July 1, 2022
Each week, Arts Orange County and Voice of OC are excited to deliver to you this look at the stories and events happening in our arts and cultural community.
♦ Marquee ♦
Pacific Symphony's annual 4th of July spectacular at FivePoints Amphitheatre will combine fireworks, patriotism, and full orchestra versions of legendary rock songs like "We Are the Champions" MORE
♦ Culture ♦
Independence Day enlivens the summer with bright fireworks and patriotic colors of red, white and blue. The historical American holiday commemorates the famous date of July 4, 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was ratified, and it is celebrated today with parades, pancakes, fairs and fireworks.

Cities throughout Orange County are returning to pre-pandemic celebrations of the Fourth of July with community events and firework displays. Watch the sky light up on the Fourth of July and spend time with friends and family with these events happening across O.C.
♦ Food ♦
The email notification on my phone went off as I was driving to work back in November of last year. When I had time to read the message, I initially thought it was someone phishing for information. (In this day and age, questioning the authenticity of messages is the norm.) 

After realizing it wasn’t a hoax, the seriousness of the email set in: I was being asked to apply for a position as a judge for the – the equivalent of the Oscars for restaurants, chefs and media.

Did I deserve this opportunity? My time as a professional writer reached the decade mark in 2021 with the bulk of my journalism freelancing for OC Weekly’s food and drink team, combined with contributions to most of the county’s print publications over the years. I’ve judged local food and drink competitions. Industry folks trusted me enough to send over tips and exclusives. Scrutinizing the multi-page application at 2 a.m. as imposter syndrome settled in, I debated my qualifications. Was I worthy of being a judge?
Each week, we recommend a variety of events and experiences from the listings at SparkOC.com, our free website for Orange County's arts and cultural community. We always suggest you be mindful of the most recent health and safety guidelines in California, Orange County, and the venue for the listing.
♦ Local Spotlight ♦
This special joint exhibit at MUZEO's Carnegie Gallery combines the curatorial powers of two leading Los Angeles art incubators to present dozens of cutting-edge contemporary artists MORE
♦ Wallet Friendly ♦
UCI Libraries features a free-to-view collection of captivating photographs showing the geographical, cultural, and political landscape of OC in its early years through World War II MORE
♦ For the Family ♦
Garden Grove's GEM Theatre transforms into Bikini Bottom for this live theatrical adventure featuring everyone's favorite hero who lives in a pineapple under the sea MORE
♦ Wildcard ♦
San Clemente's Brophy Art Gallery invites the public, on Saturdays in July, to mingle, enjoy live music, and watch painter Phil Roberts bring a canvas to life in real-time MORE
"The Orange County arts ecosystem could not survive without the committed support, dedication, and leadership of Arts Orange County."
- Andrew Brown,
President & CEO
Pacific Chorale
Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom with a mission to consistently deliver fair, focused and thorough journalism on critical quality of life and local issues for Orange County communities.
Arts Orange County builds appreciation of, participation in and support for the arts and arts education throughout Orange County. Event information provided by SparkOC, an Arts OC program.