Irvine High Opens New Performing Arts Center

Issue # 0381

Author

Joshua Tjia
08 Apr

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🎶🎼🎭 Irvine High Opens New Performing Arts Center

📚📖 Help Shape the Future of Irvine Libraries – Community Meeting on April 10

🍿 Comedy Night Returns to Woodbridge Community Center on May 2

🍙🍵 Discover Lagu Cafe: Irvine’s Cozy Spot for Japanese Comfort Food and Craft Tea

🌸🐇🌸 Hop Into Spring: Family Fun with Games, Egg Hunt & Magic Show on April 10

🤸🏻 Move with Confidence: Simple Habits That Help Seniors Stay Safe and Active

🦅🐍 Celebrate National Wildlife Week in Irvine’s Landmarks

🎨📢 Call for Submissions: 2025 Congressional Art Competition Now Open to Irvine High School Students

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈‍⬛🐈 Meet Emy, Catniss, Arco & Zedd — Senior Cats Ready for Their Forever Homes in Irvine

🎾 UC Irvine Men’s Tennis Tops Cal Poly 4-1, Remains Undefeated in Big West

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🎾 Irvine Valley Men’s Tennis Earns No. 4 Seed, Hosts Santa Barbara in SoCal Playoffs

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 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

How do you get a bunny to work overtime?

Simply raise its celery.

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

Irvine High Opens New Performing Arts Center

Irvine High School has opened a new 25,000-square-foot performing arts center featuring a 650-seat theater, black box space, scene shop, and dressing rooms—designed to elevate student creativity and community performances.

  • Funded by Measure E and completed for $35 million, the center debuted during the school’s 50th anniversary with a student-led “Mary Poppins” preview.

  • It joins other recent additions like Woodbridge High’s 36,000-square-foot complex (opened in 2021 for $23 million) and Irvine Valley College’s 62,500-square-foot Arts Village (opened in 2024 for $61 million), showcasing Irvine’s growing investment in student arts.

Help Shape the Future of Irvine Libraries – Community Meeting on April 10

Help shape the future of Irvine’s libraries by joining a community conversation on Thursday, April 10, from 6:30–7:15 p.m. at the University Community Center. Share your ideas on new services, programs, events, tech, and more. Be part of the discussion and make your voice heard! Details at irvinepubliclibrary.org.

Comedy Night Returns to Woodbridge Community Center on May 2

Comedy Night is back on Friday, May 2nd from 8:00–9:45 p.m. at the Woodbridge Community Center (doors open at 6:30 p.m.). Enjoy a night of laughs with three professional comedians featured on major networks and cruise lines.

  • Tickets ($26 each) go on sale online only at wva.simpletix.com starting Friday, April 11th at 9:00 a.m., with a limit of one table (6 seats) per household.

Discover Lagu Cafe: Irvine’s Cozy Spot for Japanese Comfort Food and Craft Tea

Lagu Cafe, a cozy Japanese Deli & Cafe in Irvine, offers handcrafted bites made with simple, high-quality ingredients and a focus on mindful, organic dining. Known for their traditional-yet-modern approach, Lagu blends comfort food with creative flair.

  • Try their sandwiches, flavorful onigiri, and refreshing matcha or hojicha drinks.

  • Whether you're stopping in for a savory bite or a soothing cup, Lagu invites you to relax and enjoy their unique flavors.

Hop Into Spring: Family Fun with Games, Egg Hunt & Magic Show on April 10

Celebrate the season at Hop Into Spring on Thursday, April 10, 2025, from 3–5 PM at the Irvine Katie Wheeler Library. Bring the whole family for outdoor fun including an egg hunt, chalk art, and games from 3–4 PM, followed by a magic show with Billy Bonkers from 4–5 PM. Free event for kids and families!

Move with Confidence: Simple Habits That Help Seniors Stay Safe and Active

Fear of falling can actually increase fall risk in older adults by leading to reduced activity, which weakens muscles and affects balance. Dr. Elham Arghami of UCI Health emphasizes the importance of daily exercise—like walking, tai chi, yoga, dancing, and gardening—to maintain strength, balance, and flexibility.

