Pacific Symphony Announces World Premiere Recording of Fiat Lux

Pictured from left to right: Music Director Carl St.Clair, composer Sir James MacMillan and librettist Dana Gioia

Pacific Symphony and Music Director Carl St.Clair are thrilled to announce the digital release of the orchestra’s world-premiere recording of Fiat Lux by composer Sir James MacMillan and librettist Dana Gioia, former California Poet Laureate and former Director of the National Endowment for the Arts. Fiat Lux was first performed by Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale under the direction of Carl St.Clair in Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall June 15-17, 2023. The recording is available for streaming on Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Videos of the world-premiere performance and interviews with behind-the-scenes material will be available this month on YouTube.

Read more here.

Mission Viejo Looking to Build

Performing Arts Center

Proposed site of Mission Viejo Performing Arts Center

A performing arts center in the city of Mission Viejo has recently become closer. A detailed study has identified the CVS on Marguerite Parkway in Village Center as being the most feasible existing structure which could be purchased and repurposed as a 200- to 300-seat studio theater while the city raises funds and lays the groundwork for an all-new 600-seat performing arts center. In 2023, city council authorized a study investigating the feasibility of and market for a performing arts center. That study addresses a key recommendation in the City’s Cultural Arts Master Plan approved by the City Council in 2017. The plan was prepared by Arts Orange County.

Read more here.

Irvine’s Ashli St. Armant Among

WESTAF Artist Awardees

Vocalist, writer, arts educator, playwright and composer Ashli St. Armant is among 20 artists from 16 states and jurisdictions selected for an award from the WESTAF Black, Indigenous and People of Color Artist Fund. A professionally trained singer and actor with 25 years of experience in education and performing arts, her work includes original music, books and theatrical productions. Her debut musical, NORTH, explores Black American life during the antebellum period and is celebrating its second national tour with rave reviews.

Read more here about Ashli St. Armant here.

Newport Beach Historical Society

Debuts New Museum 

The Newport Beach Historical Society opened a new museum located in the Balboa Fun Zone, holding a grand opening event that took place on June 28. The museum offers visitors a journey through Newport Beach’s rich history, showcasing a diverse array of historical memorabilia and artifacts.

Read more here.

Opportunities

The Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture is issuing a Request for Proposals for a contract with organizations that can provide arts instruction for youth in institutions and professional development services for adults supporting youth in institutions.

The consultant will provide arts instruction in creative writing, dance, music, spoken word, theatre, media arts, visual arts, or other arts disciplines or cultural practices for justice-involved youth at County detention facilities/residential centers, day reporting centers and other alternative educational settings.

Please note that a minimum of five years of experience conducting and/or overseeing similar programs within the last eight years as well as previous experience providing arts instruction in a Los Angeles County Probation Facility within the last five years is required.

Read more here.

ArtsOC Member Event 

ArtsOC will be holding a Summer Mixer for our members on Thursday, August 15. The event will take place from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Orange County Music and Dance building, located at 17620 Fitch Ave, Irvine CA 92614.

To RSVP, please email Karen Ahola at kahola@artsoc.org. 

OC Arts Awards Tickets Now Available

Tickets are now available for the 24^th OC Arts Awards, which will be held on September 24 in the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. This celebratory event brings together the entire arts community for an uplifting evening that includes an honoree and sponsor reception and dinner, an awards ceremony and an after-party for all guests.

For a list of honorees and to purchase tickets, click here.

We acknowledge with respect our presence on the ancestral lands of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians - Acjachemen Nation and the Tongva People.