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Hop Into April: 10 Can’t-Miss Irvine Events This Month

Issue # 0379

Author

Joshua Tjia
04 Apr

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🩰🍿🎶 Hop Into April: 10 Can’t-Miss Irvine Events This Month

🌳🏞️ A New Place to Gather and Unwind – South Lake Cascade Plaza in the Works at Great Park

🍥🎻 Experience Naruto Like Never Before – Live Orchestra Concert Hits Segerstrom Hall April 13

💚🥄💚 Yogurtland Offers Free Pistachio Giant Spoon with $12 Purchase on April 14

🌌🎥 Free Outdoor Movies Coming to Irvine This August at OC Parks Sunset Cinema

🌱🤧 How to Survive Spring Allergies: Tips from UCI Health

🪶🌵 Saving the Wren: How a New Irvine Partnership Is Helping a Rare Bird Make a Comeback

🎨🌳 Plein Air Painting Class for Kids Ages 8–12 at Heritage Community Park

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🐕 Heartworm Awareness Month: Keep Pets Safe with Year-Round Prevention

🏐 Men’s Volleyball Standout Hilir Henno Named Anteater of the Week After Long Beach Upset

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏐 IVC Men’s Volleyball Wins Fifth Straight, Prepares for Key Showdown at Golden West

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

⚾️ Woodbridge Baseball Wins 2025 Ryan Lemmon Invitational, DeMarco Named MVP

🏈🎾 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

Why did the cat have trouble writing his second novel?

He only had one tail to tell.

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

Hop Into April: 10 Can’t-Miss Irvine Events This Month

From spring festivals to live performances and outdoor fun, Irvine is bursting with events for all ages this April. Here are 10 must-do activities around town:

  1. Parsons Dance at Irvine Barclay Theatre – Experience bold, athletic contemporary dance by the renowned Parsons Dance company. April 17 at 8 p.m., thebarclay.org

  2. Egg-a-POOL-Looza – Enjoy an egg hunt in the pool, bounce houses, Easter Bunny photos, and more family fun. April 5, 1–5 p.m. at William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center, yourirvine.org

  3. Strawberry Picking at Tanaka Farms – Take a guided tractor ride, pick fresh strawberries, and meet barnyard animals. Reservations required, tanakafarms.com

  4. Boots & Brews Country Music Festival – Dance to country hits by Jake Owen, Jerrod Niemann, and Raelynn at Great Park Live. April 11, 5–10 p.m., bootsandbrews.com

  5. Easter Eggstravaganza at Irvine Park Railroad – Hop over for egg hunts, train rides, and Easter Bunny photos. Daily through April 19, irvineparkrailroad.com

  6. Open Space Celebration at Quail Hill – Start your day with a free pancake breakfast and explore Irvine’s trails on a guided hike. April 19, 9 a.m., cityofirvine.org

  7. Jazz in the Palm Court – Relax with live jazz at the Palm Court Arts Complex—no ticket or registration needed. April 19, 1–3 p.m.

  8. Christopher Titus at Irvine Improv – Laugh out loud with Emmy-nominated comedian Christopher Titus. April 17, 7:30 p.m., improv.com/irvine

  9. Movies Under the Stars at Irvine Spectrum – Watch “Wicked” (Apr 5) and “The Wild Robot” (Apr 19) outdoors with the family. 7 p.m. at Giant Wheel Lawn, irvinespectrumcenter.com

  10. Kidstock Music & Arts Festival at Pretend City – A week of music, dancing, and creativity for kids at this fun-filled festival. April 16–19 & 23–27, pretendcity.org

A New Place to Gather and Unwind – South Lake Cascade Plaza in the Works at Great Park

South Lake Cascade Plaza is a new scenic spot coming to the Great Park, perfect for gathering, exercising, picnicking, or relaxing. It will feature trails, boardwalks, and meadows with views of the future South Lake.

Learn more at greatparkframework.org.

