Briefly in Datebook

The 13th annual Taste of Newport -- a three-day food, wine and music

festival to be held Sept. 14-16 at Fashion Island -- will feature tastes

from more than 30 Newport Beach restaurants, 15 California wineries and

an entertainment lineup including The Bangles, Toto and KC & the Sunshine

Band.

All entertainment is included in the price of admission, which is $15.

Hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 14, 4 to 11 p.m. Sept. 15 and noon to 8 p.m.

Sept. 16. Children younger than 3 will be admitted free on Sept. 15 and

16.

Fashion Island is at Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. Information:

(949) 729-4400.

Auditions for ‘Gypsy’ on Wednesday

The Musical Theater Academy of Orange County will hold auditions for

the fall class production of “Gypsy” from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the

Musical Theater Academy, 2488 Newport Blvd., Suite C-2, Costa Mesa.

Children between the ages of 13 and 18 are encouraged to audition.

Younger performers, between the ages of 7 and 11, should try out from

3:15 to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Sept. 12 and 19.

Everyone who auditions will get a part. Performances will be held Jan.

18-20. Tuition is $85 a month. Scholarships are available. Information:

(949) 646-6624.

SCR gets donation from Holiday Inn

South Coast Repertory received a donation of $2,400 from the Holiday

Inn Costa Mesa Orange County Airport, which recently held a grand opening

for its renovated space, from proceeds from a silent auction and a

matching sum from Hanford Hotels Inc.

The Ronald McDonald House in Orange received a $7,200 check.

Chorale to hold auditions at OCC

Ever wanted to sing in a chorus? The Orange Coast College Chorale will

hold auditions for singers of all abilities from 7 to 10 p.m. Sept. 10.

This year’s repertoire will include Handel’s “Messiah,” performed with an

orchestra. Richard Soto is the choir’s director. The auditions will be

held in Music Room 101 at OCC, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa.

Information: (714) 894-3101.