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From Live Music to Moonlight Hikes: 10 May Events Around Irvine

Issue # 0626

Author

Joshua Tjia
06 May

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🌕🛍️🎨 From Live Music to Moonlight Hikes: 10 May Events Around Irvine

🚔📲 IPD Advises Public to Remain Vigilant Against Phone Spoofing Scams

🧋🥧 Sweet May Deal: 85°C Bakery Cafe Offers 50% Off Drinks With Egg Tart Orders

🚜🌱 Fresh Blackberry Picking and Tractor Rides Are Back at Tanaka Farms

🛌 UC Irvine Study Links Sleep Apnea During REM Sleep to Early Cognitive Decline

🌳🌱 Explore Bommer Canyon and Beyond on a Scenic Guided Fitness Hike, May 11

🎶🎹 Pacific Symphony Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary with Special Concert Series

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐇 What To Do If You Discover a Nest of Baby Rabbits

🏐 Freshman Andreas Brinck Named Anteater of the Week After Standout NCAA Performance

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏃‍♀️🏃🏽 Crean Lutheran Boys & Girls Track Teams Win Freeway League Titles

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do penguins eat for lunch?

Ice-burgers!

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

From Live Music to Moonlight Hikes: 10 May Events Around Irvine

May is packed with entertainment, outdoor adventures, live music, and family-friendly events across Irvine. Check out some of the happenings below.

  • Wilderness Access Day – Explore Bommer Canyon Preserve trails at your own pace during this monthly hiking and mountain biking event. (May 16)

  • Billy Currington Concert – The country musician performs his biggest hits live under the stars at Great Park Live. (May 8)

  • “Puppy Pals Live” – Rescue dogs perform stunts and comedy in this family-friendly show featured on “America’s Got Talent.” (May 17)

  • Silent Disco – Dance outdoors with headphones and live DJs at Irvine Spectrum Center. (May 23 and 30)

  • Pete Lee Comedy Shows – The comedian brings his upbeat humor to Irvine Improv for a multi-night stand-up run. (May 14–16)

  • “Defying Gravity” with Stephen Schwartz – The award-winning Broadway composer shares music and stories from productions like “Wicked.” (May 23)

  • Swift Nation 2026 – A Taylor Swift tribute concert featuring fan-favorite songs from every era. (May 9)

  • 2026 Irvine Dream Run – A 5K and 3K community race benefiting the Sunstone Community Fund, plus a post-race expo and family activities. (May 9)

  • Modern Makers Mart – Shop local handmade goods, food, and live music at outdoor markets in Woodbury and Woodbridge. (May 9–10 and May 16–17)

  • Full Moon Hike – Enjoy an evening guided hike through Irvine Open Space Preserve with scenic nighttime views. Registration required. (May 31)

IPD Advises Public to Remain Vigilant Against Phone Spoofing Scams

The Irvine Police Department warns about phone scams where criminals use “spoofing” to make it look like they’re calling from a real police number. These scammers may claim you’re involved in an investigation and pressure you to send money, but real law enforcement will never ask for payments—always hang up and verify the call using an official number.

Tips to Stay Safe:

  • Don’t trust caller ID alone—it can be faked through spoofing

  • Hang up immediately if you feel pressured or threatened

  • Look up the agency’s official phone number and call them directly

  • Never send money, gift cards, crypto, or wire transfers to “resolve” an investigation

  • Take your time—scammers rely on urgency and fear

Sweet May Deal: 85°C Bakery Cafe Offers 50% Off Drinks With Egg Tart Orders

This May, app members at 85°C Bakery Cafe can enjoy a special limited-time deal: buy a 2-piece 85°C Egg Tart or Mochi Egg Tart and get 50% off one drink. The offer is valid through May 31, for in-store or online orders through the 85°C app.

Fresh Blackberry Picking and Tractor Rides Are Back at Tanaka Farms

Blackberry Picking Tours are back this week at Tanaka Farms from May 6–10. Families can hop on a tractor ride, enjoy fresh blackberry picking straight from the vine, and experience a fun day on the farm. Each tour has limited seating with one tractor and 40 seats available, so guests are encouraged to reserve their spots early.

