Festival Ballet Theatre Brings Don Quixote Back to the Irvine Barclay Theatre

Festival Ballet Theatre returns to the Irvine Barclay Theatre this spring with its vibrant, full-length production of Don Quixote, featuring acclaimed guest artists Jeraldine Mendoza and Dylan Gutierrez of Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet in the lead roles of Kitri and Basilio. Performances take place Saturday, March 21, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 22, at 2 p.m.

Based on Miguel de Cervantes’ beloved novel, Don Quixote follows the adventures of the gallant knight as he journeys through old-world Spain, brought to life through colorful characters, spirited ensemble scenes and a high-energy atmosphere. 

Set to Ludwig Minkus’ memorable score, the ballet captures the rhythms and romance of 17th-century Spain, from fiery gypsy flair to exuberant village celebrations. Mendoza and Gutierrez portray the passionate young lovers at the heart of this classic, a work celebrated for its bravura dancing and vibrant theatricality. 

The pair return to these roles together for local audiences, joined by Festival Ballet Theatre’s professional and student company dancers, whose dynamic ensemble work and character roles drive the storytelling throughout the production.

Tickets: $54-$74 at thebarclay.org or by calling 949.854.4646.

4242 Campus Dr, Irvine

Trail Runners Welcome Spring at Whiting Ranch

Trail runners and hikers are invited to welcome the first full day of spring at the fourth annual Whiting Ranch Trail Races on March 21 at Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park in Trabuco Canyon. 

Directed by Costa Mesa native Amanda Pennington, the event offers four distance options, including a 6K, 10K, half marathon and 30K, with courses that wind through rolling hills, native oak groves and open stretches with sweeping views of Orange County and the Santa Ana Mountains. 

Runners can expect a well-supported experience with fully stocked aid stations and an encouraging volunteer crew along the way, making it approachable for first-timers and rewarding for seasoned trail runners alike. Hikers are also welcome on the 6K and 10K routes. 

Registration is open at ultrasignup.com, and readers can receive $25 off any distance with the code GREERSOC. More information is available at whitingranchtrailraces.run.

Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, 27901 Glenn Ranch Rd, Trabuco Canyon.

Image Courtesy @lugo_lugo

A Valentine’s Night Inside the Films of Tim Burton and Danny Elfman

Pacific Symphony presents “Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton” on Feb. 13 and 14 at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, just in time for Valentine’s Day. The theatrical concert experience invites audiences into the imaginative, slightly twisted worlds shaped by filmmaker Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman, celebrating one of cinema’s most enduring creative partnerships. With Elfman’s instantly recognizable scores front and center, the evening blends fantasy, romance and whimsy in a way that feels both cinematic and completely at home on the concert stage.

Led by conductor Sarah Hicks, the orchestra is joined by violinist Sandy Cameron and the California State University, Fullerton University Singers. Together, they pull listeners deep into Elfman’s imaginative soundscape, one inspired by old Hollywood, circus flair, gothic romance and sweeping late Romantic traditions. The concert is part of the Pacific Symphony Pops series and takes place Feb. 13 and 14 at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall.

Paired with visuals, the program features music from films including Batman, Big Fish, Beetlejuice, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Drawn from Elfman’s original scores and arranged into lush orchestral suites, the music captures his signature mix of gothic beauty, mischievous humor and emotional depth.

Cameron, widely regarded as one of the leading interpreters of Elfman’s music, brings a dramatic and expressive presence to the stage. Her soaring violin solos add emotional weight to some of the composer’s most lyrical moments, including music from Edward Scissorhands.

The CSUF University Singers add another layer of drama and texture, underscoring Pacific Symphony’s ongoing collaboration with local arts and education partners. Their voices heighten the emotional pull of the performance while spotlighting rising local talent.

Together, orchestra, soloist, singers and visuals create a richly theatrical evening where fantasy, nostalgia and storytelling meet. It is a Pops concert that speaks to film lovers, symphony fans and anyone drawn to the beautifully offbeat worlds that have defined Burton and Elfman’s work for decades.

Tickets start at $61 and are available at PacificSymphony.org or by calling the box office at 714-755-5799. The concerts are underwritten by the Sharon J. and Thomas E. Malloy Family, with additional support from Avenue of the Arts Costa Mesa, The Park Club, PBS SoCal and K-EARTH 101.