New Brands: Roark, Olukai, Amour Vert Join Irvine Spectrum!

Just as the sunshine and warmer weather grace Irvine, three exciting new brands are making their debut on the scene: Roark Expedition Union, Olukai, and Amour Vert. Settling into Irvine Spectrum Center, each brand strategically chose this bustling hub with its 17 million annual visitors and a lineup of top-tier brands epitomizing the Southern California lifestyle.

Irvine Spectrum Center’s vibrant array of youthful and trend-setting retailers now welcomes:

Roark Expedition Union: Born from a passion for authentic storytelling and exploration, Roark crafts essential and sustainable men's and women's goods for the adventurous soul. Season after season, Roark presents purpose-built apparel with stylish details, ready to accompany you from trail to bar. Drawing inspiration from global destinations, the newly opened Irvine location offers more than just clothing; it's a gateway to Roark’s adventure-ready goods and products from kindred brands, featuring surfboards, camping gear, grooming essentials, and travel literature.

Olukai: Making its mainland debut in March, Olukai brings a premium ocean lifestyle brand dedicated to crafting exceptional products with minimal environmental impact. Their styles seamlessly blend ocean heritage with contemporary performance, offering a range of exquisite footwear options from slippers to sandals, sneakers, boots, and mules.

Amour Vert: Fusing Parisian chic with California cool, Amour Vert introduces elevated and effortless style to modern women in innovative ways. Each collection features versatile, high-quality pieces adorned with hand-drawn prints, alongside works from independent artisans and local makers. As a trailblazer in sustainable fashion, Amour Vert champions small-batch production and transparency, ensuring customers can shop with purpose and dress with ease. Their Irvine Spectrum Center location is set to open this spring, offering a glimpse into their eco-conscious world.

Irvine Spectrum is at 70 Spectrum Drive in Irvine. 

Image Courtesy of Olukai

Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert Comes To Segerstrom Center for the Arts!

Prepare for an extraordinary musical journey with Nickelodeon, GEA Live, and Senbla's presentation: Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert performing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on November 17, at 2 PM Experience over two hours of live orchestral performance, bringing the iconic musical score of the show to life in perfect harmony with highlights from the series. From taiko drums to erhu, violins to clarinets, immerse yourself in the world of Avatar as beloved scenes unfold on screen, featuring Aang, Katara, Toph, Sokka, Zuko, and more.

The tour begins in the United States in September, with stops in Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Boston, and many other cities in 2024. In 2025, the global tour heads to various European cities including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, with additional stops across Australia.

Audiences of Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert will enjoy a two-hour special, witnessing the show's iconic musical score performed live alongside highlights from all three seasons. From taiko drums to erhu, violins to clarinets, experience the series' most memorable moments on a full-size cinema screen, with Aang, Katara, Toph, Sokka, Zuko, and others.

Emmy Award-winning composer Jeremy Zuckerman, alongside show co-creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, and original editor Jeff Adams, have collaborated to expand the series' original compositions for this concert series. This spectacular production magnifies the epic scope and drama of the series, offering fans an unprecedented opportunity to immerse themselves in the captivating world of Avatar: The Last Airbender through live orchestral performance.

Avatar: The Last Airbender In Concert will perform at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on November 17, at 2 PM. Tickets start at $29 and are available at www.avatarinconcert.com and at scfta.org, in person at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, and by phone at (714) 556-2787. For inquiries about group ticket discounts of 10 or more, call the Group Services offices at (714)755-0236.

White Elephant in Anaheim: Blending Tradition and Innovation in Thai Cuisine

White Elephant, a modern Thai restaurant, brings a blend of traditional and contemporary culinary experiences to Downtown Los Angeles and the Anaheim Packing House. Founded by the Suwatlucku family, White Elephant is a testament to their strong family bonds and a shared passion for conveying stories through cuisine. Leveraging recipes handed down through generations and traditional cooking techniques, the family has infused a modern flair into classic Thai dishes.

Earth, along with his mother Jenny, and siblings Nitiphum and Ponchita, ventured into the culinary world without formal training. Their exploration of flavors and dedication saw them climb the ladder in the restaurant industry, all the while cherishing the kitchen and their ancestors' recipes. This close-knit family pursued their vision of opening a restaurant that honors their Thai heritage in 2020 in Anaheim. Despite financial challenges and the uncertainties brought by the pandemic, their perseverance and hard work paid off, allowing them to open a second location in Downtown Los Angeles.

The menu at White Elephant is a feast for the senses, featuring a range of dishes from Salmon Belly Tartare and Basil Chicken Wings to beloved classics like Pad Thai, Thai Fried Rice, and Tom Kha. Adventurous diners can enjoy signature innovations such as Crispy Branzino, Imperial Crab Curry, and Braised A5 Panang, as well as contemporary plates like Crying Tiger Steak, Honey Pork Belly, and Coconut Milk Fried Chicken.

Rooted in the traditions of Thai cuisine yet open to the influences of its local surroundings, White Elephant offers a welcoming atmosphere for guests to explore authentic Thai flavors. The menu is a thoughtful blend of time-honored wok recipes and innovative, modern creations, crafted to provide an enjoyable dining experience with every visit.

Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

440 S Anaheim Blvd, Suite 207 Anaheim. 714.603.7630 Email: packinghouse@welephant.com

Image Credit Jasveer Sadhu