By Faith Luevanos | Special to the Newport Beach Indy

On October 15, the Newport Beach Film Festival showcased the film “Frampton” as its opening night film, a documentary commemorating the 50th anniversary of Peter Frampton’s famed live album, ‘Frampton Comes Alive!,”

The film is directed by Frampton’s longtime bandleader, Rob Arthur, who co-wrote it with Rob Chapman. I was never introduced to Frampton when I was growing up, so I went into this film completely blind. I thought it was beautiful to learn about his story from his early days in bands like The Herd and Humble Pie, and how those bands were essential milestones in the path that led to his later success.

Few artists have experienced the highs, heartbreaks, and unexpected turns of rock stardom quite like Frampton. The documentary explores the life and legacy of the legendary guitarist, tracing his evolution from a teenage prodigy to an internationally celebrated musician.

His groundbreaking live album “Frampton Comes Alive!” became one of the best-selling records of all time, defining an era of rock music with his unmistakable guitar tone and signature talk box. Reaching beyond the music, the film offers a closer look at the person behind the iconic sound, highlighting the triumphs and challenges that shaped his remarkable career.

Recounts of his life were told from his own perspective, as well as from other greats he left a mark on along the way. Guests like Ringo Starr, Sheryl Crow, Tom Morello, Kate Hudson, and Alice Cooper were just a handful of the people who joined the documentary, eager to share their experiences with Frampton that changed their lives for the better.

Frampton confronts his diagnosis of IBM, a progressive muscle disease that threatens his ability to perform. As he navigates the uncertainty of his final chapter, the film becomes a testament to resilience, legacy, and the everlasting connection between an artist and his craft.

More than a celebration of a crucial piece of rock history, Frampton is an intimate look into the idea of a musician determined to keep on performing while discovering meaning in the music and relationships that have carried him through every chapter in his life.

Visit https://www.framptonfilm.com for more information and screening dates.

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More than 200 Orange County business leaders and community visionaries gathered at Newport Beach Country Club on October 15 for The Good Lunch 2026, Goodwill of Orange County’s annual fundraising event celebrating the power of work and the importance of creating career pathways to sustainable jobs.

The event raised $170,000 to support workforce development programs that help young adults build skills, gain work experience, and pursue meaningful careers.

The Good Lunch brought together supporters, major local employers, community partners, and philanthropic leaders for an inspiring afternoon focused on opportunity, personal growth, and the impact of workforce development.

This year’s event highlighted Goodwill OC’s commitment to helping young adults overcome challenges such as limited work experience, involvement with the justice system, foster care transitions, disabilities, and other barriers to employment.

Funds raised through The Good Lunch will help expand career navigation, paid work experience, job readiness training, skills development, supportive services, and connections to employment opportunities for young people throughout Orange County. These programs provide critical support at a time when many young adults are struggling to establish stable career pathways and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency.

“Every young person deserves the opportunity to discover their potential and build a meaningful career,” said Nicole Suydam, President and CEO of Goodwill of Orange County. “The generosity displayed at The Good Lunch will help us provide the encouragement, training, and individualized support that empower young adults to overcome barriers and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.”

During the event, guests heard firsthand stories of transformation and learned how Goodwill OC helps individuals move from uncertainty to confidence through a journey of personal support, work experience, and career development. The program also highlighted the organization’s vision for continued growth, including expanding access to high-demand career pathways and innovative workforce development initiatives that prepare individuals for the future of work.

The event was made possible through the support of sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community partners who share Goodwill OC’s belief that employment is one of the most powerful tools for changing lives.

To learn more about Goodwill of Orange County, visit www.ocgoodwill.org.

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Visit Newport Beach promotes our city to both locals and visitors, and they’ve done it with creative campaigns that have won awards and captured attention.

One of their most memorable was their 2015 UK marketing campaign called “Picture Perfect” that Visit Newport Beach said drew more than 50,000 people to our town.

Visit Newport Beach launched the “Picture Perfect” campaign in the dead of winter, and featured a clear-sided truck with the campaign’s brand messaging “Picture Perfect” on the exterior and a large beach motif inside complete with real sand, lounge chairs, tropical plants, heat lamps, beach cruiser bikes, and similar items.

