Top Things to Do in O.C.: June 19th Through 25th

OPENS JUNE 20

“KENTON NELSON”

San Clemente resident Kenton Nelson is known for his oil paintings depicting life in California. His portraits and landscapes are bathed in light and harken back to American Scene painting and the work of WPA artists of the 1930s. A native of Los Angeles, Nelson attended Otis Parsons Art Institute; his work has been featured on the cover of The New Yorker seven times. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949-498-2139, casaromantica.org

JUNE 21 THROUGH 23

IRVINE GREEK FEST

Greek food, traditional dancing, and live music are the highlights of the annual festival in its 44th year. A marketplace and bookstore, kids’ activities, and church tours round out the family-friendly event. St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church, 4949 Alton Parkway, Irvine, 949-733-2366, irvinegreekfest.com

JUNE 25 AND 26

CELTIC THRONE: THE ROYAL JOURNEY OF IRISH DANCE

Dancers from the Carey Academy of Irish Dance present a show exploring the
origins of Irish step dance and celebrating the history of the dancers as they honed their craft in ancient Near East, Ireland, Scotland, England, and the United States. The show is set to a score by Golden Globe nominee Brian Byrne. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-854-4646, thebarclay.org

THROUGH JUNE 23

“BLACKBIRD”

The play tells the story of Ray, 56, and Una, 27, who meet again after Ray has completed a prison sentence for molesting Una when she was 12 and he was 40. Far from seeking revenge, Una simply wants answers to the questions that have haunted her for 15 years. Their conversation, filled with guilt, rage, and raw emotions, has devastating consequences. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 714-777-3033, chancetheater.com

THROUGH JUNE 23

“EMILIE: LA MARQUISE DU CHÂTELET DEFENDS HER LIFE TONIGHT”

18th-century scientist Emilie du Châtelet tells her story in this play, considering the main questions she grappled with in her life—love or philosophy, head or heart—while also defending her life and loves. The show is produced in partnership with Begins and Ends With ‘A’ Productions. Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, 714-990-7722, curtistheatre.com