Hello Back Bay Bootcuts, happy Friday!
Never let a rainy weekend get in the way of a good time. It was a quiet start to the month with many out of town for Spring Break. At least the kids who stuck around got nice weather before we endure a slightly wetter weekend than we’ve had in a while.
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:
Rove x Gelsons Collab opens Wednesday
All Island Garage Sale
For the littles: Imaginology Fest
— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz
The Gelson’s + Rove Charging Station Now Open
Strait of Hormuz? Never heard of her…
Rove has officially opened its second "full-service" charging plaza in Costa Mesa, trading the typical lonely parking lot stall for a premium travel hub at 2666 Harbor Blvd. The site features 40 DC fast chargers—including 28 Tesla stalls and 12 Rove-branded units—integrated with a ReCharge by Gelson’s market for fresh meals and groceries. Unlike standard stations, this plaza offers a 24/7 lounge with Wi-Fi, clean restrooms, and on-site attendants to ensure 100% reliability.
The lounge and market officially launch today, Wednesday, April 8, with a ribbon-cutting at 9:00 AM. Visitors can take advantage of a promotional $.44/kWh charging rate, and the first 100 customers will walk away with free swag. It’s a major step toward making the American EV charging experience as convenient and comfortable as a high-end European travel stop.
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“There’s no crying on the Duffy”
Where’s Willbo? - Lido Village, that’s where
Marine Layer and Faherty had a little flanneled baby. Expect to see their “W” hats everywhere this summer.
InfoWatch the Masters - Wild Goose Tavern
Enjoy Azalea cocktails all weekend long
Thursday Apr 9th-12th
InfoAcoustic Dinner Set - Westwood Coast
Friday Apr 10th
6-9pm
InfoAll Island Garage Sale - Balboa Island (In the alleys)
Saturday Apr 11th
7:30am-1pm
InfoCandlelight String Quartet: Tribute to Drake - Lido Theater
Saturday Apr 11th
7:45
Info
Pet & Reptile Expo at OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa
Saturday-Sunday, 11-12 April
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Info
Worth the Drive:
Red Market: VINYL - Dana Point
Saturday Apr 11th
4pm-9pm
Info
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
InfoBaby Goat Yoga - Tanaka Farms
Saturdays 10am (Hana Field)
InfoRequest for Public Input at John Wayne Airport - JWA Commission Room
Wednesday, Apr 15th
5pm
InfoJunk Journal Workshop - The Lab
Thursday Apr 16th
5-7pm
InfoStagecoach Pop-Up - 110 22nd St (NB)
Custom hot iron branding, NWPRT trucker hats, charm bandanas, permanent jewelry
Thursday Apr 16th
4:30pm
InfoPilates Pop-Up ($20)- The Lab
Friday Apr 17th
10am-11am
InfoBig Boat Show (NBIBS) - Lido Village
April 16th-19th
InfoRecord Store Day - Various Locations
Saturday Apr 18th
Check out all locations in The Back Bay Map RoomFree Swing Dance Lesson (Guinness World Record) - Peninsula Park
Sunday Apr 19th
10-12:30pm
InfoAirIWater Porsche Lifestyle Event - OC Fairgrounds
Saturday Apr 25th
9am-3pm
TicketsLido Surf Night - Lido Theater
Thursday Apr 30th
5:30pm
InfoSongs in the Canyon - Canyon Park (Costa Mesa)
June 12-14
Info
Worth the Drive:
Adventure Van Expo - San Juan Capistrano
Sat-Sun May 30-31st
10am-3pm
Tickets
WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?
Check out our great partner newsletter:
High of 69…nice
🌊 Water temp = 65º
Suit Rec: Spring suit/Full suit 3/2
THIS WEEKEND:
Storytime with Goats at Hana Field in Costa Mesa ($15)
Friday, 10 April
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
infoWild Tales Storytime, Hike, and Craft in Newport Beach (RSVP!)- Registration FullFriday, 10 April
10:00 am - 11:00 am
InfoCorona Del Mar Songs and Stories
Friday, 10 April
10:30 am - 11:00 am
InfoImaginology at OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa
Saturday-Sunday, 11 April
10:00 am - 4:00 pm
InfoPet & Reptile Expo at OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa
Saturday-Sunday, 11 April
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Info
Bricks and Minifigs Two Year Anniversary Event - Bricks and Minifigs Lego Store (CM)
Spin the prize wheel, raffle drawing, exclusive deals, gifts and more
Saturday Apr 11th-12th
InfoPetting Zoo, Lawn Games, Crafts, and More at Family Night Mariners Church Irvine
Saturday, 11 April
5:30 pm - 8:00 pm
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
RSVPImaginology Fest - OC Fairgrounds
Sat-Sun April 11-12
10am-4pm
InfoMothing Night - Fairview Park
Much ado about mothing…
Friday Apr 24th
After Dark
InfoEarth Day Fest - Costa Mesa City Hall
Saturday Apr 26th
10am-2pm
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) Launching Spring 2026
🌴 Costa Mesa
Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is still looking for Willbo.
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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