The truck toured central London for a week in early February. Visitors who entered the truck were encouraged to take a “selfie” on lounge chairs in front of the Newport Beach coastal scene and tag the photo. The “Picture Perfect” sweepstakes included a dream vacation to Newport Beach.

Now, Visit Newport Beach has used a similar concept in New York.

The Vacation Club Pop-Up is an immersive brand experience that brought a Newport Beach vacation to the heart of New York City. Following a private preview for media, influencers and VIPs, the four-store pop-up opened to the public for three days in Manhattan’s Nolita neighborhood. More than 3,500 visitors came through the doors, well above expectations, and every one of them was welcomed by name as a member of the Club.

For three years, the Newport Beach Vacation Club has invited travelers to experience Newport Beach as their own private “club without walls.” The pop-up turned that brand world into a place people could walk into. Each of the four storefronts told one chapter of a Newport Beach vacation:

• The Clubhouse & Check-In: This space was representative of world-class hospitality and service found in Newport Beach. Guests were invited to check in, and Prescott West IV, the Club’s General Manager, welcomed each of them by name.
• Beach Stroll: An island of real sand, a boardwalk and a saltwater taffy bar brought a sunny Newport Beach afternoon to Lower Manhattan.
• Golden Hour Sail: This space transported guests aboard a Newport Beach sailboat at golden hour, the Club’s newest vessel for its maiden voyage. Guests were welcomed by Captain Finn who ceremoniously christened the boat before inviting club members to help give the new vessel its official name.
• Midnight Dip: Guests were invited to take a “Midnight Dip” in the oversized caviar pool for an unexpected photo moment, bringing their Newport Beach vacation from day into night.

Between locations, a custom Duffy Electric Boat-inspired pedicab named Sea Legs carried the Club through the streets of Nolita.

“New Yorkers see destination advertising everywhere they look, so we knew a billboard alone could never capture how a Newport Beach vacation feels,” said Gary Sherwin, President & CEO of Visit Newport Beach. “Instead of asking people to picture Newport Beach, we let them step inside it and be fully immersed. Watching more than 3,500 guests walk in as New Yorkers and leave as members of the Club showed us how far this platform can go.”

Visit Newport Beach’s in-house team created the concept, creative direction, storytelling and guest journey. Twelve ambassadors played members of the Club staff, each with a name, role and backstory drawn from a 25-page character and hospitality brief.

Invited guests received personal letters from Club staff members written in each character’s voice. By the time they arrived, they already knew who would greet them. The team installed all four environments in less than 24 hours, nearly 3,000 miles from home.

According to Visit Newport Beach, New York is one of Newport Beach’s most valuable long-haul markets. It is also one of the most crowded media environments in the world. The pop-up gave high-value New York travelers a personal way to experience Newport Beach’s hospitality, coastline, harbor, resorts, dining and nightlife firsthand. Every moment was designed to be captured and shared, and opt-ins collected at check-in will let Visit Newport Beach invite guests to plan a visit.

Through partnerships with local content creators and media outlets in the weeks leading up to the event, press and social media coverage of the pop-up generated more than eight million impressions.

“Newport Beach is a destination built on hospitality,” said Ashley Johnson, SVP and CMO, Visit Newport Beach. “Nearly 3,000 miles from home, we got to show that hospitality in person, one guest at a time. We hope every New Yorker who joined the Club in Nolita is already planning a real trip to come visit us.”

Visit www.visitnewportbeach.com for more information.

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‘Tis the season to make unforgettable memories in Newport Beach as Visit Newport Beach unveils the fourth annual “50 Days of Festive Fun” holiday campaign, running for 50 days from November 16, 2026, through January 4, 2027.

This holiday season holds special significance as it marks the grand finale of Visit Newport Beach’s yearlong “120 Years of Welcome” campaign, celebrating the city’s 120th anniversary and its enduring legacy as one of California’s most beloved coastal destinations since its incorporation in 1906.

From dazzling tree lightings and festive holiday markets to beautifully adorned luxury resorts, seasonal culinary delights, and endless holiday shopping, Newport Beach comes alive with the magic of the season, inviting locals and visitors alike to celebrate in true coastal style.

