Scott FeinblattThere are already plenty of delicious reasons to visit TRADE Marketplace. They currently have 15 dining spots listed on their website, as well as 11 non-food businesses which range from beauty salons to financial advisors. As far as the food is concerned, this reporter has already had the opportunity to sample and write about Champion’s Curry, SmörBurgers, OlyvOyl, and Presotea. Regrettably, SmörBurgers has moved on. In any case, the good folks at TRADE are now offering patrons even more incentive to stop by for a bite at one of the many restaurants or pop into one of the retail shops that comprise the al fresco strip mall. That incentive comes in the form of evening entertainment with its Saturday Night Live Music and Paint & Dine events.
Photo courtesy of TRADE Marketplace
The Saturday Night Live Music series launched in January of this year. Since then, it has been providing guests with the opportunity to experience live musical performances from Orange County’s own artists and bands. The curators of the event strive to bring a sense of variety by featuring artists with unique styles. Guest artists thus far have included Dane Drewis and Christine Alicia. This Saturday, March 26, Aris Weathersby will be taking the stage from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Weathersby is a Southern Californian guitarist / singer-songwriter whose inspirations include such diverse musicians as Parliament-Funkadelic, Merle Haggard, Jimi Hendrix, Guns N’ Roses, and Metallica. He has been performing professionally for 8 years, and he has performed throughout the country with various bands and artists. This Saturday, he will be performing at TRADE with his trio.
The other new addition to TRADE’s entertainment roster of events is the Paint & Dine series. On the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month, artist Alexis Rivera will be providing beginner-friendly, step-by-step classes. Participants who sign up and pay the $35 entry fee will be coached in the creation of their own paintings of such vistas as beautiful landscapes, serene starry nights, and breathtaking ocean views. Aspiring painters of all levels are welcome, and all supplies will be provided, including acrylic paints and canvases.
Rivera believes that everyone is capable of creating their own imaginative works of art. She currently offers various opportunities – at a variety of colorful venues – in her own series of painting classes, entitled Painting & Vino, throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties. In addition to the Paint & Dine series at TRADE, she also conducts classes at Slater’s 50/50, Kimpton Hotel Palomar, AC Hotel by Marriott, Hilton Hotel, and Mass Hall Market. Her mission as an artist is to help inspire and encourage patrons to find their own, unique artistic abilities and to create their own masterpieces in a fun class setting (hence the vino). For a glimpse into her classes and to see some of the impressive products of her sessions, check out her Instagram account.
Photo courtesy of TRADE Marketplace
So, whether the sound of music or the potential to realize your inner Picasso sounds like an appealing complement to your dinner, TRADE has got you covered. Keep abreast of their musical nights and their current listing of dining options and retail shops at their site, and as for the arts, you can sign up for any of Rivera’s painting classes by visiting the events page of her website.
TRADE Marketplace is located at: 2222 Michelson Dr., Irvine, CA 92612
Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting Irvine Weekly and our advertisers.