944

Written by: Katie Pegler With the rains still beating down on Southern California, what better way to brighten our moods then with happy hours, music, fashion shows, restaurant weeks and live photo shoots? Despite the dreary weather, it’s no excuse to stay home. Oh, and there’s a charity event for good measure, too.

1. Thursday, stop by AnQi (www.anqibistro.com) at Bloomingdale’s South Coast Plaza to kick off its happy hour while also celebrating the birthday of 944 photographer Dylan Lujano. If you haven’t been to the fabulous venue that is AnQi from the An family best known for Crustacean, stop by for a cocktail and its world-famous garlic noodles.

2. Friday kicks of the Newport Beach Restaurant Week, which runs until Thursday, January 28. More than 75 of the city’s eateries are participating, serving up discounted prix-frixe gourmet lunch ($15 or $20) and dinner ($25 or $35) seasonal menus by the hottest Newport Beach chefs. For a complete list of participating restaurants with menus or to make online reservations visit: www.NewportBeachDining.com.

3. Saturday we’re mixing it up at Club M (www.mosunclubm.com) with a live photo shoot by 944 photographer Mark Sacro; a fashion show featuring Fresh Peaches Bikinis, Remetee and Il Capriccio; live performances by My Hero (formerly Non-P); a Starlet Search for Clubdistrict.com; and auditions for Otto Models.

4. Monday is Haven for Haiti, a fundraising effort for Haiti Earthquake Relief. Haven Gastropub (www.havengastropub.com) in Orange will be donating the entirety of itsprofits for the day, along its staff members donating their time and gratuities to the charity effort.

5. And closing the week out, Tuesday is the “Live Acoustic” showcase for the OC Music Awards at Gypsy Den (www.gypsyden.com) in Santa Ana.
Line up is:
7:15 The Vacuum Bell (Laguna Beach)
8:00 Kurt Hunter (Fullerton)
8:45 Marc B (Huntington Beach)
9:30 Mike Vitale (Fullerton)
10:15 I Hate You Just Kidding (Costa Mesa)

Rounding out the Top 5, don’t forget to turn in ArtRocks! on www.artrocks247.com for my interview at 7 p.m. talking about 944’s upcoming events, as well as what we have in store for the February On The Verge: The Young Hollywood Issue. While I did it last month at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort while watching the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, I’m still not sure my satellite location tonight.

And since Valentine’s Day is rapidly approaching, we’re on the lookout for OC’s hottest singles. If you have anyone in mind (or that beautifully disgusting couple we all want to hate secretly envy), e-mail me their photos and info at katie@944.com. It’s still a surprise at the moment, but we’ll keep you posted on it.

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