You’ve heard urban groove music, but chances are that “turban groove” is a new sound to you. That’s what the unique San Francisco-based band BlackMahal calls its blend of hip-hop, funk and Punjabi music. The nine-piece band is fronted by the grey-bearded singer and dhol drummer Ustad Lal Singh Bhatti, known as the godfather of Punjabi-American music. He has performed for nearly every US president since Gerald Ford, and is just as at home singing at the alternative South by Southwest festival with this rollicking, unpredictable, wildly danceable band. This is what Rolling Stone magazine had to say about BlackMahal: —the band plays rollicking, “Their sound is perhaps unlike anything else out there today…It’s awesome!” Artist Website
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pre-order a picnic meal?
Yes, two dinner choices are available, each with an appetizer, main course, desert and a beverage. Orders can be placed online and picked up in the Hangar Café before the show. Order Now!
What time should I arrive? Is there a parking fee?
We encourage visitors to come early to enjoy the park amenities and dine in our Hangar Café. Arrival time may vary based upon popularity of entertainment. Most visitors will typically arrive an hour prior to the event.
Admission is free with a $10 parking fee.
Do you have disabled parking and seating available?
Proper placards must be placed in the window prior to parking entrance to be eligible for disabled parking and is subject to the $10 parking fee. Limited disabled seating is also available on a first come, first served basis.
Is there food available at the Flights & Sounds Summer Festival?
Yes. Our historic Hangar 244 is transformed into a lounge and café area to enjoy during the summer festival. It is open from 6pm-10pm. The menu offers an array of delicious items from fresh salads to grilled burgers to gourmet sandwiches and wraps. The Café also offers beer and wine for consumption inside of the café premises. View Menu
Can I bring my own picnic? Can I bring a bottle of wine to enjoy?
Visitors can enjoy the park grounds by bringing their own picnic dinners. However, outside alcohol is strictly prohibited. Beer and wine is made available for purchase and consumption inside of the café premises only.
Can I bring barbeques or chafing dish sternos to picnic at the park?
Open flame equipment is only allowed in a designated area of the North Lawn of the Great Park or other areas if permitted through the Irvine Police special event permit.
Is it lawn seating or do you have chairs available?
The Great Park provides a limited number of seats on a first come, first served basis. However, there is ample room throughout the entertainment area to accommodate personal lawn chairs and picnic blankets. Low back chairs are encouraged.
Seating area for Saturday night concerts do not open until 6pm.
What is the event schedule? Are there pre-entertainment activities?
6:00 p.m. - Open: Hangar Café, chess tables, Walkable Timeline audio tours, Carousel, Kids Rock playscape, and Balloon registrations (first-come, first-serve basis; flights and passengers limited to wind and weather conditions)
7:00 p.m. - Balloon flights begin (pending wind and weather conditions)
8:15 p.m. - Entertainment begins
Are your Friday Night Dance Parties in the same location as your Saturday Night Concerts?
The Friday night band stage and dance floor is located directly in front of our Hangar Café. Whereas, the Saturday Night Concerts take place along our Walkable Timeline that is within walking distance of approximately 250 feet from the Hangar Café.
Is smoking permitted at the Great Park?
All City of Irvine parks are a smoke-free zone.
Can I bring my dogs to the event?
The Great Park is a pet friendly environment. Dogs should be escorted by owners and must be on leashes at all times. Due to health regulations, dogs are not permitted inside of the Hangar Café.
Can I come ahead of time to save seats for my group of friends?
We ask that all visitors be respectful and courteous to others. Staff will not permit an excessive amount of seats to be saved if it is not occupied within a reasonable amount of time.
How do I reserve seats for the concerts?
Request for reserved seating is not available to the general public. Seating is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
