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Top o’ the morning to ya folks! It’s getting to be that time of year, when green clovers decorate our dreams of the rolling hills of Ireland. The Irvine Barclay Theater is bringing back its St. Patrick’s Day tradition of the sellout hit An Irish Hooley, presented by Kerry Records on Wednesday, March 17. Come join in on the irresistible merriment at this joyful family friendly event!

A hooley, what by golly is a hooley? I’m so glad you asked! A hooley is an old-fashioned Irish term for a dance or “boisterous party.” The Emerald Isle has been honored as the origin and home of some of the world’s most talented poets, writers, musicians and artists. This performance celebrates the incredible inheritance of Ireland in a piece that invites you to join in on the fun.

Traditional Irish instruments that create the melodies of the Celtic world come in all shapes and forms, from Pipes, flutes, harp, fiddles and bodhráns, to dancing, singing and of course storytelling, this Irish Holley is sure to be a hit! Dubliner Laura Turner will lead an interactive sing-along during the show with audience participation required.

The history of The Hooley is founded in the generations of celebration and good conversation flowing freely from the corners of every village in Ireland. The location did not matter to the community, the Hooley could be held at home, in a school house, dance hall, or even on the boats that brought the Irish culture to America. It is not a place; it’s a state of mind and an excuse for a cheerful gathering.

Kerry Records, the producer of An Irish Hooley, is the number one promoter of Irish Music and Culture on the West Coast. Based in L.A., it is an Irish owned production company that encourages the advancement of contemporary Irish music and the spoken arts, while supporting the performance, recording and preservation of the country’s priceless music and history.

An Irish Hooley begins at 8p.m. at the Irvine Barclay Theatre located at 4242 Campus Drive. Tickets range from $22 for children, $33 for seniors and $38 for adults. To order, please call ticket office at 949.854.4646 or visit the event website at www.thbarclay.org. Tickets can also be found through ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com.

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The traditions of Saint Patrick’s Day are celebrated in a variety of ways throughout the world. The first parade for the green holiday took place interestingly enough, NOT in Ireland! So where was the first Saint Patrick’s Day Parade you ask? It was held in New York City on March 17, 1762 when Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through the city to help reconnect them with their heritage. Reconnect with the Irish in you this season with the St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Costa Mesa, March 14th, and the St. Patrick’s Day Cruise in Dana Point on March 17th.

Put the ‘Rock’ in ‘Shamrock’ and celebrate the artistic traditions of live artistic entertainment at the 4th annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Costa Mesa. World class performers will be featured, from dancers to musicians, including Electric Cellist Marston Smith and a Celtic Stilt Walker. Dance troupes from around southern California such as Claddagh School of Irish Dance and Aniar Academy of Irish Dance will charm the audience at the OC fair grounds.

The St. Patrick’s Day Festival also includes a comedy and magic show performed by Abbit the Average Leprechaun and free Green Mint Ice Cream along with other swap meet activities. The event invites attendees of all ages to celebrate a bit o’ Irish lore beginning at 9am. This is a fun and affordable activity for families with ticket prices at only $2 with kids ages twelve and under free. For more information call 949.723.6660 or visit the event website at http://www.ocmarketplace.com.

After you tuck in the kids to bed after the weekend of family fun, settle down with your true love and step aboard 95’ Dana Pride on March 17th for a romantic St. Patrick’s Day Cruise in Dana Point. Set against the breathtaking O.C. coastline, you and your partner will watch the sunset as you search for whales, dolphins and other marine life. Kick back with a cocktail from the ship’s full cash bar and be sure to wear your green! Mates without a touch of clover will sure to be pinched!

This unique trip puts the “Kiss me” in the phrase “Kiss me I’m Irish” or even for those Irish at heart! The ship leaves port for its two hour tour at 4 p.m. Enjoy a complimentary glass of green beer as you cruise through the waves. Tickets are just $29 for adults. For more information on the cruise, to buy tickets or see other unique whale watching opportunities visit the event website at http://www.danawharf.com.

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Some of our most fond memories as children are often cuddling up in our bed right before we drift into dreamland and listening to our parents tell us stories of far off lands. The Pacific Symphony takes this comforting experience and elevates it, bringing story time to a whole new world. Come and join the musical group with an afternoon of Musical Storytime at 3:30pm at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center in Mission Viejo.

