Hello Back Bay Bogans, happy Monday.
We hope mom liked the restaurant you definitely got reservations to, and the rest of the weekend shaped up to be the best it could be. The week ahead is trembling in anticipation of mid May activities, Memorial Day weekend and the kickoff of the summer and a bid farewell parking spaces.
To our new readers—welcome! The Back Bay Buzz delivers just the right amount of news and events for locals in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. No crime, no politics, no spam—just the good stuff. We scan newspapers, blogs, social media, business journals, and Google alerts so you don’t have to.
In today’s Buzz:
Big Newport Demo is back on Schedule
Memorial Weekend Hangs
— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz
Developers Continue With Demolition of Big Newport Theater Despite Appeals
The Newport Beach City Council has unanimously voted on their April 28th meeting to deny appeals seeking to save the iconic Edwards Big Newport movie theater, clearing the way for its demolition. Developer Related California plans to replace the theater and a nearby fitness club with two luxury high-rise towers featuring 150 condo units, office spaces, and a café. Despite opposition from community groups (Save Our Theater and SAFER) citing cultural and environmental concerns, officials stated the project aligns with the existing high-rise character of the Newport Center skyline. Please let us know if you are grwowing tired of real estate related headlines.
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“There’s no crying on the Duffy”
UPCOMING:
Newport Needlepoint Club Meetup - Newport Needlepoint
“2026 is the year for Grandma hobbies”
Tuesdays 6-8pm
InfoTrivia Night - Bootlegger’s Brewery
Tuesdays 7-9pm
DirectionsFree Yoga Class - Seed Peoples Market
Wednesdays @ 10am
InfoMahjong Beginner Lessons - Zinqué
Monday May 11th
7-10pm
InfoCommunity Dinner - The Camp
Thursday May 14th
6-9pm
InfoLate Edition Flea Market - The Lab
Sat May 16th
10am-3pm
InfoTote Bag Workshop ($200) - Flow Space (Costa Mesa)
Guided tote bag sewing class. All materials and sewing machines provided
Saturday May 16th
12-4pm
Sign UpPark Habitat Restoration Days in Costa Mesa
Saturday, 16 May
9:00 am - 10:00 am
InfoBalboa Island Art Walk - Balboa Island
Sunday May 16th
9am-5pm
InfoNewport Beach Wine Festival - Balboa Bay Club
Friday May 22-24
InfoRedneck Rodeo - Newport Dunes
Friday May 22
InfoMemorial Day BBQ - Pendry
Monday May 25th
11am-6pm
InfoSpring Warehouse Sales + Makers Mart - Moongoat Coffee x Pixel Perf
Sunday May 31
10-3pm
Info31st Annual Balboa Island Parade - Balboa Island
Sunday May 31st
InfoCompost Giveaway and Shredding Event - OCC
Saturday Jun 13th
8am-12pm
InfoSongs in the Canyon - Canyon Park (Costa Mesa)
June 12-14
Info
Worth the Drive:
WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?
Check out our great partner newsletter:
Properly Marine Layered…
🌊 Water temp = 61º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2
THIS WEEK:
Toddler Tea Party with a Princess ($42)
Monday, 11 May
10:30 am - 2:00 pm
InfoPJ Storytime at Mariners Library Newport Beach
Monday, 11 May
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
InfoTuesday Night Dance at Segerstrom for the Arts
Tuesday, 12 May
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
InfoSundae's and Sweets at Chick-Fil-A at The District in Tustin
Wednesday, 13 May
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
InfoJr. Ranger Adventures at Upper Newport Bay
Thursday, 14 May
3:30 pm - 5:00 pm
Info🇺🇸 Field of Honor at Castaways Park Newport Beach
Friday, 15 May
Info
Plan Ahead:
Critter investigations - Upper Newport Bay
3rd Wednesday of each month
10-11am
InfoStem Workshop - Carters x Kiwi Co. (Tustin Market Place)
Second Saturday of Every Month
10am -12pm
RSVPFree Safe Splash Bash in Costa Mesa
Saturday, 16 May
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
InfoPark Habitat Restoration Days in Costa Mesa
Saturday, 16 May
9:00 am - 10:00 am
InfoBeckman Arts and Science Family Festival - Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Saturday May 16th
11:30am-2:30pm
InfoKid’s Master Gardener Program - CDM Farmer’s Market
Saturday May 30
Info
Farmers Markets 🥬🥕:
Newport Pier Farmer’s Market
Costa Mesa - SOCO (Saturdays 9-2)
Corona Del Mar - PCH & Marguerite (Saturdays 9-1)
Newport Beach - Newport Pier (Sundays 9-1)
Newport Harbor - Dover Dr & 16th St (Saturdays 9am-1pm)
Mesa Verde - 1525 Mesa Verde Dr E, Costa Mesa (Sundays 10-2pm)
🌴 Costa Mesa
Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor still hasn’t recovered from Cinco de Mayo.
PS: Feel free to let me know any feedback or inside scoops you have for the newsletter. Just reply to this email, I read every one. Thanks!
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