Events in Laguna Niguel today

Set out on a hill-focused group ride that follows the classic G2 course, now starting from Board & Brew (Laguna Niguel North). Riders stick together as a single group, tackling each climb with effort and regrouping afterward. Expect regroup spots at the base of the first hill at Highlands, on the third hill at PID S., and at the optional Clubhouse climb, with additional regroups at the top of the second hill on Niguel Rd and at the final hill on PID N., before rolling back together. To keep things moving, turn around and descend when the lead rider reaches the summit and passes you on the way down. All experience levels are welcome, and lights are recommended for the first few weeks. The route covers about 17 miles with roughly 2,381 feet of elevation gain.

This casual community run sets out from A Snail's Pace Running Shop in Mission Viejo and follows a simple out and back route along the Aliso Creek Bikeway. The distance is approximately 3 miles, with participants returning to the shop for light refreshments at the finish. All levels and paces are encouraged to take part.

Embrace a little intrigue with a mystery wine experience. For $35, receive a secret bottle of red or white, with its identity revealed only after your first sip. Each pick is not on the regular list and is offered at a special price, making it an inviting way to explore and possibly find a new favorite.

Ian Bagg performs live at Irvine Improv.

Reset your day with a rejuvenating Tai Chi Qigong class that helps center the mind and boost energy. The session takes place inside the Kaleidoscope Marketplace on the top floor of Union Market in a calm, cozy setting that welcomes all levels, from beginners to experienced practitioners. The class lasts one hour. Pricing options are $15 for a single class or $40 for a pack of four sessions. Afterward, explore the coffee, dining, and entertainment options available throughout Kaleidoscope.

Meet others interested in learning ASL at a relaxed gathering at Starbucks at the Irvine Spectrum. The focus is on having fun, meeting people, and enjoying a friendly atmosphere. Everyone is welcome, with no level requirement.

Ian Bagg takes the stage for a live performance at Irvine Improv.

Meet in the parking lot behind Wahoo's, then set out on an all-levels ride. Intermediate-plus riders will travel through Whiting Ranch Park to the Luge Flag, with the option to take the Luge descent or return via the Santiago Truck Trail. Beginners can ride within Whiting Ranch. Swag will be available for everyone.

Explore locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, cooked items, handmade crafts, and additional finds. Among the vendors are Bee Ladies Honey, Castellanos Farm, Berumen Farms, Golden Farms, Happy Hens Eggs, Microgreens Tiny Farm, Tea Lucky, and The Tamale Fiesta. Also featured are Lucy’s Sourdough Bakery, Chaupain Bakery, and Sandy’s Kitchen offering granola.

An elegant gala at Mission Viejo Country Club honors the newest California Swing Dance Hall of Fame inductees and marks 36 years of celebrating excellence in the swing dance community. The evening opens with check-in and photo opportunities, continues with a cash-bar reception, then a buffet meal with dessert. After dinner, the program features award presentations and showcase performances, along with plenty of time for social dancing. Semi-formal or festive evening attire is encouraged. Emcee Jessica McCurdy leads the program, with music by DJs Andrew Jose and Sharlot Bott. Tickets are $65 per person. For more information, contact Gary Thompson at (714) 614-5706.

Soka Performing Arts Center launches its season with the world premiere of Resonance and Renewal, a new cello concerto by pianist and composer David Benoit, with Cécilia Tsan as featured soloist. Shaped by Benoit’s recovery from a kidney transplant, the music follows a path from uncertainty and fragility to resilience, gratitude, and healing. The cello leads the narrative like a human voice, sometimes searching and delicate, then ascending with renewed strength. The program opens with remarks from kidney surgeon Jeffrey Veale, head of the kidney transplant program at UCLA. Benoit then offers reflections on his experience with End Stage Kidney Disease. The premiere follows, with Benoit conducting a 40 piece orchestra and Tsan at center stage. In the second half, Benoit returns to the piano to play a selection of his well known works, and the orchestra rejoins for the finale. Across more than four decades, Benoit has built a career as a conductor, composer, arranger, and jazz pianist. He is a multiple Grammy nominee and an Emmy winner for It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown, with scoring credits that include The Stars Fell on Henrietta and The Christmas Tree. His appearances with major ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra, long tenure as Music Director of the Asia America Symphony Association, and founding of the Asia America Youth Orchestra reflect a broad musical reach. He has performed for three U.S. presidents and is known for connecting jazz and symphonic traditions. Cécilia Tsan studied at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris, earned top honors in cello and chamber music, and is a prizewinner at international competitions. She has appeared worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician with collaborators such as Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Augustin Dumay. In Los Angeles she has recorded hundreds of film scores with composers including John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and Danny Elfman, serves as Principal Cellist of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, has performed on televised ceremonies such as the Academy Awards and the Emmy Awards, and is Artistic Director of the Sunday Afternoon Concerts in the Dome series at Mount Wilson Observatory.

Enjoy a live onstage performance by Ian Bagg at Irvine Improv.

Orange County SC hosts Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Championship Soccer Stadium at the Great Park complex in Irvine for a meeting between teams from different conferences. Pittsburgh is known for disciplined defending and swift counterattacks, while Orange County prefers to dictate the pace at home, setting up a clash of approaches that could hinge on a handful of decisive moments. With late-season points influencing the playoff picture, the matchup should feature sharp focus and intensity from kickoff.

Pet Supply Warehouse in Mission Viejo hosts an affordable clinic for dogs and cats with veterinary services provided by Vet Care Vaccination Services, Inc. Available care includes vaccine packages, microchipping, physical exams, prescription flea control, fecal testing, and diagnostic services, offering a straightforward way to handle routine pet health needs in one stop.

Experience the fifth annual Dinkin for da Kids pickleball tournament with an Oktoberfest theme. Participants are encouraged to wear lederhosen or a dirndl and enjoy tournament play at Palos Verdes Tennis Club. After the matches, refuel with bratwurst, pretzels, and more. Further details will be shared soon.

At Pets Plus, a mobile clinic provides affordable services for dogs and cats, including vaccinations, microchipping, flea control, and additional options. No appointments are required, so walk-ins are welcome. For safety, dogs should arrive on leashes and cats should be in carriers.