The crown jewel of the holiday season, the iconic Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, returns for its 118th year, illuminating Newport Harbor from December 16 through 20.

Beginning in November, the season sparkles to life. Holiday tree lightings kick off at VEA Newport Beach on November 19, followed by Pendry Newport Beach on November 27, and Balboa Bay Resort on November 29.

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina launches the 36th Annual Lighting of the Bay and the Fire & Lights Festival on November 27 with fire pits, s’mores, fire dancing, photos with Santa, an igloo bar, giant inflatables, and over 50 floating holiday light displays on the bay.

Garden lovers can stroll through Merry & Bright Nights at Sherman Gardens from December 3 through 17 or explore the Christmas Boutique at Roger’s Gardens through December 23. Holiday shoppers will find unique gifts at Balboa Bay Resort’s Mistletoe Market on November 22 and Crystal Cove’s Annual Tree Lighting and Holiday Bazaar on December 5.

Community traditions shine throughout December. Santa makes his arrival at Lido Marina Village on December 5, and the 47th Annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk fills the village with holiday cheer on December 6. On December 13, the Balboa Island Holiday Home Walking Tour showcases the island’s most festive homes.

Newport Beach resorts bring the holiday magic, too. At both VEA Newport Beach and The Resort at Pelican Hill, guests can order holiday décor amenities straight delivered straight to guest rooms and villas. Families can enjoy Pancakes & Pajamas and Story Time With Mrs. Claus at Pendry Newport Beach, along with Island Christmas at Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, a one-of-a-kind holiday luau where the magic of the season meets the spirit of the islands. Guests can also cozy up at VEA’s Holiday Hideout lounge and at Lido House Hotel’s Holiday High Tea.

Festive dining rounds out the season with Thanksgiving feasts at The Resort at Pelican Hill, Balboa Bay Resort, Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, VIEW at VEA Newport Beach and more, plus a Thanksgiving Day Premier Brunch Cruise.

“Newport Beach shines brightest during the holidays, and our fourth annual ’50 Days of Festive Fun’ brings more ways than ever to celebrate the season by the sea,” said Gary Sherwin, President & CEO of Visit Newport Beach, in a press statement. “From the 118th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and its grand kickoff at Marina Park to tree lightings, holiday markets and festive dining across the city, Newport Beach is truly the most festive coastal destination in America, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors and locals to create lasting memories with the people they love.”

For the entire calendar of “50 Days of Festive Fun” events, please visit www.50DaysOfFestiveFun.com.

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Lobster donuts, Macallan whisky and Piper-Heidsieck champagne with afternoon tea? Yes please!

Leave it to Chef Partner Riley Huddleston at The Mayor’s Table inside the Lido House Hotel to concoct a memorable tea experience.

Beginning November 7, Lido House, Autograph Collection launches a seasonal weekend afternoon tea series at The Mayor’s Table, pairing handcrafted scones and inventive savory bites with premium teas and a rotating calendar of seasonal themes.

Offered Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. through December 27, the experience features a menu curated by Chef Huddleston and The Mayor’s Table culinary team, bringing a coastal perspective to the cherished tradition.

Alongside scones served with citrus jam, Devonshire cream and cultured butter, highlights include The Mayor’s Table Lobster Donut with umami dust and yuzu kosho, cucumber sandwiches with Meyer lemon–scented fromage blanc, and Jidori chicken salad with cashew green goddess.

Sweet bites include a 14-layer mille-feuille with Sandgate espresso and caramelized pistachio crunch, a lemon tart with tarragon meringue, and a hidden rose gem cake with Tahitian vanilla ganache and almond sponge.

Each weekend introduces a seasonal theme and featured partner:

November 7–8: California Harvest with The Macallan*

November 14–15: Citrus & Champagne with Piper Champagne*

November 21–22: Autumnal Vibes with Sandgate Coffee Roasters

November 28–29: Autumnal Vibes with Antonius Caviar**

December 5–6: Winter Solstice with No.3 Gin*

December 12–13: European Holiday Market with Brugal Rum*

December 19–20: European Holiday Market with St. Nicolas

December 26–27: Rare & Oddities with Rare Tea Cellars

Afternoon tea is $89 per person. Select weekends (*) offer optional enhancements for an additional $30 per person, and an optional Antonius Caviar enhancement (**) for $105.

