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

August Wilson's Fences

The Laguna Playhouse brings to life the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about a family struggling with poverty and trauma in 1950's Pittsburgh MORE

Smooth Sailing for OC Theatre Guild Awards’ Fourth Time Around

Chance Theater, The Wayward Artist and Curtis Theatre come up big with a total of 20 awards.

Seven Students Named as the 2025 Artists of the Year

This year marks the 12th year of the program which seeks to highlight excellence in Orange County's arts education programs and to celebrate the top students each year working in the arts.

These students, who are nominated by their arts teachers, not only showcase their talent, but also share with judges what ideas they are exploring through their artforms, how they are trying to affect the community around them, how they are trying to grow and change by working in their artform, and what makes them passionate about what they do. “It’s not a competition with scores and all of that,” said vocal music judge Scott Hedgecock, a retired high school music instructor who now teaches voice and mentors student teachers at Cal State Long Beach. “It’s more of a big picture.”

Why Monaco Could Be Your Favorite Italian

Listen up craft cocktail fans. Tony Monaco, the guy who brought you The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar in Rancho Santa Margarita and Blind Coyote Cantina in Yorba Linda is leaning into his ethnic heritage for a new place, with a grand opening April 25 at Eighteen Main in Irvine. Together with his longtime chef collaborator Karl Pfleider, he’ll present a contemporary take on his favorite soul food.

Get ready for Neapolitan pizzas and sandwiches, branzino, steak and risotto along with a list of snazzy cocktails from head mixologist Jason Friedman. There’s a “high roller” menu, killer espresso martinis and enough spritzes to quench the thirst of the White Lotus season 2 cast.

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.

Broadway Classics

South Coast Symphony brings timeless melodies from America's theatre capital to life in a concert in Aliso Viejo MORE

Cinco de Mayo Festival

Part of the Bowers Museum's series of free family festivals in their courtyard, their celebration will actually fall on the 4th of May but will feature all the live performances, art making, and free treats you need MORE

Mental Health Awareness Day

Pretend City Children's Museum in Irvine believes it's never too early to help your kids achieve awareness and understanding of their emotional and mental health, which you can experience at this day of mindfulness activities and play designed specially for young people MORE

Dance Through the Decades: Swing & Lindy Hop

Join this guided pop-up celebration of dance styles from the 1930's and 40's at Fullerton's Muckenthaler Cultural Center MORE