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Irvine’s Summer in the City Returns with Free Concerts, Movies, and Family Fun

Issue # 0643

Author

Joshua Tjia
01 Jun

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh of the Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

☀️🍿🎶 Irvine’s Summer in the City Returns with Free Concerts, Movies, and Family Fun

🌱🥗 Sweetgreen Expands in Irvine with New University Center Location

📷 New Irvine Exhibition Shares the History of the World’s Largest Photograph

🫧🎠 Bubbles, Games, and Free Carousel Rides Await at Toddlers & Tunes

☀️🕶️ Protecting Your Vision: Easy Steps to Reduce UV-Related Eye Damage

🐕🐾 Irvine PD Shares Important Safety Tips as Coyote Denning Season Begins

🧴🫧 Get Summer-Ready with a Free Make-and-Take Workshop in Irvine

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈‍⬛🐩 Find Your New Best Friend at Irvine’s Free Pet Adoption Event June 6

🏃🏽‍♂️🏃🏾‍♀️ UC Irvine Concludes NCAA West Regional with Two Athletes Advancing to Nationals

🏀🏐🎾⚽️ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🥎 Northwood Wins First CIF Softball Championship with 11-1 Victory

🏈🎾 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 didn't the sun go to college?

Because it already had a million degrees!

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

Irvine’s Summer in the City Returns with Free Concerts, Movies, and Family Fun

Irvine's Summer in the City series returns this June with outdoor concerts and a family movie night. All events are free and open to the public. No tickets or pre-registration are required.

June Events:

  • June 6, 5:30 p.m. — Summer Concert featuring Jimmy’s Buffet (Jimmy Buffett tribute band) at Mike Ward Community Park – Woodbridge

  • June 26, 6:30 p.m. — Movies on the Lawn featuring Lilo & Stitch (2025) at Hicks Canyon Community Park

  • June 27, 5:30 p.m. — Summer Concert featuring 4 Lads from Liverpool (Beatles tribute band) at Mike Ward Community Park – Woodbridge

Sweetgreen Expands in Irvine with New University Center Location

Sweetgreen has opened its second Irvine location at University Center near UC Irvine, bringing its popular lineup of fresh salads, warm bowls, protein plates, and new chicken wraps to the area. Customer favorites include the Harvest Bowl, Steak Mezze, Miso-Glazed Salmon, Kale Caesar, and the vegan Shroomami Bowl. The restaurant emphasizes locally sourced ingredients, with most produce delivered fresh daily and supplier information publicly shared. Guests can also enjoy sides like hummus, focaccia, and roasted sweet potatoes, along with kids' meals and house-made juices. The new location features a dedicated drive-through for pickup orders, joining Sweetgreen’s existing Irvine Spectrum Center restaurant.

New Irvine Exhibition Shares the History of the World’s Largest Photograph

The Great Park is celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Great Picture, the world’s largest photograph, with a special exhibition at Irvine City Hall. The photo was created in 2006 when artists transformed a former airplane hangar at the old El Toro Marine Corps Air Station into a giant camera to capture a massive image of the site before it became the Great Park. The exhibition shares the story behind this unique project and the teamwork that made it possible. An opening reception will take place June 11 from 5–7 p.m.

Bubbles, Games, and Free Carousel Rides Await at Toddlers & Tunes

Toddlers & Tunes: Summer Bubbles Edition returns to the Irvine Spectrum Center on the first Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Carousel. Families can enjoy free carousel rides, bubbles by BubblePOP, kid-friendly games, an interactive DJ, and other activities. The next upcoming date is June 2. Visitors can also take advantage of special offers from participating Spectrum restaurants and shops during the event.

Protecting Your Vision: Easy Steps to Reduce UV-Related Eye Damage

Sun exposure can do more than damage your skin — it can also increase the risk of eye conditions such as cataracts, age-related macular degeneration, eyelid cancers, and other vision problems. UCI Health experts say taking simple precautions can help protect your eyes and preserve your vision for years to come.

Tips to Protect Your Eyes from UV Damage:

  • 🕶️ Wear sunglasses that block 99–100% of UVA and UVB rays.

  • 🧴 Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen around the eyes and eyelids.

  • 👒 Wear a wide-brimmed hat for added shade and protection.

  • ☀️ Limit time outdoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest.

  • 👦 Protect children’s eyes with UV-blocking, impact-resistant sunglasses.

  • 🏔️ Use wraparound sunglasses in high-altitude, snowy, or waterfront areas where UV rays are more intense.

  • 🛠️ Choose impact-resistant lenses if you work outdoors or participate in activities that could cause eye injuries.

Irvine PD Shares Important Safety Tips as Coyote Denning Season Begins

The Irvine Police Department is reminding residents that coyote denning season is underway, with coyotes raising their pups in dense vegetation and quiet areas throughout the city.

  • During this time, coyotes may be more protective if they perceive dogs as a threat to their young. Residents are encouraged to keep dogs on a leash, avoid heavily vegetated areas, and leave the area if they encounter a den.

  • The department also recommends keeping pet food indoors and securing trash to help reduce coyote activity in neighborhoods.

  • Coyote sightings can be reported to Irvine Animal Services at (949) 724-7092 or [email protected].

Get Summer-Ready with a Free Make-and-Take Workshop in Irvine

Looking forward to summer adventures? Stop by Heritage Park Library on June 6 from 2–3:30 p.m. to create your own summer essentials kit. Adults ages 18 and older can make bug spray, soothing sunburn cubes, and homemade after-sun lotion while picking up helpful tips for the sunny season. The event is free, no registration is needed, and walk-ins are welcome.

Upcoming Northwood High School’s Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Woodbridge High School’s Vocal Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Irvine High Choral’s Music Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Upcoming Portola High School Music’s Calendar

No further events scheduled for this month.

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

Find Your New Best Friend at Irvine’s Free Pet Adoption Event June 6

The Irvine Animal Care Center will participate in California Adopt-a-Pet Day on Saturday, June 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering free adoptions for all pets. Visitors can meet a variety of adoptable dogs, cats, and other animals looking for loving homes. The statewide event, aims to help more pets find families. View available pets before your visit at cityofirvine.gov/animals.

UC Irvine Concludes NCAA West Regional with Two Athletes Advancing to Nationals

UC Irvine wrapped up the NCAA West First Round with several strong performances, led by senior Nyla Baker, who finished 17th in the discus and narrowly missed qualifying for the NCAA Championships. The Anteaters will still be represented at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, by heptathlon qualifiers Joy Anderson and Jolie Robinson on June 12–13.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

We will resume with UCI’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall quarter.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

We will resume with IVC’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Northwood Wins First CIF Softball Championship with 11-1 Victory

Northwood High School won its first-ever CIF softball championship with a 11-1 victory over Grace, scoring eight runs in the fifth inning to pull away. Freshman pitcher Olivia Chen threw a complete game, while the Timberwolves capped a memorable season and made school history in their first CIF finals appearance.

High School Athletics Calendar

We will resume with the high school athletic calendars after the summer break

Upcoming Irvine High School’s Varsity home games:

We will resume with the varsity home game events after the summer break

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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