Latest news with #OCParks
Los Angeles Times
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival celebrates the beauty of Upper Back Bay
When early California scene painting began to gain popularity in the 19th and early 20th centuries, artists were inspired by the French practice of plein air, bringing their easels outdoors to capture the beauty of the Golden State on canvas. The 18th annual Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival in Newport Beach invites artists and art lovers alike to continue the tradition. 'It is a wonderful event for the whole community around Back Bay,' said Randi Moran, Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival chairperson. 'It is all original art, either done plein air or plein air style.' Opened Saturday in Newport Beach and running through July 20, the week-long art event is presented in joint partnership with the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn., the Newport Bay Conservancy and OC Parks. The open air setting of Newport Back Bay serves as the backdrop for several events planned throughout the week, with most taking place at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center at Upper Back Bay. The festival began Saturday morning with a 'Quick Draw' painting competition on the trails surrounding the Back Bay. Participating artists were vying to win cash and prizes valued at $1,000. 'Artists come in with a blank canvas, it gets stamped and they go out and paint for a few hours, come back, frame it and hang it up,' Moran explained before the festival opened. 'Those get judged for first, second and third place awards.' The works created during Saturday's competition will remain on view and for sale through July 18. A juried show of 56 works, painted 'en plein air' that depict local OC Parks, like Irvine Regional Park, Peter's Canyon, Salt Creek Beach and the Back Bay will be on view and for sale from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., through July 18 in the 'Best of OC Parks and Newport Bay Plein Air Art Show & Sale.' Several hundred additional original paintings from club members will be on display and for sale on July 19-20 for the 'Weekend Art Show & Sale,' scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 'There are lots of gorgeous landscapes, not only of the Back Bay but all of Southern California, the coast, the local mountains, wilderness areas, all of it,' said Moran. 'There also other paintings from up in the Sierras and the desert, but it mostly sticks to local landscapes.' Additionally, adult and children's art classes are scheduled through out the week in the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center classrooms. Aspiring painters can register at The Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn. was founded in 2001 by Margaret 'Maggie' Jamison as a small gathering of artists from a painting class at Irvine Valley College taught by Jeff Horn. The association has since grown into a nonprofit that bring artists of all skill levels together by hosting weekly in-person paint-outs and other events. The group also remains dedicated to supporting local conservation efforts to protect O.C.'s natural landscape. Members' paintings can be found on view year round at OC Parks' Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve in the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. 'Part of our proceeds from this event go to the Newport Bay Conservancy,' Moran said. Moran herself took up painting in the mid-2000s, when her husband gifted her with art classes. As a novice plein air artist, she found the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn. to be a welcoming and inspiring community. 'I found a teacher who was part of Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn.,' said Moran. 'My first Back Bay show was in 2012 and all the artists that were there were incredibly encouraging and kind and offered ways that I could improve. They were utterly helpful in every way and that is what we try to continue to be.' She hopes locals will come out during the week to experience the festival for themsleves and gain a new appreciation for the natural beauty that exists in Back Bay and in their own backyards. 'Personally, I hike every Monday with a group and every time I am out there, I marvel at the incredible wilderness we still have in Orange County,' said Moran. 'We try to capture a lot of that feeling on canvas.' The 18th Annual Back Bay Plein Air Art Festival opened Saturday and will run through July 20 at the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center at 2301 University Drive in Newport Beach. For details on the event schedule visit
Los Angeles Times
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Ozomatli, celebrating 30th anniversary, returns to Fountain Valley
Los Angeles-based band Ozomatli is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and those in Orange County have not one, but two chances to see the eclectic, multi-genre act perform. Ozomatli will be playing a free concert at Mile Square Park in Fountain Valley on Thursday at 6 p.m., kicking off the OC Parks Summer Concert Series. Ulises Bella, who plays saxophone and provides vocals, is one of six founding members that is still at it three decades later. 'It's a trip,' Bella said in an interview with the Daily Pilot. 'When we were younger, when we were kids, none of us thought that this was going to last that long. When you're younger, you're thinking maybe the band would last a couple of years, maybe it would last 10 years. Now we're at 30, and it's incredible. It's a testament to the chemistry of the members of the band, and our commitment to the music and to ourselves as a group.' The band will return to Orange County on Aug. 3 for an OC Fair show at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, along with X and Los Lobos. The shows are part of Ozomatli's '30 Revolutions' tour. A hometown anniversary show was scheduled for Saturday night at the California Plaza in downtown L.A., but Bella said it has been postponed due to the curfew and ICE raids in the city. Bella said Ozomatli, a band whose origins are steeped in activism, instead plans to perform at 'No Kings' demonstrations planned for Saturday. 'That's going to be Plan B,' he said. 'I think [the raids are] pure political theater. The worst kind, too, because the people who are suffering are working class people.' Three decades in, Ozomatli also still features founding members Asdru Sierra on vocals and trumpet, Raul Pacheco on vocals and guitars, Wil-Dog Abers on bass, Jiro Yamaguchi on percussion and Justin Poree on vocals and percussion. The group has won three Grammy Awards, including a Latin Grammy, and is unique in the way it blends Latin, hip-hop, reggae, funk music and more. 'All of us grew up with all kinds of different music growing up, and it's this blend of those different kinds of music that make up the gumbo of what Ozomatli's sound is,' Bella said. 'I will say that the scope of the influences from where we've started to where we are now has grown over the years. We used L.A. as our foundation, and traveling around the country, you go to places like Chicago and New Orleans, cities with very important musical traditions, [Washington] D.C., New York. 'Then we go all around the world, and we're able to soak up some of those obscure references and obscure music styles,' Bella said. 'It's expanded our whole musical horizon.' Admission and parking are both free for Thursday's show at Mile Square Park, with attendees welcome to save their spot on the grass for the concert and enjoy food trucks and concessions starting at 5 p.m. The concert, which will take place by the north lake near Freedom Hall, starts at 6 p.m. The OC Parks Summer Concert Series continues back at Mile Square Park on June 26 with Doin' Time, a Sublime cover band. More free concerts are scheduled throughout the summer at Mason and Irvine regional parks in Irvine, Craig Regional Park in Fullerton and Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point.
