Newport Beach TV Fest Awards “Landman” Outstanding Drama

The inaugural Newport Beach TV Fest, presented by the Newport Beach Film Festival, will honor the hit Paramount+ original series Landman with the Outstanding Drama Series Award. Cast members Billy Bob Thornton, Andy Garcia, Ali Larter and Jacob Lofland will accept the award following a special panel on Saturday, June 7 at 6 p.m.

Running June 5–8, 2025, the four-day festival will celebrate excellence in television with screenings, panels, and events spotlighting both established and emerging talent.

Created by Taylor Sheridan and Christian Wallace, Landman is a contemporary tale set in the boomtowns of West Texas. Based on the 11-part podcast Boomtown from Imperative Entertainment and Texas Monthly, the series explores the high-stakes world of oil rigs and the volatile intersections of money, politics and climate. The cast includes Billy Bob Thornton, Demi Moore, Jon Hamm, Andy Garcia, Ali Larter, Jacob Lofland, Michelle Randolph, Paulina Chávez, Kayla Wallace, Mark Collie, James Jordan and Colm Feore.

Executive producers include Taylor Sheridan, David C. Glasser, David Hutkin, Ron Burkle, Bob Yari, Christian Wallace, Geyer Kosinski, Michael Friedman and Stephen Kay. Dan Friedkin and Jason Hoch for Imperative Entertainment, and J.K. Nickell and Megan Creydt for Texas Monthly also executive produce. Peter Feldman serves as co-executive producer. The series is distributed by Paramount Global Content Distribution and is now streaming on Paramount+.

The Landman honor joins a slate of previously announced Newport Beach TV Fest award recipients, including:

• Abbott Elementary – Outstanding Comedy Ensemble Award
• Adam Brody – TV Performance of the Year Award – Actor (Nobody Wants This)
• Dan Fogelman – Showrunner of the Year Award (Paradise)
• Kate Hudson – TV Performance of the Year Award – Actress (Running Point)
• Ralph Macchio – Artist of Distinction Award (Cobra Kai)
• Sam Rockwell – TV Supporting Performance of the Year Award – Actor (The White Lotus)
• Jason Segel – Variety’s Creative Impact in Television Award (Shrinking)
• Yellowjackets – Outstanding Drama Ensemble Award

Gold Derby will also present its Breakout Awards Panel with Taylor Dearden (The Pitt), Patrick Schwarzenegger (The White Lotus), Brandon Sklenar (1923), Meg Stalter (Hacks), and Chase Sui Wonders (The Studio).

For tickets and full event details, visit nbtvfest.com.

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.