Hello and happy Friday. What a week it was. Apparently we had a heatwave. We didn’t notice, with the light marine layer and 71° max temps, but to be fair that is a fairly expensive coastal breeze. Its really eating into our Ancient Grains Einkorn flour budget.

In today’s Buzz:

• Where’s the Party Celebrates 35 years

• DUI Checkpoint tonight

• Mayor’s Egg Race Set for Saturday

• Soundbaths, Beach Cleanups and Bottomless Mimosas

— Jon Dougher, Publisher, Back Bay Buzz

Where’s The Party? Celebrates 35 years

Costa Mesa’s beloved party supply store, Where’s the Party?, located on 17th, celebrated its 35th anniversary on April 1 with cakes, Champagne, and balloons. Owner Candy Hirte opened the store in 1989, transforming her passion for celebrations into a thriving local favorite. Known for custom creations and impeccable etiquette, the store boasts 18 dedicated employees, many of whom have been there for decades. Longtime employee Julie Habecker calls the team a “family” bonded by a love for making events memorable. Regular customers praise the store’s personal touch, extensive inventory, and festive atmosphere. This is our reminder to ditch Amazon and shop local for all your stationary needs.

DUI Checkpoint in Costa Mesa This Friday

The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) will be conducting a driving under the influence (DUI) and driver’s license checkpoint on Friday, April 11, 2025, from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. within the city limits. Not that any of our readers would need this information. What we really need is an E-bike helmet and wheelie checkpoint on Irvine during school pickup.

 📺️ WHAT TO WATCH 📺️ 

Well, White Lotus and 1923 are finally over. Those finales were…something. We have some notes. Good thing Last of Us and Black Mirror are coming out this weekend, mushroom zombies and techno-dystopia are our go-to’s for warding off the Sunday Scaries. Here’s what else we’ll be binging this weekend:

• The Amateur - Rami Malek is like a little tiny Jason Bourne. (Theaters)

• Sacramento - This one looks INDIE. In a good way. (Theaters)

• The Last of Us - season two. Pedro Pascal being a dad and a daddy at the same time (Max)

• Black Mirror - season seven. Looks like they got some A list cameos. (Netflix)

• Hacks, season four - Wait, there have been 3 seasons?? (Max)

• The Masters - It’s in the hole.

• The Clubhouse: A Year with the Red Sox (Netflix)

—WHAT TO DO—

• Sound Bath, Meditation, and Breath Work - SEED Costa Mesa - Sat 4/12 9-11am - Tickets

• Volunteer for a Beach Cleanup! - Newport Beach Pier - Sat 4/13 10am - Info

• Get $30 Bottomless Mimosas at the Set - (after 2.5 mimos it pays for itself. They’re basically paying you to drink there) - Pendry Hotel, Sat-Sun - Info

• 🍷 OC Wine Fest (21+) - OC Fairgrounds (The Hangar) - Sat 4/12-Sun 4/13 - Tickets

• WOODEN EASTER EGG CRAFTING WORKSHOP - The Lab - Sat 4/12 11am-2pm - Info

• Race for Eggs @ The Mayor’s Egg Race - Newport Beach City Hall (100 Civic Center Dr) - Sat 4/12 10am-12pm

• 🗝️ All-Island Garage Sale - Balboa Island - Saturday April 12th 7:30a-1p - Info

• Hat & Boot Branding - Tattoos & tooth gems (?). Just in time for festival season! - Landers - Sunday 4/13 - Info

UPCOMING:

• 🐰 Easter Bunny @ the Atrium Lawn - Fashion Island - 3/21-4/19 Mo-Sun 11am - Info

• Buffalo Exchange Earth Day $1 Sale - The Lab Costa Mesa - Sat 4/19 11-4pm - Info

• All Target Stores Closed for Easter - Sunday 4/20

• South Coast Plaza Garden Show - South Coast Plaza - Fri 4/25-4/28 - Info

• Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race - 4/25-4/27 - Info

• Air | Water Porsche Experience - OC Fairgrounds - Sat 4/26

• 🌎️ Earth Day Festival - Costa Mesa City Hall - Sat 4/26 10am-2pm - Info

• 🛥️ Newport Beach International Boat Show - Want to hobnob with some bajillionaires? Check out the Newport Beach International Boat Show (NBIBS, s’cyute) and be sure to invite us out for a sunset cruise once you lock down a sugar zaddy - May 2nd-4th - Tickets

• 🏃 OC Marathon - OC Fairgrounds - Sat-Sun 5/3-5/4

• Newport Beach TV Fest - June 5-8 - Info

• 🍕 Half-Off Pizzas - Stag Bar - Every Tuesday - Dine-in Only - Info

Friday

56🌡️ 68 I ⛅️ I 7% Rain I 9mph 🌬️ 

Saturday

56🌡️ 64 I ☁️ I 15% Rain I 8mph 🌬️ 

Sunday

54🌡️ 64 I ⛅️ I 0% Rain I 10mph 🌬️ 

🌊 Water temp = 56º

This Weekend:

• Easter Bunny Photos - Lido Deck (Lido Village) - Saturday 4/12 11am-1pm - Info

• Imaginology - OC Fairgrounds - Sat April 12-13 - Info

• Spring Hootenanny (Fundraiser for Little Folk House) - Saturday 4/12 10-11am - Info

• OC Pet & Reptile Expo - OC Fairgrounds - Sat-Sun - Tickets

• The Great Eggscape - The Crossing Church, Costa Mesa - Sun 4/13 (During Kids Service) 8:30a, 10a, 11:30a

PLAN AHEAD:

• Springfest 2025 (A (Easter?) Pirate Adventure) - Lions Park - Sat 4/19 10a-2p - Info

• Touch A Truck - City of Newport Beach - Sat May 17th - Time and Location TBD

Friday

• Matthew Logan Vasquez with Softjaw - Wayfarer - 7pm - Tickets

Saturday

• Joshua Ray Walker with Nate Bergman - Wayfarer - 7pm - Tickets

  • Also Playing: Shifty, King Julian, Bijan - 10pm

• K-TEL ALL STARS | The Totally 70's Show - Campus JAX - 8:30pm - Tickets

Sunday

• THE IRVINE BARCLAY THEATRE JAZZ BAND FT. LIA BOOTH - Campus JAX - 6:30pm - Tickets

• Steve Carson Benefit feat Jay Buchanan, Railroad To Alaska, others (Benefit concert) - Wayfarer - 5pm - Tickets

Plan Ahead:

• Chelsey Sanchez (Acoustic) - The Camp (courtyard) - Wed 4/16 11am-1pm

  • Also Playing: The Lemonsharks

• Ben Folds (That Ben Folds?) - Seagerstrom - 4/25-4/26 8pm - Tickets

Thanks! Please ignore any typos, our editor