Fullerton Museum Center Recognized as 2023 Nonprofit of the Year

The Fullerton Museum Center was selected as a 2023 Nonprofit of the Year by 29th District Senator Josh Newman. On June 7, Executive Director Elvia Susana Rubalcava, Board President Janet Buzan and Outreach & Development Chair Amy Koorstad were presented with the award during a private ceremony at the California State Capitol. 


To learn more about the museum, visit https://www.fullertonmuseum.com/

Orange County Press Club Recognizes Excellence in Arts & Culture Reporting

The Orange County Press Club recently announced its list of awards, a number of which went to arts and culture writers. The organization exists to support, promote and defend quality journalism in Southern California. They encourage journalists by providing networking opportunities and hosting regular events. 


For a complete list of award winners, along with links to their winning articles, click here

OC Forum Brings Distinguished Arts

Leaders to Panel Discussion

OC Forum is bringing together a distinguished group of panelists for a discussion on how the arts and culture intersect. Tiffany Anna Lopez, Ph. D (UCI, Claire Trevor School of the Arts), Natalie J. Graham, Ph. D. (CSUF, African American Studies Department), Heidi Zuckerman (Orange County Museum of Art), Genevieve Barrios Southgate (Bowers Museum) and guest moderator Sara Guerrero (Founding Artistic Director, Breath of Fire Latina Theater Ensemble) explore the vibrant and diverse world of visual arts on Thursday, June 29 at 11:30 a.m. in the Bowers Museum. Use offer code “ocARTS” for ticket savings or “ARTStable” when purchasing a table. 


Visit www.commlab.tv/ocfvisualarts for tickets.

Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Relief

Grant Program Now Open

Lendistry is administering the California Small Business and Nonprofit COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Relief Grant Program on behalf of the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA). Qualified organizations with 26-49 employees who paid supplemental sick leave during 2022 may be reimbursed up to $50,000 for their sick leave expenses. This program closes June 28!


Visit https://caspsl.com/ to apply.

Orange County Tony Award Connections

Two productions that recently took home Tony Award honors have local connections. As a play, David Lindsay-Abaire’s “Kimberly Akimbo” had its world premiere in 2001 at South Coast Repertory. The new musical version just won the Tony for Best Musical. Also, its composer Jeanine Tesori, won Best Musical Score. The California premiere of her musical “Violet” took place at Laguna Playhouse in 1999.


“Parade” won best Revival of a Musical. Its composer, Jason Robert Brown appeared recently in a cabaret show at the Samueli Theatre in Segerstrom Center for the Arts. His earlier musical “The Last Five Years” had its California premiere at Laguna Playhouse in 2003. Brown also won a Tony for Best Musical Score for “Parade” in its original 1998 production.


To see a full list of the 2023 Tony Award winners, click here.

Pacific Symphony Concertmaster Dennis Kim Joins UC Irvine Music Faculty

After three years as an adjunct, Pacific Symphony Concertmaster Dennis Kim will officially join UCI’s Department of Music as an assistant professor on July 1. In addition to providing one-on-one violin instruction, Kim will work with the school’s chamber ensembles and offer seminars. He also leads Trio Barclay, a violin-cello-piano combo. Kim plays a 322 year-old Stradivarius once used to debut composer Igor Stravinsky’s work.


Read more here.

Brea Library Reopens After Renovation

After a much-needed updating and modernization, the Brea Library is open to the public once again. Located in the Brea Civic and Cultural Center, the library now has a more open and spacious feel, with a larger space for children’s programming. 


Read more here

Kim Le Elected Chair of John Wayne

Airport Arts Commission

Kim Le has been elected Chair of the John Wayne Airport Arts Commission. Director of Pacific Conservatory, Le was appointed to the Commission by Supervisor Don Wagner, representing his district.


Read more about the Commission here

In Memoriam 

Doug Rowe, who served two stints as Artistic Director of Laguna Playhouse beginning in the 1960s, has died at the age of 85. He also appeared in numerous TV shows, movies and commercials, while also appearing in theatrical productions for such companies as South Coast Repertory and Oregon Shakespeare Festival. 


Read more here.

Paxton Whitehead, center, in “The Circle” at South Coast Repertory in 2001,

with Carole Shelley and William Biff McGuire.

Paxton Whitehead, a prolific actor of screen and stage known for his work on “Friends” and his Tony-nominated role in “Camelot,” has died at the age of 85. He was Artistic Director the Shaw Festival in Ontario, Canada from 1967 through 1977. Whitehead was seen by local audiences in a number of critically acclaimed productions at South Coast Repertory. 


Read more here

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