Things to Do

 

GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS

 The Bowers Museum of Cultural Art  http://www.bowers.org/

2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92706 (714) 567-3600
The Bowers Museum in Santa Ana will allow Santa Ana residents to visit the museum on the First Sunday and Third Tuesday of every month between 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. free of charge. Santa Ana residents will need to show a Driver's License or any picture I.D. with any correspondence that has their name and Santa Ana address on it.  (Note - free admission applies to only permanent exhibits and NOT  to special visiting exhibits); also check website for Bowers Events - festivals, programs

Note: Target Special - On the first Sunday of every month, visitors to the Bowers can enjoy free access to the museum, Kidseum, and all activities all day, thanks to the Target Corporation. Target Free First Sundays are very popular and to prevent overcrowding, visitors may have to wait outside for admission. The Cultural Festival begins at noon and activities will run until 4:00PM
Museum hours: Tues-Sun: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Current exhibitions: 
Where Masks Still Dance: New Guinea ◍ Spirits and Headhunters- Art of the Pacific Islands ◍ Ancient Arts of China; A 5000 Year Legacy ◍ California Legacies: Missions and Ranchos (1768-1848)   ◍Classic California: Recently Conserved Paintings from the Permanent Collection, ◍ First Californians ◍ Vision of the Shaman, Song of the Priest ◍ Masters of Adornment: The Miao People of China     
Upcoming exhibitions:
Secrets of the Silk Road, March 27 - July 25, 2010
 

The Bowers Kidseum  http://www.bowers.org/kidseum.php/
Features: Hands on activities at Kidseum for children: International Dress up; Tribal Instruments; Ethnic Masks; Language Exploration; pre-school classes
Hours:  Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm; Sat. - Sun. 11:00 am - 4:00 pm                                   
Ages 3 and up $6:00 (free with current Bowers Museum ticket stub)

Heritage Museum of Orange County (Formerly Centennial Heritage Museum); http://www.heritagemuseumoc.org/
3101 W. Harvard St (near Fairview), Santa Ana, CA 92704 (714) 850-9452
The Centennial Heritage Museum is pleased to offer free admission to Santa Ana residents on the first Sunday of each month.
Centennial Heritage Museum is a cultural and natural history center located on approximately 11 acres surrounding the beautiful 1898 Kellogg House. It includes an historic plaza complete with a number of structures from the 1890s, a working blacksmith shop, and extensive orchards and gardens. A Victorian gazebo and a formal rose garden highlight the plaza area. A nature park covers several acres of the property and includes Santa Ana’s only freshwater marsh as well as the highest point of land in the city

Kellogg House Tours: Friday: 1:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m Sunday: 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.*  $5; Seniors/Children $4.00
Other times are available by appointment only for groups of 10 or more.  Also offering school field trips, and Scout/youth programs
Upcoming: Victorian Tea Society Presents:  A Chocolate Indulgence Tea Saturday, May 22, 2010

Delhi Center     http://www.delhicenter.com/
505 E. Central Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92707 (714) 481-9600
Features: Plaza de Arte is Delhi Center’s cultural arts initiative. It is a gathering place that celebrates Mexican folk art, music and cultural traditions.  Award winning folk art, musical concerts, dance and cultural events are year round activities within Plaza de Arte.      

Taco Bell Discovery Science Center & 3D Laser Theater  http://www.discoverycube.org/
2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA 92705 (714) 542-2823 - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
FREE ADMISSION for Santa Ana residents 1st Monday of month, Parking $3
$12.95 Adults, $9.95 for Seniors (55+) & Kids 3 to 17
Features:
Bubblefest XIV    March 27 - April 11, 2010    Secrets of Circles  January 16-  May 2                         
Ongoing:. Science of Hockey,  “Dinoquest” (40 interactive dinosaur exhibits); Boeing Delta III Rocket with 25K thrust engine;  Try the 100 Hands-On Science Exhibits, including “The Quake Zone”
Now Open: The “Planetary Research Station” is an animated globe that can show dynamic, animated images of the atmosphere, oceans, and land of a planet

CA State Fullerton’s Grand Central Art Center  http://www.grandcentralartcenter.com/ 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 567-7233
Features: Student Films http://www.ratpoweredfilmsredux.com/
California State University, Fullerton Grand Central Art Center is dedicated to the investigation and promotion of     
contemporary art and visual culture regionally, nationally, and internationally through unique collaborations
between artists, students, and the community.

