We are nearing the final days of 2024 – didn’t that go by in a flash?
While we have a few precious moments left, let’s look back on the best in arts and culture this past year in Orange County – and beyond the northern border in a couple of cases.
Earlier this week, we offered the top five moments in classical music, dance and theater. Here we present our arts and culture writers’ top five best – or most memorable – moments in visual arts, culture and pop music. On Monday, we'll present our food columnist's top five restaurant experiences.
From all of us at Culture OC, happy New Year! We’re glad you could join us during our second year, and we look forward to an exciting and eventful 2025.
GO TO: Visual Arts | Culture | Popular Music
VISUAL ARTS
Orange County continued its track record of presenting notable – and some not-so-memorable – art exhibitions and events this past year. Two institutions of higher learning opened up brand-new arts complexes, the Art + Nature Festival in Laguna Beach continued to grow, and a major California art museum reopened.
Here, in our estimation, are the top five visual art events and exhibitions in Orange County in 2024. – Richard Chang
Visual Arts Complex at CSUF and Arts Village at Irvine Valley College
In late October/early November, Cal State Fullerton opened a 85,000-square-foot, $75 million Visual Arts Complex, which includes new buildings, galleries, classrooms, studio spaces and faculty offices. The Nicholas and Lee Begovich Gallery has been relocated and expanded. It’s a significant improvement in the visual arts scene for CSUF, and for the Fullerton-area community.
And back in March, Irvine Valley College opened its $61 million Arts Village, which includes new facilities for dance, music, visual arts and fine arts, including two art galleries, new classrooms and studios for painting, drawing and sculpture.
12th annual Art + Nature Festival
Laguna Art Museum continued its tradition of hosting the Art + Nature Festival for the 12th time, Nov. 2-11. This iteration featured Christian Sampson with an outdoor installation on Main Beach and Heisler Park titled “Ocean Ions.” The first-ever fashion show of high-end clothing made from sustainable and recycled materials was a nice touch. And rounding out the festival were late photographer Jay DeFeo and contemporary artist Fred Tomaselli, who grew up in Orange County in the 1970s.
PHOTO 1: "The Waltz (Allioli)," circa 1900, a bronze sculpture by Camille Claudel. Photo courtesy of Musée Yves Brayer. PHOTO 2: Camille Claudel working on her Vertumnus and Pomona marble group, about 1903. Photo courtesy of Collection Gregoire/Bridgeman Images
Camile Claudel at the Getty Museum (April 2-July 21)
Though her story has become better known through a 1988 movie and presentations such as the Pageant of the Masters, Claudel’s work had not widely been viewed in the United States. This Getty exhibition featured about 60 sculptures, plus research and photographs that shone a light on her talents and her brave vision.
‘Asian Comics: Evolution of an Art Form’ (March 9-Sept. 8)
The Bowers Museum featured “Asian Comics,” an extensive exhibition of over 400 works from Japan, South Korea, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan and many other Asian countries. While I wasn’t personally blown away by it, it was a varied show that had interactive elements, plus an adult-themed section that definitely wasn’t for the kiddos. The Bowers also hosted a couple of cool events and gatherings that brought folks in cosplay to the museum who don’t normally show up in local art museums.
Hilbert Museum Reopens (Feb. 23)
After three years of construction, the Hilbert Museum of California Art reopened, nearly tripling its size to 22,000 square feet. The free museum did not disappoint, highlighting the Hilberts’ extensive collection of California scene paintings, as well as modernist Golden State art, Millard Sheets, Navajo weaving and vintage radios. Officially part of Chapman University, the Hilbert Museum is definitely worth a visit. (Online reservations are recommended.)
And we’d also like to extend our condolences to the family of Janet Hilbert, co-founder of the Hilbert Museum with husband Mark. She passed away on Dec. 7 at the age of 83.
GO TO: Visual Arts | Culture | Popular Music
CULTURE
While there were many festivals and events to choose from, a handful stood out in our minds. The congruence of several religious and cultural holidays. Limor Tomer being named the new VP of programming and production at Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
The Lido Theater in Newport Beach reopening. And local Vietnamese and Asian communities celebrating Tet, or the Lunar New Year, once again.
Here are five of the top cultural events – in our humble estimation – that occurred in Orange County in 2024, in approximate (backwards) chronological order. – Richard Chang
THE 2024 HOLIDAYS
This year, Christmas and the start of Hanukkah landed on the same day – a rare occurrence that has only happened five times since 1910. The last time these two holidays aligned was in 2005, nearly two decades ago. And then Kwanzaa began Thursday, the day after.
Throughout Orange County, menorahs were lit and Christmas trees continued to twinkle. And during Kwanzaa, those who celebrate lit candles, honored ancestors and decorated their homes in the colors of the Pan-African flag – red, green and black. Most are sharing a large meal on Dec. 31 for the occasion known as karamu.
Limor Tomer becomes VP of programming and production at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
After the incomparable Judy Morr led as general manager and executive vice president at Segerstrom Center for 39 years, she quietly stepped aside and retired. In October, the Center announced that Limor Tomer, the general manager of the Live Arts Department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, was succeeding Morr.
