April 8, 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.
♦ Local Arts Spotlight ♦
Opening weekend for the Chance Theater's production of this new dark comedy about the joys and perils of motherhood MORE
♦ Music ♦
REVIEW: The African world music icon offered positive messages and impressive vocals and dance moves during a Saturday night concert in Aliso Viejo.

Kidjo performed inside the beautiful 1,032-seat concert hall, whose acoustics were designed by renowned acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota, who also did the acoustics for Walt Disney Concert Hall in L.A. and the Musco Center for the Arts at Chapman University.

The Soka venue primarily hosts classical music acts, so Kidjo and her band were a little bit of an exception — yet a welcome one during the center’s ongoing 10th anniversary season. (The hall is actually 11 years old, dedicated on May 27, 2011.)

Kidjo, who hails from the small West African country of Benin, primarily presented songs off her latest album, the freshly Grammy-winning “Mother Nature,” released in June 2021. She brought a four-piece band with her that consisted of a veteran guitarist, bassist Michael Olatuja from Nigeria, a drummer from Chile and an African percussionist.
♦ Food Column ♦
Irvine’s stereotype of being a land of restaurant chains may be true, but our food columnist defies the unsavory typecast in favor of ghost kitchens and (office) complex dining options.
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.
♦ Re-Opening ♦
A major event in new American Theatre, South Coast Repertory's showcase for developing plays and musicals features live readings and a world-premiere staging from cutting-edge contemporary theatrical storytellers MORE
♦ Virtual Visit ♦
Science, history, and cultural traditions are just part of the month-long lineup of enlightening virtual programming from Mission San Juan Capistrano MORE
♦ For the Family ♦
The OC Fair and Event Center hosts this free (with parking) annual festival of fun, hands-on exhibits promoting S.T.E.A.M. education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.) The weekend's festivities also include the annual OC Día del Niño (Day of the Child,) a celebration featuring live music, workshops, and more. MORE
♦ Extra ♦
The Musicians' Club of Orange County presents a live jazz music tribute to legendary saxophonist and composer Paul Desmond, best known for his work with Dave Brubeck MORE
"Arts Orange County is a steadfast ally for arts organizations and local artists here in Orange County. That support results in increased partnerships with school districts and expanded access to the arts for students and families. Arts Orange County collaborates with the Orange County Department of Education to raise awareness of the need for the arts in our schools. We are grateful to Arts Orange County for its leadership and partnership and look forward to expanding our work together."
- Dr. Al Mijares
Orange County Superintendent of Schools
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.