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

The Drowsy Chaperone

The Tony-winning musical comedy about a die-hard lover of musical comedy recounting a favorite show takes the stage at the Newport Theatre Arts Center MORE

Pacific Symphony in Transition, Part 3: Finding a New Conductor for Changing Times

Next year will mark a significant milestone for the performing arts in Orange County: the end of the Carl St.Clair era. The conductor will likely leave his position at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season after leading Pacific Symphony for 35 years, although he’ll remain active with the orchestra as conductor laureate.

It’s been an extraordinary and unusually lengthy run. St.Clair is currently the longest-serving music director of a major American orchestra, and under his baton the ensemble has flourished: It’s now the largest U.S. orchestra founded in the last 50 years.

In that respect, Pacific Symphony might represent the last of its kind, St.Clair said.

Hometown Hero Backhausdance Returns to the Irvine Barclay Theatre

The company celebrates 21 years as one of very few professional dance companies in Orange County.

10 Years at The Frida Cinema

The past few years have not been kind to movie theaters – and yet The Frida Cinema in Santa Ana is still here.

In fact, the independent theater recently marked its 10th anniversary on Feb. 21. Programming for the evening included a “Donnie Darko” film screening – symbolizing its own mission to celebrate young artists – with actor James Duval speaking at the sold-out screening.

“For the night of our anniversary, we selected 2001’s ‘Donnie Darko’ as the film to celebrate this milestone,” said The Frida Cinema’s executive director Logan Crow. “For one, we wanted to present an independent film that has identified itself to be a Frida Cinema audience staple – one of a handful of films that is very often requested, particularly as newer folks continue to discover the cinema, and that always brings in a devoted crowd.

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 Living Lord's Supper

Westminster's Rose Center Theater celebrates Easter with a musical dramatization of Da Vinci's legendary painting of Jesus and his disciples MORE

Valor & Virtue: Jewish American Medial of Honor Recipients

Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center plays special tribute to the history of military heroism from the Jewish-American community in a free exhibit MORE

Spring Eggstravaganza

A pancake breakfast, a petting zoo, and train rides are just some of the family-friendly activities coming to Buena Park's Boisseranc Park on Saturday MORE

Mapping the Gay Guides

Anaheim's MUZEO brings to life a unique chapter in the struggle for LGBTQIA+ acceptance in American culture, exhibiting the travel guides passed around in the gay community in the mid-20th century logging local businesses friendly to them MORE