Experience Naruto Like Never Before – Live Orchestra Concert Hits Segerstrom Hall April 13

NARUTO: The Symphonic Experience is a one-night-only live concert on April 13, at Segerstrom Hall that brings Naruto's journey to life through a two-hour film montage synced to a live orchestra performing Toshio Masuda’s original score. Featuring iconic scenes from over 220 episodes, beloved openings and endings, and interactive sing-alongs, this exclusive event offers fans a powerful and emotional celebration of Naruto’s path to becoming Hokage. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience! Find tickets here.

Yogurtland Offers Free Pistachio Giant Spoon with $12 Purchase on April 14


Yogurtland fans and Giant Spoon collectors—mark your calendars for April 14! Get a FREE Pistachio Giant Spoon with every $12 in-store food or drink purchase, with a max of 4 spoons per transaction. Spend $12 for 1 spoon, $24 for 2, and so on. Offer is valid only on 4/14, while supplies last.

Free Outdoor Movies Coming to Irvine This August at OC Parks Sunset Cinema

OC Parks Sunset Cinema is back with free Friday night movies under the stars from June 6 to August 29. Two showings will take place at Irvine Regional Park, so mark your calendars for:

  • August 15 – Elemental (PG, 2023)

  • August 22 – Shrek (PG, 2001)

Pack a blanket, bring the snacks, and enjoy a movie night outdoors!

How to Survive Spring Allergies: Tips from UCI Health

With Southern California’s spring super bloom comes a surge in pollen, triggering allergy symptoms like sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. UCI Health allergist Dr. Donald Levy recommends addressing symptoms early to avoid worsening reactions. Here's how to stay ahead of allergy season:

  • Check pollen counts and stay indoors when levels are high.

  • Keep windows closed and use air conditioning to filter indoor air.

  • Shower and change clothes after being outside to remove pollen.

  • Use non-drowsy antihistamines or nasal sprays (check with a doctor if you have other health conditions).

  • See a doctor if symptoms persist — allergy testing or shots may be needed for long-term relief.

Saving the Wren: How a New Irvine Partnership Is Helping a Rare Bird Make a Comeback

The Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC) has teamed up with Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund to restore habitat for the threatened Coastal Cactus Wren in Orange County. Backed by a $10,000 grant from customer "round-up" donations, the project focuses on restoring cactus scrub vegetation—essential for the bird's nesting—in Agua Chinon (OC Parks’ Limestone Canyon) and Chino Hills State Park. These efforts support long-term ecological health and biodiversity in the region. Restoration work began in October 2024 and includes cactus planting, irrigation, and weed control under IRC guidance.

Plein Air Painting Class for Kids Ages 8–12 at Heritage Community Park

Kids ages 8–12 can explore plein air painting — the art of painting outdoors — in a fun, hands-on class hosted by the Irvine Fine Arts Center. The class runs April 17 to May 1, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Heritage Community Park. Sign up at cityofirvine.org/yourirvine.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

  1. Apr 12th, 1:00 PM: Friends of Jazz Performance, Lone Wolf Brewing Co., Yorba Linda

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

Upcoming University High School's Choirs Calendar

  1. May 1-2, 7:00 PM: Broadway Rocks!, Big Theater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.uhschoirs.org/2024-25-season.html

Upcoming Woodbridge High School's Music Calendar

  1. April 17, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert, Segerstrom Performing Arts Center

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.whs-music.org/

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

  1. April 17, 7:00 PM: IUSD Honors Concert, Segerstrom Concert Hall.

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

Upcoming Irvine High School's Music Calendar

  1. May 2, 7:30 PM: Music Under the Stars (MUTS), Irvine Amphitheater

For the latest updates or additional details, please visit https://www.vimb.info/calendar

Heartworm Awareness Month: Keep Pets Safe with Year-Round Prevention

April is Heartworm Awareness Month—a reminder to protect your pets year-round. In 2024, 1 in 100 dogs and 1 in 200 cats tested positive for heartworm, a serious disease spread by infected mosquitoes. Treatment is tough for dogs and there’s no approved cure for cats, making consistent parasite prevention the best defense.

