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 Nutcracker

The tradition continues as Anaheim Ballet brings the immortal holiday fairytale to life for the 39th time MORE

Which Fried Chicken Reigns Supreme in OC? A Crispy Quest Breaks Down Four Local Favorites

There are rankings for burgers and even fries, but what about fried chicken? Folks celebrate year-round with this classic dish - there’s even a song and dance about it. Yet few people give it acknowledgement when asked for their favorite comfort meal.

What makes fried chicken special to me? It’s unpretentious - most folks have no issue with eating it with their hands. Its versatility means it can be used to enhance salads and appetizers. It’s also more affordable than other proteins on a menu.

Anne Marie Panoringan decides to take matters into her own hands and rank some Orange County favorites to see which chicken joint prevails, choosing chicks from different cities to make the options more inclusive.

Community Bands Keep the Sound of Music Alive in OC

At least half a dozen groups provide an outlet for local musicians while also presenting free or low-cost community concerts at the holidays and throughout the year.

Shelley and Pacific Symphony Impress with ‘Daphnis and Chloé’

Alexander Shelley, artistic and music director designate of the Pacific Symphony, is showing himself to be a master of orchestral technique. Under his baton, the orchestra sounds fantastically prepared and motivated, like a major ensemble, perhaps better than it ever has before. Like the conductor, the music addressed emerges meticulously well tailored.

For his latest program with the group, heard Thursday night in the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (and scheduled to repeat Friday and Saturday), Shelley chose one of the most demanding and spectacular works in the repertoire to display an orchestra’s and conductor’s wares, Maurice Ravel’s complete ballet, “Daphnis et Chloé.” It was darn impressive.

The Anaheim Poetry Review Practices Hope and Remains Human

The Anaheim Poetry Review and Poet Laureate Camille Hernandez aim to unify storytellers under a language of shared experience and a discipline of hope.

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.

Once Upon a December - A Holiday Album Release Concert

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton plays host to this celebration of the new album from local singer, educator, and accessibity advocate Marleena Barber, working with a powerhouse team of Grammy and Emmy-winners to record a lively collection of holiday classics MORE

AKASSA Makers Market | Pop-up AAPI & women-owned holiday market

Find unique gifts and support the local community with this one-day pop-up craft fair at Tustin's Mess Hall at Flight, with a portion of proceeds benefiting the Second Harvest Food Bank MORE

Kids Thankfulness Journal Craft and Hike

Children ages 7 and older can taste the benefits of both nature and gratitude practice in this special workshop that combines a journal-making exercise with a walk to Barbara Lake MORE

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley

This holiday play by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon checks in on Jane Austen's beloved characters two years after the events of her classic book "Pride and Prejudice," presented by Vanguard University's theatre program at the Lyceum Theater in Costa Mesa MORE