Lizzie No

Praised by Billboard and Rolling Stone magazines, this rapidly-rising singer-songwriter from New York City brings her contemporary alt-rock style to Fullerton's Muckenthaler Cultural Center MORE

♦ Culture ♦

Honoring Orange County’s History at the 43rd Annual Black History Parade and Unity Festival

Always the first Saturday of February, the Orange County Heritage Council’s 43rd Black History Parade and Unity Festival calls in all local businesses and community members to take a day to commemorate and bring together individuals who have uplifted the community and left their footprints in Orange County history.

While last year’s parade and festival had an excellent turnout, it was also the event’s first year back in person since the pandemic forced organizers to cancel it in 2021. With OCHC anticipating an even bigger turnout than last year, attendees can look forward to more food, entertainment, and plenty of parking.

In its 43rd year, “Our History, Our Voice, Our Pride” is the theme for this year’s Black History Parade and Unity Festival.

♦ Culture ♦

USVA Tet Festival Returns to Costa Mesa

It’s been a tense and grief-filled week for Asian American communities living in California because of recent mass shootings, but that tension could not really be felt at the 41st annual USVA Tet Festival, held at the OC Fair & Event Center this past weekend, Jan. 27-29. USVA is the Union of Student Vietnamese Associations, a nonprofit that has branches at colleges and high schools across Southern California.

Thousands of people gathered at the OC Fairgrounds to celebrate the Year of the Cat, as predicated by the Vietnamese zodiac. In other Asian cultures, particularly Chinese and Korean, it’s the Year of the Rabbit.

Many attendees dressed in ao dai, the traditional and colorful Vietnamese garment often made of silk chiffon fabrics. (For men, they are sometimes called ao gam.) Folks lined up in unusually long lines outside in the parking lot and at the entrance of the festival, since organizers implemented additional security measures this year, including metal detectors, bag checks, security and police presence, and a ban on any kind of weapons, real or fake.

Murder Among Friends

It's equal parts thrills and laughter with this classic play about schemes and mysteries opening at the Newport Theatre Arts Center MORE

OC Black History Parade

Anaheim's Center Street Promenade will play host to this celebration of history and unity featuring parade floats, food, and live performances MORE

Bilingual Storytime

Children 5 and under can enjoy songs, movements, and games along with readings in English and Spanish at the Donald Dungan Branch Library in Costa Mesa MORE

Paint & Wine Nite: Love in the Wild

This special event at the the OC Zoo in Orange will let you get up close with animals, learn about animal courtship rituals, and pick up a paintbrush to create your own art MORE