Santa Ana Artist Village
Features: First Saturdays --Entertainment & Open Galleries             

Santiago Street Loft Artwalk – http://www.santiagoartdistrict.com./
Every third Saturday of the month, Santiago Street Lofts hosts their monthly Art Walk at the Santiago Art District. Live music and DJS set the laid-back vibe as artists and homeowners open their galleries to the public. Fine wines, cheeses and other delicious refreshments are available in most galleries. Galleries open at 7pm and usually run until 10pm. Ample Free Parking located across the street at the Santa Ana Train Depot on the corner of Santa Ana Boulevard and Santiago Street.
                                                                                           

Historic Santa Ana:
Dr. Willela Howe-Waffle House & Medical Museum  http://www.santaanahistory.com/
Offices: Santa Ana Historic Preservation Society & Orange County Historical Society
120 W. Civic Center Dr., Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 547-9645
Features: $5 Tour Howe-Waffle House and Medical Museum ($4.00 seniors).
Walking Tour: Downtown Architectural walking tours are available on the first Saturday of each month, but     
only by advanced reservation; tour price $8; this is a 1-1/2-2 hrs walking tour beginning at 2:30 pm.
Saturday, April 3rd from noon to 4:00: Easter Eggs, Authors, and History With Santa Ana Historical Preservation Society! Join us for a special spring Open House and book signing at the Dr Willella Howe-Waffle House!

The Old Orange County Courthouse www.ocparks.com/oldcourthouse
211 W. Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 973-6605 (Built in 1901)
Tours of the Old Courthouse for adult and school groups are available by appointment Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Self-guided tours are also available. To arrange a tour of the Old Courthouse, please call (714) 973-6610. Tours are free of charge.

Orange County Center for Contemporary Art  http://www.occca.org/
117 N. Sycamore St., Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 667-1517
Gallery Hours: Thurs & Sun: Noon-5:00 p.m. Fri & Sat: Noon - 9:00 p.m. Mon-Weds. By Apt.
No Entrance Fee
Upcoming Exhibitions: The Inexpressible: April 3rd - 24th, 2010             
This year, OCCCA is entering its 30th year and to celebrate this historic event, they will be devoting two months (October and November 2010) to showcase and reunite the past and present members.  The OCCCA alumni is invited to participate!

MUSIC & DANCE

Pacific Chorale   http://www.pacificchorale.org/
3621 S. Harbor Blvd., Ste. 220, Santa Ana, CA 92704 (714) 662-2345
           Upcoming:    Rachmaninov by Candlelight
Sunday, May 23, 2010, 5:30 pm
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
John Alexander, conducting, Soloists Lori Loftus, organ • Mindy Ball, harp  
Tickets  $19- $140

Pacific Symphony  http://www.pacificsymphony.org/
3631 S. Harbor Blvd., Suite 100, Santa Ana, CA 92704 (714) 755-5788
Classical concerts:
◍ Jack and the Beanstalk:  March 27, 2010 ◍ Pink Martini:  April 8, 2010 - April 10, 2010  
◍Poulenc's Organ Concerto:  April 15-17, 2010  ◍ Orchestra from Planet X:   April 17, 2010
Also : Classical Concerts, Pops Concerts and Family Concerts throughout the year- call for more information

Pacific Symphony Youth Ensembles  http://www.pacificsymphony.org/
3631 S. Harbor Blvd, #100, Santa Ana, CA 92704 (714) 755-5799
Venue: Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Provides the highest level of performance opportunities available to young instrumentalists between the ages of 11 and 21 from throughout Orange County. It is one of the primary education programs of Pacific Symphony. Includes Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra,  Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble and Pacific Symphony Santiago Strings.
                 

