By Gabriela Huselton
If you live in Irvine, California and are in the mood for live music, be assured that a wonderful venue is closer than you think. Below are some of the best music venues local to the area.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
UC Irvine’s Barclay Theatre is known for its intimate atmosphere with warm outdoor lighting and a 750-seat “jewel box” setup. Opened in 1990, the theatre was named after the late Richard Barclay, a philanthropist that donated the lead gift of $1,000,000 to begin construction. It offers performing arts shows such as ballet and contemporary dance as well as concerts ranging from jazz to country. Their upcoming events include a jazz performance by Joey DeFrancesco, a four-time Grammy Award nominee on February 24 and covers of songs by Judy Garland from Broadway star Linda Eder on February 25.
FivePoint Amphitheatre
If you’re looking for a venue that can hold a crowd for larger mainstream concerts, Irvine is also home to the FivePoint Amphitheatre. Formally known as Irvine Meadows, this outdoor venue can accommodate up to 11,730 people with 3 seating sections and a grass field that sometimes offers lawn seating. It’s the largest music venue in Irvine and is scheduled to host big names in music this year including Matchbox Twenty, 5 Seconds of Summer, and Halsey.
Soka Performing Arts Center
The Soka Performing Arts Center, established in 2011, is located at the hilltop campus of Soka University of America in Aliso Viejo. The Concert Hall houses 1,032 seats and has astonishing acoustics thanks to the designing efforts of Yasuhisa Toyota, the designer of the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. It also has a 350-seat Black Box Theatre that features club seating and bistro tables. It is home to the Pacific Symphony Chamber Orchestra and holds many wonderful performances from classical to contemporary music. Their next event will be An Evening with Los Lobos, the Grammy Award-Winning rock band made popular for their cover of Ritchie Valens' “La Bamba”.
House of Blues Anaheim
There are 11 House of Blues locations in the U.S., and one of them is right here in Anaheim! This venue can accommodate up to 3,300 guests and is located near the Disneyland Resort. It offers great amenities like a Restaurant & Bar, the Elwood Terrace, and a Music Hall. Their Music Hall is General Admission meaning it is standing room only. They have several upcoming Events including Aminé – The Best Tour Ever Tour on February 9 and Andy Grammer – the Art of Joy Tour on March 2.
You can reach Gabriela Huselton at ghuselto@uci.edu !
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