Sponsored by Disneyland, this event finds the happiest place in your heart for music. It is a wonderful opportunity for you and your child to play instruments, sing and dance along to the classic story of The Little Red Hen Sees Blue! The little red hen works hard all day long to create a delicious treat, but will any of her friends help her? Kids ages 4-7 and accompanying adults young at heart will learn the joys of making music and lasting memories together.

The core purpose of the Pacific Symphony is to enrich “the human spirit through superior performances of symphonic music and community engagement.” The organization celebrated its 30th anniversary in its 2008-2009 season and is the largest orchestra formed in the United States in the last 40 years. This season is a milestone for its Music Director, Carl St. Clair, as he celebrates his 20th anniversary with the orchestra. Come join him in sharing his vision for the future of the Pacific Symphony in the community.

Rooted in its multi-cultural home of Orange County, the Symphony seeks to make strides on both national and international music scenes. It is also a proud to partner with the Orange County Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, supporting Music and Movement Education.

The Pacific Symphony performs more than 100 concerts every year, touching more than 275,000 O.C. residents, from school children to senior citizens. The talented musical group continues to grace the stage of the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine for its outdoor summer concert series.

Tickets are $15 per person and program. Participants will have another opportunity to experience the musical event on Saturday, March 27th when it returns with Musical Storytime featuring the tall-tale of Jack and the Beanstalk! The Norman P. Murray Center in Mission Viejo is located at 24932 Veteran’s Way. For more information on the Pacific Symphony visit the organization’s website at www.PacificSymphony.org.

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We all can feel the long winter weather dragging along this year. The cool air and moisture filled clouds often make us want to cuddle up under our blankets with some warm soup and watch our favorite flicks. Well it’s officially time to kick off the sheets and hop into our running shoes! This Saturday, March 13, join the O.C. Chili Winter Trail Run to keep you motivated and fit during the cold season.

The course begins bright and early at 8:30 a.m. and will bring runners on a 5 mile trail through the scenic landscape of O’Neill Regional Park. This is a community event and features so much more than a brisk morning run. In addition to the fun-filled raffle, from 9a.m. to 11a.m. there will be a campfire and Chili Cook Off to keep runners warm, fit and well fed.

The trail run seeks to benefit Trails4All, a not for profit organization that assists in coordinating volunteer trail projects and to raise funds to support volunteer groups that undertake those projects. Trails4All is working with a network of about thirty groups, agencies and retail stores, and includes outdoor enthusiasts such as hikers, mountain bikers, trail runners and equestrians.

We all have experienced the effect of the struggling economy in our lives, but many do not consider the effect on our local recreation areas. It is estimated that over 700 miles of natural surface and trails are shared in Orange County, and although the land increases each year, the county’s budget for the park system decreases. Trails4All uses its generous donations to contribute to the maintenance and improvements of these natural resources.

The organization continues to welcome members, sponsors, donations and volunteers to help continue its efforts. Participants can be involved with trail construction, environmental clean-ups for creeks and watersheds, instructional seminars, youth programs and of course trail maintenance. Volunteers are also welcome to contribute their time at the O.C. Chili Winter Run Series and can sign up on the event website.

The March 13 run is actually the second in the O.C. Chili Winter Run Series, with the next race being held April 17. Registration prices vary and those who sign up have the option of buying a high quality fashionable t-shirt to show your commitment to your fitness and the organization’s efforts. You can find more information and past race pictures and results on the event website at www.bookthatevent.com.

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We’ve all heard of March Madness, but what about Orange County’s own March Mudness? Hosted by 5 Star Generation, the 2010 March Mudness Mud Run is set for Saturday, March 13 at Camp James in Irvine from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event offers the ultimate competition for active enthusiasts who don’t mind diving in the dirt and help build their community and confidence.

