully guided protocol built around one idea: restore your energy and reset your nervous system in a single visit.The session starts with baseline diagnostics, including blood pressure, grip strength and a body composition assessment. From there, you move into what they call…

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Good Together House: Laguna Beach’s Home for the Extraordinary and Unexpected

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By Greer Wylder
July 16, 2026

Laguna Beach has quietly upped its game when it comes to indie retail, and Good Together House is a big reason why. On Ocean Avenue, the shop has spent the last five years becoming the kind of place people build a Saturday around. Part home goods store, part apothecary, part vintage jewelry counter, it's the sort of shop where a candle, a ceramic vase and a vintage silk scarf can all feel like they belong in the same bag.I will admit it, this is one of my favorite stores in Laguna Beach. The vibe alone is worth the drive, warm…

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Life Time Opens Resort-Style Athletic Club in Brea

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By Greer Wylder
July 14, 2026

North Orange County's wellness scene just got a serious upgrade. Life Time has opened its Brea Athletic Country Club at Brea Mall, marking the brand's first location in North Orange County.The club spans more than 85,000 square feet across three acres of indoor and outdoor space. It's designed as a one-stop destination where fitness, recovery, family time and social life all live under one roof, setting a new standard for healthy living in the area.Members can enjoy a resort-style "Beach Club" experience complete with a lap pool, leisure pool, waterslides, cabanas and outdoor dining and bar service. Pickleball players have…

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