By the way, Mayor’s Table has an impressive collection of California and French wines, including “Essentiel” by Riley Huddleston, a signature bubbly cuvee made in collaboration with Piper Heidsieck Champagne in France.

Visit www.lidohousehotel.com for more information.

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Pendry Newport Beach is busy this month! The celebrated hotel has a lineup of seasonal dining, festive family activities, and special experiences throughout November.

Highlights include the annual Chefsgiving event benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, a holiday tree lighting ceremony, and seasonal dining at SET Steak & Sushi and Bar Pendry.

Chefsgiving: November 13, 6 to 9:30 p.m.

Pendry Newport Beach’s Chefsgiving brings together Orange County chefs for a one-night Thanksgiving celebration benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County. Guests can enjoy signature Thanksgiving dishes at chef-attended action stations, wine and live entertainment. Elwood VIP access is available from 6 to 6:30 p.m., followed by General Admission from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are available for $150 per person, and 100 percent of ticket proceeds benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.

Friendsgiving at SET Steak & Sushi: November 25, 5 to 10 p.m.

Kick off the holiday weekend at Friendsgiving at SET, where a DJ takes the room from 6 to 10 p.m. and the energy stays high before the big day. The night centers on JT’s Korean Style Fried Turkey, served all evening alongside a lineup of shareable sides built for a table of friends. JT’s Korean Style Fried Turkey is $55 per Person, exclusive of tax, service charge is included, available all night.  Reservations are recommended; walk-ins are welcome.

Thanksgiving at SET Steak & Sushi: November 26, 4 to 9 p.m.

Gather at SET on Thanksgiving Day for a menu of seasonal specials set against the restaurant’s signature steak and sushi pairing. The table stays relaxed and open all afternoon, making it easy to build the holiday around your own schedule. Reservations are recommended; walk-ins are welcome.

Thanksgiving at Bar Pendry: November 26, 3 to 10 p.m.

Bar Pendry keeps its regular menu running through Thanksgiving Day, with an à la carte turkey plate added beginning at 3 p.m. It’s an easy option for guests who want a taste of the holiday without a formal sit-down affair, paired with Bar Pendry’s usual cocktail-forward atmosphere. Come for the turkey, stay for the evening. No reservations required; walk-ins are welcome.

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony: November 27, 6:30–9 p.m.

Pendry Newport Beach’s annual tree lighting features a 30-foot holiday tree, a live performance by Orange County School of the Arts, seasonal cocktails and photos with Santa. Food and drinks will be available on the lawn throughout the evening, offering a festive setting for families to enjoy the holiday season. Complimentary for resort guests and the local community. No reservations required.

For more information, visit www.pendry.com/newport-beach.

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That’s a wrap!

The 2026 Newport Beach Film Festival ended its eight-day run on October 22, having featured movie premieres, A-list talent, independent filmmakers, and memorable after-parties as part of the Festival’s 26th anniversary.

“The Newport Beach Film Festival has become the largest celebration of cinema in coastal Southern California,” stated Newport Beach Film Festival President and CEO Greg Schwenk. “This year, we received and reviewed over 4,000 submissions to find the 300 to 350 films that are in the festival. We hosted 18 special events, things like the opening night gala in Fashion Island with 2,500 people. That’s a pretty amazing way to start off any festival. We are exceptionally proud of what we have built, but we built it upon the shoulders of giants, and those giants are the programming department and our volunteers—the men and women who give up their time and talent to make the festival happen. So, thank you to all of our volunteers, our programming team, and the entire staff at the Newport Beach Film Festival.”

From October 15 through 22, the Festival screened an international selection of more than 100 feature films and 250 short subjects, from narrative dramas and fascinating documentaries to exciting action sports features and culinary exposés.

The 27th annual Newport Beach Film Festival opened October 15 with a screening of the documentary “Frampton,” featuring renowned rock star Peter Frampton, who attended the opening-night screening and participated in a Q&A before the film began.

After the screening of “Frampton,” the Film Festival hosted a gala event at Fashion Island that featured more than 20 restaurants plus bars serving Tito’s Vodka cocktails.