This unique Mud Run course has been redesigned and is equipped with new twists and turns. The 5 mile and 5K race ventures in an out-and-back course loop that takes the competition through bunkers, trenches, tires, logs and deep pits. The path runs through the old lion country safari pits and crevices with surprises around every corner. Racers will experience the thrills of running through the jungle, the lurking adventure of swampland and the desolate terrain of the desert all in one day!
The muddy activities continue throughout the event as 5 Star Generation also offers teams to participate in the All-Sport Competition. Sign-ups for these challenges are only available on “Race Day” and check-in is at the basketball court on location. These contests will test teams at their sports skills as well as team unity.

The organization is proud to contribute to the inspiring youth organizations that help build the future of O.C. It is a community of young people who seek to acquire knowledge, accomplish service, and accelerate change in their world. They are role models and mentors who thrive in helping others. March Mudness will benefit the Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA and other local youth athletic programs.

With the recent impact of the devastation in Haiti still fresh in our minds, the event seeks to support the efforts of supplying those in need of basic essentials. Race participants are encouraged to donate their own shoes after the run. Collection boxes will be available on site and thanks are extended by all of the organizations who are continuing to collect for relief efforts in Haiti.

All ages are welcome to March Mudness. The minimum age for participating in the 5 Mile run is 15-years-old and 11 -years-old for the 5K run! Since getting muddy is the purpose of this charitable event, activities will be held rain or shine! Teams of five or more are permitted to compete and only teams of five are eligible for awards.

Come out, get dirty and help the youth in Orange County. Camp James is located next to Wild Rivers Water Park and Verizon Amphitheater at 8790 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine CA 92618.

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One of the most exciting weeks of the year has officially Teed Off in Southern California. The Toshiba Classic has returned to Newport Beach to welcome golf legends and the community to share in the charitable efforts to benefit Hoag Memorial Hospital and other Orange County organizations. The tournament began Monday, March 1 and will continue through Sunday, March 7. Tickets are still available and special promotions will be running throughout the Classic.

Over the past twelve years, with the help of Orange County community members, the PGA Toshiba Classic has raised over $12 million for participating charities. “Swing for the Green” is back for its third annual Recycling Event, providing the community a free and easy way to responsibly dispose of e-waste. In return, the PGA gives its thanks by offering two complimentary admission tickets good for one day of the tournament. The promotion will run from Friday March 5th to Sunday March 7th. See event website for details. Don’t miss your chance to give back to the environment and the community!

In addition to its green initiatives, the Toshiba Classic also contributes its resources and time to some of the most important stars in our life – our kids! In partnership with Charles Schwab, the tournament hosts the Charles Schwab Family Day on Saturday, March 6.

The day features family discounts and activities for Orange County youngsters, including the chance to learn essential golf fundamentals, instructed by industry legends. Fuzzy Zoeller and Andy Bean will contribute their time to provide complimentary instruction at the Newport Beach Country Club driving range immediately following play on Saturday. All children ages 6-12 are invited to participate in this fun-filled free clinic.

Golfers who held the Toshiba Classic Championship Title are returning in attempt to reclaim its prestige and are among the long list of decorated athletes. Past winners include: Edwardo Romero (2009), Bernhard Langer (2008), Jay Haas (2007), and Hale Irwin (1998 & 2002). Competition will be fierce and motivations are high to be a part of this year’s Orange County tournament.

The incredible history of the Classic’s charitable financial success has been driven by the generous support provided by Southern California businesses. Each year over 150 sponsors, 1200 volunteers and 85,000 spectators participate. This year is no different. A recent independent study performed by Economic Research Associates the economic impact of this tournament to exceed $26 million. The week-long event will be televised domestically on The Golf Channel and internationally on PGA Tour broadcast partners.

The Classic Pro-Am presented by Emulex is the first day of competition. Amateur teams of four are paired with a different PGA Champions Tour player on each day of this two day competition. The week continues on Friday, March 5th with the first round of professional competition. For a full schedule of events and tee times please visit the event website at http://www.toshibaclassic.com.

The PGA and its charitable affiliates, including Hoag Hospital Centers of Excellence, looks forward to meeting you at this year’s Toshiba Classic Championship Tournament. Enjoy the Green!

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Alive, alive, I want to get up and jive, I want to wreck my stockings in some juke box dive.” These poetic lyrics come from the song “All I Want” by multitalented artist Joni Mitchell.

