Greer’s OC: A mix of food, sound and shopping

Looking for a youthful and vibrant night out in Huntington Beach?

Shorebreak Hotel is spicing up Orange County’s evenings with the “Culinary Sound” event series booked every other Wednesday from 6:30 to 11 p.m., with the next one April 20 at Zimzala Restaurant & Bar.

Pairing food and music, “Culinary Sound” mixes the best in cuisine, sound and shopping. The after-dark series will feature DJ Wally Callerio’s playlists, specialized menus from Executive Chef Roy Hendrickson and Uth, a pop-up shop of boutique items. “Culinary Sound” starts with hosted wine tastings from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. with an option of a sit-down dinner at Zimzala. To attend, RSVP at (714) 960-5050.

If you attend “Culinary Sound,” consider staying the night. You’ll receive a discounted rate at Shorebreak Hotel. Just book online at https://www.shorebreakhotel.com and enter promo code CLNRYSND. Shorebreak Hotel is at 500 Pacific Coast Hwy. in Huntington Beach. For more information, call (714) 960-5050.

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Stars come out for film festival

Never mind Sundance! The highly anticipated 12th annual Newport Beach Film Festival will return April 28 to May 5 with eight days of films from all over the globe.

Don’t miss the opening-night screening and world premier of “East Fifth Bliss” at 7:30 p.m. April 28 at Edwards Big Newport Cinemas. Michael C. Hall, Peter Fonda and writer-director Michael Knowles, along with other cast members, will be at the red-carpet arrival and post-film Q&A.

Following the screening, the festival will host an opening night gala at Fashion Island with more than 25 premier restaurants, a spectacular fashion show presented by Fashion Island and a hosted bar.

Tickets to the opening-night screening and gala cost $125 each and are available now at https://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com. Or you can attend the opening night gala only for $80.

The festival will showcase more than 350 films, an ambitious and inspiring selection of full-length features, shorts, documentaries and animation along with nightly special events, red-carpet galas, post-screening receptions, conversations with filmmakers, international spotlights, industry seminars and retrospectives.

Tickets for screenings and galas are on sale now. To purchase tickets and for more information about the Newport Beach Film Festival, visit https://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com.

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Sounds from Tokyo

Now more than ever, Japan is in our hearts. And JapanOC, the festival celebrating Japanese and Japanese-American arts and culture, rings even more significant. JapanOC continues with the award-winning Tokyo String Quartet performing at 8 p.m. April 19 at the Samueli Theater.

For more than 40 years, the Tokyo String Quartet has dazzled audiences and critics alike, earning the reputation as one of the world’s highest-regarded chamber ensembles. The evening features a tribute to Toru Takemitsu with a special performance of Takemitsu: A Way A Lone.

Other pieces performed include Mozart: Quartet No. 15 in D minor and Beethoven: String Quartet No. 15 in A minor, Op. 132. Tickets range in price from $35 to $40, and can be purchased online at the Philharmonic Society at https://www.philharmonicsociety.org/Purchase/?i=437.

Segerstrom Center for the Arts is at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa.

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Learn about, sample tequila

Expand your tequila and food pairings knowledge at SOL Cocina’s debut of “Discover Tequila,” a monthly tasting series starting from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 21. Think of it as the CliffsNotes version of an elaborate tequila dinner. In one hour, you will taste and learn about Mexico’s finest tequilas and sample Chef Deborah Schneider’s innovative antojitos. The inaugural event features premium Partida Tequila, led by Sofia Partida.

Cost is $29 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). Tasting menu starts with Partida Blanco, paired with chipotle pork rib with mango drizzle; second pairing is Partida Reposado with crab empanadita and salsa verde; and finally, fresh corn-jalapeno cake stuffed with goat-cheese mousseline and fig. Seats must be reserved in advance by calling (949) 675-9800 or e-mailing Nicole at Events@SolCocina.com.

SOL Cocina is at 251 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. in Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 675-9800 or visit https://www.solcocina.com.

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See latest looks at fashion show

Lucky you! You can learn style tips from one of the best in the biz at Fashion Island at 1 p.m. Saturday as Tim Gunn from “Project Runway” dishes out his fashion expertise at the spring 2011 fashion show.

The event will launch the latest looks from Juicy Couture, Kate Spade New York and Lucky Brand Jeans.

Gunn knows the importance of style, proportion and fit, and will share his knowledge of how the runway looks can enhance any wardrobe. No need to RSVP; seating is first come, first served.

Also, with any qualifying purchase made that day of $150 or more, guests will be photographed with Gunn on the runway and receive a complimentary black picture frame. The fashion show will take place at the Neiman Marcus-Bloomingdale’s courtyard at Fashion Island in Newport Beach.

For more information, visit https://www.shopfashionisland.com.

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Get fit at The Well

Looking for a luxury fitness studio that can help get you in the best shape of your life for the summer heat and swimsuit season? Consider The Well, a state-of-the-art personal fitness studio in Laguna Beach.

The studio is both expertly equipped and beautiful, much like you’d find at a fine spa hotel with a staff of trainers who are certified and compassionate — offering the best at what they do. You can sign up for any personal training package by April 30 and receive 50% off for your first month and pay no initiation fee! Call for details.

The Well is at 610 N. Coast Hwy., Suite 200 in Laguna Beach. For more information, call (949) 715-0311 or visit https://www.thewellfit.com.

GREER WYLDER writes Greer’s OC for the Huntington Beach Independent each Thursday and the Daily Pilot and Coastline Pilot each Friday. She’s the founder and president of greersoc.com, a free daily e-mail service that provides the latest in Orange County fashion, dining, music, events and trends. Her blog can be viewed https://www.greersoc.com and she can be contacted at greer@greersoc.com.