OCC’s Forte Is Shows That Have Broad Appeal

With nearby venues such as the Orange County Performing Arts Center, the Irvine Barclay Theatre, the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, the Galaxy Concert Theatre, the Coach House and the fledgling Sun Theatre, Orange Coast College may not readily come to mind for entertainment options.

But that doesn’t faze George Blanc, who books talent for OCC’s 1999-2000 performing-arts season, which kicks off Saturday with singer-songwriter Don McLean in concert at the Robert B. Moore Theatre on the Costa Mesa college’s campus.

“We’re kind of like Kmart in that we offer an affordable alternative for a lot of people,” said Blanc, OCC’s administrative dean of economic development and community education for 19 years. “I try to present a comprehensive season that is enriching for all ages. . . . An experience that the whole family can enjoy.”

One selling point: “Anyone who buys advance tickets for at least three of our events will receive a free ticket for a fourth event. We also offer discounted tickets for children under 12 and seniors 60 and older.”

Big band and swing music shows have attracted solid audiences, Blanc said.

“A large portion of Orange County’s population is in their 50s, 60s and 70s, so we bring in a lot of big bands and swing,” he said.

Season highlights: Les Brown and His Band of Renown (Sunday); Tex Beneke & his orchestra (Sept. 26); the 40-member national dance company of the Republic of Guinea, Les Ballet Africains (Oct. 1); the Al Di Meola Acoustic Trio (Oct. 9); “Swing, Swing, Swing,” (Oct. 17); Latin jazz percussionist Poncho Sanchez (Oct. 23), and musical star Shirley Jones (Dec. 17).

Others include entertainer Dale Kristien (Jan. 8); the 28-member Peking Acrobats (Jan. 15); Momix in Orbit (Feb. 6); the Massenkoff Russian Folk Festival, featuring Russian song, dance and balalaika music (March 18); Stars of the Irish Cabaret, formerly known as Doyle’s Irish Cabaret (March 25); the Second City National Touring Company (April 8); entertainer Ann Miller (May 6), and the season-ending “A Celebration of Middle Eastern Dance--A Tribute to Ibrahim Farrah,” (May 27).

A complete listing is available on the Internet at www.occ.cccd.edu/~comed. For tickets, call (714) 432-5880.