Find more information here

UC Irvine Study Links Sleep Apnea During REM Sleep to Early Cognitive Decline

UC Irvine researchers found that sleep apnea during REM sleep may be connected to early brain changes linked to memory loss and cognitive decline. Their study showed that low oxygen levels during this stage of sleep could affect memory-related parts of the brain, even in older adults who do not show signs of memory problems. The research was supported by the National Institute on Aging and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine Foundation at University of California, Irvine.

Explore Bommer Canyon and Beyond on a Scenic Guided Fitness Hike, May 11

Join the “Monday Morning Super Trek: Bommer and Beyond” on Monday, May 11, for a challenging 10–11 mile guided hike through Bommer Canyon Preserve, Laguna Coast, and Crystal Cove parks. The level-5 hike includes steep climbs, narrow trails, and about 1,800 feet of elevation gain at a moderate pace.

Pacific Symphony Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary with Special Concert Series

Alexander Shelley will lead the Pacific Symphony in a special “America at 250” concert series May 28–30 at Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States through a mix of classic and modern American music. The program features pianist Conrad Tao performing Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F, the West Coast premiere of American Mosaic by Peter Boyer with visuals by Joe Sohm, and Inscription II by Raven Chacon, highlighting the diversity and evolution of American music.

Find tickets here

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. May 15, 5:00-8:00 PM: Jazz at the Oaks, NHS

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://timbmusic.org/events/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. May 9, 7:00 PM: Open Mic Night, Black Box

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://woodbridgechoirs.weebly.com/calendar.html

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

  1. May 9: Glendale Festival, Glendale HS

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.ihschoralmusic.org/calendar.html 

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

  1. May 14 - 15: PORCHELLA 2026, Portola High Amphitheater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.phsmusicbooster.org/buy-ticket

What To Do If You Discover a Nest of Baby Rabbits

If you happen to find a nest of baby rabbits, it’s usually best to give them space and allow their mother to continue caring for them. Mother rabbits often keep a very low profile during the day and typically return only a couple of times daily to feed their babies, even if they are not immediately seen nearby.

  • 🐇 Keep pets and children away from the nest area.

  • 🌿 Avoid touching, moving, or disturbing the nest or babies.

  • 👀 Observe from a safe distance whenever possible.

  • ✨ You can place a few small pieces of grass over the nest and check later to see if they have moved, which may mean the mother returned.

  • ☎️ If the nest appears damaged or the babies seem injured, contact Irvine Animal Services at 949-724-7092 for assistance.

Freshman Andreas Brinck Named Anteater of the Week After Standout NCAA Performance

Freshman Andreas Brinck was named Anteater of the Week after helping UC Irvine men's volleyball upset UCLA and beat Penn State in the NCAA Regional. UC Irvine now faces Ball State Cardinals men's volleyball in the NCAA semifinals May 9.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Women's Track & Field

  • Fri, May 8 - Big West Multi-Event Championships, TBA

  • Sat, May 9 - Big West Multi-Event Championships, TBA

Men’s Track & Field

  • Fri, May 8 - Big West Multi-Event Championships, TBA

  • Sat, May 9 - Big West Multi-Event Championships, TBA

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

No further upcoming home games for this month.

Crean Lutheran Boys & Girls Track Teams Win Freeway League Titles

Crean Lutheran High School’s boys and girls track & field teams are Freeway League Champions after going undefeated in four league meets and continuing their strong performance at league finals.

High School Athletics Calendar

**

Updated With May Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

May 2026

Wednesday, May 6

  • Tennis, Boys - 3:00 - 7:00 PM vs San Juan Hills - Boys Tennis CIFSS- DIII Round 1

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

May 9 Forever K-Pop 3 PM

May 9 Splash into Safety 5:30 PM

May 14 Free Grocery Food Box 9 AM - 12 PM

May 17 PSSS: Recomposed 1 PM

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