Arts

Four-time Tony Award-winning original musical "Memphis" rides the airwaves into Costa Mesa for a two-week engagement at Segerstrom Center for the Arts next week. "Memphis," two hours of fast-paced action and 19 high-energy song and dance numbers, is set in the segregated 1950s with blues and early rock 'n' roll the vehicle for a tale of fame and forbidden interracial love. The first national touring company features original Broadway cast members, including Bryan Fenkart as Huey Calhoun, a role he understudied and performed more than 200 times, ensemble member Jill Morrison said.

The 13th annual Orange County Arts Awards were presented Sept. 18 during a dinner ceremony at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Produced by Orange County impresario Richard Stein , the organization honored three individuals and one couple for lifetime achievement supporting artistic endeavors in Orange County. Orange County Arts labels the honor the Helena Modjeska Cultural Legacy Awards, a nod to the famed European actress who settled in rural Orange County with her husband in 1876.

Art, much like beauty, often is in the eye of the beholder. One man's masterpiece might easily be another man's rubbish. It's not, after all, like sports where there are clear-cut winners and losers. Yasmina Reza's caustic comedy "Art," however, is a slam-dunk winner. First unveiled at South Coast Repertory several seasons ago, it's now on view at the Newport Theatre Arts Center where even a directorial switch in mid-stream hasn't compromised its comedic impact. When original director Michael Ross became seriously ill midway through rehearsals, NTAC called on another A-list director, Gigi Fusco Meese, to bring the show home in grand style.

A $48-million community college campus with panoramic ocean views is slated to open next month in Newport Beach. Coastline Community College is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 for its new 3.4-acre campus at 1515 Monrovia Ave. College leaders, Coast Community College District board members, district Chancellor Andrew C. Jones and Newport Beach city officials are expected to attend. "We are anxious to unveil the building to our new neighbors in Newport Beach, and our faculty, staff and students are looking forward to utilizing all of the features of this state-of-the-art, green campus when we open for classes there in January 2013," Coastline President Loretta P. Adrian said in a prepared statement.

The Newport Beach City Arts Commission is accepting grant applications through Sept. 28. The commission is offering 2012-13 Newport Beach Cultural Arts Grants to qualified arts organizations that serve Newport residents and visitors. Applicants should have a project that would enhance arts education and community projects with a direct benefit to residents of all ages, as wells as local schools. The project's need, success, budget and implementation plan must also be documented. To apply for the grant, visit http://www.newportbeachca.gov . All applications must be emailed to jbarbier@newportbeachca.gov or received at the cultural arts office by 4 p.m. Sept.

A Newport Beach man's painted impression of his wife's Jewish cooking won him first place in the professional category at a recent Jewish art competition. Max Yamada placed first in the My Jewish Journey contest at the Merage Jewish Community Center of Orange County for his painting "Jo's Gefilte Fish. " The painting, created with a painting knife, reflects Yamada's culinary Jewish journey by showing his wife, Jolyn Yamada, preparing a gefilte fish meal. For the painting, Yamada took a photo of his wife making the food.

A new season means a host of new stage productions — professional, community and collegiate — on local stages, beginning Friday with the Costa Mesa Playhouse. David Auburn's mathematics-centered drama "Proof" focuses on the brilliant daughter of an equally accomplished, now deceased, man whose madness may be inherited. The play runs at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through Sept. 30 at 661 Hamilton St. For more information, call (949) 650-5269 or visit http://www.costamesaplayhouse.org . The Newport Theatre Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach, swings back into action Sept.

A political action committee (PAC) backed by a lobbyist for a trash disposal company has spent more than $10,000 on the reelection campaigns of two Costa Mesa Sanitary District directors, campaign disclosure forms show. Concerned Californians for Effective Government spent $10,843 supporting incumbents Jim Ferryman and Art Perry. Lyle Overby, a registered lobbyist for the district's solid waste disposal company, Stanton-based CR&R Waste Management, contributed $5,000 to the PAC in June.

With one of the hottest summers on record finally drawing to a close, Popsicles and hot dogs are making way for more creative culinary experiences. Enter Costa Mesa Restaurant Week, a perfect opportunity to try out 34 area restaurants with fixed-price menus that are ideal for all palates and budgets. Starting Friday, Restaurant Week runs through Aug. 24. * A price good for the soul Soul food favorite Memphis, 2920 Bristol St., is offering a steal of a deal. A prix fixe lunch there will set you back $14.12.

A star-studded evening at the Music Center in Los Angeles honored Orange County philanthropist Henry T. Segerstrom at the 2012 Dizzy Feet Foundation Celebration of Dance. The July 28 gala evening welcomed the founding namesake of Orange County's premier performing arts center escorted by his glamorous wife, Elizabeth , at a party that also recognized the creative philanthropy of actress Shirley MacLaine , and dance and musical director Damian Woetzel . Celebrities in attendance included Maria Menounos , Ryan Guzman , Misha Gabriel , and from ABC television's "Dancing with the Stars," Derek Hough . Presenting the awards to Segerstrom, MacLaine and Woetzel were performers including Carmen Electra and two stars from "Glee," Chord Overstreet and Harry Shum Jr. Also on hand for the evening was TV talk host Ricki Lake , who has recently returned to the electronic screen with a new reality format.