Tomer begins her new role on Jan. 6, 2025. We have yet to see if she can fill the shoes of Morr, but by all accounts, she did quite well at The Met, programming that institution’s 700-seat auditorium as well as its galleries and public spaces.
Casa RomanticA Reopens
After the devastating 2023 landslide that wiped out a good portion of Casa Romantica’s outdoor space, the historic San Clemente institution reopened its enhanced Main Salon and other outdoor areas in October. The landslide and closing actually gave the nonprofit a chance to reevaluate and renovate other parts of its blufftop estate, and reinforce the foundations below so that nature does not again pose a threat.
Lido Theater renovates and reopens
The 85-year-old Lido Theater in Newport Beach underwent an extensive renovation and enjoyed a raucous reopening on Oct. 5. Movie and music video producer/director McG was the emcee, and Sugar Ray rocked the crowd on opening night. The restoration celebrated the Lido’s Art Deco roots, while bringing in a state-of-the-art digital projection and sound system, as well as new seats, lighting and carpet and a new color palette for the exterior. The Lido Theater hosted several screenings during the 25th annual Newport Beach Film Festival (Oct. 17-24).
Orange County celebrates Tet and Lunar New Year
Orange County serves as home to the largest Vietnamese population outside of Vietnam. Back in February, the city of Westminster hosted the Westminster Tet Parade, featuring the colorful ceremony for more than 20 years. The OC Tet Festival filled Miles Square Park over the weekend of Feb. 9-11, and it was (presumably) the last festival that disgraced former O.C. Supervisor Andrew Do attended as a county political leader.
Finally, the UVSA Tet Festival took place at the OC Fair and Event Center for the 10th year, and the 42nd year overall. And others celebrated Lunar New Year – and the year of the Wood Dragon – throughout the county.
GO TO: Visual Arts | Culture | Popular Music
POPULAR MUSIC
While live music is enticing in all of its forms, there is something electric about scrambling to get tickets to your favorite artists’ shows, picking out the perfect concert outfit and dancing the night away with friends.
Despite the struggle Orange County has faced with keeping concert venues open and thriving, and the fact that most major tours hop from Los Angeles to San Diego, the county always has its own musical gems and events that stand out. In 2024, popular artists played the Honda Center, the House of Blues and beyond, showcasing a range of talents and genres for all to enjoy. – Ashley Ryan
THE TRILOGY TOUR: ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, RICKY MARTIN AND PITBULL (FEB. 3)
Although newer artists like Bad Bunny, Peso Pluma and Becky G continue to make a name in mainstream Latin music, it’s the superstars who came before that paved the way. Earlier this year, three huge names in Latin pop came together to present the party of the year at the Honda Center. Drawing on a repertoire of hits that range from salsa pop, electronic and dance music to reggaeton, this tour brought together Spanish crooner Enrique Iglesias, Puerto Rican hip shaker Ricky Martin and Mr. Worldwide – Miami-based hip hop star Pitbull – for a night of fiery 1990s/2000s hits.
AN ACOUSTIC EVENING WITH RICK SPRINGFIELD AND RICHARD MARX (AUG. 15)
With careers that span 40-plus years, these two artists brought a special performance to the OC Fair’s Pacific Amphitheatre over the summer. Leaving their electric guitars at home, the duo teamed up for a co-headlining tour that offered intimate sets of pop rock tunes. From Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” to Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting,” the one-of-a-kind concert was filled with throwback jams to delight audiences of any age.
OHANA FESTIVAL (SEPT. 27-29)
Possibly the most intriguing aspect of this annual festival is its location at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. With the smell of salt in the air and the sound of waves crashing nearby, the vibes were immaculate as ever. Founded and curated by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam fame, this year’s iteration was opened and closed by Vedder’s rock band, with support from big names like Devo, Sting, Maen Morris, Turnpike Troubadours and Alanis Morissette.
TEDDY SWIMS (OCT. 22)
Known for captivating live performances and his powerful voice, Teddy Swims took to the House of Blues stage in Anaheim this fall to the delight of Orange County concertgoers. Best known for blending genres like soul, pop, R&B, country and rock, his music offers universal appeal paired with emotional depth. This intimate venue offered a chance for locals to experience his music up close, with upbeat tracks and soulful ballads combining expertly with the help of a full band.
SABRINA CARPENTER’S SHORT N’ SWEET TOUR (NOV. 15-18)
There’s no denying that 2024 was the year of Sabrina, with her hit “Espresso” earning the top spot as Spotify’s most-streamed song. As such, tickets to the Short n’ Sweet Tour were a hot commodity, but the resale price didn’t deter fans. The playful tour, set on a stage with retro aesthetics meant to resemble a vintage high-rise apartment, offered a dynamic, sleepover-inspired atmosphere while Carpenter performed hits like “Feather,” “Please Please Please” and “Juno.”
Carpenter performed at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 15, and at the Kia Forum in Inglewood on Nov. 17-18.
