CALENDAR

TODAY

USC COACH IN TOWN

Steve Bisheff and Loel Schrader, authors of the book “Fight On! The Colorful Story of USC Football”, will be joined by former USC and NFL head coach John Robinson for a book signing and discussion session at Barnes and Noble Booksellers in Fashion Island at 7 p.m. Adults and children are welcome. The bookstore is located at 401 Newport Center Dr., Suite A215, Newport Beach. Call (949) 718-0109 for more information.

FRIDAY

INAUGURAL CONCERT

The Orange County Performing Arts Center celebrates the opening of the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall and the Samueli Theater as well as the center’s 20th anniversary at 7 p.m. Evening will include a reception, dinner and program featuring tenor Placido Domingo. Center is at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. Call (714) 556-2787 for tickets and more information.

KOSHER COOK-OFF DEADLINE

Food lovers and creative cooks are invited to submit their recipes for the first annual Simply Manischewitz Cook-Off. The Hilton Hotel in Costa Mesa will host the third semi-final event on December 14. The contest is open to anyone over the age of 18, and the grand prize package is valued at $20,000. Recipes must be submitted no later than September 15.

For contest details and to register, go to www.manischewitz.com.

FRIDAY TILL SUNDAY

OCC THEATRE

Orange Coast College will open its 22nd anniversary season this fall with the dark comedy “Dreaming of Norton.” The play follows two insurance claims adjusters on the heels of a Kansas hailstorm. Curtain time is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. Advance tickets are available for $6 by calling (714) 432-5640 ext. 1. Tickets are $7 at the door. Contact Jim Carnett at (714) 432-5725 for more information.

TASTE OF NEWPORT

Come experience the flavor of Newport Beach at the 28th annual Taste of Newport, combining food, wine and music into a three-day festival at Newport Center Dr. in Fashion Island. Over 30 local restaurants will have menu items to sample, and more than 15 California wineries will be represented. This year’s entertainment schedule includes Smashmouth, the Go-Gos and Kenny Loggins. Tickets are $22 if purchased in advance, $25 at the gate. Children are admitted free. Event times are 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Parking is free in designated areas, or valet service is available.

Call (949) 729-4400 or go to https://www.tasteofnewport.com

SATURDAY

AUDITIONS

Newport Beach Repertory Theater has openings available for children, teens and adults interested in performing in the 12th annual Christmas production of “It’s A Wonderful Life”. Auditions will be held at the Carrol Beek Community Center on Balboa Island from 10 a.m. until noon. Callbacks will be held on Sunday, Sept. 17 at the Center. Auditions will be a cold reading from the script, and if possible, bring a head shot or snapshot with you. The Carrol Beek Community Center is located at 115 Agate Ave., Balboa Island. Call (949) 633-1580 or go to www.geocities.com/newport beachrepertorytheater/ index.html.

HERITAGE FAIR

The Costa Mesa Historical Society will be celebrating its 40th anniversary at Estancia Park, 1900 Adams Ave. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day’s activities include games, face painting for children, exhibits, entertainment and tours of the Diego Sepulveda Adobe. There will be a special presentation honoring the Segerstrom family at 1:30 p.m. Parking and admission are free. Bring your own picnic lunch, or food is available for sale; bottled water will be available for free while supplies last.

Call: (949) 631-5918 or go to https://www.costamesahistory.org

TILL SEPT. 30

FESTIVAL OF CHILDREN

The Festival of Children Foundation celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, and its signature event, the Festival of Children, will take place throughout the month of September at South Coast Plaza, where more than 50 children’s charities will be showcased. The Foundation’s purpose is to connect children, charities and the community, and over 100 activities, workshops and performances will be offered free to the public. .All activities take place at South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa. For a festival events calendar go to www.festivalofchildren.org.

SUNDAY

THE MAGIC OF MOZART

The Philharmonic Society presents The Mozarteum Orchestra of Salzburg in a special opening night celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The program will feature pianists Louis Lortie, Angela Hewitt and the North American debut of German soprano Mojca Erdmann, as well as an exhibition of some of Mozart’s original manuscripts and letters. Tickets are $100-$175. The Orange County Performing Arts Center is located at 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. For more information, call (714) 556-2787 or go to www.ocpac.org.

ANNUAL OCEAN SWIM

The Swim for Life Foundation invites the public to participate in its fourth annual ocean swim at 10 a.m. at Corona del Mar’s main beach. Participation is free, and open to swimmers of all ages. Donations are appreciated, and will help fund water safety education through the joint efforts of the Swim for Life Foundation and the Orange County Fire Authority. Children under 15 must swim with a parent or adult “buddy”. Signups are requested prior to September 10. Four former Olympians including Erich Fischer and Bruce Furniss, 11 year-old Chad Hundeby, the world record holder for the English channel swim, and Buddy Belshe, 72, current Newport Beach lifeguard and open water master, will be participating in the 1.5 mile swim. The swim will be followed by a family beach party for participants and their guests. To participate, call Cindy Johnson at (714) 227-6000 or Johnny Johnson at (714) 225-7680 by Sept. 10.

NEWPORT’S GOT TALENT

“Celtic Spring”, the eight-member family band that placed in the final top three position on the NBC show, “America’s Got Talent”, will perform a free courtyard concert at 2 p.m. at Muldoon’s Pub, 202 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach. Call (949) 640-4110 or go to www.muldoonspub.com.

WEDNESDAY TILL SEPT. 24

Orange Coast College’s School of Sailing and Seamanship will offer a five-day bareboat cruising event aboard “Betty,” the school’s new Catalina 42. Participants will learn tasks such as steering, handling and cleanup. Students taking part in the cruise will earn U.S. Sailing Bareboat Certification. Costs $795 to partake. For more information, call (949) 645-9412.

SEPT. 21

MUTT MINGLE AND BOOK SIGNING

Bring your pooch to Muttropolis in Fashion Island and meet Sondra Barker, author of “Litter Boxes Aren’t Just for Cats”. She will be answering questions and signing copies of her book from 7 to 9 p.m. Muttropolis is located at 865 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach. For more information, call (949) 717-MUTT or go to www.muttropolis.com.

SEPTEMBER 22

FRANCE AND THE PANAMA CANAL

A talk on the Panama Canal and the French influence will be hosted by the Alliance Francaise de la Riviera Californienne at 7 p.m. at the Bluff Association Recreation Room, 2414 Vista Del Oro, Newport Beach. Refreshments will be served; small donations are appreciated.

Call: (949) 251-1610.

SEPT. 24

RACE FOR THE CURE

If you would like to help in the fight against breast cancer, register to participate in the 15th annual Komen Orange County Race for the Cure at Fashion Island. The event, featuring a 5K run/walk and a one-mile fun walk, supports local education, research, screening and treatment programs for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and is open to runners, walkers and survivors of all ages. Walk-in registration is taking place at various locations throughout Orange County. Entry fees range from $20 to $35. Call (714) 957-9165 or go to https://www.ockomen.com

COMMUNITY ARTS CELEBRATION

From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. the public is invited to enjoy this free event at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Event will include tours, music, dancing and theater performances and refreshments. Center is at 600 Town Center Drive in Costa Mesa. Call (714) 556-2787 for more information.

SEPT. 30

CHILDREN’S BOOK FESTIVAL

Orange Coast College will host the third annual Orange County Children’s Book Festival from 9:30 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Program includes more than 80 exhibits, presentations by authors and illustrators, and fun activities for children. Orange County resident Adrienne McMillan is among the dozen master storytellers scheduled to entertain. Admission and parking are free. Call (714) 432-5707 for more.