National Theatre Live: Prima Facie

The ongoing series of filmed stagings from the best of British theatre returns to the Irvine Barclay with this contemporary drama about the legal system performed solo by Jodie Comer MORE

♦ Music ♦

Arthur Ong Elected as Next Pacific Symphony Chairman

Pacific Symphony has elected Arthur Ong as its new chairman of the board, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Ong, who previously served as executive vice chair of the board, will serve a two-year term and succeeds John R. Evans, who stepped down after holding the chairman post since 2020. Evans will continue to serve on the board as immediate past chair.

Ong will be the first person of color to serve as chairman of the board at Pacific Symphony since its founding in 1978.

“I’m very honored to be taking the position,” Ong said in an interview. “When you hear music performed so well that it brings tears to your eyes, it’s really special. Those are the kinds of performances that this amazing orchestra is capable of. It’s really, really a fantastic orchestra.”

About becoming the first person of color to serve as chairman of Pacific Symphony’s board, Ong said, “I certainly think of it as an indication of continuing change in Orange County, and hopefully an indication of the growth of Orange County, and the integration of the community here in a very positive direction, hopefully. So I think of it as an indicator of positive change.”

♦ In Case You Missed It ♦

Panoringan: Anne Marie's Favorite New Restaurants of 2022

2022 was a complicated year of growth and loss. The theming of my columns tightened up as I focused on individual cities such as Fullerton, Huntington Beach and Anaheim’s Little Arabia neighborhood. I leaned into subjects that sparked curiosity like Buy Nothing groups, the expansion of CulinaryLab and MaxLove Project’s Fierce Foods Academy. Interviews with some of Orange County’s most influential individuals (Gabrielle Dion, Jason Scarborough and Justin Werner plus Ross Pangilinan and Nick Weber) were a nod to my OC Weekly “On the Line” series.

On a professional level, I was recruited to judge the James Beard Awards and attended the California Revelations event for Michelin’s restaurant guide – prestigious entities I’d only read about and been on the periphery of before my professional writing career even began. Personally, I strengthened my friendships with colleagues, forged industry relationships and mourned the passing of both my college advisor (who later became dean of my university) and a fellow writer (Rest in peace, my friend) who, with generous hearts, always believed in me.

As this year ends and I start 2023, I’m optimistic yet cautious. The restaurant industry is not done seeing the effects of COVID. I worry about the mental and physical well-being of everyone including myself, but I also know the power of a positive outlook.

Art Happy Hour & Pop-Up Talk

Guests are invited to drop into the newly-opened Orange County Museum of Art location in Costa Mesa on Friday night to grab a cocktail and enjoy a special curator talk MORE

First Saturday Artwalk

Downtown Santa Ana transforms once a month for this walkable showcase of artists, vendors, live music and more than twenty gallery spaces MORE

Art Classes for All

Aspiring art-makers of any age can try out a broad array of disciplines and styles with classes at the Huntington Beach Art Center MORE

Tea Blending Workshop

San Clemente's Casa Romantic hosts this unique class which teaches anyone how to create their own special beverage MORE

Reserve your free admission tickets here.