March 18, 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
As the swallows return to San Juan Capistrano, the Mission San Juan's famed celebration returns with both in-person and virtual opportunities to mark this unique local tradition MORE
♦ Dance ♦
American Ballet Theatre (ABT) returns to Orange County Wednesday with “ABT Forward,” a mixed repertory program featuring choreography by Jessica Lang and ABT Artist in Residence Alexei Ratmansky. The program also includes a world premiere piece by Alonzo King – his first for ABT.

And although it’s a first, it’s also a circling back for King, whose path crossed with ABT in years past by way of a summer intensive he attended as a young dancer and through his coaching of ABT principal dancer Natalia Makarova.

King said he is honored and excited ABT artistic director Kevin Mackenzie invited him to set a work on the company this season.

“I feel so fortunate,” King said. “Can you imagine? You’re doing what you love to do. That’s really not the case for most people on planet Earth … most people don’t get to elect what they’re going to do and then do it. It’s a real privilege and I don’t take it lightly.”
♦ Commentary ♦
The challenges of the last two years forced some arts organizations to the edge, but faithful patrons and generous help pulled them through.
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 ♦
The Maverick Theatre's production of the stage version of the classic whodunnit comedy film was recently recommended by the OC Theatre Guild MORE
♦ Virtual Visit ♦
Build your understanding and anticipation for Pacific Symphony's upcoming production of the legendary Verdi opera by accessing this unique series of online workshops MORE
♦ For the Family ♦
The juvenile performers of the Arts & Learning Conservatory present a special, family version of the globally-beloved musical adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel MORE
♦ Extra ♦
This outdoor family festival in Anaheim is the Muckenthaler Cultural Center's celebration of the art, music, culture and food of the many diverse nations whose people interacted along the ancient trade route from Asia to Europe MORE
"In these uncertain times, some arts organizations stay in place, while others move ahead and demonstrate their importance. Arts Orange County has truly risen to the challenges presented by COVID-19, by equipping local organizations with funding and educational resources"
- Jerry Mandel, Ph.D.,
President,
Irvine Barclay Theatre
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.