Hello Back Bay Blanchettes, happy Monday.
The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks is moving from their Lido Village location into the old Country Club spot on 17th and Costa Mesa while the Lido location undergoes renovations. They apparently have applied for their own liquor license. I wonder if they are taking on new members…
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:
Art Week in NB
Gremlins at Gremlins
Candle pouring and wine
— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz
What is Art Week Anyway?
Newport Beach Art Week runs from Sunday, August 9 through Saturday, August 15, 2026. The festival kicks off at the Civic Center Green on Sunday, August 9 with family activities at 5 p.m. followed by a free Pacific Symphony concert from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Throughout the week, events pop up across town, including daily children's art workshops at Art Therapy OC on 32nd Street from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., garden dance classes at Sherman Library and Gardens in Corona del Mar, and a Route 66 showcase with local artist Joan Gladstone at the OASIS Senior Center on August 12 at 3 p.m. You can also stop by Kennedy Contemporary on Marine Avenue on Saturday, August 15 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. for a spotlight on artists Leslie Allen, Terri Froelich, and Sharon Paster, or visit Gallery Sonder on East Coast Highway for a 6 p.m. private viewing and 7 p.m. live concert by local indie artist Taji. The entire week culminates in the grand finale, the 59th Annual Newport Beach Art Exhibition, taking place on Saturday, August 15 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Newport Beach Civic Center located at 100 Civic Center Drive. This free finale features over 300 pieces of juried art evaluated by Laguna Art Museum executive director Julie Perlin Lee, alongside live music from the B Side Band, food trucks, and hands-on painting activities for kids.
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UPCOMING:
PSA:Playa Mesa is now Dinner Service only on WeekdaysInfo
This aged poorly.Newport Beach Art Week - Various Locations
Aug 9th-15th
InfoFree Yoga - The Camp
Wednesday August 12th
10am-11am
InfoLive Music on the Lido Deck - Lido Village
Wednesday, August 12th
5-7pm
InfoGame Night: bring your own - Gremlin's Garage
Friday, August 14th
6:00 PM
InfoCAZ Training Sesh - Pendry Newport Beach
Monday August 17th
5-7pm
InfoCandle Pour Club - Semi Tropic Wines
Wednesday Aug 19th
6-9pm
InfoLive Music Under the Eaves: Zach Churchill - Paseo 17
Thursday August 20th
11-1pm
InfoCapo Country Fest - River Street (SJC)
Saturday Aug 15th
12pm-9pm
Info
WHAT’S GOING ON IN SOUTH OC?
Check out our great partner newsletter:
It’s called WEATHER, sweaty…
🌊 Water temp = 73º
Suit Rec: Spring suit 3/2
THIS WEEK:
PJ Storytime at Mariners Library Newport Beach
Monday, 10 August
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
INFOMommy & Me Mat Pilates and Resort Pooltime @ Pendry Newport Beach ($30-$50)
Tuesday, 11 August
10:00 am - 1:00 pm
InfoColor a Tote Bag at Costa Mesa Mesa Verde Library
Wednesday, 12 August
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
InfoFamily Game Night at Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library
Tuesday, 11 August
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
InfoJeffrey Open Space Trail Bike & Pedestrian Bridge Grand Opening in Irvine
Tuesday, 11 August
9:00 am - 11:00 am
InfoFREE Seaside Kids Concert with Zach Churchill at Lido Village
Thursday, 13 August
10:30 am - 11:15 am
InfoWild Tales in Newport Beach (Register!)
Friday, 14 August
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Info
Plan Ahead:
🦈 Sharks After Dark - The Ocean Institute Dana Point
Second Fridays June-August
5:30-8:30pm
$0 for 0-18 month, $14 kids, $18 adults
InfoCritter 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
RSVPMahjong at the Library at Costa Mesa Mesa Verde Library
Sunday, 16 August
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
InfoBitty Bins Playdate - Neat Coffee
Saturday August 22nd
9-11am
InfoDive In Movie: Lilo & Stitch (animated) - Pendry NB
Friday August 18th
7-9pm
InfoStory Time on the Lido Deck - Lido Village
Sunday August 13th
10-10:30am
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)
OC Fairgrounds Farmers Market - OC Fairgrounds, (Thursdays 9am-1pm)
🌴 Costa Mesa
Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor is threatening to leave to become an art critic…
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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