The Center celebrated its 40th birthday with a campus-wide party

When you are a major performing arts center celebrating a birthday and you throw a party for the community, you’d better be prepared for a lot of guests to show up! On September 13, the Center celebrated 40 years of music, dancing, and art for all ages and brought together organizations across our campus and community. Over the course of the afternoon, more than 5,000 guests checked out performances, films, and displays that told the story of the Center through the past, present, and future. 

Studio D: Arts School for all Abilities performed in Samueli Theater and drew a strong, positive response. American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School was also very popular, as were the docent-led mini-tours of both major halls. Folk-dancing performances including ballet folklórico, Chinese, and hula consistently drew large audiences on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza. There were music ensembles and chorale groups from Orange County School of the Arts as well as Philharmonic Society and Pacific Symphony, and the UC Irvine Langson OCMA museum brought art making outside. The Philharmonic’s Music Mobile was a hit, and both the arcade and face painting had steady traffic throughout the day. There’s almost too much to list. 

During the evening the celebrations continued. Hosted by ABC Eyewitness News anchor David Ono, more than 1,000 attendees enjoyed featured special anniversary moments celebrating the Center’s legacy. Actors from South Coast Repertory performed scenes from Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods, a recorder choir played, and Pacific Chorale led the Big Sing performance. 

Presentations of proclamations and honors were made from local politicians, including City of Costa Mesa Mayor John Stephens, Council Member Buley, Council Member Gameros, Council Member Reynolds, City Manager Cecilia Gallardo-Daly, Assistant City Manager Alma Reyes, Orange County Board of Supervisors, Fifth District, Supervisor, Katrina Foley, Assemblywoman, District 73, Cottie Petrie-Norris and Representative Ryan Dack for Office of Congressman David Min. 

Then, The M80s band fired up on stage for ’80s-inspired dancing before the drone show. That performance started with a “picture” of a lima bean plant, an ode to the early agricultural beginnings of the Segerstrom family, who donated the land that became this Orange County landmark. There were light-up wristbands which were a big hit as well, showing how many decades the wearer had been associated with the Center. 

Overall, there really was something for everyone. Guests were learning, participating, and exploring areas of the Center they may have never seen, and having fun. And that is what the Center has always been about. We can’t wait to celebrate our next 40th anniversary!