Greer's OC

Amid the spectacular celebration last night to announce the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s new name (Segerstrom Center for the Arts), we were excited to learn about the venue’s new “Access for All” program, in which more than 10,000 tickets for various performance will be available for the special price of $10 each.

That piece of news made the feel-good evening feel even better. The night honored Henry Segerstrom and the Segerstrom family, who continue to give our community unsurpassed experiences in international dance performances, the world’s greatest classical, jazz and cabaret artists, award-winning Broadway musicals, innovative arts education, and much more.

Even special guest former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “I’ve been all around the world and I’ve never seen anything like this…this place is so special.”

It was a festive celebration under the stars, complete with a surprise performance by Grammy winner Chris Botti, and Rolling Stones’ back-up singer Lisa Fischer, a dazzling fireworks display and renowned Bolshoi Ballet stars Natalia Osipova and Ivan Vasiliev (who will be performing in a major new dance event at Segerstrom Hall in 2012).

600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. 714. 556.2121.

(Pictured above former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom and Center Board Chairman Tom McKernan at the renaming ceremony. Photo by Doug Gifford.)

Rock the Garden

Anaheim GardenWalk and OC Music Awards are hosting a three-night concert series starting tonight through Saturday from 6 to 10 p.m. during NAMM, the largest music (and some say loudest) trade show in the world. At each free concert three local SoCal bands will be performing live under the stars at GardenWalk’s “Gala Garden”. There will be food and beverage discounts throughout the GardenWalk. Tonight’s schedule: Billy Kernkamp, Big Bad Wolf, Michael Rosas, and DJ Velvet Touch. On Friday, The Color Turning, Two Guns, The Relatives Strangers with DJ Daria. On Saturday, Stone Ave., Soul Hustlers, Marc B. with DJ Velvet Touch. Anaheim Gardenwalk at 321 W. Katella Ave. in Anaheim.

Cure with Chili Cheese!

Help improve lives and ultimately find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis just by ordering chili cheese fries at OC-based Beach Pit BBQ. Starting today all six Beach Pit BBQ locations will contribute 25 cents of every order of chili cheese fries to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through 2011. Beach Pit BBQ’s Stone Ale chili cheese fries are made with potato planks, made from scratch chili with chunks of smoked brisket, ground beef and Stone Ale microbrew, and topped with cheddar cheese. ($5.95). Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. The average life expectancy of someone with CF is 37, up from age 18 nearly 25 years ago. Beach Pit BBQ restaurants are in Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Tustin, Old Towne Orange, Laguna Niguel, and Aliso Viejo.

Don’t Miss Cantoni’s!

Modern furniture fans will not want to miss Cantoni’s winter warehouse sale—only three days—Saturday through Monday. Save an additional 10 to 50% on great modern design, including seating, dining, bedroom, office, entertainment, tables, bar, lighting, rugs, art and accessories at its Irvine showroom. All sales are final. Items sold as is. Prior sales and special value items excluded. Nominal delivery fee. No holds or returns. Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday; and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday. 8650 Research Drive in Irvine. 949.585.9191.