In an earlier time, Orange Countians had to make the hour-long trek to Los Angeles for quality theater, dance, opera or music. Not so today. Now, Orange County is a major stop for performing artists, from the Bolshoi Ballet to Bruce Springsteen.
Arts Orange County-a group that aims to enrich your experience by helping you discover local arts opportunities--has teamed with other area organizations to provide a comprehensive brochure, calendar and Web site to help you find that 'can't miss' event when you visit.
Anyone headed to Orange County this fall should check out the fourth annual Eclectic Orange Festival. Organized by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, the festival will present 55 performances in six weeks at major arts venues in the county. The festival features a wide variety of concerts, dance and opera presented by artists from a dozen or so countries.
The centerpiece of the festival is Theatre Zingaro-an exclusive engagement of the French equestrian ballet that will be staged in Costa Mesa, Orange County's arts hub.
The Costa Mesa Conference and Visitor Bureau's member hotels are offering festival packages and renowned French chef Pascal Olhats, owner of the county's Zagat-rated No. 1 restaurant, Pascal, will prepare private, pre-performance dinners inside the Zingaro Village dining pavilion. It's a concerted effort to spark cultural tourism to the area, says Craddock Stropes, public relations director for the Philharmonic Society.
Costa Mesa is home to the Orange County Performing Arts Center, and acclaimed theater South Coast Repertory, both of which are expanding, and the Robert B. Moore Theater at Orange Coast College. Just a few minutes away in Irvine is the Barclay Theater and nearby Santa Ana has a budding performing arts district of its own, as well as numerous museums (see previous article on OC museums).
But the best part for visitors is that the Orange County Performing Arts Center and South Coast Repertory-mainstays of the Costa Mesa arts district--are within walking distance of most of the city's major hotels as well as the 300 retailers and restaurants at South Coast Plaza, just a short block from the performing arts centers. South Coast Plaza is one of the premier retail centers in the U.S. and more than a dozen of OC's best restaurants call it home.
The Arts District of Costa Mesa is just 10 minutes from the John Wayne/Orange County Airport and close to two major freeways.
