Each week, Arts Orange County and Culture OC deliver you this look at the stories and events happening in our arts and cultural community.

Ghosts, Grooves and 'Thriller'

Laguna Dance wants to get you moving along with some world-class professional dancers in this multimedia immersion featuring music, live choreography, and classic horror film highlights at the Rivian South Coast Theater MORE

South African Writer Reveals Complexities of the Diaspora in O.C.

Culture OC interviewed South African author Leon Lazarus recently via Zoom from his home in San Diego. He spent many years in Orange County after coming to the U.S. in 2000 with his family, and he still works here. Writing has always been a passion, and at this stage of life, as he nears retirement, Lazarus felt it was time to share his personal experiences and his thoughts on his complex, troubled and contradictory native land.

Bluewater Grill Marks a Milestone With Its 30th Anniversary

With a deep commitment to hospitality, sustainable seafood and innovative seasonal dishes, Bluewater Grill founders Rick Staunton and Jimmy Ulcickas seem to have found the recipe for success.

The small family of restaurants – which started in Newport Beach’s Cannery Village and now includes seven locations spread across coastal California, Catalina Island, Temecula and Phoenix – marked its 30th anniversary this year. One of the eatery’s slogans is “Come In, Get Hooked,” and it appears to be working as Bluewater Grill celebrates three decades with a loyal customer base and longtime employees.

“We’re thrilled to be able to continue doing what we’re doing and keep spreading the joy to our customers,” Staunton said, noting that the restaurant’s longevity is a testament to the dedication of its workers.

Irvine’s Great Park Advances – With Some Growing Pains

Since 2002, when Orange County voters passed a measure that authorized its creation, Irvine’s Great Park has endured a checkered history best characterized as two steps forward, one step back. Progress has been cautious at best. For years, the park’s most prominent feature was its giant orange balloon. As the first attraction to open on July 14, 2007, it was intended to inspire the public’s imagination by offering a bird’s-eye view of the multi-decade redevelopment project.

But events over the last few months may profoundly shape many aspects of the long-developing park’s future. They signify a major shift as the 1,300-acre space transforms from a local recreational hub into a more ambitious regional and even national destination. They also bring to light ongoing friction regarding its immense scale, management and the financial burden it is placing on local homeowners.

The park is finally shedding its reputation as an overly delayed promise by delivering several high-profile wins.

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.

The Servant of Two Masters

Fullerton's Electric Company Theatre puts a unique spin on this commedia dell'arte classic by letting the audience in on the dilemma of its underfunded performers and their creative attempts to keep the show going MORE

CuppyBreak: A Cup of My Own

The artist Misty Choi explores how the body remembers and recalls small,everyday activities like drinking a cup of coffee, in this unique installation at Santa Ana's CSUF Grand Central Art Center, with an opportunity for you to become a part of future exhibitions in a participatory cafe MORE

Halloween Storytime & Craft

The Placentia Library presents a spooky storytime good for all ages, along with a craft project and a costume parade for all the little monsters in your family MORE

Día de los Muertos Tribute Show

The Mighty Cash Cats, Outlaw Mariachi, are Spaghetti Cumbia are a few of the tribute acts that will take the Garden Amp stage for a night of culture and community MORE