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

24th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival

Orange County's premier celebration of the cinema opens at theaters throughout Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Corona Del Mar, with a star-studded program of over 100 new and independent films from around the world MORE

The Blind Pig Serves 13 Cocktails to Celebrate 10 Years

It’s a tasty spirit-forward concoction that’s the perfect transitional cocktail. A slug of hearty bourbon says fall, but lime juice gives it a refreshing lift that’s ideal for toasting the last warm days of California’s seemingly endless summer. In the background, the nutty flavors of sweet amaretto and creamy orgeat bring it all together. It’s garnished with a whiff of baking spice just to remind you the holidays will be here sooner than you think.

The You Sank My Battleship! cocktail is one of a baker’s dozen that The Blind Pig Kitchen + Bar is bringing back to celebrate its 10th anniversary at locations in Yorba Linda and Rancho Santa Margarita. All the drinks were nominated by regulars and selected by staff.

SCR's 'Quixote Nuevo' is an Enjoyable Feast Marred Only by Too Many Thematic Ingredients

REVIEW: While uneven, the ambitious, visually and aurally elaborate contemporary update of the Don Quixote tale is well worth seeing.

South Coast Repertory’s Southern California premieres “Quixote Nuevo” by Octavio Solis. The playwright has been working with SCR for more than 30 years, and this bilingual retelling isn’t just literally “new,” but updates the tale to the 21st century and transports it from Spain to a small Texas town near the Mexico border.

The Orange County Film Festival Season Begins

Film lovers in Orange County will have no shortage of celebration, entertainment and enlightenment this month as three major local film festivals open to the public, plus one more opening in November.

Andrew Brown Announces His Departure from the Pacific Chorale

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.

Haunted OC After Hours Tour: Spirits & Legends of Bowers Museum

Get in the spooky mood with this special, after-hours museum tour that mixes local history with tales of mysterious, paranormal encounters whispered of by employees and visitors over the years MORE

Irvine Global Village Festival

The Great Park plays host this free outdoor festival showcasing food, art, music, and more from the many nations and cultures who have contributed to our diverse population MORE

It's Okay To Be Different

A colorful showcase of puppets and music at Segerstrom Center for the Arts uses the acclaimed stories and illustrations of Todd Parr to help young people celebrate and embrace their unique selves MORE

Roberta Lea

Roberta's unique voice defies categories in the world of pop music and has made her a rising star; this Thursday night she takes the stage at Fullerton's Muckenthaler Center MORE