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

Winter Fantasy at Sawdust Art Festival

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through Dec. 22, you can visit Laguna Beach's Sawdust Art Festival and shop for one-of-a-kind treasures made by over 175 local artists and artisans in a festive, holiday atmosphere MORE

The Legendary Judy Morr and Orange County's Dance Revolution

Judy Morr has never sought the limelight, yet her influence has quietly but profoundly influenced the cultural identity of Southern California. Over the course of four decades, Morr shaped Segerstrom Center for the Arts into a global hub for dance, transforming Orange County into an internationally recognized destination for world-class performances.

As she officially retires from her role as executive vice president, members of the arts community are pausing to reflect on the monumental legacy she leaves behind. Morr’s career has been marked by her ability to forge relationships with renowned artists, champion innovative programming, and inspire loyalty among colleagues and audiences alike. From pioneering Segerstrom’s International Dance Series to building a decades-long partnership with American Ballet Theatre, she has been the driving force behind a cultural awakening in Southern California.

Casa Romantica is Steadily Coming Back to Life After the 2023 Landslide

Fundraising efforts continue as the cultural institution amps up its programming this year.

What Does a Conductor Do? What Will Alexander Shelley Do?

It’s always big news when a symphony orchestra names a new music director, especially if the old music director has been with the orchestra for 35 years and has built it up from humble to major status. Perhaps you’ve heard about it amid the political din. The Pacific Symphony announced this week that Carl St.Clair will be stepping down as its music director, and 45-year-old British conductor Alexander Shelley will be stepping up. Our orchestra will never be the same.

But perhaps you’re also like a lot of people who don’t really quite know what a music director does, or who wonder if a conductor is all that important, or even necessary, for an orchestra to perform. After all, don’t the musicians all have the music right in front of them? I know many (otherwise) intelligent people who think along these lines and consider a conductor as little more than someone who dances in front of the orchestra, often badly, to the music as it’s being played.

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.

Holiday Cheer with The Hutchins Consort

There is no sound like that of the Hutchins Consort's famous custom-crafted violins - eight instruments tuned to span eight octaves - and they'll be exploring centuries' worth of holiday tunes at a Sunday afternoon concert in Corona Del Mar MORE

Celebrate Muzeo's Winter Exhibitions

This free kickoff event provides visitors to Anaheim's MUZEO with food, drink, live music, and a special preview of the museum's two holiday exhibits - the 60th Annual Anaheim Art Association Juried Art Show and the beloved model train installation Muzeo Express MORE

Journey to Oz

Now children of all ages can join Dorothy and her friends on the yellow brick round in this experiential production at Segerstrom Center where audience members are turned into Munchkins and Winkies during the show MORE

Sikh Arts & Film Festival

Santa Ana's Frida Cinema welcomes the most prestigious annual celebration of Sikh cinema, and its heritage and culture, with a two-day showcase of feature films, documentaries, an art show and a live play MORE