Los Angeles Times
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
OC Parks welcomes visitors to Old Orange County Courthouse for a day of art and music
The Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana is one of the county's most iconic historic landmarks. Dedicated in 1901, the restored 30,000-square foot building is no longer an active courthouse, but it does still serve the community by offering interpretive programs, art shows and performing civil marriage ceremonies. This weekend, OC Parks invites the public to make special memories at the Old Courthouse. On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., OC Parks will host 'Spring into Summer,' a new music and art event suitable for all ages, with the chance to learn about all of OC Park's upcoming summer events and programs. 'Spring into Summer welcomes all to enjoy an afternoon of fun and entertainment,' said County Supervisor Vicente Sarmiento in a news release. 'I am excited to invite the community to join this celebration that will include live music, art and history.' Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to the courthouse lawn for live music performances from The Como la Flor Band: A Tribute to Selena, fronted by Tina Aldana who replicates the look, sound and moves of the famous Tejano Queen, and passionate Latin orchestra, Yari Moré Latin Band. Craft workshops, sketch drawing demonstrations and a paleontology booth are planned, along with a special exhibit at the Third Floor Gallery titled, 'Backyard Kingdom: Orange County's Natural World.' Families can explore Orange County's diverse ecosystems and maybe even get inspired to explore the outdoors with OC Parks, which currently manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space. Historically, the courthouse has stood as a witness to local government proceedings that shaped early Orange County. The original building was established on land the county bought from the founder of Santa Ana, William Spurgeon; its first use was as a jail. In 1900, the Orange County Board of Supervisors commissioned Los Angeles architect Charles Strange to design the courthouse we see today. Several important cases were heard in its courtroom over the years. After the county's courthouse operations moved to new digs, the old building underwent a multi-phased restoration project that began in 1983. It was reopened to the public as a museum and historic landmark in 1992. Since that transformation, the beautiful wood courtroom has served as a backdrop to Hollywood films like 'Catch Me if You Can,' starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks, and 'Legally Blonde,' starring Reese Witherspoon. OC Parks offers free tours of the Old Orange County Courthouse Monday through Friday by appointment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the Old Courthouse Museum is always free. Free parking will be offered on Saturday. 'Free admission and parking allow residents from near and far to attend, become more familiar with the many summer programs offered by OC Parks, and will also highlight Orange County's Historic Courthouse,' said Sarmiento. 'Spring Into Summer' will take place at the Old Orange County Courthouse at 211 W. Santa Ana Blvd. in Santa Ana on Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free. Free parking is available at P8/Transit Tower parking structure at 301 W. 5th St., Santa Ana.