The Festival concluded on Thursday, Oct. 22 with two closing night films: Oscar-nominated director/writer Tony Gilroy’s “Behemoth!” starring Pedro Pascal (at the Big Newport Theater) and “Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires” at The Lido Theater.

In between opening and closing night, the Festival hosted its annual Honors program plus Variety’s 10 Actors to Watch.

This year’s honorees included Miles Teller (Artist of Distinction Award), Jessica Lange (Icon Award), Taraji P. Henson (Artist of Distinction Award), Justin Hartley (Artist of Distinction Award), Sarah Finn (Casting Visionary Award), Mckenna Grace (Spotlight Award), KJ Apa (Spotlight Award), Jack O’Connell (Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award), Gemma Chan (Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award), Emmy Rossum (Outstanding Performance in Television Award), and Sosie Bacon (Breakout Award).

In her acceptance speech, Mckenna Grace told the audience of industry VIPs that “It is such an honor to be here with so many people whose work I’ve admired for so long, and it’s still crazy to me that I get to call you my peers, let alone accept this honor. I’m always doubting myself and wondering if I belong. And I still feel like a little girl who can’t quite believe that she’s in the room. And I think that’s okay. I think maybe we don’t have to wait until we’re completely confident to recognize that we’re capable of doing something meaningful. We can be learning how to believe in ourselves while allowing ourselves to be proud of what we’ve already done.”

Next up for the Newport Beach Film Festival: the Third Annual Newport Beach TV Fest, taking place June 3-6, 2027. And of course, the 28th annual edition of the Newport Beach Film Festival, which returns in October 2027.

And now that the cinematic dust has settled, the Newport Beach Film Festival has announced the film awards for the 2026 Festival. Films that screened during the Festival competed for Audience, Jury, and Festival awards; winners are listed below.

AUDIENCE AWARDS

• Best Narrative Feature: Wild Horse Nine
• Best International Feature: La Bola Negra
• Best Documentary Feature: 4000 Days
• Best Animated Feature: In Waves
• Best Music Documentary Feature: Frampton
• Best Thriller Feature: Better
• Best Action Sports Feature: Stern Fever
• Best Art, Architecture + Design Feature: Heroic: Sabin Howard Sculpts the National WWI Memorial and Leica – A Century of Vision (tie)
• Best Environmental Feature: The Sludge War
• Best Culinary Feature: How To Feed a Dictator
• Best Family Feature: Whale Shark Jack
• Best Irish Feature: You’ll Never Believe Who’s Dead
• Best Narrative Short: The 65th
• Best Documentary Short: Guardians of Anatolia
• Best International Short: To Save a Life
• Best Animated Short: The Whistle
• Best Action Sports Short: Hunter’s Moon
• Best Art, Architecture + Design Short: Women Laughing
• Best Irish Short: Listen and FAT (tie)

JURY AWARDS

• Best Feature Narrative: A Talent For Murder, Anton Corbijn
• Best Feature Narrative Screenplay: A Talent For Murder, Joanna Murray-Smith
• Best Feature Narrative Director: Paweł Pawlikowski, Fatherland
• Best Feature Narrative Cinematography: Fatherland, Łukasz Żal
• Best Feature Narrative Actor: Alden Ehrenreich, A Talent For Murder
• Best Feature Narrative Actress: Sandra Hüller, Fatherland
• Best Feature Narrative Ensemble: …And Out Comes the Wolf
• Best Documentary: All American Girls, Andrea Berman and Christy Wegener
• Best Documentary Short: The Baddest Speechwriter of All
• Best Narrative Short: Every Time I See a Yellow Car
• Best Animated Short: That Night
• Best Irish Short: A Vinyl Goodbye