The legendary folk music musician is coming to the Irvine Barclay Theater Thursday February 25th at 8 p.m. to share her collaborative masterpiece “The Fiddle and The Drum” with Orange County. The artist partners up with the Alberta Ballet and its Artistic Director Jean Grand- Maître to bring a creative performance that celebrates the marriage of art and music.

“The Fiddle and The Drum” is a semi-abstract narrative ballet that is danced in a neo-classical style set to the soundtrack of Joni Mitchell’s compelling music and most recent visual artwork. Large canvas screens will be projected with her innovative imagery, painting the atmosphere of each scene for the 29 athletic dancers of the Alberta Ballet.

Jean Grand- Maître directs the Alberta Ballet’s team of dancers as they use sensual and powerful movements to command the attention of the audience. The program is meant to fuse contemporary eclectic art forms through exploring the human spirit’s dual potential to both create and destroy. It is the timeless story of the struggle between love and hate and the capacity for both war and peace. “The Fiddle and The Drum” is an opportunity to experience a symbolic world that awakens and stirs the soul.

Joni Mitchell is a Canadian musician, songwriter and painter. After singing in small nightclubs and busking on the streets of Toronto, Mitchell set off to New York City in the 1960’s to follow the rich folk music scene of the times. After finding fame first as a songwriter, she let her soprano voice carry her to the West Coast, settling in Southern California. Inspiration came from all corners of the music industry, influenced by jazz, melding it with pop, folk and rock on her experimental albums throughout the years. Allmusic once said that the artist “may stand as the most important and influential female recording artist of the late 20th century.”

The Alberta Ballet is a not-for-profit charitable organization in Canada, and is the country’s third largest dance company in its 43rd season. “The way we perform ballet has evolved, just like music and opera. There’s a dynamic modern energy to it, which really is very expressive of our joys and our anxieties and our lives to date,” says Director Jean Grand- Maître. The performance collaboration of “The Fiddle and The Drum” is proudly headlined at this year’s Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad.

There is no better time than now to experience the marriage of two of the most gifted artistic inspirations of our day. The show begins at 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 25. A very small number of tickets are available for Gold Seats at a price of $100, which includes VIP seating and complimentary wine or other beverages before the show. General tickets are $28. For more information or to buy tickets online please go to the Irvine Barclay Website at www.thebarclay.org.

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They fly, they float and you can often see a rainbow in their transparent glistening liquid. What am I referring to? Well, bubbles of course! Snap, crackle and pop your way to exploring the magical world of bubbles! The city of Laguna Niguel invites you and your young ones to experience Bubble Mania at this month’s Family Fun Night! The show starts at 7 p.m. at Crown Valley Community Park View Room on Friday, February 19th.

This interactive show features a skilled Bubblologist who will create bubbles that spark the imagination. You and your young ones have the chance to see square bubbles, rainbow bubbles, triangle bubbles, bubbles within bubbles, and even bubbles bouncing on bubbles! The audience will have the ultimate experience with the chance to be inside a giant bubble! Imagine that!

Bubbles, being a phenomenon of nature, have always been around, but the sport of playing with bubbles didn’t really exist before soap. The history of these mystical spheres starts with the Pear Soap Company, in England. The company was responsible for the 19th century popularization of both soap and bubble blowing. There are many toys that exist now that create all shapes and sizes of bubbles, but when they began, they were largely limited to bubble pipes until the middle of the 20th century.

In the world of modern toys for kids of all ages, there are so many types of bubble makers to excite the youth of any age. There are automatic bubble machines dressed up as our favorite cartoon characters, dip bottles, and race cars that create a playful and creative atmosphere. We can even make our very own bubble makers from home. Grown-ups also have their place in the bubble world as more modern wedding ceremonies are replacing rice with delicate floating bubbles as they walk off into their new life together. This truly is a show for all ages!

The Crown Valley Community Park View Room is located at: 29751 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677. Tickets are at the special pricing of only $3 to celebrate 20 years of Cityhood. Seats are available on first come, first serve basis. More information can be found on the city website at http://cityoflagunaniguel.org or call 949.425.5100.

