FRIDAY, MAY 12
High School Art Exhibition: The annual event is a multimedia show featuring art produced by students from Irvine high schools. Through May 27 at Irvine Fine Arts Center. Free. 14321 Yale Ave. 949-724-6880 or cityofirvine.org
“Frida Kahlo – Her Photos”: Offers a glance into the life of the beloved artist. Kahlo’s collection of photographs depicts loved ones as well as scenes from Mexico. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday through June 25 at Bowers Museum. $20-$25. 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana. 714-567-3600 or bowers.org
Gem Faire: Featuring fine jewelry, precious and semi-precious gemstones, millions of beads, crystals, gold and silver, minerals and more at manufacturer’s prices. Nearly 200 exhibitors from around the world. Classes and demos. Free hourly door prizes. Noon-6 p.m. today, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at OC Fair & Event Center. $7 weekend pass. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. 503-252-8300 or gemfaire.com
“Harry Potter And The Chamber of Secrets in Concert”: This concert features the film “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” in high-definition, on a giant screen, while the Pacific Symphony performs John Williams’ unforgettable score. 7:30 p.m. tonight, 2 & 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall. Tickets start at $39. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 714-556-2787 or scfta.org
Rocky LaPorte: He has been performing on the road as a top-notch in-demand and enormously popular comedy club headliner accumulating a trunk full of TV appearances from “Cheers,” “Carolines Comedy Hour” and his very own “The Rocky LaPorte Show,” a pilot for CBS. Various times through Sunday at Irvine Improv. $20. 527 Spectrum Center Drive. 949-854-5455 or irvine.improv.com
Opera UC Irvine: “Our Town”: A Three-Act Opera: Southern California premiere of a classic American story. Based on the Thornton Wilder play, it is about life, love, and death in the fictional town of Grover’s Corners, N.H., early in the 20th century. Features the music of one of America’s foremost composers, Ned Rorem, and a libretto by American poet J.D. McClatchy. The production will be joined by the UCI Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Stephen Tucker. 8 p.m. tonight & Saturday at Irvine Barclay Theatre. $7-$17. 4242 Campus Drive. 949-854-4646 or thebarclay.org
SATURDAY, MAY 13
Rocket Launch: Blast off at DiscoveryCube’s annual event. Featuring activities for all ages and a competition in which guests can design, build and launch their own rockets using 2-liter bottles. Rockets with the longest “hang time” will be awarded prizes. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Boeing Co. Free. 5301 Bolsa Ave., Huntington Beach. discoverycube.org
Bunnies and Books for Kids Festival: Featuring a bunny-themed story time, face painting, arts and crafts, games and outdoor activities. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Newport Beach Library. Free. 1000 Avocado Ave. newportbeachlibrary.org
THURSDAY, MAY 18
“Mozart & Don Quixote”: The esteemed and internationally celebrated pianist Orli Shaham takes center-stage in Mozart’s sunny “Concerto No. 17,” with the famous third movement theme inspired by the composer’s melodic pet starling. Ravel’s “Morning Song of the Jester,” incorporating Spanish musical themes, opens the program. Closing the evening is Strauss’ tone poem inspired by the Cervantes novel, with the solo cello – Pacific Symphony’s own Timothy Landauer – starring as Don Quixote de la Mancha. 8 p.m. Thursday-May 20 at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets start at $25. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 714-556-2787 or scfta.org