FESTIVAL HONORS

• Outstanding Achievement in Directing: Paper Tiger
• Outstanding Achievement in Narrative Filmmaking: Jimmy and Ink
• Outstanding Achievement in International Filmmaking: The Body is Water, Sisa and What A Way To Go
• Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Filmmaking: Carl Sagan: We Are Made of Star Stuff, As Far Back As I Can Remember…The Story of Goodfellas and Avedon
• Outstanding Achievement in Animation: Julián
• Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking – Action Sports: Beyond Borders Patagonia
• Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking – Art, Architecture + Design: The Last Inventor: Chuck Hull & The Hope of 3D Printing
• Outstanding Achievement in Filmmaking – Culinary: Noor: Eating History
• Outstanding Achievement in Editing: Mikkel E.G. Nielsen, Wild Horse Nine
• Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Gris Jordana, La Bola Negra
• Outstanding Achievement in Narrative Short Filmmaking: Fire Lily
• Outstanding Achievement in Documentary Short Filmmaking: Bright Harvest: Powering Earth From Space
• Outstanding Achievement in International Short Filmmaking: Submitting Tigers
• Outstanding Achievement in Short Filmmaking – Animation: Wait!
• Outstanding Achievement in Short Filmmaking – Action Sports: On Flying
• Outstanding Achievement in Short Filmmaking – Art, Architecture + Design: Curating Modernism

For more information, visit www.Ne wportBeachFilmFest.com.

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The Balboa Theater may finally be ready for its close-up.

Since it opened in 1928, the theater at 707 East Balboa Blvd. on the Balboa Peninsula has served as a vaudeville house, first-run movie theater, and a Pussycat theater. It was a revival house showing classic films (including midnight screenings of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”) when it closed in 1992.

As a longtime local, I was a regular at the Balboa Theater. I attended so many midnight screenings of “Rocky Horror Picture Show” that I could sing along (as did many audience members). I enjoyed screenings of John Waters movies, Andy Warhol films, and classics such as “Citizen Kane.”

In 1998, the city purchased the property with Community Development Block Grant funds and leased it to the Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation, which hoped to convert the aging theater into a multi-use facility for dance, music, theater, and film presentations.

In 1999, philanthropists John and Donna Crean gave the Balboa Performing Arts Theater Foundation $1 million. Numerous smaller donations over the ensuing years helped pay for a small staff that tried valiantly to raise the additional support needed to refurbish the theater.

Raising money to reopen the Balboa Theater, which had fallen into disrepair with a leaky roof and dilapidated interior, proved to be a bigger challenge than anyone expected. Several attempts were made by a series of Foundation CEOs.

From 2005 to 2007, I was part of the Foundation staff that tried to gather community support. We cleaned up the interior and constructed a wooden deck to hold fundraisers, trying to convince potential donors that the project had merit.

It was a hard sell. I’ve been on the theater’s roof inspecting the rotting wood, and wondered how the interior would ever be brought up to code.

Finally, in 2016, LAB Holdings bought the property from the city. In 2018, a proposal to renovate the theater was submitted to the Newport Beach Planning Commission but then withdrawn.

For the past eight years, the empty Balboa Theater sits as a reminder of what once was, and what could be.

Historic Balboa Theater Sold to Real Estate Investor

Now, nearly a century after opening, the Balboa Village landmark is changing ownership with plans for restoration and a deed restriction that preserves its connection to the performing arts.

Coastal Commercial has announced the successful sale of the historic Balboa Theater. The sale closed on Friday, Oct. 23, 2026.

The property was sold by a local family office to a local private real estate investor who intends to restore the theater. Coastal Commercial represented the seller, while Christian Emerson of The Oppenheim Group represented the buyer.

According to a press release from Coastal Commercial, a unique component of the recent transaction was a deed restriction intended to preserve the property’s longstanding connection to entertainment, culture, and the performing arts.

Under the restriction, the property must continue to be used for theatrical, cultural, event-related, or performing arts purposes. Ancillary commercial uses are also permitted, providing flexibility for complementary businesses and activities that support the property’s future operations.

The restriction establishes a framework for the property’s future use while helping maintain its historical identity as an entertainment and cultural destination within Balboa Village.

“It is great to finally see the Balboa Theater enter a new chapter,” said Nathan Holthouser, President of Coastal Commercial. “Historic theaters can be challenging properties to own and restore, and the people who take on these projects often do so because they have a genuine passion for making a meaningful contribution to their communities.”

“Everyone involved is excited to see what comes next for this historic theater in the heart of Balboa Village,” Holthouser continued. “I wish the new buyer tremendous success in this endeavor, and I will personally be cheering them on from the sidelines.”

