// Theater //
You Great, Big Beautiful Dahl
The BFG
For some reason, Roald Dahl stories tend to be more memorable than most other children's lit of yesteryear. Long after you forget which Judy Blume adolescent asked God if he was there, or what it was Nancy Drew found in that clock, giant peaches and magical little-girl witches still parade around your memory.
And, of course, The BFG is no exception. The story's a tough one to forget. The BFG (Big Friendly Giant—not Bellowing Fat Girl, BF Goodrich, or whatever it is you're thinking) wanders into London one day and snatches little Sophie out of her bed—and lucky for Sophie, the BFG lives up to his name: He's a vegetarian (with a penchant for only snozzcumbers) while his equally large and 1,000-times-meaner brethren snack on kids. And not only does the BFG like blowing happy dreams into the ears and bedrooms of other little girls and boys, but he also lets Sophie come along for the ride, hiding in the soft spot behind his ear.
Watch your mind's parade come to life, as South Coast Repertory presents David Wood's fanciful adaptation of The BFG, combining actors and puppets.
The BFG at South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, (714) 708-5576; www.southcoastrepertory.com. Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 2 4:30 p.m. N 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 2 N 4:30 p.m. $20-$27.
– Vickie Chang
// Music //
The Buzz About an Even Bigger Swarm
Enjambre
The last time we checked up on Enjambre (“swarm” in Spanish), the quartet had just released a new album and was being feted at Univisión parties. Two years later, Orange County's best hope for a rocken español success story is one person bigger and has a new EP for sale (Mania Cardiaca, which roughly translates to “Heartache”) but ultimately remains the same, with the shimmering chords, stubborn drumbeats and barbershop harmonizing we raved about way back when.
Enjambre will be playing Latin-music cathedral JC Fandango before embarking on a tour of the motherland. Also appearing with Enjambre are two other rock enespañol standard bearers: La Gusana Ciega (The Blind Worm, a name almost as great as the Exploding Fuck Dolls) and Pastilla (Pill, not so great a name).
Enjambre, La Gusana Ciega and Pastilla at JC Fandango, 1086 N. State College Blvd., Anaheim, (714) 758-1057; www.jcf.com. Sun., ?8 p.m. $15. All ages.
– Gustavo Arellano
// Activism //
This Food Is Louder Than a Bomb
Food Not Bombs Santa Ana
Every Sunday, a group of volunteers meets to distribute fresh vegetarian meals. Not just to homeless people—but everyone. All of the food is made from vegetables that would otherwise be thrown out, so nothing is wasted.
Food Not Bombs believes that food is a right, not a privilege. They don't ask for donations; they just seek to provoke nonviolent social change. Started in Massachusetts by a group of anti-nuclear activists in 1980, chapters of Food Not Bombs are now present throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. And one of their locations is right here in Santa Ana.
C'mon: Free food and peace? Sounds tasty.
Food Not Bombs meets in front of the Santa Ana Library, 26 Civic Center Plaza, Santa Ana; www.foodnotbombs.net. Every Sun., 3 p.m. Free.
– Amanda Parsons