Men’s Volleyball Standout Hilir Henno Named Anteater of the Week After Long Beach Upset

Senior outside hitter Hilir Henno was named Sgt. Pepperoni’s Anteater of the Week after a standout performance leading UC Irvine men’s volleyball to a 3-0 upset over No. 1 Long Beach State with nine kills, three aces, and six digs. He followed that with 21 kills in a rematch loss, marking his third 20+ kill game this season. Henno averaged 5.00 kills, 1.17 digs, and 0.67 aces per set for the week. The Anteaters face UC San Diego next on April 4 at 7 p.m.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Tue, Apr 15 – vs LMU, 6:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  • Sat, Apr 5 – vs UC San Diego, 6:00 PM

  • Sat, Apr 12 – vs UC Santa Barbara, 6:00 PM

Women's Tennis

  • Sun, Apr 6 – vs Cal State Fullerton, 11:00 AM

Men's Tennis

  • Wed, Apr 9 – vs UC San Diego, 2:00 PM

  • Sat, Apr 12 – vs UC Santa Barbara, 12:00 PM

Women's Golf

  • Mon, Apr 14 – vs Big West Championships (Las Vegas, NV – Spanish Trail CC)

IVC Men’s Volleyball Wins Fifth Straight, Prepares for Key Showdown at Golden West

Irvine Valley men’s volleyball earned its fifth straight win, beating Grossmont 3-1 (25-17, 18-25, 25-15, 25-18) to improve to 14-5 overall and 8-3 in division play. Freshman Travis Kaufman led with 11 kills, hitting .409 with four aces. Spencer York added 10 kills, Joshua Damianopoulos had nine kills and five blocks, and Tucker McClain tallied eight kills and four blocks. Setter Bryce Nohava recorded 36 assists and eight digs, while libero Cage Gonzalez had 16 digs. IVC now gears up for a key match at Golden West, who leads them by one game in the standings.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Baseball

  • Sat, Apr 5 – vs Cypress, 12:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

  • Wed, Apr 9 - Orange Coast 6:00 PM

  • Fri, Apr 11 Santiago Canyon 6:00 PM

Women's Beach Volleyball

  • Fri, Apr 11 - Golden West 9:00 AM

  • Fri, Apr 11 - Riverside 10:00 AM

Women's Flag Football

  • Wed, Apr 9 Redlands TBA

Woodbridge Baseball Wins 2025 Ryan Lemmon Invitational, DeMarco Named MVP

Woodbridge High School’s baseball team won the 2025 Ryan Lemmon Invitational championship, defeating San Dimas 8-4 at Great Park Stadium. The win was especially meaningful as the tournament honors Ryan Lemmon, a former Woodbridge standout who passed away in 1994. Junior Vincent DeMarco was named tournament MVP after a stellar week, going 3-for-4 with four RBI in the final. Alex Johnson pitched 5 2/3 strong innings and Kyle Underwood closed it out. Coach Ryan Brucker, emotional about finally winning this special tournament, praised the team's performance and chemistry. This marks the school’s first title since the event was renamed in Lemmon’s honor.

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With April Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

April 2025

Monday, April 7

  • 3:15 PM – Tennis (Boys, VR) vs Valencia/Placentia at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 3:30 PM – Softball (VR) vs University at Irvine High School Softball Field

  • 4:00 PM – Lacrosse (Boys, VR) vs University at Irvine High School Stadium

Tuesday, April 8

  • 3:15 PM – Tennis (Boys, VR) vs University at Irvine High School Heritage Park

  • 5:15 PM – Volleyball (Boys, VR) vs University at Irvine High School Game Gym

Wednesday, April 9

  • 3:00 PM – Beach Volleyball (Girls, VR) vs Bell Gardens at Deerfield Park Beach Courts

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

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