Around Town: Newport groups salute ‘Imitation Game’ at London fete
Marketing organization Newport Beach & Co. and the Newport Beach Film Festival, which are running a campaign in the United Kingdom to raise awareness of the film festival and of Newport as a travel destination, held a reception Thursday in London honoring the Academy Award-nominated movie “The Imitation Game.”
The Newport festival picked “The Imitation Game” for its 2014 Best Picture and Outstanding Ensemble Cast awards after representatives screened the movie at the Toronto International Film Festival.
The film’s stars, Benedict Cumberbatch and Kiera Knightley, attended the London event at the ME Hotel.
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Animals to compete at Fashion Island
Fashion Island visitors and their canine companions can go on the hunt for prizes Saturday during the Amazing Race for the Animals Scavenger Hunt from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Newport Beach shopping center.
People and pooches will follow clues leading to scavenger hunt locations throughout the mall. Those who finish in the shortest time will win prizes. The start and finish will be at the Kendra Scott store near the koi pond.
The event is presented by the Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Registration for the scavenger hunt is $25 per person or person-dog team. Register in person Saturday or online at orangecountyspca.org.
Fashion Island is at 700 Newport Center Drive. For more information, call (714) 964-4445.
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Kids present ‘101 Dalmatians’
California Elementary School in Costa Mesa on Saturday will wrap up its three-day run of “101 Dalmatians,” performed by the school’s JV show choir, composed of first- and second-graders.
The show will begin at 3 p.m. in the multipurpose room of the school, 3232 California Ave. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door.
For more information, call (714) 424-7940.
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Kimono festival Sunday in Irvine
The Japanese Kimono Festival & Benefit Fund Drive on Sunday at the Irvine Valley College Performing Arts Center will offer a look at the Japanese tradition of kimono dressing.
Proceeds from ticket sales and a silent auction will provide financial relief to victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan and also benefit community projects supported by the Rotary Club of Irvine.
Featured performers will be from Nihon Waso Gakuen, a kimono dressing academy based in Osaka, Japan.
A wine reception and the silent auction will begin at 1 p.m., and the show will start at 2. Tickets are $10 for high school students, $15 for college students, $30 for senior citizens 60 and older, and $50 for general admission.
Irvine Valley College is at 5500 Irvine Center Drive. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.com.