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

New Year's with Rita Rudner

The legendary author and comedian is Master of Ceremonies at the Laguna Playhouse in a party that also includes champagne, a balloon drop, and live hits of the 1970's MORE

2023's Top 5 Moments in Theater, Dance and Classical Music

The year 2023 is rapidly coming to an end. But while we box up assorted gifts and prepare for 2024, let’s take a moment to reflect on the best in arts and culture this past year in Orange County – and in some cases, beyond.

Here we present our arts writers’ top five best – or most notable – moments in classical music, theater and dance. On Friday, we’ll look at the top five in food and drinks, visual arts and culture.

Happy New Year everybody! From all of us at Culture OC.   

Feliz Navidad! It's Bilingual Santa's Busiest Time of Year

When Robert Torres of Lake Forest was growing up, his family didn’t have a lot of money. “When I was a kid, there was no Santa,” he said. “We were a poor family. So, sometimes I'd get a gift for Christmas but not every time. That was us,” he said, his voice almost breaking at the memory.

Today, Torres plays Santa at South Coast Plaza, one of Southern California’s poshest shopping centers with designer stores such as Tiffany and Cartier just steps away. His family may not have had a lot of money, but they did have a lot of love to go around. That’s how as a 10-year-old boy he learned some Spanish.

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.

Mark Wood Trans-Siberian Experience

Tonight only, the local Sea Coast Symphony takes the stage in Anaheim with the original string master of the multi-platinum-selling Trans-Siberian Orchestra for a dazzling holiday music concert MORE

Fullerton's First Night - New Year's Eve Celebration

Beats, bites, and fireworks will be just part of how the city of Fullerton rings in the New Year in a dazzling street celebration downtown MORE

New Year's with Kids Imagine Nation

Salute midnight with your kids without having to wait for midnight in this high-energy musical game of imagination at the Cypress Public Library MORE

Special Music Nights at Campus JAX

Mr. B's All Stars and the Tony Guerrero Quartet are the last featured musical acts of 2023 at the popular Newport Beach supper club MORE