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A bouquet of loving flowers is often the iconic token of Valentine’s Day Celebrations, connecting nature to the pure meaning of the word “Love.” This year, Orange County residents are invited to experience a new way to kick-start their romance with adventure. Connect with your partner by sharing a Valentine’s Day Hike at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park Sunday, February 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Hikers will enjoy the beautiful vistas of Laguna Canyon as they search for early wildflowers blooming in the brush. The trail is a moderate 2-mile trip, with a 400 foot elevation gain over steep and rocky terrain. Couples and nature lovers alike will have the opportunity to learn about love in the wild with Orange County Interpretive Specialist Laura Cohen and volunteers from the Laguna Canyon Foundation.

For those seeking to experience the history of California firsthand, the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park provides this unique landscape to its visitors as it has existed for thousands of years. It is part of the Natural Community Conservation Planning program, which is intended to help care for rare and endangered species. Some of the wildlife benefiting from the program’s efforts includes the California Gnatcatcher, Orange-Throated Whiptail, Mule Deer, Long-tailed Weasel, Bobcat, Red-tailed Hawk and many more.

The slopes and hilltops are covered by the Coastal Sage Scrub that lay among patches of Native Valley Grassland and Maritime Chaparral. Hikers may stroll through the riparian habitats lined with the aromas given by Oak, Willow and Sycamore trees.

The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park is one of many recreation areas of the over 20,000 acres of the South Coast Wilderness Area. Additional parks to the land include the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park, Chrystal Cove State Park, and the City of Irvine Open Space. Trails throughout the lands provide a pleasure to exploring the natural habitat indigenous to Orange County.

To embark on the Valentine’s Day Hike please call 949-923-2235. Hikers will meet at the Little Sycamore Canyon Staging Area/Nix Nature Center located on the west side of Laguna Canyon Road/SR-133, approximately 3.5 miles south of I-5/405. Reservations are required. For more information on the Nature Center and upcoming events please visit www.lagunacanyon.org. Parking fee is $3. The adventure costs a mere $5 but the experience with your loved one is priceless.

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“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee,The more I have, for both are infinite.” These words were written in the greatest love story of all time – Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. The story has been told in many forms, from music and lyrics to interpretive dances and theatrical productions. Art of all forms often compliment the written word and blend together in creating new expressions to classic tales. This Valentine’s Day, the Pacific Chorale comes to the Orange County Performing Arts Center to celebrate the heartfelt season of love with a “Romantic Affair.”

There will be two performances at the Samueli Theater on February 12th and 13th at 8 p.m. The multi-talented John Alexander Singers will be led by seasoned conductor, Robert Istad. The program combines the Renaissance madrigals by Monteverdi and Morley and the romantic text settings by Barber, Lauridsen, Poulenc and Whitacre. Words and musical notes collide in an explosion of emotion on the theater stage.

The performance will also be graced with the operatic selections by Bizet and Strauss with favorites from classic musicians James Taylor and the Beatles. Sounds from Broadway and jazz classics and the premiere of the winning work from Pacific Chorale’s Young Composers Competition will add an eclectic flair to the show.

The Pacific Chorale is an internationally recognized musical group that is known for its exceptional artistic expression that honors American programming and impactful education programs. Its inspiration has been fueled by an Old World art form that has been fused with California’s staple innovation and cultural independence.

There have been many listeners and music lovers who have praised the group’s many performances throughout its history. In October of 2008, Timothy Mangan, writer for the Orange County Register reviews the group as he describes, “The Pacific Chorale is a terrific group. John Alexander, for 36 years its leader, has turned it into a luxury model – super polished, richly blended, smooth riding. One hardly notices the road when enveloped by its sound. The sound is just there, seemingly exactly as it should be.” The sound simply exists in beauty, just as love does in friends and romantic partners.

So bring your loved one and begin your romantic weekend in style by joining this immensely talented group of musicians as they play songs that touch the heart. The performances are presented, in part, by season sponsors Phillip N. and Mary A Lyons.

For more information on the musical group or to purchase tickets please visit the Pacific Chorale website at http://www.pacificchorale.org. To take a peek at the show program visit the event website. Tickets range from $29 to $85. For more information on the OC Performing Arts Center and to learn about upcoming shows an events visit the venue’s website at http://www.ocpac.org.