June in Irvine: Movies, Music, and More

Issue # 0422

Author

Joshua Tjia
05 Jun

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

☀️🎶🎉 June in Irvine: Movies, Music, and More

🏗️💦 Blue Lake Swim Club Undergoes $4.14M Renovation, Reopening Expected Mid-August

🏓 Play Table Tennis at Great Park Studio – Hourly Reservations Now Open

📖📘 What’s Changing as Irvine Launches Its Own Library System**

🛟💧 Free Life Jacket Exchange for Young Kids at Irvine Events This Saturday

🦟 Bug Bites & Stings: What to Know and When to Seek Care

🦋 How Local Butterfly Counts Are Helping Scientists Nationwide

🎨 Shop Handcrafted Goods at Woodbury Town Center’s Summer Makers Mart – June 14–15

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

☀️🐕 Top Summer Safety Tips to Protect Your Pets

🌟 Zharia Taylor Named Anteater of the Week After NCAA High Jump Qualifier

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🎾 University High Wins Second Consecutive CIF State Boys Tennis Championship

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚔 Suspect Sought in Walmart Electronics Theft, Last Seen in Blue Chevy Truck

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

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

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do you call a pessimistic bear?

The bearer of bad news.

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

June in Irvine: Movies, Music, and More

From art shows and fitness classes to live performances and family movie nights, here are 10 events happening around Irvine this June:

  • Studio Arts Festival – Browse handcrafted ceramics, jewelry, paintings, and more by local artists.
    Location: Heritage Community Park | Date: June 7, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

  • Silent Disco – Dance the night away with wireless headphones in an immersive music experience.
    Location: Irvine Spectrum Center, Giant Wheel Lawn | Date: June 28, 6–9 p.m.

  • Super Swim Lesson – Take part in a community swim lesson, followed by recreational swim, a giant inflatable, and a movie at dusk. Ages 3 and up.
    Location: Woollett Aquatics Center | Date: June 27, 5:30 p.m. check-in

  • Movies on the Lawn – Enjoy Harold and the Purple Crayon with food trucks and an outdoor movie night under the stars.
    Location: Hicks Canyon Park | Date: June 13, movie after sunset

  • Pro Soccer Match – Watch Orange County SC take on Sacramento Republic FC in this exciting home match.
    Location: Great Park Championship Stadium | Date: June 28, 7 p.m.

  • Fresh Air Fitness – Join free HIIT and yoga classes hosted by Lululemon. Open to all fitness levels.
    Location: Irvine Spectrum Center, Giant Wheel Lawn | Dates: June 7 and 21, 9–10 a.m.

  • Ballet Nights: Season 2 – Watch new dance premieres and a special duet performance with live piano accompaniment.
    Location: Irvine Barclay Theatre | Date: June 20, 8 p.m.

  • Breakfast at the Farm – Enjoy a farm-fresh breakfast, tractor rides, and barnyard animal visits. No reservations needed.
    Location: Tanaka Farms | Dates: Every Saturday and Sunday, 7:30–10 a.m.

  • Movies Under the Stars – Free movie nights at Irvine Spectrum Center:

    • June 8: The Garfield Movie

    • June 15: Mufasa

    • June 22: Kung Fu Panda 4

    • June 29: Frozen 2
      Location: Giant Wheel Lawn | All movies start at 7 p.m.

  • Irvine Nights: Swift Nation – Celebrate with live music, food vendors, and a Taylor Swift tribute concert.
    Location: Great Park Live | Date: June 7, 6 p.m.

Blue Lake Swim Club Undergoes $4.14M Renovation, Reopening Expected Mid-August

Blue Lake Swim Club is currently closed for a major renovation project, with construction expected to wrap up by mid-August.

  • The $4.14 million upgrade includes a redesigned entry, more shade and lounging areas, a new picnic and BBQ space, updated restrooms and showers, improved fencing, deeper and longer diving areas, accessibility enhancements, new lighting, and landscaping.

  • This is part of the Board’s ongoing plan to improve recreation facilities and boost property values, following past projects at Stone Creek and South Lake.

  • While the swim club and small playground are closed, the larger playground, basketball court, and turf area remain open, though parking is limited to street parking.

  • Alternate pools (Windjammer and Fallingstar) are available nearby, and Stone Creek’s hours have been slightly adjusted.

Play Table Tennis at Great Park Studio – Hourly Reservations Now Open

Table tennis reservations are now available at the Great Park Studio in Irvine. Open to all skill levels, the cost is $16/hour for residents and $18/hour for non-residents. Equipment is included. Reserve up to one hour, six times per month, up to 30 days ahead at yourirvine.org. For questions, email [email protected] or call 949-724-6247.

What’s Changing as Irvine Launches Its Own Library System

As Irvine launches its own independent library system, here are key updates and common questions:

Q: Do I need a new library card?
A: Yes. IPL will issue its own cards. OCPL cards still work at OCPL branches.

Q: Can I use both library systems?
A: Yes. You can hold and use cards for both IPL and OCPL.

Q: Can I return OCPL items to IPL branches?
A: No. OCPL items must be returned to OCPL locations. IPL items stay within IPL branches.

Q: Will IPL have digital books?
A: Yes. IPL will offer eBooks, eAudiobooks, and more.

Q: Is a Library of Things coming?
A: Yes, it's planned after the transition.

