By Joseph S. Amster

Friction Heats Up OC

The latest nightclub to explode on the Orange County scene takes place every Thursday night from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. at the Shark Club, 841 Baker St., Costa Mesa. Friction opened its doors on July 6, and is out to become the most prestigious gay event in Orange County according to owner Archer Altstaetter. "Friction will maintain the prestigious reputation of The Shark Club," Altstaetter stated. "However, go-go boys, go-go girls, drag queens, the best dance music and an incredibly diverse clientele will definitely create a fabulous new atmosphere." The cover charge is $10 per person and patrons must be 21 or over to enter. For more information, go to www.boinkevents.com.

The Plane! The Plane!

If you missed the 15 years of the AIDS Services Foundation Orange County's Big Splash fund raisers in the hills of Laguna Beach, you missed something special. Due to an overwhelming demand, Splash returned last year in a new incarnation to the Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach, and is returning this year with Splashback to Fantasy Island. A sneak preview is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 22, with the main event on Saturday, Sept. 23. For more information, call Mary Landon-Green at (949) 809-8760, or go to www.ocasf.org.

God Knows, Anything Goes

Fans of the delightful, delicious, and de-lovely work of Cole Porter are in for a treat with Musical Theatre West's production of Anything Goes, running July 8-23 at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts, 6200 Atherton St. Long Beach. Starring the talented Allyce Beasley (Moonlighting) in the role of Mrs. Evangeline Harcourt, Anything Goes is the age-old tale of boy-meets-girl and the complications that ensue. For more information, call (562) 856-1999, ext. 4.

Butt Out

If you've ever wanted to give up smoking, now's your chance. The Center Long Beach, 2017 E. Fourth St., is offering a free six-week class led by highly skilled and experienced leaders certified by the American Lung Association. Recent figures show that California's LGBT community has a smoking rate of 30.4 percent—which is nearly double that of the general population at 15.4 percent. LGBT individuals age 18 to 24 smoke the most, with a rate 2.5 times higher than this age group overall, 43.7 percent compared to 16.6 percent. Classes begin at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 13. For more information, call (562) 434-4455, or go to www.centerlb.org or www.lastdragla.com.

Dishin' with the Divas

Did you ever wonder what it was like to be a part of showbiz history? You know, Ethel Merman teaching you how to make martinis while Paul Newman gave you acting tips. And then, fielding all those annoying telephone calls from reporters the night your Mom won the Oscar? Welcome to the world of Luke Yankee, son of Broadway and Hollywood actress Eileen Heckart. In Diva Dish, his one-man show playing at The Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre, 5021 E. Anaheim St., that's exactly what you'll experience. This multimedia theatrical event includes never-before seen photos of stars like Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren and Bob Fosse, rare video clips and scores of humorous stories. For more information, call (562) 494-1014, or go to www.lbph.com.

Do you have news, events, or gossip for Long Beach/OC Scene? E-mail them to joseph@inlamag.com, or fax to (323) 848-2058.