The Wooden Floor (previously St. Joseph Ballet) http://www.saintjosephballet.org/
1810 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92706, Phone: 714-541-8314 ext. 10, Fax: 714-541-2150
 Features: Inside the Studio  April 8, 2010 6-8 pm
At the Wooden Floor: Join Executive and Artistic Director Melanie Ríos Glaser and the Board of Directors for an intimate and captivating look at how our esteemed choreographers and spirited young dancers approach their art-making collaboration for The Wooden Floor's Irvine Barclay Theatre Concert. The evening also features a wine bar and light hors d'oeuvres.
           The Wooden Floor 27th Annual Concert  June 3-5, 2010
            Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive in Irvine
            Tickets on sale April 5th!

THEATER

OC Pavilion & Ambrosia Restaurant  http://www.ocpavilion.com/
801 N. Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 550-0880
Ongoing:   Friday Night Jazz – Every Friday at 8:00 pm at the Vault
Upcoming:   
Union of Saints with Rebecca Hawkins Project, March 27, 2010
Altar Boyz, April 2nd through April 25th 2010

YOST THEATER     http://www.yosttheater.com/
307 N. Spurgeon  (714) 558-8181 For information, please e-mail nuestropueblo@yahoo.com The Yost Theater of Downtown Santa Ana is a historic Mexican vaudeville theater built in 1912 that was renovated and re-launched at the music and arts festival SoundDowntown. Yost Theater first opened in 1913 - originally known as the "Clunes" it later changed its name to Yost when Ed Yost purchased the theater

FAMILY ACTIVITIES

Santa Ana College -www.sac.edu 1530 W. 17 TH St., Santa Ana, CA 92706
Features: 
Actors Showcase,  April 24 & 25, 2010
Latino Art Museum Opening, April 3, 2010

Tessman Planetarium
           530 W. 17th St., Bldg. M-10, Santa Ana, CA 92706 (714) 564-6356 Shows presented on selected
           days - reservations necessary - Mon- Fri.

Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park and Crean Family Farm - www.santaanazoo.org
1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92701
FREE ADMISSION for Santa Ana residents - 2nd Tuesday of month
General Information: Admission is $8 for adults; $5 for children 3 to 12 years of age and senior citizens; and FREE to children under 3, people with disabilities and members of the Zoo.
Announcements:
The Santa Ana Zoo has a new monkey – a baby white-faced saki monkey that is now on view with its parents. The monkey was born on Feb. 13 and has not yet been named; it is the fifth child of parents Dakota and Aaliyah.
Count down!  The long-awaited Tierra de las Pampas exhibit's grand opening is April 17, 2010, 11 am- 2pm!

Broadway on Tour Children’s Theater  http://www.broadwayontour.org/
Ebell Theater, 625 French St., Santa Ana, CA 92701 (714) 542-6939
Features:     
The Little Mermaid  May 1, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 & 23 – 2010. Tickets: $10 show only, $15 Tea Party and Show

 

NEIGHBORHOOD ACTIVITIES

Floral Park Home and Garden Tour
The Floral Park Neighborhood will be hosting its 18th annual Home and Garden Tour, April 24-25, 2010, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Named "Best Neighborhood" in the Orange County Register's 14th Annual People's Choice Best of Orange County and 2005 Neighborhood of the Year by Neighborhoods USA, Floral Park was discovered by over 2500 people who attended last year’s event.  Whether experiencing a stroll through the beautiful vintage homes and gardens, searching for treasures at the Antique & Collectables Sale, viewing the Classic Automobile Display, or enjoying a snack at the food and drink concessions, you will surely leave the Floral Park Home & Garden Tour with nostalgic memories of a day well spent. 
Tickets can be purchased by mail in advance (online payment options on website) or at the entrance on April 24-25 at Flower St. & North Park Blvd. in Santa Ana.  For more information please visit www.floral-park.com or call 714-648-0904.

Community Action Day Event
This Sunday, March 28 beginning at 11 AM, the Historic Lacy Neighborhood will hold a Community Action Day event at Garfield Elementary School (the corner of Lacy and Sixth Street) in Santa Ana.  The event will include games, food and music and booths from different community organizations.  Will include a Walking Tour of the many historic homes in the Lacy Neighborhood.