  • Staying active also boosts mental health and reduces depression.

  • Seniors should be cautious about drug interactions, as many common medications and supplements can cause dizziness or cognitive issues.

  • Annual medication reviews are essential.

  • Prompt medical attention after a fall is crucial, and smart devices like Apple Watches or Alexa can assist in emergencies.

  • Overall, staying active, aware, and connected is key to preventing falls and preserving independence.

Celebrate National Wildlife Week in Irvine’s Landmarks

It’s National Wildlife Week, a perfect time to appreciate the amazing wildlife that lives right here in Irvine’s Landmarks. From snakes and lizards to hawks and songbirds, this week is all about celebrating the crawly, furry, and feathered creatures that make our natural spaces so special.

Call for Submissions: 2025 Congressional Art Competition Now Open to Irvine High School Students

The 2025 Congressional Art Competition is now open to all high school students in Congressman Dave Min’s district, including those at Irvine High School. This prestigious, nationwide competition, sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives, offers students the opportunity to showcase their artistic talent, with the winning entry from each district displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

  • Acceptable mediums include painting, drawing, photography, collage, computer-generated art, mixed media, and prints, provided all work is original and adheres to copyright laws.

  • Submissions must not exceed 28 inches by 28 inches, 4 inches in depth, or 15 pounds in weight.

  • Students must deliver their artwork and completed Art Release Form to the Costa Mesa office no later than 5:00 PM on April 21.

  • For full details, visit here, or contact [email protected].

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

Meet Emy, Catniss, Arco & Zedd — Senior Cats Ready for Their Forever Homes in Irvine

Meet Emy, Catniss, Arco, and Zedd — four sweet senior cats at the Irvine Animal Care Center hoping to spend their golden years in a calm, loving home.

  • Each has a unique personality: shy but affectionate Emy, curious Catniss, loyal sidekick Arco, and helpful lap-cat Zedd.

  • Senior cats still have lots of love to give, and adopting one gives them a fresh start.

  • Stop by during adoption hours (11 a.m.–4 p.m.) to meet them.

  • More info at cityofirvine.org/animals and here.

UC Irvine Men’s Tennis Tops Cal Poly 4-1, Remains Undefeated in Big West

UC Irvine men’s tennis stayed perfect in Big West play with a 4-1 win over Cal Poly on Sunday at Ronca Tennis Center. The Anteaters, now 13-4 overall and 3-0 in conference, dropped the doubles point but rallied in singles with dominant performances from Andy Nguyen, Ruining Huang, Rithvik Krishna, and Max Fardanesh. Nguyen remains undefeated in singles with a 13-match streak. UCI next faces UC San Diego at home on Wednesday, April 9 at 2:00 PM.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

Baseball

  • Tue, Apr 15 – vs LMU, 6:00 PM

Men's Volleyball

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

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)

Irvine Valley Men’s Tennis Earns No. 4 Seed, Hosts Santa Barbara in SoCal Playoffs

Irvine Valley College men's tennis earned the No. 4 seed in the SoCal regional playoffs and will host No. 5 Santa Barbara City on Tuesday at 2 p.m. The Lasers finished 9-2 overall and second in the Orange Empire Conference, while SBCC went 4-7. Now fully healthy, Irvine Valley is poised for a strong playoff run, with all singles players and three doubles teams qualifying for the state tournament in Ojai. Returning sophomores Nick Grove and Luciano Pardo, last year’s state doubles champs, lead the charge.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

Men's Tennis

  • Tue, Apr 8 – vs Santa Barbara, 1st round So. Cal. Regional Playoffs, 2:00 PM

Baseball

  • Thu, Apr 10 – vs Fullerton, 2:00 PM

  • Thu, Apr 17 – vs Riverside, 2:00 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

High School Athletics Calendar

** Updated With April Schedule

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

April 2025

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?

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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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