“The buyer has a long history of restoring historic landmarks across California, and this family is the right one to take on the Balboa Theater,” said Christian Emerson, Commercial Team Lead at The Oppenheim Group, who represented the buyer. “Our goal is to bring it back to its former glory as a theater with an elevated restoration.”

Coastal Commercial is a Southern California commercial real estate brokerage specializing in commercial leasing, investment sales, property management, and advisory services. The firm represents property owners, developers, and tenants throughout Orange County and Southern California. For more information, visit: www.coastalcommercial.com.

The Oppenheim Group Commercial Division takes a luxury, white-glove approach to commercial real estate. See www.ogroup.com/commercial.

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Newport Beach residents went to the polls on Tuesday, November 3 to vote on four city council races as well as other local races, state representatives and U.S. representatives, and ballet initiatives.

Results as of 8 a.m. on November 5, according to the Orange County Registrar of Voters website, www.OCVote.com.:

In Newport Beach City Council District 1, incumbent Joe Stapleton has what appears to be an insurmountable lead over Tina Babajanians, 70.13 percent to 29.87 percent.

In the Newport Beach City Council District 3 contest, incumbent Erik Weigand has a comfortable lead over his two challengers: 59.18 percent versus 28.85 percent for Walter Stahr and 11.97 percent for Tim Stoaks.

In the Newport Beach City Council District 4 contest, incumbent Robyn Grant ran unopposed and has 100 percent of the vote.

In Newport Beach City Council District 6, current Mayor Lauren Kleiman is out in front of Andy P. Gerken 57.00 percent to 43.00 percent.

For Ballot Measure H to amend the Newport Beach General Plan, the No votes are ahead 67.28 percent to 32.72 percent.

In the race for County Supervisor 5^th District, Katrina Foley leads former Newport Beach Mayor Diane Dixon 51.66 percent to 48.34 percent.

In the race for U.S. representative in the 47th District, Dave Min (Dem) has a comfortable lead over Jenny Rae Le Roux (Rep) 56.90 percent to 43.10 percent.

For Member of the State Assembly in the 72nd District, Gracey Ven Der Mark (Rep) has a slim lead over Chris Klume (Dem), 50.81 percent to 49.19 percent.

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As the Righteous Brothers demonstrated with their two sold-out shows in September, the Lido Theater has an outrageous sound system that’s perfect for live music.

With that in mind, the Lido Theater is presenting three tribute concerts in November, starting with one that’s more than a tribute.

On Friday, Nov. 6, Kenny Metcalf takes the stage at 8 p.m. as Elton & The Early Years Band – “Madman Across the Water” at 55.

Was it really 55 years that Elton John released his classic album that contained such songs as “Tiny “Dancer,” “Levon” and of course the title track.

Audiences will step back in time as Metcalf and his band deliver a powerhouse tribute celebrating the music, style, and showmanship of one of rock’s most iconic artists.

What makes this concert so special is that guitarist Caleb Quaye—one of Elton John’s earliest musical collaborators and a guitarist who played electric guitar on two of the album’s most enduring songs, “Tiny Dancer” and “Levon”—will join Metcalf and the band at The Lido. They’ll perform songs from the landmark 1971 album alongside fan favorites from Elton’s legendary catalog.

The next night, Nov. 7, is Devotional: The Depeche Mode Experience. For over 15 years, Devotional – The Depeche Mode Experience featuring Freddie Morales has brought the sound, style, and spirit of Depeche Mode to life with remarkable authenticity. Experience iconic hits, deep cuts, dramatic visuals, and the dark, electrifying energy of one of modern music’s most influential bands for more than four decades.

And finally, on Friday, Nov. 13, audiences will be thrilled to hear DSB: The World’s Greatest Journey Tribute Band.

With soaring vocals, incredible musicianship, and high-energy performances, DSB brings the legendary Steve Perry era to life with stunning authenticity. From “Don’t Stop Believin’” to “Faithfully,” relive Journey’s biggest hits in a dazzling concert experience that captures the power, emotion, and spirit of rock’s golden era.

A bonus concert on November 19: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy takes the stage to perform their 1940s swing meets jazz, jump blues, and Dixieland with pop-rock flair.

The Lido Theater still screens classic and first-run movies. For a complete schedule, visit https://www.thelidotheater.com.

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