Q: Will programs continue and stay free?
A: Yes. All IPL programs will remain free and open to all ages.

Free Life Jacket Exchange for Young Kids at Irvine Events This Saturday

Looking to swap out those floaties for something safer? Visit Irvine Aquatics staff this Saturday, June 7, at two local events to exchange inflatable floatation devices for free U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for kids ages 6 and under.

  • Catch them at the Studio Arts Festival (9 a.m.–5 p.m. at Heritage Community Park) or Swift Nation: Taylor Swift Tribute (5–10 p.m. at Great Park Live).

  • Life jackets available while supplies last. Learn more at cityofirvine.org/aquatics.

Bug Bites & Stings: What to Know and When to Seek Care

Insect bites and stings are a common part of outdoor life, especially in Southern California. While many reactions are mild and go away on their own, some can cause prolonged discomfort or lead to infections and allergic reactions. Knowing how to treat these issues at home — and when to seek medical attention — can make a big difference in your recovery. Below are key tips and treatment guidelines to help you stay safe and get the care you need:

  • Apply a cold compress immediately to minimize pain and swelling.

  • Take over-the-counter antihistamines or use hydrocortisone cream for itching or mild irritation.

  • Avoid scratching the bite or sting area to prevent infection.

  • Keep the area clean and dry to promote healing.

  • Seek urgent care if swelling or pain persists for more than 2–3 days.

  • Watch for signs of infection, such as redness that spreads, pus, or fever.

  • Call 911 or go to the ER if symptoms include difficulty breathing, throat or facial swelling, dizziness, or hives.

  • After a tick bite, look out for a bullseye rash or flu-like symptoms and report them to a doctor.

How Local Butterfly Counts Are Helping Scientists Nationwide

Volunteer-collected data from the Irvine Ranch Conservancy has been featured in a Science magazine study examining butterfly population declines across the U.S.

  • The research drew from over 76,000 surveys across 35 monitoring programs, including those on the Irvine Ranch, and revealed a 22% decline in butterfly abundance between 2000 and 2020, with two-thirds of species in decline.

  • These findings underscore the importance of community science efforts in shaping national conservation strategies, informing policy, and raising public awareness.

Shop Handcrafted Goods at Woodbury Town Center’s Summer Makers Mart – June 14–15

The Summer Makers Mart kicks off at Woodbury Town Center on June 14–15, running from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Browse handcrafted goods from local artisans and discover unique, one-of-a-kind items. This free weekend event is perfect for families and anyone looking to shop local and support makers.

We will resume with the high school music calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Top Summer Safety Tips to Protect Your Pets

Summer is a season full of outdoor fun, but it can also bring unexpected hazards for your furry friends. From cookouts to pool time, here are key tips to help your pets stay safe and healthy all season long:

  • Skip the Glow Sticks: Pets may chew them, leading to drooling, gagging, or worse. Keep them out of reach.

  • No Corn Cobs or Bones: Both can block or damage your pet’s digestive tract—stick to safe treats.

  • Watch the Fruit: Remove pits and seeds from summer fruits like peaches and watermelon to avoid choking or toxicity.

  • Keep Away from Fire & Candles: Flames, hot coals, and citronella fumes can harm curious pets.

  • Supervise Pool Time: Always keep an eye on pets around water—teach dogs how to exit safely and keep pool areas secure.

Zharia Taylor Named Anteater of the Week After NCAA High Jump Qualifier

UC Irvine junior Zharia Taylor earned Sgt. Pepperoni’s Anteater of the Week honors after tying for ninth in the high jump at the NCAA West First Round, setting a personal record of 1.81m (5-11.25) — the second-best mark in school history. As a top-12 finisher, she qualifies for the NCAA Championships, becoming UCI's first women’s national qualifier since 2009. She'll compete alongside senior Liam Miksic (javelin) at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, from June 11–14.

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.

University High Wins Second Consecutive CIF State Boys Tennis Championship


University High School’s boys tennis team clinched its second consecutive CIF State Championship by narrowly defeating Menlo 4-3 in Fresno. After a dominant season that included a fourth straight CIF Open Division title and a Southern Regional win over Harvard-Westlake, the Trojans faced a tough final match. Key victories from singles players Arystarkh Len, Daniel Zhu, and Rishvanth Krishna—along with a doubles win by Tyler Chandler and Reid Hashimoto—secured the title. Under longtime coach John Kessler, Uni now holds 19 straight league titles, 16 CIF-SS titles, and remains the only program to win the CIF state championship, twice. With top talent returning, the powerhouse looks set to continue its legacy.

We will resume with the high school athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Suspect Sought in Walmart Electronics Theft, Last Seen in Blue Chevy Truck


Irvine Police are searching for a suspect who stole a Sony digital media receiver from a locked case at Walmart. The man was last seen wearing a red cap, denim jacket, Vans shirt, khaki pants, and Nike sneakers. He left the scene in a dark blue 2-door Chevrolet pickup truck. Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Etlinger at [email protected].

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

June 4 UCI Guitar Ensemble 12 PM

June 6 Community Bike Tour 2 - 4:30 PM

June 8 IRWD Nature Bird Walk 9:30 - 11 AM

June 14 CorePower Yoga: Summer Yoga on The Lawn 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM

June 27 Super Swim Lesson 6 PM

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