GREER WYLDER -- Best Buys

The ninth annual Hot Blues on a Cool Summer Night benefit is happening

at South Coast Village from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday. The benefit is for the

Orange County Performing Arts Center, and members of Center Stage, a

guild of the Center, produce it. The blues concert and food festival will

be held at the Village Green and offers a night of great food and music.

Tickets are $35 for Center Stage members, $45 for nonmembers, and $55 at

the door, if available. Included in the evening are samples from selected

South Coast Plaza’s restaurants: Antonello, Birraporetti’s, Bluewater

Grill, The Clubhouse, Darya Persian Cuisine, Lugano Cucina, Maggiano’s

Little Italy, Morton’s of Chicago, Rainforest Cafe, Royal Khyber Indian

Cuisine, Nello Cucina, Vie de France and The Village Farmer. The Bernie

Pearl Blues Band will perform with its six-piece band featuring Bernie

Pearl. To but tickets, call (714) 556-2121 or visit the Center Stage Web

site at o7 https:///www.center-stage.comf7 .

One of the most popular local concert series of the year, the 34th

annual Summer Concert Series plays every Wednesday through Aug. 22 at 6

p.m. at Fashion Island. The series promises to appeal to every one, with

a mix of pop, rock, jazz, swing and new wave. On Wednesday, Starship,

featuring Mickey Thomas, will play its top hits. As the lead vocalist for

Starship, Thomas recorded four No. 1 songs, including “No Way Out,” “We

Built this City,” “Sara” and “Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now.” On Aug. 1,

contemporary jazz artist Scott Wilkie will perform his melodies on

keyboard. Wilkie’s first album, Boundless, received high praises from

critics and was one of the best contemporary jazz releases in 1999. His

second album, “More Than You Know,” also received rave reviews. On Aug.

8, Royal Crown Revue will bring its retro style of swing music to Fashion

Island. Its sound has been described as jazz and jump, mixed with

everything from bebop to bossa nova, the Los Angeles-based Royal Crown

Revue has a large following and was featured in “The Mask,” starring Jim

Carey and Cameron Diaz. The group’s latest album, “Walk on Fire,” has

been well-received. On Aug. 15, The Nelsons will play some of their gold-

and platinum-selling songs. The Nelsons are the twin sons of the late

Ricky Nelson. Their debut album, “After the Rain,” sold more than 2.3

million copies and had four top 10 hits, including the No. 1 song, “I

Cant’ Live Without Your Love.” The brothers, Matthew and Gunnar, will

perform their own hits, as well as the best of their father’s, including

“Travelin’ Man” and “Hello Mary Lou.” The concert series will end on Aug.

22 with an ‘80s band, A Flock of Seagulls. Known for hits such as “I

Ran,” “Space Age Love Song” and “Wishing,” A Flock of Seagulls had six

chart-topping albums and won a Grammy. A Flock Of Seagulls has just

released a new CD, “The Light at the End of the World,” and will play old

favorites and new songs. Fashion Island’s concert series has drawn as

many as 10,000 people in one night. The concerts are free, with preferred

seating available for $15. Information: (949) 721-2000.

The Lido Consignment Gallery is having a moving sale, and everything

is reduced to sell. Merchandise can be bought at as much as 60% off.

Included in the sale are furniture and accessories, designer furniture in

contemporary and traditional styles, antiques, Oriental rugs, artwork,

collectibles and mirrors. There’s also a pickup and delivery service

available. Lido Consignment Gallery is at 3439 Via Oporto, Newport Beach.

The new location will be at 400 W. Coast Highway, Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 723-6480.

Fashion Island merchants are having their summer sidewalk clearance

sale this weekend. Participating merchants are offering savings outside

and in select stores. Fashion Island is in Newport Beach. Information:

(949) 721-2000.

Aaron Brothers is having another one of its popular semiannual 1-cent

frame sales through Aug. 4. There are hundreds of frames to chose from in

the 1-cent collection. When you buy a frame, you’ll get the second one

for a penny, as long as it’s of equal or lesser value. The same offer is

1-cent canvases. Aaron Brothers is at 1714 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa.

Information: (949) 645-6880.

* BEST BUYS appears Thursdays and Saturdays. Send information to Greer

Wylder at 330 W. Bay St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627, or via fax at (949)

646-4170.