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.

Hilbert Museum and Pageant of the Masters Partner for 2025 Celebration of California Art

The Hilbert Museum of California Art at Chapman University and the Festival of Arts’ Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach are joining forces in a 2025 collaboration that highlights California’s rich artistic legacy. The partnership honors the influence and scope of California art and celebrates the institutions that preserve and promote it.

The initiative includes specially priced Pageant tickets for Hilbert Museum followers, a joint panel discussion on June 4, a dedicated “Hilbert Night” at the Pageant on July 9, and coordinated social media and PR campaigns showcasing both organizations.

This alliance was sparked by the Pageant’s 2025 theme, “Gold Coast: Treasures of California,” a visual journey through some of the state’s most celebrated paintings, sculptures and masterpieces. Five artworks from the Hilbert Collection were selected for the show, making the Hilbert Museum one of the most prominently featured institutions, alongside Hearst Castle in San Simeon and Waterman’s Plaza in Dana Point.

Featured Hilbert Collection works include Afternoon at Diver’s Cove by Phil Dike, Mary by the Sea by Lee Blair, dual oil paintings Monday at the Crab Cooker and Seal Beach Nighthawks by Bradford J. Salamon, and the large-scale mosaic Pleasures Along the Beach by Millard Sheets.

The Hilbert Museum has earned widespread recognition for its collection and curatorial work, and its inclusion in the 2025 Pageant further affirms its place among the state’s most respected art institutions. The collaboration also aligns with the museum’s mission to expand access to California art and foster a greater appreciation for the state’s artists—past, present and future.

The Pageant’s 2025 theme was directly inspired by a visit its director made to the Hilbert Museum in spring 2024. During the visit, she toured the galleries and learned more about the personal stories behind the art and artists. The experience sparked the idea to dedicate this year’s Pageant to reminding Californians of the museum-quality works found throughout the state and the legacy of California artists.

To further celebrate the partnership, the Festival of Arts will offer Hilbert Museum e-newsletter subscribers a 20% discount on tickets to the 2025 Pageant of the Masters and will host a special “Hilbert Museum Night” on Wednesday, July 9.

In advance of the Pageant’s opening, the Hilbert Museum will host a June 4 panel discussion titled “Pageant of the Masters and California Art: The Hilbert Connection.” The event will feature the Pageant’s director and Hilbert Museum founder Mark Hilbert, with museum director Mary Platt serving as moderator. The hour-long talk will cover the origins of the Pageant theme, the selection of Hilbert Collection works, and behind-the-scenes insights into the planning of this year’s show. Tickets are $10 and expected to sell out.

The partnership will also include a series of social media and public relations collaborations, including a spotlight on Salamon’s Monday at the Crab Cooker, a painting that captures a meeting between the artist, Mark Hilbert and curator Gordon McClelland discussing future museum plans.

To receive discounted ticket information and event updates, those interested are encouraged to sign up for the Hilbert Museum e-newsletter at hilbertmuseum.org/join-our-email-list.

The museum recently completed a major expansion that tripled its space to 22,000 square feet across two buildings. Located across from the Orange Metrolink station on the Chapman University campus, the Hilbert Museum is home to more than 5,000 pieces of California narrative art and Golden Age Hollywood studio art.

All five Hilbert Collection works selected for this year’s Pageant are currently on display at the museum. Among them is Millard Sheets’ 40-foot mosaic Pleasures Along the Beach, which was rescued in 2019 from a Home Savings & Loan in Santa Monica, restored, and integrated into the museum’s new façade. 

In this year’s Pageant, it is featured just before the iconic finale, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

For details on exhibitions and events, visit hilbertmuseum.org.