June 17, 2022
Each week, Arts Orange County and Voice of OC are excited to deliver to you this look at the stories and events happening in our arts and cultural community.
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A multi-discipline celebration of black and diverse voices in choir, dance, theatre, spoken word and more, this spectacular concert featuring over 100 performers will honor Juneteenth at the Musco Center For the Arts MORE
♦ Culture ♦
Last year, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, making Juneteenth a federal holiday. In California last year, Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring June 19 as “Juneteenth National Freedom Day: A Day of Observance.” However, California has yet to make it a state holiday where state workers are able to take a new paid day off. State employees may take the day off on June 19 instead of using their annual personal holiday on another day.

Juneteenth commemorates when the last enslaved African Americans were freed on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas, after the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth marks this milestone in American history and its celebration has spread beyond its origin in Texas, hence becoming a federal holiday in 2021.

Despite the ongoing efforts to make June 19 a state holiday, there are still various ways to celebrate this national holiday.
♦ Food ♦
There is no shortage of food halls in Orange County. Ideal for groups that can’t make up their mind, these spaces dedicated to showcasing a variety of eateries are representative of the dining landscape. Plus, with summer essentially in full swing, all of them have you covered (shaded?) with extensive patios and ample seating.

As less popular concepts depart, vacancies are swiftly gobbled up by chefs and investors hungry to promote their brands. If you haven’t stopped by your local collective of good eats lately, now’s a swell time to taste something new.

Insider tip: check each hall’s social media or website for an entertainment calendar; SteelCraft and Packing House often hire performers on the weekends when it’s busiest, while Mess Hall creatively flexes with instructional painting parties and an upcoming pet adoption event in August.
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. We always suggest you be mindful of the most recent health and safety guidelines in California, Orange County, and the venue for the listing.
♦ Local Spotlight ♦
The beloved annual Baroque Music Festival returns to in-person concerts with this triumphant orchetral program at St. Mark Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, with more performances to follow in Corona Del Mar throughout the week MORE
♦ Wallet Friendly ♦
The Heroes Hall Veterans Museum at the OC Fairgrounds presents a free documentary screening and panel discussion featuring the stories of LGBTQ+ service members and the challenges they've faced through the years MORE
♦ For the Family ♦
Fulfill your child's appetite for all things dinosaur with this interactive educational exhibit at Irvine's Pretend City Children's Museum MORE
♦ Wildcard ♦
This special exhibit during Thursday's Night Market offers a chance to get to know the art community of Fullerton, yesterday and today MORE
"Arts Orange County continues to play a significant role in galvanizing the community around support, participation and advocacy for the arts and arts education."
- Paula Tomei,
Managing Director
South Coast Repertory
Voice of OC is Orange County's nonprofit newsroom with a mission to consistently deliver fair, focused and thorough journalism on critical quality of life and local issues for Orange County communities.
Arts Orange County builds appreciation of, participation in and support for the arts and arts education throughout Orange County. Event information provided by SparkOC, an Arts OC program.