There’s variety, excitement, and reasons for celebrating life and community during Segerstrom Center’s March line-up of free events on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza. Observe a treasured Chinese tradition by celebrating the Lunar New Year during a Lantern Festival on March 4. Women everywhere, but especially those here in Orange County, are honored during the ¡DAMAS!—Celebrating Women Creators on March 10. Local women creators and artists will relate their personal stories and journeys, inspiring and empowering everyone with dreams and ambitions. Visitors and patrons attending the March 16 and 17 evening performances by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan should arrive early for a bite to eat or a little libation at the Plaza’s Center 360 cafe and enjoy live Taiwanese music. Stay with Segerstrom Center throughout the month, winding up with Swing at Six on March 23 and 30 and April 6, a series of three free Swing Dance classes capped by a wonderful Sip & Swing Party on April 15.
Lantern Festival 2018
Sunday, March 4—12-6 p.m.
Celebrate the end of the Lunar New Year at the third annual Lantern Festival presented by Pacific Symphony in partnership with South Coast Chinese Cultural Center/Irvine Chinese School. Handmade lanterns will transform the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall and the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza. Fun and family-friendly festival performances and activities are free and open to the public. Local dance and music groups will entertain. You can decorate your very own lantern, try your hand at solving a riddle, learn Chinese folk dancing, and more.
¡DAMAS!—Celebrating Women Creators
Saturday, March 10—5:30-7:30 p.m.
Prior to globalFEST in Samueli Theater (ticketed event)
In honor of International Women’s Day March 8, the Center invites you to celebrate the power and diversity of Orange County women. You’ll have the opportunity to hear compelling and inspiring real-life stories from female creators and learn powerful and effective forms of self-expression. ¡DAMAS! will recognize the innovative ways women use art to better their communities. Try something new: participate in a yoga class, bind your own journal, and add your unique twist to a collaborative community art project. ¡DAMAS! precedes the 7:30 p.m. performance of globalFEST in Samueli Theater, where critically acclaimed all-female Mariachi band Flor de Toloache will perform along with Las Cafeteras. ¡DAMAS!—Celebrating Women Creators is free. Tickets to globalFEST are $65 and available online at SCFTA.org, at the Box Office at 600 Town Center Dr. in Costa Mesa or by calling 714-556-2787. For inquiries about group ticket savings for 10 or more, call the Group Services office at 714-755-0236.
Pre-Performance Music on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza
Friday & Saturday, March 16 & 17, 6:15-7:30 p.m.
Prior to performances by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan in Segerstrom Hall (ticketed event)
Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan comes to Segerstrom Center for the first time performing the West Coast premiere of its new work, “Formosa.” The ballet tells the legend of the Portuguese sailors gazing out from the decks of ships off the coast of China during the 16th century. They saw a great green mass, thick with mountains and trees, rising from the sea. “Formosa!” they exclaimed—“beautiful!”—anointing the verdant place that would come to be known to the world as Taiwan. Taiwanese musicians perform free pre-show concerts on the Argyros Plaza before the March 16 and 17 evening performances.
Swing at Six
March 23 & 30, April 6—6-7 p.m.
Sip & Swing Party
April 15—5-7 p.m.
Brush up on your best dance moves in preparation for the Center’s big Sip & Swing Party on Sunday, April 15 from 5-7 p.m. First steps first: Grab your dance shoes and meet us on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza for Swing at Six—a series of three Swing Dance classes from 6-7 p.m. on Fridays:
March 23 & 30 and April 6. Mandy Mykitta of Dare to Dance Studio in Huntington Beach will teach Single Time East Coast Swing on March 23, Jangle Przytulski of Bella Ball in Orange will teach the Lindy Hop on March 30, and Martin Parker of Dance Scene Dance Studio in Costa Mesa will teach the West Coast Swing on April 6. Then, if you think you can dance—come back for the Sip & Swing Dance Party on April 15 from 5-7 p.m.