Los Angeles Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens to host open house
History buffs, nature lovers and Shakespeare fans can all find a little something to explore at Modjeska's Spring Open House on Saturday. The annual event, which launched in 2019 and has been held in May since 2023, is an entertainment and educational experience at Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens in Silverado. 'Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990 and is one of only two sites in Orange County to receive this designation,' said OC Parks Historic Curator Bradley Flynt. 'The process involves an application to the National Park Service who reviews the history and significance of the site. Modjeska's home was designated because the site tells the story of an individual who played a significant role in the history of the United States.' The event takes place in three scheduled time slots (10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m.) and visitors can sign up to for free. The Orange Town Revival will perform live music, docents will lead tours of the home and grounds, and the Modjeska Shakespeare Players will also perform. 'If you're a Shakespeare lover, you'll get a curated tasting menu of familiar favorites and more obscure bits — we're doing a side-splitting scene from the Shakespeare, John Fletcher collaboration, 'The Two Noble Kinsmen,' which isn't produced at nearly the rate of a 'Romeo and Juliet,'' said Nicholas Thurkettle, director of the Modjeska Shakespeare Players. 'For Shakespeare newcomers, you'll get a non-judgmental introduction and the authentic joy of performers who want to share what wonderful stuff this is — for free. And everyone will get to breathe in the magical atmosphere of Arden, the flower gardens, the ancient oaks. People who come can scarcely believe a place like this exists in Orange County.' Thurkettle said their regular showcases at Arden's open house events are a 30-minute collection of scenes, speeches and sonnets. 'We perform on the lawn right in front of the house porch, using a deliberately informal aesthetic,' Thurkettle said. 'The audience sees us playing dress-up in full view, pulling crowns and doublets and swords out of a tub as needed. For me, the goal is to ignite new Shakespeare lovers, and a huge part of that is taking out the distance and the intimidation. Shakespeare was popular entertainment in his day. The best moments are when we present, say, a scene from 'King Lear,' and if you have an inviting attitude, give the audience just a bit of context, and get them into the rhythm of the language, very quickly they're as rapt as if they're watching 'Game of Thrones.' Because it's the same stuff.' Shakespeare does play a big role at the Arden house considering the home belonged to world-renowned Shakespearean actress Helena Modjeska from 1888 until 1906, according to Flynt. 'Modjeska and her husband, Charles Bozenta Chlapowski, spent the off-season at Arden, which she named for the ground's resemblance to the Forest of Arden in Shakespeare's play, 'As You Like It,'' Flynt said. 'Their rambling white cottage was designed by famed New York architect Stanford White in 1888.' He said the Polish Shakespearean actress, Modjeska, was one of the most recognizable stage stars of the late Victorian era. 'The event aims to highlight the remarkable story of an immigrant woman's great achievements and inspire visitors who travel from near and far to visit the historic home and grounds,' Flynt said. 'Visitors can also taste one of the famous caramel and marshmallow Modjeska candies,' Flynt said. Each open house session can accommodate up to 150 visitors. In addition to free entry, the event also has free parking — there's off-site parking and shuttle. Visit for more information and to register in advance. For those who can't make the event, guests can learn about the Arden during free guided tours of the historic home and grounds Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m. with advance registration. The site, located at 29042 Modjeska Canyon Road, is also open for self-guided tours of the grounds Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Los Angeles Times
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Views of Orange County at ‘Omnivision' art exhibit in Santa Ana
There isn't one way to view all the beautiful scenery Southern California has to offer, but multiple points of view are gathered in one place for 'Omnivision: Art Across Boundaries.' The art exhibit on display at the Old Orange County Courthouse in Santa Ana now through March 13 is hosted by OC Parks and the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn., with more than 180 original paintings featured. Scenes of nature, cityscapes and florals in the Golden State all painted by local Orange County artists make up the diverse show. 'Orange County is home to so many talented individuals,' Orange County Board of Supervisor, Vicente Sarmiento said in a statement. Sarmiento attended a ribbon-cutting for the show on Jan. 30, ahead of its opening reception on Feb.1. He has worked with OC Parks to bring art exhibits to the Old Orange County Courthouse in the past, like a Chicano art exhibit from the private collection of Cheech Marin last summer. Sarmiento was accompanied by Steve Sandborg and Dawn Buckingham, president and vice president respectively of the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn. Plein air, the French term for 'in the open air,' is the practice of painting outside, which allows an artist to capture its subject in natural light. The practice was popularized in the 1870s with the invention of tube paint. As painting materials became more portable, a proper studio became less of a requirement for painting. The work in 'Omnivision' continues the tradition of plein air painting, while offering individual perspectives of quintessential scenes of California life, like Orange County beaches. Founded in 2001 by Margaret 'Maggie' Jamison as a small gathering of artists from a painting class at Irvine Valley College taught by Jack Horn, the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn. has since grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to bring artists of all skill levels together. 'Attention aspiring artists! Are you hesitant to join our plein air painting club because you lack experience?' a statement on the Southern California Plein Air Painters Assn.'s website reads. 'Fear not! Our group is all about learning and growing together.' Members can enjoy weekly in-person paint-outs and inspiring Zoom meetings along with other community engagement. Besides building camaraderie among local plein air artists, the association is dedicated to supporting local conservation efforts to protect O.C.'s natural landscape. Members' paintings can be found on view year round at OC Parks' Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve in the Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center. Additionally, the association works to promote arts education, and 'Omnivision' includes artwork by students from the Orange County School of Arts in Santa Ana. 'It is wonderful to have a place in the heart of the county, at the historic Old Orange County Courthouse, to display the work of local artists where others can be inspired and introduced to a new art medium,' Sarmiento said. The artwork in the gallery is for sale, with all proceeds going directly to the artist. The exhibit is free and open to view at the Old Orange County Courthouse gallery Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through March 13.
