VEA Newport Beach Partners with Orlebar Brown for Stylish June Pop-Up

VEA Newport Beach has teamed up with British menswear brand Orlebar Brown—now open at Fashion Island—to bring a splash of fashion to its resort experience throughout the month of June. The resort will host a stylish poolside cabana pop-up every Saturday, along with exclusive perks for overnight guests.

Each Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., VEA guests can explore Orlebar Brown’s signature swimwear and summer-ready looks at the poolside cabana, complete with custom furnishings and branded accessories. Guests can purchase directly from the activation or request in-room delivery with the help of an on-demand shopping concierge, activated by hang tags in every guest room. 

For guests staying in suites, a $250 Orlebar Brown gift certificate is included.

The partnership also extends to VEA’s Edge Bar—Newport Beach’s largest outdoor bar—where Orlebar Brown will debut a signature summer cocktail. The Good Times cocktail features Tanqueray Gin, fresh lemon juice, St-Germain, simple syrup, cucumber, and mint, served with a straw in the brand’s signature red-and-white stripes.

From June 1–15, travelers can take advantage of VEA’s Shop and Stay Package (promo code: SHO), which includes a $100 Fashion Island gift card and a $50 food and beverage credit to enjoy the resort’s dining offerings. Whether shopping at Fashion Island or poolside with 

Orlebar Brown, guests can enjoy the ultimate style-meets-relaxation getaway.

VEA Newport Beach is located at 900 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach.

Chef Jason Yamaguchi to Debut Konpa Nikkei in Corona del Mar This Summer

Chef Jason Yamaguchi, whose culinary journey stretches from O‘ahu to Michelin-starred kitchens across the U.S., is set to open his most personal concept yet. Konpa Nikkei, a fast-casual restaurant devoted to Nikkei cuisine, will debut in the heart of Corona del Mar.

Set to open early this summer at 3333 East Coast Highway, Konpa blends the precision of Japanese technique with the bold, colorful ingredients of Peru. Rooted in authenticity and innovation, Konpa is one of the only restaurants in Orange County devoted entirely to Nikkei cuisine, offering a fresh cultural perspective and elevated yet approachable dishes.

Drawing inspiration from his Japanese heritage and travels to Peru, Yamaguchi introduces thoughtful interpretations of Nikkei flavors. Highlights include tiraditos with aji amarillo, the Makinui Amante (a sashimi-style rice wrap with kanpachi, tomato, wakame, and aji verde crema), and the Nikkei Bowl, a layered mix of kanpachi, avocado, escabeche, and lilikoi amarillo. Signature sides like the Lomo Saltado Musubi—featuring prime short rib, papas cris, and tomato salsa—fuse Peruvian comfort food with Japanese technique.

Yamaguchi’s commitment to quality shows in every detail—from seasonal, locally sourced produce to rare, imported ingredients like Fukuoka Ariake Premium Nori. Each dish is built with balance, integrity, and respect for tradition.

The restaurant’s name, Konpa, reflects this cultural blend. In Japan, “Konpa-Konpa” is an invitation to gather and eat; in Peru, “Compa” means friend. For Yamaguchi, Konpa is a celebration of community, heritage, and decades of culinary passion.

Konpa will offer dine-in, takeout, catering, and private events. 

For more information and menu updates, visit konparestaurant.com.

Beckman Arts and Science Family Festival Returns to Segerstrom Center

Segerstrom Center for the Arts will host the fourth annual Beckman Arts and Science Family Festival on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza. The free community celebration brings together the worlds of art and science for an afternoon of live performances, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities designed for all ages.

Families can explore a wide range of experiences—from building mini-robots and holding real fossils to creating colorful chemical reactions and experimenting with art. New additions this year include mini train rides around the Segerstrom Center campus, balloon twisters, a bubble play zone presented by BubblePOP, and a giant building equipment play area.

The festival features live entertainment throughout the day, beginning with a land acknowledgement and blessing from Journeys To The Past, a Native American family ensemble. Other scheduled performances include The Alley Cats, known for musical comedy and ’50s and ’60s hits; N8tive Hoop, world champion hoop dancers; Music Notes LLC, bringing STEM education to life through hip hop; and roving circus performers from Circo Etereo.

Dozens of community organizations will participate, including the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, Crystal Cove Conservancy, Santa Ana Zoo, Pacific Marine Mammal Center, OC Habitats, Kaiser Permanente, Inside the Outdoors, and University Lab Partners.

Food and drinks will be available for purchase at George’s Café and local food trucks. Guests are welcome to bring their own refreshments, but outside alcohol, glass containers, barbecues, tables, and food preparation are not allowed on the Plaza.

For more information, visit scfta.org.